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Explore gb: visitbritain gears up to host global trade event.

VisitBritain is gearing up to host virtually its flagship global travel trade event ExploreGB next week (March 21-25). The event brings together more than 330 global buyers, including Canadians, to connect online and do business with 370 tourism industry suppliers and destinations from across the UK.

The five-day program of virtual events gives destinations and suppliers the chance to promote their outstanding tourism products and services to top global buyers and forge valuable business connections. More than 10,000 pre-scheduled one-to-one virtual business meetings will take place during the event.

As for the event, UK Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston, says “ExploreGB is a brilliant opportunity for global buyers to see the best of Britain through our tourism suppliers. This year is set to be fantastic, with Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Birmingham Commonwealth Games and Unboxed 2022, so there is something for everyone to enjoy and Britain stands ready to welcome visitors from around the world.”

VisitBritain SVP Americas Paul Gauger adds, “We are delighted to be… reconnecting Canadian and global travel trade buyers with British suppliers to do business, highlighting the latest tourism products, experiences and innovations, as well as reinforcing the bonds of exploration, cooperation and welcome.

“With the UK fully re-open and a year of landmark events, set to be global tourism draws, ExploreGB provides a timely and valuable opportunity to work together with our travel trade partners to build back visitor spending, broaden travel itineraries and encourage travellers to stay longer and explore further,” he adds.

ExploreGB Virtual accommodates all times zones with a scheduled program for international buyers from both short and long-haul destinations. Delegates can manage their own diaries across the event with the virtual platform open daily from 06.00-23.00 GMT.

The online event gets underway with VisitBritain’s ‘International Business Exchange,’ for UK suppliers to meet with VisitBritain in-country experts to get the latest market insights, followed by three days of 1-2-1 virtual appointments for suppliers and international buyers. Delegates can also explore live exhibition booths with UK suppliers promoting their latest tourism products and services with buyers able to download resources.

ExploreGB builds on the recent launch of VisitBritain’s multi-million-pound global campaign to drive inbound tourism. The £10-million ($16.6 million) GREAT Britain marketing campaign ‘Welcome to Another Side of Britain,’ which launched in February, is putting the spotlight on Britain’s cities, hit hard by the absence of international visitors.

2022 marks the third year the event is being held virtually due to the pandemic, having last taken place live in Harrogate, Yorkshire in 2019. However, Canadian buyers and media (including Travel Industry Today) will be travelling to the UK this month to experience tourism products and services first-hand, with the aim of showing that “businesses are ready to welcome visitors and provide a stand-out experience.”

VisitBritain’s latest forecast for 2022 estimates 21.1 million inbound visits to the UK, 52% of 2019 levels. Its forecast for overseas visitor spending in the UK this year is £16.9 ($28.9)billion, 59% of the spending in 2019.

Inbound tourism was worth more than £28 ($46.6) billion to the UK economy in 2019, its third largest service export and a major part of British trade.

For more information on Britain check Britain inFocus   

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VisitBritain gears up for ExploreGB Virtual

VisitBritain is gearing up to host virtually its annual flagship trade event ExploreGB, underway from 27 February to 3 March . ExploreGB Virtual is bringing together more than 200 global buyers to connect online and do business with 320 tourism industry suppliers and destinations from across Britain.

The five-day programme of virtual events gives destinations and suppliers the chance to promote their tourism products and services to top global buyers and forge valuable business connections. Travel industry buyers from more than 20 countries are joining the virtual event including from Australia, China, the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) markets, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the USA. More than 10,000 pre-scheduled one-to-one virtual business meetings will take place during the event.

VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates said: “We are excited to be hosting our flagship trade event, connecting global travel trade buyers with British suppliers to do business, highlighting the latest tourism products, experiences and innovations, as well as promoting our welcome.

“Our priority is to build back international visitor value, driving the strong recovery we have seen. ExploreGB is a timely opportunity to work with our travel trade partners to boost bookings now and to broaden travel itineraries, encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore further.”

ExploreGB Virtual accommodates all times zones with a scheduled programme of one-to-one virtual appointments for suppliers and international buyers from both short and long-haul destinations. Delegates can manage their own diaries across the event with the virtual platform open daily from 06.00-23.00 GMT.

The event finishes on Friday 3 March with VisitBritain hosting ‘PR Connect’. Destination Management Organisations across England, Scotland and Wales will have one-to-one meetings with VisitBritain international teams, sharing stories to inspire international travellers to visit Britain now.

Later this month VisitBritain is also set to launch its new multi-million pound GREAT Britain campaign in markets where it is seeing strong recovery and growth, including the USA, the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries and major European markets including France, Germany and Spain, working with partners in market to drive bookings. The campaign encourages visitors to ‘See Things Differently,’ positioning Britain as a dynamic, fun and inclusive destination and promoting messages of warm British welcome.

The campaign will also capture major events in 2023 including the Coronation of King Charles III in May, with an additional Bank Holiday announced, and Liverpool hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, on behalf of Ukraine, also in May, timely and valuable opportunities to promote Britain’s welcome and creativity and ability to host events of the highest calibre.

ExploreGB follows VisitBritain’s ‘Showcase Britain’ event earlier this month which saw 120 international buyers from 16 markets undertake educational visits across Britain, experiencing the latest tourism products and experiences on offer.

VisitBritain’s latest inbound tourism forecast shows continued strong recovery in overseas visitor spending this year. Its latest forecast for 2023 is for overseas visitor spending in the UK of £29.5 billion, up 4% on the all-time spending high of £28.4 billion in 2019. It estimates 35.1 million inbound visits to the UK, 86% of 2019 levels.

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VisitBritain Gears Up For ExploreGB Virtual

February 20, 2023

From Feb. 27 to March 3, VisitBritain is gearing up to virtually host its annual flagship trade event, ExploreGB.

ExploreGB Virtual will bring together over 200 global buyers to connect online and do business with 320 tourism industry suppliers and destinations from across Britain.

The five-day program of virtual events gives destinations and suppliers the chance to promote their tourism products and services to top global buyers and forge valuable business connections.

Travel industry buyers from more than 20 countries are joining the virtual event including from Australia, Canada, China, the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) markets, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the USA.

More than 10,000 pre-scheduled one-to-one virtual business meetings will take place during the event.

Paul Gauger, VisitBritain’s Executive Vice President, The Americas, Australia & New Zealand said: “We are excited to be hosting our flagship trade event, connecting global travel trade buyers with British suppliers to do business, highlighting the latest tourism products, experiences and innovations, as well as promoting our welcome.”

Gauger continued: “Our priority is to build back international visitor value, driving the strong recovery we have seen. ExploreGB is a timely opportunity to work with our travel trade partners to boost bookings now and to broaden travel itineraries, encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore further.”

ExploreGB Virtual accommodates all times zones with a scheduled program of one-to-one virtual appointments for suppliers and international buyers from both short and long-haul destinations. Delegates can manage their own diaries across the event with the virtual platform open daily from 06.00-23.00 GMT.

The event finishes on Friday, March 3 with VisitBritain hosting ‘PR Connect.’ Destination Management Organisations across England, Scotland and Wales will have one-to-one meetings with VisitBritain international teams, sharing stories to inspire international travellers to visit Britain now.

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British culture and heritage.

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Report highlights

• Sightseeing famous monuments, visiting museums and art galleries and visiting castles and historic houses are all within the top seven activities undertaken by international visitors.
• In this study, ‘culture’ was seen as everything that makes a nation distinct, it is alive and active, something to experience. ‘Heritage’, on the other hand, is something to see, having a connotations of looking back at what had shaped the present. However, culture and heritage are ultimately seen as intertwined.
• Visitors to Great Britain absorb ‘culture and heritage’ in a variety of ways on holidays. It is not just about a specific attraction but also about additional auxiliary experiences to complement and enhance a visitor’s overall experience.
• Emotional impact: to be moved and inspired, astonished and amazed, awed and intrigued, to feel welcome
• Different experiences:  spiritually enriching, intellectually nourishing, surprising and challenging, offering a sense of discovering new places and things
• Immersion:  sharing with the locals, active participant, not just a spectator, genuine and authentic experiences

View the reports

2014-12 leveraging our culture and heritage_fr_de_us_research_overview.pdf.

View the research overview.

2014-12 Leveraging our Culture and Heritage_FR_DE_US.pdf

View this report looking into the role of the UK's culture and heritage in visits of those from France, Germany and the USA.

2016-01 Leveraging our Culture and Heritage_BR_CN_IT.pdf

View this report looking into the role of the UK's culture and heritage in visits of those from Brazil, China and Italy.

About the reports

The Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands Index (NBI) provides insight into the perceptions of the UK’s culture and heritage amongst respondents in 20 countries around the world.  The NBI consistently ranks the UK’s strengths in history and culture attributes including contemporary culture, historic buildings and cultural heritage.  For more information on the perceptions of the UK head to our UK image overseas  page.

In 2014, we looked further into understanding the role of culture and heritage in three inbound markets. This research conducted among respondents from France, Germany and the USA showed visitors sought opportunities to relax as well as destinations offering lots to see and do. Other elements considered important were famous places (buildings and attractions) and expectations of a friendly welcome from the locals.

During 2015, VisitBritain explored how best to leverage British culture in Brazil, China and Italy. Supporting previous research, the report finds that Britain’s built culture ranks highly with opportunities to turn up communications around ‘living the feeling.’ In this report, published January 2016, we suggest top ten tips for promoting travel to Britain in these markets.

Further resources

Find out what activities and experiences inbound visitors undertake in Britain, including going to museums, art galleries, castles and historic houses.

Our large-scale exploratory project in 2022 into the motivations, influences, decisions and sustainability (MIDAS) of inbound travellers also highlighted the strength and diversity of Britain’s history. See the  MIDAS research page  for more information.

If you would like to find data on visits to specific attractions, every year we run  an annual survey of visits to visitor attractions , recording visitor numbers alongside other key information such as entrance fees and visitor profiles.

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VisitBritain ExploreGB

As the national tourism agency, VisitBritain plays a unique role in building England’s tourism product, raising Britain’s profile worldwide, increasing the volume and value of tourism exports, growing the UK’s valuable business events sector and developing England and Britain’s visitor economy.

Following a stringent procurement process, Identity was appointed to support VisitBritain to deliver their flagship event, ExploreGB, which took place from 8th to 10th May 2019. Held at the Harrogate International Convention Centre, ExploreGB is designed to showcase the very best of UK tourism and connects national travel operators and destinations with international buyers through a series of 1:1 business meetings and activities.

Deliverables & Highlights

The event started with an opening ceremony, hosted by the VisitBritain CEO and included a stunning 10-minute shadow dance performance, showcasing many of the iconic attractions across the UK including Stonehenge, Angel of the North and Tower Bridge.

This included a celebration of 100 years of British Tourism, complete with a waxwork model of Her Majesty The Queen and a birthday cake. A drinks reception, held in the stunning Royal Hall followed the business meetings, where guests enjoyed entertainment from a roaming brass band and illuminated stilt walkers.

The Warwick Castle themed gala dinner included an exciting, medieval live-action performance to complete the evening experience, complete with several fighting knights, four princesses, two horses and a jester on stilts. Following a re-enactment of The Wars of the Roses, the evening concluded with a performance by a locally sourced dance band.

The Results

The VisitBritain ExploreGB event is important in facilitating the trade discussions between the UK and other countries. Over 25,000 meetings were held across two days, providing UK suppliers with the opportunity to meet and do business with 560 suppliers and buyers from 30 markets worldwide in one room.

The 1:1 business meetings were attended by over 750 people and Identity recreated a TV studio complete with studio lighting, cameras and branding to provide a conducive environment for these important meetings.

Video content produced by Identity for the event was repurposed for use in the promotion of ExploreGB 2020.

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What are you looking for, travelling around britain.

VisitBritain/ Peter Kindersley

Introduction

Whether its lush green countryside, dramatics coasts, cute villages or bustling cities, you’ll find all you need on the different ways you can get around Britain.

Travelling around London

Britain’s busiest, most populated and diverse city is England’s capital: London. While lots of the central areas are easy to explore by foot, you will no doubt need some form of transport during your stay. If you know where you want go to, you can find the quickest routes for your journeys in and around London using Transport for London’s (TfL) handy journey planner .

Transport tickets and Oyster Cards

The cheapest way to get around is by using a Visitor Oyster Card , a pre-paid electronic card that can be used on buses, the tube, the tram and most rail services within London’s travel fare zones (zones 1 to 6).  You can save time by ordering your card before you arrive.

One-day paper travelcards (which cover bus, tube and inner-city rail services) are also available from all London Underground stations and are a good choice for short breaks. To charge or ‘top up’ your Oyster Card (known locally as an oyster), visit travel information centres, newsagents showing the blue Oyster symbol, and all London Underground stations. You can also use the Oyster Card app .

Contactless bank cards, Apple Pay and Android Pay can also be used on London’s transport system – there are daily caps meaning you can take unlimited journeys in a day for a set price, though these caps change depending on which zones you travel through.

The London Underground

The legendary London Underground network, often just called the tube, has more than 270 stations, each marked with the famous London Underground roundel logo.

Tubes run daily, apart from Christmas Day, from around 5:30am until midnight. Some lines run throughout the night at weekends. There are also fewer services on Sundays and public holidays.

Each tube line is represented by a different colour. Colour-coded maps can be found at every tube station and maps of the central section of the network are displayed on each tube carriage.

If you get lost, flag down a TfL staff member for help or simply ask fellow passengers – most Londoners will be happy to help.

Find out more about travel on the London Underground .

The London Overground and suburban rail services

The London Overground and a number of traditional rail services also operate out of London’s major hubs, such as Waterloo, Liverpool Street and Victoria, and travel to more suburban areas of London, particularly parts of south London which aren’t reachable by tube.

Oyster Cards and contactless bank cards can be used on many services up to certain stations (within the London fare zones). To be sure check the stations you use operate within these zones before travelling.

London buses

London buses come in all shapes and sizes – from double-deckers to single-deckers and Routemaster buses (with doors at the front, centre and rear) and operate all over the city. Check out bus routes with TfL’s handy bus map .

London buses don’t take cash - instead you need to touch your Oyster Card or a contactless bank card against the reader when you board the bus, and a set cost will be deducted from the card, regardless of how long the journey takes. Paper travelcards can also be used on buses - just show this to the driver when you board.

London has the most extensive night bus system in the world, with a number of buses running 24- hours-a-day, meaning you can go clubbing into the small hours without worrying about getting home. 

Cycling is an increasingly popular and green ways to get around London and with hundreds of cycle lanes throughout the city, it’s easy.

Santander Cycle can be hired (and dropped off) from docking stations throughout the city. Just turn up, pay and cycle away.

Folding bikes are allowed on all forms of public transport, while non-folded bikes can only be taken on some services at specific times .

The famous London black cabs (officially known as Hackney Carriages) are as much as an institution as big red buses. Black cabs are safe and reliable and drivers have to undergo strict tests to get a licence. All are wheelchair accessible and accept credit and debit card payments, and some are now electric, making travelling around London even greener.

There are fewer black cabs outside central London, but you will find that plenty of mini-cab companies or check out minicab apps such as Uber or Bolt.

While it’s possible to drive around London, it can sometimes end up being the most time-consuming and expensive way to travel. London is congested, and cars are charged for entering certain central areas. This is known as the Congestion Charge , which is charged per day, and payable online. It applies to drivers who use the congestion zone Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm, although black cabs are exempt. Certain vehicles will also have to pay to drive within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) , which is in force 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This zone covers a larger area of London than the Congestion Charge.

Guidance for non-UK registered vehicles

If you intend to bring a vehicle from Europe and it is registered outside of the UK, you will need to register it with Transport for London before driving in the capital. More guidance can be found via the official Transport for London website .

You can also check if your vehicle meets emissions and safety standards. You can check your vehicle here .

London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

The London ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) costs £12.50 per day (from midnight to midnight) for non-compliant vehicles. It was expanded to cover all London Boroughs in August 2023. It operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, except Christmas Day (25 December).

A failure to pay the ULEZ for a non-compliant vehicle could result in a penalty charge notice of £180. This can be reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days but can also be increased should you fail to pay or successfully challenge it. Both UK and non-UK registered vehicles can be given penalty charge notices.

Find out more about the London ULEZ .

The Congestion Charge

The Congestion Charge covers central London and is a daily £15 charge. All vehicles driving in the zone are required to pay. It applies from 07:00 – 18:00 Monday to Friday, and 12:00 – 18:00 at weekends and bank holidays. There is no charge from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day bank holiday, inclusive.

A failure to pay the Congestion Charge could result in a penalty charge notice of £180. This can be reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days but can also be increased should you fail to pay or successfully challenge it.

Find out more about the Congestion Charge .

London low emission zone (LEZ)

The low emission zone (LEZ) covers most of Greater London and operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The LEZ is not the same as the Congestion Charge zone in Central London and the ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ).

If your vehicle is registered outside of the UK, you will need to register it with Transport for London to ensure that it meets the LEZ emission standards.

Find out more about the low emission zone .

Do driving charges apply to rental cars?

The Congestion Charge in London applies to all drivers. The requirement to pay the ULEZ fee will be dependent on whether your rental car meets emission standards. As most hire fleets are relatively new, the majority of vehicles will be exempt. Check with your car rental company when booking or picking up your vehicle to ensure it is compliant.

Travelling around other British towns and cities

Using public transport is an easy, economical way to travel around Britain’s cities and towns, and is a great way to experience local life.

Local buses

In most UK cities, you can buy bus tickets directly from the driver when you board a bus. Large areas like the West Midlands and Greater Manchester also have their own regional travel cards which are valid on all public transport within their area.

Check local tourist websites for timetables and more information. Regional bus operators may also have their own apps, which can be downloaded via the main app stores.

City tram networks

Edinburgh, Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham operate tram services – you can purchase tickets for the tram either from an on-board conductor or from ticket machines at tram stops. Get more information from local tourist offices and local tourist board’s websites.

Taxis and minicabs are available in cities and towns across Britain. Taxi ranks can be found just outside most busy train stations or you can phone for one in advance. Minicab apps, such as Uber or Bolt, also provide services in many of the major towns and cities.

Many city roads have cycle lanes and even dedicated traffic lights. Most destinations have somewhere you can hire bikes, and increasingly scooters.

The National Cycle Network , managed by Sustrans, also covers many different parts of Britain, providing signed routes and paths.

Travelling around Britain by train

Travelling by train is a green, scenic and relaxing way to discover Britain. The rail network here covers whole swathes of Britain, with more than 2,000 stations serving England, Scotland and Wales. It’s an easy and efficient was to travel, with different train companies serving different parts. You can plan your journey using the National Rail Journey Planner  and before you know it you could be in Brighton or Scotland or almost anywhere else. Journey lengths aren’t too onerous either - hop on a train in London you can be in Scotland within four hours.

It’s easy to travel within regions and towns too. Plan your journey and buy tickets from large travel agents,  online ticket providers, and at all railway stations.

Buying your ticket further in advance can save you money  and sometimes it’s even cheaper to buy two separate singles than one return, so it pays to check this before booking.  If you opt for a BritRail pass – exclusively for tourists – it offers unlimited journeys and various discounts, giving you the freedom to travel around at your own pace.

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Travelling around Britain by car

What do you need to drive in britain.

You’ll need a current valid driving licence, and if required, an international driving permit.

You must keep proof of ownership or a rental agreement in your vehicle, plus any insurance documents.

Find out more information on what you’ll need to drive in Britain .

How to hire a car in Britain

With lots of hire car comparison sites, make sure to do your research in advance to find the best price.

You’ll find major car rental company desks at airports and coastal ports as well as others conveniently located in city centres and major towns.

All rental companies should include insurance cover and breakdown cover with car rental, so check this when you book.

You’ll also need to have a credit card in the name of the main driver to hire a vehicle.

Electric vehicles are also available to hire at many large rental companies.

Electric vehicles and charging points

Driving electric vehicles makes travelling around Britain more sustainable. Most major car rental companies will hire them. There’s some advantages with parking not afforded to petrol or diesel powered cars too.

Britain has an extensive and growing network of electric vehicle (EV) charging points with more than 20,000 locations in operation and more being added all the time. Some charging points are free to use while others require payment using an app or a credit or debit card.

Use the Zap Map website or app to find your nearest charging points.

Fuelling stations in Britain

Most petrol stations are self-service and instructions at the pump are easy to follow.

You’ll often pay for your fuel at the counter or at the pump itself using a bank card.

Clean air zones and low emission zones

What is a clean air zone (caz) or low emission zone (lez).

In a bid to reduce air pollution, some cities in the UK have clean air zones (CAZ) or low emission zones (LEZ). Vehicles that do not meet emission standards may be charged for entering the zones. The minimum emission standard can be found in your vehicle logbook or checked via your vehicle manufacturer.

England’s clean air zones

Seven cities in England have clean air zones (CAZ) – Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield, and Newcastle/Gateshead. However, charges may only apply to non-compliant cars and motorcycles for the zones in Birmingham and Bristol.

The CAZ minimum standard for cars and vans is Euro 6 (for diesel vehicles) and Euro 4 (for petrol vehicles), motorcycles are Euro 3.

The zones operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year (midnight to midnight).

Find out more about England’s clean air zones .

Scotland’s low emission zones

Unlike England’s clean air zones, non-compliant vehicles cannot enter Scottish low emission zones at any time. There is no daily charge, just a £60 daily penalty.

The Scottish LEZ minimum standard for cars and vans is Euro 6 (for diesel vehicles) and Euro 4 (for petrol vehicles). The LEZ in Glasgow has been enforced from June 2023. Further zones in Dundee, Edinburgh and Aberdeen will be enforced from late May/early June 2024.

Find out more about Scotland’s low emission zones .

Toll roads and tunnels

Some toll roads, bridges and tunnels on the UK road network will require you to pay a charge. What you will need to pay varies by location and is dependent on the vehicle you are driving.

A full list of UK toll roads can be found on the official government website .

Tips for driving in Britain

Cars drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Speed is measured in miles per hour and distances on road signs are displayed in miles.

Most hire cars will include GPS or offer a satellite navigation system as an extra, but it’s also a good idea to keep a map handy.

Take a look at the Highway Code for an up-to-date guide to all the current British driving regulations and traffic signs.

It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving.

There are some toll roads, bridges and tunnels within the UK road network. For information on toll road charges see GOV.UK .

Travelling around Britain by coach

If you’re on a budget, travelling by coach is a great alternative to train or car, but journey times can be longer. 

If you know where you want to go, plan ahead and book your coach in advance from major operators like National Express or Megabus . You can also take a coach tour of places of interest - lasting anything from a couple of hours to couple of weeks. Choose from seaside towns to chocolate-box villages, historic sites to buzzing cities. It’s a good idea to book coach excursions or longer coach trips before you arrive here.

VisitBritain/Jon Attenborough

Travelling around Britain by air

If you’re short on time, then major cities and some towns are well connected by airports. This is an expensive option and once you’ve factored in getting to and from the airports, not always the most time efficient.

You can catch domestic flights from major cities like London to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen in around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Travelling around Britain by boat

Britain has thousands of miles of inland waterways and hundreds of islands scattered along its coastline, many of which can be explored by cruising in a canal boat or by hopping on a ferry.

You can hire canal and narrowboats, or take an organised boat tour. For more information of Britain’s canals, rivers and lakes, visit the Canal & River Trust website .

Ferries in Scotland sail to a myriad of destinations including the Isle of Skye, Stornaway and Lochboisdale in the Western Isles. Most of the ferry companies offer a variety of different ticket types including island-hop passes.

River ferries are an interesting alternative to the more usual forms of transport, like the ferry across the Mersey River between Liverpool and Birkenhead and the London river boats that run from Westminster to Greenwich and beyond. You can discover more about ferry routes and timetables by visiting local destination websites.

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett