Tourism in England

Tourism > Tourism in England

Tourism plays a significant part in the economic life of England.

Many British people travel abroad, which takes money out of the country. However, many other people come to England as tourists, and this is economically beneficial. There is significant economic benefit from American tourists, as well as other tourists from European countries.

In the UK as a whole, tourism contributes 76 billion pounds to the British economy, and it employs 6.1% of the working population, making it the 6th largest industry [1].

Table of contents

1 Statistics
2 Cultural and heritage tourism

2.1 Heritage Cities in England

3 Ecotourism
4 See Also

Statistics

Source of domestic tourists within the United Kingdom (%) 2002:

Õ South Eastà 14à à
Õ Londonà 11à
Õ North West Merseysideà 11à à
Õ Easternà 10à à
Õ West Midlandsà 9à à
Õ South Westà 9à à
Õ Yorks & Humberà 9à à
Õ East Midlandsà 8à à
Õ North Eastà 3à à
Õ Walesà 5à à
Õ Scotlandà 9
Õ Northern Irelandà 2à

Source of tourists to the United Kingdom (%) 2002:

Õ USAà 15
Õ Franceà 13à
Õ Germanyà 11à
Õ Irish Republicà 10
Õ Netherlandsà 6à
Õ Spainà 4
Õ Italyà 4
Õ Belgiumà 4
Õ Australiaà 3
Õ Canadaà 3à
Õ Other Countriesà 27

Sources: United Kingdom Tourism Survey (UKTS)/International Passenger Survey (IPS) [1]

Cultural and heritage tourism

Britain's tourist industry is principally "cultural" and "heritage" based, and many tourists are attracted to England because of its history, particularly in London (see Tourism in London).

Heritage Cities in England

Oxford : now a busy commercial town, which also has a famous university.
Cambridge: a famous university town.
Bristol: Brunel's Clifton suspension bridge is a famous landmark, and the ship, the SS Great Britain is another of Brunel's famous constructions, which is now in dry dock in Bristol.
Bath: A spa, famous for its Regency architecture and crescents, and also for its Roman baths.
Salisbury: Salisbury cathedral is well known, and has the tallest spire in the country. Nearby is the pre-historic site of Stonehenge, which is administered by English Heritage.
Portsmouth: Portsmouth is a naval dockyard, and has some famous ships on display, including the Mary Rose, and HMS Victory.
Brighton: Brighton is a seaside resort, with piers, and has also the Brighton Pavillion.
Haworth, where the Bronte Sisters lived, is very popular with Japanese tourists, as Wuthering Heights has a cult following in Japan.
York: Famous for York Minster.
Canterbury: Famous for its cathedral.
Dover: A major port with access to the continent. Also well known for its white cliffs, and to a lesser extent for its castle.

Other places in England are also of historical interest, but may not feature so significantly for foreign tourists. Many foreign tourists also visit Scotland and Wales, see tourism in Scotland, tourism in Wales).

Domestic tourists, and foreign tourists who have specific interests in art, music, history etc, also visit the following:

Liverpool: A major port, with two cathedrals, an orchestra and art galleries.
Manchester: A major city, with an orchestra and art galleries, and many Victorian buildings. Also well known for the Manchester Ship Canal.
Birmingham: A major city, with an orchestra, major exhibition venues (NEC, ICC) and art galleries. Of historical interest for its significant role in the industrial revolution. Also the childhood home and inspiration of Tolkien
Ironbridge: The cradle of the industrial revolution.
Hadrian's Wall: The wall built by Hadrian to keep out the Picts.
Hereford: A cathedral city, famous for the chained library in the cathedral, and the Mappa Mundi

Ecotourism

Britain also has some unique natural environments, and has a significant "Ecotourism" industry:

The Lake District, a national park with hills and lakes, including Lake Windermere.
The Peak District, a national park in Derbyshire.
Dartmoor and Exmoor, national parks in Devon.
The New Forest, a rural forest park in Hampshire.
The Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site in Dorest and Devon
The National Forest, covering parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
Center Parcs, a number of rural holiday parks.
Plus various National Nature Reserves, Heritage Coasts and other protected areas.