Days out in England
If you’re down in the South West, head for the Roman Baths (in Bath) and discover how Britain's only hot spring was used by the Romans to build a magnificent temple and bathing. Whilst you’re there, stop for lunch at Sally Lunn’s Refreshment House (www.sallylunns.co.uk) - the oldest house in Bath. Also, visit one of the last great medieval churches in the country, Bath Abbey, and join a tower tour which takes visitors to the very top of the church tower to enjoy bird’s eye views of the city.
If you’re in London, or within easy access to it, spend a lazy day wandering the spectacular displays at Kew Gardens (www.rbgkew.org.uk/) before resting your weary legs with some cream tea. If you’re in the East of England we have lots of ideas depending on where you’d like to go. How about a trip to Southend, with a walk to the end of the Pier followed by a visit to Adventure Island?
You could try a walk or cycle ride around the Lee Valley Regional Park, enjoy an Airshow Show at Duxford, walk the Essex Way or try your luck at Newmarket Races. You could also take the Eel Trail at Ely, go bird watching on one of the many RSPB sites around the region or follow in Gywneth Paltrow’s steps and walk on Holkham Beach.
In the North East of England you’ll find the Alnwick Garden (www.alnwickgarden.com/). This is one of the most exciting contemporary gardens in the world. Not to be missed is the amazing Grand Cascade, the largest water feature of its kind in the UK. Alnwick is Britain’s largest lived-in-castle after the Queen’s home at Windsor and is stunningly beautiful.
If you’re into culture and cuisine, visit NewcastleGateshead Quayside, Tyne & Wear, the hub of a vibrant cultural scene, with venues including BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and The Sage Gateshead centre for music, plus chic restaurants and café-bars.
If you like to be beside the seaside, visit Saltburn-by-the-Sea in Tees Valley, a bustling Victorian seaside resort with a splendid Victorian pier and golden sandy beach, very popular with surfers. You could also visit the stunning beachside town of Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear - dominated by the towering ruins of a 13th-century priory and castle, which were built on the burial site of King Oswin of Northumbria.
The Durham Dales is a stunning area of forest and natural beauty, which includes the picturesque and historic villages of Wolsingham and Stanhope. They also border the delightful walks and trails of Hamsterley Forest – a wonderful place to get lost for a day.
In the East Midlands, you can try activities from biking to bird-watching at Rutland Water. As Europe’s largest man made reservoir spanning over 3100 acres, it has nine mapped out routes that skim the shoreline and go deep into the surrounding woodland. If a gentle cycle or walk doesn’t appeal there are plenty of exhilarating water sports on offer.
The perfect day trip for families is a visit to Leicestershire’s National Space Centre, the UK’s largest attraction dedicated to space. The centre is full of exciting things to do and is home to the countries largest planetarium. It also houses a rocket tower, 3D SIM ride and a 360 degree space theatre which is currently screening ‘We are Astronauts,’ narrated by David Tennant. It offers hours of breathtaking discovery and as 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, there are even more activities taking place.
Also in Leicestershire, Beacon Hill Country Park in Charnwood Forest offers visitors the combination of nature and history where they can walk through mature oak woodlands to the Native Tree Collection (an arboretum of every tree found naturally in the UK) and visit Beacon Hill’s a Bronze Age Hill Fort. Whilst a picnic in the forest is a must, a visit to the nearby Bradgate Park completes the day. The Tudor ruins at Bradgate Park were once the home of Lady Jane Grey, the nine-day Queen of England.
Conkers in Derbyshire has a number a fun and unique experiences on offer to keep the whole family entertained for hours. The four indoor discovery zones include a simulated tree top walk and an enchanted forest play zone, whilst there are over 23 activities on offer outdoors including an assault course, water activities, nature trails and train rides.
Finally, Chatsworth House (www.chatsworth.org/), also in Derbyshire and currently home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, offers the perfect day out. Inside the house, beautiful staircases lead to the staterooms which display fine examples of painted ceilings and furniture as well as original Gainsborough paintings of Georgiana, 6th Duchess of Devonshire.
Guests to the house can visit the rooms that were used for filming the 2008 blockbuster; The Duchess and the 2006 film, Pride & Prejudice, both starring Keira Knightley.
