Visitors travelling south will discover a quieter England , where a tranquil air blows through country lanes or across shimmering fens, while the gleaming spires of Oxford stand proud above a University city that's changed little over the centuries. South of London the ' Garden of England ' stretches out with bountiful farmlands to the coast, where visitors will find charming seaside resorts and fishing villages. From the Cotswolds to the craggy coast of Cornwall , the West Country presents an idyllic pastoral existence, with charming thatched cottages and winding roads through lush, green fields.

All the regions of England are easily accessible from the invigorating capital city, London , famous for its history, culture and pageantry. In England's North Country lakes, mountains, castles and craggy coastlines create a scenic splendour while further south the medieval city of York contrasts with lively Liverpool and Manchester, both famous for their football teams and exhausting nightlife.

How to Get In

Visa

Passport/Visa Note: If a visa is not required, travellers should hold a return or onward ticket, or proof of funds for the duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay in the UK . All nationals of non-EEA member states travelling to the UK for more than six months require an Entry Clearance visa.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.By plan

Passport/Visa Note: If a visa is not required, travellers should hold a return or onward ticket, or proof of funds for the duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay in the UK . All nationals of non-EEA member states travelling to the UK for more than six months require an Entry Clearance visa.

England has numerous airports:

London

* London Gatwick

* London Heathrow - Largest and busiest airport in the UK

* London Stansted

* London Luton

* London City

The South

* Southampton

* Bournemouth

The South West

* Bristol

* Exeter

East Anglia

* Norwich

The Midlands

* Birmingham International

* Nottingham East Midlands

* Coventry Airport

The North

* Manchester International - Largest UK airport outside London

* Liverpool John Lennon

* Newcastle International

* Leeds-Bradford

* Doncaster-Sheffield

* Humberside International

* Durham Tees Valley

* Blackpool

By train

The Eurostar links mainland Europe to England . Trains run from Paris and Brussels (via Lille , Calais and Ashford) to Waterloo Station in London .

By boat

With so much coastline and so many ports, England has extensive shipping links with many countries worldwide. Major ports are Dover , Folkestone, Harwich, Hull , Plymouth , Portsmouth , Southampton , Liverpool , Ipswich and Newcastle .

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Get around

England is well serviced by domestic air, land and sea routes.

There are taxi firms everywhere (many are by booking only - find the phone number of the local company and phone ahead), and every town has a bus service.

England has one of the highest densities of railway lines per square mile in the world. There has been much improvement and investment in recent years to the railway network and rolling stock but delays and cancellations do occasionally occur. Overcrowding can be a problem in large cities, especially at 'rush-hour' times ( 7am - 9am & 5pm - 7pm , Monday to Friday) so it is best to avoid these times when tickets can be expensive as well.

Buses are numerous, frequent and reliable in most of the larger towns and cities and an ideal way of getting around. Rural areas are less well served and hiring a car is the best option to explore the countryside and villages.

The speed limit, unless otherwise stated, is 30 mph in built-up areas, 60 mph (approx 95 km/h) elsewhere and 70 mph (approx. 110 km/h) on motorways. The traditional British 'reserve' and politeness may occasionally dissolve under the stress of congestion on the major routes, especially with the traffic problems in some of England's larger cities, but generally driving around Britain is an enjoyable experience and it is polite to acknowledge the courtesy of another driver with a nod or the raising of the hand as a form of thank you.

Brown and white road signs indicate nearby tourist attractions, and the blue i sign denotes Tourist Information.

What to See

England has a large and diverse range of attractions.

A number of 'umbrella' organisations are devoted to the preservation and public access of both natural and cultural heritage. Membership with them, even on a temporary basis, means priority free access to their properties thereafter - travellers to England seeking to see a large number of sights would do well to join one or more of them:

* English Heritage

* the National Trust

What to Eat

It was traditional the world over to deride English food, and many who have not visited the country, or who only eat in low-grade establishments still do so. This tradition was perhaps started by people who visited England during or after the war when rationing continued for a long time, and restaurants were limited by law in the price they could charge for a meal (and there was undeniably a long period when old habits died hard). However, the country has produced some notable dishes, such as Beef Wellington and the sandwich, named after the Earl of Sandwich who found the portable meal convenient as it meant he didn't have to leave the gambling table; whether he invented the concept or just gave it his name is hotly debated. Above all, the English are great adopters of other countries' cuisines, to the frequent exclusion of "native" options (English opinion is currently divided as to whether the most popular dish is lasagna or chicken tikka masala, with the latter probably edging out the competition...). There are still low-quality establishments or mediocre chain restaurants for people who do not care for good food (or for spending good money on it), but the last thirty years have seen huge improvements. England has become a major holiday destination, and restaurants and hotels have learned what demanding travellers want. The English themselves have learned to appreciate good food by visiting countries all over the world and have come home expecting pubs and restaurants to justify their prices by providing interesting and well-presented meals. "A meal out" is the usual way to celebrate a special family event, and people expect the meal to live up to the occasion. Cooking programmes are now among the most popular on the television, supermarkets have turned many previously unknown foods into everyday items, and Farm Shops and Farmers Markets have surprised all the commentators by becoming extremely popular weekend "leisure" destinations where people can buy excellent English meat, fruit, and vegetables.August.

What to Drink

Places

The traditional drinking establishment is the "pub" (short for "public house"). These will often be named for the heraldic (or pseudo-heraldic) symbol on the sign outside; more recent establishments may poke fun of this tradition (e.g. "The Queen's Head" featuring a portrait of Freddy Mercury, lead singer for the rock band Queen).

There are pubs everywhere, city centre and suburb ; large and small towns ; village main street and "in the middle of nowhere". These have traditionally been the meeting places for local communities (not jut the refuge for hardened drinkers) for hundreds of years. Over the last twenty years, there has been a slow but persistent trend for local (non-town-centre) pubs to close down: in particular, rural pubs outside tourist areas have suffered, perhaps from a reduced tolerance for "drink-driving". However, pubs have been fighting back by trying to make more money from food. Some have even become more like restaurants, with a bar area for people waiting to be seated: these types can be less than welcoming to people who just want a drink. Also, it has recently been suggested that recent changes to the licencing laws (below) have helped them by making it possible for people to stay later in their local pub at weekends, rather than having to go "to town" to continue the evening.

Stay Safety

It is generally safe to travel throughout the UK , although travellers are advised to take special care of their personal belongings in central London , where pick-pocketing are often reported. There is a risk of international terrorism, as demonstrated by the deadly terrorist bomb attacks in central London on three tubes and a bus on 7 July 2005 that killed over 50 people and injured about 700. On 21 July 2005 , four attempted bomb attacks on three underground tube stations and a bus mirrored the attacks of 7 July, but no injuries were reported. Following the counter terrorist operation in the UK on 10 August 2006 , security at all UK airports was tightened and restrictions on hand luggage introduced. Several people in the London area were arrested in connection with a terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-flight from the United Kingdom to the USA .

Stay Healthy

There are no specific health risks associated with travel to the UK and food and water can be considered safe. The British National Health Service is excellent; emergency treatment is free to visitors, but charges are made for routine medical care. A number of countries have reciprocal health agreements with the UK including Australia , New Zealand and EU countries. Visitors from other countries (including Canada , South Africa and the US ) are advised to take out good medical insurance.

Emergencies can be dealt with under the NHS (National Health Service) at any hospital with a Casualty or A & E (Accident & Emergency) department. At A&E departments, be prepared to wait for up to 2-3 hours during busy periods before being given treatment if your medical complaint is not too serious. Obviously, more serious ailments are usually treated immediately.