SS Great Britain, Bristol’s famous maritime attraction based on Brunel’s blueprint for modern ocean liners, has launched a new museum and has also updated its name to Bristol Dockyards to reflect its wider presentation. Newly opened on Saturday 18 July, Bristol Dockyards has expanded the SS Great Britain Experience to create a new museum. [...]
Leeds Castle in Kent, combining over 900 years of history with gardens, seasonal experiences and events, has frozen its group admission rates until March 2028 to help coach operators plan future visits. Group prices for adults are £22 for a non-guided visit, or £30.50 for a guided visit. Children aged 3-15 years receive entry [...]
New Lanark, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has joined the Coach Tourism Association as part of its drive to welcome more coach groups. The site is based on an 18th century Mill Village on the River Clyde, south-east of Glasgow. Founded with a focus on philanthropy, education and the welfare of the mill workers, [...]
VisitScotland is presenting a variety of accommodation options to the travel trade with many additions relevant to coach tour operators. Available on the VisitScotland website under the banner Fresh Scottish Stays for Summer 2026, the page includes several newly opened and refurbished hotels suitable for coach groups, amongst a list that also includes accommodation [...]
Visit Wales is presenting a three-day itinerary exploring gardens in North and Mid Wales. The list features many popular National Trust locations, Snowdonia National Parks’ gardens, plus landscapes in Portmeirion, the charming Italianate-style village. The programme begins at Cwm Weeg near Newtown in Powys, featuring a three-acre formal garden set within 24 acres of [...]
Edinburgh Zoo’s immersive Giant Lanterns Trail is returning this winter with a new theme based on a space safari. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) will transform the zoo from November 2026 to February 2027 with over 600 lanterns, shining a light on ecology with an interstellar twist, from celestial planets to galactic [...]
Kynren – The Storied Lands, the new Bishop Auckland theme park with a difference, will officially open on 18 July 2026. Described as the UK’s first live-action show park, Kynren – The Storied Lands has been created by the team behind the acclaimed Kynren live show. The new attraction combines live action, immersive experiences, [...]
Brooklands Museum, the classic motoring and aviation attraction in Surrey, is staging a Festive Lunch Experience on Friday 11 December 2026, featuring entrance to the museum’s exhibits along with seasonal dining in a unique setting. Ideal for groups and corporate experiences, the experience starts at 10.15am and runs through to 3pm. The £55-per-person package [...]
Manchester City Football Club has announced the opening of a new museum experience designed to immerse visitors in the history and culture of the Club. Set to open later this year at the new Medlock Square entertainment district at Manchester’s Etihad Campus, the Manchester City Museum Experience will be spread across ten distinctive spaces [...]
The Royal Yacht Britannia, docked in Leith near Edinburgh and once the vessel of the Royal Family, is offering group visits. The Royal Yacht Britannia has also recently joined the CTA. The vessel was launched in 1953 for the British Royal Family, and for more than four decades, the Royal Yacht Britannia carried Queen [...]
Cornwall’s Eden Project has once again joined the CTA, while the attraction also plans the opening of two further sites in Morecambe and Dundee. Set on the land of a former clay mine, the Eden Project team transformed the crater into a series of gardens, include massive, covered Biomes. The iconic Rainforest Biome is [...]
Torre Abbey in Devon, the ancient scheduled monument and art collection set within 18 acres of garden and parkland, is welcoming coach group visits. Located in Torquay, Torre Abbey is the Torbay area's most historic building, dating back to 1196, and the site is the best-preserved medieval abbey in Devon and Cornwall. During a [...]
The Dundee Heritage Trust has joined the CTA, presenting the attractions Discovery Point and RRS Discovery, as well as the industrial heritage Verdant Works Museum. Discovery Point explores the pioneering Royal Research Ship Discovery and uncovers the stories of her past, from her origins in the shipyards of Dundee including the Antarctic expedition under [...]
Tourism Ireland has compiled a guide of 10 attractions, covering landscapes, cities, history, and heritage, that are all ready for coach groups. Long Meadow Cider The McKeever family orchard farm presents the history of apple growing in County Armagh, showing how they craft apple juices, ciders, and vinegar on-site. Combined with tastings of their [...]
Visit County Durham’s ‘Next Stop, Durham’ campaign is capitalising on the county’s location on the tourist trail between London, York and Edinburgh, as well as driving demand from domestic groups. Building on Visit County Durham’s tourism promotion success in 2025, which contributed an estimated £165m in visitor spend, this year’s campaign aims to raise [...]
Coastal Cruises Poole has confirmed that contracted rates for its trade partners will remain unchanged despite rising fuel costs. The company has issued an update to its trade partners in response to ongoing increases in global fuel costs, which continue to impact the tourism and marine sectors. “We recognise that our partners are navigating [...]
Leeds Castle in Kent is again welcoming groups across 2026, presenting over 900 years of fascinating history with its gardens, seasonal experiences, and events to enjoy throughout the year. Current group admission rates have also been frozen until March 2028. Garden Tours are returning this season, including private tours that guide groups through the [...]
Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, one of Britain’s most breathtaking natural landmarks, is presenting its Cave and a Cake offer to coach groups as a short stop-off. For £18.45 per person with pre-booking, group visitors receive entry to the spectacular Gough's Cave, one of Britain's most iconic show caves, plus a hot drink and a [...]
VisitScotland has prepared a portfolio of trade-ready garden experiences that showcase Scotland’s gardening excellence and heritage, ideally suited to coach groups. The listing of gardens includes the classic, from Backhouse Rossie Estate Walled Garden near Auchtermuchty in Fife, through to the more unusual, such as The Japanese Garden at Cowden (Sha Raku En), Clackmannanshire. [...]
The National Trust has taken over the Ironbridge Gorge Museums, the set of 10 attractions based in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which focus on the area’s role at the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Located in Telford, Shropshire, and based around the Ironbridge Gorge, the museums include Blists Hill Victorian Town, Enginuity, the [...]
A new entertainment destination is opening at Manchester City Football Club’s Etihad Campus later this year. Medlock Square will include an expansion to the stadium, as well as providing a new museum, store, and covered area. At the heart of Medlock Square is the Etihad Stadium North Stand expansion, a major development that will [...]
The Football Museum of Wales and Wrexham Museum, set to open later this year, will celebrate the history and future of Welsh football and will also display collections from Wrexham Museum. Half of the building will celebrate Welsh football, past and present, honouring the stories, triumphs, and memories of football fans and players. Meanwhile, [...]
CTA member Shakespeare Distillery based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, is hosting the Stratford Gin & Rum Festival on Sunday 19 July 2026. Taking place between 12pm and 5pm at the Crowne Plaza riverside, Stratford-upon-Avon, the event is ideal for groups, with sampling of craft gins & rums, live music, as well as learning sessions with [...]
The Bowes Museum near Barnard Castle, County Durham, focussing on art and set within 22 acres of landscaped parkland, has joined the CTA. The museum includes a world-class collection of over 58,000 objects, with highlights including works by renowned masters such as Goya, Canaletto, and Van Dyck. Among its treasures is the Silver Swan, [...]
Now on at Kensington Palace, The Last Princesses of Punjab exhibition marks the 150th birthday of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, the suffragette, activist, and goddaughter of Queen Victoria. The exhibition explores the extraordinary lives of Sophia and the influential women around her, including Queen Victoria. Together, their stories reveal a family shaped by empire and identity. Visitors will discover rare [...]
Plymouth Boat Trips has introduced a new vessel to its fleet of cruise boats and ferries for 2026. The Legend of Plymouth, formerly the Legend of Loch Ness, has been brought to Plymouth from the Scottish Highlands, having previously cruised Loch Ness. The boat comes complete with advanced echo sounding sonar equipment and screens [...]
Dinefwr Blankets, located in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, is presenting guided tours for coach groups where visitors can learn about the heritage of Welsh cloth plus blanket design and weaving. Dinefwr Blankets is known for its modern approach to traditional Welsh blanket design, and its tours offer groups the opportunity to discover Welsh heritage through traditional [...]
Alpine Travel has launched the Alice in Llandudno Open Top Bus Tour, an immersive storytelling experience that brings the magic of Lewis Carroll’s tales to life across one of Wales’ most iconic seaside towns. Now open, the experience invites visitors into the world of Alice in Wonderland, a story connected to Llandudno where author [...]
Chester Zoo is leading a nationwide push to change how weather forecasts are displayed on popular weather apps, warning that rain icons could be costing some venues up to £137,000 a day. The zoo has coordinated a joint approach to the Met Office on behalf of more than 80 outdoor attractions, including the Eden [...]
The Cromer Pier Summer Show, the world’s only full-season end-of-pier show, is returning in 2026, presenting a live entertainment experience that blends classic variety with contemporary flair, delivering a uniquely British tradition that’s both nostalgic and fresh. The Summer Show will run from 27 June to 19 September. This year, the North Norfolk pier [...]
Tickets to Kynren 2026, the epic tale of England presented in an outdoor spectacular show, are now available. Meanwhile, construction is gathering pace at the new action park that will run alongside the live production. The Kynren show in Bishop Auckland will take place on selected evenings between July and September. The live production [...]
Cruise Loch Ness has joined the CTA to support its offer to coach groups, providing cruise experiences across Scotland’s most famous loch. For over 50 years, Cruise Loch Ness has welcomed visitors from around the world to discover the beauty, history, and mystery of Scotland’s most famous loch, operating year-round from the picturesque village [...]
CTA member Continuum Attractions, the York-based visitor experience specialist, has acquired Eden Camp Modern History Museum, one of Yorkshire’s most popular tourist attractions. Eden Camp Modern History Museum, located just outside Malton, provides immersive storytelling around the reality of life in the Second World War. As a former prisoner of war camp, the museum [...]
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is welcoming groups this year to experience a nostalgic journey through 24 miles of stunning Yorkshire scenery aboard its fleet of heritage steam and diesel locomotives. The main railway season starts at the end of March and runs through the year until the end of October, when the NYMR [...]
Strawberry Field Liverpool has been awarded a Gold certification from Green Tourism, placing it among a small number of leading sustainable visitor attractions in the Liverpool City Region. The internationally recognised accreditation confirms that Strawberry Field has exceeded rigorous sustainability standards. Green Tourism assesses organisations against robust criteria aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development [...]
CTA member Worldwide Attractions, the business-to-business travel sales representation company, staged a successful fam trip to Rotterdam in December, hosting15 attendees including the CTA. The three and four day fam trips were presented in conjunction with three CTA supplier members, including P&O Ferries, Royal Spido and Euromast, to demonstrate how rewarding Rotterdam is as a [...]
CTA member Visit Southport is presenting a host of exciting events across 2026, ideal for group trips. Highlights include Lightport, an immersive light and sound installation that will turn the town into a walk-through rainbow of colour and creativity, taking place 14 - 16 February. From 3-4 April, French street theatre company Transe Express brings [...]
Liverpool’s The British Music Experience, which presents the history of British rock and pop, is staging Don’t Believe the Hype… Uncovering the Artwork of Arctic Monkeys’ Debut Album. This temporary exhibition, staged between 23 January and 22 March 2026, explores the creation and cultural legacy of one of the most recognisable album covers of the [...]
Edinburgh Zoo has appointed the city’s Heritage Portfolio, a Sodexo Live! brand, as its new catering and hospitality partner. The zoo says the new partnership will celebrate Scottish ingredients, support local producers, and enhance the visitor’ experience. The food and beverage plan is built around conservation, community, and engagement, with priorities focussing on improving quality [...]
Perth Museum, the new £26.5m redevelopment of a historic building in the centre of Perth City, has released its travel trade rates and guide. A popular feature on the recent CTA Winter Networking event, The Perth Museum invites visitors to explore Scotland’s past and its connection to the wider world through its display of exceptional [...]
The Museum of Royal Worcester, the famed porcelain brand, is inviting group travel organisers to step into a world of creativity, heritage, and craftsmanship spanning over 250 years. The museum is located by the regenerated Royal Porcelain Works factory site in the historic city of Worcester. Founded in 1751, Dr. Wall’s early porcelain factory began [...]
Scotland's Tay Country has published its new Coach Operator Toolkit, providing operators with full information to plan, promote, and deliver coach trips and tours across Scotland’s Tay Country. Tay Country comprises Angus, Fife, Perthshire, and the city of Dundee. The new toolkit provides insights to help operators understand the Tay Country offer, including suggestions for [...]
The popular Stratford-upon-Avon attraction Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall, has published its new group rates covering 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028, including group tours. The 605-year-old building, built during the reign of Henry V, is the location where the young William Shakespeare was educated and inspired to become one of the world’s most famous [...]
Shuttleworth has added a Hawker Hurricane to its collection of historic aircraft, with the aircraft registration G-HURI flying in at the end of November. Hawker Hurricane G-HURI was one of the first civilian Hurricanes flying in 1989, and Shuttleworth’s addition has been added from the Historic Aircraft Collection. The airworthy Hurricane was part of the [...]
The first, new Mersey Ferry in more than 60 years has taken to the water in Liverpool where sea trials will begin next year. The Royal Daffodil, the new £26m Mersey Ferry, was moved to the River Mersey on 6 November for basin testing, where the vessel first touches the water to test propulsion, steering, [...]
CTA member Raby Castle in County Durham has created a festive package for groups featuring the new Raby Castle at Christmas experience. For the first time in fifty years, groups can visit the ground floor of the fourteenth century castle, which will be open to the public in the build up to Christmas. The new [...]
Westminster Abbey has launched a new groups booking portal, giving access to group tickets with guaranteed timed entry. Travel trade partners and Blue Badge Guides can now register for a groups booking portal account, which will become the standard booking route for all groups visiting Westminster Abbey. The registration form is live now on Westminster Abbey’s Groups [...]
Cadw would like to remind coach operators about the advantages of its Tour Operator Scheme when making bookings to its historic properties in Wales. Cadw is the Welsh government’s historic environment service, presenting visitors with a range of special interest sites and buildings. For group visits, the Tour Operator Scheme provides preferential trade rates, two [...]
Brunel's SS Great Britain, the world's first great ocean liner, has joined the CTA. Today, the ship rests in dry dock in Bristol's vibrant harbourside as a leading attraction for the city. In an immersive and sensory experience, groups can discover how Isambard Kingdom Brunel revolutionised travel and set new standards in engineering. Aboard the [...]
Derbyshire’s award-winning visitor attraction, The Heights of Abraham, has announced that the 2025 Lights of Abraham event will shine from 21 November. The 2025 Lights of Abraham will feature new glittering archways, interactive stepping stones, a neon forest, and giant illuminated creatures including majestic swans, on a trail that can take over an hour to [...]
