I recently visited Torquay for the Agatha Christie Festival and am due to go to Cheltenham next month, which has given me the idea of using the numerous festival locations around the UK to plot a festival trek combining culture and tourism.
In October there are 10 major arts festivals in Britain so there may well be one near you. It is good opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of the beautiful towns and cities and immerse yourself in arts and culture at the same time.
The Ilkley Literature Festival in Yorkshire is from 2nd to 18th October so is the first event with the Swansea International Festival occupying the same dates for those who want to be in beautiful South Wales.
For Scotland trips there is the Scottish International Storytelling event in Edinburgh from 23rd to 1st November and St Andrews Voices featuring all types of music running from 22nd to 25th October..
Bewdley in Worcs has a comedy, drama, arts, music and literature extravaganza from 9th to 18th and Halesworth in Suffolk promotes art and music from 10th to 25th of the month.
While in the eastern part of England Cambridge Festival of Ideas from 19th to 1st November will give you the opportunity of mixing arts, humanities and social science themed talks, performances, films and exhibitions in one of the main centres of academic learning. And maybe a punt down the river.
Canterbury, the home of our established church hosts an arts and culture festival from 17th to 25th October and provides a glorious backdrop of history and architecture.
These festival locations have spent months planned and preparing for an influx of visitors so the towns will be at the best and ready to entertain visitors from around the world.
Most sites will have a local Tourist Board which should be able to help you to select accommodation and find your way around the town. For me it is always the first port of call and I have always found the staff to be extremely helpful and able to provide plenty of brochures and information.
by Tina Foster, deputy editor
