Comedies fuel new tourism drive

VisitBritain has produced a comprehensive guide to holiday destinations linked to classic comedies –everything from a weekend break in Slough for fans of The Office to Billericay in Essex, as seen on Gavin and Stacey.

Other destinations highlighted in the ComedyEngland campaign include Binley Woods in Coventry - home of Hyacinth Bucket of Keeping up Appearances – the street corner where Basil Fawlty thrashed his car with a branch, and The Waterloo pub in Runcorn, as seen in Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps.

Some of the choices are decidedly odd for a holiday destination. Manchester’s run-down West Gorton estate, the backdrop to Channel Four’s Shameless, is listed – despite the shooting of a 16-year-old girl there earlier this month.

Tourism chiefs say that 40 per cent of all visits around Britain are inspired by scenes shown on TV and in films.

The most popular places are expected to be Torquay (Fawlty Towers), Holmfirth (Last of the Summer Wine), Turville in the Chilterns (The Vicar of Dibley), Norwich (I'm Alan Partridge) and Therford in Norfolk (Dad's Army).

Laurence Bresh, marketing manager at VisitBritain, said: ‘England is renowned for producing some of the best comedy in the world and our sense of humour is a trait that the English are famous for.

‘Comedy is part of our heritage and the Comedy England campaign will encourage visitors to explore some of the regions, locations and attractions which have contributed to this.’

The campaign's website comedyengland.com also lists some of England’s bigger comedy clubs

Published: 25 Jun 2008