Special Features -

Arts across the UK in 2008
(01/02/08)

If you're coming to the UK this year you may want to visit a snazzy new website, which has details of all the best arts events coming up during 2008.

Tatton Park, Cheshire, where you can see exciting sculpture and public art. (c) Britainonview

Step-by-step guide

Culture 08 brings together details about UK festivals, music, dance, theatre, literature, art galleries and museums. It has its own search engine, Google maps, and personal travel planner – providing a step-by-step cultural travel itinerary for your next day out.

This year sees the opening of several new arts spaces including the stunning Firstsite Arts Centre in Colchester. The Saatchi Gallery gets a new home and more space in London's Kings Road.

Magnificent settings

You can also appreciate sculpture and public art in magnificent settings such as the beautiful Tatton Park, and in 150 Norfolk churches where artists will demonstrate their skills.

There is music for all tastes and pockets too. You've heard of Glastonbury, but how many other music festivals and venues do you know? Every feasible taste is represented at events around the country.

The crowd enjoying the music at the Isle of Wight Festival. (c) Britainonview

Music festivals

Some are small-scale like the Beverley Folk Festival with its village atmosphere.

Others take over whole islands like the Isle of Wight Festival.

And for something completely different how about a little snail racing? Or perhaps you should start practicing now for the World Marbles Championships which takes place in West Sussex at the end of March?

Planning ahead

If you want to plan ahead you can choose your theme, your dates and region and let the website take the strain.

It's safe to say that every taste seems to be catered for on this exciting new website set up by VisitBritain, the official UK visitor organisation. So log on and enjoy.