South Central England Highlights

Steeped in history and royalty, the English capital is considered to be one of the most progressive and exciting cities in the world.

Home to England's Crown Jewels, this 11C castle has served as a royal prison throughout its long and fascinating history.

Recognized as one of the leading art museums in the world, this 19C gallery houses superb masterpieces from mid-13C to the 20C.

One of the leading museums in the country, this remarkable 19C gallery exhibits superb examples of British art from the 16C onwards.

Immense in its size and wealth of exhibits, this must-see museum spans all cultures, tracing the turbulent history of the human race.

Boasting a history dating to the 12C, the current castle was heavily reconstructed in the 19C, but retains many historic artifacts.

Inspired by European gardens, this park was elegantly designed in the 18C around abbey ruins, a Gothic temple, and a grotto.

As well as being a leading botanical research center, these exquisite 18C gardens are home to over 30,000 of plant species.

With 425 galleries and over 4 million works spanning 5,000 years, this awe-inspiring museum is a treasure trove of history and art.

A treasure trove of exquisite ornamentation and architectural genius, this abbey has served the British monarchs since the 10C.

Stretch 135m into the sky, this Ferris wheel features glass-enclosed pods and offers spectacular views over all of London.

Everyone will enjoy this glimpse into the magical world of Harry Potter, set at the studios where much of the films were made.

Explore this lovely enclosed garden in Windsor Park, and enjoy the variety of flowers, the pond, and the woodlands.

A lavish 18C palace, the official London residence of the British royalty features galleries and superbly preserved decor.

Look for the City of London signs if you wish to explore the heart proper, but in any case you will fall in love with these streets.

The activities are endless in this popular large park, from swimming and horseback riding, to exploring the trails and picnicking.

Housed in a former power station, this gallery focuses on leading international modern art with permanent and temporary exhibits.

Enjoy this scenic walk, taking in the majestic views of the famous white cliffs along the shores of Sussex.

Massive and stunning, the chalk cliffs of Dover can be walked to enjoy their majestic scenery, best viewed from the lighthouse.

Well-known for its wealthy residents, this lively neighborhood offers its visitors shopping, great eating, and fun activities.

Home to nearly 80 million items, this enormous museum is a treasure of fascinating natural history exhibits spanning several fields.

Erected in the 16C by Henry VIII, this palace blends Tudor and Baroque architectures, featuring lavish chambers and lush gardens.

Founted in 1603, this extensive park is both lively and tranquil, offering many paths, views of nearby landmarks, and ducks to feed.

This 19C mansion styled as a 16C French castle is faithfully designed, boasting elaborate furnishings and remarkable gardens.

This 12C abbey is periodically opened to the public, boasting splendid gardens, a safari, a rich art collection, and other curios.

From the dome's gallery to the lower crypt, this 17C Baroque cathedral is jaw-dropping and offers incomparable views of the city.

While excelling at cutting-edge and interactive exhibits, this museum also exhibits the most basic science tenets in a superb manner.

Housed in a Brutalist complex, this theater is home to both historic and modern plays, offering a superb cultural experience.

Home to the British Parliament, this Gothic masterpiece offers tour and should be thoroughly explored to appreciate its many gems.

Luxuriously designed and decorated, this Baroque palace boasts lavish decor and equally exquisite surrounding grounds.

World's oldest model village was established in the 1920s as a private garden, now offering a glimpse of a traditional English township.

Since 1167 Oxford's educational excellence has been giving rise to its phenomenal history, culture, and social atmosphere.

Roam the historic center, full of lavish university buildings, bustling students, small cafes, and wonderful shops.

Dedicated to the university, this museum exhibits a collection of art and historic relics, from painting by da Vinci to death masks.

Oxford's largest college is comprised of several important buildings, featuring in particular the cathedral and a portrait gallery.

Founded in 1458, this college is superb in all details, many Perpendicular, from its cloister gargoyles to its peaceful park.

Steeped in history and royalty, the English capital is considered to be one of the most progressive and exciting cities in the world.

Erected 5,000 years ago, the famed Stonehenge remains a mystery and might have been a burial site, a temple, or something else entirely.

The inspiring neo-Gothic museum is the perfect setting for the impressive collection, and the numerous specimens housed here.

Founded in the 14C, this university library holds more than 11 million items housed across five superbly designed buildings.

Established in 1427, this college boasts an array of historic buildings and features, such as its 15C Wesley Room and 17C chapel.

Dating to the 14C, this predominantly Neoclassical college has retained its original architecture, a rich library, and a chapel.

Established in the 18C, this wonderful estate boasts a fully appointed Palladian mansion and exceptional gardens.

Luxuriously designed and decorated, this Baroque palace boasts lavish decor and equally exquisite surrounding grounds.

Established by the Romans in the 1C, Bath remains a spa destination with its 18C atmosphere surviving amid a modern ambiance.

Set out through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, seeking the scenes of Jane Austen prose among the 18C backdrop.

This collection of Americana includes decorative and folk arts, maps, and textiles, exhibited in the atmospheric Claverton Manor.

As the first townhouse built as part of the Crescent, this museum offers a comprehensive look at the lifestyle of the 18C English gentry.

Adjacent to the Crescent and inspired by the Roman Coliseum, these 18C Georgian townhomes are an excellent example of urban design.

Established in the 18C, this wonderful estate boasts a fully appointed Palladian mansion and exceptional gardens.

Erected 5,000 years ago, the famed Stonehenge remains a mystery and might have been a burial site, a temple, or something else entirely.

This superb example of residential Georgian architecture offers an impressive visit with its sweeping and grand design.

This museum houses a highly regarded collection of decorative arts, a variety of oil paintings, sculptures, and period artifacts.

At the site of the 1C Roman bath, this Georgian museum offers an excellent history of this local 2,000-year-old spa tradition.

Once the social center of Bath, this 18C Georgian manor is well preserved, exhibiting and array of historic apparel.

Full of ancient trees, a myriad of hiking trails, stone formations, and hidden caves, this forest is the perfect retreat for a walk.

Built on the site of an ancient abbey, this 16C mansion features a wealth of fine artwork and many unique artifacts.

Originally built in the 15C, thi elaborate Gothic abbey is home to a wealth of architectural and cultural curios.

Established in the 1950s, these gardens delight throughout the seasons with over 40,000 diverse plants, flowers, and trees.

Home to Prince Charles and Camilla, the house is not open to public, but the delightful gardens surrounding it make up for it.

Known for its mineral spas, Cheltenham boasts excellent Georgian architecture, cultural events and museums, and nightlife.

Head out to to wander around the city center, enjoying some shopping, dining, and roaming through the lively district.

This massive 19C park features lakes, sports facilities, Pittville School, and some fine examples of Regency and Victorian houses.

The design of this beautiful 19C fountain seems to reflect the grander Trevi Fountain in Rome, and is a charming resting spot.

Completed in 1903, the town hall is now used as a venue for cultural events, meetings, exhibitions, and conferences.

Established in the 18C, this wonderful estate boasts a fully appointed Palladian mansion and exceptional gardens.

Full of ancient trees, a myriad of hiking trails, stone formations, and hidden caves, this forest is the perfect retreat for a walk.

Erected 5,000 years ago, the famed Stonehenge remains a mystery and might have been a burial site, a temple, or something else entirely.

Luxuriously designed and decorated, this Baroque palace boasts lavish decor and equally exquisite surrounding grounds.

Surrounded by its own picturesque deer park, this grand mansion dates to the 16C and is located on the banks of the River Avon.

Established by the Romans in the 1C, Bath remains a spa destination with its 18C atmosphere surviving amid a modern ambiance.

Famous for being Shakespeare's hometown, this lively market town is certainly a charming and fascinating place to visit.

This 16C timbered house, Shakespeare's childhood home, honors the author through documents, period furnishings, and other relics.

Seek out the notable landmarks around the historic center, or explore farther along its cobbled lanes and rows of timbered houses.

Home of the Royal Shakespeare Company, this 20C theater offers performances, as well as the Company's museum and access backstage.

Dating back to before the 15C, this charming old farmhouse is the childhood home of Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway.

Luxuriously designed and decorated, this Baroque palace boasts lavish decor and equally exquisite surrounding grounds.

Surrounded by its own picturesque deer park, this grand mansion dates to the 16C and is located on the banks of the River Avon.

Home of Shakespeare's daughter and her doctor husband displays 16C-17C items, as well as medical artifacts from the period.

Full of ancient trees, a myriad of hiking trails, stone formations, and hidden caves, this forest is the perfect retreat for a walk.

An expanse of lush land hemmed with rolling hills, this countryside is well known for its historic villages and quaint stone houses.

A famous university city full of highly respected colleges, medieval architecture, thriving culture, and lush countryside.

Take a tour around the campus grounds to get acquainted with the various colleges, some of which date to the 13C.

Known for its exquisite architecture, this college should be explored in detail with time to reflect in its numerous courtyards.

Enjoy roaming the historic center day and night, when students mingle with residents in the pubs, parks, and the market square.

This largest of the Cambridge colleges has a fantastic chapel, while its grounds and monuments are particularly worth exploring.

Steeped in history and royalty, the English capital is considered to be one of the most progressive and exciting cities in the world.

A parish comprising a historic village, a 16C country house, and its large estate full of historic and cultural features.

Founded by Henry VI in 1441, this college has numerous masterful buildings, each well representing their architectural style.

Completed in the 16C, this Gothic chapel is exquisitely detailed on every surface, from its stained glass to its rood screen.

come down to the daily market to buy fresh produce among other things, and feel the market's history stretching to the Saxon times.

Covering over 16ha of land, this historic and scientific garden holds a collection of over 8,000 different plant species.

Exemplifying Elizabethan architecture, the house also boasts lavish state-apartments, a rich art collection, and impressive grounds.

This 12C abbey is periodically opened to the public, boasting splendid gardens, a safari, a rich art collection, and other curios.