England travel guide

Bath was first established by the Romans as a spa, built around hot springs, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Roman Baths are the major draw card of this large town, you will pay a bit to get in, however it is well worth it. Most locals come to Bath to shop, but for the traveller, there are numerous other things to see that are not too costly: Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, The Royal Crescent, The Circus, The Pump Room and for all of you whose heart skips a beat for Mr Darcy, there is the Jane Austen Centre complete with costumes to try on. If you have a few hours and aching muscles, then find your way to the Thermae Spa, where you can soak in the naturally hot spring waters of the town. If you are lucky enough to be there on a Saturday, there are markets and buskers on Stall street, otherwise marvel at the Edwardian architecture and appreciate the wonders of the Roman Empire.

Durham is a small but elegant university town dominated by England's finest Norman cathedral. You might have the feeling that you have seen this grand 11th century cathedral before, for it was used in the Harry Potter movies as the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - a fact they are strangely shy about. Both the gorgeous cathedral and the next-door Durham Castle are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are the centre for the cobblestone old Durham town. It would have been picture-perfect, if it wasn't for the collection of drab concrete extensions of the university. For the best views of the cathedral and its massive towers, take a stroll through the woods on the other side of River Wear.

Going to London and not visit some pubs, is... well, not something that should happen. Pubs are just such a big part of British culture and history, that they have to be experienced thoroughly. Some of these drinking holes have been around for 400 years, though the building might have burned down a couple of times throughout history. Take for example the pub on the picture, Lamb & Flag on Rose Street in Covent Garden. It was first licensed in 1625, but probably goes back to the time of Queen Elizabeth I (end of 16th-century). Rumour has it that Charles Dickens was a regular here. Can it become more Londonish?

The resting place of King Arthur and possibly Excalibur, a pilgrimage place, known as the Isle of Avalon back in Arthurian times is now the very popular Glastonbury. There is definitely an energy that runs through the ground (and maybe the water) that creates joyful people who love to dress up. Fairies, Angels, Goths, bearded vest wearers, grannies with pink streaked hair, and shopkeepers that seem to teleport themselves to each shop fresh from the last witch's coven. If it is healthy healing or psychic abilities, tarot card readings and aura photos you are after, then look no further, there are crystals, joss sticks and spiritual healers at every second shop. Buskers play on the corners, dreadlocked hippies sell jewellery under the monuments, there are little alleyways that will lead off to crystal-adorned courtyards complete with cafes and bookstores full of locals and tourists alike. The Abbey is spectacular in all its historical ruins, and the Tor is worth the hike to the top for 360 views of the town and of the patch worked fields of Somerset. And keep an eye out for the Green Man.

Rumoured to have been the site of King Arthur and Guinevere's tomb, the Abbey ruins are over 2000 years old and a great place for a bit of architecture photography and solitude. Enjoy the daffodils in spring and the snowbells in winter, you can spend a good hour wandering through the 36 acre parklands that surround the romantic ruins. There is an Abbot's kitchen that is a 14th century octagonal building complete with period food sets and the lives of monks; as well as a herb garden and the Holy Thorn Tree that only blooms twice a year. The Lady Chapel has an alter, and you can light a candle for a small donation in St Patrick's Chapel; picnicking is encouraged and they make cider from the apples in their orchard if you fancy a drink or two. Right in the centre of town next to the local hall, Glastonbury Abbey can be visited anytime of the day and is also popular with wedding photos.

Glastonbury definitely has a vast interest in magic and faeries. It is believed that the Tor (defined as a hill in Celtic tradition) is home to the King of the Faeries and the Fay folk, you will notice by the amount of people waving their crystals around that it is also where the earth's leylines converge. Many think it gives you an uplifting effect; you go up the hill a cranky person and come down a happy one. The Tor is associated with the Holy Grail, King Arthur and Joseph of Arimathea, it has seven terraces for which there are various theories on why this was, one of which was a labyrinth. It is a 20 minute walk from the middle of town to the top where St Michael's Tower is situated, and don't forget your jacket as once you pass the first initial hill, it can get very windy and cold. There are 360 views from the top and on the way back down you can peruse the jewellery made by a didgeridoo playing hill dweller.

Well, London hardly needs any introduction. It is world famous for a long list of iconic tourist attractions that make London a very popular destination. Its reputation as a shopper's paradise and the never-ending offerings of entertainment (think musicals) and great eatings from all over the world only increase London's appeal. That said, it can be hard to enjoy all the splendour in high season, when you have to kick your way through the hordes of ice cream eating tourists and foreign school classes, but then you can always explore the lesser-known parts of London. Have a look at our London guide and get some inspiration for both the iconic places and hidden corners.

Elegant Oxford is one of the finest university towns in the world. The old part of town is dominated by the many exquisite colleges. No matter where you look towers, spires and graceful buildings come into sight. Every place has a long history and are not afraid of subtly boast of all the famous people, who have attended just their college. Though the whole area is fairly small, there are many narrow lanes, inner courtyards and hidden corners to get lost in. For those long philosophical walks head down to the River Thames, one of the deer parks or near the rugby fields, where the medieval skyline of Oxford can be taken in from the distant. The wonderful part, which is also the downside, is that Oxford is a functional university town. Students live and study here, so while some college, or at least parts of, are open to the public, many are off limits or charge a fee.

York could be yet another medieval English town, if it wasn't for its gothic cathedral. York Minster is quite frankly jaw-dropping. Firstly, it is massive. It is so big that it is hard to photograph the entire building unless you have an ultra-wide angle lens. Secondly, it is packed with wonderful stuff, like the giant (23.7 m x 9.4 m) stained-glass window (Great East Window) depicting Genesis and the Book of Revelations, that it will take days to see it all. So it's natural that you will keep circling around the cathedral, but York has more to offer. Cute old houses along curvy streets, ancient city walls and the lazy river of Ouse, not to mention Jorvik, a viking museum slash theme park.