Heritage
Lift history off the pages and explore historic England. With hundreds of award-winning heritage attractions, interactive museums and visitor centres, commemorative memorials and nearly 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites all crammed into one small country, you’ll trip over history at every turn. It’s virtually impossible to ignore this country's mythical and fabled characters, horrible histories, legendary monarchs and influential leaders as you discover Neolithic mounds and Roman ruins, thatched Tudor houses and spacious Victorian squares, prehistoric remains, spooky medieval gaols and historic towns in England. Hire a Blue Badge guide for an in-depth tour of your area of interest.
See the oldest independent brewery in Buckinghamshire
The emphasis at Chiltern Brewery has always been to produce natural, wholesome beers using the best, class A malt and hops sourced in England.
Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
Get kippered in Craster
Craster is the acclaimed home of the kipper – a breakfast favourite of the Queen. But there’s more to Craster than fishy tales.
Location: Craster, Northumberland
Dine like Lords and Ladies at Langley Castle
For those with a taste for the finer things in life, Langley Castle Hotel near the historic market town of Hexham is the ideal gastro getaway.
Location: Langley-on-Tyne, Northumberland
Enjoy a drink at England’s oldest pub
Built into a cave system underneath Nottingham Castle, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem (or ‘The Trip’ as locals call it) is a legend among English inns.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Head to Lanhydrock for a splendid woodland picnic
Head to finest house in Cornwall for a relaxing picnic with magnificent panoramic views and 900 acres of parkland and woodland.
Location: Bodmin, Cornwall
Bag some bon bons at England’s Oldest Sweet Shop
Evoke happy childhood memories with hundreds of retro sweets at The Oldest Sweet Shop in England.
Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Medieval Banquet in Nottingham
Loosen your belt and head to the Galleries of Justice and the Sheriff of Nottingham, where you can experience your very own Medieval knees-up.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Rainy Day Activities: Try a Tipple at Plymouth Gin Distillery
At one of Plymouth's oldest indoor attractions, see first hand how Plymouth's unique smooth gin is made.
Location: Plymouth, Devon
Take tea in a crypt below Trafalgar Square in London
Take a stroll through London's Trafalgar Square, then stop off at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church for a spot afternoon tea in the crypt.
Location: London
Tour the 18th century Walled Gardens at the Apley Estate
Take a guided tour of the Walled Gardens on the Apley Estate, sample its produce at The Creamery Café or buy your own from Apley Farm Shop.
Location: Apley, Shropshire
Enjoy a Sunday lunch on the Severn Valley Railway
Setting off from Kidderminster, dine in style on a steam-hauled restaurant car train, along 16 miles of Shropshire’s beautiful Severn Valley.
Location: Kidderminster, Worcestershire
Look through England's smallest window at the George Hotel
Enjoy five cask ales and a menu of pub classics whilst soaking up the traditional Georgian décor of this former gatehouse in Hull.
Location: Hull, Yorkshire
Enjoy an afternoon tea in the house the Brontës loved
Enjoy a luxurious afternoon tea at the historic house the Brontës knew and loved, then take a tour of the real-life setting for Wuthering Heights.
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Sampling England’s national dish in historic Whitby
The traditional taste of fish and chips still comes out on top in the picturesque seaside town of Whitby.
Location: Whitby, North Yorkshire
Enjoy a pint in ‘England’s oldest pub’
Experience a meal at Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, ‘England’s oldest pub’ according to Guinness World Records, where Oliver Cromwell dined in the 1600s.
Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire
Rainy Day Activities: Catch a film at a 1930’s picture house
Spend an evening dining in a restored Georgian Chapel followed by an indie film in the art deco-styled Little Theatre - the perfect combination of indoor activities for when it's raining outside.
Location: Bath, Somerset
Sample local craft beers brewed in Henry VIII's Southsea Castle
Discover the taste of Southsea Brewing Co., brewed in Southsea Castle's micro-brewery.
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
Relax in the famous Hole in the Wall Pub
Kick back in the inspiration for the Spyglass Tavern where Long John Silver meets protagonist of Treasure Island, Jim Hawkins.
Location: Bristol
August events: Discover the English countryside with BBC Countryfile Live
Head to the spectacular grounds of Oxfordshire’s iconic World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace, for BBC Countryfile Live, which will be hosted from the 1 - 4 August.
Location: Woodstock, Oxfordshire