Country characteristics

England
Think of England and rolling green hills, fields and hedgerows, Constable and Turner landscapes, royalty, castles, palaces, cathedrals, bustling modern cities and centuries of history come to mind.

Wherever you are in England you won't be far from an ancient ruin, castle or majestic country house and garden. But you also won't be far from an exciting major city, a National Park, sandy beach or dramatic coastline. From the sandy beaches and cliff hugging fishing villages of Cornwall, to the dramatic Cumbrian coast, from the White Cliffs of Dover to the pleasure beaches of Blackpool, the coastline of England offers delights and surprises.

Move inland and you'll find an abundance of pretty villages, historic and modern architecture and ancient ruins. The settings range from the fens and flatlands of East Anglia, through the charm of the Cotswolds, where picturesque villages nestle among rolling hills, to the drama of mountain ranges like the Pennines. Weald, wold, moor, vale and dale, the English landscape provides a huge variety to the visitor looking for peaceful relaxation or physical challenge.

The history of England is written in its monuments. The earliest, mysterious prehistoric stone circles, burial chambers and hillside chalk figures dot the countryside. Roman ruins are found from the South to Hadrian's Wall in the far North. Medieval, Tudor and Jacobean churches, palaces and houses give way to gracious Georgian crescents, elegant flat fronted houses, and Victorian gothic fantasies, often juxtaposed with modern, cutting edge designs in the cities and towns.

Wales
A country that possesses more castles and churches per square mile than anywhere else in Europe. A place where the visitor can be captivated by stories of romance and magic such as the tale of a King called Arthur, his Queen Guinevere and a magician named Merlin.

Wales is a country where the visitor can explore the sites which inspired artists, such as the poet Dylan Thomas and the singers Bryn Terfel and Tom Jones. This country is Wales - only a few hours away from London!

Wales has its own distinct character reflected in its people who are always keen to offer a warm Celtic welcome to visitors. The landscape here is unique, and there is a wealth of places just waiting to be enjoyed.

Scotland
The mountains, lochs and coastline of Scotland can be wild empty places of staggering beauty. The quality of light cannot be matched further south and the variety of landscape makes for constant change. The cities are energetic and visually intriguing.

You will find that the drama of Scotland also contrasts well with the character of the people: spirited, welcoming, forthright, warm and resourceful.

Northern Ireland
The delightful variety of Northern Ireland's scenery - blue mountains, forest parks, island-studded lakes and a spectacular coastline - is matched by the country's richly varied cultural inheritance. There are ancient tombs, Celtic crosses, early monasteries, fine 18th-century houses and a range of exciting visitor attractions which put this heritage into context.

Belfast, the capital, has a lively cultural scene with its theatres, concert halls and many restaurants and pubs. Londonderry is known as the 'maiden city', and its fascinating history is told at the Tower Museum. After walking round Derry's impressive city walls, the best place to relax is in one of the many pubs to hear some traditional Irish music. The ecclesiastical capital of Ireland is Armagh, which is also where Ireland's patron saint, St. Patrick, is buried.

The greatest feature of the Antrim Coast is the Giant's Causeway, an amazing volcanic rock formation which is now a World Heritage Site. Legend has it that it was built by the giant Finn McCool. Nearby is the Bushmills Distillery, the oldest licensed distillery in the world.

If you can trace your ancestry to Northern Ireland then you should visit the Ulster American Folk Park, featuring original 18th and 19th century farmhouses, churches and cottages from Ulster and America. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board can give you further details on clan gatherings and heritage trails.

Tourist information: Tourist Office Great Britain

Related Pages

• InterRail Global Pass (valid in 30 countries, incl. Great Britain)
• InterRail One Country Pass Great Britain
• Train Information for Great Britain
• Pass Benefits in Great Britain