The best of holidaying at home will be brought to life at the Best of Britain & Ireland event, a show dedicated to domestic travel.

Visitors can sample the best of Britain and Ireland direct from the people in the know. The event offers a main stage programme that will include performances from the cast of Mamma Mia! and Claire Jones, official harpist to the Prince of Wales while Shaylyn, an Irish Dance and Music Company, will blister the boards with a lively blend of dance, music and song.

Inviting visitors to explore the best of Britain and Ireland’s active and countryside, coast, flavours, heritage and luxury experiences, the Best of Britain and Ireland takes place at London’s ExCeL on March 28 and 29, and forms the culmination of British Tourism Week.

Here’s a small selection of the what’s on offer.

For those looking to relax on the along the coast, you don’t have to go abroad for a beautiful beach holiday. There is plenty on offer right at our doorstep.

The Marine Conservation Society will be on hand to offer advice on the very best of Britain and Ireland’s beaches. Learn about the Seafood Trail and become a real expert of Scotland’s stunning coastal paths and delicious cuisine through Carole Fitzgerald’s illustrated talks, ‘Lochs, Stalk and Langoustines’.

The Royal Geographical Society will take visitors on a literary tour of the British coastline highlighting locations used in great moments of fiction and showing why writers from Shakespeare to Daphne du Maurier and Daniel Defoe to George Orwell have been fascinated by our coastline.

For those who are looking for something a little morwe active, perhaps in the countryside, there will be a chance to learn how to take stunning travel photographs at the ‘Making Landscape Photographs’ clinic with Charlie Waite, renowned landscape photographer.

Charlie explains how to get great results, no matter what camera is used. Chris Holmes, Britain’s most successful Paralympic swimmer provides sporting fans with ideas and inspiration about how to prepare for the 2012 games, while staff at Snowdonia National Park reveal the secrets of the highest mountain in Wales.

Visitors can also take a peek behind the scenes at the English National Ballet and hear members of the internationally acclaimed ballet company share anecdotes and insights into their rigorous training schedule.

Scotland’s Homecoming Year will celebrate the 250th birthday anniversary of national poet, Robert Burns. Scotland is inviting those of Scottish descent, and lovers of Scotland to join the celebrations.

Genealogist Cameron Taylor will give talks on Scottish clans and history, and offers to trace visitors’ Scottish ancestry, while the Council for British Archaeology’s very own “Time Team” will be showcasing some of the most famous archaeological sites across Britain and Ireland.

Fans of fiction shouldn’t miss the Wordsworth Trust’s ‘Beyond the Daffodils’ talk which will look into the inspirations behind the work of William Wordsworth, one of England’s favourite poets.

And if you just can’t resist splashing out a little, then there’s no better place to gather ideas for affordable luxury destinations and activities in the Britain and Ireland.

Luxury hotelier, Simon Rhatigan offers an insider’s guide to staying in Yorkshire in Style whilst the Proud to be Welsh talk offers the pick of the top hotels across Wales.

Panellists of BBC Radio Four’s Gardeners’ Question Time presenters John Cushnie and Bunny Guinness share their thoughts on the most stunning of Irish gardens. The fauna and flora theme continues with a talk about the story of Alnwick Garden and Castle.

For a sight not to be missed, catch the Royal Ascot staff in full Ascot dress and hear their fascinating facts about the famous racecourse.

In the mist of all the activity, Best of Britain & Ireland will also be laying on a real spread.

Good Food Ireland will be treating visitors to a taste of real Irish artisan food and will be offering talks and demonstrations on how to prepare traditional Irish favourites.

Seafood Trail chef Clare McKie will be showing culinary enthusiasts and novices alike how to source, prepare and cook scallops and venison while celebrity chef Rob Rees will share his passion for England’s greatest tastes producers and markets.

Wash this down with a visit to CAMRA’s talks and tastings on the range of beers brewed in Britain and Ireland today.

These events are free to all visitors with tickets to the Best of Britain & Ireland and will be taking place throughout both days of on a first come, first served basis.

Best of Britain and Ireland takes place at London’s ExCeL on March 28 and 29. For information call 020 7654 0600 or visit www.britainandirelandevent.co.uk