The Royal Horticultural Society’s magical RHS Glow experience returns this festive season across all five of its garden locations. Illuminated trails guide a journey as dusk falls, and sparkling hi-tech colours fill all five RHS Gardens: Bridgewater – Greater Manchester, Harlow Carr – North Yorkshire, Hyde Hall - Essex, Rosemoor – North Devon and Wisley [...]
Thames and Medway river cruise operator, Jetstream Tours, has launched a new vessel, Cruiser, which can take up to 200 people. Jetstream says the vessel is the largest passenger boat to ply the Thames Estuary. The boat can cruise anywhere along the River Thames, Medway, and Swale. Cruise options include Tower Bridge to Whitstable, and [...]
Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, is welcoming coach groups, with highlights year-round. Situated in the Sussex High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Wakehurst features over 500 acres of nature reserve, woodlands, and gardens. Wakehurst includes diverse natural attractions, including the Millennium Seed Bank that hides a collection of over 2.4 billion seeds [...]
Continuum Attractions is promoting The Coronation Street Experience Exhibition & Tour to coach groups. Your guests will be able to ‘step onto the street’ and join one of the expert tour guides for a 90-minute award-winning tour around the biggest TV production set of its kind. Visitors will be able to jump into their favourite [...]
Visitors to Blenheim Palace can walk in the footsteps of movie and television stars and experience the silver-screen on a new Lights, Camera, Action trail which includes behind the scenes of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Blenheim Palace was the filming location for the hit Netflix series, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. The six-episode series [...]
Old Royal Naval College in the heart of Maritime Greenwich has a new travel trade team who have been carrying out a fresh review of everything on offer for coach operators. Gillian Bell is the travel trade manager, and is supported by Ales Kosejk, alongside Joanna who heads up the box office. They are all [...]
Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta admission prices for groups and individuals have been confirmed for 2024-25. The new prices come into force from 1 April 2024. Travel Trade/Group rates apply to pre-booked groups only and pre-booked groups are fast-tracked when they arrive. A premium is charged for walk-ups. Groups can also enjoy specialist tours which take [...]
A recent survey by the Tourism Alliance has reported that the number of school children brought to the UK from the EU by 145 surveyed businesses declined by 81% between 2019 and 2022. Over the same period, a lower figure was reported for school children going to the EU, which declined by 53%, according to [...]
Merlin Entertainment has produced coach arrival information sheets for each of the brand’s resort theme parks, as well as Warwick Castle. The information sheets include details on accessibility, food & drink outlets, as well as where to collect ride access passes and fast track tickets. Useful information for coach drivers is also included. Merlin says [...]
South Western Railway has named Stratford-upon-Avon’s Shakespeare Distillery as one of the country’s top gin distilleries according to a recent survey. The rail operator’s survey included Google Reviews, where Shakespeare Distillery achieved 96% five-star reviews. This high ranking placed the distillery in eighth place in the UK-wide survey. This adds to other recent awards for [...]
Salisbury Cathedral reported a four-fold increase in group bookings in April, coinciding with the spring season and new exhibitions on display. A new exhibition, To be free: art and liberty, is exploring human rights and freedom, and includes works by internationally renowned artists. The cathedral is also home to the best-preserved remaining Magna Carta, the [...]
Waddesdon House & Gardens, Buckinghamshire, has announced details of its 2023 Christmas events. Waddesdon manor and grounds will transform into a wonderland inspired by classic British tales. Inside the house, groups can explore the Mad Hatters tea party, travel to the Ice Queen’s lair, and discover Captain Hook’s treasure cave. Outside, the manor’s façade will [...]
Yorkshire-based coach operators, Acklams Holidays and Welsh’s Holidays, have enjoyed recent successful tours to Scotland.Taking in the Highlands, Acklam’s coach can be seen on the Nevis Range Gondola trip to the base station on Aonach Mòr, 2200ft, the highest cafe in Scotland. Meanwhile, Welsh’s Holidays took in the southern counties of Scotland including a trip [...]
The newly imagined Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit near Inverness has reopened following significant investment, creating a new immersive experience. Reopened on Saturday 10 June following takeover by Continuum Attractions earlier this year, £1.5m has been invested in a full upgrade to enhance the visitor experience, including trips aboard the attraction’s research vessel, Deepscan. This [...]
At Buckingham Palace this summer The Royal Trust Collection is displaying the outfits worn by Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Coronation. The display will present the Robe of Estate worn by The King, which was also worn by his grandfather King George VI for his Coronation in 1937, and will [...]
Visit Kent has held a joint reception at The House of Commons with The Port of Dover and LeShuttle to celebrate Kent’s tourism industry and launch a new sustainability plan. The new sustainability plan for the visitor economy in Kent has been developed over a number of months by The Act for Impact Group which [...]
For the Summer Solstice 2023 at Stonehenge, English Heritage would like to remind operators that all coaches and minibuses must be pre-booked and pre-paid. The organisation says that display passes should also be clearly displayed on the dashboard. This year, Summer Solstice will celebrated at Stonehenge from 19:00 on Tuesday 20 June to 08:00 on [...]
Providing a range of more than 20 brewpubs across England and Wales, Brewhouse & Kitchen has opened a new location in Chelmsford. Like all Brewhouse & Kitchen venues, the Chelmsford pub brews its own beer on site and offers a range of dining options. Groups can enjoy a tour, tasting, and meal package, with a [...]
A new exhibition at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, reveals life in the eighteenth century through fashions of the day. Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians aims to explain life in Britain during a revolutionary era of industry, trade, travel, and technological innovation. On display until 8 October 2023, the exhibition reveals how the Georgians [...]
This year, groups attending Christmas at Blenheim Palace are invited to book directly with the Blenheim Palace groups booking team. Enabling operators to book direct for the popular Christmas events is aimed at further improving the service by offering the expertise of the in-house Blenheim Palace team. To book the date and time to visit [...]
Liverpool’s Strawberry Field has revealed images of a new mosaic that will feature in the bandstand opening later this year. Meanwhile, groups can enjoy the updated garden tour, featuring soundscapes intended to help visitors explore mindfulness and reconnect with nature. Strawberry Field is an interactive experience that tells stories of the Victorian house, its transition [...]
Stage set designs by Paul McCartney are going on display at the Liverpool Beatles Museum. The designs were commissioned by Beatles manager Brian Epstein as potential backdrops to a concert by The Four Tops at The Saville Theatre. The Liverpool Beatles Museum is revealing the designs on Thursday 27 May before opening viewing to the [...]
Chatham Historic Dockyard relaunched its popular Call The Midwife Official Location Tour and unveiled a brand new gallery at an event with the cast on 27 April. Many of the outside scenes from the BBC series are filmed at The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent. The new gallery hosts costumes and items from the popular [...]
Aylesbury’s Waddesdon Manor is presenting tours of the little seen, cultivated four-acre walled garden for groups of up to 30 people. Eythrope is the Rothschild's private walled garden at Waddesdon Manor, renowned for its gardening excellence and haven for traditional techniques. A visit to Eythrope includes a garden tour from one of Waddesdon’s specialist guides, [...]
Abba Voyage is lending the hand-made ‘Phoenix Collection’ outfits from the recent ‘virtual Abba’ show for public display at the British Music Experience. The display is part of the museum’s celebration of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. The Abba Voyage show features digital versions of the band members created with motion capture and performance techniques. [...]
Booking is now open for group visits to Waddesdon in 2023 with so much to discover throughout the year. In the formal gardens, over 50,000 tulips will bloom in spring before beautiful bedding inspired by the coronation is planted. In the House, fine art and incredible treasures await visitors who will also see some incredible [...]
CTA member Blenheim Palace would like to welcome CTA operator members for a complimentary day visit for two people at their convenience. Availability for the visit will be subject to availability avoiding some events and Christmas. If you would like to take up this offer, just email partnerships@blenheimpalace.com to get your tickets.
Historic Royal Palaces has an array of incredible events and exhibitions this year across its sites. At the Tower of London, the Crown Jewels will be an integral part of the historic coronation of King Charles III. The Tower will continue to showcase these awe-inspiring objects and explore their stories in a permanent exhibition. And from [...]
Brend Hotels is restyling itself as the Brend Collection with a new website and updated social media channels. The rebrand highlights the collection of hotels, restaurants, bars and spas that the group now operates. “Our mission is to be the company of choice for guests, customers and talent,” says Brend Collection. “Whenever a customer is [...]
Matilda The Musical is the perfect musical for a group visit to London. The award-winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company, inspired by the beloved book by Roald Dahl is brought to life with original songs by Tim Minchin, and tells the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and [...]
Continuum Attractions is taking over one of Scotland’s most famous visitor attractions, The Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, near Inverness, investing £1.5million into its refurbishment. Continuum, owners of attractions across the UK and with a 20-year heritage in Scotland, is taking a long lease of the iconic Highland tourism site with immediate plans to upgrade [...]
With a Vampire Squid (from hell), tales of a Kraken with tentacles 2 metres long and a scale-model of Boaty McBoatface, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust is showcasing an exhibition that has been described as the most technically sophisticated and lavish sea monster-themed showcase ever produced. Curated by the National Maritime Museum Cornwall with the National [...]
Arena di Verona Opera Festival celebrates the event’s centenary at the 2023 season. For 100 years, the festival has offered an unprecedented programme with eight opera titles, four gala evenings and an extraordinary concert by the orchestra and choir of the Teatro alla Scala. The 100th Opera Season in the Arena will include repeat performances [...]
British Tourism & Travel Show returns to the NEC Birmingham on 22-23 March, with 50 new exhibitors confirmed to enhance the group tourism sector's biggest annual event. More than 250 visitor attractions, hotels, venues and destinations will be exhibiting to inspire coach tour planners and group travel organisers with the best of Britain and Ireland. [...]
Been inside Anfield’s towering Main Stand? Then why not try outside – abseiling 100ft down from top to bottom in this brand new adrenaline filled adventure! Visitors and fans now have the chance to scale down the walls and experience Anfield Stadium from a completely different perspective and challenge themselves with The Anfield Abseil. Liverpool [...]
Booking is now open for group visits to Waddesdon in 2023 with so much to discover throughout the year. In the formal gardens, more than 50,000 tulips will bloom in spring before beautiful bedding inspired by the coronation is planted. In the house, fine art and incredible treasures await and some incredible work by modern [...]
A new letter, written by Charles Dickens’ son, will soon be on display in Medway. Medway Council has confirmed that a letter written by the author’s first-born son, Charlie Dickens, has been donated to The Guildhall Museum in Rochester. The letter from the ‘Office of All the Year Round’ is dated 29 June 1870, the [...]
It's never too early to book a group visit with Tatton Park for Christmas. Whether you'd like to enjoy the festive decorations in the Mansion, take a stroll through the Winter Gardens, taste our delicious seasonal menus, or all of the above - Tatton Park is looking forward to welcoming your group for Christmas 2023. Every year [...]
Hever Castle & Gardens recorded its best ever visitor numbers in 2022 with a record breaking year. The childhood home of Anne Boleyn received 419,969 visitors last year, an increase of 8 per cent on the previous year. Visitors to the Castle were able to enjoy the first in a series of exhibitions detailing the [...]
Southport has announced its key event dates for next year including the Flower Show (17-20 August), Air Show (9-10 July), Food & Drink Festival (2-4 June), British Musical Fireworks Championship (22-24 September) and Southport Comedy Festival (29 September - 15 October). After a year away, The Food and Drink Festival returns to Victoria Park in September. This free event is a [...]
Visit Exeter's latest update highlights the newly-opened Quayside Distillery as the perfect place to learn the art of gin making. Situated on Exeter’s historic quayside, the site incorporates a modern distillery offering tours where groups can learn about innovative distillation methods and sample the spirits made onsite. The gin school also allows groups to create and make their [...]
Westminster Abbey’s Hidden Highlights Tour offers a chance to explore behind the scenes of the Abbey on a guided tour of some areas not usually open to the public. The 75-minute tour visit areas of the Abbey not normally open to the public and visitors will see the lost medieval sacristy which was recently revealed during one [...]
Encore’s latest update on shows for groups in London highlights Mrs Doubtfire, A’int Too Proud and Abba Voyage. Direct from a sensational run up in Manchester — where it played to sold-out crowds and standing ovations — the new comedy musical Mrs Doubtfire is ready to dazzle and delight the West End from 12 May 2023. [...]
The CTA Winter Networking event in Bournemouth drew a record attendance with more than 120 delegates enjoying the destination and the great hospitality at the Marsham Court Hotel. [See the report and photos here.] Bournemouth and Poole Council helped us put the event together and marketing officer Sarah Lawrence sent the following message to thank [...]
VisitAberdeenshire’s latest travel trade news features updates on Castle Fraser and the dining experience at Maryculter House Hotel. One of the largest tower houses in Scotland, Castle Fraser can be found in Aberdeenshire near the market town of Inverurie. The core of the castle dates back to the 1400s, with later additions making the castle [...]
A new exhibition at The Queen's Gallery in London, a new private tour of Queen Mary's Dolls' House for groups and a private talk on the life of Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle are among the latest updates from Royal Collection Trust. A digital version of its 2023 brochure is available here and to [...]
The QHotels Collection played a key role in our recent Fam trip to Kent and France by hosting a dinner at the Ashford International Hotel. QHotels’ Stacy Whittington has provided a copy of the groups rate card which provides ‘from rates’ as a guide for coach tour operators. stacy.whittington@theqhotelscollection.co.uk
Forth Boat Tours, a family owned business and Edinburgh boating attraction, has added a new vessel, Queensferry Belle, to its fleet. Purchased from Sark in late 2021, she has undergone a significant refit with a new interior, saloon viewing roof and other additions. She joins her sister, the Forth Belle, and Forth Boat Tours heritage [...]
Shakespeare Distillery has been certified as Carbon Neutral after a full-scale carbon footprint assessment and off-setting programme. The independent artisan spirit producer is working to minimise its environmental impact and become a truly sustainable business. Over the summer months, with the support of the Warwick University Internship programme, the company employed a carbon footprint data [...]
Mersey Ferries is raring to go with its 2023 Cruise Programmes which include full- or half-day excursions, or a shorter 50-minute sightseeing cruise. Its ferry terminals and vessels are fully accessible and once onboard, there is indoor and outdoor seating, accessible bathrooms and a servery selling refreshments. Among the trips on offer for 2023 are [...]
