Could These Be Britain’s Oddest Days Out

We think that they are quite normal, but there are some who consider that we may be alone in taking that viewpoint. In a move that shows why foreigners find us so .....well, odd, a list has been compiled of Britain’s Oddest Days Out.

Having enjoyed a pretty reasonable summer, we have had a chance to vote with our feet as to our favourite venues. No doubt there are the usual suspects in amongst the theme parks, safari parks and historic buildings, but lurking in there somewhere are some places that just downright ... odd!

Consider this as a venerable top ten of British idiosyncrasy:

Cumberland Pencil Museum, Keswick, Cumbria

Well it is at least established in an area that has produced pencils for many years, but that’s all that you can say really. Still a popular venue

                                                  http://www.pencilmuseum.co.uk/

Stockport Hat Works Museum, Stockport, Greater Manchester

Apparently the only museum dedicated to hats in the country. Would there really be room for two?

    http://www.stockport.gov.uk/services/leisureculture/visitstockport/museumsandgalleries/hatworks  /?view=Standard

Portmeirion - odd or not odd

Portmeirion, North Wales

Famous as the setting for the cult television series, “The Prisoner”.  Designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975. “ Now, who would live in a village like this? It’s over to you David”.

                        http://www.portmeirion-village.com/

National Space Centre, Leicester

Quite a feat for a country that has no great space exploration programme. Certainly a place to stop and think and encourage the next generation of young astronauts

                                                         http://www.spacecentre.co.uk/

Basildon Heritage Trail, Basildon, Essex

A gigantic feat for a town of no great history or beauty. It is famous for the Barstable Hundred Moot. What you mean to say that you have never heard of the Barstable Hundred Moot ? Shame on you!

                    http://www.visitessex.com/discover/cultural/Basildon_Heritage_Trail.aspx

Isle of Arran nudist beach, Arran, Scotland

Bringing a new meaning to the word starkers, this is a place where the brisk Scottish gales end up going in places that they really shouldn’t.

          http://www.walkingclub.org.uk/clothes-free/beach/Cleat_s_Shore_Isle_of_Arran.shtml

National Lawnmower Museum, Southport, Merseyside

Vying with the pencil museum in the oddity stakes, it could only be found in Britain, a country where the weather is sometimes so wet that you can’t mow the lawn.

Lawnmowers - now that's odd!

                                                http://www.lawnmowerworld.co.uk/

Genesis Expo Creation Museum, Portsmouth

It only just makes the list as many people find it fascinating. The note in the visitors book that says “Nice To See Some Dinosaurs in Portsmouth” says it all!

                                                       http://www.genesisexpo.co.uk/

Nessie-spotting, Loch Ness, The Highlands

Most people know in their heart of hearts that it probably doesn’t exist, but that doesn’t stop them spending hour after hour looking out over the waters hoping that it will make an appearance.

                                                       http://www.visitlochness.com/

Diggerland, Yorkshire, Kent, County Durham, Devon

The fact that it has more than one venue throughout the country suggests that the owners may be on to something. A great venue for little boys, and big boys too!

                                                            http://www.diggerland.com/