What is great britain famous for

What is great britain famous for

Project Britain

British Life and Culture

by Mandy Barrow

Please note: We have mainly written about England, as that is the country within the UK where our students live. We would be very happy for schools and visitors to send us information we can add to our website on Wales and Scotland.

England is famous for its long history.

England is famous for its Royal Family.
(Find out more about our Royal Family )

England is famous for its Castles and Historic houses
Windsor Castle is the oldest royal residence still in use.

England is famous for its educational institutes. It has some of the most famous universities of the world like Oxford, Cambridge and London universities.

England is famous for William Shakespeare. Hamlet,
Othello, and Romeo and Juliet were written by him.

England is famous for its green hills and fertile lowlands.
(Find out more about the land)

England is famous for its rain and the lush green of its countryside
(Find out more about the Climate)

England is famous for its breakfasts.
(Find out more about the food)

England is famous for its creams and butters and for its delicious cheeses: Stilton, Cheshire, double Gloucester, red Leicester, and cheddar.
(Find out more about our cheeses)

England is famous for its strawberries

England is famous for its pubs. (English pubs are a part of everyday life here. They’re pretty much a community gathering place. Many people go there to watch a football game, play pool or just have a beer.)
(Find out more about our Pubs)

England is famous for an ancient circle called Stonehenge.
It is the most important prehistoric monument in England.
(Find out more about our landmarks)

England is famous for for Big Ben
(Find out more about our landmarks)

England is famous for the legend of Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest and its notorious sheriff.

Mandy is the creator of the Woodlands Resources section of the Woodlands Junior website.В
The two websitesВ projectbritain.comВ andВ primaryhomeworkhelp.co.ukВ are the new homes for the Woodlands Resources.

Mandy left Woodlands in 2003 to work in Kent schools as an ICT Consultant.
She now teaches computers atВ The Granville SchoolВ andВ St. John’s Primary SchoolВ in SevenoaksВ Kent.

Top 10 Things UK is famous for

United Kingdom, located at the northwestern shore of Europe, was the world’s first industrialized country and still possesses substantial influence in terms of culture, science, economy, politics and military globally. Distinguished for its music, books, movies like Harry Potter, its exports, from giving the world some of the best musicians to its archives and education, UK stands as an epitome of development throughout.

Here we enlist the top ten things the United Kingdom is famous for.

Sports

Sports have been an integral part of every individual’s life residing in the UK. It has always been acknowledged as a common leisure activity. Most of world’s beloved and admired sports began in UK which includes football, golf, cricket, rugby and lawn tennis. Cricket became England’s national sport. Football is also very sought after in UK. It has produced some of the very well known football teams, the most eminent being Manchester United. A professional Ice Hockey league operates in Great Britain called the Elite Ice Hockey League.

Archaic monuments

UK is a land of earliest age-old cities and has colossal basilicas, royal palaces, gratifying gardens, mighty castles and puny villages which enhance the beauty of country. One of the famous landmarks in UK is a primordial Stonehenge which is a circle of stones. Other prominent landmarks include Windsor Castle, Kings College, Blackpool tower, Hadrian’s Wall, Buckingham Palace and the list goes endless.

Pop Music Celebs

United Kingdom has always been in limelight for its music. In Britain, pop music marches ahead of jazz or classical music. Some musicians and their bands such as Pink Floyd, Rolling stones, The Beatles, The spice girls and George Michael are at fame internationally for their contribution in music industry. We stay tuned to rock, punk, house, R&B and garage created by artists like Justin, Britney, Beyonce, JLo, Pink, McFly, Xtina, Mis-teeq and Timberlake. Over the past thirty years, United Kingdom along with US has been the main contributor in the growth of rock and roll.

Archival Acropolis

The United Kingdom is very famous for its castles and historic palaces. The official residences of the royals have been Palace of Whitehall (till 1699), St James’s Palace (till 1837) and Buckingham Palace (after 1837 till date). The Queen’s official home is royal Buckingham Palace. The queen spends significant time in Windsor castle which is the world’s largest occupied castle and covers 13 acres of land. Its name was inspired by a Royal family’s surname. Private and much-loved castle is Balmoral’s Castle which has been a favorite place for Queen and her folks to spend time during summer holidays.

In United Kingdom pubs are a communal meeting place. It’s an acronym that stands for public house. There are about 60,000 public houses out of which 53,000 are in England & Wales, 1,600 in Northern Ireland and 5,200 in Scotland. Fighting Cocks located in St. Albans is one of the oldest pubs and is entrenched in an eleventh-century building. Pubs are taken to be the place where people can chill, talk, drink, eat and unwind themselves. As a custom a group usually buy drinks in round where a single person pays for everyone. Most of the pubs belong to brewery but they offer all kinds of beer. They usually have traditional names such as The Crown, The Chequers, The King’s Arms, and The White Horse etc. Some of the finest pubs in the United Kingdom are The Jolly Butchers, The Evening Stars, The Compton Arms and The Free Trade.

Hub of brands

UK is one of the world’s most eminent financial centers with its capital city, London, housing nearly world’s top 100 corporations. British brands are acknowledged for their quality and finesse. British brands have made their mark in every category. In tea, from British Gourmet to Twinings, luxury cars from Bentley to Jaguar and McLaren, enriched flavors and formulations of an array of beer and the much adorned Biba apparels all have their roots in the United Kingdom. One can not miss the clothing tags that receive much love throughout including Dorothy Perkins, Reebok, Phase Eight, River Island and Jack Wills.

Home to our beloved celebrities

The United Kingdom has given birth to and reared an endless list of renowned and admired public figures. Shining at the peak in all spheres some of the eminent personalities are Princess Diana, David Beckham, Robert Pattinson, Daniel Redcliffe, Daniel Craig, Bonnie Wright and Kate Winslet just to name a few. An esteemed English poet and the world’s pre-eminent writer William Shakespeare can just not be missed. Often referred to as England’s national poet, he wrote 35 known plays, around 154 sonnets and two narrative long poems. His best work includes ‘King Lear’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Hamlet’, ‘The Two Noble Kinsmen’, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, which have been translated in almost all existing languages.

Royal Family

There are a thousand royal families around the world but the ones of United Kingdom are renowned for their actively charities globally. Queen Elizabeth II, aged 86, is the head of British Royal Family and has reigned for more than 60 years. She took the lead on 6 February, 1952. She has become the oldest supremacy, British monarch by outliving her great-great-grandmother. She is also the second longest reigning monarch. She also heads the Commonwealth of Nations which includes 54 member states advocating human rights, liberty, democracy and world peace.

Educational Institutions

United Kingdom has the second largest cluster of educational institutes in the world. About 400,000 student population reside in London. Three of the United Kingdom universities made their mark in the top ten universities league table. They are Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial College London. In United Kingdom each country has its own education system and together its education system has been ranked as the sixth best in the world by global league table.

London Eye

London Eye, designed by the architectural team of David Marks and Julia Barfield, is the world’s largest ferry’s wheel, which gives a ride of thirty minutes and carries over 800 passengers. It is a very popular tourist attraction located in the Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank. The 135-meter tall structure was built as a part of London’s millennium celebrations, thus is also referred to as the Millennium Wheel. The observation wheel turns slow enough for people to emplane while it is moving. The avant-garde capsules can accommodate up to twenty-five passengers. The construction on the outer side of the rim is such that the passengers have a breathtaking 360-degree bird’s eye view over London.

The great power country is a blend of culture, sports, music, academics and a magnetizing tourist spot. It has not just given the world it’s best people, movies and landmarks but has served as an inspiration of development, management and growth in all terms.

What is the Uk famous for? : Uk famous things!

When you think about what is the UK famous for? There are some things that come to your mind like: The UK is located in the northwestern coast of Europe. Its one of the strongest countries of the continent, it has a huge history and you may also think about the many beautiful places you can visit.

As you probably know the UK isn´t going through it´s best days because of the Brexit. But a visit to Great Britain won´t be lees enjoyable because of the Brexit.

Unfortunately, many people thinks only in Enland when talking about the Uk. Here, other than mentioning what is England famous for, we will tell you all about the famous things in Uk.

Blogs – What is the UK known for?

13 best LONDON photo spots: Instagram locations!

What are the “countries” in the UK?

One of the things you probably think when talking about what is the UK famous for is probably the 4 different nations that are in the country. What are the countries in the UK?: England, with the capital in London, Northern Irland which its capital is Belfast, Scotland, capital in Edinburg, and last of all Wales, with Cardiff as the capital of the nation.

Famous mountains and national parks in the Uk!

If you think in places like London is harder to imagine, but actually what the UK is famous for, is for its beautiful national parks and mountains! Being an island separated from the rest of the European continent makes the UK a rich area when talking about landscapes and nature places. There are a lot of fantastic green areas, national parks, cliffs, waterfalls and many more nature elements all over the Great Britain. You will probably recognize some of these places from movies. Here are some of the national parks you need to visit when travelling to the UK:

Famous places of UK!

Let´s talk about the UK famous places to visit.
Everyone knows about London, which is one of the most famous things in England. Or about Glasgow or Cardiff, some of the biggest and most famous cities in the UK.
The architecture, big buildings, street art, local activities, or beautiful cityscapes are some of the things you will find in the big cities. The best, is that all of them are different.

Although big cities are beautiful, something that stands out in GB are the small towns. The UK is famous for having incredible Medival towns with huge and impressive castles. The most popular towns in the UK are the ones located in England, as York, Oxford or Canterbury.

UK historical places to visit!

You also need to know about the UK famous history and all of the historical places to visit in the UK. As history is another important element on the list of things Uk is famous for! This is shown in many ways, an an example, the cuantity and cuality of their museums. Some of the best museums in the UK are the National Gallery in London, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburg or the Titanic Belfast in Belfast. But there are also historical famous landmarks and really old castles in the UK, as well as many buildings with a lot of history, like Amberley Castle or Alfred´s Tower.

What is the most popular food in the United Kingdom?

Other than the traditional British tea (In the whole UK, more than 165 million cups of tea per day) or the typical fish and chips dish, there are many more traditional meals in Great Britain. Some of the popular dishes from UK are: The Scotch egg and the steak and kidney pie or other dishes typical from each area, like the Haggis from Scotland or the typical English breakfast.
There are all kind of traditional dishes in th UK? The food is always a great reason why visit the UK!!

The Royal family of Great Britain

We know it may sound like not the best reason why visit the UK, but the truth is that the Royal Family is on the top of our “What is the UK famous for? list. Their historical impact has been huge and a lot of people are big fans of their events! It may or may not be one of your interests, but definitely it´s something to be curious about. Why not visiting the places of the Royal Family and get to know more about it!

Photography in the UK

For us, as photographers and filmmakers, the UK is a paradise. You will find all types of photography possibilities. It´s a perfect place to be creative as there is always something going on. In the big cities you´ll be amazed by all the urban photography opportunities, moody streets everywhere! For Landscape or wildlife photography, the natural parks will make you happy! And if you are looking for events or traditional parties to photograph portraits, places lile London or Manchaseter are the place to be.

Famous Traditions and Sports in the Uk

We could say that UK people are really fanatic of sports and their own traditions. There are many celebrations and they have a different way to celebrate each one of those. As you probably know British live their football games like if it was the last one, but it is not just all about football, they also enjoy Rugby, Cricket and many other sports. When talking about big events, some of the famous celebrations are Burn´s night in Scotland, St David´s day in Wales or St George´s from England.

Brexit Affecting tourism

As we said, there are many reasons why visit the UK, but we cannot forget about the Brexit. If you are from Europe, visiting it before the brexit happens is a must. If the Uk leaves Europe, travelling between the United Kingdom and the rest of the European countries won´t be as easy as it is now. The conditions won´t be the same, and we don´t know how this will affect to their economy. Just as an example…You will need to bring your passport with you…such a tragedy…LOL. Of course, bringing your passport is not a big deal at all, but is just one more change in the Brexit process. It´s all really confusing for the moment, and no one knows what will happen, so we would recommend you visit the UK before the Brexit happens.

Flights after Brexit

Last of all, the UK is famous for having some of THE CHEAPEST FLIGHTS IN THE WORLD. Yes, you heard us right! London is one of the cities with the cheapest offers. Which makes it be the perfect place to stop by and get another plane to somewhere in the world. But unfortunately, this could be over soon! With the Brexit happening the flights between Europe and Great Bretain will be more expensive for sure. We would need to find another place to stop by when booking flights. That´s one reason more why visit the UK. The time to visit Great Bretain is now!

Enjoy visiting the Uk

That´s all about our “What is Britain famous for”. Hope now you are more prepared to visit the country and you know all the famous things in Uk! If you have any other question or suggeestion, let us know in the comments!

16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in England

Written by Bryan Dearsley
Updated Nov 26, 2021

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One of the most popular travel destinations in the world, England offers almost endless possibilities for vacationers seeking fun things to do and top attractions to visit.

Part of the beautiful British Isles, this small but influential country bursts with fascinating history, exciting cities, and rich cultural traditions. Historic sites are at every turn, from prehistoric megaliths and ancient Roman sites to centuries—old castles and town centers dating back to the Middle Ages.

England is also extremely easy to get around, with its most popular tourist destinations well connected by trains and buses. Alternatively, you can drive between points of interest on a well-planned system of motorways. Whether you choose to tour the country by car or public transport, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience.

To help you get the most out of your travel itinerary, be sure to use our list of the best places to visit in England.

Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.

1. Stonehenge

Stonehenge

Stonehenge, 10 miles north of the historic city of Salisbury on Salisbury Plain, is Europe’s best-known prehistoric monument. It’s so popular that visitors need to purchase a timed ticket in advance to guarantee entry.

Exhibitions at the excellent Stonehenge visitor center set the stage for a visit, explaining through audio-visual experiences and more than 250 ancient objects how the megaliths were erected between 3000 and 1500 BC, and sharing information about life during this time.

After walking around the various viewing points adjacent to these enormous stones, visit the authentic replicas of Neolithic Houses to see the tools and implements of everyday Neolithic life as volunteers demonstrate skills from 4,500 years ago. Although you can’t go inside the circle to wander among the stones during normal opening hours, you can reserve special early morning or late evening access into the circle through English Heritage, which manages the site.

2. Tower of London

Tower of London

Prison, palace, treasure vault, observatory, and menagerie: the Tower of London has done it all and it’s one of the top attractions in London. Widely considered the most important building in England, there’s enough to see and do at this World Heritage Site to keep visitors busy for hours.

The centerpiece of this Thames-side fortress is the White Tower. Built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, it’s home to amazing exhibits, such as Line of Kings, the world’s oldest visitor attraction, established in 1652 with a remarkable display of royal armor.

Other highlights include the impressive Crown Jewels exhibition, classic Yeoman Warder Tours, the Royal Mint, and exhibits and displays regarding prisoners and executions. All told, the Tower of London covers some 18 acres, so there’s a great deal of exploring to do.

If you’re traveling with children, be sure to check for special events for kids, including «Knights School» and other immersive programs that provide a fun insight into the castle’s history.

3. The Roman Baths and Georgian City of Bath

The Roman Baths and Georgian City of Bath

If you only have time to visit one smaller city in England, you couldn’t do much better than Bath. This remarkably beautiful city in Somerset boasts more fantastic tourist attractions than you could hope to visit in a day.

While most famous for the magnificent 2,000-year-old Roman Baths built around the city’s rejuvenating hot springs, it’s equally well known for its honey-colored Georgian Townhouses, such as those located on Royal Crescent.

Some 500 of the city’s buildings are considered of historical or architectural importance, a fact that has resulted in the entire city being granted World Heritage status. Bath makes an ideal location from which to explore some of England’s most stunning countryside, including the Avon Valley, the Mendip Hills, and countless other fantastic Somerset landmarks.

4. The British Museum

Iron Age piece in the British Museum

With collections of antiquities that are among the world’s finest, the British Museum holds more than 13 million artifacts from Assyria, Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, the Roman Empire, China, and Europe. The most famous ancient artifacts are the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon in Athens, as well as the famous Rosetta Stone.

But there are many other outstanding pieces on show here that help make this one of the best places to visit in London. The Ancient Egyptian collection is the largest outside of Cairo, and the hoard of Roman silver dating from the fourth century known as the Mildenhall Treasure, unearthed in Suffolk in 1942, is nothing short of spectacular.

If you’ve got time, be sure to look into joining a guided tour (private after-hour tours are fun), or participate in a workshop or lecture. Dining and shopping is also available on-site.

Address: Great Russell Street, London

5. York Minster and Historic Yorkshire

York Minster and Historic Yorkshire

The magnificent York Minster is second in importance in the Church of England only to the cathedral at Canterbury. It stands in the center of historic York, surrounded by half-timbered homes and shops, medieval guildhalls, and churches.

In turn, York’s romantic streets are surrounded by three miles of magnificent town walls that you can walk atop for spectacular views over the city and its surroundings. While here, visit the National Railway Museum, one of England’s most visited tourist attractions.

6. Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle

England is a country that’s deeply rooted in tradition, history, pageantry, and pomp. Little surprise, then, that some of the biggest draws for tourists here revolve around the Royal Family, who have played an important role in shaping the country — along with many other parts of the world — for centuries.

If you’ve only got time to squeeze in one royal attraction, make it Windsor Castle. An easy 40-minute train ride from Central London, Windsor Castle is famous as one of the Royal Family’s official residences, and throws its doors open to visitors regularly when the Queen is away. And it’s rich in history, able to trace its roots all the way back to the 11th century, when a triumphant William the Conqueror had a fortress erected on this very spot.

Highlights of a visit to Windsor Castle include the castle’s chapel, the State Apartments, as well as the magnificent Queen’s Gallery.

And bring your walking shoes. The grounds are huge, stretching for some six miles around the castle and providing some of the best selfie opportunities anywhere with this historic building as a backdrop.

Address: Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire

7. Chester Zoo

Zebra at the Chester Zoo

Located in Upton, just over a mile north of Chester city center, Chester Zoo is England’s most visited attraction outside of London and is one of the best places to visit in England for families.

The more than 11,000 animals living in this 125-acre site represent about 400 different species. But the zoo’s appeal reaches beyond just animal lovers, with prizewinning landscaped gardens also available for visitors to enjoy.

You can tour these extensive grounds on the zoo’s monorail system to reach highlights that include Chimpanzee Island, a penguin pool, and Europe’s largest tropical house. There’s plenty of other fun things to do at Chester Zoo, too, so expect to easily spend a day enjoying this top-rated tourist attraction.

While in Chester, take time to walk its old city walls, the best preserved of their kind in Britain. You should also spend time exploring Chester’s other distinctive feature: its galleried walkways. Known as the «Chester’ Rows,» these impressive medieval architectural gems run the full length of stone and half-timbered buildings dating from the 14th century, and make for a unique and picturesque setting. Chester Cathedral is also worth exploring if you can squeeze it into your travel itinerary.

Address: Cedar House, Caughall Road, Chester

8. Lake District National Park

Lake District National Park

Covering some 900 square miles, Lake District National Park is a must-visit destination for travelers to England. With 12 of the country’s largest lakes and more than 2,000 miles of rights of way waiting to be explored, there’s little wonder the region continues to inspire, with its magnificent views and scenery straight out of a painting.

Other things to do include visiting the park’s many fells, including Scafell Pike (3,210 feet), the highest mountain in England. Be sure to also spend time exploring some of the lovely little towns and villages dotted throughout the region, such as Grasmere. Better still, hop aboard a tour boat excursion across Lake Windermere and Ullswater, and you’ll be rewarded with some of the best scenery anywhere in the country.

Address: Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal

9. Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral

But there’s much more to this beautiful medieval city than just its cathedral. Canterbury is also a popular cultural and entertainment destination with great shopping, galleries, and cafés, as well as attractions such as those focused on Chaucer’s medieval England and the city’s Roman past.

Some of the other best places to visit in Canterbury include the Old City, the ruins of St. Augustine’s Abbey, and medieval Beaney House.

Address: 11 The Precincts, Canterbury

10. Liverpool & The Beatles

Penny Lane in Liverpool

As English as an afternoon tea, references to The Beatles are everywhere in Liverpool. Located in the northwest of the country, Liverpool is around three hours from London by rail, and offers music fans plenty of opportunities to soak up some city sites, along with Fab-Four-related attractions.

Topping your list should be The Beatles Story. Located in the revitalized Albert Dock area of the city, this fun museum features enough facts and exhibits to keep the biggest fans busy for hours.

Other related points of interest in Liverpool include visiting the famous Cavern Club, along with the real places about which they sang, including Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane.

Other must-dos include themed walks and guided tours, visiting the former homes of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and getting in some souvenir shopping at The Beatles Shop, located just steps away from the Cavern Club.

11. Eden Project

Eden Project

The incredible Eden Project is a collection of unique artificial biomes containing an amazing collection of plants from around the world. Located in a reclaimed quarry in Cornwall, this spectacular botanical gardens complex consists of huge domes that look rather like massive igloo-shaped greenhouses. Each of these impressive (and futuristic-looking) buildings houses thousands of different plant species in tropical and Mediterranean environments.

As well as these stunning displays of plant life, the Eden Project hosts numerous arts and music events year-round. If you’re able to extend your visit, consider booking a stay at the on-site hostel, or enjoy a meal in one of its restaurants. Adventure activities such as ziplining and giant swings are also available.

12. The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds cover some 787 square miles and encompass parts of some of England’s prettiest counties: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire. And all of it begs to be explored.

Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty due to its rare limestone grassland habitats and old-growth beech woodlands, the beauty of the Cotswolds has much to do with its quaint villages and towns, such as Castle Combe, Chipping Norton, and Tetbury.

Like so much of England, the Cotswolds is perfect to discover on foot. One of the best routes is along the Cotswold Way, a 102-mile footpath with spectacular views of the Severn Valley and the Vale of Evesham. This route runs the length of the Cotswolds, and can be picked up pretty much anywhere you visit.

Address: Alexandra Warehouse, Llanthony Road, Gloucester

13. The National Gallery

The National Gallery

Displaying one of the most comprehensive collections of paintings in the world, the National Gallery is London’s second-most visited museum. The collections, which present an almost complete cross-section of European painting from 1260 until 1920, are especially strong in the Dutch Masters and the Italian Schools of the 15th and 16th centuries.

In the Italian galleries, look for works by Fra Angelico, Giotto, Bellini, Botticelli, Correggio, Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese, and especially for Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna and Child with St. Anne and John the Baptist, Raphael’s The Crucifixion, and The Entombment by Michelangelo.

In the German and Dutch galleries are works by Dürer, van Dyck, Frans Hals, Vermeer, and Rembrandt. Among artists from the 18th century through 1920, standout works are by Hogarth, Reynolds, Sargent, Gainsborough, Constable, and Turner. French works include those by Ingres, Delacroix, Daumier, Monet (including The Water-Lily Pond), Manet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne.

With no-cost admission, a visit to the National Gallery is one of the top things to do in London for free. Guided tours and lunchtime lectures are also available for free and are highly recommended.

Address: Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London

14. Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle

If you’re looking for a truly memorable English excursion for the whole family — and one that offers a fascinating insight into life in medieval times — you couldn’t do much better than visit Warwick Castle.

Located in the beautiful city of Warwick on the River Avon, this impressive fortress has dominated the landscape and history of the region for more than 900 years. Today, it serves as a backdrop to medieval-themed events and reenactments, from jousting festivals to fairs and concerts.

Warwick is also great base from which to explore the Cotswolds, as well as nearby towns such as Stratford-upon-Avon, famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Bigger city destinations, including Liverpool, hometown of The Beatles, as well as Birmingham and Coventry, are an easy drive away.

15. Tate Modern

Tate Modern

When the Tate Modern opened its new 10-storey extension in June 2016, adding 60 percent more gallery space, visitor numbers jumped by almost one-fourth, making it one of England’s most visited attractions.

Among the well-known artists represented here are Picasso, Rothko, Dali, Matisse, and Modigliani. Be sure to go to the viewing level for 360-degree views of the London skyline and the River Thames far below.

Other galleries under the Tate umbrella that you should consider visiting in England include Tate Britain (also in London), Tate Liverpool, and Tate St. Ives in Cornwall.

16. Royal Museums Greenwich

Cutty Sark

Downstream from Tower Bridge, Greenwich is the London base of the Royal Navy and holds England’s largest expanses of preserved historic architecture and parks. And although lovers of things maritime will certainly gravitate to Greenwich, there’s a lot more there than just ships and boats here.

The highlight for most visitors is the Cutty Sark, the last surviving of the 19th-century clippers from the lucrative tea trade between Britain and China. Built in 1869, the Cutty Sark was one of the finest and fastest ships of its day, and you can board it to explore the clipper, from its figure head to the sailors’ quarters below decks. For a special treat, book an afternoon tea overlooking the ship.

At the Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre, exhibits showcase more than 500 years of maritime history. In Queen’s House, the National Maritime Museum is the largest of its kind in the world, featuring the Royal Navy from Tudor times to the Napoleonic Wars.

Greenwich Park, dating from the 15th century and the oldest of London’s eight Royal Parks, is filled with beautiful gardens and walking paths, and here you’ll find the Old Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian Line, marked by a steel rod in the floor of the Meridian Building. This is the zero meridian of longitude, dividing the world into eastern and western halves; you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere.

If you’re hungry, add a great English breakfast from Heap’s Sausage Cafe to your list of things to do in Greenwich.

Address: King William Walk, Greenwich, London

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Plan a City Fix: After touring the best places to visit in London, you may want to see more of England’s great cities. The largest of these, including Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Bristol, are all easy to reach by train. From the latter, you can easily nip over into wonderful Wales to visit its lively capital of Cardiff.

Beyond Borders: If you’re visiting the popular attractions in Chester, cross into North Wales and perhaps on to Snowdonia National Park. North of England is Bonnie Scotland, with its glorious highlands and art-rich cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. With the «Chunnel» speeding up crossing the English Channel by the EuroStar, you can be in the French capital of Paris in only 2.5 hours.

What is England famous for?

For England’s episode of the famous things across the globe series, we have asked our fellow travel blogger Amy of “Temple Seeker” What is England famous for? This is her excellent answer!

I’ve lived in the UK all of my life and used it as a base to travel from. In fact, I’ve been lucky enough to live in the best cities in England including Liverpool, Manchester, London and York. If you are traveling in England, please check out my recommended England itinerary. I’m here today to introduce you to the things England is most famous for, from Stonehenge to Fish and Chips!

Things England is famous for

The word pub comes from the name public house. There are about 60,000 pubs in the UK (53,000 in England and Wales, 1,600 in Northern Ireland and 5,200 in Scotland). Pubs play an important part in British life. People eat, drink, talk, meet their friends and chill there. Pubs often have two bars, one is normally quieter than the other, many also have a garden where the public can sit in the summer. Children may also go in pub gardens with parents. Groups of friends will normally buy ’rounds’ of drinks, where the person whose turn it is will purchase drinks for all the members of the group.

It is difficult to get served sometimes when pubs are busy because people do not queue, but the bar staff will usually serve those who have been waiting for the longest amount of time first.

If you spill a stranger’s drink accidentally, it is good manners to offer to buy another drink. Many pubs belong to a brewery (a company that makes beer) but sell lots of different kinds of beer, some on tap (from a large container under the bar) and some in glass bottles. The most popular kind of British beer is bitter, which is served at room temperature. British beer is also brewed from malt and hops.

Fish and Chips

If there is an iconic dish that England is known for it is fish and chips. This easy but lovely finger-licking meal is both humble and can be relished with your hands wrapped up in a newspaper from a local chippy or even in a smart restaurant. Either way, there is no denying that Brits love this dish with around 400 million portions being sold every year just from fish and chip shops alone.

The tradition of eating fish that had been coated with flour and then fried in oil can be traced all the way back to the early 1800s and it’s thought that it was bought by Jewish immigrants to Britain from Portugal and Spain, where fish was cooked in this way.

Then came the chips and the earliest trace of chips being sold in the UK was in the city of Oldham in 1860. A decade later the Belgian immigrants also earned a living by serving fried potatoes. There are records of an immigrant called Edward De Gernier, who sold this tasty snack to the shoppers and workers at the city’s Greenmarket.

But the key question of when this heavenly combination of potato and fish was combined remains a mystery. What we know is that both Lancashire and London claim to be the origin where the meal was invented and true to the south and north rivalry this debate still continues on.

I have fond memories of enjoying fish and chips on Blackpool pier with my grandparents as a child!

Stonehenge

The Stonehenge is possibly the most famous historic destination in England. For so many centuries, historians and archaeologists have quizzed over the mysteries of Stonehenge, the primitive marker that took Neolithic builders around 1,500 years to erect. Situated in southern England, it is comprised of about 100 massive upright stones that are placed in a circular layout.

While many modern scholars now agree that Stonehenge was a burial ground originally, they are yet to work out what other purposes it served and how a society without modern technology produced the mighty monument. Its construction is all the more mysterious because, while the sandstone slabs of its outer ring come from local quarries, scientists have traced the bluestones which make up its inner ring all the way down to the Preseli Hills in Wales, around 200 miles from where Stonehenge sits on Salisbury Plain. Today, about 1 million people visit Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, every single year.

Music

England is more well-known for pop music than it is for classical composers or jazz musicians. Names like the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, George Michael, Pink Floyd, and The Spice Girls are famous worldwide, but little do people know of the other musicians that aren’t in the pop world.

The origins of music in Britain come from the songs sung and dance music played by ordinary people. Passed from each village and handed down in the unwritten form from the generations.

Over the last thirty years, British pop music has led the world in its quality and range, starting several new trends. Britain was the main provider in the development of rock and roll and has had some of the most famous bands, including The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and many others.

Cream Tea

A cream tea is a form of a light meal during an afternoon tea, consisting of tea taken with a combination of scones, jam, and clotted cream. Traditionally a specialty of Cornwall and Devon, cream teas are offered for sale in tea rooms in those two counties, as well as a few other parts of England. There are regional variations as to how the cream tea should be eaten.

Sports

Sports play a large part in life in Britain and are a very popular leisure activity. A lot of the world’s famous sports began in Britain including cricket, tennis, football, golf, and rugby.

Football is definitely the most popular sport in England and has been enjoyed for hundreds of years. In the English Football League, there are a total of 92 professional clubs. These are semi-professional, so most players also have other full-time jobs. Hundreds of thousands of people tend to play football in parks and playgrounds just for fun. The highlight of the English football year is the FA Cup Final each May. The Premier League is the world’s richest and the most well-known league in the World.

Rugby is another popular sport that originated from Rugby school in Warwickshire. It is quite similar to football but played with an oval ball. Players can also carry the ball and tackle each other. The best rugby teams compete in the Super League final every year in September. For many years, rugby was played only by the rich upper classes, but it is now popular all over the country. There are two different types of rugby – Rugby League, played in the north of England, and Rugby Union, played in the rest of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, together with Italy and France, play in an annual tournament called the Six Nations.

Tennis is very common in England. The world’s most well-known tennis tournament is Wimbledon. It originally started at a small club in south London in the nineteenth century. It starts in June when England has its finest weather. Millions of people tune in to watch the Championships on TV live. It is also traditional for visitors to eat strawberries and cream whilst they watch!