101 things to do before you go abroad

A new campaign to encourage families to enjoy the UK before they go abroad has launched, with 101 of the best ideas

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(Image credit: photolibrary.com)

VisitEngland has teamed up with Bill Oddie to focus on a new campaign entitled ‘101 Things to do before you go abroad'.

Designed in the hope of tempting holidaymakers to stick to English locations, the scheme consists of a list of quintessential English adventures, compiled from suggestions from the public through a Facebook app. The list currently includes top English experiences such as visiting the Farne Islands to admire baby seals and puffins, and enjoying scenery, along with some llamas, in Sidmouth, Devon.

Other popular suggestions are the underground Shakespeare performances in Kents Cavern, one of the most significant Stone Age cave sites in Europe, perusing the second hand gems of Barter Books where the original ‘Keep Calm & Carry On' poster was discovered, or attending a performance at The Minack Theatre, Cornwall's world famous open-air theatre.

The Minack Theatre, Cornwall

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Michael Palin has also contributed to the campaign, acknowledging a walk through Uffington as an opportunity to ‘enjoy the panoramic pleasures of rolling Downland mixed in with a fisson of England's most ancient history.'

The top 20 ideas were selected by Bill Oddie. To find out more visit the website www.101thingstodoinengland.co.uk.

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Katy Birchall
Katy is the proud owner of four labradors in varying colours and is also the author of the young-adult fiction series ‘The It Girl’ published by Egmont. The first novel in the series came out in May and two sequels will follow in 2016. The rights have been sold in 12 territories including France, Germany, Spain and the USA, where it comes out in hardback next June.