World / Europe / England

For England, tourism is big business. And it's not hard to see why. With millennia of history, vibrant cities and bucolic scenery all on offer, holidays in England provide a fascinating blend of sights and experiences which millions of visitors flock to experience each year. Leisure travellers are attracted to the verdant countryside and sleepy villages from the Lake District to the Cotswolds; and the ancient sights from Leeds Castle to Stonehenge. In contrast, England's cities are dynamic and forward-looking. England's economy is in the world's top five, with vibrant capital London home to the largest financial centre in Europe. London is literally the place where the world's time is set, as visitors will see on a trip to Greenwich's Royal Observatory.

Excellent infrastructure, with toll-free motorways, a comprehensive rail network and many regional airports make it easy to speed from Cornwall in the far south to Newcastle and Durham close to the Scottish border. Globally successful chefs like Gary Rhodes and Jamie Oliver have reinvigorated English cuisine too, and with the service industry accounting for more than two thirds of the economy, there is an impressive choice of hotels and restaurants throughout the country as well.