The VisitEngland blog

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Five dramatic walks in the South West

Authors of the Dozen Dramatic Walks series – which focuses on scenery-laden walks in the South West of England – share their ultimate top five walks in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset...

Alastair Sawday’s best places for luxury camping

Alastair Sawday is the go-to guide for characterful places to stay and Canopy & Stars is his carefully chosen collection of luxury camping spaces. They’ve just launched The 2012 Great British Adventure competition, which will send two lucky winners on a 1,270 mile trip through three countries in 10 days this summer. Naturally, there'll be a fair few eclectic beds to sleep in along the way.

To celebrate, Sawday has compiled this list of unusual and imaginative places to stay, so we can all wave ta-ta to our desks and set off, Hunters in hand, to off-the-wall accommodations in England’s less-trumpeted corners. 

Insider tips from the director of the World Shakespeare Festival

Deborah Shaw is Director of the World Shakespeare Festival. She’s also a complete firecracker. In her own words, “I’m quite a good Hermia – small, loud and feisty!” Her passion for Shakespeare and the unrivalled festival is infectious and I leave the interview bowled over by her energy. The World Shakespeare Festival is in very good hands indeed. 

Here are her tips on making the most of the festival.

Our stay at the new LEGOLAND Hotel

Over a thousand LEGO models, mini-figures, pirates, knights, Vikings, LEGO-shaped potatoes, a whoopie cushion carpet and of course, millions of pieces of LEGO. That’s LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, the most amazing place ever, according to my sister, brother, niece…and me! 

A sneak preview of the new Harry Potter Studio Tour!

Harry Potter with Buckbeak the Hippogriff.

When I found out I had been invited to a preview of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, to say I was excited is somewhat of an understatement. This was going to be my ultimate muggle moment.

Holiday ideas to dissolve the January blues

As it's the dreaded first week back at work for many we thought we'd brighten up the day by sharing where we'd rather be in England right now...

Explore England through the eyes of a travel expert

Frommer’s England expert talks day trips, mackerel sandwiches and museums...

Mark Henshall is a family man. He loves nothing more than tucking into a locally-sourced sarnie on Brighton beach, wandering some of England’s most eccentric museums and spending memorable holidays with his family, whether that be dolphin spotting in Cornwall or exploring medieval castles in Northumberland.

Discover England's best bits with Lonely Planet's David Else

Professional travel writer David Else has written the best-selling Lonely Planet guides to England and Great Britain. When it comes to England, few people possess his knowledge of the best-loved and lesser-known parts of the country. We spoke to David about some of his favourite places, what it is that makes England special, and his top family holiday ideas.

Lonely Planet recently published 1000 Ultimate Sights, a guide to the world’s most awe-inspiring attractions. Tiny old England features nearly 50 times, in categories varying from prehistoric cave paintings and historic houses to the world’s kitschiest and most risqué sights.