English cities are not as straightforward as they might seem. Not all of them are characterized by fogs and endless rains, with which Albion is associated with ordinary people. Coastal resorts like Torquay or Newquay can dispel these stereotypes. Some of today's large conglomerations once began with small Viking villages or Roman camps. For example, York and Bath have an imposing historical trail that has allowed them to attract tourists.
Religious architectural monuments are characteristic of almost all cities in England. Cathedrals and churches are true works of art. Especially valuable are those who were able to withstand wars, revolutions and times. A simple stroll through the streets of London, Norwich or Oxford is akin to visiting a museum.
The main tourist cities of England
List of the most interesting cities for cultural tourism.
London
There is no better place to get to know England than the capital of the state. London is a symbiosis of historical significance and modern trends. New districts blended into the environment of architectural monuments and have already become symbols of the city. Thames, Westminster, Buckingham Palace, the "museum" area of South Kensington - everyone has heard about these sights. They will help tourists learn about the culture and past of Foggy Albion.
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Manchester
An iconic city for football fans. It is home to two top clubs at once - Manchester United and Manchester City. Their derby colors the streets red or blue, depending on the outcome of the match. The world's first railway, where trains ran on schedule, was launched in Manchester. Must-see in the city: St. Peter's Square, the City Hall and the Urbis Exhibition Center.
Birmingham
One of the largest cities in the UK. It was badly damaged during World War II and was rebuilt. For this reason, Birmingham looks more modern than many of the settlements of Foggy Albion. Famous for jewelry fairs and craftsmen of this expensive craft. Some architectural monuments have also survived, such as the Anglican Cathedral, built at the beginning of the 18th century.
Liverpool
The first associations with the city were The Beatles and the football club of the same name. Museums have been opened in their honor. The port of Liverpool is not only of great commercial importance, but is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Anglican and Catholic cathedrals are true works of architectural art of the 20th century. Walking through the streets, you can come across classic or whimsical monuments like the Superlambanana.
Bristol
Has various "specializations". On the one hand, it is known as the place where the musical style of trip-hop originated, and in general is inextricably linked with musical culture. On the other hand, a large port gives the city great economic importance. Religious buildings play a special role in the architectural composition of Bristol, for example, St. Mary-Redcliffe Church, which is the tallest building in the area, and Bristol Cathedral.
Leeds
It was mentioned for the first time in the second half of the 11th century, although it was clearly founded earlier. Since 1996, the collection of the Royal Armory has been kept here. Tourists are attracted by the Medical Museum, as well as the Tropical World - one of the largest greenhouses in the state. The sculptor Henry Moore and the landscape painter Atkinson Grimshaw left their mark on the history of Leeds. Their work can be seen in several exhibition halls.
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Brighton
It grew out of a fishing village and became a popular seaside resort at the end of the 18th century. The rail link between Brighton and London in 1841 only increased the flow of tourists. Pebble beaches, no fogs, during the holiday season the temperature is about 16 ° C. Places of interest: the Church of St. Bartholomew - one of the tallest in Europe and the Royal Pavilion. Arts festivals are held throughout the year.
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Windsor
The local castle of the same name is the largest in the world, and it is also the oldest of those that remain inhabited. The area around is flawless and unchanged. Tourists line up in front of the entrance in anticipation of the changing of the guard: the spectacle is impressive with the sharpness of its movements. Historic sights of the city, such as the Town Hall, the Church of John the Baptist and Eton College, are adjacent to the picturesque landscapes on the outskirts of Windsor.
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Blackpool
This resort was the first in England to receive electricity. And local trams have not changed since their appearance in 1885. Blackpool hosts major events, for example, a festival of light is held in the fall, and ballroom dancers from different countries come here in the summer. It will not be boring at other times of the year: the zoo is open, the Pleasure Beach amusement park is open, you can walk along the street called Promenade.
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Sheffield
The peculiarity of the city is that one third of it is located within the boundaries of the national park. Most of Sheffield is green, which is unusual for a settlement of this size. There are about 250 parks alone. In the city center there is a walk of fame for famous fellow countrymen. There are more than 1100 historical monuments. There are museums of different directions: philosophy, archeology, art.
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York
Founded back in the period of the Roman conquerors, York went through the Viking invasions and later became a classic English city. For the sake of architectural beauty people come here all year round. Particularly noteworthy are the Guild House, the Cathedral, Castle Howard, Clifford Tower, and the Baths of the Roman Legion. One of the best times to visit is Christmas Eve, when there is a big festive festival.
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Newcastle
The settlement grew to its present size from a castle built by the son of William the Conqueror. Hence the name - "new castle" - "new castle". Main attractions: Millennium Bridge, Royal Theater, St. Nicholas Cathedral. Shoppers will be surprised by the number of stores with well-known brands. Delivery of goods is carried out mainly through the port - an important part of the urban infrastructure.
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Salisbury
After the noise in the press about the espionage case, everyone heard about the local 123-meter spire. In addition to the Gothic-style cathedral in Salisbury, there are many art exhibitions worth visiting. The galleries here have both permanent and temporary exhibitions, accepting paintings from the best museums in the world. It is better to organize a trip at the turn of spring and summer, when an international arts festival is held in the city.
Nottingham
Surrounded by the Sherwood Forest, renowned worldwide for its Robin Hood stories. Nottingham is on the itinerary of avid shopaholics thanks to its huge shopping malls. The city is home to the largest square in England, called the Commerce, as well as the smallest cinema in the world. A windmill and a visit to Nottingham Castle will complement the traveler's experience.
Leicester
The city has a strong relationship with King Richard III, the last of the English monarchs to die on the battlefield. His remains were considered lost until 2012. After their discovery, they were reburied in the cathedral. And the events of the War of the Scarlet and White Rose are immortalized in museums and parks. Lester is multicultural, which is reflected in his cuisine and events. For example, here are the best Indian restaurants in the region, and Asian holidays are celebrated on a grand scale.
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Bournemouth
As a resort, it is in demand primarily among the British. Even Europeans are rare here. For walks, tourists first of all choose Pine Alley.The local beaches regularly receive Blue Flags, which confirms their cleanliness. "Bournemouth Eye" raises those who wish to a height of 120 meters, giving the opportunity to inspect the area. A visit to the aquarium will help you combine an educational excursion and entertainment.
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Bath
Since the city was founded as a Roman settlement, it differs from many of its neighbors. The famous Roman baths, which are about 2 thousand years old, are from the first inhabitants. In addition, you should pay attention to Bath Abbey, Royal Crescent Manege and Pulteney Bridge. For fans of modern types of recreation, spa complexes are open, where you can replenish your strength after an informative but exhausting walk around the city.
Canterbury
Since the Middle Ages, the city has become the religious center of England. And the Christian foundations were laid by Queen Berta in the 6th century. There are currently 22 parish churches in Canterbury. UNESCO protects three of them: Canterbury Cathedral, St. Martin's Church, St. Augustine's Abbey. The pulpit of the head of the Church of England is also located here. Partially the history of the area is reflected in the "Canterbury Tales".
Oxford
The main reason for visiting here is Oxford University. It is the UK's oldest campus. It is prestigious to study here, but interesting to visit. Among the buildings there are representatives of different eras. Some are dated to the 13th century. If you have time, do not pass by Hertford Bridge, the Bodleian Library, which opened its doors to everyone in 1602, and the Church of the Virgin Mary.
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Plymouth
Due to its convenient location in the harbor with access to the English Channel, the area has long served as a base for the fleet. In addition, there is also a river port. Shipbuilding is still the main engine of the local economy. The city's monuments remind of its sea glory. First of all, tourists should visit the Plymouth Aquarium - the deepest in Europe. Surfers will love Sharrow Bay Beach.
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Cambridge
Like Oxford, it is primarily famous for its campus and its attendant attractions. The layout of the districts differs in a certain device, when architectural objects are built around rectangular courtyards. Historically, Cambridge played an important role during the bourgeois revolution. Tourists should visit: Fitzwilliam Museum, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Kings College Chapel.
Norwich
In the Middle Ages, it was the second largest city in England after London. With the beginning of the industrial revolution, he began to lag behind "rivals". However, the heyday left its mark: architectural monuments have survived, including about 30 churches. The complex street layout makes it difficult to navigate in Norwich. Although, getting lost, you can stumble upon an interesting place, such as the town hall, the Norman castle or the cathedral.
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Durham
The specifics of the city are gradually changing: starting from the 11th century, coal was mined here, and now they are focusing on the service sector. The rocky banks of the River Wear and the architecture of different eras have made Durham one of the most popular tourist destinations in England. Durham Cathedral and Castle are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some parts of the fortress, inside which the first settlement was located, have also survived.
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Southampton
Location - confluence of Itchen and Test, as well as the coast of the Te Solent Strait. The city port never freezes. Ferries can take tourists to nearby towns. Southampton was rebuilt after World War II and lost many of its landmarks due to bombing. They managed to preserve the House of King John, the Church of St. Michael, the northern city gates, and also partially the medieval walls.
Portsmouth
Another city that actively exploits the maritime theme. For tourists are open, for example, the historical docks with exhibited ships of different eras. One of the port areas, thanks to the efforts of the authorities and architects, has turned into a multi-level trading platform. And the Spinnaker tower allows you to view the city from a 170-meter height. If you add to this a varied cuisine and museums for every taste, you get the perfect vacation.
Chester
The city, standing on the River Dee, among travelers is called "the gateway to North Wales." If tourists are going to go around this region of Great Britain, they will start in Chester. The imposition of Roman culture on English culture has given the locals and their guests a variety of sights. These are Roman gardens, a cathedral, an amphitheater, ancient Roman walls, Grosvenor Park.
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Scarborough
The current resort was founded by the Vikings in the 10th century. Until that moment, there was a watchtower left over from the Romans. 200 years later, a castle appeared here, the ruins of which can be viewed even now. The discovery of healing springs brought the first holidaymakers to Scarborough in 1626. The building is dense, especially along the coast. The area is popular with retirees who prefer peace and comfort.
Newquay
Not yet very well-known outside the country, but a rapidly developing resort. The bustle of these places is unusual. In season, the climate allows sunbathing, wave catching and rowing. Cycle paths allow you to go around the entire city and its surroundings: it is good for your health and gives you a lot of impressions. Not far from Newquay are Newquay Zoo, Holywell Bay Amusement Park, and Blue Reef Aquarium.
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Eastbourne
As a resort, it began to take shape back in the Victorian era. The city's heyday fell on the second half of the 19th century. Eastbourne is known for its high chalk cliffs, densely built waterfront and architectural plan in general, as it was built by "gentlemen for gentlemen." The Eastbourne redoubt and the medieval church of the Virgin Mary are responsible for the historical beauty here.
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Torquay
One of the resort towns of the south coast of England. The length along the bay, green meadows, picturesque villages in the area - all this makes you come back to Torquay again and again. Winter is quite warm here, summer climate is mild. There are always many pleasure and sports yachts on the marina, so there are no problems with going out to sea. Outside the city, there is the Kent Cave, which is usually visited by tourist groups.
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