UK
Travel Notes UK
England
England once ruled the world's largest empire and, as a result, is so chock-full of history that an English vacation is as close to a History Channel all day marathon on England and the English.
To capture some English sentiment on the British Empire, we turn to Blackadder Goes Forth, which takes place during World War I, a war that Blackadder states "would be a damn sight simpler if we'd just stayed in England and shot fifty thousand of our men a week."
Further quotations relating to imperialism and the English use of self deprecating humour can be found as follows:
Blackadder: George, the British Empire at present covers a quarter of the globe, while the German Empire consists of a small sausage factory in Tanganyika. I hardly think that we can be entirely absolved of blame on the imperialistic front.
Blackadder: Well, you see, George, I did like it [soldiering], back in the old days when the prerequisite of a British campaign was that the enemy should under no circumstances carry guns.
The obvious starting point for a trip to England is London. Use our page London Travel for that massive subject.
Due to the potential size of travel in England, we've chosen the following sample points for an England trip:
Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral. Stonehenge is eerie, despite it being a huge tourist draw. Take the interpretive walks and you'll learn interesting things about how many dead bodies surround you. Salisbury Cathedral started in 1075 as a Norman Cathedral.
Canterbury Cathedral. The home of Geoffrey Chaucer and the murder site of Thomas รก Becket.
Brighton Royal Pavillion. This is a home away from home for the Royalty, that was created by "Fat George," the Prince Regent who clearly had too much money and no taste. A must see.
Arundel Castle. Here you will see the best portraits by Van Dyke (he who paints the amazing eyes) and the death warrant Elizabeth I issued for one of the Dukes of Norfolk for "diverse treasons."
Cambridge University: check out where Sir Issac Newton held his post at the university.
Portsmouth and The Mary Rose. A long term project to preserve King Henry VIII's favourite warship is underway. She is the only 16th century warship on display anywhere.
Oxford. The home of writers J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and, of course, the university founded by Henry II.
There are so many ways to spend time during an England vacation.