50+ ways to escape the everyday at home
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Things are finally opening up again, but if you're not quite ready to get out and about in person (or can't because you're in self-isolation), dreaming of travel - or planning a future trip for that matter - doesn't have to wait! From virtual crafts classes to museum walk-throughs, there are plenty of ways to keep busy and explore England without stepping out of your front door.
Take virtual tours of England's top attractions
Pack in some art, history and culture while you’re at home – learn something new, or admire something old on one of these virtual tours of museums, galleries and heritage attractions, or explore the outdoors without getting your shoes dirty. Some even have interactive elements to get the kids involved!
- Uncover mummies at the British Museum
- Step inside the Houses of Parliament
- Immerse yourself in masterpieces at the National Gallery
- Quiz the kids at the Natural History Museum
- Take flight at the RAF Museum
- Discover historic homegrown artists at Tate Britain
- Wander through Buckingham Palace
- Unwrap exclusive online exhibits from the London Transport Museum
- Explore Waddesdon in Buckinghamshire from your armchair, with its garden trails and virtual room tours.
- Step back in time at the Roman Baths
- Take a sneak peek into Shakespeare’s family homes
- Journey through the iconic Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
- Explore the British Library's Harry Potter: A History of Magic collection online.
- Have a nose at exciting exhibitions at Nottingham Contemporary
- See Stonehenge with just your socks on.
- Take a stroll through London’s Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
- Sit back, relax and take an audio tour of the Heights of Abraham in Derbyshire.
- Work your way around Oxfordshire's Pitt Rivers Museum
- Browse historical and contemporary dress at Bath’s Fashion Museum
- Marvel at Georgian society with a visit to Bath Assembly Rooms
- Explore the historic Bedlam Furnaces in Ironbridge.
- Snoop around the old-school carriages of the Telford Steam Railway
- Have a wander around Sunnycroft, a National Trust site in the heart of Shropshire.
- Check out the exhibitions at Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry.
- Feel the adrenaline as you ride an Alton Towers rollercoaster through your screen.
- View Blackpool in all its seaside glory.
- Missing city life? Stroll around Lancaster on an online tour.
- Immerse yourself in the rooms and gardens of some of Lancashire’s most famous properties and museums, including Samlesbury Hall, Browsholme and The Harris
- Work your way around Blickling Hall in Norfolk.
- Learn about political leaders, music icons, community and more with virtual tours and online exhibitions of Manchester’s cultural institutions.
- Discover the story of life on Earth with World Museum Liverpool’s Dinosaurs and Natural World virtual tour.
- Take a look at the eye-opening galleries and exhibitions at the International Slavery Museum
- Explore Tatton Park’s garden at your own pace by downloading the Candide Gardening app and listening along to the 19 mini audio tours.
- Go behind the scenes with virtual video tours at Newcastle’s Great North Museum
- Dig deep into the underground world of Stump Cross Caverns
- Be taken aback by panoramic views over the wonderful Almscliffe Crag near Leeds.
- Step back in time at Bradford’s Cliffe Castle Museum
- Have a gander at some of the armour at Leeds’ Royal Armouries
- Feel like royalty with a tour of Windsor Castle
- Have a snoop around Country Durham’s Raby Castle
- Walk down a Victorian street, complete with 19th-century cars, shops and characters at Beamish, the Living Museum of the North
- Take a tour of Durham Castle’s Great Hall Bishop’s Suite, Courtyard and more.
- Tick off all 11 of Banksy’s murals across London and Bristol.
- Float through the Banquet Room and Great Kitchen of Brighton’s Royal Pavilion
- Analyse the art at Dulwich Picture Gallery
- Surround yourself with flowers with a tour of the National Trust’s Hidcote
- Take in the beauty of Sissinghurst Castle and gardens in Kent
- Get a glimpse into medieval dining at Cambridge’s own Anglesey Abbey
- Witness panoramic views across the estuary at Devon’s A La Ronde
- Navigate through the impressive Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
- Dive into the world of Jack the Ripper and visit some of the real-life crime scenes around Whitechapel (all online!) with Fever’s Jack The Ripper Virtual Tour
- Immerse yourself in the craftsmanship and artistry of Stoke-on-Trent’s The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
- Follow in the footsteps of legendary English writer, Samuel Johnson, at his birthplace in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
- Step inside a time capsule with 360-degree images of the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham.
- Find inspiration for a future trip with English Heritage’s virtual walk-throughs – with places like Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire and Eltham Palace in south-east London.
- Experience the beauty and grandeur of Blenheim Palace and its stately rooms from your own home.
- Stroll through Jane Austen's House on a virtual tour or explore the garden's with the help of the resident cat!
- Escape to the seaside with a viewing of one of Devon's coastal webcams.
- Discover fascinating abandoned stations and secret tunnels with the London Transport Museum's Virtual Hidden London Tours.
- Take a trip to Norfolk's much-loved museums without stepping out of your front door.
- Delve into a new solo exhibition of the works of Linder with Linderism at Home, courtesy of the University of Cambridge's Kettle's Yard.
- Wander Abel Rodriguez' virtual exhibition at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
- Take a virtual panoramic tour of Imperial War Museum Duxford's American Air Museum, home to the largest collection of American military aircraft outside of the USA.
- Learn about Bath's culinary heritage on Savouring Bath's Food Heroes Virtual Tour
- Get a sneak-peek into intriguing stories about the must-see street in Cambridge with Hidden Cambridge's virtual tours
- Dive into stories about spies, submarines and life on the homefront, or embark on your own family mission with the Imperial War Museums' home learning hub.
- Explore Bristol's array of historical heritage, street art, galleries, museums and more with Visit Bristol's Bristol From Home hub.
- Bring Manchester's literary heritage to life with an online tour of Elizabeth Gaskell's house
Hang out with animals on your sofa
From penguins to lions, and giraffes to red pandas, UK zoo webcams let you take a sneak peek into the lives of resident animals.
- Look at lemurs at Marwell Zoo
- Meet the meerkats at Paignton Zoo
- Watch live wildlife with the Wildlife Trust
- Connect with wildlife with the 360-degree cameras at Brockholes Nature Reserve
- Go behind the gates at ZSL London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo
- Learn more about nature and wildlife with Pensthorpe Natural Park's free resources.
- Catch a glimpse of The Donkey Sanctuary's friendly residents with its 24/7 webcams.
- Go wild with Chester Zoo's creative learning tools, or tune in to their Virtual Zoo Days to catch a glimpse of red pandas, giraffes, tigers and more.
- Give bees, butterflies, birds and many more a helping hand with RSPB's at-home activities (you can even earn yourself some badges!).
Stream theatre, events and concerts
Theatres and concert halls are beginning to raise their curtains, but you can still tune into music and riveting theatre while you’re indoors. Escape your day-to-day routine (and help keep the arts alive!) by streaming concerts, dance, plays and catchy musicals from your computer, tablet or phone.
- Watch thespians in action with Shakespeare’s Globe player
- Sing along to The Wind in the Willows
- Get engrossed in top West End shows with Digital Theatre
- Get lost in a show at the Sheffield Theatres’ The Film Room
- Check out full-length dance performances and online workshops on Sadler’s Wells’ Digital Stage
- Round off your day with behind-the-scenes videos and cast reunions, courtesy of the National Theatre.
- Calling all musical-theatre lovers! Head over to the YouTube channel ‘The Shows Must Go On!’ to enjoy a selection of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals, premiering weekly. The channel also links out to Acting For Others, who are welcoming donations to support the arts industry during this tough time.
- Listen to the smooth sounds of artists performing from their homes with the Royal Albert Hall’s Royal Albert Home
- Escape day-to-day life with a performance or two from the Northern Ballet.
- Watch mesmerising short dance films courtesy of the Birmingham Royal Ballet
- Livestream all of HOME Manchester's shows on a pay-what-you-decide basis.
- Assist mad-cap detectives solve mysteries live from your office with District Theatre's Murder on the 28th Floor.
- Enjoy a top-quality night out from the comfort of your own home with Bristol Old Vic's live-streamed shows.
- From stand-up comedy to botanical painting, check out the array of virtual events happening on EventBrite
- Crack the clues to solve this Sherlock Holmes-themed Murder Mystery game, with sessions every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
- Experience an epic new adventure, interacting with the story as it unfolds, with Wallace & Gromit: The Big Fix Up's new augmented reality app.
- Immerse the kids in Shakespeare with The Globe's Telling Tales workshops and storytelling sessions
Learn something new
With all this time on your hands, why not put them to use and learn a new skill or heaps of new knowledge? With help from a selection of attractions and businesses across the country, you and even the kids can take education to the next level - and you’ll have something to boast about once you’re back in the office!
- Get to know your vino with Bolney Wine Estate's virtual wine tasting
- Perfect a new recipe with cook-along videos and tutorials on Borough Market’s Facebook community group.
- Grow your own with help from the Royal Horticultural Society
- Play with clay and learn to make bowls and lots more with Kana’s Stay Home Kana Clay Club
- Polish up on your icing skills with Biscuiteers' home icing kits
- Grow your own garlic, with top tips and advice from the Isle of Wight’s famous Garlic Farm
- Build your own indoor gardens with Botanical Boys' terrarium kits.
- Learn how to make your own candles with Earl of East
- Follow step-by-step instructions and put your plating-up skills to the test with Simon Rogan's three-course meals, delivered straight to your door.
- Create an authentic Persian meal at home with Berenjak's kabab and mezze kits.
- Let the kids get stuck into a myriad of scientific games and challenges with Kew's Learning at Home resources.
- Check out Eastnor Pottery's free tutorials on a bunch of different moulding techniques
- Turn your hand to candle making, embroidery hoops and brush lettering, courtesy of The Crafts Collective's at-home craft kits
- Keep the little ones entertained with a huge range of fun, educational videos and activities from Eureka! At Home
- From gluten-free bread to focaccia and croissants, work on your baking skills with online workshops from The Artisan Bakehouse