It’s English Tourism Week during 17-25 March 2018. Usually held in the spring, its main focus is to draw attention to the domestic delights that the UK holds.
If you’re looking for somewhere to take the kids for the weekend or just slip away somewhere away from the capital, we’ve gathered some more well-known, some less well-known idyllic destinations all in the UK.
Whitstable
This gorgeous seaside town on the north coast of Kent is famous for its oysters, fresh sea air, and rustic charm. With a population of about 32,000, it’s a whole load more peaceful than London. Visit the Tankerton slopes and beach that are especially beautiful in the summer and head down to the Horsebridge Arts and Community Centre which showcase the work of local artists.
St Ives
Named one of the best European beaches, St Ives feels like a subtropical oasis where the beaches are golden sand, surrounded by luscious greenery. There are numerous galleries and exhibitions and four incredible beaches: Porthmeor, Porthgwidden, Harbour beach and Porthminster. If you’re into water sports, they are amazing for surfing and round your day off at one of the ancient pubs serving Cornwall’s freshest ingredients.
Portmeirion
Gwynedd in North Wales is the home of the village of Portmeirion, built in 1925 by Sir William-Ellis. It’s a Welsh gem, inspired by an Italian village, so the architecture feels very European, without the Mediterranean heat, alas! The Riviera-inspired houses, ornamental garden and campanile, it looks like a fairy-tale and ideal for photo opportunities.
Port Isaac
The traditional fishing village of Port Isaac is a vibrant community in north Cornwall, famous for the TV series Doc Martin. Winding streets and chocolate box cottages line the rugged harbour where you can see the local fishermen working hard landing their daily catch of seafood. You can check out the local galleries and tea rooms, take a boat trip or cycle the famous route from Padstow to Wadebridge.
Shere
A little closer to home is the village of Shere, in the Guildford district of Surrey. It’s made up of a central cluster of old village houses, shops, tea houses, galleries, two pubs and a Norman church. With the Tillingbourne river running through the centre of the village and the public hilltop park of Newlands Corner, it feels very self-contained and stuck in time, in a good way.
Knaresborough
TIME OUT UKIn the borough of Harrogate in North Yorkshire, lies the historic market town of Knaresborough. Located by the River Nidd, it’s a medieval village that has a railway viaduct that weaves up the hill to the town centre. Mother Shipton’s Cave is the biggest tourist attraction where you’ll be able to see how the mineral water, rich in sulfate and carbonate, turns everything into stone.
