Mums do travel

Travel with and without teens

  • Home
  • Destination
    • UK
      • London
      • Kent
      • Northern Ireland
      • Wales
      • Elsewhere
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Croatia
      • France
      • Gibraltar
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • USA
      • Canada
      • Carribean
      • Costa Rica
    • Africa
      • South Africa
      • Tunisia
    • Asia
      • Thailand
      • Bali
      • Singapore
    • Australia
  • Inspiration
    • Things to do in…
    • Things to do in London…
    • Where to stay
    • Language learning
    • Family travel interviews
    • The journey
    • Recipes
  • Published in
  • About
  • Contact
  • Travel shop
Home / Destination / Europe / UK / English Tourism Week

English Tourism Week

March 4, 2016 by Gretta Schifano 14 Comments

Queen's Guard at the Tower of London. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Queen’s Guard at the Tower of London. Copyright Gretta Schifano

English Tourism Week is an annual celebration of the many great things for visitors to see and do in England. This year the event runs from 5th – 13th March, and I’m taking part in a blogger carnival to mark the occasion. Each of us has chosen three locations in England to showcase. My chosen places are all in South East England, which is where I’ve lived for most of my life – they are London, Kent and the Isle of Wight.

London

We live a half hour train ride from London, and I love visiting the capital because there are so many interesting historical, cultural and fun things to do there. I recently went on a tour of the Houses of Parliament in the Palace of Westminster, which has been a royal palace for around 1,000 years. In December I went on the Warner Bros Studio Tour with my family to see where the Harry Potter films were made.

I’m always looking out for London news to share here, and I publish a monthly roundup of fab things to do in London with kids – the current version is Things to do in London with kids: March.

Great Hall Hogwarts, decorated for Hogwarts in the Snow at the Warner Bros Studio Tour. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Great Hall Hogwarts, Warner Bros Studio Tour. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Kent

The county of Kent is in the southeast corner of the country, and is known as the Garden of England. We’ve had many happy family days out in Kent, to places like Hever Castle, Penshurst Place, Groombridge Place, Chartwell and Quex Park. You can find out more about all of these places in my post 8 historical Kent attractions for families.

Afternoon High tea at Mama Feelgoods, Quex Park. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Afternoon High Tea at Mama Feelgoods, Quex Park. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight lies just a few miles off the South coast of England, and it’s a charming, tranquil place to visit. I spent a few days there with my husband and son one October half term holiday, and I was amazed by the range of activities on offer. Highlights were fossil hunting on Europe’s most important site for dinosaur fossils, visiting 12th century Carisbrooke Castle, and the spectacular coastal walk to The Needles Batteries. You can read more about our trip in my post Things to do in the Isle of Wight with kids.

Yaverland Beach, Isle of Wight. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Yaverland Beach, Isle of Wight. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Elsewhere in England

Check out these posts by some of my fellow bloggers about more great places to visit in England:

Sam from North East Family Fun shares her top three English Heritage properties to visit with kids, featuring Stonehenge, Bolsover Castle and Hadrian’s Wall.

Helen at Actually Mummy tells us about three great days out for families in London.

Ting from My Travel Monkey looks back at her top three favourite National Trust sites in the South East of England, which not only combine majestic historic houses, but breathtaking gardens and landscapes: fantastic days out for the whole family.

From castles to yurts, over on A Residence Penny shares three awesome places to stay with the family in Warwick, Somerset and the Lake District.

Sarah from Extraordinary Chaos shares her favourite educational but fun family days out. Featuring Warwick Castle, Stratford-Upon-Avon and Blists Hill Victorian Town.

Jane from Practically Perfect Mums shows off three fabulously family-friendly places to stay in the South West of England – and they’re all spacious enough to accommodate a family of five!

Karen at Mini Travellers shares 3 Child Friendly National Trust properties to visit with kids near Chester.

Yorkshire Girl, Jo Addison, shares her favourite family days out in her home county.

Erin from Yorkshire Tots shares three family adventure trails in Yorkshire, where you can follow in the ‘footsteps’ of Stickman, re-tell the story of Room on the Broom, and enjoy tunnels, slides, bridges and beams on an amazing welly walk.

Cathy at Mummy Travels heads to the coast with three of her favourite family-friendly seaside attractions in Devon, Cornwall and Brighton, including the chance to spot a giant octopus and be an Elizabethan explorer.

Alison, Helen, Penny and Katie pick three of their favourite cool places to take kids, glamp at the zoo,  hire a beach hut or be an outlaw in Sherwood Forest.

Over to you

Where’s your favourite place in England, or where would you like to visit in England?

There’s a wide variety of events and discounts on offer during English Tourism Week – for more details go to the official Visit England website.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related

Categories: Kent, London, UK
Tags: English Tourism Week, Isle of Wight

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

Facebook - Twitter - Google+

Subscribe to posts by email?

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Comments

  1. Trish @ Mum's Gone To says

    March 8, 2016 at 1:35 pm

    I did plan to get involved in this carnival but time just ran out. Great to see the suggestions from everyone.
    I’m just discovering Devon and Dorset for the first time and appreciating how beautiful both counties are. While I’m down there, I should try heading east and then nipping to the Isle of Wight. My brother lived there for a year or two and I still didn’t get round to visiting!

    Reply
  2. Ting at My Travel Monkey says

    March 8, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    Oh exciting, we’re going to the Isle of Wight in June! So look forward to walking The Needles – and checking out your post on what to do 🙂
    Ting at My Travel Monkey recently posted…The Magic Lantern Festival at Chiswick House and GardensMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 9, 2016 at 8:13 am

      I loved our trip there – I’m sure you’ll have a fab time!

      Reply
  3. Lisa (Travel Loving Family) says

    March 5, 2016 at 4:20 pm

    Lots of great ideas here Gretta. We are so fortunate to live in England, it is a stunning country with so many incredible places to visit
    Lisa (Travel Loving Family) recently posted…Easter school holiday events in Gloucestershire (and beyond)My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 6, 2016 at 4:24 pm

      We are indeed!

      Reply
  4. Zen BabyTravel says

    March 5, 2016 at 8:47 am

    Great post, for London you ticked so many of our favourites, Kew, Natural History Museum, Horniman, the WWT centre! For the sensational butterflies we loved them last year but would recommend it few weeks after the opening for hatching reasons:) We also love National Trust but for Kent we still need to discover all the places you mentioned. Thanks Gretta!

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 6, 2016 at 4:26 pm

      That’s a really good tip about the hatching season, I hadn’t thought of that, thank you!

      Reply
  5. Cathy (MummyTravels) says

    March 4, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    It’s incredible how much there is to do on the Isle of Wight – I had a long weekend with my daughter last year, and even with a few places closed as we were out of season, we still struggled to fit everything in. Living in London, I really have to make more of the great attractions here too – although I have been to the Warner Bros tour (solo!) and it’s fantastic for Harry Potter fans, still fascinating if you love film at all.
    Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…Three family-friendly seaside attractions in EnglandMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Samantha Rickelton says

    March 4, 2016 at 5:22 pm

    I am SO excited to visit London this Easter with the kids – there are 100’s of things to do and it’s definitely a child-friendly destination.

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 4, 2016 at 7:10 pm

      It definitely is – I’m sure you’ll have a great time!

      Reply
  7. Jane Batt says

    March 4, 2016 at 5:02 pm

    I’m planning a trip to London with the children this year so thanks for all your ideas. I’ll be checking out your things to do in London with kids feature too!
    Jane Batt recently posted…Fab Family Friendly Places to Visit in EnglandMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 4, 2016 at 7:10 pm

      Thanks Jane – you’re welcome!

      Reply
  8. Penny says

    March 4, 2016 at 12:41 pm

    We love Kent too, from our South London days, it was always a brilliant escape! Dungeness is one of my favourite places in the world – I know, a bit eccentric and desolate, but I love that, England’s only desert is so mind blowing!
    Penny recently posted…Of Mice and Men: Theatre Royal NottinghamMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 4, 2016 at 2:36 pm

      I haven’t been to Dungeness – I’ll have to check it out. Is it really a desert?

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Search site

Follow me!

Email: gretta at mumsdotravel dot com
Follow me on FacebookFollow me on Google+Follow me on TwitterFollow me on InstagramFollow me on YouTubeFollow me on PinterestFollow me on Bloglovin

You'd like posts by email?

Booking.com

Most popular posts:

  • Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
    Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
  • How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
    How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
  • 5-night itinerary for Northern Tunisia
    5-night itinerary for Northern Tunisia
  • Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
    Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
  • What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
    What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
  • Top things to do in Sicily with teenagers
    Top things to do in Sicily with teenagers
  • How to go seal watching in Winterton, Norfolk
    How to go seal watching in Winterton, Norfolk
  • What to wear for a DofE expedition
    What to wear for a DofE expedition
  • 8 great family holidays for football fans
    8 great family holidays for football fans
  • How to shop in the souks of Tunis medina, Tunisia
    How to shop in the souks of Tunis medina, Tunisia

Recent Posts

  • How to apply for Italian citizenship: everything we’ve done so far
  • How to explore London’s top attractions from home
  • Amsterdam virtual museum & gallery tours
  • Introducing Armchair Travels
  • How to explore Florence, Italy, from home

About

  • About
  • Published in
  • Contact

Disclosure

This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

Copyright © Mums do travel 2019
Header by Suzanne Barton
Website by
Callia Web

Sign up for my free newsletter:
Subscribe to the Mums do travel mailing list... it's FREE!
You'll receive family travel news, offers and competitions. Once you sign up you can download my tips for saving money on family travel.
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
Sign up for my free newsletter: