explore the path less travelled through england’s historic ... · explore the path less travelled...

Explore the path less travelledthrough England’s Historic Cities

We are delighted to introduce England Originals, bringing together, for the first time, 15 of England’s top-flight historic destinations with the City of London, into five new, specially selected routes that transport visitors into the heart and soul of England. Ground handlers, tour operators and travel agents are invited to work with us to introduce their customers to a path less travelled and entice them to create their own journey through England’s history and countryside. They will discover the life and times of each location as they hop on and off the train, straight into the heart of our beautiful historic cities; each one a vibrant, culturally rich, beautiful and surprising place with a story to tell. With our innovative approach to interpreting history and our new augmented reality app, including state-of-the-art table-top city tours, you will be able to excite your visitors to discover a new side to our historic destinations. We are making it easier for you to build your own itineraries and create and sell new and inspiring packages. Our newly collated and curated set of bookable products, including boutique hotels, attractions and experiences, gives you more choice; while our new booking and packaging functionality means you can upload and promote new packages easily and simply. We also have a new suite of images for you to use in your promotional materials and are developing bespoke training materials to help you get to know us better. We look forward to discussing England Originals with you and collaborating to bring more visitors to our historic cities. Contact Nicola Said, Project [email protected] 0044 7812037006

Chester

Bath

YorkLancaster

Cambridge

Canterbury

Durham

Salisbury

Lincoln

Oxford

Stratford-upon-Avon

London

Greenwich

Carlisle

Truro

Worcester

WelcomeWelcome

Time Travellers tour 4

Western Wonders tour 6

Thinkers and Writers tour 8

Wall to wall tour 10

Treasure Trove tour 12

City of London 14

Opportunities for travel trade 15

Cambridge

Trinity College at Cambridge University Isaac Newton came to Trinity in 1661 to work on his Principia Mathematica in which his famous work on Gravity is recorded. The falling apple that prompted the work is in Lincolnshire, but a tree grown from a cutting of the original tree grows outside his old rooms at Trinity College.

Royal Observatory Greenwich Take a selfie (#PrimeMeridian) on the historic Prime Meridian of the world at Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Pie and mash Established in 1890, Goddards at Greenwich serves London’s most traditional meal of pie, mash and liquor.

In Cambridge, find brilliant minds changing the world with science by day and climbing on rooftops at night.

A place of medieval pilgrimage and knowledge, Canterbury is a place with tales to tell of playwrights, poets, saints and sinners.

The Old Royal Naval College The centrepiece of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, the classical buildings of the Old Royal Naval College are considered amongst the finest in Europe. The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich is one of the most spectacular and important baroque interiors in Europe. Cutty SarkBuilt in 1869, history comes to life onboard the Cutty Sark, the last remaining tea clipper in the world.

Emirates Air Line experience Take to the air on the capital’s only cable car and enjoy a truly unique experience in East London.

Eighteen Sky BarThe Intercontinental Hotel – O2 London is the perfect place to enjoy an early evening cocktail taking in sensational view over Canary Wharf, the Thames Barrier and Docklands.

Eltham Palace and Gardens Once a medieval royal house, today Eltham Palace is a striking art deco mansion. Greenwich

Canterbury

The Corpus Clock Professor Stephen Hawking studied for his MA at Trinity College and his PhD at Gonville and Caius where he researched and published his world-famous book, ‘A Brief History of Time’. In 2009, he unveiled the Corpus Clock located outside the Taylor Library at Corpus Christi College. It features ripples emanating from its centre to symbolise his Big Bang theory.

Punting on the Cam The shallow River Cam meanders through ‘The Backs’ offering majestic views of Cambridge’s riverside colleges and gardens. The Eagle PubOpened in the 16th century as ‘The Eagle and Child’ this is where DNA was discovered as the ‘secret of life’. It has seen its fair share of intrigue over the centuries and it remains the last galleried pub in Cambridge.

The Canterbury TalesCome and hear a Knight, a Miller,a Pardoner and the Wife of Bath tell the tales to compete for a meal at the Tabard Inn as they travel the road from London to Canterbury to pay homage to St Thomas Beckett.

The Marlowe TheatrePlaywright Christopher Marlowe was born in Canterbury and in his short life set the Elizabethan stage alight. He was also a spy and a poet who lived a life of danger. Stabbed to death aged 29, his cultural legacy lives on at the modern Marlowe theatre, perfect for a pre-dinner meal and a show.

Dover CastleCommanding the southern gateway to England for nine centuries, Dover Castle has played a major role through English History including the Dunkirk evacuation which is brought to life in its Secret Wartime Tunnels.

Board magnificent ships and get to the center of time itself, all within a short distance of central London.

Canterbury CathedralOne of the most famous Christian structures in England, Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered here in 1170 on the orders of King Henry II.

Canterbury to Cambridge 2hrs by rail via London King’s

Cross/St Pancras (1 change)

Two millennia of history within two hours of London. Start with stories of monarchs and merchants mastering the seas, move on to gloriously ancient sites of royally sanctioned murder and of saints and pilgrimage. Sit beneath a world-famous tree, punt upriver or sink a pint with Lord Nelson, England’s greatest naval hero.Cities and experiences include

Greenwich to Canterbury 1hr 45 by tube or DLR/rail via St Pancras(1 change)

D A Y O N E

D A Y T W O

D A Y T H R E EGreenwich 20mins by Tube/DLR from central London

The home of time, of religious murder and of gravity itself

Beyond the city

Beyond the city

4 5www.visitlondon.com/englandoriginals www.visitlondon.com/englandoriginals

Salisbury

Salisbury cathedral For many people, the Tower Tour is the absolute highlight of their visit. Climb 332 steps in easy stages and explore the ancient roof spaces. After the climb, you’ll be rewarded with an aerial view of the inside of the Cathedral and panoramic views of Salisbury and the surrounding countryside. The world’s oldest mechanical clock Estimated to have ticked 500,000,000 times since it was made, circa 1386, the clock has no face and only strikes the hours. It can be found in Salisbury Cathedral.

The Cornish PastyGuess where the world’s first museum dedicated to Cornish Pasties can be found. Truro? Redruth? Actually Mexico, in the mining municipality of Real del Monte. The story of its origins as fast food for hungry tin miners is told at the Royal Cornwall Museum and you can see how it is made, and try one, at Portreath Bakery.

The cathedral city of Salisbury is the ideal fusion of ancient and modern, where medieval magnificence meets contemporary culture.

Truro CathedralTruro Cathedral was one of the last to be built in England, from 1880-1910, on the site of a demolished parish church. At its heart is the Father Willis Organ, one of the finest musical instruments in the country. It was installed in 1887 when it arrived from London by boat.

Tintagel Castle Immerse yourself in history, myths and stunning scenery at Tintagel Castle, set high on Cornwall’s rugged north coast between Padstow and Bude. Inextricably linked with the legend of King Arthur, for centuries this dramatic castle and coastline has fired the imaginations of writers, artists and even the brother of a King.

The city of Bath is a designated World Heritage Site and represents some of the finest architectural sights in Europe.

Truro

Bath

Enjoy dinner at one of Salisbury’s oldest pubs Salisbury is famed for its ancient pubs. The Haunch of Venison stakes a claim still further back to 1320, before a mummified human hand was buried beneath one of its fireplaces.

StonehengeOne of the world’s most famous monuments, Stonehenge sits just 10 miles from Salisbury and is accessible by the regular Stonehenge bus which leaves from outside of Salisbury Station. The circle of great stones evolved from a bank and ditch in the Neolithic period, 5,000 years ago.

Salisbury City TourThe city highlights are all included in this guided tour which takes in Cathedral Close and the Doom painting in St Thomas’ Parish Church.

Thermae Bath Spa Bathe in the natural thermal waters at Thermae Bath Spa, just as the Romans did - it’s now the only place in the UK where you can bathe in natural waters.

Bath GinThe Georgians were rather fond of gin. Today you can learn about the history of the botanical drink, and, create and taste your own blend at the Bath Gin Company and Distillery Tour.

15 Great Pulteney StreetGreat Pulteney Street is Bath’s grandest parade of neoclassical houses, completed in 1789 for the city’s smart set.

Herschel Museum of Astronomy Visit the house where William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus in his garden, using a self-designed telescope, in 1781.

Take the overnight Riviera train from London, enjoy cocktails on board and wake up by the sea.

The Roman Baths Walk on ancient pavements in the footsteps of the Romans who built these baths 2,000 years ago, at the only official hot springs in England. They named the city Aquae Sulis, after Sulis, the goddess of the ancient Britons who had worshipped her at these waters before the Imperial armies Today, stories within the museum reveal the history of the people who have travelled to Bath for healing, culture, fashion and recreation.

D A Y O N E

D A Y T W O

D A Y T H R E E

Truro to Bath 4hrs by rail direct

Truro Sleeper train from London

Bath to Salisbury 1hr by rail direct

Beyond the city

Beyond the city

Beaches, baths and boltholes

Start this trip with breakfast on the beach. Explore windswept castles, fuelled by cream teas and Cornish pasties, before you move on to bathe in Roman springs, visit the house where the planet Uranus was discovered before going further back in time to climb cathedral spires and witness Stonehenge’s prehistoric stones.Cities and experiences include


Stratford-up-on-Avon

Shakespeare’s birthplaceExplore Shakespeare’s birthplace, a restored 16th-century half-timbered house situated in Henley Street where William Shakespeare was born in 1564 and spent his childhood years. When you visit, look out for the witches’ marks

Christ Church College at Oxford UniversityFounded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, Christ Church College is one of Oxford’s largest colleges. Charles Lutwidge Dodgeson (alias Lewis Carroll) studied mathematics here, where he met Alice Liddell, his

muse and inspiration for Carroll’s world- famous tales of ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’. Take a tour of the college and see wonder at the Tom Quad, the largest quadrangle in Oxford, and the Great Dining Hall.

The Bear Inn Grab a bite to eat and marvel at the pub’s collection more then 4,500 snippets of club ties. Tie ends were clipped with a pair of scissors in exchange for half a pint of beer.

Balliol CollegeThe oldest academic institution in the English-speaking world still on its original site. It was founded by Sir John de Balliol in 1263.

New CollegeOne of the largest and most architecturally striking colleges, New College was built from 1379 as a miniature version of Windsor Castle.

Corpus Christi CollegeThe college has two tortoises, named after the college founders – Fox and Oldham. They invite the other tortoises from the other colleges and put them in the centre of the back lawn, surrounded by a ring of lettuce. First tortoise to ‘make contact with’ the lettuce wins the race.

The Ashmolean Museumof Art and ArchaeologyExplore the world’s oldest university museum, founded by Elias Ashmole in 1677, with a rooftop restaurant.

Oxford

Worcester

carved into the beam at the top of the staircase leading to the cellar. They’re known as daisy wheels or hexafoils and were believed to both protect against evil and be a good luck charm.

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre A 1,040-plus seater thruststage theatre owned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and dedicated to the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare. Finish a day of discovering all about the bard with a pre-theatre dinner at the RSC Rooftop Restaurant followed by one of his plays from the outstanding Royal Shakespeare Company.

Kenilworth Castle Just 15 miles north of Stratford is this medieval fortress that became an Elizabethan palace.

Shakespeare’s Schoolroom At Shakespeare’s Schoolroom see where William Shakespeare spent his school days, discovered theatre for the first time and was educated and inspired to become the world’s greatest playwright. At the Guildhall, step back in time and explore the medieval guildhall, the heart of bustling civil life for over 400 years.

Worcester CathedralVisit the oldest tomb of an english king and discover why his effigy was carved with eyes open. King John, infamous for being forced to sign Magna Carta, is buried here. It is also the birthplace of the American National Anthem. John Stafford Smith who wrote ‘The Anacreontic Song’, which became the ‘The Star-spangled Banner’ was an organist in the 18th century for the annual Three Choirs Festival which has been held here since 1715. Visitors can join evensong here every evening and sometimes twice on Sundays.

Birthplace of Sir Edward ElgarDedicated to the composer of Land of Hope and Glory, this humble cottage provides a glimpse of his origins and early life. The Commandery Encounter the past brought to life in a beautiful Grade I listed building with an 800-year history. Set in the

Tour one of the University of Oxford’s famous colleges; visit the Ashmolean Museum and see the Egyptian mummies; take to the water on a punt or boat and enjoy the views along the banks of the river Thames.

Lose yourself in academia, ancient and modern, at the university of 27 British Prime Ministers and a ‘New College’ built in the 14th century. Head to the home of Worcestershire Sauce, tomb of one of England’s most hated kings and a historic pub crawl. Then Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon: stand where the greatest English writer was born, lived and is buried. Cities and experiences include

Best known for its magnificent cathedral but is also famous for the world-renowned Worcester Porcelain and the piquant Worcestershire Sauce.

heart of historic Worcester, The Commandery is most famous for being the Royalist Headquarters during the deciding battle of the English Civil War – the Battle of Worcester 1651.

Witley Court and GardensOnce one of the great country houses of England, but after a devastating fire in 1937 it became one of the country’s most spectacular ruins.

D A Y O N E

D A Y T W O

D A Y T H R E E

Shakespeare, the oldest academic institution and King John.

Stratford-upon-Avon’s most famous son, Shakespeare, is celebrated in this idyllic setting with glimpses of his life and times and a world-famous thea-tre dedicated to his works.

Worcester to Stratford-upon-Avon 2hrs by rail via Birmingham

(1 change)

Oxford to Worcester 1hr 30 by rail direct

Oxford 1hr by rail direct from London

Beyond the city

Beyond the city

The best of the colleges


Carlisle CastleDiscover a turbulent history of siege, battle and royal captives at this ancient castle, which was a working fortress until well within living memory. Explore the medieval castle rooms, walk the medieval walls and discover the licking stones. The castle has been home to the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment and hosts Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life.

fantastic insight into Chester’s long history. The main access onto the walls is at each of the four main gateways - Northgate, Eastgate, Watergate and Bridgegate.

Chester CathedralThe multi-award-winning tower tour is one of the best things to do in Chester. You’ll climb right to the top of the central tower and see one city, two countries and five counties. At over 125 feet above ground, you really will get Chester’s best views.

Cocktail classes at Oddfellows The restaurant at Oddfellows is an intimate and fun setting where fabulous wallpaper and living moss adorn the walls around the striking looking glasses, while

luxurious fabrics blend perfectly with one of the most beautiful settings in Chester - looking out to The Secret Garden.

Chester’s historic city wallsThe city walls are the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain, parts of which are almost 2,000 years old.

Together with your Roman guard you’ll walk the complete circuit, which gives wondrous views down into the city, and you’ll receive a

Chester

Lancaster

Cavendish HouseUS President, Woodrow Wilson’s mother was from Carlisle. The family home, Cavendish House was on Warwick Road, bears a blue plaque and was visited by the president himself on what he called a ‘pilgrimage of the heart’.

The most complete city walls, the oldest racecourse and the largest Roman amphitheatre in Britain. Plus, the 700-year-old Rows – the original medieval shopping mall.

A place of mercantile wealth, Georgian splendor and infamous witch trials, Lancaster is a city with an intriguing and surprising past and present.

Celts, Romans, feuding Border Reivers and invading armies have all left a fascinating legacy for you to explore.

Carlisle

From the most complete set of roman walls and medieval shopping galleries to famous witch hunters, a castle with Britain’s oldest courtroom and a Hanging Corner. Take the train to the ‘great border city’, on the doorstep of Hadrian’s 73 mile Roman wall, home to England’s most besieged castle and to Woodrow Wilson’s mum.Cities and experiences include

The Ashton MemorialLike a mini St Paul’s, dominating Lancaster’s skyline, the memorial was built by millionaire industrialist

D A Y O N E

D A Y T W O

D A Y T H R E E

Roman rule, linoleum and disputed borders

Chester to Lancaster 1hr 20 by rail via Warrington

Bank Quay (1 change)

Chester 2hrs by rail direct from London

Lancaster to Carlisle 1hr by rail direct

Beeston CastleA dramatic medieval ruin with Iron Age origins, the castle rises above the Cheshire plain providing dramatic views for miles around.

Beyond the city

Birdoswald, Hadrian’s Wall Iconic Hadrian’s Wall is a must visit when in Carlisle and the area from Gilsland to Birdoswald remains one of the best and most complete sections of the wall.

Back in 122.A.D. the emperor Hadrian – the builder of the Roman Pantheon – decided to build a wall across the north of Britannia to keep out the tribes of Scotland. Hadrian’s Wall remains one of Europe’s greatest ever engineering projects, a masonry barrier stretching 73 miles coast-to-coast built by 15,000 men within seven years.

Beyond the city

Lord Ashton, also known as the Linoleum King. From the top of the memorial are fantastic views across Lancaster and the Cumbrian Fells.

Lancaster Castle200 executions took place at Lancaster Castle. After 1800 they were conducted at ‘Hanging Corner’, an angle between the tower and the wall on the east side of the terrace steps. The ‘Drop Room’ contains relics of the many executions and can be visited today. One of the most important fortress castles in England the castle is owned by the Queen.

Pendle Witches80 years before the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts, the Pendle Witch trials took place at Lancaster Castle. 20 people were tried, convicted and hanged in 1612 and their ordeal is among the most famous and best recorded in English history.


Lincoln

Durham Cathedral One of the grandest cathedrals in Britain, you may recognise its incised columns and the cloisters from the Harry Potter films. Indeed, the shape of Hogwarts was largely based on the cathedral itself. In the medieval period, Durham Cathedral offered the right of sanctuary - orprotection - to criminals fleeing from the law. Anyone who grasped

hold of the sanctuary knocker on the cathedral’s north door was safe, at least for a while. Kept safe, fed and watered by the Benedictine monks of Durham the fugitives then had 37 days in which to consider their options – go to trial or into voluntary exile.

Durham CastlePart of Durham’s World Heritage Site, Durham Castle was built over 900 years ago to protect the English borders, and today it’s home to the students of University College who will act as your guide to the Castle Keep, the leaning Black Stairs and the Great Hall where today’s scholars take their meals.

Open TreasureThe treasures of St Cuthbert including his gold and garnet cross, portable alter and ivory comb are on display in the Open Treasure exhibition, open year-round.

Perfectly placed halfway between Edinburgh and London, York is unlike any other English city.

Magna Carta, Britain’s best street and the Lincoln Imp.

DurhamYork

Discover the Lincoln impat Lincoln CathedralExplore inside the Gothic style Lincoln Cathedral, which was built between 1185 and 1311. Those with sharp-eyed might find a demon, a little charmer who became the symbol of the whole county, the Lincoln imp. There is a spotlight to help you find him.

Steep HillLincoln’s picturesque Steep Hill was awarded the title ‘Britain’s Best Place’ in 2012 by the Academy of Urbanism, because of its fascinating array of independent shops lining a parade of architecture that spans almost 2,000 years.

York Cycling TourTravelling on cycle paths and designated lanes at a leisurely pace, you’ll get a factual but good-humoured look at York’s fascinating and often grisly history.

York MinsterMarvel at the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the UK and one of Europe’s artistic masterpieces.

ShamblesStroll along the Shambles, Europe’s most intact medieval shopping street and an inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series.

Betty’s Café and Tea RoomsNo visit to York is complete without a trip to the famous café and tea rooms on St Helen’s Square.

Whitby AbbeyPerched high on a cliff, it’s easy to see why the haunting remains of Whitby Abbey were inspiration for Bram Stoker’s gothic tale of ‘Dracula’. Clifford’s TowerA royal castle built for Henry III in the middle of the 13th century, it offers superb views over York. It was one of two motte-and-bailey castles in the city.

The city of Durham, complete with its world-famous cathedral, quaint winding cobbled streets and relaxing riverside walks, lies to the north-east of England.

The route north from London starts from King’s Cross station, home of Platform 9 3/4 for trains to Hogwarts. But you can take a real train to find sanctuary in the cathedral, dodge scary pigeons and Britain’s wickedest woman, before picking up the Harry theme again to wander the winding streets of medieval Diagon Alley, before ducking under them to meet Vikings. Then find the tallest building in the world (in 1311), the first recognised contract between a king and his people, and the steepest coffee shops on ‘Britain’s Best Street’.Cities and experiences include

Jorvik Viking CentreA groundbreaking visitor experience where you take a journey through the reconstruction of viking-age streets and experience life as it would have been in 10th-century York.

Harry Potter, Magna Carta and the wickedest woman in Britain

D A Y O N E

D A Y T W O

D A Y T H R E E

Durham to York 45mins by rail direct

York to Lincoln 1hr 20 by rail via Retford or Newark (1 change)

Durham 2hrs 45 by rail direct from London

Magna Carta at Lincoln Castle Lincoln’s Magna Carta is the primary surviving copy of the original document of 1215, delivered to the cathedral’s muniments room that year. Having been taken to Fort Knox, Kentucky for security during the second world war, Lincoln Magna Carta is now on permanent display in Lincoln Castle.

Medieval Bishop’s PalaceStanding almost in the shadow of Lincoln Cathedral, with sweeping views over the ancient city and the countryside beyond, the Medieval Bishop’s Palace was once among the most important buildings in the country.

Beyond the city

Beyond the city


Product pool and booking functionalityWe are developing new booking functionality for the England Originals product that will enable US and UK consumers to book one of England Originals’ five packages or build and book their own bespoke itinerary. The product will sit on www. visitlondon.com/englandoriginals. As well as supporting consumers to plan and book trips, the new functionality supports multiple tour operators to create, upload and launch their own itineraries and packages via the system.

Operators will be able to mix and match the cities to meet their customer’s requirements, or base a tour on one of the five pre-planned itineraries, confident that the product they are selecting will deliver a great experience. The priority for England Originals is to ensure a seamless customer experience by providing an easy way for FIT visitors and tour operator partners to sell our product. The BritRail pass is the recommended way for your customers to experience an England Originals tour, providing the freedom to use England’s extensive national rail network via the new M-Pass. This electronic ticket, makes rail travel hassle-free and easy as your customers skip the ticket line using an easily scanned barcode at the platform gate.

OppOrtunities for traveltrade

Trade sales toolsVideo – each of the five pre-planned itineraries has an accompanying video that bring it to life and gives your customers a flavour of the England Originals product. We will additionally have a suite of images and copy for you to use.

Tabletop ToursUsing a smart phone, you can produce a 3D model of each city on the surface in front of you to bring each city to life, and interrogate the augmented reality content to tell the human history behind some of the most important products in each destination. Designed to be used pre-visit, each story has a short audio story to spark an interest.

Augmented reality ‘portals’ for use in-destination provides virtual access to off-limits spaces and experiences such as hidden rooms, exclusive city views or previews of locations outside of the city centre. These virtual doorways will be accessible in selected parts of each city, and act as an immersive way to add value to the visit experience and provide additional reason to book.

The England Originals appContaining all the above for post arrival exploration plus a city directory with recommendations of additional places to visit, places to eat and drink and in-destination trips and tours.

Information and training toolWe are creating a bespoke information/training tool to showcase the new England Originals product in an easy to access and use online format. It will be made up of modules showcasing the 5 new itineraries and provide information on how to use the booking functionality plus all the other essential trade assets. The tool will be available in October 2018.

15

England Originals {copyright symbol} England’s Historic Cities. The England Originals initiative has been co-funded with a £1m grant from the Discover England Fund. For more information about the fund visit www.visitbritain.org/discover-england-fund. The destinations that make up England Originals are: Bath, Cambridge, Canterbury, Carlisle, Chester, Durham, Greenwich, Lancaster, Lincoln, Oxford, Salisbury, Stratford upon Avon, Truro, Worcester and York plus City of London. The organisations that have co-funded and supported the England Originals intiative are: Bath Tourism Plus, Canterbury Connected BID CIC, City of London Corporation, English Heritage, Experience Oxfordshire, London & Partners, Make It York, Marketing Cheshire, Marketing Lancashire, Shakespeare’s England, UKinbound, Visit Cambridge and Beyond, Visit Cornwall, Visit County Durham, Visit Greenwich, Visit Lincoln, Visit Wiltshire, Worcester City Council and Golden Tours Ltd. The initiative has been supported by Historic Houses and The National Trust and led by England’s Historic Cities www.historic-cities.com Published September 2018. All information correct at time of going to press. Errors and omissions will be corrected in future editions. Image credits: All destination management organisations. Ioan Said Photography.

15www.visitlondon.com/englandoriginals 14 www.visitlondon.com/englandoriginals

If you’d like to build in additional time in London as part of your England Originals packages, we’d recommend visiting the City of London. The historic heart of the capital, London’s original city covered the area now known as the City of London.

The area is steeped in history, dating back to the Romans, and is home to many iconic sights.

Here are a variety of places we’d suggest visiting:

City ofLONDOn

St Paul’s CathedralClimb the 257 steps into the dome to discover the cathedral’s intriguing Whispering Gallery. Whisper into the walls and someone positioned anywhere along that wall - even 30m away - will be able to hear you.

Watts Memorial to Historic Self-SacrificeThe world abounds with monuments to national heroes. Postman’s Park acknowledges those who did something extraordinary and gave their own life trying to save another, as far back as the 1860s.

Tower BridgeBuilt with giant moveable roadways that lift for passing ships, it is to this day considered an engineering marvel and one of London’s favourite icons. Visit those iconic walkways and peek through the new glass floor at the passing traffic below.

attractionsRomansBeneath the curious cobbled pathways of the Square Mile lies a rich Roman history surviving 2,000 years of building, fires and bombings. Walk in their ancient footsteps at London’s Roman Amphitheatre and Billingsgate Roman House & Baths.

Museum of LondonWorld city, global financial powerhouse… learn about how it all began at the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single city.

All Hallows by the TowerVisit where John Quincy Adams, 6th president of the United States, married his English wife Louisa Catherine Johnson in 1797 in the oldest church in the City. It is also where William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, was baptised.

GuildhallAt the hub of City life since the Middle Ages - an era when the

Lord Mayor of London rivalled the monarch for influence and prestige - this magnificent structure dates back to 1411.

The Monument to the Great Fire of LondonThe Great Fire began in a baker’s house on 2nd September 1666 and destroyed the greater part of the City. Climb the 311 steps of this 300-year-old structure for a unique view.

Leadenhall MarketWith its eye-catching Victorian architecture featuring brightly painted wrought iron beams, an ornate roof structure and cobbled floor, it’s one of the oldest markets in the City. Today it’s home to independent boutiques and shops along with restaurants, cafes and bars.

Contact usNicola Said, Project [email protected]

0044 7812037006

www.visitlondon.com/englandoriginals

explore the path less travelled through england’s historic ... · explore the path less travelled...

Documents