England is one of the world s favourite holiday

England is one of the world's favourite holiday destinations, enjoyed by millions of people every year, both from overseas and from within Great Britain. England is a diverse destination with something to suit everyone. Busy vibrant cities such as Newcastle, Leeds and London, invigorating, lively seaside towns such as Blackpool and Newquay, beautiful countryside and rural villages with their churches, pubs and greens in places such as the Cotswolds and the Yorkshire Dales.

England offers so many contrasting destinations and landscapes, all relatively close to each other, you can get to see and do as much as you like. With the excellent infrastructure of roads, railways and airlines, it is easy to travel around the country.

NORTHUMBRIA'S Northumbria's in the top right hand corner of England. That means we're the big beautiful bit of Britain to the right of the Lake District, below Scotland; and above Yorkshire. We're easy to reach. Only 3 hours by train from London, and an hour and half from Edinburgh.

Bonny place, Northumbria. The right-hand side is all seaside! And all the left-hand side is heathery hills and moody mountains. In the middle there are shiny cities like Newcastle and Durham, and map-fulls of pretty villages. We've got big Scandinavian skies and four proper seasons designed just for photographers! Northumbria manages to be proud of its history, while still moving on. Take Gateshead's new Millennium Bridge, voted one of the 20 th century's best inventions! Or how about Sunderland's Winter Gardens, a stylish spin on a Victorian palm-house? Or Life Interactive which celebrates scientific advance, with white-knuckle rides?

Keen on public art… Nothing weird, but big, bold, get-itfirst-time-you-see-it-art - like The Angel of the North, the Bottle of Notes or the Brick Train. Sunderland's also home to the UK's first National Glass Centre. Or there's the very latest in visual arts - the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art which has just opened in Gateshead. Sport crazy! Northumbria's home to Newcastle United, Sunderland Middlesbrough FC. You can see cricket at Chester-le-Street Stadium. There's rugby from Newcastle Falcons; racing at Redcar, Sedgefield and Hexham. And every autumn, we host the world's biggest half marathon - the Great North Run. Phew! Characters! That's how people often describe Northumbrians! Maybe that's because people here make time to chat, they're naturally friendly and love a good laugh. OK, so the accent is … quaint, but because we'll happily talk to you for hours, you'll soon get an ear for it. So divven wait- shy bairns get nowt - come and meet us!

Welcome to County Durham, one of the most beautiful counties in England. From its western boundary high in the Pennine Hills to the limestone cliffs of its North Sea coastline few counties have so much variety. There's a wealth of interesting places to visit with much to surprise and delight you, and wherever you stay there is an excellent range of accommodation. County Durham is the Land of the Prince Bishops. For centuries the powerful Bishops of Durham ruled the County Palatine as a virtually independent state. They had their own army, nobility, courts and coinage, and they left behind a fascinating legacy which can still be traced today. Few counties have such variety of landscape as Durham. From the North Pennines in the west to the North Sea Coast in the east, there are pleasures to suit all tastes. At its heart lies Durham City, small enough to enjoy on foot yet so exceptional that its castle and cathedral are designated a World Heritage Site. Uncrowded roads lead to unspoilt countryside, including some of the highest, wildest and finest scenery in England. Much of the west of the County, including Teesdale, Weardale and the Derwent Valley, is included in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is perfect country for walking, cycling, riding, wildlife-watching and exploring characterful villages and towns. There are many footpaths and bridleways to explore, including the Pennine Way National Trail and C 2 C National Cycle Route. Derwent and other reservoirs offer opportunities for sailing, fishing, canoeing and even water-skiing. Add a fascinating heritage from Mediaeval castles built to defend the North to the cradle of the world's railways - and you have a largely rural county full of interest and attraction. We hope that you enjoy exploring County Durham and appreciate its many places to visit.

Principal country residence of the Prince Bishops since Norman times and now the official residence of the Bishop of Durham. St Peters Chapel, reputedly one of the largest private chapels in Europe, and the State Rooms are open to the public. There is also access to the adjacent Bishop's Deer Park with its 18 th Century deer house. Location: At the eastern end of the Market Place. Buses and Trains: Any bus or train to Bishop Auckland.

CUMBRIA From England's highest mountain to the deepest lake, from the country's best walking to a cultural and literary heritage second to none, Cumbria - the Lake District has countless opportunities for days out. Whether it is walking, exploring the literary and cultural heritage or simply enjoying the magnificent scenery, a visit will show why this is the most beautiful corner of England.

Roman Bath House, Ravenglass (Glannaventa) Well preserved bath house with walls standing to almost 4 metres. Senhouse, Roman Museum, Maryport (Alauna) Dramatically sited on the cliffs of Maryport next to the Roman Fort. Britain's oldest antiquarian collection tells of Roman religion and the Roman army. Tel: 01900 816168. Crosscanonby Milefortlet (5 km/3 miles north of Maryport) Excavated remains - next to Elizabethan salt workings. Bowness-On-Solway (Maia) The end of the Wall, but few remains are visible. Tullie House Museum Art Gallery and Restaurant, Carlisle Award winning city centre museum and art gallery. Imaginative indoor displays about Hadrian's Wall, life in the Roman town of Luguvalium and Border history. Now open - Carlisle Millenium Gallery and Border Reiver Pathway, linking to Carlisle Castle. Tel: 01228 534781 www. tulliehouse. co. uk Banks East Turret and Pike Hill Signal Tower Well preserved turret and signal tower. Leahill and Piper Sike Turrets nearby. Bewcastle Anglican Cross and small exhibition in ramparts of an outpost fort. Birdoswald Roman Fort Residential Study Centre Here Wall, fort, turret and milecastle can all be seen. Fascinating interactive visitor centre introduces you to Hadrian's Wall and follows Birdoswald's 2000 -year history. Poltross Burn Milecastle, Gilsland Exceptionally well preserved Milecastle. Willowford Bridge Wall, bridge and turret remains nearby. Hadrian's Wall is the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain. Internationally celebrated as a World Heritage Site, it is the best known frontier in the entire Roman Empire, and stands as a reminder of past glories of one of the world's greatest civilisations. Every footstep counts, taking care of the Wall When you visit, please help to conserve this internationally important monument for future generations. Please walk beside the Wall and not on and remember the surrounding land is privately owned. Farmers work hard to manage the landscape and make a living. Please help by keeping dogs on leads, staying on footpaths and closing all gates behind you. Thank you.

Broad, beautiful Yorkshire, the land of the White Rose. Once a kingdom in its own right, Yorkshire has never lost touch with its heritage or identity. That's why the region offers the visitor a special sense of belonging. Wherever you visit, you're unmistakably in Yorkshire, with local people waiting to show you that Yorkshire character, warmth and tradition. Yorkshire offers a huge choice of what to see and do whatever time of year. Relax in glorious scenery, in old country inns where food is an art form. Yorkshire for heritage: abbeys, castles, great houses and gardens and the medieval showpiece of Yorkshire for designer shopping, cultural flair and cafe society; and of course traditional Yorkshire, for the great English seaside and roast beef with Yorkshire pudding. Yorkshire holds a corner of everybody's heart.

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM of Photography, Film and Television (pictured above) is the most visited museum outside London and won Visitor Attraction of the Year after a stunning Millennium revamp. Awards keep on coming. The National Railway Museum in York (pictured below) is the European Museum of the Year, its brilliant new gallery 'The Works' showing Yorkshire never rests on its laurels. MEGA MAGNA promises "Hands on, feet on, full on adventure" at the UK's first science adventure centre in Rotherham. The Deep in Hull, a £ 40 million landmark Millennium project, tells the story of the word's oceans. Catch both in their first full season. Watch live combat at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, the world's premier collection of armaments. "Prepare to invade the new Viking city" of JORVIK in York, re-opened after multi million investment. Go down a mine shaft at the National Coal Mining Museum near Wakefield which is linked by a Yorkshire Discovery Trail to Yorkshire Sculpture Park and historic Elsecar at Barnsley. There is a point of family mutiny: "NOT more museums!". It's white knuckle ride time!!! Hold tight at Cleethorpes Pleasure Island, Lightwater Valley near Ripon and Flamingo Land near Malton. Sheffield's Ski Village throws down the challenge of Europe's largest artificial slope. Leisure centres Doncaster Dome and Barnsley Metrodome promise family fun superscale.

England's North. West England's North West is famous for its vibrant city life, miles of fabulous coastline, spectacular countryside and a wealth of attractions. Visitors shouldn't miss The Tate, The Walker Art Gallery or The Beatles Story in Liverpool, or Chester famed for its Roman walls and Lancaster with it imposing castle. And the North West is home to the best of seaside resorts, offering amusements for the whole family - come rain or shine. Choose from the thrills and spills of Blackpool, birdwatching on the Dee Estuary, or golf in Southport. And that's not all. . . there are Cheshire's award winning gardens and undiscovered countryside, Lancashire's charming market towns and industrial heritage, and a Region-wide events calendar which is second to none. For sports lovers there's everything from sandyachting on the coast to mountain biking on the Fells - and, of course, world famous football clubs.

The Heart of England stretches from the coast of Lincolnshire in the east, down to the valleys and hills of Shropshire and Herefordshire, in the west. Sample traditional pork pies in Melton Mowbray, take a walk in the Derbyshire Dales, or discover the heritage, culture and shopping from Cheltenham to Birmingham and Leicester. From fast paced family days out to a restful game of golf or a gentle cycle ride down peaceful country lanes, visit the Heart of England change your scenery. Experience a relaxing boat trip on the network of inland waterways, visit historic houses from Chatsworth to Shakespeare's birthplace, or find tranquillity in the diversity of colourful gardens.

The East of England is based around the ancient kingdom of East Anglia, originally made up of the North Folk (Norfolk) and the South Folk (Suffolk). Today Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire join these counties. Gentle landscapes straight from an 18 th century oil painting. Living, working villages of heart-stoppingly lovely half-timbered cottages. Magnificent stately homes and awesome Gothic cathedrals. Traditional seaside resorts. Oceans of Fenland shimmering beneath huge open skies. Lakes and rivers teeming with wildlife. Cities brimming with history and culture. The East of England has all this and more. And yet much of it has a delightfully unspoilt, unassuming air. A corner of the country that's somehow missed the relentless march of time. So take your time and let the subtle pleasures of this welcoming region quietly but completely seduce you.

London - the most exciting city in the world with its outstanding reputation for first class culture, fascinating history and pageantry. It has an amazing array of new museums, galleries and attractions and its theatre goes from strength to strength, with long standing musicals still pulling in the crowds and world famous stars choosing to tread the London boards. The city is a culinary delight with over 60 types of cuisine to choose from in the capital's restaurants and a shoppers' paradise with over 30, 000 retail outlets offering something for everyone. Summer is a great time to visit. Make the most of the sunshine in the capital's Royal Parks, relax al fresco at a pavement cafe, take in a show and pick up some bargains at the summer sales.

Top Attractions On a first trip to London the major sights are a must. The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and on Horse Guards Parade are free displays of colourful Royal pageantry. In August and September Buckingham Palace itself is open to visitors. Take a look at the Houses of Parliament and the famous clocktower that houses 'Big Ben'. Other unmissable sights include the Tower of London with its colourful 'Beefeaters' (yeoman warders), Tower Bridge and St Paul's Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren's elegantly-domed masterpiece. One of the best ways to see London's famous landmarks is to take a guided bus tour, or one of the many other tours including boat and horse-drawn omnibuses. • Buckingham Palace and St James Park • House of Parliament and Westminster Abbey • Hyde Park and Kensington Palace • Madame Tussaud's and Regent's Park • Tower Bridge and Tower of London • Trafalgar Square and National Gallery • Victoria & Albert Museum and Science Museum • British Museum and Dickens' House • Kenwood House and Hampstead Health • Kew Garden and Richmond Park • Old Royal Observatory and National Maritime Museum

The four counties of Kent, East and West Sussex and Surrey provide the warmest of welcomes for all our visitors. With over two hundred and seventy miles of coastline, plenty of open spaces, attractive countryside and evidence of our historic past round every corner. Wander in the glorious gardens, relive the past at historic houses and castles, Chuff through the countryside in a steam train or relax at one of the many leisure centres in the region. Alternatively, sample the region's produce at top quality vineyards, or visit one of the many farms or wildlife parks.

The Beautiful South of England - the ideal place to tour and relax at any time of year - is a great mix of three contrasting regions: Thames & Chilterns Country is renowned for the River Thames, winding through pretty towns and villages, providing water based activities, and the Chiltern Hills - ideal for walking and rambling. Countryside is complemented with many opportunities to explore interesting towns & cities including Royal Windsor and Oxford. In Rural Southern England beautiful green rolling hills and picturesque woodlands, contrast with friendly historic market towns, each with individual identities and the two charming cathedral cities of Winchester and Salisbury. The South Coast has an enviable reputation for its safe, sandy beaches and sunshine and you'll be spoilt for activities to see and do, from sailing and yachting to dining and dancing! The coast is also home to some of the country's major maritime heritage attractions.

The West Country - stunning cities, beautiful countryside and dramatic coastline rivalling any in England. From the dramatic craggy cliffs of Cornwall and chocolate box villages of the Cotswolds, the rolling hills of Dorset and the carved white horses of Wiltshire, Somerset's changingcolours and apple orchards, and Devon, the epitome of rural life. The region is rich in flavour, diversity and beauty. Filled with towering cathedrals and splendid gardens, from traditional to sub tropical, cities of history and culture, countryside of calm and tranquillity and a coastline of extremes, from long sandy shores to seaside towns and quaint fishing villages, the West Country truly has it all.