England’s greatest artistic contributions have come in the fields of theatre, literature and architecture. The country is also, rightly or wrongly, a treasure house of art and sculpture from every age and continent.

Anyone who has studied English literature at school will remember ploughing through Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dickens and Morrissey, and painful though it might have been at the time, no-one can deny England’s formidable contribution to the Western literary canon. The heavyweights of modern English fiction include Peter Ackroyd, Martin Amis, Julian Barnes, AS Byatt, Margaret Drabble, Ian McEwan and Jeanette Winterson.

Most visitors are overwhelmed by the stately homes of the aristocracy, and England’s fine collection of castles and cathedrals. Though motorways, high rise and tawdry suburban development characterise England’s 20th century architectural heritage, modern architects like Sir Norman Foster and Richard Rodgers are creating dramatic and innovative structures like the Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge and the Lloyds of London building.

Though England is not famous for the quality of its cuisine, London’s recent renaissance in quality is spreading to the provinces. In cities travellers will find a remarkable variety of dining options from all over the world, though those on a budget should be wary of eating way too much stodge.