A Vacation in England: How to Fit 2000 Years of English History Into an England Vacation

A vacation in England is an opportunity to experience history, culture, fashion and quintessentially English customs and traditions. From the moment you step off your plane, or disembark from your ship, you cannot help but be captivated by the charm and quirks of this island nation who have been so massively influential globally. Perhaps one of the first places you’ll think of visiting is London itself – the capital city of both England, and of course the entire United Kingdom.

London is indeed every bit as awe inspiring as tradition and reputation would have, and with over two thousand years of history within its walls, there is as much diversity in architecture and design as there is amongst the people who live and work here. With over 300 languages spoken in London, it remains an important hub for culture, business, art and entertainment.

From the majestic Buckingham palace, where perhaps you might be fortunate enough to see the changing of the guard, to the famous Mall, scene of so many parades and celebrations witnessed across the world. Perhaps one of the best ways to see London is to cruise down the Thames, the mighty estuary which gave rise to London’s importance so long ago. As you watch the remarkable skyline drift by, you cannot help but be struck at the vast range of styles and the innate sense of history and belonging.

Where else can you find a skyline which sees such contrasts as St Paul’s Cathedral and Canary Wharf, the amazing ‘Gherkin’ Tower 42 and the palace of Westminster, The Millennium Dome and Westminster Cathedral all in perfect harmony, embracing so many hundreds of years of history in perfect accord. Perhaps it is this embrace of diversity which has helped London to keep its history and past so alive whilst at the same time forging ahead into the future with imagination, determination and energy.

Whether you prefer to stroll through such magnificent royal parks as Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, or go shopping down the world famous Oxford Street or Covent Garden, there is more to do here that could possibly fill many vacations. If shopping is your passion, then the internationally renowned Harrods is of course an essential visit, whilst for others an astonishing tour of London Zoo or an entertaining trip to Madame Tussauds where you can rub shoulders with Hollywood stars and royalty fits the bill.

When it comes to Entertainment, London’s West End is an essential place to visit, where a range of world class theatres offer a wealth of theatre, opera, musicals and shows. So many famous names are associated with these shows and performances, but as you tour London, famous names and famous sights will constantly surround you. Certainly the best way of seeing London properly is to be driven privately by someone with local knowledge, since the sheer size and complexity of this city can challenge even the locals.

By engaging the services of a local driver, you will be able to appreciate such places as Trafalgar Square, the London Eye, Park Lane and Mayfair, Marble Arch and the unique Tower Bridge. No matter how long you decide to stay in London on vacation, it will never be enough, and almost certainly you will be planning your next visit even before you have left.

But if you are to appreciate England at its finest during your holiday, and to experience the many other reasons why this nation are so justly proud of their island, then leave London you must, and perhaps head towards Winchester. This cathedral city boasts one of the largest cathedrals in the world, and its gothic architecture is astounding. Winchester was the capital city of Wessex, an important location if you have ever read any of Thomas Hardy’s literary works.

Imagine being driven from a gothic cathedral city, through miles of rolling English countryside, and finding yourself transported magically backwards in time thousands of years. England has a history that is hard to match anywhere else, and you cannot fail to be moved by the magic and mystery of Stonehenge. This iconic symbol of ancient times has the power still to move people, inspire them, even strike awe and fear into men’s’ hearts. If you are able to enlist the services of a good guide, then you can learn about the ways in which the seasons, the moon, the stars and the heavens in general can be read, understood and foretold through these powerful rocks placed here by ancestors as distanced from us as though from another world.

But there is so much more to see during your vacation in England – from Stratford upon Avon, the home of William Shakespeare, where perhaps you will see one of his plays being performed, again transporting you to another time, to the Cotswolds – perhaps the epitome of English country life. A well planned itinerary, and a good guide or experienced driver will be able to take you on a journey through England’s green and pleasant lands, passing through castles and keeps, cathedrals and spires, thatched cottages and duck ponds, village pubs and royal palaces. Take time to visit Althorp, the home of the Spencer family and where Diana, Princess of Wales, is now buried. The finest medieval castle in the country, Warwick Castle, is just next door.

A vacation in England is a chance to embrace more history in a single day than all the text books you read at school. But English history is not dry and dusty, but alive, and rubbing shoulders gladly with the modern vibrancy of the twenty first century. It is a country of contrasts, of traditions, of culture and entertainment. Above all, England is an island that is justifiably proud of its unique heritage, and always eager to offer a friendly hand to anyone willing to spend time within its boundaries. If you only vacation in England once, it will stay with you forever.