Group Travel Today Issue 2

Today

Heritage Railways

Volume 13 Issue 2 2020

Scotland Showcase

Group

Accommodation

Film and TV Attractions

Regional Theatres

Gardens & Flower Shows

Group Get Aways

Johnsons Journal plus Special Feature ...Corsica and Sardinia

Shuttersock By Pecold

Travel Group

Est. 1993

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24th October 2020 - 7 Nights - Family Chess Holiday - Marina Playa Hotel Mojacar Spain 6th April 2021 - 7 Nights - MindSport Holiday - Hotel Fuerte El Rompido Huelva Spain

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Group Travel Today

Group Travel Today

Contents

Let's get busy - tourists in Cambridge

some

a w

and to add insult to injury, two of the hotels at

At the time of going to press the visitors a year.....which is more travel industry - group travel, of visitors annually than Edinburgh Last year, I also had a dreadful meal at a 'traditional' course, included - is in the throes of and wondered, Zoo, Stirling Castle or the Falkirk g a) d lots of the Coronavirus outbreak. As Wheel. It would appear, however, your members are aged 65+ with, that we can have too much of a perhaps, some not being in the good thing as residents are 'fighting' best of health, I know that whilst the to have tourists banned from driving problem continues, you will, in a through the streets as they warn of calm fashion, exercise caution a "crisis point" due to visitor when considering what's on your numbers. This phenomenon of group's agenda, particulary for being an 'overtourism hotspot' has those events held indoors which will also affected cities like Amsterdam, attract large crowds.

Barcelona, Bruges and Venice, whilst civic figures from the Cinque When considering those trips Terre in northern Italy are, well, just booked for the medium to long fed up of their villages being gridterm, barring catastrophic locked and have asked developments between the time of transportation companies to keep writing this piece and you reading numbers Whilst down during busy periods. it, there should be no needmto cancel them. If you are worried, This approach, I know, does not show speak with your tour operator, that please everyone as here on my o is, after all, one of the reasons why doorstep, there are similar issues in you book through them places like Lavenham and Cambridge, ie, residents want one With the Coronavirus outbreak and thing, whilst the hospitality industry be carried in a subsequent edition. its attendant effects on tourism, wants F London's Ultraanother.

Low EmissionFor ZoneLavenham, in place 24 hours a day and s what about the situation where the considered to be 'Britain's best opposite exists? Courtesy of our preserved medieval village', there good friends at VisitScotland, last are days when it is feels more like year I enjoyed a wonderful trip the West End.......slight around Agyll & Bute, with one exaggeration but you know what |I highlight being a walk around the mean! beautiful village of Luss. I know As Corporal Jones might say. 'Don't many of you have been to this little panic!' gem on the shores of Loch Lomond, I bet not many of you know, Hugh though, that it attracts over 750,000

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News

4

Ireland Spotlight

8

Johnsons Journal

10

AGTO

12

Corsica & Sardinia

14

Animal Attractions

20

Derbyshire & East Midlands

21

Scotland Showcase

22

Film &TV Attractions

28

Group Getaways

32

Gardens and Flower Shows

38

Group Accommodation

41

Opera

44

Birmingham & the Black Country

46

Military Attractions

47

Best of the North East

48

Experience Yorkshire

49

Cathedrals

50

Regional Theatre

52

Great Days Out

54

Heritage Railway

58

Front Cover: Bonifacio, old town at sea cliff, Corsica

Beau Business Media Group Ltd Publishing House, Windrush, Ash Lane, Birmingham, B48 7TS Tel: 0121 445 6961 Fax: 0121 445 4436 email: beaubusinessmedia@gmail.com Sales: Emma L Middleton Brett James Kirby Tel: 0121 445 6961 Contributors: Chris Wales, Carol Dowe Davies Design: Alexina Whittaker & Paul Hemsley Production: Laura Collins Managing Director: Nigel Whittaker Publishing Director: Hugh Cairns

Group Travel Today

All systems go at RHS Garden Bridgewater RHS Garden Bridgewater, a new spectacular 154-acre garden, transforming the historic grounds of Worsley New Hall in Salford into a beautiful green place for the local community and visitors to enjoy all year-round, will open on July 30th When the RHS first discovered the 154-acre site, the former grounds of Worsley New Hall had not been cultivated for decades. Thanks to a dedicated and growing team, plus the help of hundreds of local volunteers, the site is being transformed and is currently the biggest project of its kind in Europe. Worldrenowned landscape

architect Tom Stuart-Smith created the Bridgewater ‘masterplan’. Its centrepiece is the 11-acre Weston Walled Garden, one of the UK’s biggest, measuring the size of six football pitches and comprising 11 gardens, including The Paradise Garden, Kitchen Garden, Wellbeing Garden and Community Grow Spaces.

Richard |Green, the head of RHS Garden, Bridgewater commented “We still have a tremendous amount of work to do before opening but thanks to a brilliant team, amazing local support and generous donations from multiple supporters, partners and members, we are on track and

Save the date; a planning image of the RHS Bridgewater which opens in July look forward to welcoming visitors this summer.”

www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridg

No price increase for Houses of Parliament tours 2020/21 prices and group rates for ticketed audio and guided tours of UK Parliament have been confirmed. There are no changes to individual ticket prices and group rates for tours between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021.

Audio tour for groups are adults £15.50 / Children (age 5 to 15) £7.75 and for guided tours for groups it’s adults: £21 / children (age 5 to 15) £10.50. Concession prices apply to age 60 and over, students with ID and UK Armed Forces with ID. Group rates apply for groups of

As you were - no increase for H.O.P. tours 10 people or more if booked in advance. To download their

2020 guide for groups visit www.parliament.uk and click on

the ‘visit’ tab for further information

CTA Charity Auction bid brings new business for Johnsons The Coach Tourism Association annual conference is well known for many things but few delegates ever realised that making a winning bid for a charity auction prize could lead to a new tour programme. But that’s exactly what happened when Barry Cobb of Johnsons Coach and Bus Travel made the winning

“My initial gut feeling was correct as, when launched we sold the entire 78 seats in a morning, and we quickly built up a wait list that exceeded the maximum pay load”. With that sort of enthusiastic demand from customers Johnsons and Hovertravel soon sorted out a new group rate and carried over 200 passengers on the Hovercraft VIP excursion by

£600 bid for a Hovertravel VIP Experience at the CTA’s 2019 event.

The offer from Hovertravel included sole use of a hovercraft, meeting up with the Captain and crew at the Southsea Terminal, a demonstration of how the hovercraft works, and a flight across the Solent to Ryde in the Isle of Wight. Says Barry: 4

the Summer. Pat Sowerbutts of Hovertravel commented “Barry’s enthusiasm was shared by his customers as we have now built up a regular schedule of excursions with Johnsons and we have had the opportunity to introduce our exciting hovercraft flights to hundreds of more passengers.

A

Exciting short breaks options from Summergrove Halls Sheepdog World Wigton Derek Scrimgeour is an internationally renowned sheepdog handler and breeder who welcomes visitors to his farm where he gives sheepdog demonstrations, shows some rare breed sheep and shares stories of life on a sheep farm in Cumbria.

The farm is easily accessible and can cater for larger groups and coaches.

Our package includes

•2 Nights accommodation in a double or twin room •3 Course evening meal in the Grove Restaurant on your first evening •Full English Breakfast each day •Picnic Lunch for your day out at Sheepdog World.

•Hot drink and cake on your return £149.95 per person

Group Travel Today

New Chief Executive for Tourism South East

Fran Downton, Tourism South East's new chief exec Tourism South East recently announced the appointment

of a new Chief Executive in Fran Downton, previously their head of marketing. Tourism South East is one of the oldest tourism support organisations in the UK and it became a notfor-profit industry organisation in 2012 following the closure of the Regional Development Agencies.

As Head of Marketing, Fran has played a major role in running Tourism South East over the past 14 months having provided strategic support in the absence of former Chief

Executive, Nigel Smith, who has stepped down from the role for health reasons. “I know that Fran is absolutely committed to delivering top tourism support services to members and destination partners. She has an exciting vision for the future continuing to provide the very best research, training, marketing and visitor services to promote tourism growth in this valuable global market,” says Mark Smith, Chairman Board of Trustees, Tourism South East.

The Tourism South East consumer brand, The Beautiful South, is a comprehensive service providing the latest information on tourism in the South East. In addition, the brand runs the prestigious Beautiful South Awards for Excellence. www.tourismsoutheast.com

Bury Market -a record number of - Coaches coach visits in November setting a new monthly record of 296.

Andrew Heyes, markets manager, said: "Bury has long been a favourite coach destination for those seeking to experience a traditional market, and the number of coach visits has steadily increased each year since records began in 2008. "We're delighted that so many coach operators continue to visit our famous awardwinning market. The visits from coaches are important to the

Coaches welcome at Bury Market Last year, a record number of coaches visited Bury Market bringing shoppers keen to visit

the award-winning attraction. In 2019 the market welcomed more than 1,800 coaches, with

growth of the market and hopefully these visits will continue going from strength to strength." If one considers that the open market trades for only three days a week, the market hall: for six and the fish & meat hall for five days, these are hugely impressive numbers by any reckoning and on average see over seven coaches a day visit this north western landmark.

For more information visit www.burymarket.com or call

Coach Tourism Association Conference Stressing the need for Government to move people away from cars to high occupancy vehicles, the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) chief executive Graham Vidler told CTA members: “The only way to travel that is more environmentally friendly than coach involves pedalling.” Inaccurate public impressions of the pollution created by coaches were highlighted by Dan Hayes of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership who said’ the important point is that emissions per passenger are much, much

lower from a coach than they are from a private car’ The CPT’s Andy Warrender sought to calm certain delegates’ fears about the immediate effects of BREXIT pointing out that around 40,000 coaches crossed the Channel in 2019 running 35,000 coach tours in Europe serving some two million UK holidaymakers. He told members: “There’s been a lot written about what might happen but people still want to travel to Europe, and you are there to take them. Why should there be any change?” On a local level, the continued problem of

'Emissions per passenger are lower from a coach' coach parking was aired concerning the lack of overnight parking and facilities for drivers, to the extent that coach operators were being driven away 6

from London, and York, too, may be missing out on additional coach tourism in the absence of adequate facilities.

Nationwide Quality Bus/ Coach Operators Minis to Double Deckers

Let us quote on your next outing for best, service at competitive prices

Ulster

1 McGinley Coaches, Donegal 2 Classic Coaches, Down 3 Leydons Coaches, Cavan 4 Fitzpatrick, Monaghan 5 Lynch Coaches, Tyrone 6 Aytons Coaches, Derry 7 Mc Cauley Coaches, Fermanagh

Connacht

1 Healy Coaches, Galway 2 Fureys Coaches, Sligo 3 McGowan Coaches, Leitrim 4 Treacys, MayoÂ

Leinster

1 Irish Coaches, Dublin 2 Bartons Coaches, Kildare 3 Slevins Coaches, Westmeath 4 Mullally Coaches, Kildare 5 Carolan Coaches, Meath 6 Fitzpatrick, Meath 7 Finnegan Coaches, Wicklow 8  Finlay Coaches, Louth 10 Malahide Coaches, Dublin 11 O’Grady Coaches,Dublin 12 McCaffrey Coaches 13 Kearns Coaches,OffalyÂ

Munster

1 Flynn Coaches, Kerry 2 Kerry Coaches, Kerry 3 Cremin Coaches, Cork 4 O’Malley Coaches, Tipperary 5 Joe Lawlor, Limerick 6 CC Executive - Clare 7 PK Travel Coaches,Clare 8 Rose Travel, Kerry 9 O’Connor Coaches, CorkÂ

Central Office

8OVWHU %DQN &KDPEHUV /U 2¡&RQQHOO 6W 'XEOLQ ,UHODQG Tel: (01) 8788894 / 98 Fax: (01) 8788916 operations@irishcoaches.ie www.irishcoaches.ie | www.32CCgroup.ie

Bus & Coach

Package Tours

Ireland Spotlight

Group Travel Today

So you’ve been thinking about finally taking your group to Ireland, that’s great news,you’ll receive a welcome that’s vociferous, voluminos and verbose as ever.

Irish Coaches--32CC Are a Private Coach Network with vehicles located in each of the 4 provinces of Ireland per their advert. From minicoach to Double Decker’s, all can be provided for your comfort.

Brexit and recent National/Local elections in Ireland make 2020 a challenging year for all service providers in their 32 counties/4 provinces.

If you have any groups planned they can also quote and provide accommodations ,meals and visitor attractions, anywhere on the Island of Ireland Visits by UK Royalty confirm the attractiveness of the Island.

Lovely hotels can be provided at attractive rates.

Whether for a 1 day trip using Air or Sea access via Belfast, Dublin or Rosslare or longer 3 to 7 Days they can compile your visit for you.

Conference and Incentive groups are always welcome For full details please visit www.irishcoaches.ie

House of Waterford Crystal A luxury collection of the finest crystal continues to be made by skilled craftsmen at the Waterford Crystal factory situated in the heart of Waterford City, in Ireland’s Ancient East. A significant tourist attraction, the House of Waterford Crystal welcomes 210,000 visitors annually from across the world.

On the tour, visitors witness mould making – a technique

at Waterford that has remained unchanged throughout the centuries, as the Master Blowers shape the molten crystal flawlessly with the use of wooden moulds and hand tools. The next part of the tour is truly magical, as visitors enter the blowing department where they see glowing balls of crystal transformed into majestic shapes as they are put through the 1300-degree furnace. The Waterford Crystal pieces are then hand marked for precision and accuracy, and they are then cut, sculpted and engraved.

piece goes through six inspections, and if it fails to reach the Waterford Crystal standards at any stage it is smashed and returned to the furnace to be re-melted so that the piece can be started again.

Visitors next witness the cutting department. The Master Cutter must rely on his own skill to judge the amount of pressure that is required to hold the crystal to the wheel; too much pressure will cause a cut through to the other side. Their craftsmen have trained for a minimum of 8 years to master their craft.

They are responsible for giving each piece the clear and sparkling cut that is the distinctive hallmark of Waterford.

While getting this behind the scenes sneak peak of this highly skilled method of crystal manufacturing, visitors also see the high standards that the Waterford Crystal has for each piece that leaves the factory. The crystal is inspected at each stage of production, so each

The final stages of the tour are the engraving and sculpting departments.

Master Sculptors at Waterford 8

work three dimensionally, using their skill to sculpt the desired piece from solid blocks of crystal. Days, weeks and even months can pass before a sculpted piece is completed. The type of copper wheel engraving used at Waterford is called 'Intaglio', which means reverse. It can take from hours to days to complete the engraving on international sporting trophies and limited-edition inspiration pieces.

Visitors can experience 12,000 square feet of crystal heaven in the largest retail and showcase of Waterford Crystal in the world. The retail store represents everything they make in crystal, including a showcase on their sports trophies. www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com

See Exquisite Pieces of Crystal manufactured before your eyes Guided Factory Tours Daily

C: +353 (0) 51 317000 E: houseofwaterfordcrystal@fiskars.com W: www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com

Johnsons Journal...

Group Travel Today

The continuing, amazing adventures of Pauline & Ken, their travels around the globe and Christmas Market’ trip but then that’s a reason to go back to this area another time.

The entrance to one of Hamburg's many Christmas markets

We took ourselves round Bruges as we had purchased tickets for the train at a discounted rate only to find that the train schedules had been altered and we had an hour to wait. Instead the four of us decided to get a taxi in to the centre which was a good plan. It’s at least 30 minutes’ walk from the centre to either the coach or the train station.

In October 2019, we found we had been double booked at the venue where we have held our bi-monthly coffee mornings for the past ten years. The growing number of members wishing to attend but not being able to find a seat was also becoming a problem. We had to look, rather hurriedly, for somewhere else locally as November is a very important meeting for us –it is when we distribute our surplus funds to local charities. Luckily we have a Community Sports Club five minutes’ walk away on the estate. They have seating for 200 people and the date we needed was free. Amazingly 193 members turned up together with the eight charity representatives. The new place does have its challenges for the refreshment team as they have been used to having a professional dishwasher in the kitchen (three minutes to wash and dry all the tea and coffee mugs – which our club owns) and no plumbed in hot water boiler. Several meetings after the event,

and the countryside looked magical, especially on the way back, with the sunset giving an orange glow to the snow-covered landscape.

The other shore tour was from Warnemunde in Germany to Heiligendamm where we caught the ‘Molli’ narrow gauge steam train to Bad Doberan. It was only a short coach journey then to the Minster Church which dates back to 1368. From there we went to the seaside resort of Kuhlungsborn and a welcome cup of coffee and cake. It had been a toss up between this trip and the ‘Rostock by Nostalic Tram

over cups of coffee, have hopefully ironed out all the glitches. It was suggested we use throw-away beakers instead of washing up but not only is that not environmentally friendly, in the long term they cost more and we do have quite a few volunteers to put on the ‘marigold’ gloves.

The last holiday of 2019 was a European Christmas Markets Cruise with Fred Olsen - only four of us but it was very enjoyable. My friend and I took two shore trips, one to the Hadeland glass factory near Oslo. It had snowed

The imposing minster church in Bad Doberan

In Copenhagen we caught the hop-on hop-off bus from where the ship docked having decided that we didn’t want to shop at their markets. Hamburg however was a delight and had several Christmas Markets with stalls within easy walking distance of each other that you really did want to buy from. It’s a place I would certainly revisit, in fact nearly all my Christmas shopping came from there and the quality of the shops on the main streets was very good.

Gluwein, served in a decorated mug, which you can either keep as a souvenir, take around other stalls for a free refill, or hand back for a refund was almost compulsory. What we did find was that the markets in Oslo and Copenhagen are virtually cashless and prefer you to use cards. In Bruges and Hamburg either was accepted.

Talking about cashless venues, Warner’s policy at Studley Castle is one of cards only; no cash. Several local travel agents have told me they weren’t informed of this

by Warner’s Groups department before their

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Group Travel Today

extra months added when people have renewed early will not count. I also had someone who was going to delay applying for their first passport as late as possible.

As all details required by the airline need to be input before check in, and the whole group has to be done at the same time, it could have caused a very real problem. Luckily I found out in time and was able to insist that it was applied for and details available at least a month before we went away.

No trip to Copenhagen is complete without a visit to the Little Mermaid

groups went, and it caused a lot of problems for some people. As we are going to Cricket St Thomas soon I made sure that this wouldn’t be the case there.

Due to the high numbers wanting to book for our annual Christmas lunch I decided to try the ‘Christmas Lunch with a Swing’ meal at The National Memorial Arboretum in the Aspects Conference Centre with views over the Arboretum.

Food and Beverage Manager, Sue Smith, was extremely helpful with the dietary requirements of my group as I have one lady who is both dairy and gluten intolerant and another who is lactose intolerant. The starter and main meal didn’t pose any problems but the dessert selection did for them both.

An understanding chef came up with a dessert to suit - and not just the usual fresh fruit salad. The only drawback as far as our group was concerned, was the band. Excellent musicians who played two one hour sessions but it was so loud that people couldn’t hear themselves think let alone talk as they like to do on these occasions. Lesson learned that any other such event would be with entertainment after we have eaten.

had good ticket sales as well as the Raymond Gubby Spectacular Classics. This is the same as the December Royal Albert Hall concert, but less travelling time.

I am now into presentations

by Tour Operators for 2021 holidays. Passports are my main concern with these bookings as they have been for the last 12 months. I have recommended that all members go onto the www.gov.uk website and input their passport details and when they are due to travel abroad if they have less than twelve months before it expires. This site will then tell them if they need to renew for that particular journey. The problem is that it is likely that the passport requirements will be for an exact ten years and the

The New Year got off to a good start with two coaches taking members to Symphony Hall in Birmingham to the CBSO Viennese New Year concert. We have booked a series of Friday Night Classical concerts there this year which have all

Cash is not king at Warner's Studley Castle Hotel

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Hopefully in April when we travel from Holyhead to Dublin en-route to Belfast we won’t have problems but I am advising everyone to take passports rather than rely on photographic ID, especially as that is the advice on the ferry websites.

A potential August 2021 tour that had been planned had to be cancelled, not because it wasn’t popular we had 80 people wanting to go. However the quoted cost of air and train transport during school holiday time for such a large group pushed the price beyond what people were prepared to pay. A possible solution of splitting the group between two airlines and airports I considered to be unworkable. Disappointing for all concerned

AGTO MATTERS

Group Travel Today

Another successful AGTO Showcase Weekend Members of the Association of Group Travel Organisers (AGTO) travelled from across Britain to attend the annual AGTO Showcase Weekend. Wendy HartleyScarff reports.

The event, held this year at Ettington Chase hotel near Stratford-upon-Avon over the weekend of 21 to 23 February, provides the platform for GTO and Associate members to come together to network and socialise. A programme of familiarisation trips, expertly organised by the team at local tourism organisation Shakespeare’s England, saw members heading off on board coaches kindly supplied by Johnsons Quality Coach Travel to explore Warwick Castle, Kenilworth Castle and the British Motor Museum at Gaydon. There were

guided tours of Shakespeare’s Birthplace and the costume store at the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park, and Lord Leycester Hospital.

Helen Peters, chief executive of Shakespeare’s England, said that renewed efforts are being made to encourage visitors to stopover in the region rather than simply visit on a day trip.

Debbie Marshall, managing director of Silver Travel Advisor, the award-winning website that carries travel reviews and holiday advice for the over 50s traveller, told delegates that not only is group travel on the up, but that solo group travel is also thriving. She explained that older travellers are embracing gadgets, technology and social media like never before, and that for many, holidays and tours are not all about price.

Stuart Render, of coach and group tourism specialist Stuart Render Tourism, updated members on the Package Travel Regulations explaining that GTOs who organise occasional trips that are ‘not for profit’ are likely to be exempt.

However, he made the point that using a bonded

tour operator, and checking who the bond is with, provides added peace of mind and financial security for GTOs and their groups.

I was able to bring members up to date with the latest news about AGTO itself, saying that in addition to the launch of a new website and promotional video, proactive PR activity is helping raise the profile of the organisation in the trade media and with industry stakeholders.

Membership continues to grow with a total of more than 650 GTOs and Associates. However, the future of AGTO isn’t just about membership growth, it’s about growing member participation in the local branches.

The popular Associates’ Exhibition brought nearly 60 travel trade suppliers and organisations together to meet with GTOs. But the Showcase Weekend isn’t all work. On the Friday evening delegates enjoyed a Networking Drinks Reception sponsored by Cruise & Maritime Voyages before sitting down to dinner. On the Saturday, the Gala Dinner, sponsored by made Tourism Marketing, featured a 1920s theme focused around the

12

imagery from the TV series ‘Peaky Blinders’.

Members had been encouraged to ‘dress to impress – 1920s style’, the prize for ‘best dressed’ being presented to Matt Coulter from Historic Royal Palaces. Entertainment was provided by the ‘Silk Street Jazz 4’ band and two impressive flapper dancers.

The biggest surprise of the event came when Associate member Fred.

Olsen Cruise Lines announced that the 2021 Showcase Weekend will take the form of a twonight cruise in January on board ‘Black Watch’ sailing from Liverpool to Southampton. That promises to be something rather special.

My thanks go to our GTO and Associate members who took time out to travel to Stratford to enjoy and benefit from a very special weekend.

TEL. 023 8022 3278 EMAIL OFFICE@BLUEFUNNEL.CO.UK Cruising from Southampton 1 hour dock tours to 6 hour day cruises • Cowes week day cruise special - with time ashore & complimentary cream tea • A wide range of new cruises have been added to our 2020 itinerary call us for a brochure & schedule of sailings • LUNCH CRUISE - 2 or 3 course silver served meals prepared onboard by our chef • Private charter available special rates offered during off peak dates • As a thank you for joining us, group organiser goes free on bookings of 20+

For more information or to book visit www.bluefunnel.co.uk

Group Travel Today

Corsica and Sardinia

Atout France/Palomba Rober

The Mediterranean twins are anything but identical. The French and Italian neighbours both have an identity all of their own. For your group, Simon Walton explores the best of both.

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shutterstock_Jon Ingall

Group Travel Today

Corsica Perching like a mountain goat, the most famous Corsican of all, Napoleon Bonaparte, surveys the island with an imperial eye. High up, on the heights of Monte Cinto, a mountain more than twice the height of Ben Nevis, it’s possible to see all three surrounding seas. On clear days, with no cloud cover below, the view lasts all the way to Ajaccio, the birthplace of the Little Corporal, where his museum is the island’s most popular attraction.

Corsica has been a French department since 1769, and that’s something that more than a few of the 330,000 native Corse view with ambivalence. The fall of Genoese rule led to a brief period of independence, ended by a treaty that ceded the territory to Louis XV. Those intervening two and half centuries have not diminished the Tuscan influences.

Long walks and sunny days With the population equivalent of Swansea, spread out over half the area of Wales, Corsica is a wilderness wonderland to the point of deserted. Groups who are as horny for the hills as those flocks of wild

mountain goats could undertake the entire 125-mile length of the Grande Randonnée, and trek the interior while counting more snow-covered peaks than people. Sun hats in summer and ski boots in winter are the appropriate accessories.

Some say the goats are friendlier than the human population. We just say the Corsicans have added a good measure of French to their unique cultural mix.

All aboard

gauge railcars are a delightful way to see the island. A “Y” shaped network serves Ajaccio, up through the interior, with Monte Cinto to the west (looking splendid in the morning light), to the junction at Ponte-Leccia.

Unique to the island, the Corsican Railway attracts enthusiastic visitors, whether they be with or without anoraks. Imagine Pacers without the draughts, leaks, and Northern neds getting on at Kearsley. The narrow-

From Corsica’s Crewe, it’s a choice of a run along the west coast to Calvi, or on to Bastia in the north. It’s about four hours each way for the whole trip. The more manageable two hours from

Calvi for the best sands, Bastia for the best harbour and the best of boating trips too, out into the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Hills and the national parks are all very well, but we venture that your group is more likely to arrive conventionally in the towns, and seek to sleep under the covers, rather than under the stars. Although British visitors will find Corsica climatically preferable at any time of year, accommodation options increase in the AprilOctober season. Direct flights take off from all over the UK to Bastia, Calvi, Ajaccio and Figari (serving Bonifacio and the South). You’ll find accommodation to suit your group’s preferences in all four regions.

Since even the most northerly point of the island is further south than the Côte d’Azur, your only concern will be whether you want the sun on your back or in your face.

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shutterstock_Vadym Lavra

shutterstock_Jenny Sturm

Group Travel Today

Individual, cuisine Corsica has its own, very individual, cuisine. The various cold meats (coppa, lonzu, prisuttu, figatellu) can be accompanied by polenta made from chestnut flour or garnished soups. Fish and seafood are accented with local herbs, including origano, marjoram and mint.

Brocciu, made with the whey of goat or sheep’s cheese, venachese, orezzincu and calenzana are some of the typical cheeses which hail from this land of shepherds.

Honey is another important product in Corsica. As for the wines, you will appreciate the quality of the AOC domains, such as Nielluccio, Vermentino, and Sciaccarello. Corsica offers some refreshing drinks, try Orezza, Zilia or Saint-George, or choose between a Pastis or a Cap Corse, diluted as an aperitif.

Read more at: http://ee.france.fr/en/discov er/corsica-5

Sardinia

Cagliari, for Cena - a dinner time of tucking into a mussel soup and dogfish steaks.

Take time to do things the Sardinian way.

Leave behind Corsica’s caves and the neolithic sites of Bonifacio. Make like the locals, and take the ferry from four Corsican ports to three Sardinian ones. Go by the shortest routes and you’ll be practising your Italian in Santa Teresa di Gallura an hour later. Three times bigger than its French neighbour, Sardinia is actually no more populous per square mile.

While the bigger cities are bigger, the wilderness is just as wild, and it’s all just as appealing.

With more festivals than Edinburgh on steroids, the Sardinian word for calendar might as well be ‘party time’.

Your fun-loving group can let their hair down whether it’s a regatta, a jazz fest, or even a celebration of fish.

There’s an association of country inns and farm-based eateries, where the inland rustic scale is epitomised in the portion sizes. If you’re familiar with the Agriturismi concept, then you’ll find Sardinia bears a fruitful harvest.

Sport aplenty From participator to spectator, sporty groups will find Sardinia top of the league. Cagliari’s Scudetto of ’69–’70 may be a distant memory, but all the Serie A giants still treat their fixture with the Rossoblu with respect. The club hosted England during the 1990 World Cup, but the old stadium is no more. The Rossoblu are planning a move to a new stadium next season, from their temporary home this year.

Meal times All that partying until dawn will work up an appetite.

Some of you might even be hungry enough to try the maggot-infused cheese, but we think you’ll settle for a Sardinian spin on the Italian classics. If there’s one thing the Sardinians take their time over, it’s meals. Much less ‘gulp and blow’, it’s all ‘sip and slow’ on Sardinia. Buildin plenty of time for mealtimes. Whether it’s a Mediterranean-facing restaurant in Spanishinfluenced Alghero, for midday Pranzo, eating walnuts, garlic and wild boar; or a late-night in a bustling bistro in cosmopolitan

There’s plenty more historical than England’s glorious onenil defeat of Egypt. Get your group a better result by exploring some of the nuraghi, the fascinating ruins of Bronze Age towers, shaped like enormous beehives. There’s the cathedral-like Grotta di Nettuno - Neptune’s Caves just off the coast at Alghero.

Reach the fantastic rock formations by boat trip - or if your lot are as fit as fiddles, it’s only 650 steps down the shutterstock_Pecold

the modern capital Ajaccio to ancient mountain redoubt of Corte will take you over the Gustaf Eiffel designed Viaduc du Vecchio (94m high, 150m long) and the kilometre-long Vizzavona tunnel. While there, immerse yourselves in the herbscented air; the vast Musée de la Corse complex in the old citadel; and settle down for a lunch of cabri roti. Yes, those lovable goats have another purpose too.

cliffs … and back up again.

Unless your group travel under the name of Team Sky, you’ll be unlikely to try and cover the whole island in one tour. Getting around in the saddle is best accomplished on horseback, and at a slower pace, and along any of the beautiful beaches.

High-speed on Sardinia seems confined to the race tracks (horse and motor) and the speed of speech which, like mainland Italian, seems to say so much just to get all the favours of island life across in one sentence.

Perhaps the Sardinians should take a leaf from our book, and just relax into it.

There’s plenty of time to enjoy all the island has to offer.

From Castelsardo, the SS134 Sedini road leads to one of the area’s most lovable landmarks, the Roccia dell’Elefante, a bizarre trachyte rock that looks just like an elephant raising its trunk towards the road. The monolith's shape is the result of nothing more mysterious than wind and rain erosion, but it's been the source of local interest for millennia Survival Guide: Corsica and Sardinia Currency: €uro Getting there: Multiple UK departure airports, from about 2hrs30mins to 4hrs flight time Languages French in Corsica, Italian in Sardinia (although the local variations are … varied) What not to say in Corsica: “Buongiorno!”

What not to say in Sardinia: “Come on England!” www.ee.france.fr/en/discove r/corsica-5 www.sardegnaturismo.it/en

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Group Travel Today

Animal Attractions Stop monkeying around, get your goup up close and personal with some of natures finest, take charge and join in the conservation of of rhinos and other endangered species.

a safe and natural environment.

Combining fun with conservation, half-hourly talks at the park explain all about man’s closest relative.

Visitors can see the stars of TV’s ‘Monkey Life’, then ‘monkey around’ in the south’s largest adventure play area. There are several cafes at the park, or visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy lunch in the beautiful surroundings.

Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre Opened in 1987 to provide a home for nine abused Spanish beach chimpanzees, Monkey World is now home

to over 250 primates. Many have been neglected, kept in unnatural conditions, or experienced unbelievable cruelty. At Monkey World, they can all enjoy the company of their own kind in

Guided tours are a fantastic way to make your day extra special. Booked in advance, a member of the team will take you around the park and explain the stories

16 20

behind our residents, and an insight into their rescues and care.

Based in Wareham, Dorset, Monkey World has ample free parking for cars and coaches. Discounts are available for pre-booked groups. Open every day (except Christmas Day) from 10am to 5pm (10am to 6pm during July and August).

For more details, please go to: www.monkeyworld.org, email apes@monkeyworld.org or call 01929 462537

Group Travel Today

Derbyshire and East Midlands

Home of the Peak District and the Debyshire Dales, great for all the groups who love the outdoors, but throw in a fabulous array of statley homes and gardens and a vintage tramway there’s something to suit all.

Crich Tramway Village Crich Tramway Village offers one of Derbyshire's great 0family and group days out and a step back in time.

Vintage trams run along a period street, climbing a mile and a half of track that provides breathtaking views of the surrounding Derbyshire countryside.

Experience the fascinating Woodland Walk & Sculpture Trail, which winds its way back to the village, or remain on the tram and be dropped off outside The Red Lion Pub and Tearooms, before visiting the fascinating Exhibitions and Workshop Viewing Gallery,

where you can watch restorations of the vintage trams.

The Great Exhibition Hall features at Century of Trams, from horse drawn to the electric era.

For a spot of retail therapy, The Forge Gift Shop offers mementoes of your visit and the traditional sweet shop enables you to by your old favourites by the quarter.

Details about special events throughout the season can be found on the website.

Pre-booked groups of ten or more receive discounted rates. Coach drivers receive free admission and a refreshment voucher and there is free parking.

Crich Tramway Village is open daily from 10.00am from Saturday 14th March until 1st November 2020.

Tel: 01773 854321 or visit www.tramway.co.uk.

Renishaw Hall & Gardens Renishaw Hall & Gardens in north Derbyshire offers the perfect combination of history, horticulture, viticulture, food and drink – all for groups to enjoy.

The Hall has been home to the Sitwell family for almost 400 years, and tours of this historic house explore the stunning principal rooms, After your tour, your group

can enjoy morning coffee, homemade lunch, or afternoon tea in a special private dining area - the Rex Whistler room - located in the attractive Stables Courtyard and close to the fascinating Sitwell Museum which is open to visit as part of your group tour. Regular events also available for touring groups include the Renishaw specialist plant fair in May and August, and tours of the historic vineyard together with tasting the award winning wines, available from April to the end of September.

All enquiries via 01246 432310 or visit www. renishaw-hall.co.uk

SITUATED NEAR MATLOCK AND ONLY 8 MILES FROM M1 JUNCTION 28

Delight your group with a tram ride through time Crich Tramway Village is an ideal destination for all ages. Visitors can ride our world renowned vintage trams through our unique period street and out into the open countryside for spectacular views, explore fascinating exhibitions and watch as trams are restored from our workshop viewing gallery.

This captivating journey into history is made complete with a stroll on our woodland walk and sculpture trail and a trip to our unique Red Lion pub, café and shops.

Make Renishaw Hall & Gardens your group tour destination in 2020 • acres of award winning gardens to explore • tours of historic Renishaw Hall, home to the Sitwell family • Café at Renishaw Hall & private dining facilities

WE WILL HELP YOU PLAN

• on site Sitwell Museum

A GREAT DAY OUT!

• FREE parking, admission and meal for coach driver • Special group and coach tour discounts • Guided tours on request

• vineyard tours and wine tasting • visitor centre and plant sales

Crich Tramway Village, Crich, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 5DP Tel: 01773 854 321 Email: enquiry@tramway.co.uk

visit www.renishaw-hall.co.uk or call 01246 432310

www.tramway.co.uk

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Open from March 18th 2020

Scotland Showcase

Group Travel Today

Surely the most geographically diverse region in the whole of the Brtitish Isles, Scotland is a mist shrouded land of mountains, fells, lochs,castles, golf courses, beaches and of course whisky galore!

DESIGNER DISCOUNTS AT GRETNA GATEWAY OUTLET VILLAGE Conveniently located just minutes from the M6 and M74 on the border between Scotland and England, Gretna Gateway Outlet Village is a designer outlet boasting worldleading brands in over 50 stores and restaurants.

An ideal stopping point for groups, Gretna Gateway is the first shopping centre as you head into Scotland, on a direct route to both Glasgow and Edinburgh and just 30 minutes away from the Lake District National Park.

Gretna Gateway Outlet Village offers a tax-free shopping experience with iconic British brands such as Clarks and Radley London as well as designer favourites Polo Ralph Lauren, BOSS and Nike, all with up to 60% off the recommended retail price.

There is a dedicated on-site coach park for group trips.

Coach drivers and tour guides will also benefit from Gretna Gateway’s coach driver incentive, including a food voucher and gift cards from £21 per 2 hours stay. These gift cards can be used in any of their stores on site or sign up to their Savings Account and top up every time you visit Gretna Gateway Outlet Village. www.gretnagateway.com

Dunvegan Castle Any visit to the Isle of Skye is incomplete without enjoying the wealth of

history on offer at Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years.

of the castle’s great treasures is the Dunvegan Cup, a unique ‘mazer’ dating back to the Middle Ages. It was gifted by the O’Neils of Ulster as a token of thanks to one of the clan’s most celebrated Chiefs, Sir Rory Mor, for his support of their cause against the marauding forces of Queen Elizabeth I of England in 1596.

Originally designed as a fortress to keep people out, the castle was first opened to visitors in 1933 and has become one of Skye’s most famous award-winning 5* visitor attractions. On display are many fine oil paintings and clan treasures, the most famous of which is the Fairy Flag.

Legend has it that this sacred Banner has magical powers and when unfurled in battle, the clan MacLeod would snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Another

Today visitors can enjoy tours of an extraordinary castle and Highland estate steeped in history and clan legend, delight in the beauty of its formal gardens, take a clinker boat trip to see the seal colony, enjoy an appetising 22

meal at the MacLeod Tables Cafe or browse in one of its four shops offering a wide choice to suit everyone.

Over time, they have given a warm Highland welcome to visitors including Sir Walter Scott, Dr Johnson and Queen Elizabeth II and they look forward to welcoming you. www.dunvegancastle.com

Blair Castle Blair Castle stands in its grounds near the village of Blair Atholl in Perthshire in Scotland. It is the ancestral

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Group Travel Today

home of the Clan Murray, and was historically the seat of their chief, the Duke of Atholl.

Over 19 generations, the Stewarts and Murrays of Atholl have backed winners and losers, fallen in and out of political favour, won battles and lost them. They have almost all, in one way or another, left their mark on Blair Castle, they have been adventurers and politicians, Jacobites and Royalists, entrepreneurs and agriculturists, soldiers and scholars.

The story will take you from Mary, Queen of Scots to the Civil War, and from the Act of Union to the Jacobite cause and the disaster of Culloden, and from the Isle of Man to Queen Victoria’s love affair with the Scottish Highlands and her presentation of colours to the Atholl Highlanders.

Blair Castle gives you the opportunity to see Scottish history through the lives of the Atholl Family, their collections of furniture, arms, china, lace and portraits speak for themselves.

As the first private home in Scotland to open to the public in 1936, they have a wealth of experience

welcoming individuals and larger groups through their doors. Whether the group would prefer to explore the castle at their own pace, receive an introduction on arrival or take a fully guided tour, they have a range of options available to suit .

dishes created using local, seasonal ingredients.

Be sure to visit their unique and welcoming shop. They stock a full range of superb single malts and blended whiskies including distillery exclusives such as the Bottle Your Own Glenturret single malt which you can bottle straight from the cask.

blair-castle.co.uk Experience Scotland’s Oldest Working Distillery

Whether you are looking for a unique distillery tour, a very special warehouse experience, or even the opportunity to blend your own whisky, Glenturret is the only remaining distillery in Scotland able to demonstrate the traditional, hand-made whisky making experience.

Set in the beautiful Perthshire countryside, Glenturret Distillery is a unique whisky experience for visitors where Scotland’s oldest malt whisky is created.

Glenturret Malt Whisky is still hand crafted today as it was over two centuries ago using the only remaining hand operated mash tun in Scotland.

the picturesque River Clyde, learn about the fascinating history of New Lanark at their award winning visitor Centre and attractions, and enjoy opportunities to eat at their cafe or restaurant, and browse the beautiful gift shop.

They recommend at least two hours for a visit but can tailor a visit to suit your group's schedule. You can easily spend a day exploring all there is to see anddo, or stay overnight in their 4-star hotel, self-catering waterhouses, or Wee Row Hostel.

You can choose to combine a group guided tour or seminar with entry to the Visitor Centre or simply go for a self-led visit.

theglenturret.com New Lanark World Heritage Site

Their team have been making whisky by hand and by heart since 1775 and visitors will experience the traditional handmade distilling processes that have been used to craft the whiskies at Glenturret Distillery for generations.

Looking for a group visitor attraction that will deliver a truly memorable experience?

Take your group to New Lanark World Heritage Site Discover Scotland’s hidden past at one of Scotland’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Explore an18th century cotton mill village sitting in a beautiful location alongside

Taste some of Scotland’s best produce in the beautiful onsite restaurant where you will savour mouth-watering

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Enjoy spectacular views of the village, river and surrounding forests from the roof garden, then take a woodland walk to see the famous‘Falls of Clyde’ waterfalls.

For those on a very tight schedule, they offer an express 'meal-stop'. While your group is enjoying their visit, they’ll look after the coach driver. www.newlanark.org

Blair Castle and Gardens

Located in Highland Perthshire in the Cairngorms National Park, 90 minutes from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. Blair Castle provides the perfect stop on your journey for exploring Scotland.

Enjoy a personalised welcome for your group, followed by a self-guided tour around 30 of our beautiful rooms with translated notes in each room.

Visit our gift shop lled with local products and then spend time in our Tullibardine Restaurant for lunch, speciality tea & coffee and homebaked cakes.

We cater for individual or group lunch bookings.

Head out into the grounds and enjoy walking round Hercules our 9 acre walled garden, discover some of the tallest trees in Britain in Dianas Grove and for the kids there is our deer park and adventure playground.

Group discounts and speciality tours available, please contact us for more details.

Castle Open Daily From 9.30 am - 5.30 pm 1st April - 30th October 2020 www.blair-castle.co.uk 01796 481207 | of ce@blair-castle.co.uk

New Lanark World Heritage Site Discover • Explore • Experience New Lanark is an 18th century former cotton spinning Mill Village by the Falls of the Clyde waterfalls. Groups can enjoy year-round visits to the award winning Visitor Attraction and Guided Tours.

On-site facilities include a Mill Cafe, Shops, Hotel and a Hostel. Situated centrally one hour from Glasgow & Edinburgh. Excellent group discounts and booking benefits are available

For more information please call 01555 661345.

New Lanark Mills, South Lanarkshire, ML11 9DB

www.newlanark.org

Group Travel Today

Pentland Ferries Orkney-owned family business, Pentland Ferries, has recently launched a new purpose-built ship on the ferry service connecting Gills Bay on the north east coast of Scotland to St Margaret’s Hope in Orkney. MV Alfred has spacious seating areas, a café, outdoor seating, and an indoor dog-friendly sundeck lounge. There is also a lift for access from the car deck to the lounges, space for 98 cars, or 54 cars with 12 articulated vehicles/coaches and 430 passengers.

Pentland Ferries is the first ferry operator in the UK to have achieved a Green Tourism Award. The ship is more than 60 per cent more efficient in terms of fuel consumption and emission levels than other comparable ferries operating in Scotland. Other green initiatives include LED lighting, utilising local food suppliers, a wind turbine powering the shore-base and the ship overnight, and waste reducing and recycling initiatives that the company encourages passengers to embrace onboard ship.

For passengers, the adventure begins when you leave Gills Bay, sailing through the Pentland Firth, passing the islands of Stroma and Swona, and into the Orkney archipelago, before docking in the pretty village of St Margaret’s Hope in South Ronaldsay. There will be ample opportunity along the way to catch a glimpse of island wildlife – seabirds, seals and, perhaps, a pod of dolphins, pilot whales or even an occasional Orca.

known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, which consist of the large chambered tomb of Maes Howe, the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar and the ancient settlement of Skara Brae, are all within easy reach. pentlandferries.co.uk The Royal Yacht Britannia A great day out Step aboard this famous ship and follow in the footsteps of Royalty. Explore Britannia’s five decks with their free audio guide, available in 30 languages, as well as a children’s tour and British Sign Language tablet.

From the elegant State Apartments to the gleaming Engine Room. See where Prince William and Prince Harry spent their summer holidays. Discover where kings and queens, world leaders and celebrities were wined and dined; from Frank Sinatra and Liz Taylor to Nelson Mandela and Sir Winston Churchill.

Tian Tian, the female Giant Panda, at Edinburgh Zoo

With over 1,000 animals from every corner of the globe, including giant pandas, a visit to Edinburgh Zoo is a fantastic family day out. Meet the penguins at the famous Penguin Parade and get closer than ever before to chimpanzees on the Budongo Trail.

Advance online tickets are available until 2 pm on the day of your visit.

Group visit discount for groups of 15 or more

covers over 300 years of history of the only Scottish cavalry regiment in the British regular army. You'll see weapons, uniforms, medals and paintings right from the beginning in the late 1600s to the modern day stories of regimental personalities such as explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

www.edinburghzoo.org.uk www.edinburghcastle.scot Edinburgh Castle Regimental Museum of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Also based within Edinburgh Castle, the Regimental Museum

www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk Edinburgh Zoo

The Orkney islands are perfect for touring – on a day trip – or longer. Drive across the Churchill Barriers, visiting the ornate Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm, which was built during World War II by Italian prisoners of war, before heading north to Kirkwall, with its magnificent St Magnus Cathedral. From here, the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage sites 26

TO ORKNEY IN AN HOUR Orkney’s own ferry company - for speed, value and environmental efficiency DEPARTURE TIMES: St Margaret’s Hope 07:45 | 11:30 | 17:00 (Mon-Sun) Gills Bay 09.30 | 13.30 | 18.45 (Mon-Sun)

Tel freefone: 0800 688 8998 or book online at: pentlandferries.co.uk

Group Travel Today

Film & TV Attractions

These days, films and TV programmes aren't just something for we watch, as many of them are also tourist attractions in their own right! Here are a few suggestions of those keen to work with your group.

A celebration of Slytherin at Warner Brothers Studio Tour this summer Fans of Harry Potter are invited to discover the Slytherin common room for the first time ever. Known throughout the eight films for its ambition and links to dark magic, Slytherin house is home to some of the greatest wizards of all time.

From this month, visitors to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London will discover the secrets behind some of the iconic costumes and props belonging to their favourite, cunning Slytherin characters.

Visitors won’t have to be under the guise of Polyjuice potion to discover the secrets of the Slytherin common room up close, as for the first time ever, fans are invited to gather around the imposing fireplace and sofas where Ron’s magical transformation began to wear off, revealing his ginger hair. During this special feature, a 25-foot high section of this iconic set will be on display, furnished and dressed with authentic props. When envisioning the Slytherin common room, Production Designer Stuart Craig wanted a very different atmosphere to the warm colours of Gryffindor so designed the set to look like a dungeon carved out of solid rock. The handdesigned wall tapestries visitors will see had red tones completely taken out of the colour palette to add to the austere atmosphere and further highlight the iconic Slytherin colours, green and silver. Entering through the Great Hall doors, visitors will be greeted by a sea of green as the Slytherin house banners from the film series are suspended from the enchanted ceiling, denoting

A celebration of Slytherin at Warner Brothers Studio Tour this summer

a Slytherin victory of the House Cup. Over the teacher’s table, Gryffindor banners will be displayed in reference to the final scenes of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in which Dumbledore awards lastminute house points resulting in a Gryffindor triumph.

ticket price. Group visits of 25 or more to Warner Bros.

Studio Tour London can be booked through on 0345 084 0900 or an approved partners at www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/trav el-partners/how-to-book/.

Paying homage to some of Slytherin’s most esteemed witches and wizards, a number of original costumes belonging to the Malfoy family will be on display allowing visitors to see how the designs changed to depict their rise and fall in power and status alongside Lord Voldemort. Also showcased will be the evolution of Voldemort’s costumes showing his growth from orphan, Tom Riddle, to young Hogwarts student and finally to prolific villain. The Slytherin feature will run from Friday 3rd April – Sunday 6th September 2020 and all additions are included in the 28

Coach parking is available, and a complimentary ticket is available for coach drivers – who must provide recognised industry identification at the ticket window. Alternatively, they are welcome to enjoy the dedicated coach drivers’ room

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience The world’s most successful tribute to the BBC’s iconic sitcom continues its eighth year in London's West End. New from March: in addition to its regular six performances every week, extra Wednesdays have

been added for March and April and tickets for groups can now be booked to the end of the year.

This is the show that started 23 years ago, the comedy spectacular that invites audiences step inside the TV show and see it from the inside out! Highly interactive and fully immersive, it’s also 70% improvised, tempting audiences to play with Basil, Sybil and Manuel as they serve a 3-course meal. With two hours of comedy, three courses of food and five-star reviews, expect chaos, laughs, and a brilliant night out – or lunchtime!

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is a one-of-a-kind original that's highly acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, internationally recognised as ‘outrageously funny’ (BroadwayBaby).In London, it’s a proud member of TripAdvisor’s Hall of Fame,

TM & © 2020 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Wizarding World Publishing Rights © JKR.

ENTER GRINGOTTS

SEE HOW FILMMAKERS BROUGHT THE MAGIC TO LIFE V I E W O U R A P P ROV E D T I C K E T S E L L E RS AT W B S T U D I OTO U R . C O. U K / T R AV E L- PA RT N E RS

Group Travel Today

'He's from Barcelona'............all your favourite characters at Faulty Tower The Dining Experience

specially reserved for holders of TA’s Certificate of Excellence for five years on the trot.

‘Deliciously entertaining, What’s on London / Fantastic!’What’s on Stage - ‘Absolute genius… Smart, aware, clever comedy. Five stars – full house – it got a standing ovation from everyone. I can’t think of a better night out for everybody – kids, parents, grandparents and everyone in between. In terms of this sort of a show, I think it’s the gold standard... and it’d make a great gift – give this to the people you love, they will thank you for it.'The Break A Leggers. Groups get a good discount on normal publicised ticket prices. For special tour operator and group rates, and to book dates and seats, contact Charlotte Barrett, groups sales executive: groups@imaginationworkshop.com or call 07766 146315. www.faultytowersdining.com

New London Tour Experience - ITV

Daytime Studios Tour, Television Centre, London

insider and unforgettable television experience. With ITV Daytime’s favourite programmes such as Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women all broadcasting from the same building, the ITV Daytime Studios Tour will immerse fans into the glamorous showbiz world.

ITV have launched a behind-the-scenes guided tour around the iconic studio sets at London’s Television Centre at White City, guaranteeing a true

ITV Daytime Studios Tour - see where Phil and Holly sit

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Guests can explore sets, get a sneak-peek of what lies behind and discover how the shows are brought to life on this 90-minute tour. As one of the busiest working studios in the UK, producing over 2000 hours of much talked about TV a year, guests have unprecedented access into the day-to-day operations of a live studio with stories and filming insights from the studio floors shared with them along the way. With the promise of plenty of picture and selfie opportunities on the wellloved and instantly recognisable sets, a wander down the production corridors where the green rooms, wardrobe departments, make-up areas and production offices are housed, as well as walking amongst industry producers and crew, each tour will be full of TV magic.

Tours last approximately 90 minutes and run in groups of 20 every 15 minutes on select weekday and weekend dates. Guests have access to three of the four sets on any given tour (depending on day's production) www.daytimestudiostour.co.uk

presented by INTERACTIVE THEATRE INTERNATIONAL

EXPERIENCE THE WORLD’S #1 TRIBUTE SHOW BROADWAY BABY

WHATSONSTAGE

THIS IS LONDON

LONDON GROUP EXCLUSIVES: >Free ticket for GTO or coach driver >Private pre-show scene for groups of 20+ >Merchandise bag for each guest (subject to availability) >Special celebrations can be mentioned in show

>15% drink discounts for groups of 20+ (in advance) >Special accommodation rates available >Six public performances every week >Private performances available

FAULTYTOWERSDINING.COM | (+44) 0845 1544 145 For special group rates speak to Charlotte Barrett, our Sales Executive for Groups, on groups@imagination-workshop.com or (+44) 07766 146315.

Group Travel Today

Great Group Getaways & Tours

Time to talk travel,these tour operators offer some of the best holidays around, they take the organistion out of Group Travel, so sit back and take the credit wherever your group choose to go.

A QUALITY HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME The award-winning Railway Touring Company has over 23 years’ experience providing quality, value for money tours to Europe, the UK and Worldwide. Tour Managers travel with all their trips and have good knowledge of the areas visited.

They recently won two very prestigious categories in the British Travel Awards: Best Small Escorted Tours Holiday Company AND Best Small Rail Holiday Company

Phil Jones

Amit Chopra

They are registered with ATOL and the TTA which gives security of knowing your money is protected.

The tours include prearranged outings and some provide travel passes for local exploration. Imagine a thrilling ride up the side of a mountain, whilst admiring distant lakes and snowy peaks? Not only do steam trains feature, the trips incorporate as much rail travel as possible, sometimes also including paddle steamers for a more sedate and different experience.

You don’t have to be a steam enthusiast, there is

beautiful countryside from on board a train and stay in quality hotels. Many European trips use Eurostar avoiding time consuming and stressful airport delays.

New itineries for 2020: Sweden, South Africa, Norway and Australia!

Groups are welcome, call to discuss your requirements on 01553 661500. plenty of time for shopping and enjoying the sights.

All tours found at www.railwaytouring.net or call for FREE brochures.

The UK is very well represented. Begin your holiday the moment you board the train. Explore the magnificent landscapes and

Riviera Travel The very best hand-crafted

Georg Trueb

Georg Trueb

Amit Chopra

Bob Green

Holidays and UK Day Trips by rail with The Railway Touring Company We offer a wide range of rail holidays around the world and steam day trips to many wonderful destinations in the UK. To find out more and to order your free brochures visit our website, railwaytouring.net or call us on 01553 661 500.

22 EST. 1997

The Railway Touring Company, 14a Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1JN

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The Railway Touring Company

The Railway Touring Company

Worldwide Rail Holidays

UK Steam Rail Day Trips and Tours

2020 1st Edition

2020 1st Edition

Love every moment From simple pleasures to hidden treasures

Book a holiday with Riviera Travel and they will give 5% of the total cost back to your group*

Why Choose Riviera Travel

To request a brochure, please call:

● Dedicated groups department to discuss and reserve

01283 742322

your 2020 travel plans

● A superb selection of city breaks, escorted tours, river and ocean cruises – both European and worldwide

● Generous commission† for groups - to use, split or spend as you wish

● No minimum number required to be able to travel

Visit the website:

www.rivieragroups.co.uk For group enquiries:

groups@rivieratravel.co.uk

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● All tours fully escorted by a knowledgeable tour

Please mention Group Travel Today Mar 2020 when you book.

● Excursions are included in the price, taking in the

Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE14 1SP. ABTA V4744 and ATOL 3430 protected. †Some elements are not commissionable, including room/travel upgrades & supplements, insurance premiums and bookings made through a third party (to include travel agents, online booking sites or any dedicated media partner departures) and any bookings where less than 10 people travel. *The total of 5% of the basic total price will be paid back to the group leader, for all that travel on any holiday/cruise booked from our programme. A commission invoice will be requested from the group leader in the month following that of the departure, for ABTA No. V4744 all that travel, and payment is usually made within 28 days of receipt of invoice.

manager

must-see sights and hidden gems

● Transparent pricing policy so no hidden costs or surcharges

Group Travel Today

shutterstock_ Rastislav Sedlak SK

holidays,more people recommend Riviera Travel than any other operator, whether you want a river cruise or ecorted tour their range is outstanding.

For 36 years their experts have been bringing to life the world’s most fascinating destinations. Like you, they love to travel and are passionate about what they do.

They personally select every aspect of your holiday and are dedicated to ensuring that the content and detail of each itinerary is thoughtfully balanced, so there’s time for you to explore at a relaxing pace. www.rivieratravel.co.uk or call 01283 888 711 for further information.

record and strong growth on the year before.

It appears 2020 is looking even better than 2019 as the company are reporting a significant increase in the number of groups booked for the year ahead compare to the same point last year.

Paul Harper, Daish’s Sales and Marketing Director said ‘last year was another record year for Daish’s and 2020 looks like its going to be even better. We know our customers come back to us year after year due to the great value and awardwinning customer service they receive during their holidays’.

Daish’s Holidays has nine

hotels in some of the most popular tourist destination in England and Wales including Bournemouth, Weymouth, Torquay, Newquay, Llandudno, Blackpool and The Lake District. The group also operates a fleet of 26 luxury Mercedes Benz Tourismo coaches and offer groups of over 35 pick ups anywhere in England and Wales.

For more information or to request a brochure, call 01202 638841 or visit www.daishs.com.

pride themselves on excellent service and attention to detail.

When you take a Blue Funnel Cruise you can sit back and experience the passing views from an entirely different perspective.

Sailing from Town Quay, see and experience the splendour of Southampton and the Solent from the relaxed comfort of their modern, all weather, sightseeing boat, with open sun decks and spacious heated saloons ensuring they can run all year round.

Blue Funnel

On board, their fully trained uniformed staff are always there to ensure personal attention and that your cruise runs smoothly, while the office staff can advise and help arrange your trip and any special requests in advance of the day.

At Blue Funnel, a family run business of many years they

Daish’s Holidays They offer a range of public scheduled cruises throughout the year, from the hour harbour tour with full commentary on the history of the port up to all day cruises such as day to Beaulieu with Ploughman’s lunch & afternoon coffee with cake.

Daish’s Holidays have reported record bookings for 2019, and are currently over 15% up on advance bookings for 2020.

In 2019, Daish’s saw nearly 600 groups travel with them across all the hotels which was a new company 34

N O W 21 NO 20 L E SA

Great for Groups Why not join the hundreds of groups that travel with us every year and discover all the benefits of Daish’s Holidays for yourself.

FREE

Great value half board breaks including nightly entertainment

A choice of 9 fantastic hotels spread across 8 locations

places for groups over 20 people

Dedicated groups team to support you from booking to arrival

Fleet of 25 luxury coaches to provide comfortable travel

Award winning customer service

Get in touch with us Today!

Call 01202 638 841 or visit daishs.com

Isle of Wight

Blackpool

Bournemouth

facebook.com/daishsholidaysforgroups

Llandudno

Torquay

Newquay

@daishs4groups

Lake District

Weymouth

Group Travel Today

You may like to join them on one of their Cowes Week Specials, not only to see all the yachts in their glorious splendour while racing, but to also enjoy time ashore in the historic town of Cowes followed by a lovely cream tea on the way home.

Another popular, is their Hythe trip where you enjoy time ashore to shop and experience the charm of the local market, maybe have a bite of lunch before returning to the boat for an extended harbour tour and afternoon cream tea.

With these and many more trips their yearly brochure is packed with excursion for you to enjoy. bluefunnel.co.uk

Set Sail to Europe Group travel to Europe is easy with DFDS. Choose from one of four routes from the UK to France and Holland with over 60 sailings per day.

A dedicated group travel team ensure everything runs smoothly, organising the crossing, cabins and meals.

Plus, groups of 20 or more receive free coach and driver transportation and free meals for the driver.

Something to celebrate?

Their Party at Sea package onboard their Newcastle – Amsterdam route is ideal and 1 in 10 go free. Their mini cruises are also popular with groups with two fun-filled nights onboard and a day to explore Amsterdam.

There is a range of outstanding restaurants and cafes onboard and packed lunches are also available to pre-book. Onboard shopping, arcade games and even a cinema are available to keep you busy while you sail.

Their regular sailings meanyou can choose a crossing time to suit your group. Plus, with their group deals, you can pay 25%

deposit and the rest 8 weeks before travel.

flights, sightseeing, coach hire, transfers, guide services, theatre tickets, and tickets and vouchers for visitor attractions and tourism suppliers.

To book your group crossing with DFDS, contact the groups team on 0871 522 9933 or email uk.groups@dfds.com.

Greatdays offers efficient, personal and friendly service with a great wealth of tourism, knowledge and experience. Established in 1985, Greatdays now employs over 40 experienced travel consultants and this year the company helped over 80,000 tourists with their travel arrangements throughout London, Great Britain, Europe and Worldwide.Greatdays are able to offer a complete tailor-made booking service for group travel organisers with the help of one of their friendly Group Travel Consultants to assist you through the booking process.

They’ll be happy to help plan your ideal group getaway with DFDS. Greatdays Group Travel – Great Holidays for Groups Greatdays Group Travel is one of the UK’s leading specialist tour operators.

Established in 1985, they pride themselves on not only high-quality service but also unique and interesting group tours. Their friendly team organise quality customised tours for group travel from 12+ persons and tailor-made holidays for groups to London, the UK and Ireland, Disneyland® Paris, Europe and many Worldwide destinations by coach, train or air.

One of the UK’s leading ‘group travel’ tour operators.

They have extensive experience in both incoming and outgoing tourism serving London, the UK, continental Europe and worldwide.

Greatdays Holidays take full responsibility for all holiday and travel elements including transfers, flights, coach and rail travel, hotels, meals and all sightseeing requirements.

All holidays are custom made to your exact requirements and they can offer holidays to suit all budgets from school groups to luxury travel. All holidays operate under the Greatdays Holidays umbrella

They offer competitive prices and inspiring travel ideas.

They can organise accommodation in 3, 4 and 5-star hotels, ferry crossings, 36

abiding to ABTA and ATOL strict booking conditions.

Book with Confidence. They are a Member of ABTA which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. They provide financial protection for your money when you buy a package holiday. If you buy other travel arrangements such as accommodation only this protection does not apply.

Greatdays Holidays Limited have an ATOL license (4279).

All the flights and flightinclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see their booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertific ate 0161 928 3242 or email sales@greatdays.co.uk

European Group Travel Find out more at dfds.co.uk/groups

Newhaven

Newcastle

Dover

Calais Dieppe

dfds.co.uk/groups

Dunkirk

Amsterdam (IJmuiden)

Group Travel Today

Gardens & Flower Shows

After the dark days of winter, groups will love to visit those gardens which are bursting with life and a riot of yellow and green at every turn.....who knows if the weather is kind, we could even see some blossom!

Kew

Set in 326 acres of beautiful grounds containing the world’s most diverse collection of living plants, Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site just 30 minutes from central London.

Explore tropical rainforests in the Palm House and marvel at the architecture of the newly restored Temperate House. Discover beautiful botanical art in our galleries and step back in time at Kew Palace – the former summer residence of King George III. Visit The Hive, a fascinating installation highlighting the plight of the honeybee and The Great Broad Walk borders which contain over 30,000 plants, providing stunning colour from spring through autumn. kew.org/groups

Spring into Summer Polhill Garden Centre – the Home of Gardens If you are looking for a wonderful day out look no further than the superb shopping facilities at Polhill Garden Centre. Polhill Garden Centre in Kent is a family owned and day-today run business with over 50 years of gardening experience. More than just a garden centre, Polhill is a family and a community; a great place to meet up with loved ones especially at the fantastic restaurants where guests are invited to relax, enjoy light snacks and afternoon teas.

Winner of multiple awards, there is truly something for everyone with a plethora of

shops and departments to peruse. Whether you’re looking for the ideal garden furniture or need to find a last minute gift, you’ll find plenty of ideas for all occasions.

Road, Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 7AD. – 01959 534212.

inspired by National Trust supporters, will then flow across the South East, finishing at Waddesdon at 12.15pm.

Waddesdon Sring Events

Situated just off Junction 4 of the M25 POLHILL GARDEN CENTRE AND SHOPPING VILLAGE is a major attraction in the South East of England making it a destination stop for a fantastic day out for all the family.

Springsong Sat 16 May 2020

No experience needed. Just go along, meet new people, discover Waddesdon and have fun.

10am-12.30pm Lend your voice and join their pop-up choir to help celebrate spring and the National Trust’s 125th anniversary.

Driver Incentive : FREE £10 Cash Incentive when prebooking on line atPolhill.co.uk/Coach-booking (full terms and conditions see website) and FREE food and Refreshments

Welcoming the arrival of spring a select number of properties will host a 4 minute anthem that will be passed on, via a singing baton, every 5 mins to the next property.

o Coach Parking: FREE o Open 7 days a week MonSat 9am-5.30pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm.

The Springsong anthem will start at Alfriston Clergy House, the first house to come under the National Trust’s care in 1896. This wave of song, with lyrics

o Polhill Garden Centre and Shopping Village, London 38

Colourscape Sat 23 May–Sun 31 May 2020 During spring 2020 an extraordinary experience of colour and light lands again on the Waddesdon lawns. A Colourscape with long sensational views will be installed on the Aviary glade.

By popular demand they bring Colourscape back to Waddesdon with a structure created specially to exactly fit the Aviary glade. Long views of intense colour and light stretch out – the longest view ever created in Colourscape will appear in the ‘Aviary Colourscape’.

Contact us for special group rates

Visit the world-famous botanic garden

Something

For

kew.org/groups groups@kew.org 020 8332 5648

Everyone

Two fantastically indulgent, on site restaurants

Delicious Cream Tea on offer every day

Wheelchair access to every corner of the site Large displays with 1000’s of products to choose from Fantastic offers all year round

£4.50

Friendly and helpful staff on hand With so much to see Polhill is a great day out. Or if you’re limited for time our restaurant and facilities make us the perfect pit stop

London Road Badgers Mount Sevenoaks Kent TN14 7AD

JUST 3 MINUTES FROM J4 / M25

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

FACILITIES AVAILABLE

AMPLE FREE PARKING

P

Award winning Farm Shop and Butchers

£10 CASH INCENTIVE AND A FREE LUNCH* *Free lunch for the driver & £10 for the coach operator on the presentation of official ID. Offer only valid if bookings are made at least 24 hours in advance on our website carrying over 25 passengers.

See website for booking form.

www.polhill.co.uk

Enter a new world where you can explore intense light, colour and space in 56 interlinked chambers and encounter unusual musical experiences during your journey.

Each day there will be different music and dance performances – resident musician, Michael Ormiston creates family-friendly freeflowing workshops for all on weekdays and at weekends we present Hurdy-Gurdy, panpipes, dance, flutes from around the world and a spectacular theatre-piece with dance and acoustic costumes.

Returning to Waddesdon for its sixth year, Colourscape is for visitors of all ages and promises an experience you will not forget.

For more details of these and other events please visit waddesdon.org.uk Shrewsbury Flower Show Friday 14th & Saturday 15th August 2020 The show is one of the country’s Premier Flower

Show events, attracting top exhibitors from all over the country. It has a small permanent staff and over 100 volunteers who manage and organise the whole event, from traffic flow, marquee and services contracts, publicity and marketing, public safety, catering and entertainment, and engaging specialist judges for hundreds of competitive classes etc. and ensuring that their visitors have an extraordinary experience with value for money.

Party/Group Bookings They hope you will join us for the 2020 Show They are currently offering a discounted ticket for Group Bookings at a reduced price of £20.00 each when 10 or more are ordered and paid for by Friday 17th July 2020.

These tickets are nonrefundable. Parties over 25 may request a free admission ticket to the Show for the coach driver.

A ROTHSCHILD HOUSE & GARDENS

Once the country home of the Rothschilds, this Renaissancestyle château houses one of the finest collections of French 18th-century decorative arts in the world. The Victorian garden has a parterre, aviary, seasonal displays, walks, fountains and statuary, and with shops and restaurants, Waddesdon makes a memorable day out for everyone.

For opening times and group rates 01296 653209 groups@waddesdon.org.uk . www.waddesdon.org.uk Near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP18 0JH

For full details and to book tickets please visit shrewsburyflowershow.org.uk

Shropshire Horticultural Society Charity Number: 501564

Friday 14th & Saturday 15th August 2020

So Much More than a Flower Show Visit www.shrewsburyflowershow.org.uk 133rd Show

Call 01743 234058 40

Group Accommodation

Group Travel Today

When it comes to group accommodation, many providers have great offers for group occupancy, so there’s plenty of competition to persuade group organisers to get their heads down.

Stay QM Stay QM is located on the campus of Queen Mary University of London in vibrant east London - zone 2, close to Mile End and Stepney Green stations. Just 1 mile from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Canary Wharf and the City of London and 16 minutes by tube from Mile End to Oxford Circus.

Accommodation is provided in a relaxing residential village bordering Regent’s Canal – with a 24hour reception, laundry, restaurant and complimentary wifi available.

With over 1000 single ensuite rooms grouped in flats of 4-10 bedrooms and a communal space to relax in each flat; rooms are available between midJune and early September each year from £50 pppn.

Currently with excellent availability for all months.

Stay QM is suited to groups who seek single rooms with private bathrooms close to central London and want to relax after a hectic day in the calming location of the campus. The campus has received a 3* campus accommodation grading from Visit England.

To learn more about Stay QM and to check availability visit www.qmul.ac.uk/stay, call 020 7882 8175, live chat or email to groups@qmul.ac.uk

renowned for its warm hospitality and friendly staff.

Centrally located in the market town of Keswick in the heart of the Lake District, it is ideally situated and provides easy access to all of the beautiful lakes.

The bustling market takes place on Thursday and Saturday right outside the hotel’s front door and offers a range of exciting stalls for visitors to browse at their leisure.

taking a short train journey from nearby Blackheath station into central London.

Or you can just stay in the Village, relax in their gardens or take afternoon tea in one of the lounges to unwind.They are independently owned and run, and their excellent standards of service and attention to detail will make sure that you can relax and enjoy your time with them.

This Georgian Hotel has over 100 rooms, many of which have been recently refurbished and tastefully redecorated to reflect The Clarendon’s individuality.

So whether you’re here for business or pleasure they’ll

The hotel has just received a full ground floor refurbishment, the 43 en suite bedrooms all include tea and coffee making facilities and flat screen TVs. Prices start from £65.00pppn. Free coach parking nr Booths supermarket and free place for the driver (min numbers apply).

have a room for you to rest and relax in at the end of your day.

With three styles of contemporary room, all include a work desk and ensuite bathroom – and they also like to include a flat screen TV, complimentary tea and coffee and free WiFi for those home comforts.

As well as The Clarendon’s restaurant and bar menu there is also an excellent room service menu available – and they do pride themselves on serving you a fantastic breakfast the next day! www.clarendonhotel.com

Privately owned 175 bedrooms Coach parking Stunning views of London

For groups passing through the lakes the hotel offers lunches and high teas to sustain travellers’ appetites and prices start from £13.95pp for 2 courses plus a free meal for the driver.

Beautiful location within easy reach of:

– O2 Arena Beautiful location within easy reach of: – Royal Greenwich –– Royal O2Observatory Arena – Cu­y Sark –– Central Royal Greenwich London – London A­ractions –– London Royal Observatory Theatres – London Shopping –– Kent Cu y GardenSark of England – Central London Meet – London A ractions us BTBTTSTS2 at 5in& – London Theatres 26thJuM na erch – London Shopping – Kent Garden of England

For more information, call Sales Manager on 017687 72071 email sales.skiddawhotel@lakedis tricthotels.net or go to www.lakedistricthotels.net/s kiddawhotel THE CLARENDON IS AT THE HEART OF BLACKHEATH VILLAGE With uninterrupted views of Blackheath towards Royal Greenwich Park, this Georgian Hotel is both grand and welcoming with its relaxed yet efficient style.

The Clarendon Hotel, Montplelier Row, Blackheath, London SE3 0RW

The Skiddaw Hotel

The Skiddaw Hotel is

Their location simply couldn’t be better for strolling into Greenwich, or

Emails Group sales – relax@clarendonhotel.com www.clarendonhotel.com 41

Group Travel Today

The George Hotel Penrith

Explore the Eden Valley & the Lake District from The George Hotel, Penrith Few hotels can offer the unique position of The George Hotel, where the old world charm of this 300 year old Grade 2 listed building is complemented by first class modern accommodation and conference facilities.

Enter through The George Hotel’s revolving doors to experience tradition and quality in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of a gentler time. The nostalgic wood panelling, old oak beams, antique furniture and old local prints, makes this hotel a treasure to be found.

One of the hotels best features is its location situated in the heart of the traditional market town of Penrith. Easily accessible from the M6 motorway, whether you are on your way to or from Scotland, a visit to The George Hotel is perfect for a pit stop or overnight stay with dinner, bed and breakfast.

Here at The George Hotel, we pride ourselves on our commitment to service, quality of local produce and comfortable well appointed surroundings, ideal for all occasions.

Free parking is available and free high-speed fibre optic wi-fi can be accessed throughout the property.

Meals can be enjoyed in the intimate, candlelit 1 AA Rosette Devonshire restaurant which features a beautiful ornate ceiling and an open fire.An all day bar is also available for guests to use.

Make this lovely hotel your own homely base when visiting the Lake District and the North Pennines.

originally a lodge for the Earl of Devon and is situated in 19 acres of Devon woodland overlooking the sea and Exe estuary approximately 25 minutes from Exeter and 30 minutes from Torbay. With good access to the M5 and A30. There is ample onsite parking for cars and coaches. There is a coach stop outside the hotel gates and Dawlish Warren station is approximately 400 metres away

explore the surrounding area, the stunning Leopold Hotel Sheffield Built on the former site of a Grade II listed Boys Grammar School, the Leopold Hotel is Sheffield’s only four-star boutique hotel.

This historic property offers a quirky yet luxurious place to meet and sleep, situated centrally on Leopold Square amongst an array of upmarket bars and eateries.

The imposing building has been sympathetically

They can offer 64 en-suite bedrooms, which are constantly being updated, many have Sea Views, Balconies, Air Conditioning, and or King Size Beds.

Leisure facilities Include Indoor and Outdoor Heated Swimming Pools and Tennis Court, Table Tennis, Snooker and a Fitness Room. The hotel also has a 323 square metre, Ballroom one of the largest in the south west.

They also offer a range of Holistic and Beauty Therapies and have a Hairdressing Salon.

The Lincoln Bar is open all day, and offers a wide range of food and drink which can be enjoyed in the spacious lounges or on the Verandah overlooking the sea. The recently refurbished Lincoln Restaurant is open every day for Breakfast and Dinner.

www.thegeorgehotelpenrith. co.uk

www.langstone-hotel.co.uk

Landstone Cliff Hotel

Leopold Hotel

The Langstone Cliff Hotel was

For a great place to stay and 42

restored to retain its charming architectural character. Each of the hotel’s 90 en-suite bedrooms is uniquely furnished, offering every modern amenity for the discerning traveller.

Taking great care of the individual needs of guests, their friendly staff are professional and efficient. www.leopoldhotel.co.uk

RELAX IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

The newly refurbished Skiddaw Hotel is located in the centre of Keswick, the ideal base to explore the Lake District and all it has to offer. Perfect for a relaxing short break, meal stops and much more!

• Lunches & light snacks • Evening meals • 43 en-suite bedrooms • FREE meal or stay for your driver (T&C’s apply) • FREE coach parking nearby • Convenient for the M6

To book call 017687 72071 or email sales.skiddawhotel@lakedistricthotels.net

www.lakedistricthotels.net/skiddawhotel Skiddaw Hotel, Main Street, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5BN

Stay QM

London shut eye Over 1000 3-star campus rooms available for group accommodation throughout the summer in a quiet canalside location in Mile End, zone 2

B&B from

Shhh ...

£50

per night q uiet cana loca lsid tion

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020 7882 8175 qmul.ac.uk/stay

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Find Stay QM on

Group Travel Today

Opera

We would urge groups to make a visit to the opera, until you’ve experienced it , you can’t imagine the majesty of the human voice.

Royal Opera House

Whether you're new to ballet and opera or you've loved themall your life, they have something for you.

It's not just about opera and ballet you’ll be amazed atwhat other activities are available, here we showcase a few.

Their doors are open every day from 10 am. Grab a coffee,enjoy a meal, join a workshop, glimpse backstage or catch a performance.

How about a Swan Lakethemed Afternoon Tea? The delicious feast will cater for a variety of dietary requirements and will also feature live performances by a Royal Ballet pianist Sing at the Royal Opera House All ages and abilities are welcome to join in and sing in an opera chorus. Bring your friends, family and colleagues and explore some of theworld’s biggest tunes in a fun and lively atmosphere at the home of The Royal Opera.

and cha-cha-cha along to theRoyal Opera House Dance Band, in beautiful surroundings that combine grandeurand elegance.

Dances run through the Season, and tickets include complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits.

Crafternoons

For full details visit www.roh.org.uk

Work with the talented craftspeople of the Royal Opera Houseto learn new skills using real materials, tools and process and make ballet- oropera-themed pieces that you can keep.

Butterfly, The Mikado,Porgy & Bess and La bohème, to name a few.

The ENO wants everyone to enjoy their opera experience, from booking tickets to the fantastic London Coliseum welcome, from enjoying a drink in the bar to crying or laughing along with the wonderful stories that their operas tell on stage. The ENO believes that opera is for everyone and if you share the experience with a group, money can be saved on the ticket price.

English National Opera

Tea Dance

English National Opera (ENO) one of the world’s leading opera companies,is based at the magnificent London Coliseum.

Tango, waltz and quickstep around the stunning Paul HamlynHall at one of their Tea Dances. Come dancing

The ENO's opera season runs from October to April and over the years seen sell-out performances of Madam

The operas are sung in English and the orchestra and chorus have both won Olivier Awards, so groups are guaranteed the very best talent on stage and in the pit.

44

The ENO’s new programme will feature a range of exciting new productions and revivals of much-loved classics including Carmen, Madame Butterfly and The Marriage of Figaro.

Groups of 10+ can save 30% on selected performances and ticket prices.

Email groupsales@eno.orgor call 020 7845 9300.

Guided theatre tours are also available throughout the year and offer the opportunity to explore the secrets of the London Coliseum – afternoon tea is also available. www.eno.org

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE TOURS BACKSTAGE TOUR Visit Backstage at one of the world’s leading theatres COVENT GARDEN LEGENDS AND LANDMARKS TOUR Step back into history and discover about the Royal Opera House and the legends of London’s Theatre Land in and around Covent Garden PRODUCTION PARK TOUR Discover the fascinating world of the craftspeople who create stunning costumes, scenery and sets VELVET, GILT AND GLAMOUR TOUR Enjoy a 45 minute tour of the auditorium BOOK TODAY Group rates available +44(0)20 7304 4002 Group catering quotes restaurants@roh.org.uk roh.org.uk/tours

Group Travel Today

Birmingham & the Black Country

We’re in Peaky Blinders territory here, you and your group might want to do a bit of set-jetting, although there’s plenty of other great attractions and venues on offer in this area.

Discover Cadbury’s rich history at Cadbury World

Groups are invited to take a trip down memory lane and discover the fascinating history of Cadbury with a Heritage Tour and Light Afternoon Tea at Cadbury World.

As part of the popular package, guests can enjoy either a fully-guided tour of Bournville while on board their coach or a walk and talk into the village, discovering the Cadbury brothers’ vision of a ‘Factory in a Garden’ and the history of the Quaker ethics, all whilst taking in the beautiful architecture, unique village green and pretty tree-lined streets.

Groups will then embark on a self-guided tour of Cadbury World by stepping into 1824 to explore a full-scale replica of Bull Street, where John Cadbury opened his first ever shop.

Visitors can also stroll down Advertising Avenue to see how many Cadbury campaigns they can remember, before heading to the Cadbury Café to enjoy a delicious Light Afternoon Tea, where groups can indulge in a selection of scones and sandwiches, plus a choice of tea or coffee.

Every guest will also receive a complimentary bar of Bournville dark chocolate.

The Heritage Tour package is priced at £17.25 per person and is available for adult groups of 15+ from Monday to Friday*, with free admission for one coach driver. Groups of 20 or more also receive free admission for the group organiser.

For more information and to book, please visit https://www.cadburyworld.c o.uk/schools-andgroups/groups/heritagetoura ndlightafternoontea or call 0121 393 6004. *The Heritage Tour and Light Afternoon Tea is not available during school holidays

JEWELLERY QUARTER CEMETERY MEMORIES CAMPAIGN

creative and adding a memory on to the ‘Tree of Life’. The Friends of Key Hill and Warstone Lane Cemeteries will be in attendance with a stall, and there will be a display about Jewellery Quarter Research

A chance to share your memories of the historic Jewellery Quarter cemeteries or make new ones at an upcoming event on 25th April 2020 from 1pm to 3pm in Warstone Lane Cemetery.

Key Hill and Warstone Lane cemeteries have been part of people’s lives in the Jewellery Quarter for generations, and lots of people have memories to share. The Jewellery Quarter Cemeteries Project is calling out for people who have a connection to the cemeteries to share their personal recollections which will form part of an exciting event.

From residents and people who work or study in the Quarter, to others who have simply visited for a stroll, event or tour; the project is on the lookout for anyone that has a special connection to these unique spaces.

Trust. Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust will also be running events as part of the global City Nature Challenge campaign. : https://jewelleryquarter.net/a bout/jewellery-quarter-

• Special packages and group discounts • Heritage tour and afternoon tea • Restaurant • Excellent disabled facilities • Free coach parking • Free preview visit

The event itself, will be a celebration of all the stories and historic images that have been gathered throughout the campaign. In the setting of Warstone Lane cemetery, you’ll hear these stories and have the chance to make new ones by getting

BOOK NOW ON 0121 393 6004 Find out more at cadburyworld.co.uk

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Group Travel Today

Militay Attractions

As Winston said " Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts" which so epitomises the conviction of all our military services, take your group and be inspired.

Biggin Hill Memorial Museum

Visit Biggin Hill Memorial Museum to discover Britain’s most famous fighter station, and the inspiring stories of the brave people and technical innovations that shape our world today.

Biggin Hill Memorial Museum tells the story of RAF Biggin Hill through the personal experiences of those who served there, and the community who supported them. One of Britain’s oldest aerodromes, RAF Biggin Hill is still internationally recognised as Sir Winston Churchill’s ‘strongest link’.

The museum surrounds St George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance, which was built in 1951 to preserve the legacy of the fighter pilots who served and died flying from Biggin Hill sector. The museum enables access to, and safeguards the future of, this important building. The chapel has many interesting features, including its flooring made from propeller blades.

Join them throughout the year for their special talks and events, for further details visit www.bhmm.org.uk Book your group visit with their special group rates and include a visit to the onsite Nightingale Café for lunches, cakes and coffee. The cafe gives views over to the airfield; if you are lucky, enjoy seeing the Spitfires take off from the nearby Heritage Hanger.

to keep everyone entertained. Shuttleworth is home to vintage vehicles, motorcycles, and over 50 historic aircraft, with an adjacent 19th century Regency Swiss Garden.

2020 AIRSHOW DATES

the world’s first electronic computer, Colossus.

Whilst some of Bletchley Park remains derelict, when visiting, you will be able to view the Enigma machine as well as the story of the people who broke the code, a timeline of Bletchley Park and how it influenced WWII events, a gallery dedicated to the life and works of Alan Turing and much, much more.

• Sunday 3 May – Season Premiere (VE Day) • Saturday 16 May – evening airshow (Spies & intrigue) • Sunday 7 June – Flying Festival • Saturday 20 June – evening airshow (Biggles) • Sunday 5 July – Military Airshow • Saturday 18 July – evening airshow (The Richard Shuttleworth Garden Party, with the LAA) • Sunday 2 August – Family Airshow (At the Movies) • Sunday 6 September – Vintage Airshow (Clayton & Shuttleworth Showcase) • Sunday 4 October – Race Day

the most magnificent of Rome’s great frontiers set in the dramatic landscape of Hadrian’s Wall Country.

Encounter the gritty reality of life on the world’s best preserved Roman wall through reconstructed buildings, stunning objects and archaeology at the museums and attractions along 80 miles of Hadrian’s Wall, from the Solway Coast in Cumbria to Wallsend near Newcastle upon Tyne.

www.bletchleypark.org.uk www.hadrianswallcountry.co.uk Hadrian’s Wall Country Explore Roman life along with

VISIT CHURCHILL’S ‘STRONGEST LINK’

To book visit shuttleworth.org

Bletchley Park Once Britain’s best-kept secret, this major visitor attraction was also the filming location for The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

2020 AIRSHOWS AT SHUTTLEWORTH MAY – OCTOBER 2020

Preserved for the nation by the Bletchley Park Trust, Bletchley Park was home to the Government Code and Cypher School (the predecessor to GCHQ), who studied and devised methods to enable Allied forces to decipher codes from the German and Japanese forces.

The perfect family day out!

Expect to enjoy a thrilling air display, and ground activities

Bletchley Park also heralded the birth of the information age and is currently home to

Experience Britain’s most famous fighter station, and discover the unique stories of the men and women who served and lived there, at the place it all happened. www.bhmm.org.uk

47

Best of the North East

Group Travel Today

The North East has spawned brilliant people, inventions and innovations, you and your group would be well advised to go and investigate, you’ll be amazed at the plethera of things to do and see.

Ford and Etal Northumberland’s hidden gem! This unique country Estate is an ideal group destination, whether calling for an hour or a whole day.

Centred on the picturesque villages of Ford and Etal and set amid stunning countryside, there are a multitude of things to see and do.

Attractions include working cornmill; gallery; castle; steam railway; heavy horse and rare breeds centre.

Enjoy refreshments in one of the tearooms or enjoy a locally brewed ale in the only thatched pub in

Northumberland.

Ford & Etal is within easy reach of the A1 and A697 and can be included in a day’s itinerary when visiting Lindisfarne or the historic towns of Kelso and Berwickupon-Tweed.

Coach parking is free and admission charges for prebooked groups are heavily discounted.

They can provide bespoke itineraries and talks by knowledgeable guides.

an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Bamburgh Castle reigns supreme over the surrounding landscape and seascape. With outstanding views landward to the Cheviot Hills and seaward to the Farne Islands and Lindisfarne it offers a feast for the eyes to behold.

As for Englishness, there’s been something here from the time of the Anglo-Saxons, It was from here that Christianity spread throughout the North of England, it’s because of here that Lindisfarne is now known as the Holy Island. It was the first castle in England to be besieged by canon fire, it

www.ford-and-etal.co.uk The King of Castles And it truly is! Perched atop a rocky outcrop at the heart of

Ford & Etal

One destination, over 20 attractions Northumberland’s hidden gem – a unique country Estate with picturesque villages and historic attractions amid stunning countryside.

• FREE coach parking • DISCOUNTED group rates • FREE admission for driver and group leader • FREE pre-visits for Group Travel Organisers • Bespoke itineraries, tours and talks • Local foods, arts and crafts • Traditional tearooms • Within easy access of A1 and A697 • Close to Scottish border and Northumberland coast

01890 820338 tourism@ford-and-etal.co.uk www.ford-and-etal.co.uk Cornhill-on-Tweed, Northumberland TD12 4TJ

48

was home to the world’s first Coastguard station and the development of the first ever lifeboat. Finally bought in 1864 for £8000 it was restored as the quintessential English castle by one of England’s greatest inventors and philanthropists, 1st Lord Armstrong. Now groups can explore the State Rooms, discovering thousands of items in a collection containing furniture, porcelain, works of art, arms and armour. www.bamburghcastle.com or contact administrator @bamburghcastle.com

Group Travel Today

Experience Yorkshire

An area thats greatest treasure is the sheer variety of glorious landscapes, historic places and picture perfect villages and towns.

New Healthy Sunflower Oil at Bizzie Lizzie’s for Gluten Free Fish & Chips

EVERYBODY DANCE… NILE RODGERS & CHIC ARE RETURNING

Open Air Theatre having played a sell-out show at the venue in 2018.

Good news for vegans, vegetarians and everyone aiming for a healthier 2020.

Skipton’s best loved fish and chip restaurant has now added a ‘cooked in sunflower oil’ option for their gluten free fish and chips.

Nile said: “As most people know the UK is my home from home. Myself and CHIC had a brilliant time when we played Scarborough OAT in 2018 and we cannot wait to come back again this summer. It’s going to be another amazing night – so bring your dancing shoes!”

Get Healthy A new stand-alone fryer, uses high quality sunflower oil, one of the healthiest frying oils available:

Nile transcends all styles of music across every generation with a body of work that’s gained him inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

· 100% high oleic sunflower oil

His work with CHIC and his productions for artists such as David Bowie, Diana Ross and Madonna have sold more than 500 million albums and 75 million singles worldwide.

His innovative, trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk, Avicii, Sigala, Disclosure and Sam Smith reflect the vanguard of contemporary music.

The legendary hit-makers will play a headline show at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Friday August 21.

Tickets went on sale at 9am on Friday (March 13) via scarboroughopenairtheatre.com

· guaranteed to be GM free · rich in antioxidants

Love Fish and Chips…

· very resistant to breakdown at high temperatures

Coach Parties Welcome

Try Tasty Two separate baskets, one for chips and one for gluten free fish, cook some of the tastiest fish and chips around: · delicious golden chips suitable for both vegans and vegetarian · crispy gluten free battered fish for anyone with a gluten intolerance · other vegetarian, vegan, dairy free and calorie counted dishes also available Voted one of the top 10 fish and chip restaurants in the UK, now everyone can enjoy Bizzie Lizzie’s award-winning fish and chips at Swadford Street, Skipton.

Love Fish & Chips, Love Bizzie Lizzie’s bizzielizzies.co.uk

Love Bizzie Lizzie’s

Free meals for Coach Drivers Senior Citizen Discount Group Booking Discount (12 or more) Booking essential Available at Swadford Street & High Street Car Park Restaurants

The undisputed Kings of Disco Nile Rodgers & CHIC are returning to the Yorkshire coast for what promises to be this summer’s ultimate party night.

Nile Rodgers is a multiple Grammy Award-winning composer, producer, arranger and guitarist with more than 200 production credits to his name. He is constantly traversing new musical terrain and successfully expanding the boundaries of popular music.

High Street Restaurant now with an extra 32 covers Now Available at Swadford Street Restaurant and Takeaway Gluten Free Fish and Chips cooked in Sun ower Oil Accredited by Coeliac UK

High Street Car Park, Skipton 01756 794531 Mon-Sun Restaurant and Takeaway 8am - 8pm

accredited by

Swadford Street, Skipton 01756 701131 Mon-Sun Restaurant 11.00am - 9pm Takeaway 11.00am - 11.30pm

b i z z i e l i z z i e s . c o . u k

As the co-founder of CHIC, he pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping hits such as Le Freak, Good Times and Everybody Dance that sparked the advent of hiphop.

Nile Rodgers & CHIC are no strangers to Scarborough 49 45 47

Group Travel Today

Cathedrals

Not just for the faithful, Cathedrals around the UK offer a unique insight into our social, political and cultural history.

Coventry Cathedral 2021 will see Coventry’s turn in the spotlight as ‘City of Culture’ and Coventry Cathedral will be right at the heart of the action. Perfectly placed in the city centre, the Cathedral campus spans over 1000 years of history, from the early medieval craftsmanship still visible on the ruined Old Cathedral to the innovative 60’s design of Spence’s casket of jewels.

Your group will experience a warm welcome before embarking upon an engaging and informative tour from one of their expert guides, which will take in both buildings, their history, the story of the Coventry Blitz and rebuilding of the Cathedral, and the arts and architecture contained within.

Coventry is easily reached by rail and road networks, and sits alongside some of Coventry’s other visitor attractions such so you can really make a day of it! They can cater for groups of any size and they’d love to welcome yours.

Email visits@coventrycathedral.org.uk

Lichfield Cathedral An Ancient Cathedral Full of Life & Wonder There has been a Cathedral in Lichfield for over 1300 years and its story is one bursting with history, art, culture and life.

If you're looking for rich heritage, ancient artefacts, and stunning architecture then Lichfield Cathedral has it all.

Lichfield Cathedral's story doesn't end with its past, it is very much alive with a vibrant programme of services, events and art projects to capture the imagination of all ages.

Cathedral, giving you a wide range of opportunities to learn about this medieval building and its history and heritage.

Lichfield Cathedral, where you can discover over 1300 years of history in the only medieval three-spired Cathedral in the UK! See a medieval wall painting, the famous Herkenrode stained glass, the Lichfield Angel and much more.

A tour of Lichfield Cathedral is a fascinating and enjoyable experience, whether you are booking a group visit for your club or company, or for something different to do with the family!

Choose the ideal tour for your group, or combine two tours for a whole day's experience.

Close, can cater for your group whether it be a tea/coffee on arrival, buffet lunch in a private function room or following your tour with afternoon tea.

Private Group Tours

Tours and Group Visits They're thrilled to be able to offer a range of toursat the

Chapters, the Cafe in the 50

For further information and to book please visit www.lichfield-cathedral.org

AT THE HEART OF THE MIDLANDS Tourists and pilgrims come from all over the world to experience this extraordinary building and to share something of the quest for peace and reconciliation, embodied by the dramatic contrast of the Ruins and the New Cathedral.

How fortunate that it’s right on your doorstep.

WWW.COVENTRYCATHEDRAL.ORG.UK Email: visits@coventrycathedral.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)24 7652 1234 1 Hill Top, Coventry CV1 5AB

Regional Theatre

Group Travel Today

No longer considered the poor relation to the West End, check out the fantastic range of productions in a venue nearer to home for your group.

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Aylesbury Waterside Theatre is celebrating its 10th birthday year with a programme of must-see shows not to be missed! Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 will be working its way on to the stage in May ahead of much-loved musicals Hairspray and Grease starring Peter Andre later in the autumn.

There’s family fun aplenty with David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy, a stunning production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and a sparkling pantomime with the ultimate rags to riches tale, Cinderella this December.

With familiar faces from the comedy circuit and lots of live music in the mix alongside regular live screenings in the theatre’s Second Space, there’s something for everyone as the venue marks a decade of dynamic entertainment.

Like forward planning?

Tickets are on sale now for 2021 highlights Strictly Ballroom in February and The Commitments in May.

Chart-topping mezzosoprano Laura Wright, who has performed at major events around the world, will be among those to join Alfie on stage for what will be a moving and magical evening.

Alfie said: “It is an amazing honour, as well as a huge thrill, for me to be back at this wonderful venue to perform on Armed Forces Day.

The nation’s gaze will be on Scarborough on Saturday June 27 when the historic Yorkshire coast resort has the prestigious honour of being the host town .

“I’ve played this venue many times and I’ve always received such a warm welcome from the good people of Yorkshire. The fact I will be performing as part of Scarborough’s hosting of Armed Forces Day’s National Event will make it even more special. I cannot wait for June 27 – it will be an amazing evening.”

And Armed Forces Day 2020 will be brought to a close in style as superstar tenor Alfie Boe delivers unmissable concert

Alfie has conquered the world’s greatest stages and arenas as the star of such legendary stage productions as Les Misérables and La

thrilling climax to this year’s Armed Forces Day with a sensational concert at Scarborough Open Air Theatre.

For a full programme of events taking place in the Main Auditorium and Second Space visit atgtickets.com/aylesbury.

Secure the best seats in the house with fantastic group discounts. Call the Groups Hotline on 0333 009 5394* to you secure the best seats at the best rates or email groupsales@theambassadors .com.

ALFIE BOE TO HEADLINE SPECIAL ARMED FORCES DAY CONCERT Alfie Boe is to provide a 52

Bohème – together with his own sell-out concert tours. His unmistakable voice has cemented him as one of Britain’s biggest selling and best loved vocalists.

And he is no stranger to Scarborough OAT having previously headlined Armed Forces Day concerts at the venue, in 2015 and 2018, as well as performing there alongside his good friend and musical collaborator Michael Ball in 2017.

Last November, and for the first time since 2015, Alfie returned to the solo spotlight with the release of his vibrant and instant classic As Time Goes By – an album that celebrated the golden era of music from the 1930s and 40s.

Alfie will be singing songs from As Time Goes By, together with a host of other classics when he takes to the Scarborough OAT stage on June 27.

24 www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com

BOOK EARLY TO SECURE THE BEST PRICES AND BEST SEATS GREAT GROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE! Colin Ingram for InTheatre presents the new Curve Theatre production

Plus Gr ou 10+ get ps

1ic0% OF e cr F eam or

ders †

BOOK, MUSIC & LYRICS BY

JIM JACOBS & WARREN CASEY DIRECTOR NIKOLAI FOSTER CHOREOGRAPHY ARLENE PHILLIPS

STARRING

PETER ANDRE* AS TEEN ANGEL AND VINCE FONTAINE *selected performances only

★

FRI 29 MAY – SAT 6 JUN

MON 26 – SAT 31 OCT

FRI 20 – SAT 28 NOV

FRI 4 DEC ‘20 – SUN 3 JAN ‘21

YEA TEN RS ★

GROUPS 0333 009 5394*

0844 871 7607** | ATGTICKETS.COM/Aylesbury** *Calls charged at local rate, plus your phone company’s access charge. No booking fees apply to Group bookings. Group bookings cannot be made online and must be made via the Group sales phone line. **Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge. A £3.65 transaction fee applies to non-Group bookings made online/phone. †Discount applies to ice creams ordered at point of booking only.

Great Days Out

Group Travel Today

Take a look at these great attractions and destinations all geared up for you and your groovy gang.

Picton Castle An enchanting 13th century castle surrounded by a spectacular 40 acre RHS Partner Garden, Picton Castle and Gardens is full of surprises for all the family.

Explore the Castle's rich history, discover their rare trees and plant collections from around the world and enjoy the magnificent rhododendrons, shady woodlands, an exotic jungle garden and colourful walled garden packed with medicinal herbs and Mediterranean flowers, alongside living willow dens, family trails with fairy doors and an engaging adventure playground. The wildlife is abundant and there's plenty of space to run or simply relax on a garden seat and enjoy the tranquility.

Picton also boasts a delightful art gallery, the Lumsden Vintage Lawnmower Museum, an exceptional gift shop, plants for sale and of course Maria’s@Picton – a hugely popular Courtyard Restaurant and Deli.

An impressive schedule of events complements this award winning garden for all seasons. Dogs on leads are always welcome.

Opening Hours: 28 March 31 October 10.00am 5.00pm E:info@pictoncastle.co.uk www.pictoncastle.co.uk

With five acres to explore, a wide range of attractions, artefacts and displays, the Centre offers something for everyone set against a spectacular forest backdrop.

light snacks, cakes, cream teas and refreshments surrounded by great art or sit out on the balcony overlooking their beautiful mill pond.

Five galleries housing thousands of artefacts including a working beam engine bring the history of the Forest to life, from the Ice Age to the present day; along with a reconstructed Foresters cottage, charcoal burner’s camp and Victorian schoolroom. They also have a working water wheel creating electricity for them when they have enough rain!

They have a great programme of special events, exhibitions, art shows and educational workshops throughout the year, with full details provided on their website.

There’s always something new and exciting to interest, inspire or surprise you, making the Dean Heritage Centre a great day out for everyone.

The Touring Park & Race Days

www.deanheritagecentre.com Stratford-On-Avon Racecourse Not only is Stratford-On-Avon one of the country’s leading small summer jumps racecourses with a reputation for excellent levels of prize money and each year plays host to 18 thrilling horseracing fixtures.

It is also a great place for groups to stay, indeed The Perfect Setting for camping and touring.

Dean Heritage Set across a stunning woodland site, the Dean Heritage Centre protects and preserves the unique history and heritage of the beautiful Forest of Dean.

issues such as evening noise and cramped camping conditions, the park has a relaxed friendly feel reminiscent of days gone by.

There are numerous areas around the site to sit and relax to appreciate the tranquil surroundings or enjoy a picnic. You can visit the Creates Gallery and Coffee Shop where you can enjoy

Camping & Touring Stratford Racecourse Touring Park is devoid of all the usual 54

Horse Racing aficionados, will be pitched next to the racecourse itself with spectacular views across the track, there is plenty of space in the centre to let off steam and soak up the atmosphere with a bottle of wine and a barbeque – and you'll get free race-meeting tickets tacked onto your pitch price if you book for two or three nights stay, one of which is the race day.

Racing takes place regularly between March and November, with many top trainers and jockeys coming here.

The summer race days attract family groups who can picnic in the centre of the course, making use of the free admission for under 18’s as well as the free children’s entertainment on most of their summer meetings.

Discover the Bodleian Libraries

Exhibitions | Events | Guided Tours | Café | Gift Shops

www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whatson

Uffculme, Devon EX15 3EE.

7 s te , J2 inu M5 M 5 om fr

COLDHARBOUR MILL

t. 01884 840960 e. info@coldharbourmill.org.uk

A unique insight into a working Victorian Woollen Mill.

Something for all the family

Steam Engines Spinning & Weaving Waterside Café Mill Gift Shop Children's Play Area Special Steam Days See Website for details

Open Tuesday-Thursday and Bank holiday Mondays 10.30am-4pm, 31st March to 29th October.

Tours for groups, coach parties and schools available 7 days a week with advance booking.

WWW.COLDHARBOURMILL.ORG.UK

Registered Charity No. 1123386

      40 ACRES OF RHS PARTNER GARDENS 13th CENTURY CASTLE QUALITY GIFT SHOP WELSH OWL GARDEN ART GALLERIES RESTAURANT & DELI ESCAPE ROOMS  

   S

           

Group Travel Today

Discounts are available for on-line and group bookings with a free ticket for the organiser of the party. Allinclusive hospitality packages are available, including private box hire, overlooking the Parade Ring and Winning Post, from parties of 10 upwards.

The Oxford Artisan Distillery

Strawberry Field

Field merchandise.

Welcome visitors to the distillery for a behind-the scenes-experience where you can discover the principles of their approach to distilling and follow their production processes which make their craft spirits so

Strawberry Field, the iconic site immortalised by John Lennon in The Beatles hit, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, was previously the site of the former Salvation Army children’s home, where John Lennon found solace as a child playing in the grounds.

These packages can be enhanced with race sponsorship packages which are tailored to meet your requirements, whether for business or private purposes.

The aim is to be flexible and always to please their customers.

You’ll get the opportunity to really see what goes into their spirits, everything is very visible and it’s a perfect environment to truly understand grain to glass craft distilling.

There are several options your group may wish to consider:

Julia Baird, John Lennon’s sister and Honorary President of the Strawberry Field project said: “I am sure that John would have been thrilled that Strawberry Field is to become a bastion of hope for young adults as well as an inspirational Visitor Experience.”

Please visit the website www.stratfordracecourse.net or indeed, pick up the phone and call them on 01789 267 949.

Nether Winchendon House Nether Winchendon House is a unique Strawberry Hill Gothick medieval Manor House situated in a beautiful valley at the foot of the Chilterns.It has passed by family descent for over 450 years andremains a family home to this day.

Great Hall. 16th-century Dining Room with fine carved oak friezeand oak linenfold panelling. Fine furniture and family portraits.

The former home of Sir Frances Bernard, Bt. (d.1779), the last BritishGovernor of Massachusetts Bay. Continuous family occupation since mid16thcentury. Links with America.House altered in the late 18th century in the Strawberry Hill Gothick style.

Interesting garden of seven acres; fine and rare trees andhedges, herbaceous borders and bulbs. With curling Tudor chimneys, Nether Winchendon House is crenellated and partially encased in stucco and from its Medieval origins,this extraordinary house has evolved into the fabulous and exciting mixture of styles today. www.nwhouse.co.uk

In 2019, the famous Strawberry Field red gates – outside which thousands of people journey every year to have their photo taken – opened for the first time to visitors.

Strawberry Field is set to become a unique and authentic visitor experience.

The site had a significant influence on John Lennon’s childhood, being the inspiration for the song ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’.

STANDARD TOUR 45 MINUTES You’ll be shown how we make their vodka, gin, absinthe and rye whisky following every step of the journey from grain to bottle.

This close you’ll gain a real appreciation of the extra mile they go to make TOAD a true craft distillery. They will finish with an opportunity to ask questions and taste a selection of their spirits.

As a visitor attraction, Strawberry Field includes an authentic inter-active exhibition, complete with audio guide in multiple languages, exploring stories of the site’s history, John Lennon's childhood, the writing and recording of the song. Visits also include a tour of the garden and woods where John played as a child. A café provides light refreshments as well as lunch and early dinner menus. A shop stocks an exciting and unique range of Strawberry

FOUNDER'S TOUR 90 MINUTES Hosted by one of the three founders this tour gives a unique insight into their journey from conception all the way to bottle! They will spend time on how they source their ingredients and the work that goes into making their vodka, gin, absinthe and rye whiskey.

After this in-depth tour, they will host an extended tasting session, taking you through all their different spirits and finishing with a large gin and tonic.

At present, the group numbers are around 16 people per tour but they are a flexible sort, so please contact them with any special requests.

You can book your tour online now www.spiritoftoad.com, or if you prefer call 01865 767918 to speak to a member of staff. Alternatively please emailtours@spiritoftoad.com.

56

Strawberry Field is owned and operated by The Salvation Army. The church and charity hopes to continue inspiring future generations to come.

Julius Wolff-Ingham, Fundraising and Marketing Director for The Salvation Army said: “Strawberry Field will weave together educational, cultural, heritage and spiritual exploration in one bold, imaginative site. It’s going to be a vibrant visitor experience, which we hope will inspire people today as much as the place inspired the young John Lennon.”

This exciting attraction will complement other significant Liverpool Beatles attractions such as the award-winning The Beatles Story, the Cavern Club and the Magical Mystery Tour.

www.strawberryfieldliverpool. com

2020Fixtures FIXTURE LISTList 2019

Sunday- 19th 7KXUVGD\ $XJXVW VW April Thursday- 30th July Sunday-17thThursday- August May Thursday20th August 22nd Friday Evening29th May Wednesday EveningSaturday- September 7th Saturday Evening-30th May 26th August 7th Tuesday-16thMonday- October June Saturday5th September Saturday- October 19th Tuesday Evening-30th June Monday5th October Sunday-12thThursday- October July Saturday-17th 31st October Sunday- 19th July Thursday- 29th October

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Monday- November 11th

Gate opens to the public 2 hours prior to the first race

P R I V AT E G U I D E D T O U R S

Where the owner will fascinate you with stories of 450 years of occupation of this enchanting family home.

Private Group visit charge is £15 per person (minimum charge £300).

Refreshments by arrangement.

Please be sure to let us know of any disabled access requirements.

Good facilities.

Please visit our website for details of group bookings, hospitality packages and annual membership

www.stratfordracecourse.net Racecourse Office - 01789 267 949 info@stratfordracecourse.net

Gates Open For Groups The iconic site, immortalised by The Beatles and John Lennon is now open to the public and inspiring new generations.

Home to an exhibition and garden tour with media guide, where you can learn more about the history of the site, a café, a shop and a Steps to Work programme for young adults with learning difficulties and other barriers to employment.

Media guides available in Mandarin, French, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese For more information and to book tickets visit: www.strawberryfieldliverpool.com/travel-trade-and-groups #GatesOpenForGood #GatesOpenForGroups

/StrawberryFieldLiverpool @strawberryfield @strawberryfieldliverpooluk

The Salvation Army is a Church and registered Charity in England (214779), Wales (214779), Scotland (SC009359) and the Republic of Ireland (CHY6399)

For enquiries and bookings, please telephone or email: Robert Spencer Bernard 01844 290101 | contact@nwhouse.co.uk

W W W. N E T H E R W I N C H E N D O N H O U S E . C O M Nether Winchendon House, Near Thame, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0DY

Heritage Railways

Group Travel Today

Here’s a platform for your group to get chuffed about and carriaged away, whether you are a knowledgeable railway enthusiast or looking for somewhere to visit you’ll be right on track. the Valley Road at Merthyr Tydfil. Follow the mountain railway signs from the A470 and A465.

Photograph:Sarah Anne Harvey

Brecon Mountain Railway was built on part of the abandoned Brecon and Merthyr railway which was originally built in 1859 and finally closed in 1964.

Travel behind a vintage steam locomotive in their allweather coaches and admire the views.

The railway climbs to Torpantau, high in the Brecons Beacons where the train stops for you to enjoy the views, before returning to Pontsticill where there's a steam museum, Lakeside cafe, picnic and children's play area, with walks around the Taf Fechan reservoir.

STEAM AND SCENERY IN BEAUTIFUL SOUTH DEVON The South Devon Railway has a great range of excursions designed for group travel operators, with something to suit groups of all kinds.

At its heart is a delightful 14mile return steam train journey along the valley of the river Dart, through some of Devon’s most beautiful and hidden countryside. The trains take you on a leisurely journey from Buckfastleigh, just off the A38, midway between Exeter and Plymouth, to Totnes and back again.

At Buckfastleigh, there is a riverside walk and picnic area, gardens, museum and a well-stocked shop and refreshment rooms. There is plenty of coach parking with easy, flat access to the platform.

If you are looking for a range

of easy to book options, the railway offers a great variety of entertainment at very attractive prices.

This includes ‘3 Great Attractions, 1 Amazing Day’ joint tickets for the railway and the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, adjacent to the railway’s station at Totnes, and/or Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies, next to the station at Buckfastleigh.

Other options include the Devon Boat Train, combining a steam train journey with a boat trip from Exmouth with Stuart Line Cruises and Trains and Caves with Kents Cavern in Torquay.

At pant visit their workshop where locomotives are restored and new ones built or visit the gift shop. Their licensed Tea Rooms can cater for large groups to enjoy light refreshments or afternoon and cream teas.

Facilities for disabled passengers including ramps, toilets and a carriage designed to accommodate wheelchairs.

Reduced fare rates for groups and school visits.

Special events running throughout the year including a visit to Santa’s Grotto.

More details are at www.southdevonrailway.co.u k, email trains@southdevonrailway.co. uk or call 01364 644370 for full details.

If you haven't been before then please visit and enjoy the sights and sounds of days gone by. www.bmr.wales

Brecon Mountain Railway for a Great Day Out

WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY

Located just off the heads of

Twenty miles of heritage 58

railway through stunning Somerset countryside and coast.

The Railway, a true country branch line of the old Great Western Railway is full of fascination whether you are looking for a nostalgic ride back in time through lovely countryside or to study the railway and industrial heritage which their line preserves.

Throughout the year they hold a range of events an experiences including days out, galas catering specials and driver experiences.

Group Bookings West Somerset Railway Group Bookings give group passengers discounted train fares, seat reservations, reservation notices and the option to have catering from their special menu.

Pre-booked Groups of 16 passengers and above enjoy discounted travel on the West Somerset Railway.

Please call them on 01643 700398 (Monday - Friday 9am - 4.00pm) or email groups@wsrail.net.

They will check availability, and answer any questions you have asked us about dates, timings, prices and catering and get you booked in. www.west-somersetrailway.co.uk

South Devon railway

far more than a steam train ride

West Somerset Railway

STEAM TRAINS TO THE SEASIDE

Between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead

20 miles of steam train travel through the countryside and along the coast.

Places of interest include Dunster with its Castle, Cleeve Abbey in Washford, the historic harbour town of Watchet and Minehead beach.

A first class destination and a warm welcome for groups.

Easy access from the A38 and free coach parking at Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0DZ

Ask us about...

Buckfastleigh • Staverton • Totnes www.southdevonrailway.co.uk 01364 644370

A great day out for all the family

For more details contact us today on 01643 704996 or visit us at

WWW.WEST-SOMERSET-RAILWAY.CO.UK

Photos courtesy of Visit Somerset & Don Bishop

Invites you for a great day out for all the family.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the National Park.

From an ideal position - in a narrow gauge steam train!

Travel in one of our all-weather observation carriages behind a vintage steam locomotive to Torpantau, high in the Brecon Beacons. Trains run from February to the end of October and at Christmas. Enjoy our licensed tearooms, gift & souvenir shop, steam museum, lakeside cafe, picnic areas, children’s play area, model railway, locomotive workshop and restoration, special events, children’s birthday parties, free car and coach parking.

Brecon Mountain Railway, Pant Station, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 2DD | Tel: 01685 722 988 | www.bmr.wales