English Tourism Week: 11 Places to Visit in England
Following the great success of the first-ever English Tourism Week last year, this year’s week is set to be bigger and better. Running 16 – 24 March 2013, the week will see events and activities take place across the country from free guided walks to music and theatre events, 2 for 1 offers and free entry to attractions.
Here, the national tourist board, VistEngland, rounds up some of the best events, packages and experiences on offer to help people discover more of what’s on their doorstep.
Big Chilterns Weekend
To celebrate English Tourism Week, the Chilterns Tourism Network has organised the first Big Chilterns Weekend on 23 and 24 March 2013. The weekend has been designed to show off what makes the Chilterns an outstanding place to live, work and play.
And it’s the playing that is the focus, with free ticket giveaways to a great number of experiences including GoApe in Wendover Woods, Chilterns Brewery tours, a night at Pendley Manor, guided walks, wine tasting at Chiltern Valley Winery, and even the opportunity to try a flight 2000 at the London Gliding Club in Dunstable.
For more information and the chance of winning a ticket, visit www.visitchilterns.co.uk
Complimentary Cream Teas at The Black Swan, Yorkshire
There is no hotel more English than The Black Swan, an iconic 500 year old coaching inn set in the heart of the pretty market town of Helmsley. To show its support of English Tourism Week, the hotel is offering residential guests a complimentary cream tea between 16-24 March.
The Black Swan’s cream tea comprises home-made sultana scones with strawberry jam and thick clotted cream and a choice of twenty varieties of tea, served in the hotel’s character-full lounge area or in the charming award-winning tearooms (winner of the Tea Guild’s ‘Award of Excellence’ for two years running now 2012 and 2011, and ‘Top Tea Place’ 2010). Just quote “English Tourism Week Cream Tea” when making your booking.
For more information or to book, visit www.blackswan-helmsley.co.uk/special-hotel-offers
2-for-1 Tours at Chapel Down Winery, Kent
Fine wines might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of England, but this country is steadfastly making its way onto the world wine map. Chapel Down Vineyard is a true representation of the typical English values of tolerance, care, entrepreneurship, creativity and style! In celebration of English Tourism Week Chapel Down is offering 2-for-1 on guided tours.
Starting from just £9.00 per person, the guided tours include an explanation of the history of English wine, the methods used at the vineyard and the reasons why particular grapes have been selected. Visitors are taken into the Winery where they learn about the process behind the production of the award-winning still and sparkling wines. To book visit www.chapeldown.com
My Kent Big Weekend
The My Kent Big Weekend celebrates Kent’s unique and diverse tourism attractions by offering thousands of free tickets to a wide range of places. This is a special day for residents so that they can experience at first hand all that their county has to offer them, their friends and family. The seventh My Kent Big Weekend will take place on the weekend of 23 and 24 March, once again forming part of VisitEngland's English Tourism Week.
For more information and be in with a chance of winning a ticket, visit www.mykentbigweekend.co.uk
Discover Greater Lincolnshire Weekend
Many of Lincoln’s attractions will be open free of charge during Discover Greater Lincolnshire Weekend from 16 - 17 March, as part of English Tourism Week. Highlights include Lincoln Castle, where visitors can get a glimpse of the Magna Carta, the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral, and the Museum of Lincolnshire Life, which has a significant collection covering all aspects of Lincolnshire’s social historyâ.
For more information, visit www.visitlincolnshire.com
2-for-1 and Community Tree Planting the Trentham Estate, Stoke-on-Trent
Trentham Gardens - image courtesy of Martyn Wright on FlickrOne of the most popular attractions in the Heart of England is getting fully behind English Tourism Week. Working alongside The Woodland Trust to re-plant its historic North Park, Trentham Estate is running a Community Tree Planting Day for all the family on Saturday, 23 March.
It’s a great opportunity to visit the Estate’s parkland and plant a tree, helping to create a lasting woodland legacy for generations to come (participation is free). In addition, the Trentham Estate will also be offering 2-for-1 discount vouchers for entry into the Gardens, downloadable from www.VisitStoke.co.uk, for the entire duration of English Tourism Week.
For more information or to book visit, www.trentham.co.uk
Sherlock Homes Murder Mystery Dinner, London
Can you detect a good night out? Follow in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr Watson as The Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes hotel in London holds a special Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Dinner to celebrate English Tourism Week.
This very special event 1920s-inspired event will be held on 16 March and includes welcome drinks, a three course dinner, interactive murder mystery and after dinner entertainment. Tickets cost £69.50.
For more information or to book, visit www.murdermysteryshop.com
Watercolour Weekend in the Norfolk Broads
Paint the perfect English scene and kick off English Tourism Week with a watercolour weekend in the Norfolk Broads, working with resident artist Linda H Matthews at her Norfolk studio, Broad Skies Gallery. Prior painting ability is not required, just an enthusiasm to explore different approaches to drawing and painting.
The weekend includes demonstrations and discussions about colour, tone and composition. For English Tourism Week only, they are offering 50% off the normal price of £165 for anyone quoting “ETW2013”.
For more information or to book, visitwww.paintncanvasholidays.co.uk
Free Hotel When You See West End Show, London
London West End - image courtesy of Mr Andy Bird on FlickrBuy a top price ticket to a West End show and get a free night's stay in a Central London hotel with Theatre People. Throughout English Tourism Week, visitors can enjoy London’s best musicals and plays with an overnight stay at a 3-star hotel from just £48.50 per person.
For more information or to book, visit www.theatrepeople.com/free-hotel
Explore the Perfect English Garden in Dorset
To celebrate English Tourism Week, Neil Lucas (M.I.Hort), the UK's leading ornamental grass specialist, is running a special tour of his acclaimed Dorset-based Knoll Gardens. During this personally led tour of the garden, Neil will explain a little of the ethos behind his naturalistic style.
This special spring event is an opportunity to find out more about his ideas first hand and get some practical hints and tips to take away as gardens across the country wake up for the coming season. Knoll Gardens is a perfect example of a modern English garden at its very best. This special tour and talk, takes place on 22nd March, starting at 2pm and costs £10 per person.
For more information visit www.knollgardens.co.uk
Dinosaur Hunting on the Isle of Wight
The peaceful and serene Isle of Wight was once home to the likes of Iguanodon and Neovenator (a close cousin of the T-Rex). During English Tourism Week you can hunt for their remainsby joining a popular guided walk along the beach at Yaverland.
At 10am on the 17 March a team will take to the coast looking for fossils from the time of the dinosaurs. The walk will be led by a member of staff from Dinosaur Isle Museum.
For more information or to book, visit www.dinosaurisle.com
To discover more about England in this very special week, visit www.visitengland.com
For cheap hotels in the UK click here to visit lowcostholidays.co.uk now!
How are you celebrating English Tourism Week? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK
FemaleFirst