Britain Destination Guide
Why Britain
Visit Britain and discover a country of great contrast and diversity both in the places you go and the people you meet. All the regions of the country are within easy reach of the exciting capital London, famed for its first class culture, fascinating history and pageantry and world class restaurants and theatres.
In London, one of the world's greatest cities, there is an array of things to see and do - historic monuments, festivals, museums, galleries, theatres and shopping, with everything from the street markets of Portobello Road, Petticoat Lane and Camden to the designer shops in Knightsbridge and Covent Garden. The area south of London boasts glorious gardens, oast houses and stately homes whilst the southern coast has an enviable reputation for its beaches and resorts, historic market towns and the charming cathedral cities of Winchester and Salisbury, close to Stonehenge. To the south west of London, the West Country offers great surfing off the craggy Cornwall coast, picturesque thatched cottage villages in the Cotswold's, historic Bath, cider from Somerset and delicious Devon cream teas.
In England's north you will find the scenic splendour of lakes and mountains, castles, dramatic coastlines and glorious national parks, combined with the medieval city of York, lively Blackpool and Manchester, world renowned for its football clubs. In the south you will see a gentler landscape; quiet country lanes and inland waterways, the shimmering fenlands of the east coast; Stratford, Shakespeare's birthplace and the university town of Cambridge.
Scotland
In Edinburgh the castle dominates the city and from its ramparts you can look down on medieval lanes and elegant 
sweeping terraces that hold over a thousand years of history, mystery and tradition. Yet there is a modern, dynamic Edinburgh where international festivals attract world class performers, galleries display cutting-edge art and bars, restuarants and clubs create a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere with a Scottish twist. Each of Scotland's 6 cities has its own distinctive character but all guarantee the visitor a vibrant mix of history, culture, entertainment and shopping. Or you can escape to the tranquillity of Scotland's breathtaking highland landscape.
Wales
For a small country, Wales manages to fit in a lot. There are mountains, valleys, beaches, history and culture, as well as three national parks, over 400 castles and a variety of theme parks.
What to see and do
London - Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, London Eye, Windsor Castle. Outside London - mysterious Stonehenge, Leeds and Warwick Castles, Stratford-upon-Avon for Shakepeare and Glastonbury for somewhere different.
When to go
The climate is notoriously variable from day to day. Weather in Britain is generally cool to mild with frequent cloud and rain. The south is usually warmer than the north and the east slightly dryer. There are four seasons but rain can occur all year round, summer is usually warmer than the other seasons, winters can be cold especially in the north but occasional settled spells of weather occur in all seasons.
This beautifully restored 17th century stately home has dreamy views over an extensive landscape in a truly idyllic setting .....
