Friday, July 10, 2009

The Tourist Attractions That Shape England's History

By Markus Lampshade

England is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, and this is mostly due to it's rich history which has resulted in wondrous tourist attractions galore.

Many of these attractions are located in the capital city of London, but there are plenty outside London as well, in fact, pretty much every county or city in England has a rich and full history, complete with landmarks.

Wiltshire for instance is home to one of the most instantly recognisable stone monuments in the world, Stonehenge. The origins of this famous prehistoric site are fairly clouded, but it is suspected to be around five and a half thousand years old and it is reckoned that it was originally a burial ground.

The completion of the monument is thought to have happened over a period of between 1500 and 6500 years, and the stones themselves are thought to have been carried down from Wales. Although how they were carried is still a mystery.

There have been attempts at modern reconstructions of carrying the stones across the length that they were supposed to have travelled, but all have failed as they have been required to cross rivers and gorges among other things, which would be pretty tricky when carrying stones that weigh several tons.

The famous story of Robin Hood is plays another big part in England's history. You can visit his statue which still stands in the city centre of Nottingham near the spectacular castle. Sherwood forest is also available to visit. This was the alleged home of Robin and his men. Although it has never been conclusively proven whether or not he ever existed, there are several literary historical references to him, in some case, from as early as the 13th century.

Another place that boasts considerable historical relevance in Britain is the birth town of William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon. Situated on the river Avon, not only is this town the birthplace of arguably the greatest playwright in history, but it is a beautifully picturesque town with stunning scenery to take in wherever you go. Along with the fact that you can take a tour round the house that was the birthplace of Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon is somewhere you must visit.

Of course, what is a trip without a great place to stay? You can find some of the world's finest hotels in England, located across the country, you won't be far from some top quality accommodation wherever you plan to go. - 16887

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