Cultural breaks in spring
If you’re looking to book a cultural holiday this spring, look no further than home. After all, England’s green and pleasant land brought the world its most famous poet, Shakespeare, whose plays you can view at Stratford-upon-Avon. Fancy yourself a bit of an art critic? Kent’s romantic sunsets and dramatic seascapes inspired Turner, and it’s easy to see why. Meanwhile, Eastbourne boasts three leading contemporary art galleries along its 20-mile coastal trail. Lose yourself in a West End musical at the Bristol Hippodrome or discover a music venue nestled amidst 13th century caves beneath a Victorian music hall in Nottingham.
Retrace Turner's footsteps in Durham
Durham’s landscapes and iconic buildings have inspired several of England’s great artists and writers, including the master painter JMW Turner.
Location: Durham Dales, Durham
Walk in Roman footsteps at Arbeia Roman Fort
Britain’s biggest and best reconstruction of a Roman fort is the perfect place to immerse yourself in an ancient way of life.
Location: South Shields, South Tyneside
Get your vintage chic on at Dreamland Margate
Indulge in an 'old fashioned yet oh so fashionable' break in the UK's trendiest seaside resort
Location: Margate, Kent
Enjoy a romantic escape in Shakespeare’s England
Shakespeare’s England, home to Romeo and Juliet - the greatest love story of all time, is the perfect place for a romantic escape.
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Tuck into a home cooked meal at The Kirkstile Inn
Enjoy a delicious menu made from the best Cumbrian produce, washed down with a pint of freshly brewed ale at the Kirkstile Inn in the heart of the North Lake District.
Location: Loweswater, Cumbria
Wander like Wordsworth around Ullswater
Take a trip to Ullswater and enjoy the fabulous lake and the crowd of golden daffodils which inspired the poet William Wordsworth.
Location: Ullswater, Cumbria
See open-air Shakespeare plays in Lincolnshire
If your only experience of Shakespeare is being bored rigid in a school classroom, then it’s about time you gave the great Bard another chance.
Location: Stamford, Lincolnshire
Visit a movie star house
Discover Bathsheba's 'Everdene Farm' from Far From the Madding Crowd in Dorset.
Location: Beaminster, Dorset
Follow Sussex’s Coastal Culture Trail
Discover contemporary art at three leading coastal galleries, all linked by a scenic and historic cycle route though Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne.
Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex
Rainy Day Activities: Discover Bath’s 13 marvellous museums
Discover the incredible and diverse collection of museums, galleries and exhibitions, all within a short stroll of one another, on a rainy day in Bath.
Location: Bath, Somerset
Rainy Day Activities: Hop from gallery to shop at the Salts Mill
Found near Bradford, the Yorkshire Salts Mill is an indoor hive of art galleries and indie shops, set within the culturally rich World Heritage Site of Saltaire.
Location: Saltaire, West Yorkshire
Delve into Durham’s historic treasure troves
Step back in time and admire world-class art at captivating castles and manor houses across the county.
Location: Vale of Durham / Durham Dales
Experience an on-stage extravaganza at the Birmingham Hippodrome
Plan a theatre trip to Birmingham and enjoy classic performances by the famous Birmingham Royal Ballet, comedy, drama, opera and fun-filled musicals.
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
Explore Brighton and Hove’s wartime heritage
Commemorate the First World War with a cultural holiday in Brighton and Hove, roaming around the city’s lively cultural quarter.
Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
Explore the nooks and crannies of Norwich’s artistic spaces
Norwich is full of cultural activities, with many arts venues found in surprising places, some amongst its most beautiful gardens and public spaces.
Location: Norwich, Norfolk
Lose yourself within the majestic rooms of Forde Abbey
Pay a visit to Forde Abbey, which was recently the venue for filming a major scene in the 2015 film Far from the Madding Crowd.
Location: Chard, Somerset
Admire sculptures under blue skies in Dorchester
Get up close to beautiful works of art while exploring the glorious Dorset countryside at Sculpture by the Lakes.
Location: Dorchester, Dorset
Take a tour of Beatrix Potter's Lake District
Mountain Goat offer superb minibus tours of the Lake District – discover much-loved author Beatrix Potter’s favourite countryside on a half-day trip.
Location: Lake District, Cumbria
Adventure like the Famous Five in Dorset
Visit the Isle of Purbeck on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, which is said to have inspired Enid Blyton's books.
Location: Purbeck, Dorset
Bring a masterpiece to life at Conisbrough Castle
This romantic medieval castle inspired Sir Walter Scott’s classic book Ivanhoe. Travel back nearly 1,000 years on a visit to the magnificent property.
Location: Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Follow the trail of the Brontë sisters in Birstall
Visit Red House and Oakwell Hall in Birstall, both frequented by the Brontë sisters and which featured in Charlotte Brontë’s famous novel Shirley.
Location: Birstall, West Yorkshire