Top Ten Christmas Gifts for England Lovers

England is one of the most fascinating places in the world. It has 6000 years of history, gorgeous countryside, amazing buildings and stunning cities. And above all, it's whimsical, eccentric and thoroughly charming.

Picking a present for the England lover in your life should be a doddle... but if it isn't, then you can check out our Top Ten Christmas gifts for England lovers for inspiration.

This makes my top ten Christmas gifts list because it's something truly unusual: a Medieval Banquet for Two a la King Henry VIII.

Dine like the king by flickering torchlight in the vaulted cellars of Ivory House, just minutes from the Tower of London. Watch duelling knights, incredible magic and feats of strength, before dancing the night away.

I love presents that are unique in some way. Not the latest fad or fashion, certainly, but items that make the recipient stand out from the crowd, if even a little.

This 18K Gold Plated England Country Map Pendant certainly ranks high on that score. I'd never actually seen one quite like this before and think it would make a great gift. Only thing left to do is to hunt for matching earrings.

Christmas holidays and jigsaws seem to go together - at least, they do in our house. We rarely do them at any other time of year, probably because they take up so much space and can become rather addictive.

This beautiful Tower Bridge Jigsaw is really something the whole family can get involved with. The kids can do the bridge, the sky will be a challenge for the grown ups and the Thames and the multitude of reflections needs the hand and eye of an expert like grandma.

And The Tower Bridge Jigsaw is also available from amazon.co.uk.

Here's one amongst my top ten Christmas gifts that will have dad and the kids fighting over, like train sets or scalectrix.

This Tower Bridge Lego Set recreates the famous bridge in all its glory - but you need a lot of space in your room to display it. The finished piece is 40in (102cm) long and 17in (45cm) tall. The bridge opens and the set even contains a model of a red double-decker bus and a London Black Cab!

The Tower Bridge Lego Setis also available from amazon.co.uk

A hamper in my list of top ten Christmas gifts? Why not? Sometimes, arranging a dinner or special day out is not possible. There's our notoriously uncooperative weather, of course. Or work and other matters may prevent visiting. A hamper full of treats says you care...

So why not treat the England lover in your life to this Essentially English Hamper, which is filled with all manner of traditional tasty goodies, most of them from Prince Charles' Duchy Originals brand.

Music has played a great part in English life and English history. This beautiful England My England CD celebrates our favourite composers and best loved tunes.

From Zadok the Priest to Jerusalem and Abide With Me these are songs we all know and love. And when you have the Choir of Kings College Cambridge singing them...

England, My England is also available from amazon.com

There's no better way to experience England's past than on a Steam Train Journey for Two!

The Cathedral Express is pulled by fabulous vintage steam engines, and takes you on a journey of discovery to one of England's most beautiful Cathedral cities. What a way to see Canterbury, Salisbury or Chichester!

My list of top ten Christmas gifts for England lovers wouldn't be complete without a few family-friendly items. Here's the first of them: BrainBox English History is a memory game that the whole family can play and have fun with.

Even though it's all about English history, the winner will not necessarily be the family's history nut! So, how well can you memorise facts in only 10 seconds?

Charm bracelets are all the rage and beloved by many grown-ups, too. Long gone are the days when hearts, flowers and horseshoes were the only charms available. Now, charms come themed!

If you have secret pash for England's capital, or know someone who does, then this little gem, a London Charm Bracelet from Cath Kidston should help you feed the craving. It makes an ideal stocking stuffer, too!

For railway enthusiasts and history fans alike, Britain from the Rails is an enchanting journey into Britain's rail network.

If you love quirky little stories, if you like to find out unusual facts about places you thought you know... then this is the book for you.

Britain from the Rails: A Window Gazer's Guide is now also available from amazon.com

If you liked the quirkiness of Benedict le Vey's Eccentric Britain, then Eccentric Londonshould go on your list of Top Ten Christmas Gifts.

As previously, Benedict le Vey has zeroed in on the thoroughly unusual and unexpected, which is - after all - what makes his books such fun to read. If you want to know why anyone would collect old post boxes (or how to start your very own collection) - this is where you can find out. Along with many other stories too unreal-sounding to mention, of course!

Finally, another of my top ten Christmas gifts that the whole family can enjoy. England is Truly a Magical Place is a magical story of exploration. Starting as a bedtime story, it turns into a delightful ramble across 6000 years of English history, geography and customs.

Great for planning family days out - or even for spending an afternoon indoors with a map and a good guidebook trying to work out what James Bond and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang have in common. Do you know?