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 [...]
The life and work of renowned 19th-century naval surgeon and physician, Sir William Beatty, is being explored in all its fascinating and often grisly detail in a new exhibition at the Old Royal Naval College. Opening this November, Blood & Battle: Dissecting the Life of William Beatty marks 200 years since Beatty took up the [...]
There are still some tickets left for the Christmas Concert on 20 December at Westminster Abbey. Drawing inspiration from the traditional Festival of Lessons and Carols, the Choir of Westminster Abbey presents its annual Christmas Concert featuring a selection of much-loved festive choral works interspersed with seasonal readings telling the story of the Nativity and [...]
Salisbury Cathedral has published its 2023-24 prices which include a small increase in admission next year, and some adjustment to age categories to make ticketing simpler, particularly for language groups. Looking ahead to 2023, the Cathedral is in the process of updating its Magna Carta Exhibition in the Chapter House. During the pandemic the exhibition [...]
Historic Royal Palaces’ latest update features private experiences that are available for groups in 2023. For example, groups can go where no visitor has gone before in a Secrets of the Tower tour at the Tower of London. Get under the skin of this ancient fortress and discover the secrets that lurk beneath the surface. [...]
VisitScotland is focused on rebuilding international and domestic tourism demand and is supporting Scotland’s ambitions to be a leading destination for responsible tourism. New for 2023 will be a ‘workshop style live event’ with 1-2-1 appointments with trade-ready Scottish suppliers across two days at the innovative P&J Live, plus a programme of fam trips showcasing businesses, including those [...]
New CTA member, The Great Tapestry of Scotland is Europe’s largest tapestry located in Galashiels, the historic textile heartland of the Scottish Borders and just 50 minutes from Edinburgh. One thousand stitchers created this masterpiece, telling the intensely moving narrative of Scotland. Housed in a purpose-built visitor centre and a five-star visitor attraction, it is [...]
CTA member Helmsley Walled Garden offers a treat if you love beautiful gardens and enjoy a stroll through gorgeous, herbaceous borders or themed feature gardens. Based in the North York Moors National Park, in the bustling market town of Helmsley, the Walled Garden a beautifully planted and fully accessible garden. Its 100m double herbaceous borders [...]
Now is the perfect time to get organised for Christmas, especially when it comes to Group Visits as tickets are selling out fast. It would be a pleasure to accommodate your group this Christmas, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any enquiries regarding our festive events. You can book via this email [...]
CroisiEurope Cruises was named 'Best Cruise Line' as voted for by Group Leisure & Travel magazine's readers. CroisiEurope is very grateful to all the GTOs who voted for them, and its tour operator partners for their support creating cruise inclusive group trips. CroisiEurope Cruises offers: • 55 prestigious river & ocean ships • Six elegant [...]
The latest VisitAberdeenshire travel trade product update features information from Inverurie Whisky Shop and Aberdeen Maritime Museum. The Inverurie Whisky Shop offers a range of whisky experiences suitable for groups, including tutored tastings and masterclasses. Offering Scotland's first accredited Scotch Whisky course, clients can spend the day learning to become Whisky Ambassadors. Gin tasting experiences [...]
Leeds Castle’s 2022 Christmas Lights Trail will run from 25 November to 1 January 2023. Groups must book a time slot which start from 16:15 with the last slot on most days being 20:00. The trail will be roughly 2.14km in length and a number of seasonal food and drink chalets serving hot, hand held food will [...]
UK artist Luke Jerram’s installation The Museum of the Moon is coming to the Old Royal Naval College this winter. As the nights draw in there’s no better time for Jerram’s illuminated installation to be displayed in the magnificent Painted Hall from Monday 12 December 2022 to Sunday 5 February 2023, alongside a lunar-inspired season [...]
