The formidable central White Tower was completed in 1078, the keep of the whole Castle complex, with outer walls added subsequently. One of the great icons of London, it’s home to the Beefeaters, or Yeomen Warders, ceremonial palace guards and tour guides. It’s located outside County Hall on the South Bank, just across Westminster Bridge from the Houses of Parliament, and commands extraordinary views over the surrounding area. Edward Elgar - Elgar (1857-1934) is the composer of some much-loved British classical music such as the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, and The Dream of Gerontius. Born near Worcester, his likeness features in one of Worcester Cathedral's many stained glass windows. Fish & Chips - an iconic British dish F It’s one of the great Early English Gothic churches, and replaced the earlier cathedral at Old Sarum, an ancient settlement on the outskirts of the modern city. Winston Churchill (1874–1965): voted top of the BBC's 2002 100 Greatest Britons poll, Churchill is among the most influential people in English history. [8]

Although it is now a symbol of Wales known the world over, during the Middle Ages it fell out of fashion. This may explain in part why it was never put on the Union Flag. Yet it now flies on all government buildings in Wales.

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See also: The Most Underrated CitiesInEurope 16. The Iron Bridge, Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire The famous Iron Bridge of Ironbridge Gorge Piccadilly Circus - is an iconic location and a magnet for the millions of foreign tourists that visit London every year. Piccadilly Circus was laid out in 1819 to connect Regent Street to the north with Piccadilly to the west. The big draws at Piccadilly Circus are the large neon displays on the north side, the statue of Eros by Alfred Gilbert and the Shaftesbury memorial fountain erected in 1892-1893. Piccadilly Circus tube station, directly below is served by both the Piccadilly and Bakerloo Lines and is an extremely busy intersection. Did I regret reading this? No. It gave me ideas regarding the off the beaten path to discover England. It would make a good companion for those intended to explore off the trail attractions. I got better glances on rural customs and learned of landmarks I never knew existed (like Hadrian's Wall), through their writings. Why must we continue to believe the grass is greener where the skies are relentlessly blue” (280) – Gavin Pretor-Pinney. This Gothic masterpiece had its finishing touches, including the west front towers, added in the 18 thcentury. It is crammed with British history and visiting Westminster Abbey– especially if you happen to be visiting on a relatively quiet winter weekday – is one of the most rewarding things to do in London. 9. Windsor Castle Windsor Castle and Great Park

A full introduction from CPRE President Bill Bryson. A share of the book's profits will go to help support CPRE campaigns. The commission to design and build the library was won by James Gibbs after the death in 1736 of Nicholas Hawksmoor, who had been responsible for much of nearby Blenheim Palace. A boy pushes his bread-laden bike up the improbably steep cobbled street to the tune of Dvorak’s New World Symphony. The ad agency and director couldn’t find a suitable Yorkshire location, and went with Gold Hill, in Shaftesbury, over 200 miles to the south. It’s British viewers’ favourite TV advert of all time. Beach huts - A common sight at many British seaside towns are lines of brightly colored beach huts. Though many consider them quintessentially British, in fact they can be found at many beach resorts around the world. It is estimated that there are about 20,000 of them in Britain.The British Museum is one of the most famous buildings in London, housing one of the richest collections of cultural and historical artefacts anywhere in the world. The world makes a transition from ordinary to special, from mundane to marvelous, from commonplace to miraculous. We are often told there are marvels all around us: how nice it is when a hare takes the trouble to show us” (50). – Simon Barnes. The oak (specifically, the English oak) is the national tree of England, [8] representing strength and endurance. The Royal Oak and Oak Apple Day commemorate the escape of King Charles II from the grasps of the Parliamentarians ( Roundheads) after the Battle of Worcester in 1651 (the last battle of the English Civil War); he hid in an oak tree to avoid detection before making it safely into exile. The Major Oak is an 800–1000 year old oak in Sherwood Forest, fabled as the principal hideout of Robin Hood. [9] Shakespeare - William Shakespeare is Britain's most famous dramatist. Possibly the most famous Briton, ever. Little though is known about the man himself. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564, visitors can visit his house - Shakespeare's Birthplace - which is now a museum dedicated to his life and works. He's buried in Holy Trinity Church. Visitors on the Shakespeare trail should also see the Globe Theatre in London, Anne Hathaway's Cottage and the White Cliffs of Dover, the dramatic setting for the climax of King Lear. Blue Plaques - London and other towns and cities in Britain display blue plaques, usually, though not always, blue in colour showing where famous people have lived. There are around 850 blue plaques in London alone. The first plaque commemorated the poet Lord Byron at his birthplace, 24 Holles Street in Cavendish Square - a property that was demolished in 1889. The earliest plaque to survive and thus the oldest in London is the plaque dedicated to the French King Napoleon III at 1C King Street, St James's.