From floating down the Thames in a hot tub to diving into the food scene, clients can discover a new side of Britain
From London to Liverpool, Edinburgh to Brighton and Cardiff to Cambridge, clients can discover hidden treasures around the corner from iconic landmarks across the UK.
“Over the past couple of years there has been huge pent-up demand for Canadians to travel… We’re shining the spotlight on our vibrant and diverse cities,” says VisitBritain SVP Americas Paul Gauger. “Telling the stories of our renowned heritage and iconic city attractions with a modern twist, our buzzing contemporary culture and innovative food and drink scene. So, for Canadians visiting for the first time – or the tenth – we are showing that Britain is bursting full of fresh and exciting new experiences to come and enjoy right now.”
From floating down the Thames in London in a hot tub or shopping at the world’s oldest record store in Cardiff, VisitBritain is highlighting these experiences in a new marketing campaign called Welcome to Another Side of Britain. The campaign showcases innovative businesses who are combining historic attractions with contemporary cultural experiences.
“From our vibrant and diverse cities and our beautiful countryside and stunning coastlines, from iconic sites to hidden gems, every part of the country is bursting with exciting opportunities to explore,” says Sally Balcombe, outgoing CEO of VisitBritain/VisitEngland.
DIVERSE FOOD SCENE
If London is calling clients, they can enjoy cocktails at Cahoots, which is situated in an old Tube station in London, and is now a 1940s underground bar. Another option is to grab a table in a double-decker bus with Bustronome. For families, afternoon tea has been given an update at the Kids Sci-Fi Tea at the The Ampersand and at the Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at Aqua Shard. Another unique options is to cruise the Thames with London Craft Beer Cruises and accredited beer sommeliers, enjoying craft brews, artisanal food and other local drink produce while passing some of London’s most iconic sights from the water side.
For those who are Bath bound, a strong community feeling is clearly visible in the city’s hospitality options. Savouring Bath offers culinary tours where visitors can get to know local food heroes and some of their innovative creations. The restaurant The Pump Room works together with the charity Beyond Food, to support people at risk of homelessness with job opportunities.
Bristol also offers more than just regular dining experiences. Playing boardgames while enjoying locally sourced dishes is Chance & Counters‘ speciality and at The Lanes signature hardshakes and pizza can be enjoyed while competing in a game of bowling or pool. Meanwhile, the independent micro distillery Psychopump offers gin distilling classes where visitors can create their own gin by choosing from a wide range of botanicals.
If whisky is more your client’s thing, there’s the new Johnnie Walker Experience in Edinburgh. And for beer fans, Cold Town House serves the freshest beer in town, brewed in the in-house microbrewery, complete with a roof top offering one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle. The Jolly Botanist has created rare and experimental delights for demanding palates with its selections of gins, whiskeys and cocktails. Edinburgh’s finest cheeses are being wrapped up into a two-hour walking tour with the Edinburgh Cheese Crawl. In Glasgow, try the Dockyard Social, where the best street food traders serve a true taste of global comfort food. The Finnieston Bar & Restaurant serves up the very best in Scottish seafood and award-winning cocktails, champagnes and beers. At Cail Bruich the finest seasonal British produce is used to create a relaxed Michelin-starred dining experience in Glasgow’s West End. An hour north of Glasgow, Glengoyne Distillery produces whisky using renewable energy and their commitment to protect the beauty of the environment is visible throughout all their processes.
Liverpool is home to many independent restaurants and food stands. A great selection can be found at the Baltic Market where dishes from all over the world can be tasted. At Mowgli Street Food authentic flavourful Indian dishes are served, Barnacle‘s chefs create delights out of seasonal and local produce and guests at Alma de Cuba can enjoy Caribbean flair in a redeveloped church. According to Conde Nast Traveller, Birmingham is one of the best cities to visit for foodies in 2022 due its high number of Michelin starred restaurants. Adam’s and Purnells, both contemporary British fine dining restaurant serving modern dishes, as well as Opheem an Indian fine dining spot, are all located right in the city centre. Delicious and beloved Balti curry was invented in Birmingham offering award-winning city centre restaurants to authentic family-run establishments in the Balti Triangle. And a world of chocolate delights can be uncovered at Cadbury World. The immersive experience teaches visitors how the confectionery is made, with the tour ending in the biggest Cadbury shop in the world. A chocoholic delight!
BRIDGERTON, BANKSY & BEYOND
For Bridgeton lovers, there’s a two-hour tour through Bath’s historic streets, while taking in the sights and stories from Bridgeton’s filming. Points of interest to look out for include the Featheringtons house, Madame Delacroix’s shop and Lady Danbury’s house. There will be plenty of photo opportunities.
For fans of Peaky Blinders, there’s a tour that’s the perfect opportunity to explore film locations both within the city of Liverpool and further afield, or take it to the next level with the Peaky Blinders Live Escape Game located in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, where teams are challenged to infiltrate the world of the Peaky Blinders gangs in order to escape.
The Skyliner Street Art Tour is led by lover of honest and alternative tourism Hayley Flynn, also the UK’s first and only City Curator for National Trust. Having been described as “anti-tours”, the Skyliner tours around Manchester’s Northern Quarter aims to look at the alternative side of the city, not only seeking to reveal new things about the city, but to empower those on their tours with a sense that a city is a place created by those who live and work within it.
For street art fans, the Banksy Walking Tour gives visitors a chance to visit the iconic art work around the city Banksy calls home, as well as a few, secret works for fans to spot. The world-famous artist has made sure his own city has not missed out on his talent, with works appearing around locations which would have been part of his childhood, making for a great self-guided walking tour. Art lovers will want to check out Birmingham’s Digbeth neighbourhood, popular with street artists for decades. This self-guided walk shows visitors some of the longest-standing graffiti artists of Birmingham starting at Moor St train station. There are plenty of cafes and bars along the way.
