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First-time travelers who think of London as England's only top tourist destination are in store for an eye-opening surprise.

Steeped in history, castles, and idyllic vistas, Britain offers a variety of well-known attractions outside the capital city of interest to kids and adults alike.

Popular day trips from London include the Queen's official residences at Windsor Castle, or a step back further in time to historical Canterbury, or to William Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Young literary fans can return to the days King Arthur at Glastonbury or trace Harry Potter movie locations in professionally arranged or self-guided tours.

Stonehenge and the Rollright Stones are also a must-see for visitors who want to discover ancient and prehistoric Britain.

More UK attractions? Don't forget to include stops at the world's most famous colleges at Oxford and Cambridge; the impossibly beautiful countryside of the Cotswolds and the Lake District; and a mix of history and breathtaking Gothic architecture in the cathedral town of Durham.

(Left to right): The excitement of London, the idyllic country vistas in the Cotswolds, and the
epic beauty of the Lake District are definite must-sees on any trip to England.

DID YOU KNOW? UK Travel Fun Facts

Most eye candy: York Minster

• Originally constructed in 1070, Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied royal residence in the world.

• Besides being the UK's largest medieval cathedral, York Minster also boasts the largest expanse of stained glass in the world.

• English people consume more tea per capita than anybody else in the world (2 1/2 times more than the Japanese and 22 times more than the Americans or the French).

• There are 409 escalators throughout the London Tube system. Angel Tube Station escalators have a vertical rise of 27 metres (89 feet) and a length of 60 metres (200 feet), making them the longest escalators on the Underground.

• The London Eye is the tallest ferris wheel in Europe.

also see -> 1,000 Year History of UK Beer & Pubs | London Underground

London Tourist Attractions | Scotland Travel Guide | UK Luxury Travel

More about England travel & UK tourism around the Web:

Introducing England - A top spot for UK travel info from Lonely Planet..com -- including all major tourist attractions plus an insiders guide to offbeat England, picture gallery, schedule of events.

A Window to the West of England - Featuring breathtaking landscapes, guides to hotels and major attractions in Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall plus maps, pub guides and contact info.

Go Lakes - The complete guide to the Lake District including pictures, maps, hotels, restaurants, sightseeing, suggested itineraries.