What’s New in England – September 2020
ShareMon, 21/09/2020 - 17:52
School’s back and summer may be (nearly) over but there’s plenty of activities and experiences happening across the country to ease us into September and make the most of fresh, crisp autumnal days.
Before you venture out make sure to plan ahead so you’re in the know before you go.
For more autumn break ideas check out www.visitengland.com/escape
A new kind of night away…
A Night Behind Bars, Shrewsbury Prison, Shrewsbury
There’s a new kind of lockdown in town – a 12-hour overnight stay in prison in one of England’s most haunted sites! Take a guided tour with an ex prison officer of Shrewsbury Prison, ranked no. 6 in the World’s Best Dark Tourism Sites. Explore the prison wings, cells, segregation area, and execution room. If you are looking for the ultimate adrenalin experience try your hand at ghost hunting before turning in for the night in your prison cell, though you won’t be locked in on this occasion!
From £49.00 per person
https://www.jailhousetours.com/anightbehindbars
Foraging for food at Tudor Farmhouse, Forest of Dean
Take a foraging break with a fungi expert forager at Tudor Farmhouse this autumn and spend hours off the beaten track discovering delicious ingredients, whilst enjoying fresh air and beautiful landscapes. Having returned to the Farmhouse with your basket full of edible delights you’ll be greeted by a comforting lunch using the best of seasonal and foraged produce. The experience includes an overnight stay with breakfast.
From 10 September
Prices from £195.00 per night
www.tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk
New openings…
The Box, Plymouth
An exciting new multi-disciplinary arts and heritage centre will finally open to the public, a free gallery that will be the largest of its kind in Britain. The centre will open with major exhibition Mayflower 400: Legend & Legacy, created in partnership with the Wampanoag Advisory Committee, it commemorates 400 years since the first voyage of the Mayflower from Plymouth to America.
From 29 September
https://www.theboxplymouth.com/whats-on/mayflower-400-legend-and-legacy
Mitre Hampton Court, London
A new visionary British brand The Signet Collection have created a portfolio of hotels across the UK, each unique and all set in buildings of historical significance and grandeur. The first of the hotels to open will be The Mitre Hampton, sitting on the banks of the River Thames, this Grade II-listed property dates back to 1665 and was originally used as ancillary accommodation for guests of King Charles II. The 36-bedroom hotel will include a riverside all day dining and wine bar, brasserie, Orangery, riverside terrace along with meeting and private dining areas.
Opening mid-September
https://www.mitrehamptoncourt.com | http://www.signet.ltd
Buxton Crescent hotel, thermal spa and visitor attraction, Derbyshire
The Crescent, a Grade I-listed architectural masterpiece in Buxton, looks set to finally re-open this autumn as a luxury five-star hotel and visitor attraction. The £50m project, includes 80-bedroom hotel, magnificent Assembly Rooms, thermal natural mineral water spa in the Natural Baths and six prestigious retail premises along the front ground façade. The Crescent – designed by John Carr of York and opened in 1789 – was the centrepiece of the 5th Duke of Devonshire’s plans to establish a fashionable Georgian spa town in Buxton, and is one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the UK. The Buxton Crescent & Thermal Spa Heritage Trust Ltd will run the Visitor Experience in the Pump Room and a selection of spaces in the Crescent.
Opening October
www.buxtoncrescent.com | www.buxtoncrescenttrust.org
Mayfair Hotel, London
A new high-end neighbourhood hotel from the people who brought you the renowned Cliveden House and Chewton Glen. Drawing inspiration from its flamboyant past the creators promise an engaging, witty and curious experience – think Oscar Wilde meets Alice in Wonderland. The townhouse oozes opulence, mystery and sophistication with the Dandy Bar serving bespoke cocktails, a ground floor library space, private dining room and individually designed bedrooms, suites and penthouses with little touches reflecting the hotel's sense of humour and personality.
Opening autumn
https://www.themayfairtownhouse.com/
Upcoming Events…
Mindful Month, North York Moors
Celebrate Mindful Month with North York Moors and reconnect with nature and self with a programme of experiences and events. These range from yoga by the sea and nature’s art classes to forest bathing and a twilight nature sounds safari - sure to leave you feeling rejuvenated.
From 1 – 30 September
Prices £42.00 twilight nature safari, £30.00 forest bathing
www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/visiting/whats-on/mindful-month
Craft in Focus Fair at Trentham Gardens, Staffordshire
A four-day contemporary craft fair will feature around 100 of the UK’s finest contemporary craftmakers and artists exhibiting in marquees set within the stunning gardens and grounds. Visitors can browse and purchase from a treasure trove of original and affordable designs from textiles, paintings, furniture, metal, ceramics and jewellery.
From 24 - 27 September.
Adults £12.00 Child (3-15) £9.00
https://bit.ly/31VRF6s
Dandelion Ready to Blossom, Derby
An exhibition of new paintings by artist Ed Burkes, winner of the eighth Jonathan Vickers Fine Art Award. Burkes has produced a body of new work for solo exhibitions at Derby Museum and Art Gallery and the Mall Galleries in London. Inspired by everyday observations, hidden history and the poetics of language, and the tradition of Well Dressing.
From 11 September - 21 February.
https://bit.ly/324yc3p
Liverpool Theatre Festival, Liverpool
Liverpool’s iconic bombed out church, St Luke’s, will be the stage for eight days of live performances to include musical theatre, drama, comedy, cabaret, monologues, and children’s shows. With live productions of Swan Song by Jonathan Harvey, A Fairy Tale Journey Across The Mersey, Laughterhouse Comedy and Deathly Confessions and Matinee Musical Classics, festival organisers promise a jam-packed programme to suit every taste.
From 11 – 19 September.
Tickets start from £10.00
https://www.ticketquarter.co.uk/online/liverpool-theatre-festival-2020
New food and drinking experiences to whet your appetite…
The Little Mermaid Cocktail Experience, London
Dive deep into a subversive tale of tails! Relive the centuries-old fairytale as you witness the human world collide with ocean life in a theatrical cocktail experience. Surrounded by stunning decor, talented actors and secrets to be uncovered, prepare to sip on mysterious cocktails as you immerse in the wonderful and magical world of the Little Mermaid.
From 11 September – 24 October
Price £42.50.
https://feverup.com/m/83949
Afternoon tea and locomotives, Turnbridge Wells
Spa Valley Railway will run a steam locomotive from Turnbridge Wells West to Groombridge, where guests will step on the platform to view the steam locomotive and access the station. Once back on board guests will enjoy a traditional afternoon tea for the return journey.
From 6 September
Price £70.00 for two
https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/product.php/241/afternoon-tea
Wine and Vine Tours, Wiston Estate, South Downs
Join the Goring family of Wiston Estate for a tour of the vines just before harvest season, find out about the history of the family and the estate and finish up with a sample or two of England’s finest sparkling wines.
From 17, 24, 26 September
Price £10.00 (redeemable against wine purchased on the day)
www.wistonestate.com
Sourdough September
The Real Bread Campaign aims to spread the word ‘life is sweeter with sourdough’. With a month of events taking place throughout the country from free sourdough starter pots and recipes, pizza, bread making workshops and other fermenting classes it’s a chance to pick up a new skill, support local, independent producers, discover the benefits of sourdough and enjoy lots of tasty bakes and ferments.
From 1 – 30 September
For full list of events https://www.sustainweb.org/realbread/sourdough_september/#events
Armchair entertainment…
The Reading is Magic Festival
Brings an all-star line-up of authors and illustrators for six days of free digital events for schools and families. Taking inspiration from UK Waterstone’s Laureate Cressida Cowell’s “reading is magic and magic is for everyone”, national and international book festivals have teamed up to create an online festival to celebrate and promote the value of reading, ensuring young people won’t miss out on seeing their favourite authors and illustrators this year.
From 27 September - 2 October
To sign up - www.readingismagicfestival.com
New to our screens, Rebecca
A new adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s literary classic Rebecca will launch on Netflix this autumn. With the majority of filming taking place in Hartland Quay, Devon it’s a chance for us to enjoy the beauty and splendour of this stunning coastline from the comfort of our armchair and inspire a trip to see the locations in person.
October
https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81002196
Before you travel check out www.visitengland.com/knowbeforeyougo for the latest guidance and top tips to help you plan responsibly and respect, protect and enjoy England when out and about.
For more autumn break ideas visit www.visitengland.com/escape
For further press information please contact the VisitEngland PR team:
Louise Ferrall / Claire Keenan / Patrycja Woda
Email: vepr@visitengland.org or visit media.visitengland.com