Part 6: Cities

Cities of Britain fall into two categories. Some are thoroughly modern, heavily industrialized, and have little to offer a short-time visitor, others are living museums with narrow streets and frame houses.

Shrewsbury, England.

Streets of Shrewsbury.

It's difficult to know in advance which of the countless small towns will be the most interesting. Even after reading a few guidebooks, we often guessed wrong. Tiny Shrewsbury was a complete surprise.

Courtyard entrance, Shrewsbury.

Shrewsbury.

Canterbury, England.

Thanks to the mild climate, these towns are decorated with millions of flowers in lawns, pots, hanging baskets, window boxes, and cozy little courtyards.

The Old House, c 1621, Hereford, England.

Chester, England.

East Gate, c. 1450, Chester.

In addition to Tudor and/or Victorian architecture, some towns have Norman, Saxon and Roman ruins. In Chester, you can walk around the old town along the top of the wall, partly built by the Romans in AD 60-80.

East Gate Clock, c. 1897, Chester.

St. John the Baptist Church, c. 1075, Chester.

Windsor, England.

Merchant Adventurers' Hall, c. 1357-1361, York, England.

The largest cities tend to be less interesting. York is an exception. In addition to its cathedral (see above), it has old streets, interesting museums, and more Viking heritage than any other place in England.

Windsor.

Streets of York.

Village house, near Holme, Devon, England.

Village house, Cerne Abbas, Dorset, England.

The smallest towns and villages are often so cute, they seem to be real-size toys. Some of the best can be found along the winding hill rods of Devon and Dorset.

Village street, Cerne Abbas.

Village houses near Dartmoor National Park, Devon, England.

Oxford, England.

The old University towns of Oxford and Cambridge are unique. Their main attractions are old colleges, some dating back to the 13th century, and wonderful museums.

One of Oxford's colleges.

Colleges of Oxford.

Inside a college, Cambridge, England.

A list of famous scientists who have studied and/or worked here is endless. Cambridge has produced 75 Nobel Prize winners, Oxford - 47.

One of Cambridge's colleges.

Cambridge.

Dunnock, Oxford.

Small birds called dunnocks that live in Oxford parks are also scientific celebrities. Dunnock(Prunella collaris), Oxford. A long-term study has found that they have decadent social life and highly unconventional sexual practices.

Dunnock, Oxford.

Village of Lacock, Wiltshire, England.

Part 7: Cities (continued)

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