The UK as a Destination - Activity

Select one of the three following visits involving travel within the UK. Produce a travel plan in each case, using as many relevant sources of information as possible. You can use sources other than those listed in the accompanying guidance sheet. Keep a record of your research, in the form of a bibliography, noting down the information you found, when you found it and how you've used it.

Visit One: North America to North-East England

Martha is a US citizen with relatives living in the north-east of England. She plans to arrive next year to visit her family and needs to find out how she is going to travel to the UK and get to her destination near Newcastle. Your task is to provide a travel plan for Martha covering her needs. In particular, you should tell her the following:

Where she might arrive by air. Use a blank map of the UK annotated with the location of three major airports and their three-figure codes.
The location of two major seaports in the UK identified on the blank map, in case Martha decides to travel by cruise ship across the Atlantic.
How she can make her way from her arrival point in the UK to her destination near Newcastle.
Where the main places of interest to Martha are located. She's keen on history and culture and enjoys sightseeing and walking or hiking activities. These main locations should be identified on the blank map.
Martha also wants to know where the UK's capital cities are located. You should highlight these on the map, together with some of the following features - coastal resorts, islands, lakes, rivers, national parks and forests.

Newcastle, looking at the Tyne Bridge, the 'Blinking' bridge and the Baltic Gallery

The iconic Tyne Bridge and the new Baltic Centre, a major attraction in Newcastle. Copyright: Graham Soult, from stock.xchng.

So she can find out more about your suggestions, Martha would like you to list the sources of your information. You must include a varied range of information sources. You should include this bibliography at the end of your travel plan. The bibliography must identify the source of your reference materials, showing how you used them.

Visit Two: Spain to Scotland

The Coltranes are a retired couple who live in southern Spain near to Marbella. Their daughter and her young family live in Scotland, having recently moved home from the London area to Dundee. The Coltranes need a plan of how they can travel to see their daughter and grand-children. Your task is to provide a travel plan for them covering their needs. In particular, you should tell them the following:

Which airports they might use to arrive by air. Use a blank map of the UK annotated with the location of three major airports and their three-figure codes.
The location of three major seaports identified on the blank map, as they may decide to travel by ferry or cruise ship to the UK.
The route they may follow and transport used to make their way from the arrival point in the UK to their destination near Dundee.
Where they might visit on pre-booked coach trips to the main places of interest near to where they will be visiting. They like sightseeing and visiting the sites of ancient battles. These main locations should be identified on the blank map.
They would find it useful if you could indicate where their daughter and her family live in relation to the UK's capital cities. You should highlight these on the map. It would be really useful if you could show them where the following features are located in the region where their daughter lives - coastal resorts, mountains, lochs, historical towns, national parks and forests.

So they can carry out their own research into your suggestions, the Coltranes would like you to list the sources of your information. You must include a varied range of information sources. You should include this bibliography at the end of your travel plan. The bibliography must identify the source of your reference materials, showing how you used them.

A cityscape of Dundee at sunset

The Coltranes, swapping the whitewashed villas of Marbella for the big Scottish skies! Copyright: Maciej Lewandowski, from stock.xchng.

Visit Three: North Wales to the south coast of England

Your Aunt Ida is planning to visit your family next Spring. She lives in Llandudno in north Wales and wants to stay for a fortnight. Your family usually visits Aunt Ida during the Summer, but chose to have a long family holiday abroad instead this year. Ida has only visited the south coast of England once, many years ago. She knows that a lot has changed and wants to know what to expect from her trip. Ida will require a detailed plan of how she can travel down to stay with your family, close to Portsmouth. Your task is to provide a travel plan for your Aunt. In particular, you should tell her the following:

Which airports she could use to arrive by air. Use a blank map of the UK annotated with the location of three major airports and their three-figure codes.
The location of three main towns identified on the blank map, as she may decide to travel by coach to a town or city near to your family's home.
Train routes and journey times from her home to yours, in case she decides to make her way to Portsmouth by rail.
She likes to be close to the sea, so would like some information about coastal resorts nearby. How could she get to Bournemouth or Bognor Regis, for example? She's heard these are nice places to visit.
Ida's quite intrepid and would like to see more of the region than just seaside towns whilst she's staying. You should indicate where the following features are located in the area - hills, rivers, historical towns and national parks or forests.

Bosham harbour in the summertime

Historic Bosham harbour - a great spot to visit near Portsmouth. Copyright: Paul Leach, from stock.xchng.

So she can show her friends back home where she might be going and getting up to, Aunt Ida would like you to list the sources of your information. You must include a varied range of information sources. You should include this bibliography at the end of your travel plan. The bibliography must identify the source of your reference materials, showing how you used them.

Related lesson plan:

The UK as a Destination - Lesson Plan