Almost five billion people around the world witnessed the amazing events in Britain this summer. But as the sun finally sets over the London 2012 Games, there’s no need to be sad – there’s plenty more great British moments still to enjoy.
GREAT Sport. Next year sees the launch of a new world-class cycling festival in the capital,RideLondon, which will take place in Olympic venues and around the city, taking in London’s most iconic sights. There’s also the Rugby League World Cup in England and Wales, and while looking ahead, 2014 is a big year for Scotland, who will host the Ryder Cup andGlasgow Commonwealth Games.
GREAT Culture. January 2013 marks 200 years since the publication of Pride and Prejudice, one of the world’s best-loved books; the perfect time to visit Jane Austen country and the locations featured in the TV and film adaptions of the book. 2013 is also packed with amazing blockbuster exhibitions all over Britain, from Vermeer at the National Gallery to Chagall at Tate Liverpool, as well as being a whole year of culture in Derry-Londonderry, the UK’s first City of Culturehttp://www.cityofculture2013.com/Our-2013-Bid/Home.aspx. Manchester, one of Britain’s cultural hubs, welcomes back its biennial International Festival: 18 extraordinary days of world premieres.
GREAT Food. Like to dine with a view? The View from the Shard opens to visitors in February next year, with the new icon’s restaurants due to follow soon after, providing the most romantic dining experience in the capital. Those with a sweet tooth are in for a treat, as the tastiest musical of 2013 opens in June, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Directed by Sam Mendes, the musical provides the perfect opportunity to discover Willy Wonka’s Britain.
GREAT Countryside. Scotland celebrates the Year of Natural Scotland in 2013, shining a light on its beautiful highlands and lowlands, its lochs and the legends that live in them. Visitors who haven’t already done so should make walking around the entire coastline of one country their mission for next year, using the Wales Coastal Path to explore the shape of a nation.
GREAT Music. This summer was missing just one thing– the legendary Glastonbury festival. The grandfather of all music festivals in Britain, Glastonbury returns next year with guaranteed mud, eccentric outfits and excellent music. Meanwhile classical music lovers can enjoy the centenary of Benjamin Britten, the most celebrated British composer of the 20th century, over a whole season of special events.
GREAT Heritage. The future of Stonehenge will take visitors back into the past, where they can appreciate the ancient monument as it once was without cars and traffic nearby. Major transformations are underway to dramatically improve the visitor experience of Stonehenge, with a new state-of-the-art visitor centre due to open in autumn 2013.
There are many other events to enjoy throughout the year – see visitbritain.com for details - , along with GREAT British hospitality and – of course – amazing shopping. And with many operators offering special deals on flights, accommodation and entertainment, a visit to Britain will be worth every penny.
London media centre, photo by Martin de Lusenet