On the Penobscot River in east-central Maine, Bangor is still a large pulp- and wood-producing city. Be sure to stop downtown and see the Paul Bunyan statue (31 ft/9 m tall). You might also want to take a peek at author Stephen King's residence on West Broadway -- look for the wrought-iron fence in front of a large Victorian house (you'll know it when you see it). The Bangor Historical Society Museum is housed in a Greek Revival house built in 1836 and nicely restored. Also of interest is the Cole Land Transportation Museum, which displays more than 200 vintage vehicles from the 19th and 20th centuries -- fire engines, cars, tractors, military vehicles and more.

Optional half-day trips can be made to Orono (a few miles north of town), home to the University of Maine; the Penobscot Indian Reservation (a few miles farther north, just past Old Town); the Colonel Black Mansion (about 25 mi/40 km southeast, near Ellsworth), a house built in 1862; and Bar Harbor. Nearby Fort Knox State Historic Site is a riverfront fortification built in the 1840s to protect Bangor during the boundary dispute with New Brunswick called the Aroostook War. 135 mi/215 km northeast of Portland.

This town has been famous since Roman times for its mineral baths and hot springs. It also has elegant Georgian architecture, history, beautiful scenery, a charming abbey and stone houses with grand terraces. The old Roman baths are the main attraction, and the tour of the Roman Baths Museum and ancient Pump Room is highly recommended. A brand-new spa facility has opened (combining a bold new building with one of the old bathhouses), making way for a whole new generation of visitors who will flock to Bath for its waters. During your stay, take in the Abbey Church, and visit the Royal Crescent (a row of Georgian houses linked by another fine road to The Circus, a perfect circle of elegant homes). Then see the 18th-century Bath Assembly Rooms (interesting costume museum) and the small American Museum at Claverton Manor, a few miles out of town. We like to spend time shopping for antiques and exploring some of Bath's many gardens, museums and squares. If time permits, tour Longleat House in Warminster (it even has a safari park) or the scenic village of Lacock (be sure to see its Fox Talbot Museum of photography).

It may be aesthetically challenged but England's second-largest city has a lot to be proud of: an important industrial legacy; the Mini; Formula 1 star Nigel Mansell; British pooch-pageant Crufts; more canals than Venice and more curry places than you can shake a naan at. Until recently the city had the pulling power of a sweaty sock, mainly because it looks a bit grim - WWII bombs paved the way for the architecturally embarrassing Bull Ring Shopping Centre and motorway-mess 'Spaghetti Junction' - and sounds even worse - the local accent is regularly voted the least attractive in Britain.

But 'Brum', as the city is affectionately called, is sexing itself up this Millennium. The city centre is undergoing a face-lift and the cultural scene is taking off. Canalside developments are giving the city a trendy cafe society, the local Royal Ballet receives national acclaim, and the Ministry of Sound attracts crowds of clubbers. With excellent heritage museums, top music acts and a kicking nightlife, there are now lots of reasons to check out this Midland city. And there's always curry, of course.

Blackpool lies in the north west of England on the Fylde Coast of the county of Lancashire and is "Britain's undisputed capital of entertainment". After London, Blackpool is the most popular tourist destination in the whole of England with 6 miles of beach. Trams - the last of their kind in England - run along the promenade. It is famous for its Golden Mile of funfair attractions on the South Shore, its famous 518 feet high tower based on the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the illuminations which attract thousands of visitors each year. Blackpool has attracted visitors since the 1720's. The town's first guest house for visitors opened in 1735 and as early as 1780.

Apopular seaside resort, Bournemouth caters to all types of visitors. The sea front is covered with large villas and hotels while many shops, amusement parks, nightclubs and casinos can be found in the city.

Well-known for its beautiful gardens, Bournemouth is full of many green parks and flowerbeds such as the Compton Acres and the Pavilion Rock Garden. It is a truly magnificent place to visit in the springtime.

The Russell-Cotes Museum and the Bournemouth Exhibition Center are the two notable museums in the town. The Russell-Cotes Museum contains magnificent displays of butterflies and moths, porcelain and oriental art, as well as period rooms. Sir Merton Russell-Cotes, a former Lord Mayor, had given the large collection of Japanese art to the museum. The Bournemouth Exhibition Center houses a huge dinosaur safari display.

Just north east of Bournemouth is the small town of Knoll Gardens. Six acres of beautiful gardens are here complete with ponds, waterfalls, streams and thousands of exotic plants collected from all over the world.

Despite being a little town towards the central-southern end of Lake Windermere, Bowness is a popular resort which attracts thousands of visitors every year. Its busy hilly streets, lined with elegant stone and slate houses, hotels and gift shops bear that clean fresh look which is typical of the Lake District. Bowness is in many respects like an inland seaside resort with all the atmosphere that this engenders.

The town's popularity is evidenced by the many restaurants which it has, catering for all tastes - from Fish & Chips, various Chinese, Greek and Indian cuisines, to the more expensive gourmet restaurant. There are also many small cafés offering beverages and snacks. Local shops offer local Lakeland crafts goods including linen, woollen, paintings, glass, slate work, horn goods and pottery, as well as the many small bookshops found in the town.

A few hundred yards from the town centre is Bowness Bay, a small lakeside beach front with an adjacent marina. Lake Windermere attracts boaters, and the many moored launches and sailing vessels add to the picturesque quality of the district. During the summer season, several large passenger boats run cruises along the lake to Ambleside, either for single journeys or for a more leisurely round trip. Small rowing craft may also be hired from this beach. Less adventurous visitors find pleasure in sitting and watching, or feeding the large numbers of gracious swans which reside here.

Both Windermere and Bowness have many sources of accommodation, including large elegant Victorian hotels, old inns and small guest houses with a range of bed & breakfast and half board facilities. There is ample parking in off centre car parks (mostly paying), and some side street parking, though they tend to fill up early. Tourist Information Centres can be found in Bowness at the Lakeside, and in Windermere next to the railway station.

Bradford, an industrial city on the edge of the moors of the Britain's West Yorkshire Pennines, and Bronte Country, where the Bronte sisters lived and wrote their classic novels.

Founded sometime around the time of the Norman Conquest, the original village of Bradford sprang up around the "Broad Ford" crossing Bradford Beck at church bank, by the site of Bradford Cathedral. [The stream now passes through underground tunnels on its way to meet the River Aire near Leeds.] However, it was not until the industrial revolution, in the late eighteenth and nineteenth century that Bradford grew and gained importance as a major producer of textiles and the woollen centre of the world.

Bradford itself is famous as the birthplace of the composer Delius, the author and playwright J.B. Priestley, the novelist John Braine (one of the 1950s "angry young men", and author of "Room at the Top"), the artist David Hockney (whose works are included in the 1853 Gallery at Saltaire, and (of course) the Bronte sisters, (who were actually born in the village of Thornton - now a suburb of the city to the west) before moving on to live at Haworth (where they grew up and wrote their classic novels - including "Wuthering Heights" and "Jane Eyre").

Once just a small fishing village, Brighton has become a somewhat touristy seaside resort. Its two famous piers have taken a beating recently: One was completely destroyed by a storm, and the other was severely damaged by fire. Fortunately, the piers aren't what we like most about Brighton. Stroll the narrow streets past Georgian homes and 19th-century churches, stopping to visit the Dolls House (more than 300 dolls) and the onion-domed Royal Pavilion (Queen Victoria liked to stay at the pavilion, making believe it was an Indian palace). Opposite the Royal Pavilion is the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, which takes advantage of interactive technology to showcase diverse collections of design, fashion, 19th-century ceramics and fine art. You can also relax at Brighton Beach, where skinny-dipping is allowed. We think Brighton is best seen as a day trip from London.

Bristol is an economically diverse and prosperous city. From it long history as a maritime inland port to its more recent involvement in the aerospace, computer and communication industries, Bristol has much to offer.
A distinctive landmark of the hilly Bristol is the spire of St. Mary Redcliffe, constructed in 1872. Important historical figures that are recalled inside the church include William Penn, father of the founder of Pennsylvania and Handel, who composed on the organ there. Other places to check out include the Cathedral, Elder Lady Chapel, Eastern Lady Chapel and St. Stephen's church, which have ornate examples of heraldic glass and stone carvings.
As tribute to the great maritime history of Bristol, once the second city in shipbuilding in England only to London, the SS Great Britain, the first propeller-driven ocean-going iron ship, and Matthew, the ship in which John Cabot voyaged to America in 1497, are on display next to the Maritime Heritage Centre.
Side trips from Bristol include Clevedon, the nearest of the coastal resorts on Bristol Channel and Berkeley Castle.

Resting on the banks of the River Cam for over two thousand years, the city of Cambridge is home to the prestigious University of Cambridge. When Oxford University students felt discontent with their school, they established the University of Cambridge nearly eight hundred years ago.

For some sightseeing enjoyment, Cambridge offers the Fitzwilliam Museum, which is considered as having one of the finest collections of paintings and rare books. To see magnificent stained glass windows, the King's College chapel boasts a quite impressive display of décor including a vaulting fan built completely out of stone. Following a style imported from sixteenth century Venice, the Bridge of Sighs is another site to visit.

A Beautiful college town, Cambridge allows visitors to truly experience life. Drink and socialize at the local pubs, or completely lose track of time while drifting in and out of the weeping willows overhanging the River Cam. During the festive season, hear the carolers' singing echo down the narrow lanes where Darwin and Newton once walked.

The City of Cardiff was granted City status by Edward VII and in 1955 it was proclaimed capital of Wales, before that many years ago the story began with the invasion of Romans who invaded Britain in AD43. Cardiff has at least 2000 years of history, excellent architecture, especially the Civic Centre which can be compared to that of New Delhi or Washington. Visit the National Museum & Gallery with one of the finest Impressionist Collections outside Europe, Museum of Welsh Life, an exciting open-air museumfrom the Iron Age to present. An excellent shopping centre,with at least 18 different ethnic cuisines for you to sample and ofcourse the mouthwatering Welsh fare. Take a conducted tour of the Millennium Stadium, one of the finest in Europe, visit the Rugby Hall of Fame and walk the player's tunnel. The Welsh Institute of Sport and various golf clubs are situated on the perimeter for those who feel the need for exercise! You can discover the world of theatre and music at The New Theatre, St Davids Hall and Cardiff International Arena with various productions throughout the year. Take a stroll round Cardiff Bay, a 100 years ago Cardiff was the busiest coal port in the world, the docks have been transformed into an innovative and super waterfront linked with the heart of the City, its new and growing every day. Staying in and around Cardiff is easy, from 5* hotels to cosy B & B, great value for money and friendly service.

Carlisle, located in the county of Cumbria, is the center of much of the area's history. The first settlement was as a Roman fort in the year 72 AD. Carlisle was a thriving town during the construction of Hadrian's Wall. Carlisle has been filled with conflict since its beginning. As a border town between the Danes and the Scots, Carlisle has seen William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Bonnie Prince Charlie, all in the course of battle. Although there is so much history to the city, there is not a lack of things to do in the present. With world-class shopping in the Victorian Covered Market and Lanes Shopping Centre, Carlisle also has numerous parks and wildlife areas to enjoy.

Three highlights of the city include the Carlisle Cathedral, Castle and the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery. The tremendous Cathedral has lasted through centuries of siege and time. The Tullie House Museum recounts the turbulent history of Carlisle with a special take on being on the edge of the Roman Empire. The Castle overlooking Carlisle has been in active military use for over nine hundred years.

Cheltenham was just a normal town until the discovery of a spring in 1716. After that, it became Britain most popular spa. Frequented by the royal, famous and the rich in the early 1800's spa craze, Cheltenham grew into a wonderful place to visit. The Cheltenham racecourse is known as the Britain's main steeple chasing venue. The National Hunt Festival, the three-day main event of hunt racing, attracts tens of thousands of visitors each day.

Take a walk along the Promenade to the see the wonderful houses, shops and gardens along the way. Check out the Art Gallery and Museum to learn about the social history of Cheltenham with a special look at the Arts and Crafts movement.

Chester is one of the most historic in England. Chester prides itself on being an excellent place to visit. The depth of history and architectural beauty is a wonderful background to a still bustling city. Surrounding Chester is the beautiful English countryside with its thatched cottages, country manors, amazing gardens and quaint villages.

Quite impressive is the Eastgate and its clock. Wonderfully crafted of iron, the clock is a beautiful piece of workmanship. Another sight not to be missed is the Town Hall building with its 160 ft. tall tower. Chester is filled with many other intriguing buildings with interesting histories. The Chester Zoo has an extensive 110 acres filled with 5000 animals. One of the top zoos in Europe, over 40% of the species are considered to be endangered.

EDINBURGH the Capital of Scotland, steeped in history, is a sightseeing paradise. Edinburgh Castle perched on top, of what was, many years ago, a volcano was used as a fortification for well over 2000 years. The Castle has been in constant use for a good many years and its military presence is evident, a massive tourist attraction with the Edinburgh Military Tattoo being an annual event. From the Castle proceed down the Royal Mile ( actually 107 yards from the entrance of the castle to the gates of the Palace of Holyrood House), an interesting street offering some insight about the history of Edinburgh.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse was built outside the city walls in 1501 by James IV who at that time was King of Scotland, the Palace was also used by Mary Queen of Scots, in fact, her marriage to Lord Darnley took place here. Queen Victoria became a regular visitor in the 19th century and thus it regained its status as a Royal Palace, the Palace is now the official residence in Scotland of Queen Elizabeth II. Holyrood Abbey ruins stand alongside the Palace. Another historic place to visit would be Greyfriar's Churchyard, the churchyard contains a collection of monuments of many famous people including the faithful dog "Greyfriar's Bobby". Princes Street Gardens lies beneath the Castle, the Scottish American War Memorial and the Ross Bandstand can be found in the gardens themselves along with beautiful flower beds and pathways for those who just want to relax.

The Gothic monument in memory of Sir Walter Scott is also situated in the gardens, it is adorned by 64 statuettes illustrating many characters from Scott's novels, and for the fit, 287 steps to the top rewards you with magnificent views across the Edinburgh skyline. The first road off Princes Street on the south side is The Mound, near the top you will see twin spires, once the Church of Scotland Assembly Hall and was the temporary home of the Scottish Parliament. The famous Floral Clock stands on the other corner of The Mound, the whole clock including it's hands and face is planted every year. There is something for everyone in Princes Street, view the historic castle across the gardens whilst gazing in the shop windows, or pop into one of the fine restaurants or coffee bars. There are many museums and galleries for you to visit such as National Gallery of Scotland, Scottish National Portrait Galley, City Art Centre, Museum of Childhood, National Museums of Scotland to name a few. The Royal Yacht Britannia, having served the Royal Family and our country for the last forty four years is now moored in the historic port of Leith permanently and is in the hands of The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, visitors can go aboard and get an idea of what life was like on the Britannia.

ARoman city founded in the first century AD, Exeter is the historical capital of Southwest England. Much of the old city was destroyed during WWII bombings, but many of the ancient landmarks still remain. Exeter Cathedral was established in 1050, but has been rebuilt many times since. Its most notable feature is its twin Norman towers. A 300-foot long Gothic vault, the longest unbroken stretch of tierceron vaulting in the world, lies between the towers. Also at the cathedral are the bishop's throne, the minstrels' gallery and the cathedral library where the Exeter Book containing Anglo-Saxon poetry is kept. The Green outside the cathedral is a popular spot for picnic lunches during the summer months and provides a panoramic view of the ancient buildings which surround the Cathedral.

Thought to be one of the oldest municipal buildings in the area, the Exeter Guildhall was built in the fifteenth century and contains collections of silver and paintings including one of Henrietta Anne the daughter of Charles I.

Underneath the city centre are underground passages which were used in Roman times as a means of distributing clean water within the City Walls. Guided tours are available of the passages through the booking office at the top end of the High Street in the alleyway beside Boots. Much of the old Roman wall has been preserved and free guided walks are available which start at the Cathedral Green. Details are available from the Tourist Information Office in Paris Street. Rougemont Gardens are a pleasant escape from the hustle and bustle of the High Street shops and within 2 minutes walk away. There is a Museum of Costume at one edge of the gardens, nearest the library and in the summer open air theatre productions take place at Rougemont Castle. The Quayside has been restored in recent years and now boasts antique shops, restaurants, bars and water-based leisure activities. It is also the site of most of the nightclubs in Exeter.

GLASGOW , Scotland's largest city built its wealth in the 18th century through the tobacco, sugar and cotton trade. With its Victorian skyline, red sandstone buildings, beautiful architecture and very friendly Glaswegians it should be on your list of places to visit. Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of the well known architects and creative designers has to be credited with the Glasgow School of Art and the Willow Tearoom whilst Alexander Thomson displays his architectural feats in the West End and South Side. There is a plethora of museums and galleries, 20 in all, Pollock House with the well known and unique Burrell Collection containing more than 8000 exhibits ranging from works from Rodin and Degas.

The Gallery of Modern Art is located in the former home of a wealthy tobacco dealer. The Lighthouse, Scotland's Centre for Architecture & Design, offers interesting exhibitions with conference facilities. Visit the People's Palace, the story of Glasgow from 1750 to present day, the Glasgow Science Centre with its 120 seat planetarium and 100m rotating Glasgow Tower and Scotland's only IMAX Theatre. For the football fans the Scottish Football Museum and a tour of Hampden Park.

The name Glasgow is derived from the Gaelic "Ghlaschu" which means "dear green place" and with the number of gardens and parks situated in and around Glasgow you can understand why. The glass houses of the Botanic Gardens containing fabulous collections of orchids and other tropical plants whilst Pollock Park has superb gardens and woodland combined with the Burrell Collection housed in Pollock House. The Museum of Transport has a fine selection of trains, trams, buses and vintage cars whilst across the road at the Art Gallery & Museum, Kelvingrove the mummies, elephants and dinosaurs delight all the family.

Like the city of Bath in Southwest England, Harrogate in Yorkshire was once an important spa town. Whilst Bath's spas date back to the Roman times it was only in 1571 that Tewit Well in High Harrogate was discovered to have medicinal properties. In the years thereafter other nearby springs particularly in Low Harrogate were also found to have the same properties and this caused such an influx of visitors that a Pump Room was built in 1842. Then in 1897 the Royal Baths Assembly Rooms were built in Crescent Road and at the same time the Royal Hall was also put up. However the spas popularity waned and had ceased altogether by the time of WWII. Nowadays though Harrogate is a well established center for conferences, exhibitions and tourism.

Inverness evolved from an ancient fort to being the Capital of the Scottish Highlands. Once one of Europe's fastest growing towns the City of Inverness is home to 65,000 people and is the regional and administrative centre for the Highlands of Scotland. It is a vibrant city with excellent travel, retail, leisure and educational facilities and a location for many high tech and traditional industries.

Inverness is an excellent touring centre with good road, rail and air connections. With its suspension bridges across the River Ness and old stone buildings, it is a pretty place which is well-known for its floral displays. In fact it won the 1996 award for Best Large Town in the Bloom of Britain competition.
Walk down along the river banks (in the direction of the Caledonian Canal) and you'll find the Ness Islands where you can escape from the hustle and bustle of the shops. Cross the river on the little bridges and you can visit Bught Park. Close by between the ice rink and the sports centre is the Floral Hall - a sub-tropical horticultural extravaganza with small waterfall, fish and alsorts of plants/trees (open all year round).

The Lake District is an area of around 880 square miles in the county of Cumbria, in the north-west of England.

The Lake District As the name would suggest the area is characterised by its lakes, over a hundred in all, that were carved out of the landscape during the last ice age. And the steep slopes of England's highest mountains surround these lakes.

At times as mournful as a drunken chorus of 'Ferry 'Cross the Mersey', Liverpool is a city of contrasts, of decrepit tenements and stunning Grade 1-listed public buildings, gargantuan cathedrals and boarded-up shops. Liverpool will be forever synonymous with the Fab Four, two football clubs and a famously testing steeplechase, but these days the city with the glorious past is hoping to re-create itself as a premier European city.

Essential to Liverpool's resilient and acid-tongued character is its dramatic situation on the broad estuary of the River Mersey, with its shifting light, fogs, gulls and poignant emptiness. For 200 years Liverpool ruled the seas as a world-beating port and cornerstone of the British Empire, built on slavery, commerce and emigration. The city entered an extended period of decline when container shipping killed off the docks in the 1960s, and signs of degradation are still sadly all-too evident. But Liverpool's sense of identity is as fierce as ever, the grand public buildings are still standing, the Beatles legend grows stronger every year and pride in 'the Pool' remains stubbornly strong.

What can be said about London that hasn't been said so many times before ? That the grand resonance of its very name suggests history and might ? That it is the premier city in Europe in terms of size, population and per-capita wealth? That its opportunities for entertainment by day and night go on and on and on? London is a cosmopolitan mixture of the Third and First Worlds, of chauffeurs and beggars, of the establishment, the avowedly working class and the avant-garde. Unlike comparable European cities, much of London looks unplanned and grubby, but it is precisely this 'organic' feel that provides much of the appeal.

Appealing, too, is the endless list of fantastic world-class museums, monuments, buildings, churches and historical sites. Visiting London is like being let loose on a giant-sized Monopoly board clogged with traffic. Even though you probably won't know where you are exactly, the names will at least look reassuringly familiar. The city is so enormous and so jam-packed with attractions, visitors will need to make maximum use of the efficient underground train system: unfortunately, this dislocates the city's geography and makes it hard to get your bearings. Doing some travelling by bus helps fit the city together. Travelling above ground is also a great way to soak up the sights and sounds of this diverse, multicultural city; and maybe soak up some of the falling rain in the process.

Cotton mills, Morrissey, Man Utd, the Manto, Moss Side ... ah, Manchester. These days the industrial city from the beautiful north rubs off more charm than grime, and is giving London a well-earned run for its money.

Manchester made cotton its own, giving its collective name to bed linen and bath towels, but the city has had a rough and tumble track record. The key to its survival has been its willingness to embrace change and encourage the spirit of enterprise and innovation. Bouncing back from the 1996 bombing which destroyed its inner heart, the city seized the opportunity to revamp the town centre with new public spaces and some imaginative modern architecture that actually works. The city's industrial heritage has translated into prime real estate - just add varnished floorboards and a visit to Ikea, and you've got warehouse apartment heaven. As always the city flexes its famed night-time muscle to the max.

Amostly modern city, Newcastle upon Tyne is an area for engineering and steel production. With a number of interesting museums including the Museum of Science and Engineering, the Joicey Musem, and the Blackgate Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne offers visitors educational fun. The city's castle was built in the eleventh century by William the Conqueror's son Robert Curthous; however, only parts of the castle now remain. One of the smallest cathedrals in England, St. Nicholas Cathedral was built in 1488 and features original spires as well as a lantern-tower. The famous Tyneside Shipyards originated here.

While there's not much (if anything) to recommend the city of Northampton itself, the surrounding countryside has quite a few attractions to draw visitors. Principal among these is Althorp, the childhood home and burial site of Diana, Princess of Wales (advance tickets are required because the number of visitors is limited). The stables there were converted into a museum dedicated to the Princess. Other nearby sights include Earls Barton Church, a Saxon structure with fascinating details; Rushton Hall and Triangular Lodge, both replete with triangular symbols of the Trinity (builder Thomas Tresham was obsessed with Christian symbols); Castle Ashby (note the message on the roof); and Boughton House (don't be surprised if it reminds you of an opulent French mansion -- it was built by a British ambassador to France).

OBAN with its bustling high streets filled with all the well known shopping outlets along with potters, basket weavers, quilters to name but a few. Plenty for the family to do here, walking, scuba diving, mountaineering and the Oban Seal & Marine Centre with many glass displays and the seal pup nursery. The 9 and 18 hole golf courses, the beaches, the boat trips – take a trip to the Sound of Jura or charter your own boat for the day or half day with your itinerary mapped out. The scenery is awesome and the views out into the Atlantic are magic, altogether a great atmosphere.

Beautiful Oxford offers a diverse amount of activities from sightseeing to college town activities. To learn about the history of Oxford, a visit to the "Oxford Story" is a must. The "Oxford Story" gives the visitor a foundation of information on famous people from Oxford as well as what to see and visit in the city. The Botanical Gardens is one of the most beautiful gardens of its kind in Britain. Inside the greenhouse visitors can wander from the dry conditions of a recreated desert or stroll through the lush rain forest complete with tropical fish where thousands of guppies inhabit the large pond.

Since Oxford city is not a very car friendly city, amazing walks can be experienced at Oxford. Starting from the Botanical Gardens on the outskirts of the city center and walking into the city center, one will pass many of the Colleges that make up Oxford University. The university's gardens are also wonderful and are among the most well maintained private gardens England has to offer.

One of the most popular cities in Britain, Oxford is a great base city when visiting England. With buses that run every ten or fifteen minutes, tourists have the opportunity to purchase a one-week bus pass giving them unlimited travel in Oxford for a minimum cost.

Its people are feisty, opinionated and fiercely loyal. The country is wild, untamed and beautiful. The bad climate adds an edge to both. Buoyed by the continued irritant of England on its doorstep, Scotland has survived encroachment, brass-monkey weather and the annual influx of stand-up comedians arriving for the Edinburgh Festival. But its people have a rock-solid identity and sense of self. On top of that, the Scots haven't eaten their waterways and forests bare. Scotland's lamb, beef, venison, trout and salmon are highly prized, and game birds such as grouse and pheasant abound. Wash all this down with a shot or two of the world's best whisky and you'll be warming very quickly to the Scottish way of life.

Slough is situated in the county of Berkshire, England, around the Greater London metropolitan area. The town began to attract people when the Slough Station was opened in 1840. By 1841, the population of Slough had almost doubled what it had been in 1831, and the size of the town had grown to almost 7,700. Later, in the early 1900s, the Trading Estate began to form, and once again, families began arriving in Slough from various regions of the country in search of employment opportunities. Therefore, Slough's job prospects and pleasant location have stimulated people to settle in the town. Today, the population of the town has grown to accommodate almost 108,000 people. As well as being a focal center for communications and modern day technology, Slough is a wonderful place to visit.

The history and remarkable heritage of Slough can be discovered at the Slough Museum, which displays their exhibitions to visitors who enter the doors. You can also visit the St. Laurence's Church in Upton, a building that is approximately 900 years old. Though parts of the Court were built in 1325, St Mary's Church in Langley was likely to be built in the late 11th or early 12th century. Since this time period, the structure has been rebuilt and enlarged multiple times.

Slough is an ethnically diverse town, and one of the main shopping and leisure centers within Berkshire. Through the years, it has grown to incorporate a large shopping center that opened in 1976. The town center accommodates two large shopping centers, the Queensmere and the Observatory, along with numerous other shopping areas and several parking facilities situated throughout the borough. Slough is not just a place to go shopping. Instead, it is home to some of the best sporting and recreation facilities in the county, including a multi-sports center, indoor tennis courts and over 500 acres of parkland.

Stratford, an attractive town with half-timbered houses, is famous as the native town of William Shakespeare (1564-1616). The hometown of William Shakespeare, Stratford is very touristy, but we still think it's a must-see. While there, be sure to attend a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Take one of the city walking tours guided by a local playwright (they start from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre) and visit the sites associated with the Bard, especially Anne Hathaway's cottage (in nearby Shottery), Shakespeare's birthplace (don't breeze past the exhibition), Holy Trinity Church (he's buried there -- the riverside setting is idyllic) and Mary Arden's House (which is 3 mi/5 km away in Wilmcote and popular with kids). Only dedicated fans need take time to see the other in-town Shakespeare properties. Also check out the British Pewter Museum, which displays finely crafted tankards, pilgrim's badges and children's toys. If time permits, walk around nearby Charlecote Park and visit the town of Warwick for its highly entertaining castle and the medieval Lord Leycester Hospital (across High Street from the castle walls). Stratford also makes a good base for exploring the Cotswolds.

West Drayton is located in Middlesex .

The site of the world's largest inhabited castle, Windsor exemplifies grandeur. William the Conqueror had the castle built in 1070 and since then almost every succeeding monarch has made some alterations. Set in thirteen acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, the castle resembles a tiny walled town. Directly inside the castle and through the Henry VIII Gateway is St. George's Chapel. Edward IV had founded this beautiful perpendicular chapel in 1475. The interior of the chapel has fan vaulting and carved wooden stalls showing the arms of every Knight of the Garter who had sat there. Located here are many royal tombs including those of George V, Henry VIII, George VI and Prince Albert. Queen Mary's Doll House, a miniature house given to Queen Mary in 1923, can be seen in the upper ward of the castle. This perfectly furnished dollhouse has many special features such as running water, working elevators and electric lighting. In the middle ward of the Castle, the top of the Round Tower offers a magnificent view of the River Thame. Windsor also boasts thousands of colorful flowers in twenty acres of the Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park.

The celebrated city of York wears its layers of history with pride: Roman, Viking, Anglo-Saxon, medieval, Georgian and Victorian. Buoyed by the double whammy of monastic wealth and wool, York played second city to London for half a millennia and has been capital of the north for nigh on 2000 years. The gem at the heart of this walled and gated city is the Gothic York Minster and its peerless collection of medieval stained glass.

York has its feet planted firmly in the past, but visit the city outside July and August and you'll find it's no soulless theme park. Sneak into a snicket (an alleyway to you and me); walk the ghostly city walls and fruitlessly ask for beer in an unlicensed bar (otherwise known as a gateway); and find yourself in a medieval shambles of askew timbered houses and cockeyed lanes. And as the hub of northeastern Britain's rail network, it's a trainspotter's paradise. Spare anorak anyone ?