For families visiting the U.K., London is the obvious starting point. But just as New York isn't America, London isn't Britain. In order to get to know the real England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, you need to get out of the big cities and into the countryside, where it is quite true that you'll frequently find much better value for the money -- as well as less expensive accommodations and restaurants, and less hustle and bustle.

To get the very best experience for your family clients in the U.K., I offer four little words for you to consider: "travel less, see more." Many families may well plan visits on two or three occasions over a 10-year period, so encourage them to select a variety of hubs from which they can spin out to visit more places that suit their interests, budgets and time frame. To encourage you to think about these options, here are some interestingly themed ideas for you to consider.

A good theme for a three- to four-night itinerary is "discovering castles" -- and in the south east of England, you have quite a choice. Here you'll find the picture book Bodiam Castle, one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in England. Then there's moated 13th century Hever Castle; the 1,000 years of history waiting to be discovered at Arundel Castle; Leeds Castle, the fairytale home of the medieval queens of England; Pevensey Castle, originally a 4th century Roman fort; the low and menacing rounded bastions of Deal Castle; the Tudor fort transformed into an elegant stately home at Walmer Castle; and finally the secret World War II tunnels that penetrate deep into the famous White Cliffs of Dover.

At Battle Abbey, you can talk to a Saxon and a Norman warrior (or at least actors portraying them) about their experiences during the history changing Battle of Hastings in 1066. This area was once famous for its smugglers and hiring a local guide for the day will add a memorable new dimension to the trip. Back in London, there's the Tower of London and, of course, Windsor Castle, the oldest royal residence to have remained in continuous use by the monarchs of Britain.

Further along the coast you'll find Portsmouth, the "flagship" of maritime England. At the Historic Dockyard, you can discover three of the most important ships ever built -- HMS Warrior, the Mary Rose and HMS Victory -- and find out what life was really like on board for sailors at that time. With its new science and technology gallery, "Action Stations" gives people of all ages the chance to interact with all the gadgets and gizmos used by today's Royal Navy.

At the nearby D-Day Museum families can learn the story of "Operation Overlord" through a number of fascinating exhibits, walk through a Dakota aircraft during a parachute drop, and board a genuine landing craft from the invasion. The centerpiece is the Overlord Embroidery, a moving tribute to the efforts of the allies in the D-Day landing.

Other great attractions for families in the south west of England include the English Riviera (aka Torquay) where at Kent's Cavern you'll find evidence of man living in caves nearly half a million years ago, a nostalgic ride on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway, and Babbacombe Model Village, an endearing and entertaining English country town in miniature.

In Plymouth, your history joins ours at the Mayflower Steps, the embarkation point for the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620. A river tour to see Plymouth's Naval Base is a lot of fun, as is the Ropery, where ropes and equipment were manufactured for Admiral Lord Nelson's ships at the Battle of Trafalgar, and the Hangman's Cell and other historic sites that date back 200 years. If castles are on your agenda, the Napoleonic forts that guard Plymouth are a popular attraction.

In Clovelly, families can experience life at a gentler pace and in the tranquil atmosphere of a bygone age. Locally there are bracing cliff top woodland walks, boat trips, adventure parks, beaches, horseback riding and surfing, all within 30-40 minutes of the village.

The City of Bath makes another excellent "travel less, see more" hub for different walks through history at nearby Avebury and Stonehenge. At Glastonbury Abbey, the myths and legends of King Arthur can be discovered anew. Then there are the Roman Baths themselves, which vividly depict life in England 2,000 years ago.

To the north are some interesting possibilities for families in Wales, where in the walled towns of Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris, Denbigh and Chester you can hear tales of Druids and Celtic tribes and march where the Romans once trod. You can walk around impregnable 13th century castles, world renowned gardens, ancient abbeys and cathedrals; take rides on the great little trains; listen to Welsh male voice choirs at Ewephoria; and learn about a day in the life of a Welsh shepherd and his working dogs.

Stratford upon Avon is a great center for a variety of activities, many not surprisingly based on Shakespeare. On its doorstep there's Warwick Castle (allow four hours for a visit these days) and for those interested in automobiles of every shape and description, set aside an entire day at the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon, complete with its own white knuckle ride on a 4x4 off-road track.

With 2007 marking the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, a visit to Otley Hall, the place where the story started, is a must. Located near Ipswich, it was the home of Bartholomew Gosnold, who founded the first English-speaking settlement in the U.S. Also in the area, you'll find the Anglo-Saxon village at West Stow and the treasures at the Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo. There's also living history at Elizabethan Kentwell Hall and a number of old airfields dating back to World War II. The aircraft display at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, is outstanding, and it makes a wonderful starting point for a trail that focuses on the world of espionage in and around Bedford.

If an itinerary based on children's literature is of interest, you can blend together Ratty, Mole and Mr. Toad with Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland, Beatrix Potter in Gloucester and a game of Pooh Sticks in the Ashdown Forest. The scope for imaginative, entertaining and interactive experiences for kids is enormous. To create the best result for your clients, you need to talk to your U.K. contacts, give them as much information as possible about the family you're working with, and expect a creative response.

Some final tips: City Sightseeing tours provide some excellent "hop on, hop off" bus tours in most major U.K. towns and cities. They really are the best starting point for any visit. Since tickets are valid for 24 hours, the trick is to do the complete tour, starting at about 2 p.m. and then use it to take you where you want to go until 2 p.m. the next day.

Many U.K. attractions offer well researched and presented audio tours, some of which are free of charge. Using them will transform any visit. Similarly, if the budget can cover it, employ a driver-guide for part or the whole of the trip outside London. A driver-guide's knowledge, enthusiasm and sense of humor are worth every penny, plus they take charge of driving on the wrong side of the road!