Aardman Animation Oscar winners Wallace & Gromit have been drafted in by the English tourist board VisitEngland. to choose the best attractions England has to offer for a new app aimed at persuading travellers to holiday at home rather than venturing abroad.
VisitEngland’s 101 Things To Do Before You Go Abroad campaign has enlisted an elite team of experts to whittle down a list of suggestions which, this week, has already topped 500.
In the running is a walking tour which takes in Bristol’s street art scene led by Banksy. Visitors to Bristol’s website can find out where to go to spot some of his earliest work hidden around the city as well as giving a mention to the annual See No Evil street art festival.
Bath’s Thermae Bath Spa is also thought to be in the running. Other attractions from around the country include Gateshead’s Millennium Tilt Bridge and the opportunity to try code-breaking at Bletchley Park.
Each of the panel of experts, which include Bill Oddie, whose expertise is wildlife and nature, and arts and culture expert Clemency Burton-Hill from BBC2’s Culture Show, will be asked to select their top 20 experiences.
Wallace and Gromit’s specialist category is ‘Because it’s awesome’.
VisitEngland chairman Lady Cobham said:“With so many incredible and unique experiences in England, it was always going to be a challenge to choose a mere 101, so we’re thrilled to be working with such a knowledgeable panel. Between us, we will be able to choose the ultimate list of must-dos and must-sees which will inspire the nation to get out and explore this wonderful country of ours.”
Judging will take place on March 1. Until then, suggestions can be uploaded at vwww.101thingstodoinengland.co.uk or on VisitEngland on Facebook. All entrants will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a weekend break.
An excerpt of the shortlist will be announced during English Tourism Week (March 16-24) and the list will be revealed in full on St George’s Day (April 23).
- For details of the Banksy walking tour see visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/banksy-walking-tour-p1354013
Pictured below: Wallace and Gromit’s fellow judges, including, back row, VisitEngland’s chairman Lady Cobham; Yeoman Warder Barney Chandler and Clemency Burton-Hill. Front row, Skye Gyngell, Sonali Shah, the Rough Guide’s Clare Currie and Bill Oddie
