CHRISTMAS IN LONDON - The magic of England's capital city

Christmas is a magical time and shopping in London for the festive season is like nowhere else on Earth.

Shop at luxury stores including Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, Liberty and Harvey Nichols.

Children are catereds for at Hamleys, which offers a range of over 40,000 toys, whilst Daisy & Tom's claim to be the Ultimate Childrens Department Store.

Treat yourself and see a show with THEATRE SPECIAL BREAKS.

England's capital also happens to be the most visited city in Britain and has so much to offer visitors from the UK or abroad. There are plenty of hotels, guesthouses and bed & breakfasts to choose from, offering accommodation from five-star luxury to simple home comforts.

Find your ideal accommodation for London through Tourist Net UK. We also provide information on activities, attractions, historic sites, travel information, and general tourism info for the area.

Image© Copyright Richard Thomas licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

SOUTH YORKSHIRE - From industrial heritage to beautiful countryside

South Yorkshire comprises four districts, Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, owing their development to the industrial revolution.

Barnsley, features both industrial heritage and rural landscapes, which is reflected in its tourist attractions. There's the preserved Elsecar Steam Railway which once carried coal. Nearby Wentworth Castle Gardens provides a wonderful day out for all the family.

Doncaster, famous for its railway works, and horseracing offers excellent shopping facilities, including one of the largest markets in the country. There's also vibrant nightlife in the city centre for the party crowd.

In contrast, Rotherham is located within beautiful countryside, surrounded by picturesque villages. Ideal for those touring by car, and walking, riding, or cycling holiday.

Sheffield once the city of steel, features many industrial heritage sites and museums. What may suprise you about Sheffield is that its one of the greenest cities in Europe, and fetures many woodland areas, parks, formal gardens, canal walks, and nature trails.

Image© Copyright Stephen McKay licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

PERTH - The Fair City

Perth is a former royal burgh in central Scotland, located on the banks of the River Tay and is one of three towns in the UK to have been declassified as a city.

Still referred to as The Fair City, Perth is derrived from a Pictish word for wood or copse.

Home to one of the oldest provincial museums in Scotland and the host of the Perth Festival of the Arts, an annual collection of art, theatre, opera and classical music, architectural and historical attractions include Scone Palace and St. John's Kirk.

With further exploration you will discover the former seats of the Earls of Gowrie, and the Wemyss family, Huntingtower Castle and Elcho Castle respectively.

Both are excellent examples of late medieval Scottish tower-houses.

9th Hole Gleneagles - Photo: Keith Duff CCL

EXETER & EAST DEVON - from the Jurassic Coast to secluded villages

Dramatic coastlines and largely unspoiled landscapes, Devon’s eastern corner is a rural retreat dominated by the historic cathedral city of Exeter, capital of the southwest.

Further exploration uncovers secluded villages, river valleys, tree-lined hilltops and an amazing seaside experience, part of the 95-mile 'Jurassic Coast', one of the UK's World Heritage sites.

Exeter, originally known as Iscka, was the home of the Celtic Dumnonii tribe was later developed by Alfred the Great. Although much of the city had to be rebuilt after the Second World War, there remains many sites of historic importance and heritage.

Beer Exeter Photo: Peter Watkins CCL

PEMBROKESHIRE - Origin of Stonehenge?

Historical Pembrokeshire, home to scenic landscapes, and the source of the "blue stone", which was taken from the Preseli Hills 4000 years ago to create the inner sanctum of Britain's best known ancient monument - Stonehenge.

If history leaves you cold, there are many leisure parks and places of interest, ideal for the family vacation.

How about Oakwood Theme Park, with the largest wooden roller coaster in Europe or Folly Farm - farm attraction.

If you prefer 'wildlife' that bites back, there's Great Wedlock Dinosaur Park and for the nature buff and walkers there are plenty of country parks. Not forgeting numerous golf courses, craft and leisure centres and much much more...

CORNWALL - A very dramatic holiday destination

Cornwall, a land of towering cliffs carved by the pounding seas, and picturesque fishing coves.

Host to some of Britain’s finest surfing beaches and quaint coastal resorts, this south-western county is certainly one of England’s most dramatic tourist spots.

Great gardens, villages and enchanting vistas, the wild beauty of Land’s End and Bodmin Moor.

Cornwall attracts millions of visitors and has a unique culture coupled with a mild climate that supports the growth of sub-tropical plants.

Lands End Granite Cliffs - Photo: Roger Butterfield CCL

DURHAM - "the best cathedral on Planet Earth." travel writer Bill Bryson

County Durham featuring the historic city of Durham, home of the magnificent Cathedral and Castle.

Don't forget to explore the unspoilt scenery of the Durham Dales, part of the North Pennine Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Further tourist attractions include Beamish, The North of England Open Air Museum, and The Josephine and John Bowes Museum.

There are plenty of impressive castles and industrial heritage sites in the area to visit.

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HERTFORDSHIRE - Not just a car park for London

Hertfordshire dates back to the Middle Stone Ages with Hertford, once a fortress, taking its name from the Anglo-Saxon words 'heort ford' meaning deer crossing (water).

Due to the expansion of London, Hetfordshire is now part of the commuter belt for the UK's capital.

However, for the tourist there's plenty of attractions and activities in the county, from heritage to country parks, from caves to Roman remains, and everything in-between. Visit Hertfordshire today and find out for yourself.

© Copyright John Salmon licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

ARMAGH - An ancient religious site of Celtic paganism and Christianity

An ancient religious site of both Celtic paganism and Christianity, the city of Armagh (Ard Mhacha) which translates to "The Height of Macha" is the oldest of the five cities in Northern Ireland.

It's also the least populated city in Northern Ireland and is of course the capital of County Armagh, which in turn is also the smallest county.

The area is rich in historical sites and ruins, with County Armagh being the centre of Christianity in Ireland, both Roman Catholic and the Church of Ireland.

© Copyright Phyllis Flannagan licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence