Following the success of A Portrait of England this book focuses on icons that are quintessentially English. Published in association with the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and introduced by their President, Bill Bryson, this beautifully designed tome is a a celebration of our shared rural heritage. Icons of England combines stunning photography and quotes, poetry, reminiscences and celebrity anecdotes. Highlights include: The White Cliffs of Dover have great symbolic value in England because they face Continental Europe across the narrowest section of the English Channel, where invasions have historically threatened and against which the cliffs form a symbolic guard. Before air travel, crossing from Dover was the primary route to the continent, so the cliffs also formed the first or last sight of England for those making the journey. [49] Sauer, Elizabeth (23 June 2014). Milton, Toleration, and Nationhood. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107041943– via Google Books.

Tower of London highlights include the simple St John’s Chapel in the White Tower and the Crown Jewels. 8. Westminster Abbey The twin towers and west front of Westminster Abbey at night The magnificent choir in Westminster Abbey Why must we continue to believe the grass is greener where the skies are relentlessly blue” (280) – Gavin Pretor-Pinney. There has been no official national flag of Northern Ireland [5] since 1973. However, the shown Ulster banner, official flag of the Government of Northern Ireland between 1953–1973, has since been the de facto flag of Northern Ireland, and continued to be used by international sporting organisations. [6] See Northern Ireland flags issue for more information.Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022): Longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. She was also the first British monarch to have a Platinum Jubilee. [44] Hadrian’s Wall – named after the Emperor – is one of the most impressive of Great Britain landmarks, and far and away the largest on our list of landmarks in England. It’s a traditional gathering place for concerts andprotests, andis home to several of the most famous landmarks in London. These include the National Gallery, St Martin in the Fields Church, Sir Edwin Landseer’s bronze lions and Nelson’s Column surveying the whole endlessly busy scene from high above. 6. Piccadilly Circus Piccadilly Circus, with Eros (really Anteros) in front of the giant plasma screen

Their stories are the stuff of legend and myth. And as with anything from times yore are fraught with confusion as to where they officially began. But who ever let fact get in the way of a good story. So forgive our research if it is slightly off in places. A friend of ours has a superb view of the Cathedral, on the hill above the city, from 20 miles away in North Wales – even from there it’s a mightily impressive sight. It should be one of the most famous landmarks of England, and hopefully it’ll gain greater recognition in the years ahead. 23. Clifton Suspension Bridge Bristol Clifton Suspension Bridge at night It is the only building in the country without royal or religious affiliation to be designated a Palace. It was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Britain’s Prime Minister during the Second World War, and is currently owned by the 12 th Duke of Marlborough. 49. Radcliffe Camera, Oxford Universities - Oxford and Cambridge - Oxbridge conjures up images of students lazily punting along rivers. Oxford University is the oldest university in Britain and dates from 1096. Cambridge was founded in 1209. V

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Lake District - the Lake District National Park in northwest England is a beautiful part of the country. It has inspired poets such as Wordsworth who lived at Dove Cottage where he wrote his classic "I wandered Lonely as a Cloud." Windermere in the Lake District is England's deepest and largest lake. Northern Ireland is also bereft of an animal whether real or fictitious. Scotland has its Unicorn, Wales its Dragon and England its Lion but Northern Ireland has nothing. The old heraldic Coat of Arms of Northern Ireland did have an Irish Elk on the right side but it was put out to pasture in 1972. And if the truth be known the Irish Elk wasn’t even an Elk it was a giant deer and was extinct many thousands of years ago. It is as impressive inside as outside, and the main entrance, the Hintze Hall, makes a bold statement, with the skeleton of a blue whale, the largest creature on the planet, hanging in mid -air between the cathedral-like arches. The area around the Somerset town of Glastonbury is full of legends and myths,from there being a secret entrance to a fairy kingdom to Joseph of Arimathea taking the young boy Jesus in search of tin. It is also said to be the Isle of Avalon, to which legendary British King Arthur retreated after his final battle.

National Trust - established in 1895 to help preserve Britain's heritage. Its mission is to "promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the Nation of lands and tenements (including buildings) of beauty or historic interest." The charity now administers and protects historic properties all over the country. These include over 500 historic houses and industrial properties, castles, gardens, parks, stately homes and nature reserves.

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Whatever you believe, Glastonbury Tor, the solitary hill that rises above the low-lying Somerset Levels, has an almost mystical quality about it. The conical hill has a 14 th century church tower on its summit, making it an identifiable landmark from many miles away. See also: The Best ChurchesInLondon To Visit 4. Tower Bridge Tower Bridge with the warm colours of a cold winter sunrise