Make a note on your calendar, as 22nd to 31st May 2021 marks this year’s English Tourism Week. And what better excuse is there to put on some comfortable walking shoes, find somewhere wonderful to visit in England in and see some of those hidden, and less hidden gems, that it has to offer.
Before we give you our top picks of places to visit in England, we should mention that with the pandemic still unfortunately far from over, it is a good idea to consult gov.uk to check the travel rules. That way, you can make sure that you are adhering to the current coronavirus guidelines relating to your visit in England.
LONDON
Everyone should visit London at least once; it is a vibrant city with a fantastic history that in normal time attracts millions of visitors each year. We suggest:
- The Tower of London for a history lesson – this UNESCO World Heritage Site has over 1000 years of history, first as a palace, then a prison and now as the home to the Crown Jewels
- The Tate Modern – for a touch of international contemporary art
- Kew Gardens – if peace and tranquillity are what you are looking for then this is for you. It’s the perfect location to feel the benefits of nature
Top tip – London trips mean packing a lot in all in one break, so if you want to make sure you’ve packed enough clothes, consider maximising your luggage spaces with handy Vac bags!
THE NORTH EAST
Whilst the north east might not have the same popularity, or reputation for tourist attractions as other parts of England, it has some truly spectacular gems. Take a look at:
- Alnwick Castle – famous as just one of the locations of the Harry Potter films, Alnwick will certainly appeal to both children and adults. Don’t forget to try the broomstick training
- The Farne Islands – take a boat trip around the Farne Islands to see (and hear) the Puffins and other birds up close. If you prefer to stay on dry land, then head instead to Bempton Cliffs for a spot of bird watching
- The Penshaw Monument – For the most spectacular views over Durham, get your comfiest walking shoes on, head to the monument and climb the hidden steps to the viewpoint from the roof
THE NORTH WEST
It might rain lots in the north west, in fact it’s a place that is famous for it, but it is still a great place to see some of the most spectacular scenery you can visit in England and there are some fantastic days out to be had. Where would we go?
- The Lake District – fells, lakes, waterfalls, and some of the most breath-taking views you will find
- Liverpool – follow in the footsteps of the Fab Four on a magical mystery tour of the city that gave birth to an iconic group
- Blackpool – enjoy everything a traditional British seaside location has to offer, including rock and penny arcades!
YORKSHIRE
A wonderful, welcoming area of England, Yorkshire is a great place for some rather special days out to mark English Tourism Week. There are so many places to visit but we would pick:
- York city centre – The Minster, The Shambles, and its many museums
- Steam and Heritage railways – Yorkshire boasts six different steam railways
- Fountains Abbey – this World Heritage Site will simply take your breath away
EAST MIDLANDS
From Lincolnshire to Derbyshire, the East Midlands offer a truly fantastic range of different places to visit in England. Selecting just a few is tough but here are our top choices:
- Nottingham has a wealth of interesting things to see, from the Royal Concert Hall to the bustling city centre full of interesting shops
- Rutland – with its impressive nature reserves and manor houses Rutland may be small but it is certainly not lacking in wonderful places to visit
- Derbyshire is home to the national park and with it some absolutely stunning scenery, if you are looking for somewhere to escape to nature then this is the place to be
WEST MIDLANDS
The West Midlands have a far more diverse cultural heritage than many people realise, with large cities and small rural villages all nestled close together if you are looking for diversity then this is where you should be heading, our pick of the places to visit:
- Stratford upon Avon – the birthplace of the Bard, William Shakespeare, Stratford upon Avon is a literary fans dream
- Birmingham – it may not be high on everyone’s list, but it has a huge variety of different places to visit with museums dotted all over the city that are well worth a trip
- Herefordshire and its cider and cycling routes is a very popular draw, and what could be better than discovering the beautiful countryside whilst sampling some of the local beverages
THE SOUTH EAST
If slightly warmer weather is appealing, then head on down to the south east of the country. There are a huge number of places of interest to visit, but we think you should try:
- Brighton – with its beaches, cafes, and quirky shops this bohemian city has something for everyone
- Stonehenge – recognised all over the world this UNESCO World Heritage Site could be one of the most unusual places to visit in England
- Portsmouth – naval enthusiasts will love this coastal location with its maritime history. The Mary Rose and HMS Victory are both well worth a visit
THE EAST
The east of England, or east Anglia, is famous for its flatter, rolling countryside, waterways, and fens, offering a wealth of wildlife, and walking to visitors. But it is also home to a few more unusual places that merit a visit all of their own:
- The Norfolk Broads – the largest nationally protected wetland in the UK, this is a really important area to visit for wildlife, and has a history that will intrigue
- Wells-next-the-sea – there is something rather British about a beach hut and with 200 of them, this beach will be a little different to many you might visit. At low tide you can stroll around the coastline and catch the tiny railway back from the harbour.
- Cambridge is more than just an iconic university town and worthy of a visit in its own right, there are art galleries, museums and of course the town itself all worthy of exploration
THE SOUTH WEST
The South West corner of England is home to the wonderful counties of Devon and Cornwall and even boasts its own microclimate. If you can’t travel abroad then this is arguably the best places to travel looking for great weather. We would visit:
- The Eden Project – with its iconic biospheres the Eden Project is somewhere that should be on anyone’s list of places to visit in the south west
- Lizard point – the most southerly point in England offers breath-taking views and some fantastic walking
- Corfe Castle – rumoured to be the inspiration behind Enid Blyton’s Kirrin Island, this has been a shooting location for several films and television series.
Hopefully now you have a shortlist of some of the best English destinations to visit this Heritage Week. However, there may be more than you can fit in in just a week, so you might want to plan another English break to experience all that England has to offer.
Tower of London photo by Amy-Leigh Barnard on Unsplash
Lake District photo by James Armes on Unsplash
Brighton photo by Ben Guerin on Unsplash
Corfe Castle photo by Benjamin Elliott on Unsplash