Bath

The circus is an 18th century master-piece by Mr John Wood Senior and his son,  built to emulate the Roman amphitheatre. The Royal Crescent by John Wood Junior is a swung, parabolic  row of 30 houses. Both these architectural features communicate via Brook street. Bath, the very name says it all, the watering place to be and be seen in the 18th century. The hot mineral springs were first discovered by a certain Blalud around 800 BC. He was the King's son and he had been cast out to tend the swine and the dogs. During his rounds, he chanced upon the springs. His pigs, smitten with the same disease, splashed about in the water, and were cured. Blalud went and did likewise and was allowed to return to the Court. Monuments protect by UNESCO.

Straford-upon-Avon

This old market town on the Avon is well known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, England's greatest playwright. The house where he was born consisted of two parts, a shop and an inn. Anne Hathaway's cottage (she was Shakespeare's wife), is an excellent example of an Elizabethan country cottage with a thatched roof. The parental home of Shakespeare's wife is situated about 1 mile away in the small village of Shottery. These little villages are visited by some 300 000 tourists every year. 

general information

Kingdom 
Capital: London
Area: 243 000km2
Population: 63,2 millions
Population density/km2: 260
EU member since 1973
National anthem: God Save The Queen

• Flowers are the national symbol for the countries of the United Kingdon. England's symbol is the rose, Scotland has the Thistle and Wales has the daffodil and the leek.

• The first passenger railway in the world was built in England between Manchester and Liverpool.

• 2/3 of the British media belong to American and Australian groups.

• The largest shopping centre in Europe, Harrod's, is in London. There, you can buy the most extensive range of items. Originally, the store was specialised in fruit and vegetables.

• 80% of the population is English, 9% Scottish, 5% Welsh and 3% Irish.

• The United Kingdom is undergoing a process of regionalisation with Scottish and Welsh parliaments.

England is the heart of Great Britain with great places like London, Manchester and Oxford. It is also the best spot for a mix of ancient history, English lifestyle and new adventures. Whether you visit the beaches in Newquay, the hills of Yorkshire, the shops in Notting Hill or the music scene in Liverpool, you are guaranteed a great journey around the green island.