Bring history alive in England, from the majestic Houses of Parliament in London, to prehistoric, mysterious Stonehenge. The sun shines on Brighton’s pebbly beach dotted with striped deckchairs, and limestone walls snake their way across Yorkshire’s verdant dales. Bath’s gracious Georgian terraces are a contrast to trendy canal-side flats in converted Manchester warehouses.
Stroll barefoot along Cornwall’s sandy beaches or take your loved-one punting along the river in majestic Cambridge, next to the centuries-old university. In ancient cathedral city York, it’s easy to lose yourselves along the meandering cobbled lanes and cosy oak-beamed cafés. On Manchester's outskirts, pack a romantic picnic for stately home Dunham Massey’s sprawling grounds.
At Newquay, adventurous kids can try to stay upright while surfing waves then visit the tropical fish in the aquarium. You can play hide-and seek in the maze at Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace, or squeal on the ghost train at Brighton’s Victorian pier. Look out for minuscule ponies in the New Forest or for more ferocious animals, take the kids to see the big cats at London Zoo.
You’ll be spoilt for choice in London's West End where toe-tapping musicals fill the theatres. Gay visitors love Manchester’s vibrant Canal Street. Look out for new bands in Liverpool’s Cavern Club, where the legacy of the Fab Four lives on.
At coastal Whitby, you can dine on traditional fish and chips or, if you have a sweet tooth, Cornwall’s cafés serve up clotted cream teas. London is loved for its world flavours, from hearty Vietnamese noodles to Michelin-starred French cuisine. Meet the locals over a pint in a traditional Newcastle pub.
