10 Fun Family Places To Visit For World Book Day

I’ve always been a bit obsessed with books. As a child I constantly had my head in one and my love of the written word is why I studied English Literature at university. Back when I was a child there was no such thing as World Book Day which is now in its 20th year (I fear that makes me sound awfully old) but what a great idea – a day dedicated to celebrating books! It comes in same year VisitEngland is marking significant anniversaries for some of England’s top literary stars: Jane Austen, Sherlock Holmes and Enid Blyton to name a few. With the National Trust putting on a range of children’s activities across the country for World Book Day, there’s plenty going on for families. Here’s my top 10 picks of things to do around World Book Day.

Children’s Book Festival, Wray Castle, Cumbria

What better way to celebrate the world of books than at the Children’s Book Festival at Wray Castle. For the second year, the National Trust property, in Beatrix Potter land, is welcoming a plethora of children’s authors and illustrators. Some of those appearing include Philip Ardagh and Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler, The Young James Bond author Steve Cole, Gill Lewis and Ed Vere. There will be themed activities including a Harry Potter event, book signings, arts and crafts as well as the chance to meet Peter Rabbit.
When: 4th-5th March
Tickets: Advance booking essential. Day ticket £5, individual author events £5
Visit the website 

Knole Children’s Book Festival Weekend, Kent, 

If you can’t make the book festival at Wray Castle, why not head to the National Trust property, Knole, for its first ever Children’s Book Festival in late March. Charlie and Lola author Lauren Child will be there, Cressida Cowell and her ‘How to Train your Dragon’ series, Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell and Alex T Smith’s Claude. As well as the author’s events, you can explore the 600-year old property and its grounds. Perhaps take part in the geocache trail, dress up in Tudor outfits or stroll around the 1,000 acre medieval parkland where wild deer roam.
When: 25 – 26 March
Visit the website for more information and to book tickets

Mary Poppins Walking Tour, London

I am a huge fan of the film adaptation of Mary Poppins, unlike the author PL Travers who wasn’t impressed with the Walt Disney treatment. It has captivated me since I was a child with its sing-along songs and the fascinating nanny with the never-ending storage in her bag. Even the dodgy CGI is kind of endearing. The Mary Poppins Walking Tour (complete with your very own magical nanny) takes you on a tour of the places that helped inspire PL Travers and the London depicted in her famous book.
Visit the website to book your tour

Oodles of Doodles, The National Centre for Children’s Books, Newcastle

Children’s books would be nothing without the creativity of its illustrations. For the 20th anniversary of World Book Day, some of the UK’s leading illustrators have taken part in ‘Doodle Something Booky’. See original artwork from the likes of Axel Scheffler, Liz Pichon, Shirley Hughes and the Children’s Laureate, Chris Riddell. They’ve created new pictures of your favourite characters which are on display at the National Centre for Children’s Books in Newcastle until 26 March.
Visit the website

Harry Potter Studio Tour Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden

Harry Potter fans don’t need an excuse to go on this epic studio tour but with World Book Day and the 20^th anniversary of the first Harry Potter novel being celebrated, 2017 is a great time to visit. As part of the interactive studio tour, you can fly on a broomstick against a green screen, see the Hogwarts Express and get an insight into how some of the special effects for the Harry Potter films were made.
Visit the website

Peppa Pig World, Paultons Park, Hampshire

A visit to Peppa Pig World is a day out that won’t be forgetten in a hurry. We took my daughter to the theme park for her fourth birthday. She is already asking to go back so clearly a success. I know the Peppa Pig book which has been written especially for World Book Day will be a big hit too. You can read about our experience at Peppa Pig World here. For opening times and tickets visit the website.

First Hippo on the Moon, Theatre production

As someone who has enjoyed watching David Walliams in shows such as Little Britain, it is going to be a delight to read his books with my daughters. The best-selling children’s author has written a new one for especially World Book Day entitled Blob. One of Walliams’ other books, The First Hippo On The Moon, has been turned into a theatre production and is being performed at venues across the UK until July. Visit Les Petits Theatre website to find a performance near you.

Rudyard Kipling at National Trust Batemans, East Sussex

The Jacobean property in East Sussex is the former home of the author Rudyard Kipling. He lived there from 1902 – 1936 and he wrote many of his famous works there. My daughter and I recently discovered the magic of the 1967 film The Jungle Book. With a new film version out, it’s a great opportunity for the whole family to delve into Kipling’s world. Batemans currently has an exhibition entitled Kipling On Film exploring how many of his books ended up on the big screen: from silent movies to Hollywood Blockbusters. I, for one, would find this fascinating.
When: Exhibition is on until 5 March 
Normal admission fees apply
Visit the website for more information

Quentin Blake: Inside Stories, Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle

The wonderfully talented Quentin Blake is the illustrator behind some of the nation’s best-loved stories. From Roald Dahl’s classic tales to, more recently, David Walliams’ The Boy in the Dress. The exhibition at Newcastle’s Laing Art Gallery gives an insight into Blake’s creations and details the techniques and media he used to create his illustrations. If you are also a Roald Dahl fan, then a visit to the Roald Dahl Museum in Buckinghamshire is a must.
When: Saturday 11 March – Saturday 8 July
Where: Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle
Visit the website

Gingerbread Man Garden Trail at Ightham Mote, Kent

The enchanting 14th-century moated manor house near Sevenoaks, Kent, features in a number of books including Anne Easter Smith’s historical novel A Rose For The Crown. As well as enjoying the magic of National Trust property, for World Book Day you can discover the story of the gingerbread man as he leads you around the garden. Afterwards, you can decorate your own gingerbread man.
When: 4-5 March
Visit the website

Whatever you do for this year’s World Book Day, have a great time! Do take advantage of National Express’ 10% off all fares using ‘WorldBookDay’ code (see the website for details) and 10% off Hertz car hire**. Of course, the book fun doesn’t end there. Throughout the year, there are special events and exhibitions being held across the UK as part of VisitEngland’s ‘Year Of Literary Heroes’. I will be detailing more over the coming weeks and months but there will be something for everyone, young and old. I am certainly looking forward to discovering the places that inspired my own literary heroes and heroines.

*Disclosure: I am working with VisitEngland to help promote World Book Day and its Year of Literary Heroes.
**For a literary adventure by car, book with Hertz using the code 809590 between 24 February – 10 March 2017 to receive a 10% discount valid for pick-ups between 24 February – 30 June 2017. www.hertz.co.uk
***Children can redeem their World Book Day tokens at 22 National Trust properties.
****The Peppa Pig book and David Walliams’ Blob are among ten new books written especially for World Book Day which are free with a child’s £1 book token.
*****Pictures courtesy of Wander Mum, VisitEngland,
TM & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.

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