The museum dedicated to the life and works of the city’s most famous band have put the ‘acorns for peace’ on display - with a remarkable backstory. Yoko Ono recounted how, on 15 June 1968, along with John Lennon, the couple planted two acorns for peace at Coventry Cathedral - the first of many Peace [...]
Blenheim Palace is marking 150 years since the birth of Sir Winston Churchill. The estate is celebrating his extraordinary life with an exciting line-up of events including weekly Churchill at Blenheim tours, VIP tours of the Palace State Rooms, Churchill exhibition and Private Apartments, as well as a tour to Churchill’s grave. Churchill at Blenheim [...]
A New Kensington Palace exhibition uncovers the forgotten stories of those who worked at the royal palaces over three hundred years ago. Untold Lives: A Palace at Work, has opened at Kensington Palace, telling the stories of the servants and courtiers who looked after the royal family and their homes. From pages to cooks, from [...]
Shakespeare North Playhouse, located in Prescot, Liverpool, is home to the only 17th-century style, timber-built "Cockpit" theatre outside London. Awarded the Theatre Building of The Year 2023 prize at The Stage Awards, the venue can be configured in two formations: end-on, and in-the-round. Built entirely during the pandemic thanks to public funds and donations, the [...]
Visitors to the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery can celebrate the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s Eurovision win at Brighton Dome on 6 April 1974 with an exhibition commemorating the event and the iconic pop band. Displayed through photographs, film, memories, and memorabilia, the Abba: One Week in Brighton exhibition, running from 28 March to 4 [...]
The popular TV drama Vera and author Ann Cleeves, who wrote the book series, were awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award at February’s North East England Tourism Awards. The hit crime drama, now in its 13th series, was awarded the title for the positive impact it has had on the region, thanks to filming [...]
Excursions, the UK’s original and longest running one-day group travel show, took place in January and attracted almost 1,000 visitors from the group travel trade. The Wembley Stadium event celebrated Excursions’ 50th anniversary show. The show brought together GTOs, coach operators, tour operators, and itinerary planners with destinations, attractions, venues, cruise companies, ticketing agencies, hotels, [...]
This year the Bodleian Libraries is relaunching its groups offer and is working with attractions and hotels across Oxford to create a memorable experience. The Bodleian Libraries, or ‘the Bod’ as it is affectionately known by the students who study in the space, is the academic heart of Oxford and the central University library, dating [...]
Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury reopens from 20 March, and with a host of events for Spring and Summer, the house kicks off with an exciting new exhibition for art lovers. Over 350 years since they were created, five paintings by the renowned Baroque painter Guercino are displayed together for the first time in this new exhibition, [...]
The Three Counties Food and Drink Festival, held at the Three Counties Showground at Malvern, Worcestershire, returns on 27 and 28 July 2024. The festival has announced the initial line-up of talented chefs who will be serving up their repertoire of recipes in the 500-seat cookery theatre, which is accessible to all ticket holders. Rachel [...]
A stunning historical treasure in the West Midlands is giving visitors the chance to marvel at two of Europe's most remarkable tapestries and uncover centuries of captivating history. Situated in the vibrant heart of Coventry's Cathedral Quarter, St Mary's Guildhall is inviting guests to embark on a journey through seven centuries of rich history with [...]
Strawberry Field, the interactive visitor exhibition and place of John Lennon’s childhood, has won the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards. Strawberry Field is a visitor attraction in Liverpool, located at the iconic site immortalised by John Lennon in The Beatles' hit, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’. Telling the story [...]
CTA is hosting a networking event on the opening day of the British Travel & Tourism Show (BTTS), 20 March, NEC, and is welcoming all members. The CTA drinks reception starts at 1500hrs on the opening afternoon of BTTS within the main hall. Complimentary refreshments will be provided to CTA members. CTA, which is a [...]
Featuring within CTA’s 2024 Conference, County Durham has announced various updates for groups in 2024. At Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, the Remaking Beamish development continues. The opening of a Georgian tavern and pottery is planned, alongside a 1950s cinema, toy shop and electrical store. Meanwhile, at Auckland Castle, which featured on the [...]
The Heights of Abraham, claimed to be Derbyshire’s oldest visitor attraction, has announced that 2024 will be “A year of light and colour” as the destination celebrates 40 years of cable car flights and 50 years since the current owners took over the stewardship of the hilltop estate. The cable cars have now restarted with [...]
Throughout 2024, The Royal Collection Trust is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House at Windsor Castle, the largest and most famous dolls’ house in the world. Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House was built between 1921 and 1924 as a gift from the nation to Queen Mary following the First World War. It is [...]
Betws-y-Coed’s The Swallow Falls Inn, owned by The Inn Collection Group, is set to reopen after long-term closures. Located close to the spectacular waterfall of the same name on the Afon Llugwy, The Swallow Falls Inn will undergo a full and extensive refurbishment to bring it back to life. Plans include a new bar and [...]
VisitScotland Connect 2024, VisitScotland’s flagship travel trade event, is taking place on 17-18 April 2024 at P&J Live in Aberdeen. The event will include two days of pre-scheduled, one-to-one workshop appointments, plus an optional fam trip. Ideal for operators and wholesalers, attending VisitScotland Connect can help to plan your Scottish coach tours, or enhance your [...]
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) features 10 centres around the British Isles offering groups a look at wetland birds and wildlife. In 2024, groups can benefit from 15% discount on admission as well as talks and guided tours. Sites also offer accessibility. Each site promotes conservation, as well as opportunities for activities including photography, [...]
New CTA member Premier Holidays is an award-winning tour operator, specialising in group departures around the UK. In particular, the independent operator has many years’ experience organising travel and events to the Channel Islands, and can offer tailor-made itineraries for groups. Premier Holidays provides a wide range of accommodation, up to 5 star hotels. All [...]
Kynren, a performance based on an epic tale of England, will take place every Saturday night from 27 July to 14 September, located just outside Bishop Auckland, County Durham. The historical show is a multi-award winning production featuring a 1,000-strong volunteer cast and crew, performed on a gigantic 7.5-acre stage. The show travels through 2000 [...]
Tourism Northern Ireland’s upcoming trade workshop, Meet the Buyer, will be hosted on the 9 and 10 of April in the ICC Belfast with 14 GB travel trade members attending. Meet the Buyer will be followed by Meitheal, which is hosted by Failte Ireland, and taking place on the 11 and 12 of April at [...]
New for 2024, The Coronation Street Experience introduces a mid-week travel trade offer. Ideal for groups, the visit gives travel trade customers sole access to the Coronation Street Visitor Centre and Exhibition. Groups can also try Weatherfield inspired Northern bites in either Roy's Rolls or the Rovers Return replica sets, dependent on group size and [...]
Cunard’s newest cruise ship Queen Anne will visit Liverpool on Monday 3 June 2024, which groups can watch from a Mersey Ferry. A Cunard visit always plays a significant role in Liverpool’s cruise season, as the first Cunard sailing departed Liverpool in 1840 and the city was home to their Head Office for nearly 130 [...]
In 2024, Tatton Park in Cheshire is celebrating 150 years of Maurice Egerton, the last owner of Tatton, and his remarkable legacy as a pioneer aviator, intrepid traveller, and a man of great inventive skill. The location is presenting two new Mansion exhibitions where visitors can learn more about Maurice Egerton and get up close [...]
More than 200 delegates attended CTA's annual Conference & Workshop last weekend in Newcastle. This included 20 new members who attended the event for the first time. The CTA Conference & Workshop 2024 took place from 28-30 January. Based at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead hotel, the weekend also included fam trips around the North East. [...]
CTA Spring Networking will take place on Sunday 19 and Monday 20 May in Oxford. Located at a coach-friendly hotel, the weekend will include a Fam trip to Blenheim Palace. Delegates will enjoy a light lunch at Blenheim Palace, as well as entry to the estate’s biggest ever exhibition, Icons of British Fashion. Blue Badge [...]
The Towergate Travel team has successfully assisted many travel companies, tour operators and cruise companies to secure new and larger bond requirements over the last 24 months. A key area of activity has been assisting travel companies trying to release much-needed cash flow and working capital back to their P&L by replacing bank held bonds [...]
CTA will once again host an annual networking get together on the opening day of the British Travel & Tourism Show (BTTS), 20 March, NEC. With over 250 destinations, attractions and group-friendly hotels for you to discover there is no shortage of inspiration, and exhibitors will be on hand to help you create the perfect [...]
CTA member Johnsons Coaches is trialing a fully electric Zeelo zero-emission coach. The 50-passenger coach features front and centre passenger doors on the near side, with a centre door and floor section designed to fit a slot-in wheelchair lift. The vehicle’s electric drive line and control system are identical to those used in the E10, [...]
As it approaches its centenary year in 2025, Edwards Coaches is due to take delivery of ten Van Hool Altano vehicles in June 2024 for use on the National Express network. The new high capacity vehicles represent a significant investment of around £4.8million in fleet renewal. Edwards has also committed to purchasing 68 tri-axle Caetano [...]
Ashley & Newey has announced a change in ownership following a successful management take-over by former Business Manager Shaun Read. The transition opens a new chapter for the wholesaler as it continues to provide high-quality holidays and innovative packages to coach operators across the UK. Ashley Booth, former Managing Director, retires having spent 35 years [...]
Dudley’s Black Country Living Museum, which recently became a CTA member, is inviting coach groups to experience 300 years of industrial and social history from the heart of the Midlands, tracing from the Industrial revolution to post-war prosperity. Groups can experience over 26 acres complete with recreated and rebuilt shops, homes, and industrial workshops, brought [...]
New CTA member Lomond Leisure Group is a family business with restaurants and bars in Central Scotland, focusing on hospitality, sustainability, environment, and character. The company has a portfolio of properties in Glasgow and Edinburgh and operates management contracts for clients in Loch Tay. Lomond Leisure Group is welcoming coach groups in 2024 to its [...]
VisitAberdeenshire has launched a new travel trade website that showcases travel trade-ready products in an easy and searchable format. The website includes dedicated accommodation pages, plus a transport section, along with other helpful aspects specifically for the travel trade. The new website can be reached at travel-trade.visitabdn.com/ and includes the MYABDN itinerary builder, enabling operators [...]
Hever Castle, Kent, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, will unveil the Boleyn Apartment on the first floor of the castle on Monday 25 March to give visitors a unique and immersive experience of Tudor history. The apartment, the only surviving suite of rooms in the world that the Boleyn family definitely occupied, is being [...]
Shipbuilder Cammell Laird is set to build a new Mersey ferry at the firm’s Birkenhead shipyard. The agreement follows a year of negotiations between the city’s Combined Authority and Cammell Laird. Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, who was joined by engineering apprentices as he signed the contract, pledged that the multimillion-pound project will [...]
St Mary’s Guildhall in Coventry is inviting CTA members to a special fam trip, including a guided tour, taking place on Tuesday 27 February between 11am and 1pm. St Mary’s Guildhall acted as the centre of power in England during the War of the Roses, housed the crown jewels, was the prison of Mary, Queen [...]
Salisbury Cathedral welcomed over five hundred group visitors on 12 December for the annual Carol Concert for Groups, led by The Dean of Salisbury, the Very Reverend Nicholas Papadopulos. Visitors were treated to singing from the Cathedral’s world class choir, directed by David Halls, Director of Music, interspersed with special Christmas readings by staff and [...]
The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent has announced the return of its popular Call The Midwife Official Location Tour in 2024. Fans of the BBC series will have the opportunity to step into the actual filming locations at this historic site. The unique tour offers fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes views and a chance to see [...]
From March 2024, groups can experience The Queen Charlotte Afternoon Tea at Hampton Court Palace. From £30 per person, the afternoon tea includes two Duchess’s Finger Sandwiches, one Farmer George’s Pork Pie with Hampton Court Garden chutney, one mature cheddar cheese scone with herb butter, one Warm vanilla scone with gooseberry jam and clotted cream, [...]
Following a major project to conserve and share the stories of Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, the Northumberland attraction near Morpeth is keen to welcome coach groups in 2024. The striking hall, inspired by Greek and Italian architecture, features the imposing Pillar Hall, as well as the coffered ceiling and elaborate decoration in the reception [...]
CTA encourages members to book by 21 December for the remaining rooms available for the CTA Conference & Workshop 2024. The majority of places for the 2024 event, which will be based at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, 28-30 January 2024, have now been booked. [...]
CroisiEurope has extended the number of places available to CTA members for its 11-14 March 2024 Paris Fam trip. Members are encouraged to book before Christmas to secure the limited places available. As well as accommodation and product exploration onboard CroisiEurope’s premium MS Renoir river cruiser, the Fam trip will also now include visits to [...]
Would you like CTA support to promote your news? CTA members can share their news and social media content free of charge via CTA’s convenient online submission portal. CTA will review news submitted by members for publication in the monthly CTA News Update, which is distributed to all CTA members reaching nearly 400 organisations. Member [...]
Marriott is providing a range of offers and promotions to coach operators across various hotels on upcoming dates. At the Marriott Holyrood Hotel, from 1 January to 31 March, Sunday to Thursday, rooms are available from £70 bed and breakfast per half twin occupancy, or dinner bed and breakfast from £95. Meanwhile, at the Delta [...]
Mersey Ferries has announced its 2024 programme for Manchester Ship Canal & Liverpool Bay Cruises. The Manchester Ship Canal Cruise is a six-hour round-trip cruise and sails from Liverpool and Wirral along the Manchester Ship Canal to Warrington and back. Groups can relax as they travel under bridges mostly unchanged since they were built over [...]
English Heritage would like to remind CTA operator and wholesaler members about its Trade Admission Prices & Site Opening Times 2024/25 publication, available to download here. The document provides clear group pricing and dates of entry for all of English Heritage properties and locations across England. For inspirational ideas on group travel, and an ideal [...]
The A Chorus Line heads to New Theatre Cardiff for performances between 16 and 21 September 2024. The musical is based in New York City, 1975. On an empty Broadway stage, seventeen performers are put through their paces in the final, gruelling audition for a new Broadway musical. Creator Michael Bennett uses real-life testimonies from [...]
Discover Durham has announced a range of developments in and around the city, leading with the newest of The Auckland Project’s attractions. The Faith Museum, now open, explores the ways faith has shaped lives and communities across Britain through rarely seen objects, artwork, and national treasures spanning 6,000 years. Meanwhile, as the countdown to the [...]
