CASTLES, CROWNS, AND CATHEDRALS
by Paris Permenter and John Bigley

Considering a romantic getaway to London? The two of you will find that many of the tourist activities take place around the Queen’s London home, Buckingham Palace. Whenever you travel to London, this historic palace is a must-see for most visitors. The palace is open to visitors in August and September, with a self-guided look at the state rooms, galleries, and even the throne room.

If your travel plans don’t take you to London in August or September, you’ll still find plenty of year around tourist activity surrounding Buckingham Palace. The colorful Changing of the Guards is one of the city’s most watched events; days vary by season so check with your hotel for the current schedule.

Also at Buckingham Palace you’ll find the Royal Mews, the Queen’s stables filled with carriages and coaches that have transported monarchs and their families for generations. This year the palace reopens another top attraction: the Queen’s Gallery, the sovereign’s own art museum.

Many of London’s other top attractions have a tie to the monarchy as well. The Tower of London, the most visited spot in London, is home to the Crown Jewels (not to mention a bloody history as a prison and execution ground.)

St. Paul’s Cathedral is best known as the site where Prince Charles and Princess Diana said their vows. In Hyde Park, Kensington Palace is still visited by fans loyal to the memory of Princess Diana; self-guided tours of the palace are available. Westminster Abbey is the final resting place of many of Britain’s legendary names, from Queen Elizabeth I and David Livingstone to Robert Browning and Geoffrey Chaucer.

Many of England’s literary greats did their research at another top London site: the reading room the British Museum. This expansive museum is filled with treasures from throughout the world including the Rosetta Stone, ancient Egyptian mummies, and Ming vases.

But London is just an introduction to the many destinations of the United Kingdom. One of the best ways to visit the region is by rail. BritRail passes (bought outside Britain; call BritRail, 800-576-8174) make it easy to hop a train at a moment’s notice; a web of routes makes travel throughout the UK simple. Your pass will even includes some ferry travel to Ireland.

Although Great Britain is just roughly the size of New York State, you’ll find that the UK offers a wide array of vacation activities. Literary lovers find options from coast to coast. Head to Swansea, Wales for a look at the old stomping ground of Dylan Thomas and the land that inspired many of his poems. Venture to Bath to see the prim and proper world of Jane Austen or visit Edinburgh, Scotland for a meal in the Deacon Brodie Tavern where the real Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde once lived and worked. And Stratford-upon-Avon is a must for all Shakespeare buffs who can dine in a pub once enjoyed by the Bard, tour Anne Hathaway’s cottage, and visit Shakespeare’s birthplace.

Or maybe you’re in the mood for ancient history? Try to solve the mystery of Stonehenge or Avebury, both in southwest England. Roman baths recall the glory of ancient Rome in the city of Bath and, just south of the Scottish border, Hadrian’s Wall cuts a stony swath across the island.

And castle lovers won’t be disappointed with the array of historic castles in the UK. In Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, built high above the city and the starting point of the Royal Mile, a one mile downhill to Palace of Holyroodhouse, the monarch’s Scottish home.

In Wales, Caernarfon Castle was the site of Prince Charles’s coronation. Wales is also home to Cardiff Castle, a fantasy castle located right in the heart of the capital city. And you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back to the days of King Henry VIII at Hampton Court Palace, where reenactors stroll the grounds and the castle itself.

Of all England’s castles, perhaps none is more grand than Windsor Castle, the Queen’s home. Just an hour’s train ride out of London, Windsor Castle has been the home of monarchy for almost a millennium and welcomes visitors on self-guided tours. Save time for a look at the charming community of Windsor, filled with antiques shops, and adjacent Eton, home of Britain’s most famous school which has educated 20 future prime ministers and, most recently, Prince William.

For more information on travel throughout the United Kingdom, see the official British Tourist Authority website, www.visitbritain.com. You can also obtain tourism information by writing the British Tourist Authority, 5915 Airport Road, Suite 120, Mississauga, Ontario, L4V 1T1. To travel to the UK, Canadian citizens must have a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. Canadian citizens do not require a visa.