GTW Decemeber January issue

C

PO ST AG E

12

January 2019 £3.99

*J US TP AY

SE EP AG E

TR F GIFTHRIS O AV RE TO TM UR EL E G YOUAS MU TW !

G*

The best days out and holidays for families and groups

5

friends + you = the best family & group rates!

CHEAP TICKETS ALERT: Don’t book yours until you’ve scanned this!

DISCOVER HEVER CASTLE’S TUDOR HISTORY

EXPLORE AUSTRIA, LAKE CONSTANCE AND COPENHAGEN PLUS

001 GTW Jan 19 Cover.indd 1

16-PAGE LONDON GUIDE: WHAT’S NEW FOR 2019

Yeehaw!

Meet the speedy stars of Chester Zoo 10/12/2018 10:10

WHAT WILL YOU EXPERIENCE ON YOUR NEXT GROUP ADVENTURE? European & Worldwide Escorted Tours for Groups 2018/2019 Riviera Travel offers a wide selection of European and worldwide escorted tours, plus luxury four and five-star river cruises, exciting journeys by rail and once in a lifetime tall ship adventures – something to suit everyone’s taste and budget, whether travelling as a group or as an individual.

From only

£299pp *

E ARN 5%

Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer & Alaska Cruise

C O M M IS S I ON F OR YO UR G ROU P

To request a brochure, please call: 01283 742322 Visit: www.rivieragroups.co.uk For group enquiries: groups@rivieratravel.co.uk Please mention Group Travel World December 2018 when you book.

Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE14 1SP. ABTA V4744 and ATOL 3430 protected. Prices are based on two people sharing a twin room. Additional entrance costs may apply. *Some elements are not commissionable, including upgrades, insurance premiums and some supplements plus bookings made through a third party – ask for full details. †Supplements applicable for certain regional stations. A commission invoice will be requested from the group leader in the month following that of the departure for all that travel.

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ABTA No. V4744

12/12/2018 17:27

Welcome

A word from the editor

Can it really be Christmas already? It seems just minutes since we were lamenting the Beast from the East, then sweltering through the heatwave. But we’ve had a ball here at Group Travel World in 2018 – and here are just a few of our highlights from the year.

We’d like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. See you on the other side!

■ See grouptraveloffers.com for group rate attraction tickets Group Travel World Magazine, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX Switchboard: 01733 293487 Web: www.grouptravelworld.com – and www.grouptraveloffers.com for attraction tickets ISSN: 2048-3392 EDITORIAL

Editor: Helen Milbank

E. helen.milbank@grouptravelworld.com hter Georg Helen’s daug kie at ek serves up br o Twycross Zo

Designer: David Hiles E: david.hiles@d15design.com

ie

Thanks to: Darren Calpin, Kristy Elsmere, Adam Jacot de Boinod, Sue Parslow, Mike Pickup, John Sansom, Chris Wales and Angela Youngman ADVERTISING

Paige, s o Maxim n Jayden and e fr Resort enjoy LEGOLA iend Windso ND r

Advertising Manager: Julie Cousins T: 01733 293242 E: julie.cousins@grouptravelworld.com Client Manager: Paige Fraser T: 01733 293245 E: paige.fraser@grouptravelworld.com Sales Executive: Karen Newton T: 01733 293489 E: karen.newton@grouptravelworld.com Sales Executive: Abi Paige T: 01733 293481 E: abi.paige@grouptravelworld.com SUBSCRIPTIONS/MARKETING

Julie and Ka ren join the DFDS team for a mini cr uise to Amst erdam

Marketing Subscriptions Manager: Emma Parkes T: 01733 293487 E: emma.parkes@grouptravelworld.com Marketing Executive: Emily Dougall T: 01733 293483 E: emily.dougall@grouptravelworld.com GROUP TRAVEL OFFERS

Trade account managers: 01733 293249 MANAGEMENT

General Operations Manager: Harley Denham T: 01733 293249 E: harley.denham@grouptravelworld.com

MAIN COVER PHOTO: CHESTER ZOO

Emma gets set to run the Kew t 10k, with Mum for suppor

It’s runaway rhino calf Hazina from Chester Zoo! Find out more about her at chesterzoo.org

Publisher: Jonathan Taylor E: jonathan@grouptravelworld.com © 2018/19 GTW Media Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or system or in any means without the written permission of the directors. This is considered a breach of copyright and action will be taken where this occurs. This magazine must not be lent, sold, hired or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition or in any authorised cover by way, or by trade, or annexed to any publication or advertising matter without first obtaining written permission from the directors.

Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @GTWMagazine, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/grouptravelworld and join our Linkedin group Group Travel World Magazine

Emma and Harley host a fam trip to Eltham Palace & Gardens

Group Travel World magazine is read by

leading UK and European coach operators, as well as active group travel organisers, representing more than 1,000,000 travellers.

COACH COA OACH TOURISM T

ASSOCIA ASSOCIATION

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003 GTW Jan 19 Welcome hm.indd 3

3

10/12/2018 10:13

VISITLONDON.COM

42 Dine out in style at Cheshire’s Bear’s Paw country hotel

IAN TURNER

52 Explore the shores of Lake Constance

57 Get up close to Longleat’s gorgeous cheetah cubs

4 WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

004-005 GTW Jan 19 Contents.indd 4

10/12/2018 10:17

Contents Regulars 6 Let’s go...

Meet Chester Zoo’s jaguar Goshi

8 15 minutes with...

Take That’s Gary Barlow

10 News

We catch up on the world of travel

56 UKinbound

Why 2019 is set to be an exciting year

60 Industry insider

News from the Coach Tourism Association

62 Theatre news & reviews The latest from theatreland

90 Expert Q&As

Your questions answered

VISITLONDON.COM

94 Readers’ letters

You share your news and photos

96 Puzzle pages

99 Our special 16-page London guide

Try our quizzes and puzzles every month

98 And finally...

Jet off to Amsterdam

Features 14 The hills are alive...

With the sound of silence in Salzburgerland

18 Behind the curtain

The best guided tours across the UK

24 Hever’s Tudor gems

See Henry VIII’s family portraits at this Kent gem

28 Caught on camera

A new series of films for art lovers JAY BROOKS

64 Meet the Take That stars behind hit musical The Band

30 Ten of the best

82 Discover Copenhagen’s magical Tivoli Gardens

Days out for families and groups

42 Dive straight in Go wild in Cheshire

48 Strawberry Fields Forever

New Beatles attractions and more in the NW

52 Still waters run deep

Explore the shores of Lake Constance

70 Oxford’s finest

Why there’s never been a better time to visit

72 A leap of faith

Push your limits to the extreme this year

76 Travel World Association

Your association. Your way! Join today...

78 What lies beneath?

TOURISMUS SALZBURG/BREITEGGER GÜNTER

14 Head to Austria’s Salzburgerland province

Explore all Wales has to offer in 2019

82 The magic of Tivoli

Visit this Danish gem in the heart of Copenhagen

84 Pura vida...

Sample a sensual feast in Costa Rica

99 16-page London special!

As we usher in the new year, discover what our glorious capital has to offer in 2019 WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

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10/12/2018 10:17

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006-007 GTW Jan 19 Lets Go.indd 6

10/12/2018 10:19

Let’s go...

CHESTER ZOO

Paws for thought Black cats don’t come any more striking than this fantastic feline. Meet Goshi, who isn’t a black panther, as you might imagine, but in fact a jaguar.

She’s ditched the usual jaguar print for a rather fetching black hue...

See her for yourself at Chester Zoo’s wonderful Spirit of the Jaguar habitat, where Goshi lives with her (typically golden coloured) friend Napo. Find out more about them both at chesterzoo.org

WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

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10/12/2018 10:19

15 minutes with...

Gary Barlow How to top being one-fifth of one of the greatest boy bands of all time? By joining your fellow band mates to create a smash hit stage musical that’s just begun its West End run... non-specified pop group and how, 25 years

self? “I’d say grab it and enjoy this moment

on, the girls reunite to try to meet their heroes.

right now. It sounds so corny but this young

S CO-PRODUCER OF touring musical

Why is the format so successful? “I think that

cast are at such an amazing time in their

The Band, working with a team that

friendship really resonates with people,” says

lives, but they may have some tough years

includes fellow band mates Robbie, Howard

Gary. “Even the idea of the friendship – if you

ahead. It’s so important to enjoy the here and

and Mark, Gary is rightly proud of the show’s

sat us down then we’d all say that friendship

now. We give ourselves a pep talk now and

success. “I don’t think we could have imagined

is what is at the heart of Take That. It has kept

again, especially before tours. We really do

the pride we would feel every time The Band

our work strong; we’ve been a gang.

appreciate all that we have.”

As told to: Vicky Edwards

A

goes into a new city, or the amazing response it gets,” he says. “Our aim is to give people the

“The Band is about the relationships really, not the music. You don’t need to be an avid fan, but Tim [Firth, the show’s writer]

best two hours of their life.”

has so cleverly woven our music

Despite the parallels, the show is not about Take That; instead it uses the band’s music as a soundtrack to an original story about a group of 16-year-old friends, a

Turn to page 64 for more on The Band and the Take That stars behind its success

I see it I leave happy.”

It’s a show about growing

for me,” says Gary. “Adam Ant, The Human League, Depeche Mode – I just loved trying out all that synthesised stuff on the piano.” n The

Band is currently playing its West End

season at Theatre Royal Haymarket until

up, too. What advice would

January 12, 2019. For full tour dates visit

you give to your younger

thebandmusical.com GTW

JAY BROOKS

Gary is co-producer of new touring musical The Band alongside Howard, Mark and Robbie

into a parallel universe. Whenever

Who were your bedroom wall pin-ups when you were 16? “It was all about the music

8 WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

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11/12/2018 11:13

HOTEL-BAR-RESTAURANT

Oaklands Hall Hotel Barton Street, Laceby

01472 872248 3 star hotel based on the outskirts of Grimsby and the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Great base for exploring the fabulous county of Lincolnshire. Great rates to be had. For information about the hotel oaklandshallhotel.co.uk. Call for bookings on 01472 872248.

Thrilling group white water rafting experiences in Snowdonia National Park NWWC, Frongoch, Bala, LL23 7NU T: 01678 521083 E: info@nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk W: www.nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk

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North devon

a o t e m o Welc t World Differen • Film of the history of the village • Charles Kingsley and Fisherman’s Cottage museums • Craft workshops and other shops • Meet the famous Clovelly donkeys • Working harbour and Lifeboat Station • Two old inns serving local food, ales and cider • Clovelly Court Gardens • Boat trips and glorious coastal walks • Guided tours by arrangement • Fun Trail for your children

Big discounts for groups!

For further information including special events see: clovelly.co.uk or call 01237 431781

12/12/2018 21:32

News All about Rembrandt

See the light

Rembrandt’s entire collection will be on display for the first time ever in 2019 at

Brave a private ghost tour this winter at

manager at the Palace, says: “This is a

All the Rembrandts of the Rijksmuseum

Hampton Court Palace, one of six palaces

fantastic opportunity to see the palace

in Amsterdam. Twenty-two paintings,

cared for by charity Historic Royal Palaces.

by night. We love seeing the faces of

60 drawings and 300 prints combine to offer

The evening tours are ideal if a spine-

our guests when they encounter the

a complete picture of the Netherlands’ most

tingling experience is on your 2019 wishlist.

unexpected – each tour is an entirely

important artist. The exhibition runs from

unique experience!”

February 15 to June 10, see rijksmuseum.

Up to 30 people can explore the 500-year-old palace by night, including

Call the Palace events team on 020

Henry VIII’s apartments and the infamous

3166 6507 to find out more, or email

Haunted Gallery. Jo Jennings, events

hamptoncourtpalaceevents@hrp.co.uk

nl/en/the-year-of-rembrandt Closer to home, an exhibition ‘Rembrandt in Print’ will be staged at the Lady Lever Gallery in Liverpool, from June 1 to September 15, 2019, see liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ ladylever/events

On the double Scotland’s oldest working distillery – and the only one still to mash by hand – has been shortlisted in the Best Visitor Experience category in the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions Awards.

HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES

The Glenturret Distillery in Crief, which is home to The Famous Grouse Experience, welcomes groups keen to take a tour and enjoy a tasting. See theglenturret.com and experience.thefamousgrouse.com

Great Scot!

Thirlestane Castle in Lauder is gearing up for the

Explore this Scottish Borders gem, and even learn to play the bagpipes...

2019 season with a range of new group tours.

Gone are the standard tours of a few rooms of this historic building – instead the team are all set to create a tailor-made unique experience, led by local, experienced guides.

Walk in the footsteps of the Duke of Lauderdale, the uncrowned King of Scotland, explore the castle’s links with Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and discover more about the treasures collected by the Maitland family from all over the world.

Tours can be led by Edward Maitland-Carew, who grew up in the castle and still lives there today, and the castle has various spaces where groups can dine together, as well as a range of catering options to suit all tastes and budgets. Plus you can make your visit even more memorable as you try your hand at some traditional Highland Games sports in front of the castle, watch a jousting display from the front lawn or fly various birds of prey in the gardens. Or maybe your group would prefer to be ‘piped’ into dinner or take to the drawing room for a whisky tasting. Groups can even learn the bagpipes.

Find out more at thirlestanecastle.co.uk or call 01578 722430.

10 WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

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10/12/2018 10:32

PENCARROW Pencarrow, the much-loved home of the Molesworth-St Aubyn family for nearly 500 years, is set in 50 acres if Grade II* woodland and garden where dogs and children are most welcome.

The Georgian house boasts an impressive library with secret door, elegant but ‘lived in’ reception rooms, period bedrooms and collections of family prams, dolls, oriental porcelain, fascinating antique furniture and portraits.

In the gardens there are superb conifers that tower over

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azaleas, magnolias and camellias, with many varieties of rhododendron adding to the blaze of spring colour; blue hydrangeas line the mile long carriage drive throughout the summer. Discover the ancient Celtic cross, Iron Age hill fort, Victorian lake and icehouse, grotto, restful Italian gardens with fountain and enormous rock garden.

Visit the Peacock café and enjoy the delights of a homemade cream tea or a light lunch and then browse in the Pencarrow shop for that perfect gift.

House, Café, Shop open from 31st March 2019 to 3rd October 2019 Open Sundays to Thursdays (closed Fridays & Saturdays) Gardens open from 1st October every day until 31st October Adults Registered Disabled Under 16’s FREE

£11.50 £9.75

House & Gardens House & Gardens

Adults Registered Disabled Under 16’s FREE

£6.50 £4.75

Gardens only Gardens only

12/12/2018 21:33

News Name that tune...

Greatdays Travel Group has launched a new seven-day tour that brings together the stories, sights, sounds and songs of Britain’s musical heritage.

The ‘British Music Cities Tour’ takes in London, Liverpool and Manchester, offering the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of many of the world’s music greats, including The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Queen, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Bob Marley, The Smiths, Oasis and Simply Red. ■ In London the tour includes a visit to the flat of

Jimi Hendrix, and next door, the house that once belonged to classical composer Frederick Handel.

■ In Liverpool the tour includes visits to The

Beatles Story on Albert Dock, the British

Take in the Beatles’ haunts on Greatdays’ new tour

Music Experience, featuring more than 600 artefacts dating back to 1945 and visits to the Cavern Club and the legendary

’90s, and a three-hour tour reveals the stories

Sunday from April to October 2019 and

Jacaranda, a music club frequented by The

and locations behind The Hollies, Herman’s

can be booked by groups or independent

Beatles before they hit the big time.

Hermits, The Smiths, Oasis, Morrissey, New

travellers. Travel between cities is by first class

■ Manchester’s unique sound shaped the

Order, Simply Red, 10cc and the Stone

rail, and prices start at £1,099 per person.

world’s music scene in the ’70s, ’80s and

Roses. The tour departs from London every

Find out more at britishmusiccities.com

OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOU!

FREE Travel mug * Grab this Group Travel World branded travel mug, add a splash of tea or coffee and hey presto... your caffeine fix, on the go, sorted! To order your free mug, go to grouptravelworld.com/gtwshop

Happy 200th!

Historic Royal Palaces is set to mark the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birth with a major new exhibition at Kensington Palace.

On May 24 1819, Princess Victoria was born at the Palace – a

*Just pay £3.99 postage and packing

baby who, as Queen, would one day rule over the largest empire the world had ever known. To mark her bicentenary a new exhibition will sit alongside a re-presentation of the rooms the young Victoria called home,

THIS MONTH WE LOVE…

with dresses and accessories on show spanning the last four decades of

...Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village in Surrey, which has just won the

her life. From a simple cotton petticoat to the richly embellished black

2018 Tourist Destination of the Year Award in the Surrey Business

mourning dresses she’s associated with, you’ll also be able to see diaries

Awards. Plan your visit at wattsgallery.org.uk

written by Victoria in Urdu under the tutelage of her Indian servant Abdul Karim. Find out more at hrp.org.uk/Victoria2019 12 WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

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10/12/2018 10:32

PRINT_2234 - Party at Sea.pdf

1

13/08/2018

13:42

Newcastle - Amsterdam

Party at Sea Give your party a unique twist with our Party at Sea package. Spend 2 nights onboard our overnight crossing from Newcastle-Amsterdam, with a range of fantastic perks to make your event one to remember.

Once you arrive in Amsterdam you’ll have up to 5 hours to explore the vibrant city centre, with return coach transfers included.

All of this is available from just £99pp.

For groups of 10+. Includes:

C

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• • • •

Welcome drink upon arrival Buffet breakfast both mornings Buffet dinner & drink on both evenings Option to upgrade to Celebrate at Sea menu • Cabin upgrade for host*

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dfds.co.uk/party Price is subject to availability & based on 4 sharing sea view cabin. T&Cs apply. *Subject to availability.

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12/12/2018 17:40

TOURISMUS SALZBURG/BREITEGGER GÜNTER

The

hills are alive... ...with the wonderful sound of silence.

Adam Jacot de Boinod reflects on the peace and tranquility of Austria’s Salzburgerland province

I

GREW UP TO the music and images of Julie

mountains that are part bald, part wooded.

Andrews and The Sound of Music, but hadn’t

They brood over pastures that have managed

ABOUT OUR WRITER ADAM JACOT DE BOINOD was a researcher for the first BBC television series QI, hosted by Stephen Fry. He wrote The Meaning of Tingo and Other Extraordinary Words from around the World, published by Penguin Books.

realised until I reached Salzburg that I was

to sustain a lush, vibrant green after the

going to be staying in the very countryside

heatwaves of a long summer. The water of the

where it was filmed. It’s in the province of

lake has every shade of blue imaginable from

lake was punctuated with benches on the

Salzburgerland, a mere 20 minutes’ drive

aquamarine to turquoise to teal.

shoreline as places for our own reflection.

from the airport, which itself is as swift and

As with the ever-changing nature of the

seamless as any I’ve passed through. The

light, so it is with the climate, as it alternates

AN ECLECTIC MIX

area has a number of beautiful lakes and is to

between September’s sun and breeze and

I stayed first at the lake’s eastern end at

Austrians what the Lake District is to us Brits:

autumnal clouds and rain causing the water to

Ebner’s Waldhof (www.ebners-waldhof.at).

a refuge, a delight and a natural source of

be flat and still one moment, shimmering and

What a fabulous eclectic mixture this hotel

immense pride.

rippling the next. Both serene and mesmeric,

is: part alpine chalet, part modern and part

the stunning reflections demanded and

authentically Austrian and suggestive of a

commanded my attention. The length of the

bygone era. This amalgamation of buildings has

Fuschl, my local town, exists for Fuschlsee, her stunning lake that’s set in a broad bowl of 14 WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

014-016 GTW Jan 19 Austria.indd 14

10/12/2018 10:34

Austria

Salzburg is divided by the Salzach River

something for everyone with quirky corridors

prelude to Austria’s capital, which I reached in

lined with curiosities such as horse carts and

under three hours of passing through farmland

deer antlers, tableaux and taxidermy. Two days

and factories.

later I went on to the lake’s western and even

What a dramatic arrival it was as I reached

Salzburgerland is true Sound of Music country as the movie was filmed in this region

quieter end to stay at the luxurious Schloss

the Hotel Bristol (www.bristolvienna.com).

Get me there

Fuschl (www.schlossfuschlsalzburg.com).

I opened the shutters on the fourth floor to

■ Classic

look directly across at the Opera House and

047 1064; classic-collection.co.uk)

and white photographs of famous conductors

straight down to its appreciative evening

offers a six-night three-centre Austria

deep in musical ecstasy with their silence

audience, who watched it all live outside on a

holiday from £1,399 per person.

expressing their own words. They’re easily

giant screen that I was able to share from my

■ Price

the best set of hotel pictures I have seen.

balcony. My own box with a difference!

staying two nights at each of Ebner’s

Inside and adorning its corridors are black

The setting of this historic castle with its

With the layout of the city centre designed

Collection Holidays (0800

based on two adults, B&B,

Waldhof, Schloss Fuschl and Hotel

formerly royal connections is paramount.

with great efficiency, getting around was so

Bristol in Vienna, and includes private

Perched on a prime vantage point it looks

simple for me and the hotel’s position bang

transfers, train travel from Salzburg to

across the entire length of the lake.

in the middle made nearly all my sightseeing

Vienna and return flights to Gatwick.

walkable and spontaneous.

■ Adam

A HISTORIC HEARTLAND

That evening I attended a concert at the

had further support from

www.stanstedexpress.com and

To catch my direct train to Vienna I came back

Konzerthaus and was acutely aware that I was

www.holidayextras.co.uk (who offer

to the centre of Salzburg, with her expansive

among the cognoscenti in Vienna, the historic

airport lounges at all major UK airports

suite of squares, her baroque church façades

heartland of classical music. I was thrilled to

and many international destinations).

and an impressive statue of Mozart: a fitting

witness the tradition alive and well with WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

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15

10/12/2018 10:34

Austria The luxurious Schloss Fuschl

those seeking rest and repose. Here is the Leopold Museum and the best place to see Austria’s two most celebrated artists, Klimt and Schiele, who are effectively afforded their own permanent exhibitions with a floor each.

Klimt’s landscapes, often in a square format, amount to a quarter of his painterly Ebner’s Waldhof Hotel is part alpine chalet, part modern

oeuvre; so determined was he to take himself away whenever he could from the Viennese art scene to reach Attersee, another of Salzburgerland’s lakes.

Here, typically, he visited first thing a small

entire families sitting alongside old ladies

everything in it is very accessible. Just behind,

spruced up for the occasion, at the very

set in a quiet courtyard, I ate at the vegetarian

beech forest with the sun interspersed with

civilised time of 6pm on a Sunday evening.

Tian Bistro (www.tian-bistro.com).

conifers, before breakfast and then a bathe

This hallowed hall is beautified with art deco

Here, sitting among plants, wooden crates

in the lake and later some rowing to shake

windows set in pale blue and yellow beneath a

and an unusually non-stentorian Austrian

up his muscles. These paintings are devoid

gilded ceiling. In the foyer stands an impressive

clientele, I began with a ‘pick-me-up’ consisting

of people and depict a tranquil atmosphere.

statue of Beethoven in his signature brooding

of papaya, pineapple, celery, ginger and

They’re symbolic, especially in his water

and imperious mood.

Assam long pepper. I then tried a subtle

scenes, both of the artist’s craving for privacy

consommé with champignons and fresh

and space as well as of timelessness and

experienced the tail-coated conductor smiled

herbs before succumbing to the delicacy of

transience, with nature’s cycle enjoying a

at will, and with joyful informality, to his lead

Hokkaido pumpkin, spelt cream and polenta

constant, self-renewing energy.

violinist and his white bow-tied orchestra.

fries, indulgently followed by marinated

Unlike any other performance I’ve

DOE A DEER...

The ‘Museums Quartier’ is very close by and

All engagingly different from Klimt’s iconic

strawberries, minted sugar and peanut cream.

masterpiece ‘The Kiss’, housed in the nearby

Scattered about the museums are purple

Belvedere. As iconic as ‘Doe a deer, a female

blocks acting as loungers that draw together

deer’ perhaps!

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10/12/2018 10:34

YOU’VE GOT WONDERFUL CHILDHOOD MEMORIES SO WHY NOT COME BACK AND MAKE SOME NEW ONES...?

SO MANY REASONS TO RETURN ...

Email: visits@coventrycathedral.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)24 7652 1234 1 Hill Top, Coventry CV1 5AB FP Template.indd 17

12/12/2018 21:27

Behind the curtain Our pick of the best guided tours across the UK...

Words: Darren Calpin LONDON LANDMARKS

ROH offers not one but two guided tours:

ROH’s sublime architecture and intriguing

■ Lasting

heritage. You’ll also hear stories from some of

around one-and-a-half hours,

The Backstage Tour highlights the venue’s

the legendary opera singers who’ve performed

fascinating history and lets you take an

at the world-famous venue, and get the chance

Covent Garden

exciting nosey around both the backstage

to admire the Royal Retiring Room, which is

If you’re an opera, ballet and/or classical music

and front of house areas while the actors

still used by visiting royal patrons today.

lover then the idea of snooping around the

prepare for that evening’s performance.

Get me there: Groups of 10 or more

lesser-seen areas of the exquisite Royal Opera

If you’re really lucky, you may even get

should call 020 7304 4002 to make a

House (ROH) will probably make you go weak

to see the Royal Ballet in a classroom.

booking. It’s worth noting that tour guide

at the knees. Befitting its status as one of

■ The

visitors are entitled to a tasty 10% discount

the world’s most prestigious arts venues, the

shorter offering that focuses more on the

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

Velvet, Gilt and Glamour Tour is a slightly

at the ROH restaurants and shop too.

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10/12/2018 10:40

Days out

LUKE HAYES

See behind the scenes of the world-famous Royal Opera House

The Royal Opera House has recently had a £50 million revamp

LUKE HAYES

Tour the ‘Mother of all Parliaments’

Turn to page 99 for our 16-page London guide HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT Westminster It’s fair to say no tour gives visitors a

visceral in an instant.

Along with both chambers (the Commons and the Lords), the one-and-a-half hour tour takes in

Get me there: Discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Bookings can be made online, via email (visitparliament@ parliament.uk) or by calling 020 7219 4114.

greater insight into the potent workings

the Norman Porch, the Queen’s Robing Room,

of British governance than this one around

the Royal Gallery, St Stephen’s Hall and the

the ‘Mother of all Parliaments’. From the

1,000-year-old Westminster Hall. Tours are

moment you (eventually) pass through

led by surprisingly informal Blue Badge Tourist

THE BEATLES’ CHILDHOOD HOMES

the airport-style security and enter the

Guides on Saturdays throughout the year, and

Liverpool

stately Palace of Westminster proper,

on most weekdays during the February, Easter,

Big fan of the Fab Four? If so then this

1,000 years of legislative history becomes

Whitsun, Summer and Christmas recesses.

escorted National Trust mini-bus tour of

HERITAGE TOURS

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Days out the suburban homes where John Lennon and Paul McCartney grew up is an absolute must, as it’s the only one which actually takes you inside the hallowed properties.

Both Mendips (Lennon) and 20 Forthlin Road (McCartney) are preserved much as they were when the lads grew up in the 1940s, 50s and early 60s. Paul’s old, rather threadbare lounge is arguably the See inside the Beatles’ former homes on this National Trust mini-bus tour

highlight as it was here the boys composed early hits, such as Please Please Me and She Loves You, then played them to Paul’s dad, who famously took issue with the

WWI and WWII artefacts and experiences,

word “yeah” in the latter’s chorus.

all within the space of a few hours.

Get me there: Groups are limited to 15

One of the best things about Dover

people and typically fill up months ahead

Castle is that it offers sightseers the best

so make sure you book your Ticket to Ride

of both worlds, letting you explore much of

(sorry!) well in advance at nationaltrust.

the complex by yourself and offering you

org.uk/beatles-childhood-homes

the expert services of an English Heritage

DOVER CASTLE

Visit 20 Forthlin Road

tour guide when the time comes to delve deep into the Underground Hospital within

Kent

the Secret Wartime Tunnels. And, thanks to

It’s often said that with a historical narrative

some immersive audio-visual effects, you

running from Roman times right up until

can even watch and hear (and smell) WWII

the Cold War, the history of Dover Castle

doctors as they fight heroically to save the

is the history of England. This claim is fully

life of an injured Battle of Britain pilot.

justified when it’s considered you can

Get me there: Ever adept at accommodating

admire Roman and Saxon buildings, discover

groups, English Heritage offer a 15% discount

Medieval interiors (including the opulent Great

for parties of 11 or more visitors paying

Tower), and get up-close-and-personal with

together. Visit english-heritage.org.uk

The history of Dover Castle is the history of England

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THE ONLY WAY TO TOUR THE OFFICIAL TV SET Follow in the footsteps of Yorkshire’s best loved soap-stars on this guided walking tour of Emmerdale’s outdoor TV set.

To find out more visit

emmerdalestudioexperience.co.uk FOR GROUP RATES CALL 01904 261262

Emmerdale™ & © ITV Studios Ltd 2018.

Licensed by ITV Broadcasting Limited. All Rights Reserved.

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12/12/2018 17:42

Days out Buy a one-way ticket back to your childhood...

FACTORY TOURS

LAND ROVER EXPERIENCE Liverpool If you enjoy tours that make you say “oooh” and “wow!” out loud then the Land Rover Manufacturing Tour is definitely one for you.

Maybe it’s something they put in the welcome drink, but as soon as you step onto the manufacturing floor of Land Rover’s cavernous plant, and witness the huge industrial presses

Take the Land Rover Manufacturing Tour

stamping out rolls of steel into perfect 3D panels, you’re powerless to stop your jaw

surely is. Most tours last around three hours

and not-so-familiar items from the Hornby,

from dropping.

and accommodate a maximum of nine people.

Scalextric, Airfix and Corgi ranges, some of

Find out more by calling 0151 448 4023 or

which are incredibly rare.

You’ll be similarly wowed by the amazingly accurate army of robots. Watching them repeatedly weld, rivet, bond and measure

emailing liverpool@landroverexperience.com

As you’d hope, the spectacular model railway and Scalextric layouts are the

the panels with such surgical precision is a

HORNBY VISITORS CENTRE

mind-blowing experience.

Kent

of the legendary little cars around the track

Boasting more toys and models that you can

yourself if you get the urge (and you will)!

together; all the parts slotting in, and the paint

shake a tube of glue at, a tour around the

Naturally, there’s also an on-site shop on

going on, you’ll look back over your shoulder

Hornby Visitors Centre on the outskirts of

hand to service your inevitable re-discovered

and think: “how can that Rover Discovery

Margate is effectively a one-way ticket back

love of model toys.

Sport have come from that roll of steel?”

to your childhood. As well as detailing the

Get me there: Groups of eight or more

Get me there: Thankfully, the tours are led

enlightening tale of how Frank Hornby started

people need to pre-book their visit. Phone

by highly knowledgeable guides who manage

his empire by making home-made toys in

01843 233524 or email visitorcentre@

to make everything sound a lot simpler than it

sheet metal, you’ll see an array of familiar

hornby.com

And, when you see everything come

standout features - you can even race one

GTW

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KING RICHARD III VISITOR CENTRE Discover the incredible story of England’s lost king

An ideal destination for groups, Leicester’s award winning Visitor Centre offers: • Discounts for groups of 15+ • Range of fascinating talks • Great value refreshment packages available • Dedicated group bookings team to help you make the most of your visit

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.kriii.com/groups or 0116 229 4132

kriiicentre

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@kriiicentre

12/12/2018 19:17

Hever’s Tudor gems Visitors to Hever Castle in Kent can now view Henry VIII’s family portraits as the King himself might have seen them. Sue Parslow went along to the grand unveiling...

H

ISTORY BUFFS WILL relish the

expert on Tudor history, was the catalyst

can promenade the oak-panelled gallery and

opportunity to see the portraits

behind a project to return the Long Gallery at

take in a family history that has life stories

of Tudor kings and queens close-up in

picturesque Hever Castle in Kent into a room

as compelling as any modern soap opera.

the very same way the nobility of the

with its true and original function. Now, with an

time would have viewed them.

authentic paint finish, and lighting that offers

into this tumultuous period of history, it is well

a candlelit-style glow to each portrait, visitors

worth having the learned historian as your

Historian Dr David Starkey, a renowned

To enhance your visit and gain an insight

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Days out Dr David Starkey and CEO Duncan Leslie with Henry VIII’s portrait as the new-style gallery is unveiled

The historian’s favourite painting within the collection is this portrait of Arthur, whose premature death put younger brother Henry on the throne

Plan your visit at hevercastle.co.uk personal guide, which the multimedia guide (with his commentary) facilitates.

Hever Castle dates back to the 13th century and is well known for its Tudor links, not least the

Portraits of Henry VIII’s ancestors are hung in the style of the Tudor period, framed by curtains

in framing each of the portraits in traditional green curtains, ensuring that the presentation of the 18 rare oil paintings is as authentic as it can be.

Hung in dynastic order, the story of the

the ceiling painted a softer ‘off-white’ to give the effect of lime wash, and full-length drapes have been reinstalled at the large stained-glass windows at each end of the 98ft (30m) room.

FAMILY PORTRAITS

fact that it was the childhood home of

Tudors is told starting from Henry VI and

Now hanging proudly among their ‘relatives’

Anne Boleyn, Henry’s VIII’s second wife. Its

ending with Henry VIII. A coloured border

are portraits of Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI

displays include an important collection of

on the drapes (red, white or a mix of the

and Edward IV, which were until now only seen

Tudor furniture, paintings and tapestries.

two) indicates whether the individuals were

by guests at Hever Castle’s bed and breakfast

from the York, Lancaster or Tudor descent.

accommodation, while eating in the Tudor

A regular visitor to the Castle, Dr Starkey came up with suggestion of ‘re-thinking’ the

The Long Gallery, one of the earliest

Suite Dining Room.

use of the Long Gallery, gathering together an

of its kind, was created in 1506 by Anne

important collection of paintings dispersed

Boleyn’s father Thomas Boleyn. Thanks to

a portrait of Elizabeth Woodville, Henry VIII’s

throughout the Castle’s property, some

the renovation, it is now said to more closely

grandmother, who was an influential figure in

away from the gaze of the general public.

resemble its original appearance. Dr Starkey’s

bringing the Wars of the Roses to a close and

He drove the project, taking an active role

attention to detail and insistence on historical

thus signalling the start of the Tudor dynasty.

in the re-decoration, high-tech lighting, and

accuracy has seen the ornate plasterwork on

The painting, which depicts her in a widow’s

On public display for the first time ever is

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Days out

The Long Gallery with its plaster ceiling

portrait of Arthur painted in his lifetime.”

HEVER’S HISTORY Hever Castle is thought to date back

SPECIAL PROJECT

more than 700 years. It was the

The idea for the project was borne out of

childhood home of Anne Boleyn,

Tudor specialist Dr Starkey’s many visits to

Henry VIII’s second wife. Hever later passed into the ownership of another of Henry’s wives, Anne of Cleves, and from 1557 onwards was owned by a

Elizabeth Woodville, Henry VIII’s I grandmother, after whom Elizabeth is said to have been named

number of families. It fell into decline until William Waldorf Astor bought the property in 1903. The wealthy American

the Castle and working with Philip Mould, the art expert star of the BBC’s TV show, ‘Fake or Fortune’.

Dr Starkey, who has previously stated that: “Hever Castle has one of the best collection

veil, sits next to her husband Edward IV.

of Tudor portraits after the National Portrait

Hever’s CEO Duncan Leslie, says:

Gallery,” says: “I was able to access records of

had a passion for history and invested a

“The new approach offers a chance to

how royal portraits were displayed, and after

great deal into restoring the castle. He

concentrate on the Tudor history of the

talking with Philip, I decided to give visitors

commissioned the Tudor Village (now the

Castle and the story of the sequence of

a flavour of what the Long Gallery would

B&B) and acres of beautiful gardens.

tumultuous events that changed the course

have looked like at the time of Henry VIII.”

In 1983 the property was sold to

of Britain’s history, monarchy and religion.”

Also on show in the Long Gallery is a 17th

the Guthrie family, who continue to

In picking out his highlights from the portrait

century doge’s hat. A doge was the elected

invest in Hever, including expanding

display, Dr Starkey says: “One of my favourites

Lord of the Italian city-state of Venice. It forms

its collection of artworks.

is that of Prince Arthur, Henry VIII’s older

part of a display of religious vestments, which

brother and heir to the throne, who died in

include a 16th century ceremonial gauntlet

1502. It is positively jewel-like and the only

and a 15th century bishop’s mitre.

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12/12/2018 19:18

The arts

Caught on camera

A self portrait with fellow artist Evariste de Valernes

A series of films offer art lovers the opportunity to gain a real insight into the world of their favourite artist. Sue Parslow went along to the premier of Degas: Passion for Perfection

Stars of the screen Since launching in 2011, Exhibition on Screen (EOS) has made 19 art films.

First screened in major cinema chains, as well as independent cinemas across the UK, the films go on to become available as DVDs, or can be downloaded from exhibitiononscreen.com

I found the film captivating, with its story telling narrative and mixture of close ups on artwork and travelogue, with key locations in Degas’ life, including the city streets where he learnt his trade, the ballet and the races.

COMING SOON...

Art lovers can look forward to two more artist-specific films in 2019: ■ Young

Picasso debuts in February. It

focuses on the artist’s often overlooked early life, discovering how his upbringing led to his subsequent achievements.

The film explores the time he spent in Malaga, Barcelona and Paris, taking a close

‘Dance Examination’ pastel on paper by Edgar Degas

I

look at work from those early years.

■ 2019

is also the 350th anniversary of

Rembrandt’s death. Showing in cinemas T’S ONE THING to visit an art exhibition, but

artist whose famous works include studies of

from April 9, the film Rembrandt explores

walking from one painting to another can

Parisian ballet dancers, as well as racehorses.

the artist’s life and works. It is said that for

Inspired by an exhibition at the Cambridge

many, Rembrandt is the greatest artist who

leave you wanting to know more. Exhibition on Screen (EOS) has the answer, with engaging

Fitzwilliam Museum, where the UK’s most

ever lived, and this film aims to seek out the

films created in collaboration with experts and

extensive Degas collection is held, the

truth about the man behind the legend. His

top galleries, offering viewers the opportunity

film shows a selection of artworks, many

life story is interwoven throughout, along with

to gain a deeper understanding of art.

usually unseen by the public. Using written

behind-the-scenes preparations for previous

accounts by friends and commentators, and

exhibitions in London and Amsterdam.

Passion for Perfection, tells the fascinating

the narration of Degas’ own letters, the film

■ In

story of the artist’s pursuit of perfection

reveals the complex truth behind one of

examines the artist’s interest in Japanese

through experimentation, lessons learnt

the most influential artists of the late 19th

culture. The film makers travel to the

from studying the past masters, as well

century. The film journeys from Cambridge

Netherlands, to southern France and to

as repetition. One of the founders of

to Paris and Italy, where Degas spent his

Japan to explore the latter’s profound

Impressionism, Edgar Degas was a French

formative years and taught himself to paint.

influence on the work of Van Gogh.

The latest, a 90-minute film called Degas:

June, the film Van Gogh and Japan

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To the Summit of Snowdon The group experience above everything else.

Travel to Hafod Eryri, Snowdon Summit’s visitor centre, I085m above sea level.

Venture to the cairn, where on a clear day the views stretch as far as Ireland.

Trains travel to the Summit from May to the end of October and to Clogwyn ¾ up the mountain during March and April (weather permitting). Heritage Steam Experience (34 capacity) and Traditional Diesel Service (74 capacity) available.

Group discounts for 25+ passengers.

Email our dedicated group booking team at:

bookings@snowdonrailway.co.uk Or call 01286 870 223

snowdonrailway.co.uk Snowdon Mountain Railway, Llanberis, Gwynedd LL55 4TT

snowdonrailway.co.uk

Registered Charity Number 271370

Discover Britain’s foremost modern sculptor at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens Explore Henry Moore’s studios, home and sculptures in over 70 acres of glorious countryside, plus a new exhibition of the artist’s drawings.

3 APRIL - 27 OCTOBER 2019 WEDNESDAYS TO SUNDAYS & BANK HOLIDAYS 11AM-5PM groupvisits@henry-moore.org

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HENRY MOORE STUDIOS & GARDENS Perry Green, Herts, SG10 6EE www.henry-moore.org

12/12/2018 20:24

Days out

TENbest of the

DAYS OUT FOR FAMILIES & GROUPS

Grimsthorpe reveals 800 years of Lincolnshire history

1 Grimsthorpe Castle Where history comes to life

Step back in time Discovering what life was like for ordinary people in the North

While there’s been a ‘castle’ at Grimsthorpe for

final masterpiece of Blenheim’s architect Sir John

East in the 19th and 20th

around 800 years, today it’s more of a large

Vanbrugh. Open to families and groups from

centuries is the premise behind

country pile than a traditional turreted affair,

March until the end of September, you can take

Beamish, a fabulous outdoor

having been in the Willoughby de Eresby family

a guided tour of the castle and its state rooms,

museum in County Durham. It’s

for 500 years.

explore the gardens, and walk or bike ride through

currently in the midst of a multi-

the parkland trails, which can take you on a route

million revamp, and has just been

granted by Henry VIII to William, Baron Willoughby

of up to 10 miles as you explore thousands of

awarded official Coach Friendly

de Eresby when he married Maria de Salinas,

acres that are home to buzzards, red kites, swans,

Status by The Confederation

lady-in-waiting to Katherine of Aragon, in 1516),

geese, ducks and deer.

of Passenger Transport UK, no

its oldest part, King John’s Tower, was built in the

Get me there: Based near Bourne in south

less. Groups of 15 or more get

early 13th century.

Lincolnshire, plan your visit – and take a virtual tour

discounts and special offers,

– at grimsthorpe.co.uk – and buy your discounted

see beamish.org.uk

With an impressive history (the castle was

And if you detect a hint of Blenheim Palace about its design, that’s because the house was the

tickets at our sister site grouptraveloffers.com

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10/12/2018 11:17

GLENSHEE SKI CENTRE CAIRNWELL, BRAEMAR, ABERDEENSHIRE AB35 5XU

22 Lifts & 36 38 Runs to suit all levels of skiers and boarders

FACILITES INLCUDE: FACILITIES INCLUDE: equipmentHire, Hire, Snowsports Snowsports School, Equipment School, Shop Shop &&33Mountain MountainCafés.

Café’s.

Openingtimes timesare are8.30 8.30am Opening am -– 5pm 5pm (7 (7 days daysaaweek weekduring duringseason) season) Chairliftand and café café open open during during summer Chairlift summer June/September June/September

Inspiring days out for groups at RHS Gardens

Save up to 50% on repeat visits*

Start planning your group visit today

www.rhs.org.uk/groups 020 7821 3170 Glenshee SkiFax: Centre Tel No: 013397 41320 (dial 1 for snow report) 013397 41665

E-mail: info@ski-glenshee.co.uk

Website: www.ski-glenshee.co.uk

*Terms and Conditions; 50% off is applicable on the standard groups admission price only, based on groups of 10 or more guests. Applicable only to repeat visits to RHS Gardens Harlow Carr, Rosemoor, Wisley and Hyde Hall between the 1st October 2018 and the 31st January 2019. See website for full terms and conditions. www.rhs.org.uk/groups RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262

Britain’s finest hour – your finest day out

Have I got some stories to tell you!

Relive this country’s finest hour with a visit to the Battle of Britain Memorial. Our interactive Scramble Experience brings to life the skills, bravery and sacrifices of ‘the Few’ in 1940, while the clifftop site inspires reflection and remembrance. Film footage and audio clips allow the Few to tell their stories as only they can.

Look for well-known names on the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall, admire the replica Hurricane and Spitfire, shoot down enemy aircraft from a mock-up Hurricane cockpit in The Scramble Experience and enjoy a coffee and unrivalled views of the Channel from our first floor café.

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few” Winston Churchill

VISIT THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL ON KENT’S FAMOUS WHITE CLIFFS AT CAPEL-LE-FERNE, NEAR FOLKESTONE, KENT CT18 7JJ. For more information, please call 01303 249 292 or visit www.battleofbritainmemorial.org

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The Battle Of Britain Memorial Trust CIO. Registered Charity No 1169005.

14/12/2018 08:29

Days out

2 Anfield Stadium

Go behind the scenes at one of the world’s most iconic stadiums Take the LFC Stadium Tour, where multimedia

press conference in the press room and touch

audio handsets allow you to wander at your

the ‘This is Anfield’ sign before walking down

own pace, taking in views of this hallowed

the player’s tunnel to the sound of the Anfield

Dine in style

Liverpudlian pitch from the top level of the

roar. Take your seat in the manager’s dugout,

The smart 3 AA Rosette Peninsula

Main Stand (said handsets also allow you to

then finish your tour in The Kop.

Restaurant at InterContinental London

see and hear for yourself Anfield’s infamous

The tour’s available in nine languages, and

– The O2 sits on the Greenwich

friendly, knowledgeable tour guides are also

Peninsula, offering breathtaking views

available throughout your tour to answer any

of the River Thames and Canary Wharf.

game in the state-of-the-art home team

questions you may have.

Its private dining room caters for

dressing room, sit in your favourite player’s

Get me there: The tour also includes entry to

up to 24 guests. Find out more at

seat and watch exclusive videos about each

The Liverpool FC Story, the Club’s interactive

peninsula-restaurant.com

player using your handset. Take part in a lively

museum. Find out more at liverpoolfc.com

matchday atmosphere).

See where the players prepare for the big

Blair Castle sits in the glorious Perthshire hills

3 Blair Castle & Gardens Stay and play in the Perthshire hills

Situated in the heart of Atholl Estates, Blair Castle and Gardens is set in 145,000 acres of rolling farmland and wild open hills.

Built in 1269, the castle first opened its doors to visitors in 1936, and each of the 30 rooms now on display are brimming with historic treasures, including furniture, weapons, paintings, china and lace work. The extensive grounds include the Hercules Garden, a nineacre walled garden restored to its original Georgian design, Diana’s Grove, a Chinese bridge, a sculpture trail, an orchard and more.

Visitors can make the most of their visit by staying in the on-site self-catering accommodation. The estate boasts 11 Scandinavian inspired Woodland Lodges, sleeping up to six, five larger Highland Lodges sleeping up to 20, six two-person camping pods and 18 holiday homes.

Get me there: Although the Castle closes to the general public at the end of October, it can be reopened for groups in the winter season. Tours take approximately 50 minutes and must be booked in advance via bookings@blair-castle.co.uk, or visit www.blair-castle.co.uk 32 WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

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HOME OF THE CHIEFS OF CLAN MACLEOD FOR 800 YEARS

LOCH DUNVEGAN SEAL TRIPS

Voted ‘1 of the Best UK Days Out’ by The Sunday Times Travel Magazine OPEN: 1 APRIL - 15 OCTOBER 10AM - 5.30PM (LAST ENTRY 5PM) DUNVEGAN CASTLE, ISLE OF SKYE IV55 8WF T: +44 (0) 1470 521206 E: INFO@DUNVEGANCASTLE.COM WWW.DUNVEGANCASTLE.COM

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21/09/2017 13:15 12/12/2018 19:19

Out comes the gin!

4 Metrodeco vintage tearoom

Give your next trip to Brighton a decadent twist

Metrodeco – a vintage tearoom with a quirky

It’s been said that Metrodeco’s scones

and eclectic décor – specialises in afternoon

are the best in Brighton, and the team also

tea. Its friendly team, who dress in their

offer a boozy addition in the form of Prosecco,

own vintage style as music from the 1940s,

local Sussex gins and their own unique boozy

’50s and ’60s plays in the background,

tea cocktails.

welcome parties large and small, and the

Metrodeco also opens in the evening, when

Waxy’s a winner!

venue has a stylish private area so larger

the lights are dimmed and out comes the gin!

Waxy O’Connor’s, the famous Irish pub

groups can sit together.

So if sampling a section of craft gins and

with locations in London, Manchester and

tea cocktails sounds more your cup of tea,

Glasgow, clinched the Irish Pub of the

its own blends of loose leaf tea and infusions,

walk this way...

Year for Europe award at the prestigious

and you can try as many blends as you like,

Get me there: Find out more and start

Irish Hospitality Global Awards. Join in the

from traditional breakfast tea to healthy green

planning your vintage tea with a twist at

celebrations at waxyoconnors.co.uk

teas and interesting Oolongs.

metro-deco.com

Particular about your tea? Metrodeco has

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Days out

5 Bustronome

Meals on wheels has never been so much fun

A brand new concept, groups can now enjoy fine dining as they travel in style around London’s major attractions and landmarks on board the top deck of Bustronome’s glass-roofed bus.

The bus, which holds up to 38, gives 360° views of the capital as you tuck in.

The downstairs is equipped with guest toilets, a cloakroom and a kitchen.

Dinner is served from Wednesday to Saturday – a six-course meal feast costs £105 (or go for the wine pairing, from £135), and there are plans to serve lunch and afternoon tea, as

Turn to page 99 for our 16-page London guide

well as bespoke packages for individuals and groups, from brunch to canapés.

The bus can even pick up a group from a West End show, take them around the sights of London, with dinner en route, and then drop them off at a club

for some dancing.

Get me there: Plan your ultimate bus trip at bustronome.com

6 LEGOLAND Windsor Resort Leave no brick unturned...

With more than 55 rides, attractions and

can all ride together in a sub and explore an

shows, there’s something for everyone at

underwater world, to the many lands

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, from the group-

– including LEGO NINJAGO World.

friendly Atlantis submarine ride, where you

Get me there: See legoland.co.uk

7

Jorvik Viking Centre

Time for a quick pillage?

The GTW award-winning Jorvik Viking Centre invites visitors to hop aboard its high-tech ride experience and be transported back to the year AD960.

Eric Bloodaxe, the last Viking King in Jorvik, has been expelled and the city is transforming itself.

The gallery experiences have been completely updated, with new display cases allowing you to get up close to the precious Viking artefacts.

You’ll have the chance to dig deeper into the Viking story of York using the latest in cutting-edge technology. Plus, the centre’s Viking hosts will be on hand to help bring the period to life.

Get me there: Find out more and plan your visit at jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk/ groups

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35

10/12/2018 11:18

To find out ; hone more telep

50 4 0136o4r e6m4ail5;

grange .org.uk t s a f k c u b @

THE GRANGE

RESTAURANT & TEA ROOM

Buckfast Abbey

Visit

Buckfast Abbey

Over 200 cover restaurant with additional outside seating.

a great day

breakfasts and • Delicious home cooked hot meals, snacks, teas and coffee. teas all day long.

• Cream wifi.

• Free • Group bookings welcome.

out

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION -

www.buckfast.org.uk

GROUP VISITS

Wells Cathedral Wells, Somerset

England’s first entirely Gothic Cathedral and Vicars’ Close in the heart of medieval Wells, near to Cheddar Gorge and the cities of Bath and Bristol

Pre-booked groups benefit from:

discounted group rates • dedicated tour guide • tailored tour themes • 10% discount card for Cathedral shops and café • free place for group organiser • “meet and greet” system for coaches in Wells

01749 671663

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visits@wellscathedral.uk.net

www.wellscathedral.org.uk/visit

14/12/2018 08:27

Days out Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire

9 The Royal Yacht

Britannia

Follow in the footsteps of royalty Get a taste of what it is to be royal on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, now permanently moored at Leith in Edinburgh.

It’s sailed more than one million miles around the world, taking Her Majesty The Queen and the royal family to many

8

exotic locations, and today visitors can

Woburn Abbey

explore the five decks, before stopping for refreshments in the Royal Deck Tea

Enjoy a taste of Abbey life

Room, where the royals would have enjoyed drinks receptions.

Just off the M1 in Bedfordshire, Woburn

attraction packages and discounts).

Abbey & Gardens has everything – a glorious

Get me there: Woburn has plenty of

team are on hand to help you arrange

The Royal Yacht Britannia’s groups

stately home to wander around, wonderful art

group discounts, packages and incentives for

your trip, and discounts are available

collections, beautiful gardens and the minor

groups of over 12 and a dedicated groups

if there are 15 or more of you.

addition of a world-famous safari park just

co-ordinator to help steer you to the right

Get me there: Plan your visit at

next door, and the famous Bletchley Park

package. Email lisa.weaver@woburn.co.uk

royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

not too far away (you can enjoy multi

or visit woburnabbey.co.uk

10 Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Make waves down in Hampshire

Take an audio tour of HMS Victory to learn about the fall of Admiral Nelson during the Battle of Trafalgar (and see the exact spot where he fell), step on board HMS Warrior – a warship that never fired a shot in anger, largely because it was so feared – or go even further back in time to learn about the excavation of the Mary Rose and life on board Henry VIII’s favourite ship, before taking a tour of the harbour.

Get me there: Opt for a full navy day ticket for all 11 attractions; a day attraction ticket for any one, two or three attractions; or a Portsmouth combined ticket, which covers the Dockyard and a visit to the nearby Spinnaker Tower. Find out more at historicdockyard.co.uk

GTW

Explore HMS Warrior, Britain’s first armoured battleship

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Days out Illuminate is set to return in November 2019, with events across the UK

Feel Illuminated!

Get 2019 off to a bright start... start

T

HIRTY FIVE MILLION people today are

IN BLOOM...

descendants of the Mayflower Pilgrims

Always a favourite with GTW readers,

who made the voyage from England to the

2019 is set to be a fantastic year for

New World in 1620... and as the 400th

visitors to the four main RHS Gardens:

our Q&A section full of gardening advice from

anniversary approaches, a series of Mayflower

Wisley in Surrey, Hyde Hall in Essex,

the experts at the RHS.

400 events are set to take place in the historic

Rosemoor in Devon and Harlow Carr in

UK ports they sailed from.

Yorkshire. From guided expert tours to flower

GORGE YOURSELF!

shows, see the website to plan your year

The Ironbridge Gorge Museums have teamed

of garden loveliness.

up with other leading Shropshire attractions

Last November saw a series of Illuminate events happen across the country, coinciding with Thanksgiving in America. And they’re

Plus don’t forget RHS Garden Wisley’s

to offer a series of day trips with a twist for

set to return in November 2019, as

grand unveiling of its new arrivals hall, along

groups of 15 or more planning to visit the

Illuminate opens a year-long anniversary

with two new restaurants and an expanded

area in 2019:

programme of events for the official 400-

plant centre (due in the spring).

■ Iron:

Past, Present and Future is a new

year commemoration of the sailing of the

To find out more call 020 7821 3170,

day trip package combining Blists Hill Victorian

Mayflower, culminating in Illuminate 2020.

email groups@rhs.org.uk or visit rhs.org.uk/

Town with the British Ironworks Centre

See mayflower400uk.org/events/

groups – and turn to page 92 for

in Oswestry.

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Days out The English Heritage-run Audley End House in Essex

THE AUCKLAND PROJECT A new landmark has launched in County Durham, signalling the second phase of a £130m visitor destination, which is currently in development.

The Auckland Tower, in Bishop Auckland Market Place, stands at 29m high and will serve as the unmissable starting point for anyone visiting the soon-to-be-unveiled Auckland Project.

Centred around the 900-year-old Auckland Castle, The Project is set to conserve the Castle and replenish it, transforming the visitor experience when

Step back in time at Blists Hill Victorian Town

it’s opened to the public in 2019.

Auckland Castle will form the heart of

■ All Aboard! allows groups to relax

this historic city, including – of course! – a

a new destination spanning more than

on a River Severn cruise around the

number of Morse-themed rambles, the

200 acres and seven distinct venues in

county town of Shrewsbury on board the

favourite of which remains the Inspector

and around the Castle grounds, from

Sabrina, followed by a trip to Blists Hill

Morse Lewis and Endeavour Tour.

galleries and museums to restaurants.

Victorian Town in the afternoon (available

Other tours include the CS Lewis & Tolkien

from March 1 until October 31)

Tour (just two of the literary giants who

■ Full Steam Ahead! allows groups to take

have lived and worked in the city), the Lewis

a journey back in time in a package deal

Carroll and Alice in Wonderland tour, and

with the Severn Valley Railway. Start the

the newly re-launched Pubs Tours, which

day with a nostalgic one-way journey on a

includes two free drinks.

Find out more about all the exciting plans at aucklandproject.org

with a discount at all English Heritage

steam-hauled train through the picturesque

The team will also help you arrange your

properties for groups, one tour leader and

Worcestershire and Shropshire countryside,

own tour with a private Blue or Green Badge

one coach driver admitted free with each

then head to Blists Hill Victorian Town

Guide. Call them on 01865 686 441 for

group, free fam visits for the travel trade, and

(available from April 13 until November 30).

more information, email officialtours@

themed tours available for pre-booked groups

experienceoxfordshire.com or visit

at many properties, what’s not to love?

Groups will need to use their own coach to travel between locations and book at least two weeks in advance. Call the Group Visits

experienceoxfordshire.org

email visits@ironbridge.org.uk; details can

STEEPED IN HERITAGE

also be found at ironbridge.org.uk

Chances are a visit to one

Officer Ben Walker on 01952 435 900 or

FOLLOW IN MORSE’S FOOTSTEPS

of the wonderful English Heritage properties

Oxford Official Walking Tours take groups

across the UK is already

of all sizes on expert-led walks through

on your list for 2019. And

To discuss your group’s visit, subscribe to the free travel trade printed newsletter, or order a free copy of

Turn to page 70 for more on the wonderful city of Oxford

the 2018/19 Group Visits Guide, call 0117 975 1349 or email traveltrade@englishheritage.org.uk. For more on the properties and sites see www.english-heritage.org.uk

GTW

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A GOLDEN YEAR FOR STUART LINE CRUISES! This year, one of Devon’s top attractions, family-run Stuart Line Cruises, not only celebrates its Golden Anniversary but also scooped Gold at the Visit Devon Tourism Awards, as Small Attraction of the Year.

Stuart Line Cruises' first boat trips were run by Tony Stuart in the summer of 1968 from the clock tower on Exmouth seafront, to the cries of "half hour trip around the bay, pay on the boat!". During the 50 years since, the business has passed from Tony to his son, Ian and daughter-in-law, Philippa and in 2013 their son, Jake also joined the business.

Over recent years, Stuart Line Cruises has expanded with a fleet comprising of Tudor Rose and Pride of Exmouth, which last year underwent a huge extension and refurbishment, allowing her to accommodate more groups.

Along with offering year-round river cruises and summer coastal cruises, there is also a wide range of Special Events that make an excellent addition to any South West itinerary.

“This is a very special year for us, to reach a 50th anniversary is a true milestone and we have support of our community and the dedication of our great team to thank for getting us here. This year has been one of our best so far, with more holidaymakers coming to the area and all the positive developments in Exmouth, the town can only continue to become a more incredible place to live and visit. To now be awarded Gold in the Devon Tourism Awards for Small Attraction of the Year really is the icing on the cake!”

“Its definitely great to be able to carry on the family business into its 50th year.

Tradition is important, but we also need to develop, so along with all trips that we are well known for, we also have an exciting timetable of Special Events which bring a whole new experience to being on our boats. We look forward to seeing all our regular customers and welcoming new ones aboard for another 50 years to come.”

Ian Stuart

Jake Stuart

SAILING ALL YEAR ROUND

RIVER CRUISES

01395 222144 FP Template.indd 41

COASTAL CRUISES

Small Attraction of the Year 2018

SPECIAL EVENTS

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Dive straight in Nudging the Welsh border, the pretty county of Cheshire is a haven for fine food, great wine and wild animals, as Helen Milbank discovers

F

UNNY THE RANDOM conversations you

‘Jack the blind sheepdog’ and you can meet

the pretty village of Warmingham in Cheshire,

have in bars. There we were, enjoying a glass

him online. We met him in the flesh the next

is one of the best places I’ve ever stayed. Yes,

of wine in The Bear’s Paw, our nine-year-old

day after his owner, Liz, invited us up to the

it has famous Border Collies on its doorstep,

daughter’s stuffed animals lined up beside us

farm to meet him. He was such a fantastic

but it also has amazing food, great staff and

(she’d just blown several weeks’ worth of

sheep-herder, Liz and her family had no idea

luxury rooms that feel far more decadent than

pocket money at Chester Zoo). The lady

he was blind until he ran straight into a

their price tag would have you believe (double

behind the bar commented on how well

wooden peg sticking out of the ground. Like

rooms from £115 per night; singles from £105).

behaved they were all being. “I love animals

I say, strange the conversations you have!

too,” she said. “In fact I have a famous dog; he’s the UK’s only blind sheepdog...”

Turns out she wasn’t joking either. Google

Blind sheepdogs aside, we’d have had a

The restaurant has an AA Rosette, sources the majority of its produce from local farms,

great night whatever the chat. The Bear’s Paw,

and serves a mighty fine lunch, dinner and

a 19th century country hotel and restaurant in

afternoon tea.

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Cheshire

The Bear’s Paw, a 19th century country hotel and restaurant in the village of Warmingham

Top-notch fare at The Bear’s Paw is courtesy of its AA Rosette restaurant

Decadent rooms at The Bear’s Paw start at £105 per night

Chester Zoo’s jaw-dropping jaguar Napo (meet his ‘roomie’ Goshi on page 6)

The place has a great atmosphere, and – good news for Jack and his mates – is dog-friendly. We chatted to two young

Make a splash in the Grosvenor’s pool

ever in the area, please do look it up; you can

we’ve already met this issue – Chester Zoo’s

take a virtual tour at thebearspaw.co.uk

baby rhino, Hazina, is our speedy cover star this month, while Goshi the jaguar is draped

newly-weds who were enjoying their

ESCAPE FROM THE ZOO

honeymoon chez Bear’s Paw, their much-loved

Back to tales of Chester Zoo, and the stuffed

Irish Wolfhound along for the ride, or should

animals that sparked our chance meeting with

of this 125-acre park, which is home to the

that be walk?

Jack were the much-treasured spoils of a day

likes of the Spirit of the Jaguar, the Tropical

spent at this fantastic attraction, hailed as the

Realm, Dragons in Danger and the new Islands

amazing walking country, close to the market

UK’s most visited zoo and star of Channel 4’s

zone, where you can take a boat trip through

towns of Sandbach, Middlewich and Crewe,

The Secret Life of the Zoo. It’s home to a

the South East Asian-inspired landscape. We

and just a short hop from the M6. If you’re

staggering 20,000-plus animals, two of which

loved the Fruit Bat Forest, a dark, fascinating

The pub sits slap bang in the centre of some

across pages six and seven.

A day just isn’t enough to take in the whole

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Cheshire ‘cave’ where the zoo’s colony of bats fly

around (check it out at chesterzoo.org/

past so close you can feel their wings touch

campaigns/download-our-app). There’s also

your hair.

heaps of information on the website to help

Brilliantly well written information boards

you plan your day at chesterzoo.org, plus

about the animals are dotted throughout the

the chance to save 10% on tickets when

zoo, and all the habitats are a real cut above.

you book online.

Go early, or go twice is my advice, and download Chester Zoo’s free app for iPhone

TIME TO HEAD TO THE SPA

and android, which helps you find your way

Our Cheshire mini break also included a stay at the smart Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa

NELSON HOTELS

on the outskirts of Chester. This four-star, 73-bedroom hotel is just a five-minute drive

Both The Pear’s Paw and the Grosvenor

from the city centre, and is perhaps best

Pulford Hotel & Spa are part of the

known, and best loved, for its two top-notch

upmarket Nelson Hotels family. Find

restaurants and its Romanesque spa and

out more about this Cheshire chain at

swimming pool.

nelson-hotels.co.uk

Opt to dine in the plush Palm Court Restaurant, Bar & Piano Lounge for brunch,

Helen and daughter Georgie (array of cuddly toys just out of sight)

afternoon tea or dinner, or head to the The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa on the outskirts of Chester

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Cheshire And while in Chester...

■ Visit

The Grosvenor’s plush Palm Court Restaurant

the 1,000-year-old

Chester Cathedral ■ Place

your bets at Chester Racecourse,

the oldest still in use in the UK ■ Cruise

the River Dee with ChesterBoat

hotel’s gastro-pub, Nelson’s Bar. You can sweat all that fine dining off in the award-winning spa, which is home to a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna, plus gym, outdoor tennis court, spa boutique and more.

The pool is open to hotel guests, with youngsters allowed in at set times (check with staff – when we went Georgie was allowed in morning and night, but ushered out between times!). It’s a great place to relax, and with twin rooms starting at just over £100 per night, great value too.

We ate in the Palm Court, which comes into its own on a winter’s night, as it’s all twinkly lights and moody lighting. The food’s fantastic

to a Laurent-Perrier wine cave. Think floor

chandelier give a chic feel, and with a ‘poser’

and I can certainly vouch for the sirloin steak

to ceiling wine racks that house almost 100

table (their wording, not mine!) seating up to

and fancy ice-cream (not together). Find out

varieties of old and new world wines and

eight people, the cave can be used for wine

more at grosvenorpulfordhotel.co.uk

Champagnes, along with specially selected,

tastings and exclusive private dining. In fact,

fine cellar wines. Mirrored walls and a crystal

I might just move in...

And another thing... Palm Court is also home

GTW

Chester Zoo’s new Islands zone

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13/11/2018 11:24 12/12/2018 20:11

The North West The famous Strawberry Field red gates will soon open to Beatles fans

Strawberry Fields Forever

Brand new Beatles attractions, Corrie tours... there’s never been a better time to explore the north west

says: “I’m sure John would have been thrilled that Strawberry Field is to become an inspirational visitor experience.”

Strawberry Field is still owned and operated by The Salvation Army, which hopes the attraction will weave together educational, cultural, heritage and spiritual exploration. The site is around 15 minutes’ drive from Liverpool city centre. Find out more at strawberryfieldliverpool.com

THE QUAY TO A GREAT DAY Salford Quays, the home of MediaCityUK, is celebrating its 18th in 2019 with a host of

S

special events. All the details can be found at TRAWBERRY FIELD, LIVERPOOL will open its gates in late summer 2019,

photo taken – will soon open to Beatles fans.

The attraction will include an interactive

thequays.org.uk – and get set to explore the likes of The Lowry, City Centre Cruises, the

bringing a new twist to Beatles tours. The

exhibition exploring the site’s history,

Helly Hansen Watersports Centre, the Lowry

iconic site, immortalised by John Lennon in

John’s childhood, and the writing and

Outlet and more...

Strawberry Fields Forever, was the site of

recording of the song. Visits will include a

the former Salvation Army children’s home

tour of the garden and woods where John

the set of Coronation Street resided within

where John played as a child. And now, the

played, and there’ll be a café and shop.

Granada Studios, but these days you’ll find

famous red gates – outside which thousands of people journey every year to have their

Julia Baird, John’s sister and Honorary President of the Strawberry Field Project,

It’s even home to Corrie! Up until 2014,

the Rovers Return and Roy’s Rolls over at MediaCity. Along with Coronation Street and

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A UNIQUE BOAT TRIP AT THE ALBERT DOCK PROVIDING HISTORICAL GUIDED CRUISES FOR ALL COACH PASSENGERS

BUSINESS EVENTS

AFTERNOON TEA CRUISES

EVENING DINNER CRUISES

See the best views of Liverpool’s historic docklands, enjoy excellent food, make use of our on-board bar and relax in style on The Floating Grace. ● Mid-morning Cruises ● Afternoon Tea Cruises ● Private Functions ● Business Events

● Sunday Lunches ● 3 Course Evening Cruises 5* trip advisor rating.

07540 373 838 bookings@floatinggrace.co.uk Floating Grace, Albert Dock, Salthhouse Quay, Liverpool, L3 4AE @tfgliverpool @FloatingGrace1 FP Template.indd 49

14/12/2018 08:23

The North West Rosamund Street, an 80-minute set tour lets you have a nosey around the new Victoria Street expansions. Tours are only available when cast and crew have downed tools for the weekend. This normally (but not always) means you can only really come between 9am and 6pm on selected Saturdays between May and November. Advanced booking is required at coronationstreettour.co.uk

AND TALKING OF THE LOWRY...

Join group travel specialists Steve Reed Tourism at the Group Travel Forum North – in association with Group Travel World magazine – in October at The Lowry in Salford Quays, Manchester (pictured right).

The event, on Monday October 14, will host exhibitors from around the country, including hotels, attractions, destinations and tourism services – its aim to generate

can join City Centre Cruises Manchester

The GTW team will be there, so come

new and additional group bookings, and

for a fam cruise straight after the event

and say hi! To find out more, email steve@

put the buyers of tours together with

(the Farington Lodge Hotel in Leyland will

stevereedtourism.co.uk, call 01420 560288

sellers. And once you’ve networked, you

be hosting some of the tour operators).

or visit stevereedtourism.co.uk GTW

Salford Quays

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Cliveden’sstunning stunninghouse houseand and Cliveden’s Cliveden’s stunning house and gardensare are theperfect perfect gardens the gardens are for the destination foraperfect agroup groupday dayout. out. destination destination for a group day out.

There'sbeautiful beautifulseasonal seasonalfloral floral There's There's beautiful seasonalsculpture floral displays, outstanding sculpture displays, ananoutstanding displays, an and outstanding sculpture collection guidedtours. tours. collection and guided collection and guided tours.

Cliveden welcomes group visits throughout the year, from Monday to Cliveden welcomes group visits year,hours fromto Monday Saturday.

We recommend youthroughout allow threethe to four see theto formal Saturday.

We recommend you allow three to four hours to see the to formal Cliveden welcomes group visits throughout the year,orfrom gardens and have enough time to stop for lunch tea. Monday gardens and enough timeallow toguided stop for tea.towho Saturday.

Wehave recommend you three tolunch four hours see wish the formal Cliveden offers pre-bookable tours for or groups to find out Cliveden offers pre-bookable guided tours for groups gardens and have enough time to for lunch or tea.who wish to find out a bit more about the House or stop Garden. aCliveden bitFree more aboutpre-bookable thefor House orguided Garden. offers tours for non-member groups who wish to find out admission NT members, £10 per adult. a bit admission more aboutfor theNT House or Garden.

Free members, £10 per non-member adult.

Free admission for NT members, £10 per non-member adult.

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12/12/2018 19:23

Still

waters run deep Does Lake Constance suffer from an identity crisis? Ask what country it’s in and the answer is Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Mike Pickup takes to the water’s edge to explore the region known as Bodensee

H

OLIDAY EXTRAS’ EFFICIENT meet and greet parking meant that I was soon

I stayed at the lakeside Steigenberger

After breakfast on the terrace I headed out to Tettnang. My route took me past the small airport at Friedrichshafen, now the home of the current Zeppelins. At 75m long they are a quarter of the size of the pre-war models and are powered by electric motors. There’s room for 12 passengers and two pilots, and sightseeing flights range from 30 minutes to two hours. It’s certainly a unique experience.

TIME TO HOP TO IT

Inselhotel, originally a 13th century cloistered

Outside Tettnang I visited Hopfengut. Primarily

on my flight to Zurich, from where a short

Dominican monastery. The hotel was founded

a producer of fine hops for the brewing trade,

train ride took me to the city of Konstanz in

in 1875 by Count Eberhard von Zeppelin,

it also has a small museum and a brewery.

Germany. It’s a lovely mix of old and new, the

who had the original frescoes restored, and

I learned that hops are the fastest-growing

peaceful, almost deserted historic sector in

it was the birthplace of Graf von Zeppelin,

plants in Europe, coming second only to

stark contrast to the bustling modern city.

the designer of the famous airships.

Japanese bamboo.

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Lake Constance At 500-plus kilometres square, Lake Constance spans four countries

Quick spin in a Zeppelin, anyone?

The lakeside Steigenberger Inselhotel

Liechtenstein’s Vaduz Castle – home to the royal family

The plants grow vertically around wires suspended from a frame, and the first shoots

and the delightful hospitality carried on.

mountain trail taking in three peaks, and a cheese trail. Back in town I enjoyed a delicious

are wound clockwise around the wires to start

FLOATING AN IDEA

them off. They won’t grow anti-clockwise and

The next morning a short drive took me to

if they are wound the wrong way they will

Bregenz. It has the world’s largest floating

This tiny state with a population of just

unravel and die.

stage, which each summer puts on a major

38,500 spread over 11 municipalities is the

lakeside lunch at Pier 69 before setting off for country number three, Liechtenstein.

operatic production watched by up to 7,000

richest in the world. However it wasn’t always

a selection of the brewery’s output and

people seated on the lake shore. The sets are

this way. In 1938 Prince Franz Joseph moved

savoured a traditional lunch in the restaurant

huge and the waterside setting adds a special

from Vienna to Liechtenstein following the

before setting off again to Hard in Austria.

atmosphere to the evening.

annexation of Austria by Germany; by the

Strictly in the interests of research I sampled

This quiet town is home to the Hohentwiel,

From there I walked into the town and took

end of WWII the country was in dire financial

a beautifully restored royal paddle steamer

the Cable Car Pfander to the top of the nearby

straits. The prince sold a number of works

dating back to 1913. A gourmet five-course

mountain. The vistas were stunning, but there

of art to raise finance for the country. One,

dinner was served as we sailed the lake and

is so much more to do than admire the view.

a painting by Leonardo da Vinci, was sold for

were entertained by talented musicians.

Local wildlife includes deer, wild boar and ibex.

today’s equivalent of 50 million dollars.

It was so enjoyable that no-one noticed we had arrived back at our starting point,

There’s entertainment for children, a restaurant and a number of hiking trails including a

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Lake Constance

To celebrate the 300th anniversary of the country, the Liechtenstein Trail is being launched in May 2019 and an app has been created to describe the many fascinating points of interest on the 75km route.

The Hohentweil is a restored royal paddle steamer that dates back to 1913

efforts and the current prince is rightly a

the capital. Below, on the pedestrian main

popular ruler. Although a constitutional

street full of statues and art, the Treasure

monarchy where the prince has the right to

Chamber is a must for visitors. It houses

veto any legislation, each municipality can, if

not only the crown jewels and an amazing

its people want, secede from the country; but

collection of old armoury, but one of Fabergé’s

then who would want to!

famous Easter Eggs. The country was unique in

The royal family live in a castle perched dramatically on a high rocky outcrop in Vaduz,

having a vacuum facility capable of testing the moon landing vehicle, and in response NASA presented it with a moon rock, which is also on

■ The

Bodensee Pass, valid for three,

seven or 14 days, gives visitors free

display. For those wanting a rare Liechtenstein stamp in their passport, the nearby tourist office is happy to oblige.

RALPH LARMANN

GET ME THERE access to many attractions and an

A NIGHT IN THE ALPS

option to include the use of the

A steep drive round many hairpin bends

lake’s ferries. For more information

brought me to the mountain village of Malbun,

visit www.bodensee.eu/en

some 5,000 feet up in the Alps, and the

special rucksacks which include a map, wine

■ Holiday

lovely Hotel Turna. I enjoyed a cookery

glass and a code to access the wine vaults

trusted Meet and Greet and other

demonstration before a delightful meal and

positioned along the route to sample the local

services at all major UK airports.

a good night’s sleep.

produce; a great way to finish my trip.

Extras offers

To book, call 0800 1313 777 or visit HolidayExtras.com

My final day took me to Weinfelden and my

Bregenz is home to the world’s largest floating stage

The four countries bordering Lake Constance

fourth country, Switzerland, where I sampled a

deliver an enticing variety of great food and

wine trail through the vineyards. The trail starts

wine, lovely scenery and fascinating attractions.

at the railway station where visitors can buy

It’s certainly an area worth visiting.

GTW

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Come and discover Wiltshire’s hidden treasure

IMAGE CREDIT: MAMMOTH MEDIA

www.corsham.gov.uk/visit

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History, heritage, arts and crafts, great places to eat and drink and lots of independent shops – plus BBC One’s Poldark was filmed here too.

Just 8 miles from Bath on the A4, 4 miles from the M4 (J17), or 3 miles from Chippenham Station.

12/12/2018 19:23

UKinbound news

Exciting times ahead Cindy Ng shares the latest news from UKinbound, which has just welcomed its new CEO Joss Croft...

I

T’S BEEN A whirlwind autumn at UKinbound as we welcomed our new CEO Joss Croft,

elected a new Board of Directors, launched our Awards for Excellence, held 16 events that included Discover Workshops, seminars, fam trips and networking evenings around the UK, and a brand new B2B speed-networking evening. We also welcomed more than 20 new members!

With over 20 years’ experience in the travel and tourism industry, we are delighted to have Joss on board and are excited by his vision for the Association, which includes building on our advocacy work, continued promotion of the value of inbound tourism to the UK economy, providing more opportunities for our members to increase business outcomes, and delivering real value for the membership.

Eager to hit the ground running, Joss’ first day with the team even before he started, was at World Travel Market, where we were delighted to host over 60 tourism businesses on the UKinbound stand. This year we were joined by the VisitBritain Discover England

UKinbound is the only travel trade association to focus solely on the interests of the UK’s inbound tourism sector. Representing a diverse membership of nearly 400 businesses, it engages with Government and the media to highlight the importance of inbound tourism to the economy, and help its members to grow their businesses. Visit www.ukinbound.org or email info@ukinbound.org for more information, and follow UKinbound on Twitter: @UKinbound

Fund team and five Discover England Fund projects, and were honoured to welcome Tourism Minister Michael Ellis MP, who visited

Awards for Excellence and are especially

Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, compered

members on our stand to understand more

excited to introduce the brand new UKinbound

by Glaswegian comedian Des Clarke.

about their businesses and hear their concerns

Young Excellence Award to recognise

about the future of the industry.

and celebrate the accomplishments and

At our recent Winter General Meeting we

Delegates will also have the option of attending familiarisation trips to Glasgow

commitment of young people in the industry,

and the surrounding areas, including Bute

were pleased to announce the incoming Board

and which we hope will encourage more young

and Loch Lomond.

of Directors, who will take over from the

people to consider tourism as a career with

current Board in February 2019 at our Annual

great potential.

Convention in Glasgow. We look forward to

Our next flagship event is the UKinbound

To find out more about UKinbound, our events and activities and how we can help you grow your business, raise your profile and

welcoming James Aitken, Cashel Travel as the

Annual Convention, held in Glasgow from

represent your views to local and national

new Chair, and he will be joined by 14 Board

6-8 February. We’re looking forward to a

Government, please visit ukinbound.org

Directors all representing the best of the

packed programme including a major B2B

or contact info@ukinbound.org

inbound tourism industry.

workshop, a keynote address by Ayesha

We were delighted to receive a record number of nominations this year for our

But for now, we wish all our members,

Hazarika MBE, seminars and a panel discussion

colleagues and friends in the industry a Merry

with industry leaders, as well as our annual

Christmas and Happy New Year!

GTW

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10/12/2018 11:35

Free for you

3 to collect!

Starting this month,

we have three fantastic animal posters for you to collect

IAN TURNER

THIS ISSUE

WMSP.CO.UK

NEXT ISSUE

WMSP.CO.UK

IN OUR MARCH ISSUE

Frame it!

Upgrade to a framed, A4-sized high quality print of one, two or all three of our collectible posters for just £4.99 each. Call Emma on 01733 293487 to pay by credit or debit card or order at grouptravelworld.com/ gtwshop TURN OVER FOR THIS ISSUE’S POSTER WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

057-059 GTW Jan 19 Poster hm.indd 57

57

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grouptravelworld.com & grouptraveloffers.com

057-059 GTW Jan 19 Poster hm.indd 58

10/12/2018 11:35

This fantastic image, taken by photographer Ian Turner, shows one of four gorgeous cheetah cubs, who were born at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire in 2018 to proud mum Wilma.

The youngsters can now be seen roaming the park – plan your trip to see them at longleat.co.uk

057-059 GTW Jan 19 Poster hm.indd 59

10/12/2018 11:35

Industry insider COACH TOURISM

ASSOCIATION

For more on the Coach Tourism Association (CTA) and its many member benefits see coachtourism association.co.uk

Woods has always been a family business

A pioneering approach KRISTY ELSMERE

For Kristy Elsmere, joint MD of Woods Travel in West Sussex, finding new and exciting attractions to visit is all in a day’s work

W

OODS HAS ALWAYS been a family business, concentrating on providing

Through almost 50 years in the travel

competitive prices. Two Irizar i6 touring coaches

business (Woods, not me personally!),

have recently been added to our fleet, and

quality holidays to groups and individuals in the

we’ve kept ahead of the game by looking

more will be joining us in the new year.

UK and overseas. I’ve worked in many aspects

forward, preparing for upcoming challenges

■ Find out more about Woods Travel and its

of the business, but 10 years ago I took over the

and leading the way in customer service.

tours and holidays at woodstravel.co.uk

area for which I feel most passionate – creating

We were the first company to introduce

our extensive coach tour programme. It’s

door-to-door coach holidays, we obtained

THE BENEFITS OF THE CTA

exciting to come across a new hotel that would

financial bonding for our holidays before it

Woods have been a member of the CTA

be perfect for our brochure tours or a particular

was legally necessary, and were the first to

for as long as I can remember, and over

group, and find out about a new attraction to

offer combined coach and cruise holidays

the years we’ve benefited greatly from the

add to a programme or build a holiday around.

in the UK through our excellent relationship

opportunities it provides. Through events

We have a high percentage of repeat customers,

with Fred. Olsen Cruises. As Woods also have

such as the annual CTA Conference, the

so keeping the programme fresh is vital.

an independent ABTA bonded travel agency,

Christmas and summer socials and some

we have great contacts with all the leading

excellent fam trips, I have found amazing new

cruise lines and river cruise companies.

suppliers, sampled hotels that now appear

We love working with group organisers.

If they come to us with fixed plans about where they want to stay and what they want

There are, of course, challenges facing our

in our brochure, made fantastic contacts and

to see, or have only vague ideas, we always

industry with increasing regulation, decreasing

developed a network of like-minded people who

find a perfect combination, whether they

facilities for coach parking and the uncertainty

exchange help and advice whenever needed.

prefer gardens, stately homes, city breaks or

surrounding Brexit. With the introduction of

This is by far the best value organisation we

battlefields. Going to the travel shows and

clean air zones in London and other cities, we

belong to. Recent changes at the CTA have

belonging to the right organisations is crucial

are continuing to invest heavily in new vehicles

seen new members join the Board, and the

for keeping up to date with new ideas and

to be fully ULEZ compliant, so we can continue

association’s working to make membership

attractions for our groups to experience.

to run both holidays and day excursions at

an even more exciting prospect. GTW

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12/12/2018 13:19 19:25 10/10/2018

Is there a doctor in the house?

Dr Chris and Dr Xand – of CBBC’s Operation Ouch fame – are heading to the West End with a new, adults-only show. They’ll perform How To Find Love, Lose Weight & Live Forever...

Without Really Trying! on Sunday January 6 at the Apollo Theatre in London’s West End. Find out more at nimaxtheatres.com

UNDER ALIEN ATTACK

Out of this world Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War

Metal Exchange – a 22,000 square foot

of The Worlds is being transformed into

multi-level site in central London.

a pioneering immersive visitor experience that’s set to open in May 2019.

The 90-minute multi-sensory experience

VR headsets and multi-sensory storytelling techniques will ensure visitors can smell the grass and feel the chill of the story’s famous Horsell

will mix theatre, virtual reality, augmented

Common, as the ground shakes as the first

reality holograms and cutting-edge technology,

cylinder lands. Live and virtual actors will guide

giving audiences the chance to live through

small groups as they walk, crawl and slide

the Martian invasion of 1898, from the

through the different scenes. Tickets are now

moment they step inside The Old London

on sale at dotdot.london/twotw

Queen of the desert A brand new production of hit musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert goes on tour in autumn 2019: cue stunning costumes, fabulous feathers and a non-stop parade of dancefloor classics. The show opens in Dartford in September 2019, before touring throughout the UK and Ireland, see priscillauktour.com

A night with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra...

■ The

Food of Love is playing at the Royal Festival Hall

on April 16 at 7.30pm. Celebrate the extraordinary life and works of Shakespeare in this unique theatrical event, narrated by Sir Patrick Stewart.

■ The

Film Music Gala is showing at the Royal Albert Hall

on May 4, with shows at 3pm and 7.30pm. With a live choir, enjoy music from The King’s Speech, Jurassic Park, Gladiator and Saving Private Ryan.

■ ABBAphonic

is on at the Royal Albert Hall on May 29

Jasper Britton as Sir Wilfrid Robarts in Witness for the Prosecution

perform ABBA’s greatest hits, including Dancing Queen,

Witness for the Prosecution

Waterloo, Mamma Mia and Take A Chance.

This Agatha Christie classic has just celebrated its first year in the spectacular

■ The

Chamber of London’s County Hall, with a raft of new cast members including

at 7.30pm. Emma Kershaw and Abbie Osmon will

Planets: An HD Odyssey is playing at the Royal

Albert Hall on June 30 at 7pm. See NASA footage on

Emma Rigby as Romaine Vole and Daniel Solbe as the accused Leonard Vole.

the giant screen as space-inspired music plays, including

Tickets are on sale until September 1, 2019 from witnesscountyhall.com

Star Wars and Sprach Zarathustra.

■ Another

Agatha classic, The Mousetrap goes on tour from January 29,

starring Only Fools and Horses actor Gwyneth Strong as Mrs Boyle.

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Theatre news Until the Lions returns to London’s Roundhouse in January

Until the Lions Award-winning dancer Akram Khan’s Until the Lions will return to the venue where it received its world premiere – London’s Roundhouse – for just six performances next month, with Khan dancing the role of Bheeshma for the final time.

Created for the atmospheric 360° setting of the Roundhouse in January 2016, the inspiration for the piece is taken from poet Karthika

JEAN-LOUIS FERNANDEZ

Naïr’s book Until The Lions: Echoes from the Mahabharata, an original reworking of the ancient Sanskrit epic. The show runs from January 11-17, see roundhouse.org.uk

Ally Pally’s back!

Kiss and tell

It’s been closed to the public for 80 years,

Award-winning play The Rubenstein

but the newly restored Alexandra Palace

Kiss opens at Southwark Playhouse for

plays host to Richard III in March. Following

a limited four-week run from March 14,

the completion of its three-year East Wing

2019, telling the story of the Rubensteins,

Restoration Project, this will be Alexandra

a deeply devoted Jewish couple whose

Palace’s first ever co-production, alongside

Communist idealism leads to their world

Headlong and Bristol Old Vic, with Royal &

being torn apart by suspicion and treachery.

Derngate Northampton and Oxford Playhouse.

It’s on at the Southwark Playhouse,

From March 13-31, find out more at theatre.

see southwarkplayhouse.co.uk and

alexandrapalace.com/event/richard-iii/

devilyouknowtheatre.com

David Suchet in The Price

NOBBY CLARK

WICKED, the West End musical sensation that tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, has released a further 500,000 new tickets, and is now booking to November 2019 at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, see WickedTheMusical.co.uk

The Price David Suchet and Brendan Coyle will star in the 50th anniversary production, and West End transfer, of Arthur Miller’s The Price.

The play tells the story of two long-estranged brothers meeting to divide the family’s possessions. It’s on at Wyndham’s Theatre from February 5 to April 27, 2019, see delfontmackintosh.co.uk

Aspects of Love... ...heads to Southwark Playhouse from January 7 to February 9, 2019, with music

by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Based on the novel

by David Garnett, the musical’s set in France in 1947, featuring the iconic Love Changes MATT CROCKET

Everything, Seeing Is Believing and First Man You Remember. Find out more at southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

GTW

WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

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63

10/12/2018 11:38

Could it be

MATT CROCKETT

magic?

There are worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon than in a dressing room with ’90s mega stars Take That. Vicky Edwards chats to Howard, Mark and Gary about the runaway success of their new touring musical The Band

G

ARY BARLOW (who we’ve already met

for anyone who has ever been a fan or a

band’ – a non-specified five-strong group

on page eight of this issue), Mark Owen

supporter, or anyone who has had a group of

– is everything. Twenty five years on, the now

friends and known love, friendship and loss.

40-something women reunite in a quest to

and Howard Donald don’t mind admitting that right now they’re extremely proud producers. Joined by Robbie Williams, and

he jokes, referring to the Take That hits that

along with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers,

provide The Band’s soundtrack.

two of the most experienced and well-

“We’re made up that people are connecting

fulfil their dream of meeting their heroes.

And don’t be thinking that The Band is a show that only ladies or die-hard Take That fans will enjoy. Howard is adamant on that

regarded theatrical producers in the land, the

with the show and enjoying it so much,” adds

point: “Listen, while guys might be sceptical

boys find themselves at the helm of a new

Mark. “Sometimes I feel a bit guilty for the

about coming to see the show, it IS relevant to

musical that wins fans wherever it goes and

young guys who won the competition [the five

them too. Whether they like the music or not,

has extended its tour – including a current

boys who won TV’s Let it Shine search for the

they will thoroughly enjoy it.”

West End run – due to demand for tickets.

musical’s title roles] because I don’t think they

Agreeing that it reinforces their hunch that

As for mentoring the phenomenally talented

knew just how much work was involved. But

young bucks who collectively play the title

this would be a show people would fall in love

I guess it’s a dream for them and I am made up

role, Howard confesses that as well as

with, a beaming Howard gets in first to express

for them, too.”

enjoying being a guru to AJ, Curtis, Nick,

delight. “It is incredible to say we’re coming to ©VICKY EDWARDS

“The only let down is that the music is crap,”

London and touring until March – the longevity

A FRIENDSHIP THAT RESONATES

is brilliant!

To be clear, the show is not about Take That.

Sario and Yazdan, it is not a role he ever envisaged himself in.

“I never envisaged being a pop star let alone

The key to its success is familiarity; it strikes

Instead The Band tells the story of a group of

a producer – I was on a YTS training scheme

a chord with people’s lives by being a reflection

16-year-old friends for whom, in 1992, ‘the

to be a vehicle painter and panel beater when

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10/12/2018 11:41

JAY BROOKS

Theatre review

Howard, Gary, Mark and Robbie

The show’s stars Sario Solomon (far left), Nick Carsberg, Curtis T Johns, Yazdan Qafouri and AJ Bentley

MATT CROCKETT

Currently playing the West End, full tours dates are at thebandmusical.com

I joined Take That, but luckily we had the right

years we had no time for girlfriends and family.

people behind us. The lads [of The Band] are

I have kids now and I’m so lucky that I have

GET ME THERE

really down to earth, which is how we formed

a job that means that I can usually be with

■ The

our friendship.”

them all day long and just go off on tour

its West End season at Theatre

now and again.”

Royal Haymarket until January 12,

“I’ve enjoyed the mentoring more than anything,” agrees Mark. “You feel like a father

“What would I say to my younger self?”

Band is currently playing

2019, see www.trh.co.uk

to his son and we had sit-down talks about

Mark muses, before laughing and saying: “A lot!

■ The

looking after each other, and about going out

I’d probably have a big sit down with myself!

Salford from January 16-26; the Grand

into the world! It has been a real pleasure.

But mostly I’d say just embrace it all; the ups

Theatre Swansea from January 29 to

Their energy is really positive and so they

and downs and left and rights.

February 2; Orchard Theatre Dartford

inspire us. It really does work both ways.”

THE WONDER OF HINDSIGHT The show sees the older women looking back at their younger selves and I’m curious

“Oh, and don’t have that first fag; don’t start

tour continues at The Lowry

from February 5-9; Regent Theatre

smoking. My thing is chocolate now. Don’t tell

Ipswich from February 12-16; New

anyone but I did eat some of my children’s

Victoria Woking from February 19-23;

Easter Eggs this year.”

Wolverhampton Grand from February

So what next for The Band – a second

26 to March 2; Milton Keynes Theatre

to know what advice, with the benefit of

tour? Gary gives me an enigmatic smile. “We

hindsight, the trio would give themselves at,

have plans because The Band is a musical that

from March 5-9, and Mayflower Theatre Southampton from March 12-16

say, 16. “I’d definitely advise my younger self

we believe in so much. By no means have we

■ Find

to take it all in and enjoy it,” says Howard.

reached our goal,” he teases. I’ll be watching

“We were literally lifted off our feet and for six

this space...

out more at thebandmusical.com

GTW

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See Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre

Theatre LONDON

YOUR TRIP TO THE WEST END STARTS HERE – VISIT OUR SISTER SITE GROUPTRAVELOFFERS.COM FOR GROUP RATE TICKETS ALADDIN

Palace Theatre

Cambridge Theatre

Booking to: January 2019

Prince Edward Theatre

Booking to: July 2019

Booking to: October 2019

Times: Mon-Sat 19:30;

Booking to: June 2019

Times: Weds & Sat Part One

Times: Tues 19:00; Weds-Sat

Weds & Sat 14:30

Times: Mon-Sat 19:30;

14.00 & Part Two 19:30; Thurs

19:30; Weds & Sat 14:30hrs,

Thurs & Sat 14:30

Part One 19:30; Fri Part Two

Sun 15:00

19:30; Sun Part One 13.00,

THE BOOK OF MORMON Prince of Wales Theatre Booking to: December 2018

Part Two 18:30

LES MISÉRABLES

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL Shaftesbury Theatre Booking to: April 2019

Times: Mon-Sat 19:30,

Queen’s Theatre

Times: Mon-Sat 19:30;

Weds & Sat 14:30

Booking to: June 2019

Thurs & Sat: 15:00

Times: Mon-Sat 19:30;

THE COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY Criterion Theatre

Weds & Sat 14:30

THE LION KING

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Her Majesty’s Theatre

Booking to: November 2019

Lyceum Theatre

Booking to: March 2019

Times: Tues-Sat 19:30; Sat

Booking to: June 2019

Times: Mon-Sat 19:30;

14:30; Sun 15.00 & 19.00

Times: Tues-Sat 19:30,

Thurs & Sat 14:30

Weds, Sat & Sun 14:30

SCHOOL OF ROCK New London Theatre Booking to: October 2019 Times: Mon-Sat 19:30, Thurs & Sat 14:30; Sun 15:00

THRILLER LIVE Lyric Theatre Booking to: September 2019 Times: Tues-Fri 19:30; Sat 16:00 & 20.00; Sun 15:30 & 19:30

WICKED Apollo Victoria Booking to: May 2019

MAMMA MIA!

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG

Booking to: January 2019

Novello Theatre

Duchess Theatre

Times: Mon-Sat 19:30;

Booking to: September 2019

Booking to: April 2019

Weds & Sat 14:30

Times: Mon-Sat 19:45;

Times: Tue-Sat 19:30; Sat

Thurs & Sat 15:00

14:30; Sun 15:00 & 19:00

MATILDA – THE MUSICAL

42ND STREET

Times: Mon-Sat 20:00;

Theatre Royal

Tues & Thurs 15:00; Sat 16.00

DREAMGIRLS Savoy Theatre

HARRY POTTER & THE CURSED CHILD (parts 1 & 2)

Times: Mon-Sat 19:30; Weds & Sat 14:30

THE WOMAN IN BLACK Fortune Theatre Booking to: July 2019

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10/12/2018 11:43

OPEN DAILY

FIND US ON

EASTER TO OCTOBER

Dedicated Groups Co-ordinator • Tea room • Gift shop • Group rates Guided tours • NEW Humphry Repton Exhibition and Tours

01525 290333 lisa.weaver@woburn.co.uk www.woburnabbey.co.uk J3644 WA Coach Tours UK ad 190x133_Dec17.indd 2

15/11/2017 13:25

GREAT GROUP DEALS AVAILABLE ON SPECTACULAR EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Call our groups team now on or email or search “The Ticket Factory Groups”

BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL

TATTOO

THIS MORNING

LIVE

*calls cost 7p per minute plus standard network charges

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10/12/2018 11:59

14/12/2018 08:26

Touring theatre THE UK’S BEST MUSICALS AND SHOWS HAVE HIT THE ROAD. CATCH THEM ON TOUR HERE...

Dr Dolittle is on tour, starring Mark Williams

Join Anton & Erin on tour

For group rate tickets to a range of West End theatre shows, call Harley in the GTW office on 01733 293249

Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag’s new dance production, Dance Those Magical Musicals, is touring the UK and Ireland in 2019. The show, set to music from the likes of Phantom of the Opera, Wicked and Jersey Boys – played by the London Concert Orchestra – also features fun interactive Q&A sections.

Dates include...

Royal & Derngate Northampton, January 25 Symphony Hall Birmingham, January 26 New Victoria Theatre Woking, January 27 New Theatre Oxford, February 1 Pavilion Theatre Bournemouth, February 2 Mayflower Theatre Southampton, February 3 n For

De Montfort Hall Leicester, February 7 Barbican London, February 9 and 14 York Barbican, February 15 St David’s Hall Cardiff, February 17 Hippodrome Bristol, Feb 18 Cliffs Pavilion Southend, February 21-22 G Live Guildford, February 23 Waterside Theatre Aylesbury, February 24

tickets and further tour dates see

SIMON TURTLE

www.raymondgubbay.co.uk or call 0844 847 2319.

The Band

DR DOLITTLE Oxford New Theatre: January 15-26 Wolverhampton Grand Theatre: January 29 to February 9

Hull New Theatre: February 26 to March 9 His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen: March 12-23

The Marlowe Canterbury: July 9-20 Glasgow King’s Theatre: July 23 to August 3 Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff: August 6-17

MATT CROCKETT

Newcastle Theatre Royal: February 12-23

Dublin Bord Gáis Energy Theatre: June 11-22

Mayflower Theatre Southampton: August 20-31 Blackpool Winter Gardens: September 3-14

Swansea Grand Theatre: January 29 - February 2

New Wimbledon Theatre London: September 17-28

Southampton Mayflower Theatre: March 12-16

Dartford Orchard Theatre: February 5-9

THE MIRROR CRACK’D

Nottingham Theatre Royal: April 9-20

Milton Keynes Theatre: October 8-19

Ipswich Regent Theatre: February 12-16

Salisbury Playhouse: February 15 to March 9

Sheffield Lyceum Theatre: April 23 to May 4

Birmingham Hippodrome: October 22 to November 2

Woking New Victoria: February 19-23

Dublin Gaiety Theatre: March 12-16

Festival Theatre Edinburgh: May 14-25

THE BAND

Wolverhampton Grand: February 26 - March 2

Cambridge Arts Theatre: March 19-23

Alhambra Theatre Bradford: May 28 to June 8

Salford The Lowry: January 16-26

Milton Keynes Theatre: March 5-9

New Theatre Cardiff: March 26 to April 6

Royal & Derngate Northampton: March 26 to April 6

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068_GTW Jan 19 Touring Listings.indd 68

10/12/2018 11:45

HACKNEY EMPIRE presents

‘HAS A HEART AS BIG AS LONDON ITSELF’ Daily Telegra p

O TO ‘IF YOU ONLY GYOUR ONE PANTO IN IT LIFE, MAKE ALADDIN AT PIRE’ HACKNEY EnM ist

h

STAR CLIVE RING ROWE & TAME KA EMPS ON

Londo

The Times

Metro

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What’s On Stage

Evening Standard

Reviews Hub

Time Out

The Upcoming

Written & directed by

SUSIE McKENNA Original Music by

STEVEN EDIS Design by

LOTTE COLLETT Musical Director

MARK DICKMAN

Until HACKNEYEMPIRE.CO.UK 6 Jan 020 8985 2424 FP Template.indd 69

14/12/2018 08:24

TONY WRIGHT

Discover more about the age-old delights of the Bodleian Libraries, including the Radcliffe Camera

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10/12/2018 11:48

Days out

Oxford’s

finest From the ancient Bodleian Libraries to the gruesome castle prison, there’s never been a better time to tour this fascinating city

T

HE WORLD-FAMOUS BODLEIAN Libraries

hosted by the Hawkwell House Hotel

in Oxford showcased its group tours

(part of the Compass Hospitality group of

last month at a special event organised by

hotels) in nearby Iffley Village. A visit to

Steve Reed Tourism Ltd – with GTW’s

Blenheim Palace in the Cotswold village

Helen and Harley there to see for themselves

of Woodstock was also on the menu.

the historic heavyweights that make up Bodleian’s collection. The Divinity School,

SEE FOR YOURSELF...

Convocation House, Chancellor’s Court,

Guided group tours of the Bodleian Libraries

Duke Humfrey’s Library, the Radcliffe

are easy to arrange, with prices starting from

Camera, the Weston Library and the

£70 per group (maximum of 13 people,

historic quadrangles that sit on this ancient

please book at least two weeks in advance) for

site... all can be toured with an expert.

a 30-minute tour of the Divinity School and

The event also included tours of the

Duke Humfrey’s medieval library. Afternoon

Sheldonian Theatre, the Museum of the

tea and pastries can be added for £4.50 per

History of Science, and Oxford Castle and

person. To find out more call 01865 287400,

Prison, together with a City Sightseeing

email tours@bodleian.ox.ac.uk or visit

tour of Oxford, with some of the group

www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk

TONY WRIGHT

On board City Sightseeing

GET INVOLVED

The group in the Old School Quad at the Bodleian Libraries

Join Steve for his 2019 line-up of hosted events, including: ■ The Severn Valley Railway Group Showcase, from February 17-18 ■ The Torbay Devon Showcase, from March 26-28 ■ The Group Buyer Forum – South at Painshill Park in Surrey on April 29

■ Daish’s Holidays 40th anniversary in

the Isle of Wight, from October 2-6 ■ The Manchester Showcase and

Group Travel Forum – North at The Lowry in Salford Quays on October 14 Call Steve on 01420 560288, email steve@stevereedtourism.co.uk or visit www.stevereedtourism.co.uk

TONY WRIGHT

Tour the medieval Divinity School

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070-071 GTW Jan 19 Oxford.indd 71

TONY WRIGHT

Einstein’s work on show at the Museum of the History of Science

71

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TYF ADVENTURE

Geronimo! Join the team who pioneered coasteering at the TYF Group in Pembrokeshire

72 WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

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10/12/2018 11:49

Go wild

A leap of faith

From coasteering to white water rafting, make 2019 the year you really push your limits Words: Naomi Mackay

G

ET SET FOR the ultimate aquatic

2012 Olympics. You can choose to master the

adventure when you go coasteering.

white waters in a canoe, a hot dog (inflatable

Pioneered in Wales, it allows you to enjoy

kayak) or hydrospeed (a cross between a float

the scenery, spot some wildlife and tackle

and a bodyboard). Or go for the white water

the waves as you clamber from cliffs to

raft experience, which is great for groups and

rocks and jump in and out of the sea.

parties. You’ll be kitted out in wetsuits, helmets

The good folk at the TYF Group (tyf.com),

and buoyancy aids, then introduced to your raft

which pioneered the sport some 30 years ago,

guide who’ll help you navigate the drops and

call it Pure Ocean Play. Based in St David’s, you

eddies of the rapids.

can join them as part of a guided group on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast.

WHITE WATER RAFTING

If you want to stay for a weekend, camp or glamp in cosy cocoons and cabins at Lee Valley Campsite, see gowhitewater.co.uk

Enjoy a quiet kayak down the river, but want

FREEDIVING

to step it up a gear? Find out how fast your

If you think about diving what do you picture

reactions are as the water pummels your canoe

– air tanks and masks? And what if you could

and the spray hits your face at Lee Valley White

dive down as far as 20m armed with nothing

Water Centre, just outside London. This is your

but you and a wetsuit? If this sound interesting,

chance to tackle the actual course used in the

sign up for a freediving course, right here in

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Go wild

Make a splash at Lee Valley White Water Centre

the UK. Staying in a rectory-turned-B&B set

Paraglide to your heart’s content...

in countryside just outside Bath, Much Better Adventures run a two-day course to teach the art of freediving.

Once you’ve learned some theory, you head out to an old quarry filled with fresh spring water, where you’ll get the chance to explore sunken boats and airplanes and a host of other weird and wonderful things. It’s suitable for those who already dive or snorkel as well as those with no experience. See muchbetteradventures.com

SKATING AND BMXING If you scoot, BMX, skate or skateboard, Europe’s largest urban indoor sports park is the place to visit. Professional scooter riders, such as Claudius Vertesi, often turn up to ride at Adrenaline Alley in Corby (adrenalinealley.co.uk). Groups get

there’s also a 250ft zip wire and a 160ft

discounted session rates and it’s possible

PowerFan descender.

to hire equipment for your visit.

BUNGEE JUMPING

PARAGLIDING Enjoy the fabulous scenery as you glide

Or you could combine paragliding with hiking and stand up paddle boarding – better known as SUPing – on a trip to Slovenia, with Much Better Adventures (muchbetteradventures.com).

How about tackling the world’s highest indoor

through the air, under a parachute. Active

bungee jump at The Abyss @ Magna. This

Edge (activeedge.co.uk) teaches the art of

Ljubljana, and head to the mountains for more

Paddle through the heart of the capital,

jump, run by the UK Bungee Jump Club

paragliding in stunning locations in the Yorkshire

SUP and hiking in the stunning valleys. Then

(ukbungee.co.uk), is housed at the Magna

Dales. The rolling hills and open moors offer

spend two days in wine country where you

Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham.

gentle slopes and unobstructed landscapes,

can hike, go caving and experience a tandem

If that’s not enough excitement for you,

which is ideal for beginners.

paraglide for an unforgettable trip.

GTW

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STADIUM TOUR EPIC EXPERIENCE To other clubs, it’s just a stadium tour.

For us, it’s giving you spine-tingling moments you’ll never forget.

Unmissable. Immersive. The LFC Stadium Tour.

Book now at grouptours@liverpoolfc.com or call 0151 906 1817 Available in 9 languages

‫ع‬ WE ARE LIVERPOOL. THIS MEANS MORE.

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03/12/2018 12/12/2018 12:04 20:07

Your association… ...your way. Join Travel World Association, supported by Group Travel World magazine, today – and enjoy a host of benefits

PIXABAY

Find out more at travelworld association.com

Wherever you’re heading in 2019, becoming a TWA member will help you get there

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Join TWA! Are you a group travel organiser?

For just £29.99 a year you’ll get: ■ FREE

English Heritage and National Trust yearly passes ■ A FREE, exclusive GTO insurance policy from Wrightsure Insurance ■ A FREE half-hour consultation and discounted legal services from Fieldfisher ■ FREE annual subscription to GTW magazine ■ FREE London supplement ■ Discounted attraction tickets via grouptraveloffers.com ■ Exclusive fam trip invites ■ Networking opportunities ■ Discounted training days ■ Discounted marketing and PR services ■ Access and contact with TWA members This membership package is designed for individuals and GTOs working in the travel industry.

In the trade?

For just £49.99 you’ll receive: ■ All

of the above, plus a FREE company listing on directory.grouptravelworld.com ■ A company listing on the Travel World Association’s members’ page ■ Access to the online noticeboard where members can fill spaces on trips

Are you a business?

For just £199 a year you’ll get: ■ An

exclusive discount on company insurance with Wrightsure ■ A FREE half-hour consultation and discounted legal services from Fieldfisher ■ FREE annual subscription to Group Travel World magazine ■ FREE London magazine supplement ■ List your attraction tickets on grouptraveloffers.com ■ 10% off our fam trip hosting fee ■ FREE networking opportunities ■ Discounted training days ■ Access and contact to TWA members ■ Discounted marketing and PR services ■ FREE company listing on directory.grouptravelworld.com ■ FREE company listing on coachbuddy.com ■ Four FREE recruitment adverts on traveljobsworld.com ■ Company profile on our TWA members’ page in GTW magazine

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PIXABAY/IAN KELSALL

Snowdonia is home to around 250 lakes, pools and ponds.

See snowdonia-attractions.com to plan your visit

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Wales

What lies beneath?

Discover all wonderful Wales has to offer, from its lakes to its mountains

T

HE 870-MILE WALES Coast Path, which opened back in 2012, may have drawn yet more tourists to this glorious stretch of the British Isles, but there’s far more

to Wales than its stunning coastline, whether you’re heading over land or under it.

From Britain’s steepest cable railway (at Llechwedd Deep Mine in Gwynedd) to the longest zip wire in Europe (at Zip World), the country doesn’t do things by halves.

Turn the page for our pick of the Welsh gems you have to discover in 2019 – and if you fancy digging deep or speeding high in the sky, check out zipworld.co.uk and llechwedd-slate-caverns.co.uk to make it happen.

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Wales

of the

THREE best Ways to make your Welsh plans a reality

1

HIT THE RAILS

Finally, Llangollen Railway – one of North

While the manor’s firmly fixed in the 17th

The narrow gauge Welshpool & Llanfair

Wales’ most popular attractions – sits beside

century, the attraction’s visitor centre, gift

Light Railway in Powys offers a 16-mile return

the 14th century Dee Bridge in the centre of

shop, coffee lounge and restaurant are bang up

journey from the town of Welshpool to the

Llangollen town. It takes visitors on a relaxing

to date. Daytime and evening tours for up to

village of Llanfair Caereinion (see wllr.org.uk),

10-mile journey, travelling through the Dee

90 people can be arranged, and a range of

while the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland

Valley to the town of Corwen. Find out more at

catering options are also available.

Railways cross the glorious Snowdonia

llangollen-railway.co.uk

National Park, see festrail.co.uk The Gwili Railway operates a standard gauge line, from Bronwydd near Carmarthen along a short section (four miles) of the former

2

TRAVEL BACK IN TIME For a more traditional take on the

country’s history, explore the 16th century

Call 01443 412248 to find out more or visit your.caerphilly.gov.uk/llancaiachfawr – and for more on Caerphilly itself, which is home to Wales’ largest castle, see the website visitcaerphilly.com

Carmarthen to Aberystwyth railway. The line

Llancaiach Fawr Manor, overlooking the

follows the picturesque River Gwili, passing

Glamorgan uplands near Cardiff. This grade 1

alongside the Gwili Falls (gwili-railway.co.uk).

listed manor house is no ordinary heritage

While the historic Snowdon Mountain Railway,

attraction: here, the costumed servants of the

pictured above, re-opens in March, ready to

house are living and working in 1645 as the

of Conservation’ status: the Ceredigion

haul tourists to the summit. Plan your trip at

fires crackle, candles flicker, and the sounds and

Marine Heritage Coast. Plan your trip at

snowdonrailway.co.uk

smells of domestic life hit you as you walk in.

newquayboattrips.co.uk

3

GO DOLPHIN SPOTTING... ...with New Quay West Wales as you

cruise in waters nominated for ‘Special Area

GTW

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1 hour trips

Adults £10 Children £5

2 hour trips

Adults £16 Children £8

Whatever the weather, come rain or shine, Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips offer a fun, educational experience for all ages. The sole multi-passenger boat operator in Cardigan Bay sailing out of New Quay for over sixty years, we offer one and two hour trips on stable, purpose-built boats.

Enjoy an unrivalled experience from start to finish, hop on board with us for a day you won’t forget!

Our trips sail daily from April to October in the ‘Special Area of Conservation’, fully qualified 'boat master'skippers follow a code of conduct to allow you to spot dolphins without disturbance. Over 300 bottlenose dolphins have been recorded in our waters by the SeaWatch Foundation who monitor dolphins, harbour porpoise and atlantic grey seals while on board.

With around 200 dolphins visiting in any year, essential activities such as feeding, socialising and nurture of their young can be spotted from our boats.

T 01545 560 800 / 01545 560 375 (evenings) W newquayboattrips.co.uk E info@newquayboattrips.co.uk Newquay Boat Trips FP.indd 81

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Tivoli Gardens has all year appeal with its mix of gardens, rides and musical events

The magic of Tivoli Tivoli Gardens is a must-visit gem in the heart of Copenhagen, as Sue Parslow discovers

T

a meal and simply enjoy the spectacle.

The park’s winter opening for the month of February is part of city-wide winter celebrations that include the Copenhagen Light Festival, Frost Festival, which combines music concerts and light installations, and a jazz music festival – all aimed at helping residents and visitors alike get through the darkest months.

Winter is the first of many special

HE GATES FOR Tivoli appear like an entrance to a fairytale world; even more

so when there are sprinkles of snow falling.

For the first time in its 175-year history

For Winter in Tivoli, a new season in the

events to mark Tivoli’s big birthday.

attraction’s calendar, moving snowmen

These include a brand new ride named

welcome guests at the entrance. Inside

the Tik Tak and a new garden area.

there are white trees with sparkly mirrored

this, the world’s second oldest amusement

decorations, an ice rink, a child-sized igloo and

LIGHTING UP THE SKY

park, is celebrating winter. So it felt appropriate

penguin-themed fun. At night, the park is lit

Tivoli is Denmark’s most popular attraction,

that there was snow in the air on the day

with thousands of sparkly lights. Visitors can

with 4.6 million visitors in 2016. It is treasured

of my visit, making Tivoli Gardens feel as

enjoy a selection of rides, watch the resident

by the Danish, and only around one third of its

though a snow globe had come to life.

marching band on their nightly parade, have

visitors are tourists.

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Denmark The theatre is a listed building that dates from 1874, making it Tivoli’s oldest original building

While you’re there treat yourself to a Tivoli cake – a multilayered pastry first created in 1928.

Tivoli Gardens celebrated its 175th birthday in 2018

Plan your visit at www.tivoli. dk/en/

The Demon roller-coaster ride

Tivoli’s original entrance was a simple wooden gate with a ticket booth on each side

The Tivoli experience includes rides and games, live music and ballet daily throughout the summer at the open-air stages, performances in several indoor venues, and attractive flower gardens. While cherished traditions include pantomime, The Tivoli Youth Guard marching band, the illuminations and weekly fireworks displays.

Music fans love the Friday Rock series of concerts that begin every April (stars in

A LONDON LINK

previous years have included Tony Bennett,

Tivoli’s founder, Georg Carstensen, was

park inspired him to write his fairytale,

Lady Gaga and Elton John). And there’s an

inspired by European pleasure gardens,

The Nightingale.

unbelievable choice of places to eat: 23

including London’s Vauxhall Park.

restaurants, 14 fast food outlets, five bars and

When Tivoli Gardens opened on August

Walt Disney visited Tivoli both prior to and after opening his own amusement

two cafés, making it the biggest dining spot in

15 1843, Hans Christian Andersen was

park, Disneyland California in 1955, using

Copenhagen. There’s even a five-star award-

among the first guests and it is said that the

many of the elements he saw here.

GTW

winning boutique hotel with a restaurant, hidden within an Oriental-style palace façade.

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DANA@COHEN-PR.COM

Pura vida...

Adam Jacot de Boinod samples a sensual feast in magical Costa Rica

T

Very close by, down a discreet gravel lane, is a one-of-a-kind Villa Punto de Vista (villapuntodevista.com) where I was next to stay. This astonishing six-storey construction is the courageous and ambitious creation of David Konwiser, one of the family owners and the architect, who was born in Costa Rica and educated in America.

The design makes optimum use of the dream views with angular windows

HE US POET Henry Longfellow once

on a table on the sand of Playitas Beach,

jutting out like ships’ prows over the ocean

said: “My soul is full of longing for the

in toe-touching reach of the ocean.

beyond. I looked out over the rocks and

secret of the sea, and the heart of the great ocean sends a thrilling pulse through me.”

I too was mesmerised by the

I found an elemental joy in picking

on an iguana’s back, adding perfectly to

iguanas hung out by the pool, halloween

this ultimate jigsaw picture of a setting.

rhythmic natural symphony of the sea,

crabs scuttled through the gardens and

the moon and the clouds as I arrived

sloths slumbered in the treetops.

late at night at my first place to stay,

islands that speckled the sea like the scales

up an almond nut from its tree, while

I took a boat with Tres Ninas Tours

The dining is done on the fourth floor, partly for the greater vantage point, but also I realised, in order to be nature’s

(tresninastours.com), a full day trip as I got

look-out point, to be front row seats for

to look up at the houses in the hills and

the best show in the area, up with the

cuisine, exceptional levels of service and

the varieties of green landscape beyond

animals among the birds, monkeys and

exemplary eco credentials. It’s where

the beach. As the day went on so the light

sloths. One security you can’t legislate for

buggies go up and down the steep slopes,

changed, affording different hues in the

is the pickpocketing skills of the raccoons

one taking me to my tropical fruit breakfast

colour of the sea, from teal to lime green.

or the ‘monkey mafia’ as the locals call it.

Arenas Del Mar (arenasdelmar.com).

In a sentence, the resort has delectable

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Latin America

DANA@COHEN-PR.COM

Sloth-spotting is a Costa Rican sport

Glorious Punto de Vista was the creation of architect David Konwiser

Arenas Del Mar’s Playitas Beach

Explore with Tres Ninas Tours

THE PAPAGAYO PENINSULA

incorporating: ‘no worries’, ‘enjoy life’, ‘take

out over the water to the marina beyond.

I came next further up the Pacific coast to

it easy’, ‘good luck’ and ‘have a good day’.

The large square spacious room, the hub for

Guanacaste and the Papagayo peninsula.

Papagayo has a number of exquisite

A semicircle of large palm trees welcomed

beaches. Playa Nacascolo, which was once

me, along with a sculpture by Jorge Jiménez

an area of commerce in pre-Colombian

Deredia, who uses organic shapes that reflect

times, is the longest, while Playa Jicaro

across the bay with Elvision Adventure Tours

the country’s pre-Columbian heritage. These

is the most remote on the southern side.

(elvisionadventuretours.com). My charming

Diquis stone spheres in particular act as a

In the north, there’s Prieta Beach Club,

and uninvasive skipper guided me with great

timeless metaphor of Costa Rica’s deep-

a perfect day out with its Olas Lounge

serenity across the flat water towards the

rooted egalitarianism: seamless and edgeless

an ideal spot for lunch in front of waves

magical beaches of Playa Panama, Playa

and possessing a notion of wholeness.

strong enough for me to body surf.

Hermosa and the renowned Playa del Coco.

One of the longest running democracies in

I stayed at Vista Hermosa, Papagayo

the ancillary rooms, has a low ceiling and a horizontal feel replicating the landscape.

I enjoyed a wonderfully calm boat trip

Latin America, Costa Rica is safe and peaceful.

Luxury (papagayoluxury.com). Bang in the

SIMPLY MAGICAL

It has had no wars for over 100 years, and

middle of the peninsula, this 10-year-old

The landscape of Costa Rica and her

there is no standing army. Possessed with

condo is part of the Las Terrazas complex

biodiversity is simply magical: thick lush

this openhearted spirit, some locals are

of 16 homes whose owners leave their

rainforests with their dense foliage, uncrowded

amazed to see guns when they go abroad.

properties wild around them to grant the

pristine beaches, steep mountains and

animals free movement. They are the work

majestic volcanoes and waterfalls; the perfect

life force. Several countries have an all-

of Costa Rican architect Ronald Zürcher, using

backdrop for the sheer wonder of the colourful

purpose word to cover our basic daily forms

terracotta walls both inside and outside to

birds and animals.

of interaction. In Hawaii there’s ‘aloha’, in Fiji

blend in with the natural surroundings and

there’s ‘bula’ and in Costa Rica there’s ‘pura

display a contemporary clean aesthetic.

‘Pura vida’ is the local expression of their

vida’. Literally translating as ‘pure life’ it spans the entire spectrum of greeting and parting,

The décor is stunning and eclectic. Tastefully done and respecting the overriding view

I even looked through the index of the definitive book on Costa Rican birds to find exquisite and exotic names like chestnutmandibled toucan and buffy tuftedcheek.

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Latin America As for animals, I saw in another book the

the deep browns, oranges and reds of

misfit leaf frog, the bullet ant, the trumpetfish,

the soil and the roots of the land.

the beaubrummel (a fish) and the Jesus

The three main restaurants are all side-

GET ME THERE: ■ “The

Holiday Place, an ABTA and ATOL

by-side with the Añejo, an interesting Asian

tour-operator (020 7644 1770,

fusion with Costa Rican food: a casual and

holidayplace.co.uk) offers tailor-made

Resort Costa Rica (fourseasons.com/

informal restaurant both inside and out

holidays and tours to Costa Rica including

costarica). The bay side (Playa Blanca) and

offering tapas including salmon tostadas and

flights from London and other UK airports

ocean side (Playa Virador) have a different

charred tuna wonton tacos, ‘lomo salteado

plus accommodation and transfers from

feel and, I allowed myself to believe, almost

empanadas’ and ‘hamachi tiraditos’.

Christ lizard, so-called as it walks on water.

My final place to stay was Four Seasons

£999 per person.

■ Adam

had further support

a different climate. Eco friendly electric

How resourceful, cunning and wondrous

buggies went at a relaxing speed and it

are the forces of nature here: the anona fruit

from gatwickexpress.com and

was such an important first scene as the

changes from green to a darkish reddish-

holidayextras.co.uk, who offer airport

rounded shape of the foyer was truly

brown as it ripens, the Indian tree sheds its

lounges at all major UK airports and

receptive and embraced me with its open

bark every three days, while one local species

many international destinations.

arms, luring me into its golden mosaic fold.

of grass contracts with human touch. Whales

■ To

The colours are consistent throughout

mate above a beach shaped like a whale’s tail.

ultravilla.com/villa-concierge, and

Not to mention all the tricks of camouflage.

to book Vista Hermosa at Papagayo visit

and blend organically with their natural surroundings. The earth-toned stucco

I couldn’t get enough of this

exteriors were computer-generated

delightful country. I have to go back;

from actual dirt samples to replicate

whenever, but soon.

book Villa Punto de Vista visit

ultravilla.com/papagayo-luxury

The view from Vista Hermosa, Papagayo Luxury

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GTW Awards

Drum roll please…

Our GTW Awards celebrate the places that go the extra mile to make groups feel welcome, so meet this month’s winners A special GTW Award this issue goes to the historic city of Oxford, which welcomes groups yearround. Turn to page 70 to find out more.

BEST ATTRACTION

National Memorial

Arboretum Nominated by GTW’s Harley Denham

announced its range of ‘Days out with a

crowned Large Visitor Attraction of the Year by

and Emma Parkes, who headed here for a

difference’ for 2019, with a mix of new walks,

VisitEngland in 2018 – see the website for all

recent Steve Reed Group Buyer Showcase,

talks and tours, all designed to enhance

the details you need to plan your trip

Staffordshire’s National Memorial Arboretum

group visits, along with group discounts for

■ To

(NMA) is well worth a visit. And, to make it

its permanent and temporary exhibitions.

01283 245143 to order a copy of the 2019

even more special, the attraction has just

Already an award winner – the NMA was

groups pack or email groups@thenma.org.uk

BEST ATTRACTION

find out more visit thenma.org.uk, call

BEST GROUP TRAVEL PROVIDER

Curve Leicester

Travel Editions

Nominated by GTW’s Emma Parkes, who’s a regular theatergoer here,

Specialists in escorted tour holidays, the team at Travel

Leicester Curve clinches this month’s award for best group friendly attraction.

Editions are experts at putting together tours to suit your

“The Curve’s easy to get to and very close to High Cross shopping centre,

group’s interests, budget and needs. Tours can be tailor-

with loads of great places to eat,” says Emma. “The theatre’s very modern

made, and you can relax in the knowledge that all your

and smart: expect great bars, roomy seats and lots of easy

travel arrangements will be sorted by a knowledgeable

accessibility. I love it there.”

team who have years of experience. Whether you’re

■ Upcoming

heading to York for a short break, keen to explore the

shows include Ghost The Musical (from

January 29 to February 2) and To Kill a Mockingbird (from

delights of Tuscany, or heading further afield, the team

February 7 to 16). Find out more at curveonline.co.uk

will be able to ensure your trip’s a success.

■ Find

out more at traveleditions.co.uk

GTW

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10/12/2018 12:07

OUR GIFT TO YOU!

NEXT 3 ISSUES FOR £5.99 5 OFF 0% COV

PRIC ER E

GROUP TRAVEL WORLD’S EDITOR

Helen Milbank…

“Every month Group Travel World magazine brings you inspirational travel features, days out ideas and expert advice to help you plan your next trip, as well as regular competitions, crosswords and puzzles, travel news, celebrity interviews and more. Plus we can help you save money thanks to our new and exclusive ticket offers site, grouptraveloffers.com”

Subscribe in 3 easy steps Call Emma Parkes on 01733 293487 Email emma.parkes@grouptravelworld.com Visit www.grouptravelworld.com/subscribe GTW Subscriptions DPS Xmas Gift.indd 2

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Your travel questions answered by experts

A The team at Visit Angus

staying in working farms, with a staggering

(visitangus.com) say: When it comes to

range of camping and caravanning options too,

nature, Angus has a natural advantage, with

it’s a nature lover’s paradise. The county also

Q We want to get away from it all on a

unspoilt beaches and rolling hills and glens.

boasts a fair few history-makers, from Hugh

And we’ve launched a new series of travel blogs

Munro – who coined the name for a mountain

wildlife-spotting trip in the UK. Any ideas

to share why, when it comes to the outdoors,

over 3,000 feet high – to John ‘Jock’ Winter,

for a more quirky destination?

this region can’t be topped.

whose fight for the right to walk on an Angus

GROUP TRAVEL

Wild times

From birdwatching to bagging a Munro,

Angie Simon, via email

PIXABAY

SpareFare.net is a marketplace where travellers can resell flights, hotel reservations and package holidays

A Galena Stavreva, CEO of

Millions of people lose money on their unused

and package holidays. It offers fraud

travel bookings every year because they’re not

protection to both buyers and sellers and

aware of any safe and hassle-free ways to

dramatically reduces the risk of transferring

resell their reservations.

flights, hotel rooms and holidays to strangers by acting as an intermediary.

Sellers are protected because they don’t

to be lost. There are secondary travel

change the name on the reservations or

marketplaces connecting people who have

pay the name change fees before SpareFare

bought flights, holiday packages or hotel

have received the money from the buyer.

rooms but can no longer use them, with people seeking discounted travel options.

A lost cause?

SpareFare.net is a marketplace where travellers can resell flights, hotel reservations

doesn’t mean all money paid for a trip has

GROUP TRAVEL

estate led to the Scottish Rights of Way Act.

SpareFare.net says: You’re not alone.

However, a non-refundable reservation

The idea is simple. If a traveller can’t go on a trip, due to an illness or other issue, there

VISIT ANGUS

Stags at Glen Esk in Angus

This way, sellers will never be left out of pocket due to buyers changing their mind at the last moment.

Buyers are protected too, because

are marketplaces where they can sell the

SpareFare hold the money with them until the

Q I lost money earlier this year because

pre-paid hotel reservation to another traveller

date of the flight, or the check-in date of the

who is going to the same place at the same

hotel. This prevents sellers from reselling the

I couldn’t travel and had non-refundable

time. The sellers can recoup some of the

same ticket multiple times. This is very different

flights and hotel reservations. Is this

money they paid for the trips, while buyers

from selling or buying travel reservations

always the case?

get a true discount of up to 50-60% by not

on Ebay, where there is a significant trust

Jane Porter, Lincolnshire

paying the current price of the bookings.

issue between buyers and sellers.

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10/12/2018 12:10

PIXABAY

Q&A

A specialist group flight agent will take the hassle out of booking foreign trips GROUP TRAVEL

Support network

passports is always complicated. As we

you can be on dates – as this makes a huge

Q I’m taking a group to Tuscany in the

strengthen and extend our relationships

difference to the price.

autumn – should I book through a specialist

expertise, we continue to add value to group

out as possible to ensure the best rates and

group flight agent?

travel organisers.

availability. It is also key for groups to book as far

Lily McGregor, Ayrshire

with airlines, gain contacts and further our

This particular sector of the travel industry

We always advise groups to book as far

as possible in advance, as we have seen groups

ATahir Bhimani of the GTC Travel Group

is particularly hard to do purely through online

becoming far more adventurous and travelling

platforms as it depends on volume and contacts.

a lot more further afield than just Europe.

We worked initially with just one or two

There’s been a big growth in Asia and Africa, and

In a word, yes! We can offer price, speed and

airlines, and while we still primarily work with

groups need to be aware that we might need to

convenience. Because of the volumes we do,

the Lufthansa Group, we now work with a range

organise visas and that they need to advise their

we can negotiate the best prices in the market.

of airlines, including Swiss, Austrian Airlines,

delegates on medical requirements – such as

Our dedicated teams can sort out clients’

Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Air France, KLM

malaria pills or jab requirements.

(gtctravelgroup.com) says:

requirements simply and quickly, and provide them with what they want immediately.

and Etihad.

It’s vitally important for groups to get the

My top tip for anyone planning a group

right kind of insurance for themselves as well.

trip is to contact us as soon as you know you

We offer flights only, so we offer groups the

stress out of booking. Co-ordinating large

need book a trip, and try to be precise with

maximum amount of flexibility for them to

numbers of personal requirements and

information such as numbers and how flexible

organise their own tailor-made requirements.

Similarly, we will take the organisational

WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

090-092 GTW Jan 19 Q&As.indd 91

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Q&A

Proudly sponsored by the Royal Horticultural Society

RHS/JERRY HARPUR

The fruit and vegetable garden at RHS Garden Rosemoor

MEET OUR EXPERT

RHS Gardens and groups: the latest tips and practical advice from the RHS. Got a gardening question you’d like answered? Email groups@rhs.org.uk

Melissa Hackney is Groups

Sales & Marketing Manager at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

Q I’m planning my veg patch for next year,

All our Gardens have fantastic kitchen

Q I’m trying to forget this dreary weather

have you got any tips for vegetables that will

gardens or fruit and vegetable gardens, which

by booking our group trip in May. What

grow through the winter?

might give you some inspiration, and the

would be looking good where?

Helen Adams, Bath

produce is brought from the gardens into

Hannah Newman, Oxted

A I’ve checked with our team at Wisley,

the kitchens of our award-winning cafés and restaurants. From Bath, you’re well placed for

and, as well as the usual brussels sprouts and

either Rosemoor in Devon, or Wisley in Surrey.

A May is a beautiful time to visit the

Gardens, as spring colour has really taken hold.

cabbages, they recommended kale, which would

If you’re going with a group, why not try

not only produce greens through the winter, but

booking a Gardens Expert Tour at Rosemoor

Oxted very easily. Wisley in May is glorious

also have the bonus of being ornamental. You

or a private garden tour at Wisley?

– the magnolia look amazing at that time of

could also try leeks, which can suffer a bit from

By doing this, you could have a

You could reach either Wisley or Hyde Hall from

year and there are beautiful blue camassisas on

frosts, but do tend to bounce back, as well as

special focus on these areas and get

Weather Hill. Hyde Hall is also lovely in May,

cauliflower or broccoli.

some real insider knowledge.

there are some really gorgeous euphorbias there, which as well as being bright in their own right, also contrast really well and help to

Q When our group visited Wisley we

The Alpine House at Harlow Carr

were inspired by the alpines. Are your other

accentuate the colour of other flowers, such as Iris. Both gardens have a Spring Craft Fair at the

gardens good for these as well?

beginning of the month, and Hyde Hall also has

David Williams, Rugby

a Spring Plant Fair at the end of April.

A That’s great to hear and yes, we do have

of events. Look on our website for more

recommend trying the Alpine House at RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Yorkshire. We have a fabulous 80ft Alpine House there, which not only has a wonderful view over the surrounding woodland from its location at the top of the valley, but also is a valuable setting for many different specimens.

If you’re really keen, there is even a special

RHS/BETHANY CLARKE

alpine areas at our other gardens. I would

All our gardens have a year-round calendar details, or send off for our guide: ‘Where Inspiration Grows’.

Experience the ultimate gardening day out with the RHS at its four gardens They can actually be grown from seed this month, as they need a period of cold to break the seed dormancy. You can either

Alpine Weekend next year from October

place a sheet of glass over the sown area

12-13 at Harlow Carr. If you fancy growing

to protect it from getting too wet, or some

some in your own garden, there are plenty

people have had success starting the seeds

of ideas on our website – www.rhs.org.uk

off in the fridge, ready for sowing next spring.

090-092 GTW Jan 19 Q&As.indd 92

– RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey; RHS Garden Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire; RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Essex and RHS Garden Rosemoor in North Devon. See rhs.org.uk/groups or email groups@rhs.org.uk

GTW

10/12/2018 12:10

Group Travel World - DT Entertainment Lunches - FP Dec 2018_Layout 1 14/11/2018 14:45 Page 1

N EfoW r

2019

Entertainment Lunches FOR GR O U P S A N D I N D I V I D U A L S

EXCL

USIV E TO GREA T D AY S

Music Hall at The Monastery

No Minimum Numbers

£ 3 5 .00 per person

10.30am Doors open.

10.45am Coffee and biscuits in the Great Nave.

11.00am Welcome talk – The Monastery’s Journey From Ruin to Restoration.

11.30am First half of the show.

12.30pm Three-course lunch (set menu).

2.00pm Best dressed guest and charity raffle. Then it’s on with the show!

3.00pm Farewell and Carriages.

n

Manchester - Tuesday 23rd April

n

Manchester - Monday 20th May

Includes: • Arrival tea/coffee and biscuits • Welcome talk on the Monastery • 3 course lunch with tea/coffee (set menu) • 2 hours variety show FOR INDIVIDUALS PLEASE BOOK ONLINE

www.greatdaysholidays.co.uk

Individual bookings made by phone will incur an additional fee of £5 per person. Bookings made on-line do not incur any additional fees.

Mamma Mia Summer Show Party

No Minimum Numbers

11.00am Arrive for coffee and biscuits.

11.30am Mamma Mia - here we go again! The entertainment begins followed by a topical quiz.

12.30pm A three-course lunch will be served (set menu). from

£27.50 per person

2.00pm

3.00pm

Best dressed competition and raffle draw, then on with the show.

Farewell and Carriages.

n

Yorkshire - Tues 4th, Wed 5th June

n

Chester - Wed 12th June

n

Lancashire - Wed 18th September

n

Cheshire - Tue 24th, Wed 25th September

n

Essex - Tue 18th, Wed 19th June; Wed 4th, Thu 5th September

n

Kent - Fri 28th June; Thu 12th, Fri 13th September

Includes: • Welcome tea/coffee and biscuits; 90 minutes with our popular entertainment duo; 3 course lunch with tea/coffee (set menu).

Celebrating The Carpenters

No Minimum Numbers

11.00am Arrive for coffee and biscuits.

n

Chester - Thursday 13th June

n

Lancashire - Tuesday 17th September

11.30am First half of the show.

n

Kent - Thursday 27th June

12.30pm A three-course lunch will be served (set menu).

2.00pm

Raffle draw, then on with the show!

3.00pm

Farewell and Carriages.

from

£27.50 per person

Includes: • Welcome tea/coffee and biscuits • 90 minutes with our popular entertainment duo • 3 course lunch with tea/coffee (set menu)

JOIN US FOR

The Christmas Beatles Show Party Lunch 2019 S E E W E B S I T E F O R DAT E S A N D P R I C E S F O R G R O U P S O F 1 0 O R M O R E P L E A S E C O N TA C T O U R S A L E S T E A M

T: 0161 928 3242

| E: sales@greatdays.co.uk | www.greatdays.co.uk

Prices exclude coach hire. Dates subject to availability and can change without prior notice.

FP Template.indd 93

12/12/2018 19:55

Over to you

We want to hear from you!

Write, Facebook, Tweet or email helen.milbank@grouptravelworld.com V&A DUNDEE/HUFTONCROW

The multi-million pound V&A Dundee is Scotland’s first design museum

STAR LETTER

Designer collection I enjoyed Sue Parslow’s feature on the new

Sue’s right too that Dundee is one of the

V&A Dundee is free to enter and open

V&A Dundee last issue. It really is a great place

sunniest cities in Scotland – we went in

daily from 10am to 5pm. From 2019,

to visit, with some fantastic exhibitions on

November and the sun shone all weekend!

it will offer group bookings for talks and

show. We particularly loved the magnificent

Liz Martin, East Yorkshire

guided tours of the building and galleries,

Charles Rennie Mackintosh Oak Room, which,

and discounts on paid-for tickets for

we soon learned, has been restored, conserved

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR: Glad you

exhibitions will be available for groups of

and reconstructed having been lost to view

enjoyed the feature, Liz, and for anyone

10 or more. Find out more at vam.ac.uk/

for nearly 50 years.

who hasn’t yet been, can I just add that

dundee

A journey into space

We love... ...this shot of Georgie Milbank and her grandad Clive on

I’m just back from an outing to Jodrell

board the Albatros, which is

Bank Observatory in Cheshire. What a

moored in Wells-next-the-

place: a series of expert talks and demos

Sea harbour in Norfolk. The

are on offer for visitors, and we’re now

former Dutch cargo ship is

experts on space dust as a result!

now a floating bar, restaurant,

There’s loads of free parking, and

music venue and B&B that

any children in your party will love the

serves everything from

interactive displays.

pancakes to real ales. Great

For just £8 for adults it’s great value,

for small (agile!) groups

and we combined it with a trip to Chester

– as the steps down into

for some Christmas shopping (find out

the bar are steep – it’s great

more at www.jodrellbank.net).

for families too. Find out

Lucy Leadbetter, Denbighshire

more and plan your visit at albatroswells.co.uk

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094-095 GTW Jan 19 Readers' letters hm.indd 94

10/12/2018 16:56

Your shout MINI BOOK REVIEW

Longleat’s Festival of Light runs until January 6, see longleat.co.uk/ festival-of-light

Celebrating Diversity

Price: £14.99 From: all good bookshops, or amazon.co.uk

Festive fun From Christmas fairs to festive markets, it

■ June

seems you’ve been busy this month, mulled

and I went with Shaws of Maxey to Norwich.

wine in hand...

We had a fantastic day out, were picked up

■ Evie

from the top of our road, and the city’s a great

Sleight says: “Longleat’s Festival of Light

is just amazing.”

■ Guy

Barnsby says: “Waddesdon Manor’s

Mansfield says: “My husband Clive

place to walk round. Fares were only £12 each. Bargain!”

Christmas Fair in Buckinghamshire was

■ Danielle

fantastic this year. Definitely worth a trip.”

Christmas at the Castle. Lovely place to visit.”

Ribeiro says: “We enjoyed Hever’s An inspiring anthology that celebrates the diversity of the people around us and what makes us all unique, this book features

Fly past

a number of authors, including artist and GTW favourite, Roland Burt.

Loving your latest series of posters

■ To

showing the Red Arrows. They’re all up

his artwork see djiboart.co.uk

find out more about Roland and

on my office wall!

Steve Lamb, Surrey

Keep in touch...

We want to hear from you!

Write to: Group Travel World magazine, 3 The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Forder Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8GX Email: helen.milbank@ grouptravelworld.com A WORD FROM THE EDITOR: Our pleasure, Steve! And turn to page 57 JONATHAN SMITH

to see our new poster collection, which kicks off in style with Longleat Safari Park’s gorgeous cheetah cub.

Christmas cheer Thanks to the team at the four-day Burghley Christmas Fair at Burghley House in Lincolnshire, who put on a fantastic event. Car parking was just £5 and admission was free, the mulled wine was flowing and GTW’s Harley Denham and Emma Parkes were there to sample it! For more on

Advertising query?

Call Julie Cousins on 01733 293242 Subscription query?

Emma Parkes is here to help.

Call her on 01733 293487 Need attraction & show tickets?

Call Harley on 01733 293249 Visit www.grouptravelworld.com follow Facebook.com/ grouptravelworld and see us on Twitter @GTWMagazine GTW

this historic stately home and its year-round calendar of events, see burghley.co.uk WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

094-095 GTW Jan 19 Readers' letters hm.indd 95

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10/12/2018 16:56

And finally Amsterdam: famed for its canals and the only city where bikes outstrip people

ENJOY A WEEKEND IN...

Amsterdam A

MSTERDAM RESIDENTS OFTEN refer

tends to be a relaxed and good natured affair.

to their city as a village. Why? Because,

Amsterdam is also an eminently walkable

Keep an eye out for locals on bikes with yellow-coloured luggage racks – they’ll pull over and give you a lift if you call out “Backie” to them!

superb. The eerily moving Anne Frank House, home of the eponymous diarist and her illfated family, is unmissable too.

despite the fact it boasts an array of jaw-

city, with most of the city’s key sights and

dropping cultural treasures and buzzes with an

attractions within strolling distance of the

edgy and contemporary vibe, Amsterdam is

compact city centre. And with more canals to

being a quirky city, so why not explore one

small enough to retain a suitably modest and

crow about than Venice, an extended saunter

of the city’s more eccentric museums while

manageable feel.

alongside the city’s waterways is a definite

you’re here? Certainly an afternoon spent

highlight. Herengracht, a beautiful stretch of

nosing around the Torture Museum,

by the cute step-gabled buildings, picturesque

canal flanked by attractive, opulent buildings

Funeral Museum or Sex Museum will live

bridges and peaceful, never-ending canals for

should be at the top of any Amsterdam

long in your memory. The Museum Vrolik,

which the city is so famed. For sure, knowing

walking wishlist. A casual (but not too casual)

renowned for its collection of human

that you can be the only person strolling along

stroll around the city’s notorious Red Light

malformations (many pickled in jars), is

a meandering waterfront path, yet be just five

district is unforgettable experience too, though

something of an eye-opener as well.

minutes’ walk from the lively city centre is a

for entirely different reasons.

Of course, this quaint ambience is espoused

big part of what gives this alluring city such immediate charm.

WORDS: DARREN CALPIN

MAKE LIKE A LOCAL...

Of course, Amsterdam is known for its

However, Amsterdam is also known for

GET ME THERE

myriad world-class museums. In fact, Thanks

Getting to Amsterdam is easier than ever now

And unlike most other European cities,

to its diminutive size, the city is believed to

that Eurostar runs a direct route from London.

getting around Amsterdam can actually be a

offer more culture per capita than any other

In addition, hopping on the Eurostar can also

joy. Cycling is far and away the preferred way

city in the world. Naturally, big hitters like the

work out well for those travelling in groups

of moving from A to B and, even though it

Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk

as discounts are often proffered.

often looks like the world and his wife is on

Museum are absolute must-sees as their

two wheels here, pedal-powered sightseeing

collections of world-class works are simply

Call 0344 822 4800 or email groups@ eurostar.com to find out more.

GTW

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Living the nation’s history since 1348

“A real hidden gem, steeped in history and an oasis right in the heart of London” Tripadvisor

Free museum • Gift shop • Daily guided tours • Groups welcome Discover the fascinating and turbulent history of this beautiful unique site in central London which has served as a monastery, Tudor mansion, boys’ school and an almshouse, which it remains to this day.

Open Tuesday – Sunday The Charterhouse, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6AN Quote GTW T 020 3818 8873 E tours@thecharterhouse.org

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London 2019

Make a bang!

As we usher in 2019, there’s never been a better time to explore the UK’s much-loved capital.

I

T’S HOME TO the tallest building in Western Europe (The Shard, at 306m tall), the world’s best chefs (think

Jamie Oliver, Marco Pierre White et al), a number of royal palaces, acres of parkland, ancient buildings, an iconic river and world-class attractions and museums.

So make this the year you explore London to the full and discover its many hidden and not-so hidden gems...

16-page London special

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10/12/2018 12:13

Meet the Household Cavalry A gem in the very heart of ceremonial London

Meet the Household Cavalry

Meet the you’ve –– your your secret secret entrance entrance to to aa famous famous building building you’ve always always wanted wanted to to explore... explore... with with daily daily guard guard changes changes and andHousehold garrison garrison inspections. inspections. We We house house the the best best items items from from one one of of the the world’s world’s finest finestCavalry regimental regimental collections, collections, offer offer aa window window into into the the workling workling regimental regimental stables stables and and reveal reveal some some fantastic fantastic stories. stories.

Meet the Household Cavalry

A gem in the very heart of ceremonial London

– your secret entrance to a famous building you’ve always wanted to explore... with daily guard changes and garrison inspections. We house the best items from one of the world’s finest regimental collections, offer a Groups Groups rates rates available. available. Ask Ask us us about about ourworking new newregimental multi-venue multi-venue tickets. tickets. window into our the stables and reveal some fantastic stories.

Groups rates available. Ask us about our new multi-venue tickets.

A gem in the very heart of ceremonial London Open daily from 10am

gem in the very heart of ceremonial London – your secret entrance to a famous building you’ve always wanted to explore...

Open dailyA from 10am The Theand Household Household Cavalry Cavalry Museum, Museum, Horse Horse Guards, Guards, Whitehall, Whitehall, London.

London. with daily guard changes garrison inspections.

We house the –best youritems secret entrance to a famous building you’ve always wanted to explore...

The Household Cavalry Museum, with Horse Guards, Whitehall, London. daily guard changes and garrison inspections. We house the best items from one of the world’s finest regimental collections, offer a window into the Tel: Tel: 020 020 7930 7930 3070 3070 Tel: 020 7930 3070 from one of the world’s finest regimental collections, offer a window into the workling regimental stables and reveal some fantastic stories. workling regimental stables and reveal some fantastic stories.

www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk

www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk Groups rates available. Ask us about our new multi-venue tickets.

Groups rates available. Ask us about our new multi-venue tickets.

A gem in the very heart of ceremonial London

Open daily from 10am

Open daily from 10am

The Household Cavalry Museum, Horse Guards, Whitehall, London.

Tel: 020 7930 3070

– your secret entrance to a famous building you’ve always wanted to explore The Household Cavalry Museum, Horse Guards, Whitehall, London. with daily guard changes and garrison inspections. We house the best items Tel: 020 7930 3070 from one of the world’s finest regimental collections, offer a window into the www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk workling regimental stables and reveal some fantastic stories.

www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk See London by Night can offer private live guided tours of London not only in the evening but during the days as well.

Groups rates available. Ask us about our new multi-venue tickets.

A gem in the very heart of ceremonial London

We have fixed packages that are ideal for groups Open daily from 10am your secret which–are available 365 entrance to a famous building you’ve always wanted to explore...

The Household Cavalry Museum, Horse Guards, Whitehall, London. days of the year. If you with daily guard changes and garrison inspections.

We house the best items Tel: 020 7930 3070 don’t need a guide, we are happy provide fromtoone of just the world’s finest regimental collections, offer a window into the transport on one of our workling regimental stables and reveal some fantastic stories. open top yellow buses.

www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk

Contact info@seelondonbynight.com for more imformation

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Polo comes to London: hone your skills in 2019 with Polo Experiences

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London 2019

Chukkas away!

From polo to Parliament we reveal London’s quirkier side Words: Angela Youngman

of eight or more get a 10% discount, see householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk

Parliament on a special guided tour – available

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT

for both groups and families – with the added

The RAF Museum at Hendon opened its

option of afternoon tea or a self-guided

new-look site in 2018 as part of the RAF

audio tour. You’ll find all the details online

100 centenary project. This multi-million

at parliament.uk

pound transformation includes new, innovative

BE A TROOPER

POLO. IN LONDON?

on public display for the first time. Groups

galleries exploring the first 100 years of the RAF, from the development of the iconic Merlin

Experience first-hand accounts of the troopers’

engine, which powered the Spitfire, to the role

We kid you not. London City’s new Polo

rigorous and demanding training at The

of Rolls Royce and Air Commodore Sir Frank

Experience teaches you the basic rules of the

Household Cavalry Museum, with interactive

Whittle. Paths around the site emulate evening

game, how to use a polo mallet and sit in the

displays and stunning rare objects – many

landing lights, and the story of the RAF and

saddle, before you try on all the gear and have a go for yourself – on a real life polo pony!

Bring eight or more friends and you, as

The RAF Museum Hendon’s new-look site is now open

chief organiser, will get in half price (take 10 people and you’ll get in free). You’ll be riding in a fully covered arena, five miles from Canary Wharf and within the 2012 Olympic Games area, so rain needn’t stop play, see poloexperiences.com

SIT IN THE HOUSE Explore the world-famous Houses of

Bring your groups to London’s oldest botanic garden and unlock our remarkable stories and plant collection Reduced ticket price for groups of ten or more

Award winning café and garden shop open: Monday - Friday, Sundays 11am-6pm Chelsea Physic Garden 66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS groups@chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk 020 7352 5646 chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk Group Travel 2.indd 1

102-104 GTW Jan 19 London feature.indd 103 HP Template.indd 103

13/04/2018 12:25

10/12/2018 08:30 12:14 14/12/2018

London 2019

The London Mithraeum

the people who’ve served in its ranks are

chanting long-dead rituals. Artefacts found

Nature’ (until January 2019) explores the links

told as never before. Entry’s free, see

during archaeological excavations of the

between fashion and nature from 1600 to

rafmuseum.org.uk

site can also be seen, including the first

the present day, looking at the environmental

ever handwritten documents from the first

impact of fashion. Free to visit, see vam.ac.uk

WHAT DID THE ROMANS DO FOR US?

(together with an IOU!). Entry’s free and expert

ANYONE FOR TENNIS?

You can find out in 2019, as tucked away

guides provide tours to booked groups. See

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum’s award-

under Bloomberg’s HQ in the City of London is

londonmithraeum.com

winning behind-the-scenes tours are the

the London Mithraeum. Originally discovered in

ideal way to see this world-famous ground.

the aftermath of World War Two, this Roman

SUITS YOU...

structure was moved and displayed elsewhere,

The V&A has a number of major exhibitions

goes on behind the scenes in the Broadcast

but has now returned to its original site.

running throughout 2019 with a focus on

Centre. Visit areas normally reserved for the

fashion. ‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’

players and media, and experience the views

through time as columns of light rise out

runs from February until July, tracing the history

from the members’ balcony before finishing

of the darkness to create a 3D replica of

and impact of one of the 20th century’s most

your visit in Centre Court. Plan your trip at

the original temple, complete with voices

influential couturiers. While ‘Fashioned from

bookings.wimbledon.com

Stepping down the stairs is truly walking JAMES MARTIN

century AD mentioning the name of London

Discover how the site is cared for and what

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10/12/2018 12:14

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

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12/12/2018 11:28 20:27 10/10/2018

London 2019

Make waves

Take a quick hop across the Thames in style...

MBNA THAMES CLIPPERS

London Cruises take you past the Houses of

Tower Pier and Greenwich Pier.

You’ll have seen their distinctive red, white

Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of

See citycruises.com

and blue boats criss-crossing the Thames, and

London and other major landmarks while you

MBNA Thames Clippers run a busy service,

tuck into the delicious fare, accompanied by

THAMES RIB EXPERIENCE

ferrying tourists from Battersea Power Station

live music. See bateauxlondon.com

Hailed as the ultimate boat experience,

to London Bridge. Groups of 10 or more get

choose from a number of high-speed chases

a discount (see the website for details) and

CITY CRUISES

hop-on hop-off day tickets are great value at

Opt for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea as you

Blast at the O2 to the 75-minute Thames

around £16. See thamesclippers.com

travel the river with City Cruises, or simply

Barrier Experience. Or make like Bond and

hop on board for a sightseeing tour. Great

jet down the Thames on a speedy transfer

value (with prices from £10 for a hop-on,

(think water taxi on steroids). Groups can

Famous for their lunches, dinners and

hop-off 24-hour Riverpass ticket), boats

hire an entire boat, or buy single tickets. See

afternoon tea packages on the water, Bateaux

leave from Westminster Pier, London Eye Pier,

thamesribexperience.com

BATEAUX LONDON CRUISES

along the Thames, from the 20-minute Rib

GTW

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SEE FURTHER THAN THE EYE CAN SEE

• London’s highest viewing platform • 800ft above the ground • Unwind with a glass of champagne • Stay as long as you wish Special rates for groups of 10+ plus free leader places 0844 499 7111 reservations@theviewfromtheshard.com www.theviewfromtheshard.com

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London’s

calling

ince its launch in 2017, The Postal Museum in London has proved a huge

hit. Discover the delights of cryptic Victorian Valentine’s Day cards, an encounter with a lion on Salisbury Plain and even the odd pistol that’s come through the post.

Try a mail coach game, see superb examples of 20th century graphic art, and find out about the development of the world’s first adhesive stamp, which transformed the way letters and parcels were sent. It’s even possible to ride the Mail Rail miniature train through underground tunnels. See postalmuseum.org

PIXABAY

From botanical gardens to sky-high walks, there’s never been a better time to explore the city

S

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London 2019 tucked away on the banks of the River

Friday, April to October. The Tangerine

and more overground – 52 metres above

For an attraction that’s less underground,

Thames is London’s oldest botanical

Dream Café can also be booked for

ground, to be precise – explore Up at The 02

garden, with guided tours on offer taken

groups. Find out more and plan your

(theo2.co.uk). ). There’s no lift, no escalator,

by knowledgeable volunteer guides.

visit at chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk

and no-one to carry you: it’s known as urban

The Chelsea Physic Garden’s unique

Finally, the Museum of Brands in

mountaineering, and if you fancy testing your

microclimate allows the gardeners to

Notting Hill is a wonderful step back in

head for heights you’ll ascend all the way to

grow plants not normally found outside

time, exploring how our consumer society

the top of The O2 via a walkway, suspended

in the UK, including the largest fruiting

has evolved since Victorian times.

52m above ground level (kitted out with your

olive tree. This is also the location of a

climb suit, boots and harness, we hasten to

unique living collection of more than 5,000

at their own pace, enjoy an introductory

add). One way to see the views, we guess!

edible, useful and medicinal plants that

talk and take the museum quiz, while

have had a major impact on the world.

the museum’s café serves up a treat.

BOTANICAL DELIGHTS Back to more relaxing pursuits, and

Special guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more, from Tuesday to

Groups are welcome to tour the museum

Find out more and plan your visit at museumofbrands.com

GTW

WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

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London 2019

Anyone for tea?

London hotspots to dine in style...

Expect sword-fighting knights to entertain you while wenches dance the night away at this medieval feast set in the historic St Katharine Docks. Dine like it’s the 10th century – with the chance to get in costume to really feel the part. Special offers for groups are available and on select nights

There’s so much to see and do at Kew

treats. A tour of the iconic building will complete

six diners can eat for the price of four, see

Gardens, London’s largest UNESCO World

your visit, see royalalberthall.com

medievalbanquet.com

The Botanical, in the heart of the Gardens, with

Inspired by the glitz and glamour of

Hailed as London’s biggest and best Irish

views of the Palm House and lake. Although

tinseltown, Planet Hollywood on London’s

bar, Waxy’s London in the West End is a

there’s no group discount for afternoon tea,

Haymarket has become a phenomena since its

labyrinth of four unique bars over six levels,

groups can benefit from a discount on entry

1991 launch with the backing of Hollywood

serving food and drink, with live music four

into the gardens, see kew.org

megastars Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis,

nights a week, see waxyoconnors.co.uk

Heritage Site, including afternoon tea served in

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Demi Moore.

Over at London’s Royal Albert Hall

Now, groups of all sizes are welcome, see

Based in Old Park Lane in the upmarket

groups have the option to experience a live

planethollywoodlondon.com

Mayfair district, the historic Hard Rock

performance by an opera singer while they

Cafe London has been a hit with locals and

enjoy afternoon tea in the elegant Verdi

Enjoy an evening of delicious food, cocktails

tourists alike since the early 1970s. Expect

restaurant. Voted in the top 10 of best

and entertainment at the glamorous London

good food, good entertainment and many

afternoon tea venues in London, groups of 10

Cabaret Club in Bloomsbury Square, with James

a group-friendly event, from a cocktail

or more can take advantage of special rates

Bond-inspired shows, the Best of British Pop

masterclass to special dining experiences,

on freshly made sandwiches, cakes and sweet

and more, see thelondoncabaretclub.com

see hardrock.com/cafes/london

GTW

Kew Gardens’ The Botanical

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AWARD WINNING GROUP DINING

The Thames Barrier On the River Thames, view one of London’s iconic structures from our grounds

FOR ALL YOUR LONDON GROUPS

Visit our exhibition and CafĂŠ.

Groups can pre book a group talk or an educational package with our guides.

Call or visit us online for more details and opening times 0208 305 4188 www.gov.uk/the-thames-barrier

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020 7024 8455

salesuk@planethollywoodintl.com planethollywoodlondon.com 57-60 Haymarket SW1Y 4QX

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Plan your route for London

Supplement

2019

Guide to London - to request your free copy email emma.parkes@ grouptravelworld.com

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Discounts Visit www.grouptraveloffers.com for discounted tickets to popular UK and European events

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Call Emma Parkes on 01733 293487 Email emma.parkes@grouptravelworld.com Visit www.grouptravelworld.com/subscribe

GTW Calendar 2018.indd 2

15/12/2017 15:56

• Famous Sites • Museums and Galleries • Walking Tours • Themed Tours • Contemporary Britain

BOOK A BLUE BADGE GUIDE Blue Badge Guides are entertaining and informative, reliable and professional with local and up to date knowledge.

The Blue Badge is a symbol of excellence in tourist guiding. Their wealth of experience is

respected by discriminating tour operators and travel agents throughout the world.

Whether it is for an individual or a group, business or pleasure, a Blue Badge Guide makes a good experience great!

To book a Blue Badge Guide visit www.britainsbestguides.org T: +44 (0)20 7403 1115 E: hello@blue-badge.org.uk

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London 2019

At home

with the royals See London like never before as you enter the gates of our capital’s historic palaces

The original palace building was home to the Archbishops of York, but this venue also caught the eye of the inimitable Henry VIII, who set about seizing and enlarging the bishops’ pad and transforming it into a royal palace, fit for himself and his Queen of the moment, Anne Boleyn. After it was destroyed in a fire, the present building was designed by Inigo Jones and completed in 1622.

HAMPTON COURT PALACE Just outside the main city, this sits alongside

KENSINGTON PALACE

childhood home of Queen Victoria. Visitors

the Tower of London as jewels in the

While in the capital, drop in on Kensington

get a real sense of all its past inhabitants

crown of the Historic Royal Palaces charity,

Palace, a real life royal residence. It has been

as they stroll through the State Rooms.

which maintains six of our most notable

in the British royal family since the 17th

UK palaces. Visitors to their attractions are

century, at which point it was redesigned by Sir

BANQUETING HOUSE

Christopher Wren into the stylish home that is

Described as ‘The grandest... of the

monarchs and people have shaped society,

still in use today. Kensington Palace will probably

architectural genre of banqueting house,’ this

in some of the greatest palaces ever built’.

forever be connected with Diana, Princess of

is the last surviving section of the former

Wales, but this was also the birthplace and

Palace of Whitehall.

promised they will learn ‘The story of how

Described as a 500-year-old royal pleasure palace, Hampton Court certainly delivers. What was once a country house

LOOK FOR THE BLUE BADGE

was transformed into a magnificent palace in the early 16th century, when it attracted the

Blue Badge Tourist Guides are the UK’s official, professional tourist guides, and the British

attention of the notorious monarch Henry VIII,

Guild of Tourist Guides’ website is the place to search for one. Visit britainsbestguides.org

who eventually brought all his six wives here.

to find a guide, and tour, to suit you, wherever you’re headed in Britain, London included.

Surrounded by gorgeous gardens and its famous maze, Hampton Court Palace is as fascinating outside as it is in.

GTW

For more on all the palaces mentioned here see hrp.org.uk Kensington Palace WWW.GROUPTRAVELWORLD.COM

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London 2019

See the

light Don’t let 2019 slip by without a visit to...

The Shard Western Europe’s tallest building at 1,000ft

attractions, find out more at the-shard.com

his death in 1759. Hendrix Flat occupies

or theviewfromtheshard.com

the upper floor of 23 Brook Street, where

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Jimi lived from July 1968 to March 1969.

In the heart of London’s West End, admission (priced at £10) is limited, and

The award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air

while tickets can be bought on the door it’s

Theatre first opened in 1932 and is now one

recommended you buy them in advance.

of the largest theatres in London.

Handel & Hendrix in London is open every

Voted London Theatre of the Year in The Stage Awards 2017, and celebrated for its bold, dynamic productions, over 140,000 people visit the theatre each year during its 18-week season – come rain or shine as it’s completely uncovered!

Find out more about the 2019 season at openairtheatre.com

day bar Sunday. Find out more at handelhendrix.org

The Royal Albert Hall

Travel through history, incredible architecture and legendary performances at the iconic Royal Albert Hall. Take a behind the scenes tour to gain access to parts of the hall that are usually off limits, providing a rare insight into

(306m), The Shard stands almost twice the

Handel & Hendrix

height of any other vantage point in London.

Separated by a wall – and 250-odd years

come together to stage hundreds of events

Visitors can experience 360° views over the

– are the homes of two legendary musicians

every year, see royalalberthall.com

city for up to 40 miles on a clear day, after

who chose London as their home. Handel

beginning their journey in the attraction’s

& Hendrix in London tells the story of Jimi

high-speed lifts that zoom from level one to

Hendrix, who lived in this Mayfair flat in the

level 68 in just 60 seconds.

late 1960s, and the German-born British

its unique collections of coins, banknotes and

baroque composer George Frideric Handel,

artefacts. Following a period of renovation,

The Shard’s level 69 observation deck, glass

who made the next door house his home

exciting new displays and exhibits have now

of champagne in hand, or spot London’s

in 1712 and eventually became a British

been added to the galleries. A variety of free

famous landmarks from the open air sky

citizen in 1727.

talks and presentations are on offer to groups

Enjoy panoramic views of the capital from

deck on level 72. Close to London Bridge,

Handel House occupies two floors of 25

and surrounded by the city’s most notable

Brook Street, where the composer lived until

how the show, hospitality and technical teams

Bank of England Museum

Visit the Bank of England Museum and explore

of between 15 and 50 (booking essential).

See bankofengland.co.uk

GTW

The view from The Shard

PIXABAY

The Charterhouse has been living the nation’s history since 1348. And in that time it’s served as a monastery, private mansion, boys’ school and an almshouse, which it remains to this day. Discover more on a behind the scenes tour led by one of the resident Brothers.

See thecharterhouse.org

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From Princess to Empress Amuse your groups at the 200th birthday celebrations of Queen Victoria at Kensington Palace New exhibitions opening 24 May 2019 Victoria: A royal childhood Victoria: Woman and crown +44 (0)20 3166 6311 groupsandtraveltrade@hrp.org.uk www.hrp.org.uk/travel-trade

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