Britain Calling: June 2014

This month we release our updated guide to Food, packed with inspiration guaranteed to make you want to sample the edible - and drinkable - delights Britain has to offer including some tasty, and very good-looking afternoon teas. Selfridges was recently crowned the best department store in the world for the third time in a row; we tell you about that and other great department stores brimming with history as well as contemporary cool. Plus tips for how to spend the summer in Britain,family getaways, Beatlemania and where to watch Wimbledon.


Food is GREAT celebrates what makes Britain's eating and drinking scene so inviting and delicious. There's much to discover within the guide's pages - from the latest chefs making waves on the culinary stage to the quirkiest cookery courses to book onto, with information on instagrammable afternoon teas to the most unusual restaurant locations in the nation - fancy dining in a treehouse or the London Underground?! Not to mention stories on dry bars and craft beer, street food and foraging destinations.  Download the new guide to food in Britain:
http://media.visitbritain.com/admin/contentManagement/MediaLibrary/downloadMedia.ashx?MediaDetailsID=372541

Afternoon Tea, a two part special: Coming to Britain and not sampling afternoon tea is like eating a scone without jam and clotted cream. Afternoon teas come in all shapes and sizes, from classic to quirky. The first of our two-part special presents a brief history of afternoon tea and tips for traditional teas to book.  Part Two looks at unusual and instagrammable versions, for those seeking extra style with their scone. http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Afternoon-tea-A-two-part-special-10eae.aspx

Fabulous department stores: Selfridges wins 'best' title, and John Lewis turns 150! 

• Selfridges has once again won the title of best department store in the world (http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Selfridges-retains-its-crown-as-best-department-store-in-the-world-for-third-year-running-10e7d.aspx)
• It's not the only gem in Britain's retail crown. Whether it's to check out the latest fashions and perfumes, pick out a new gadget for the kitchen, a book or even to choose something for dinner, a good department store has something for everyone, and Britain has some of the best and most historic. Read about them http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Britain-s-fabulous-department-stores-10e7f.aspx .
• And there's more to celebrate than bagging a good buy - John Lewis turns 150 this year, and will mark the occasion with special events. Find out more http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/A-celebration-of-shopping-John-Lewis-department-stores-mark-150-years-10d01.aspx

Summer in Britain,  a two part special: When daylight stretches into late evening and the sun shines bright in the sky where better to spend the summer months in Britain than the great outdoors? There's plenty to keep you entertained so pack the sunscreen and step outside! Read our two part guide to a super summer http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Warm-and-welcoming-Summer-in-Britain-part-I-10d7e.aspx

Family Travel: The UK summer holidays are fast approaching, meaning it's the perfect time to escape the cooler months in Australia with the kids. Britain's attractions, hotels and restaurants are ahead of the game when it comes to welcoming families, so whether you're travelling with toddlers, tweens or teenagers the phrase 'I'm bored' will be a thing of the past! We look at just a few ideas of where to stay, play and eat with children of all ages – starting with Part 1: Toddlers, followed by Part 2: Tweens (post toddlers/pre teens) and Part 3: Teenagers. http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Family-Travel-Part-1-Toddlers-10fb1.aspx

Get ready for Wimbledon tennis fever! How to enjoy Wimbledon whether you have a ticket to see some sporting action or not (yet – you can still queue!) Read on for info on Scottish Wimbledon champion Andy Murray's new luxury hotel, as well as things to do in Wimbledon village and more ace tennis action to keep you entertained : http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Get-ready-for-Wimbledon-tennis-fever-10e39.aspx

Thrill-seeking in Britain: Eager for an exhilarating adventure? Look no further than Britain's landscapes. From rocky outcrops to rugged coastlines, vast lakes to incredible forests, and not forgetting the array of challenging mountain peaks, there's a smorgasbord of outdoor adventure activities to get your heart pounding…with some spectacular scenery thrown in for good measure. Be inspired http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Thrill-seeking-in-Britain-extreme-sports-to-test-your-nerve-10ce4.aspx

50th anniversary of the Beatles' Australian tour

• 1964 was the year the world embraced Beatlemania. In Australia the frenzy reached peak point when the Beatles landed in Adelaide for their first Australian tour on June 12. Find out how Liverpool, England, plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this ground breaking international tour and re-release of 'A Hard Day's Night' this year. http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Celebrating-50-years-of-Beatlemania-110e4.aspx  

• To coincide with the anniversary, Epstein: The Man Who Made The Beatles, the long-awaited play about the legendary music manager Brian Epstein, will open at London's Leicester Square Theatre in this summer. During the initial 6-week run in the year Brian Epstein will posthumously be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame after a campaign from fans and also the unveiling of a commemorative blue plaque at the London offices of Epstein's company NEMS. http://media.visitbritain.com/Story-Ideas/Epstein-The-Man-Who-Made-The-Beatles-to-open-in-London-30-July-10f93.aspx

Jump queues, save cash and the kids travel for free with a Visitor Oyster Card!

• Purchase a Visitor Oyster Card before you leave for Britain and not only will you save time with this tap on/tap off fare system, but you can purchase in Australian Dollars on the VisitBritain Shop www.visitbritainshop.com.au , saving exchange rate fees. It's a great transport card for family travel with up to four Children (under 11) travel free on Tube, DLR & London Overground when accompanied by a paying adult.

• 2014 is the London Year of the Bus so jump on board with your Visitor Oyster Card – it's one of the best ways to see the city on a budget – at only £1.45 a ride! Plus the kids travel free on buses….. To celebrate, we've showcased three bus routes which are perfect for a cut-price sightseeing tour, taking in the majority of the city's most famous sights. http://www.visitbritainshop.com/world/articles-and-features/londons-top-3-sightseeing-bus-routes.html