Windsor

How to get there:By National Rail from Waterloo Station. A half hour train ride each way, for ~10 return.What to see:Windsor CastleWindsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and offers an extraordinarily rich and varied day out. Throughout its history, the Castle has been redecorated, enlarged and rebuilt. Today The Queen spends most of her private weekends at the Castle, which is also used regularly for ceremonial and State occasions. Your ticket to Windsor Castle includes entry to Treasures from the Royal Archives exhibition in the Drawings GalleryWindsor Great ParkThis park was mapped out in the 1360s, covers 4,800 acres and is said to be haunted by the ghost of Herne the Hunter.

Savill GardenWorld-renowned 35 acres of ornamental gardens and woodland, including National Collections and rare international species.A garden of beauty and colour where visitors journey through interconnecting gardens, each one coming into its own in different seasons.The Savill Garden was created by Sir Eric Savill, grand master of the woodland garden, in the 1930s with the support of King George V and Queen Mary. Since that time, the Garden has continued to develop underRoyal Patronage, with most recently HM The Queen opening the beautiful Rose Garden in 2010.St. George's ChapelDorney CourtDorney Lake

Brighton

Londoners have been traveing to Brighton for beach getaways ever since the railway arrived here in 1841. The pebbled beach, Brighton Pier's amusement arcade and the Royal Pavilion are the main sights, but you'll also find hundreds of pubs and clubs catering to an energetic crowd.How to get there:By Southern (rail) from Victoria Station, for ~32 return or for ~14 with National Express.What to see:Brighton PierInteresting for an hour or two, with its holiday mixture of funfair (but watch the prices), two bars and various food stalls, including seafood (3+ for a reasonable-sized dish), donuts, hot dogs, fish and chips, ice creams, etc. Plenty of photo opportunities, including the clouds of starlings that inhabit the area.Royal PavilionRebuilt in the 19th century by architect John Nash, this building features a unique mixture of classical and Indian styles, which has been labeled as "Hindu-Gothic."The LanesThis area is home to an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants.Preston ParkUndercliff Walk

Oxford

In the "city of dreaming spires," academia takes center stage. Gaze out at Oxford's world-famous university from the top of Carfax Tower before heading into the city's pedestrian-friendly streets. Follow your nose to the Covered Market for the makings of a picnic to enjoy at Headington Hill Park. Mix the historic and modern with visits to the 12th-century village church of Iffley and trendy Cowley's ethnic shops and music venues.How to get there:~20 with First Great Western, 1 hour train ride, same cost with National ExpressWhat to see:University of OxfordStarting as early as 1096 with some form of teaching, Oxford is the oldest English-speaking university in the world.Pitt Rivers MuseumThe Pitt Rivers Museum is one of Oxfords most popular attractions, famous for its period atmosphere and outstanding collections from many cultures around the world, past and present.Christ Church MeadowThis scenic park offers a delightful two-mile walk through meadows and along river banks, offering picturesque views and ideal spots for picnics, sitting or just relaxing.Bodleian LibraryThe Bodleian Library is a working library which forms part of the University of Oxford. It is housed in a remarkable group of buildings which forms the historic heart of the University, and you can explore the quadrangles of these magnificent structures at no charge. Different ticket options allow you to visit the interior of some of the buildings, such as the Universitys oldest teaching and examination room, The Divinity School (built 1427-88). Here you will discover more of the Universitys fascinating history. Our guided tours go behind the scenes in the Library, including its oldest research library, dating from 1602-20.

Bath

Known for its restorative wonders, Bath was once the home of Jane Austen. Sure, you could attempt to conjure up this elegant city by reading Pride and Prejudice in your tub, but as Bath has a lot more history than your bathroom (we assume, anyway) you'd be missing out. A stroll through Bath is like visiting an open-air museum, with roughly 5,000 buildings in the city drawing notice for their architectural merit. After your stroll, soak in the natural hot waters of the Thermae Bath Spa, once a favorite of the Celts and Romans.How to get there:By First Great Western (rail) from Paddington Station for ~ 30, or by National Express for the same price from Victoria Station.What to see:Roman BathsHidden beneath the present city of Bath lies the stone remains of one of the finest religious spas of the ancient world.

Bath AbbeyBegun in 1499 by Bishop King, this is England's last great medieval church, dissolved in 1539 and now serving as a parish church.

Royal CrescentDesigned by John Wood II (1767-75), the Royal Crescent is comprised of thirty houses, shaped like a half-Colosseum, which uses a gigantic series of Ionic columns on high bases.

Royal Victoria Park

Cambridge

Cambridge might be best known for its university, home to some of the worlds greatest minds (Milton, Darwin, Hawking, etc.). But theres a vibrant theater and arts scene here as well, and youll find fantastic contemporary restaurants mixed in with traditional pubs. Climb the tower of Great St. Marys Church for sweeping views of the city.How to get there:By Great Northern (rail) from Liverpool Street for ~ 20 or by National Express from Victoria Station for ~20.What to see:University of CambridgeFounded in 1209, nearly a century after Oxford University was established, the university was formally incorporated in 1571 and was patterned after those of Oxford and Paris with a traditional course of study based on Latin grammar, rhetoric and logic, arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy.King's CollegeDating from the mid-15th century and one of the finest examples of medieval architect, this colleges main draw is its chapel that houses Rubens Adoration of the Magi.The BacksLandscaped open areas and gardens weaving behind many colleges on the River Cam, which are known for their daffodils and crocuses in the spring, and stunning views of the colleges across the river at any time of year.

Salisbury & Stonehenge

If you saw Chevy Chase's masterpiece European Vacation, you'll recognize Stonehenge's massive formation. (As a citizen of the world, you should recognize Stonehenge anyway.) The prehistoric stone circle is eight miles from Salisbury, and its visitors provide a boost to the local economy. With a history dating back over 5,000 years, there is no shortage of significant places to visit in and around Salisbury. On the "must see" list are Salisbury Cathedral, Longleat and Stourhead gardens (and Stonehenge, of course).How to get there:By National Express from Victoria Station for ~20.What to see:Salisbury CathedralCompleted in 1258, this is one of the finest medieval cathedrals in Britain, which features the tallest spire in England that rises 404 feet into the air.Stonehenge:One of the most important survivals of prehistoric England, Stonehenge consists of a group of huge rough-cut stones, some more than 20 feet high, arranged in two concentric circles.