By James Scott Bankston
Though the sun set long ago on its Empire, Great Britain still plays a major part in the traveler's imagination. It's hard to think of any place that small that has been the site of as much history and culture. And despite its size, there's much to see and do---you're unlikely to get to all of it in one visit or one lifetime.
London
The capital of Great Britain includes such attractions as the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and the London Eye Ferris Wheel.
Oxford
Oxford University dates back to the 12th century. It consists of 36 colleges, many of which have architecturally interesting buildings. The Bodleian Library has numerous rarities on display. The Ashmolean Museum has an extensive collection of art, antiquities and oddities.
Blenheim Palace
A tour of this enormous 18th-century pile will give you a good idea of how the other half used to live. Still home to the Duke of Marlborough, it was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, whose grave is in the nearby village of Bladon.
The River Thames
Boats are available for rent along the more scenic stretches of the river, near Windsor and Henley.
The Lake District
This scenic area is filled with valleys, hills and, of course, lakes, and is popular with walkers, hikers and other lovers of the outdoors.
Cambridge
Home to the 31 colleges that make up Cambridge University, this town includes many Gothic and neo-classical buildings. Many of the colleges are open for tours. Check out the Chapel at King's College and the art and antiquities collections of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
Canterbury Cathedral
This long Medieval structure was the site of the killing of St. Thomas Becket and the destination of the pilgrims in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales."
About the Author:
James Scott Bankston, of Austin, Texas, has been a writer and editor since 1985. His work has appeared in Citysearch.com, the Austin Chronicle, and various Demand Media sites. He has a B.A. with a double major in English and history from Sam Houston State University.
