The Severn Valley Railway, which follows the River Severn in Shropshire and Worcestershire, is hosting its Spring Steam Gala between 18 and 21 April. The SVR is currently operating along the 12-mile stretch of its line between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade following a major landslip that occurred near Bridgnorth in January. Repairs will begin in [...]
BBC Tours, taking place at BBC Cymru Wales in Central Square, Cardiff, has received a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award for the second year in a row, and a 2025 Visit Wales Gold award for the quality of the experience. The only BBC site currently open to the public, at BBC Cymru Wales, groups can join [...]
The World of Wedgwood, the tourist attraction that celebrates the work of the world-famed manufacturer of china and ceramic tableware and artistic items, has joined the CTA. The Stoke-on-Trent attraction is keen to welcome coach groups and can offer bespoke itineraries. Now with seven-day opening, 10am-5pm, groups can join a tour of the Wedgwood Factory [...]
The Three Counties Food and Drink Festival returns for its third year on 26 and 27 July at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire, with attendance from a lineup of TV's celebrated chefs. Coming on the Saturday, the show features a schedule of expert demonstrations from chefs including Simon Rimmer, Co-Presenter of C4’s Sunday [...]
Shuttleworth, the mansion and gardens which hosts a collection of vintage vehicles and aircraft, has announced the acquisition of a special 1905 Wolseley ‘Baby’ X-type 5hp two-seater Phaeton. Once belonging to Dorothy Shuttleworth, the X22 vehicle is considered one of the rarest of all surviving Wolseley light cars. First purchased by the Shuttleworth family around [...]
Plymouth is targeting groups in 2025 with a new guide, ‘Plymouth Groups and Travel Trade’, which features a range of attractions in the city, from historic landmarks to scenic cruises. Situated on Plymouth’s waterfront, the Grade II listed Tinside Lido is an Art Deco saltwater pool that offers breathtaking panoramic views, spacious sunbathing areas, and [...]
Seism!c, a new sound and light installation, has been added to Derbyshire’s Heights of Abraham, known for its scenic cable car journeys. The new experience is included in a guided tour through the Great Masson Cavern, which has been enhanced by state-of-the-art projectors. The installation tells the story of key moments in Earth’s history, along [...]
Neath Port Talbot Council is celebrating the birth centenary of Hollywood legend Richard Burton, opening a new trail that marks significant locations as the area celebrates ‘RB100’. Born 10 November 1925 in Pontrhydyfen in Glamorgan’s Afan Valley, Richard Jenkins went on to be famously known as Richard Burton. Following celebrated performances in the theatre, Burton’s [...]
New CTA member Gardense Viaggi is a wholesaler providing coach operators with complete tour programmes around Italy. The team offers classic packages to major musical, theatrical, and sporting events, and can also create tailor-made programmes. Gardense Viaggi’s services include ticketing, hotels, restaurants, as well as travel transfers. Set up in 2022 in Costermano sul Garda, [...]
Kynren – The Storied Lands is a new theme park for Bishop Auckland, set to open in summer 2026. The experience will transport visitors through history, myth, and legend, bringing the past to life through live-action performances. Phase one of the park will feature five shows and immersive experiences set against landscaped historical backdrops. Unlike [...]
This summer at Shakespeare's Globe theatre, groups are welcomed to watch Shakespeare with a twist, alongside classic productions from other noted playwrights. Summer in the Globe Theatre begins in the dangerous world of the American West with an exciting new production of Romeo and Juliet. As a Globe first, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible also premieres [...]
For the first time in five years, Preston Manor in Brighton will reopen to the public with a new visitor experience. Groups can explore the world of the influential Stanfords at Preston Manor, where the upstairs-downstairs life of Edwardian society comes alive. Visitors are free to wander through elegant rooms, charming gardens, and servants quarters, [...]
LFC's award winning Stadium Tour has introduced new content for 2025 plus two new languages to its multimedia audio guides, including Brazilian Portuguese and Dutch. The complimentary multimedia guides are included in the LFC Stadium Tour ticket price and enhance the experience while visiting the famous ground. In addition to the two new languages, content [...]
The Port of Leith Distillery is an important landmark in Edinburgh’s historic whisky district of Leith as the UK’s first vertical whisky distillery. Thought to be unique worldwide, the distillery is intended to reflect the company’s ambition to bring a pioneering approach to producing Scotland’s national drink. During a visit, groups can explore the architecture [...]
Aber Falls Distillery in Abergwyngregyn near Bangor, North Wales, is welcoming coach groups in 2025, providing distillery tours as well as a quick stop option. Distillery tours include a full tour of the single malt whisky process, and Aber Falls Distillery also offers a gin lab experience. Tours include tasting sessions, as well as takeaway [...]
Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels has revealed plans for a significant investment at its flagship property in Perthshire. The multi-million-pound project at Crieff Hydro includes a new day-to-night bar, refurbished dining areas, and the introduction of a stylish speakeasy bar. The hotel is also set to unveil new innovative menus alongside a cocktail experience, a [...]
St Mary’s Guildhall in Coventry is hosting a fam trip on Thursday 10 April, 11am-1pm, where coach operators can discover the recently renovated attraction. St Mary’s Guildhall has acted as the centre of power in England during the War of the Roses, housed the crown jewels, been the prison of Mary Queen of Scots, and [...]
Wales Official Tourist Guides Association (Wales Best Guides) has launched a new interactive website, featuring an easy-to-use search tool that allows you to find a guide. The search tool enables the user to search for a guide by location, language, driver guide, availability, and guide interest. Groups can contact guides directly from the website. The [...]
The Best of Innsbruck 2025 is an essential guide for coach tour operators planning a visit to the most important city in Austria’s Tyrol, featuring must-see highlights including Nordkette mountain cable car, Swarovski Crystal Worlds, and Tyrolean Folk Show with the Gundolf Family. The useful guide includes group pricing and booking information, opening times and [...]
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram has unveiled the name of the first new Mersey Ferry in more than 60 years, as the Royal Daffodil is set to enter service in the summer of 2026. The Royal Daffodil will provide passengers with improved accessibility, new seating areas, and an on-board bar. The vessel [...]
The Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust has announced the return of its Call The Midwife Official Location Tour in 2025. The new series of the hit TV show, featuring eight new episodes, will launch in early 2025 on the BBC, and a further series – Call the Midwife’s fifteenth – has been commissioned for viewing in [...]
English Heritage has released the Group admission prices & site opening times 2025/26 guide, providing key information for coach tour operators planning on visiting historic properties and sites. Click here to download your copy of the guide that includes an index of all properties, plus details including opening times and contact information. Coach operators are [...]
Blenheim Palace has won Gold in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category at the annual Beautiful South Tourism Awards 2024-2025, with Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries taking silver. The Blenheim team is pictured with their award, and in 2025, Blenheim Palace is set to celebrate its 75th anniversary since opening to the public. This year, [...]
Coastal Cruises Poole is welcoming coach groups in 2025 for trips around Poole Harbour and The Jurassic Coast. Poole Harbour, Europe’s largest natural harbour, and The Jurassic Coastline, boast exceptional scenery and interesting history. Coastal Cruises Poole is well located to provide groups with a variety of maritime trips around the stunning seascape of the [...]
A programme of new hotel openings combined with exhibitions and anniversaries is set to make 2025 a great year for groups to discover NewcastleGateshead and the North East region. Gotham Hotel Newcastle is a new, luxury 5-star property opening in Spring 2025. Combining a former fire station and police station, the hotel will offer 60 [...]
Blackpool has released an 88-page guide showcasing what the resort has to offer in the year ahead, including events for 2025, classic attractions, plus an index of accommodation. The guide, which can be accessed here, is released hot on the heels of CTA Winter Networking held in Blackpool in November, which presented a variety of [...]
Swarovski Kristallwelten, or Crystal World, in Austria is home to the famous crystal maker, and Christmas time is an ideal occasion to take groups to enjoy the displays and lights. Based in Wattens near Innsbruck, Winter Wonderland transforms Swarovski Kristallwelten's garden into a fairy tale-inspired, illuminated winter experience. Swarovski crystal and Christmas are closely linked [...]
Tourism Ireland is promoting a variety of Christmas-themed events across the island of Ireland that can form key moments in a festive tour for coach groups of all ages. Yulefest in Kilkenny presents festive movies alongside glittering lights and medieval charm. Featuring music acts and a panto – it’s Snow White this year -Graiguenamanagh’s Christmas [...]
‘Next Stop Durham’ is a new marketing campaign from Visit County Durham aiming to engage with travellers who may have passed through the county but not taken the time to stop and explore. The campaign runs until spring 2025 and will include advertising on the London Underground and train stations on the east coast network. [...]
Shuttleworth in Bedfordshire is a new CTA member for 2025 and is home to a working collection of aircraft and vehicles, plus almost 60 acres of estate to explore, including gardens and a Woodland Walk. Cared for by engineers, Shuttleworth features a working collection of airworthy vintage aircraft, agricultural and steam exhibits, veteran vehicles, carriages, [...]
The Liverpool Beatles Museum has unveiled a new exhibit, offering fans a glimpse into two pivotal moments in the Fab Four’s journey to stardom. The exhibit features backstage furniture from Hulme Hall in Birkenhead, a venue steeped in Beatles history. The new exhibits are linked to The Beatles’ milestones including Ringo Starr’s first performance with [...]
A new winter lights trail has now opened at The Heights of Abraham with illuminations creating a spectacular scene at the Matlock Bath cable car attraction. Opening on 22 November through to 30 December (excluding 24-26 December), cable cars travel to the summit of the heights from 4.30pm until 9pm. The Lights of Abraham route [...]
Bookings have now been finalised for CTA Winter Networking in Blackpool, Saturday 23 to Monday 25 November, with over 160 members booked to attend. Taking place at The Imperial Hotel Blackpool, the weekend includes fam trips to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, as well as visits to Merlin Entertainment’s Madame Tussauds, Sea Life Blackpool Aquarium, and High [...]
Hospitality Line has announced a lineup of New Year's Eve cruises to welcome in 2025. Tickets are now available for an evening combining dining at a choice of restaurants with London’s fireworks display on a sightseeing cruise along the Thames. Guests will be served a three-course festive dinner, and the fireworks cruise includes a welcome [...]
Hever Castle in Kent has announced the world premiere of Anne Boleyn: The Musical, debuting in the grounds of the iconic castle where Anne Boleyn spent her childhood. The production will run from 2 – 30 August 2025 in a specially constructed outdoor auditorium, offering a performance against the historic backdrop of Hever Castle. Anne [...]
The Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire has won a Gold accolade for excellence by VisitEngland in recognition of an outstanding visitor experience. The attraction is a country park set in 60 acres of woodland, reached by cable car over a deep limestone gorge in the Peak District. Feedback from VisitEngland said: “The team [...]
Visit Durham is highlighting a range of coach-friendly hotels in the city to suit a range of budgets and interests. For city centre accommodation with riverside views, the RadissonBlu Durham features a newly refurbished bar and restaurant. Meanwhile, the Delta by Marriott Hotel Royal Count features coach drop off and pick up point outside the [...]
Blenheim Palace has announced new visitor experiences for 2025 which will only be available for a limited time due to the launch of its most ambitious restoration project to date. The historic roof project is a restoration that aims to preserve the architecture and safeguard the heritage of Blenheim Palace for generations to come. Alongside [...]
The Bishop Auckland attraction The Auckland Project has won a VisitEngland Gold award following a Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme assessment. The Auckland Project includes Auckland Palace and its Walled Gardens, Auckland Tower, the Faith Museum, the Spanish Gallery and Mining Art Gallery. VisitEngland’s Visitor Attraction Accolades are available to participants of the VisitEngland Visitor Attraction [...]
The Royal Collection Trust has released its Group Visit & Private Tours 2025 brochure, providing tour operators with everything they need to know to plan a visit. The brochure includes details on booking a group visit to the summer opening of Buckingham Palace, as well as private guided tours of Windsor Castle and the Palace [...]
Registration has opened for VisitScotland Connect 2025, Scotland’s premier travel trade event, taking place on 9 and 10 April at P&J Live, Aberdeen. Travel trade buyers, suppliers, as well as destination management organisations and local authorities, are invited to attend and register via this link. The event presents tourism buyers from around the globe with [...]
A new walking tour has been launched in Conwy with availability for groups of up to 50 people. Conwy Guided Tours is a new company focused on the Conwy UNESCO World Heritage Site, with highlights including the town walls and properties owned by Cadw and the National Trust. Walks are led by James Reeve who [...]
A new exhibition presenting drawings by artists including da Vinci and Michelangelo will be on display at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, from 1 November until 9 March 2025. Drawing the Italian Renaissance will present around 160 works by over 80 artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian, alongside lesser-known artists. The [...]
Mersey Ferries has launched its 2025 Cruise Programme, featuring cruises for groups ranging from a 50-minute sightseeing tour, to a half- or full-day cruise. Starting with River Explorer Cruises, these 50-minute trips are a great way for visitors to the city to view the skyline and landmarks from the deck of the Mersey Ferry, along [...]
New CTA member Waterside Hotels is an established hotel group based in Blackpool, providing luxury accommodation, dining, and entertainment at two hotel locations across the Fylde Coast. Both the Park House Hotel and Doric Hotel feature 103 en-suite bedrooms that have recently benefitted from an extensive refurbishment. The Doric Hotel is situated on Queen’s [...]
The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland, one of the world’s most contemporary gardens, is a new CTA member keen to attract coach groups. The venue is also home to Lilidorei at Alnwick Garden, an enchanted children’s play world. Created by the Duchess of Northumberland in 2001, The Alnwick Garden is a modern display combining sculpture, water [...]
Artisan gin and rum producer, Shakespeare Distillery based in Stratford-upon-Avon, is offering CTA members a special winter commission for visiting groups. Applicable at both the distillery and its Stratford town centre location, Judith’s Tasting Rooms, from 1 January to 31 March 2025, Shakespeare Distillery is offering improved rates. For Distillery Tours & Tastings running Wednesday [...]
Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall in Stratford-upon-Avon is offering CTA members special group rates from 31 October 2024 to 31 March 2025. At the attraction, groups can explore the room where William Shakespeare sat in the 1570s for his years in education, while the authentic experience for all ages brings to life a fascinating chapter in [...]
Stena Line and Euromast have combined to provide operators and wholesalers with a new trip experience to Rotterdam, promoted by b2b travel sales representatives, Worldwide Attractions. Stena Line provides ferries connecting Harwich to Hoek van Holland with special group rates available for bookings of 10 or more. The lowest fares are offered during off-peak months, [...]
Gwynedd Council has launched a study into improved coach access, drop off and parking in Caernarfon, and is inviting coach operators to provide feedback. The feasibility study is looking into the management of coaches and coach parking, particularly over seasonal peaks. The 16-question survey is open to operators and/or drivers and can be accessed here: [...]
