England

From Stonehenge and Tower Bridge to Eton and Oxford, England is loaded with cherished icons of a past era. But it also does modernity with a confidence and panache left over from its days in the never-setting sun. Fashion, fine dining, clubbing, shopping - England's rates with the world's best.

Local climate

England's climate is mild and damp, with temperatures moderated by the light winds that blow in off its relatively warm seas. Temperatures inland don't get much below freezing in winter (December to February), or much above 30°C (86°F) in summer (June to August). The north is the coldest area; London, the southeast and the West Country are the warmest. Rainfall is greatest in hilly areas and in the West Country. You can expect cloudy weather and light drizzle in any part of England at any time. Aside from the more obvious tendency of temperatures in the south to be a bit warmer than the north there is also some lateral variation in weather. The west is usually cloudier, wetter, warmer in summer and colder in winter than the east.

God Save 'im

King of England is an awful job: Harold II copped an arrow through the eye, Edward II was killed by his wife and Edward V murdered by his uncle. Nowadays there are no murders, only telephone recordings.

Likely meal costs

Likely room costs