Take your group to stay at The Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa.........

Beautifully located and perfect for group travellers, Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa is set in 300 acres of picturesque countryside, on the Essex-Suffolk border. Just 20 minutes outside Colchester, Britain’s oldest recorded town, and close to the Suffolk heritage coast, Stoke by Nayland Hotel is a lovely four-star, family-owned establishment with incredible facilities.

The accommodation comprises 80 contemporary rooms, some of which have magnificent views over the lake and golf courses. There are luxury executive rooms, standard rooms and family rooms all furnished to a very high and modern standard. In addition, Stoke by Nayland has Country Lodges located at the edge of the Hotel’s perimeter. These luxurious, ultra-modern lodges combine the experience of superb hotel facilities with the privacy and freedom of a self-catered lodge hideaway.The Lakes Restaurant, recently awarded a prestigious second AA Rosette, has panoramic views of the lake and the two championship golf courses. The team at the restaurant prides itself in using local seasonal produce, including apples, berries and asparagus which are grown on the hotel owners’ family farm. The restaurant is south facing, making the terrace area an idyllic al-fresco dining experience with fantastic views over the lake and Constable Country. If your group desires a special indulgent treat, the Hotel’s popular traditional afternoon tea is sure to go down well. Enjoy delicate finger sandwiches with delicious fillings, tasty home-baked plain or fruit scones with clotted cream and a choice of Tiptree preserves followed by Chef’s luxurious ‘Cake of the Day’. Add your choice of freshly brewed coffee, tea or creamy hot chocolate to this incredible offering.Golfers in your party will have the opportunity to play two 18-hole championship golf courses, named after local artists Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable. There is also a 20-bay covered driving range and short practice area as well as a superb clubhouse overlooking the lake. Professional golf tuition can be organised and there is a golf shop.

Indulgent spa and fitness facilities are complimentary for all hotel guests and include a high-tech, air-conditioned Technogym gymnasium with touch screen TVs, a luxurious 18.3 metre heated indoor swimming pool with Jacuzzi, sanarium, Concept Shower and steam room. There are also 12 treatment rooms, including exotic Rasoul and Hammam suites, should guests wish to book a spa treatment during their stay.
Local attractions on the doorstep include Dedham Vale & Constable Country, Suffolk heritage coast, Aldeburgh, Snape and Southwold, Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury (a local market town with Gainsborough’s House), Colchester, Lavenham and it’s Guildhall, Long Melford and Kentwell Hall, Maldon and the Tiptree Jam Factory. Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa has plenty of free coach parking. For more information and bookings please call the Sales Team on ☎01206 262836 or email sales@stokebynayland.com
www.stokebynayland.com

New Packages at Ripley's Believe It or Not.......

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London, the capital’s most bizarre attraction has a host of new all-inclusive day out packages for groups of 10 or more people, designed to make the most out of a visit to London’s West End and creating an unforgettable day out. The central London attraction has teamed up with some of the capital’s most popular restaurants including Planet Hollywood, Café Rouge and Bella Italia to offer a delectable day out. Visitors can measure up against Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man, or see how many people it takes to match the weight of the world’s heaviest man, lose themselves in the Marvellous Mirror Maze or test their speed in the Impossible LaseRace before heading to one of five restaurants to refuel.

Bookable by telephone or email, visitors in groups of 10 or more can speak to a member of the new dedicated in-house group reservations team who can also help to create a bespoke personal package for their group. Group visits to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London start at £17.95 per adult and £13.95 per child, with one free ticket offered per 10 paid. In addition, the Group Travel Organiser and Coach Driver will also receive free entry and a free cup of tea or coffee in the Ripley’s Cafe. For more information and to book call ☎+44 (0) 20 3238 0022 (9am to 5pm, weekdays) or email groups@ ripleyslondon.com. Guided tours can be arranged for groups on request for a small additional supplement. For those who would rather enjoy the attraction at their own pace, audio guides are also available.

Home to the unusual, the wonderful and the plain bizarre, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London is the only place in the UK where guests can check out a life-sized knitted Ferrari, take a peek at 75 million year old dinosaur eggs, come face-to-face with an albino alligator and marvel at the original ‘Toot Sweet’ machine featured in the film, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Kids will also love the portrait of the attraction’s founder, famous explorer Robert Ripley, which is made entirely out of colourful bubble gum balls. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London is open seven days a week, 365 days a year from 10am until 12 midnight. Visit www.ripleyslondon. com for further information and for groups-specific information

Excursions™ 2014 celebrates 10th anniversary at Alexandra Palace with move into Great Hall......

Excursions™ 2014, the UK’s premier one day group travel show taking place on Saturday, 25th January 2014, is celebrating its10th successful year at Alexandra Palace in the venue’s stunning Great Hall. Significantly increasing stand space and bringing all the elements of the show into one big hall, the dynamic 2014 show will provide visitors with much more to see, do and discover. There will be a greater number of exhibitors from across the UK plus an expanding international area where tourism businesses from both European and further flung destinations can showcase their group offer. The hospitality and entertainment areas will also be greatly enlarged and the media centre will be in the main exhibition area.

For further details, visit www.excursions.org.uk or ☎023 8062 5472; booking forms and a floor plan will be available shortly with discounts for members of regional tourism organisations.

Beaulieu is best.......

Beaulieu, recently awarded Gold by VisitEngland in the 2013 Awards for Excellence, will guarantee a great day out for your group visitors. Between 20th July and 1st September join the Victorian house party in Palace House with music in the Lower Drawing Room, family games outside on the lawns and daily playlets to enjoy.

See Veteran and Vintage cars motoring around the grounds, and watch the Victorian cyclist on his Penny Farthing. In picturesque Beaulieu Abbey Cloisters, learn about the history of falconry and watch special daily flying demonstrations to see some of these amazing birds in flight. Join the Victorian gardener for a tour of the Kitchen Garden and see the National Motor Museum’s exciting exhibition, Bond in Motion with 50 original vehicles from the James Bond films. View the museum’s collection of over 250 vehicles from Land Speed Record Breakers to F1 racers. Guided and themed tours can be tailored to your particular requirements.
☎01590 614645. www.beaulieu.co.uk/groups

Renishaw Hall 2013 Vineyard Tour Dates are back.........

With a newly-expanded vineyard and plenty to talk about the recent vintage, Renishaw Hall’s historic vineyard tours are back for 2013. Led by vineyard tenant and Derbyshire wine maker, Kieron Atkinson, the Renishaw Hall vineyard tours are an informative session where visitors learn about the 40 year old history of Renishaw vineyard - once the most northerly vineyard in the world. There are also tastings on offer of Renishaw Hall’s award-winning white and sparkling wine.

“We’ve grown the vineyard in size and reputation and I am really looking forward to welcoming people to come and see this lovely plot of grape-producing land on the Renishaw estate” says Kieron. “I hope that the wine will continue its award success from 2012, and people are warmly invited to come along to these public tours and learn all about how English wine is produced from grapes grown here in Derbyshire”. The vineyard tours last approximately one and a half hours and include wine tasting, a tour of the historic vineyard and learning about the cycle of the vineyard and winemaking process. Public vineyard tour dates for 2013 are: 27th & 28th July - 1100 and 1300 17th& 18th August - 1100 and 1300 - as part of Renishaw Hall’s food and plant fair weekend 7th& 8th September - 1100 and 1300 21st & 22nd September - 1100and 1300 Advance booking for tours is required, contact kieron@englishwineproject.co.uk to book your place on a tour.

Shropshire and Worcestershire explored with Steve Reed Tourism.......

Steve Reed Tourism was established in 1999, and since then Steve himself has been a major contributor to increasing tourism and attracting groups to destinations and attractions within the UK. Steve’s passion for the industry is clear to see for anyone who has had the pleasure of working with him, or meeting him at one of the many familiarisation trips he has arranged up and down the country over the past few years.

I recently had the pleasure of attending the final day of the Worcestershire and Shropshire showcase which took place 11– 13 May, with the day starting at the Birmingham Airport Holiday Inn (☎0871 781 6713). The day started with a useful and informative meet the Buyer Workshop at the Hotel which was attended by a host of attractions, including Coventry Transport Museum, Coventry Cathedral, Severn Valley Railway, English Heritage, and Blue Badge Guide Roger Bailey to name a few, Roger I will come back to shortly, as he played a key part in the day!

Upon conclusion of the Workshop we headed off on the coach, with transport provided by Johnson’s Coaches (☎01564 797000) with Simon Hand at the wheel. Steve Reed had arranged for our group to be assisted on the journey by Roger Bailey, a Blue Badge Guide based in the Midlands (☎02476 69 1212), and with years of experience to keep us informed en-route to each venue.Roger has a wealth of information stored away, and would be highly recommended if you are looking for a first class Blue Badge Guide to work with when visiting central England. Our first visit of the day was to take us to the superb West Midlands Safari Park (☎01299 402114) situated just outside of Kidderminster. The park itself is now 40 years old, and it is clear to see that your coach party would be more than looked after, with packages and prices to suit all budgets. Our group of around 28 people was met on the coach by Sue Day, the Parks very own Guest Relations Officer who provides a meet and greet service for coach groups. Sue welcomed us all to the Park, and took us up to Springrove House, a beautiful Georgian House built in the late1700’s in a 200 acre site, with the safari Park itself established back in 1973. The Park is very much geared towards conservation and preserving Animals that can no longer be found in the Wild. You would be more than satisfied with an action packed day full of things to do. We set off on the 4 mile drive through Safari, which gives you a great opportunity to get up close to the huge selection of animals based in the various Reserves, with the superb White Lions a must see. Your coach party can arrange in advance to have one of the Parks Guides on-board, and this really is a must, as you earn so much information about the animals and the superb work that the Park does today. West Midlands Safari Park has so much more than the drive through Safari to offer, the Park also has an excellent Ride’s section, Seal Shows, and VIP experiences. Lunch for your group can be provided at Springrove House if booked in advance, and that’s where our group headed before leaving the Park and heading to our second visit of the day to the Severn Valley Railway.

We headed off to the Station at Bewdley, the second Station on the line. The Severn Valley Railway (☎01299 403816) is now approximately 43 years old, and covers an incredible 16 miles of track. Your group would again be well looked after, and a trip on the Railway gives you a chance to take in the superb Countryside and views, The Railway itself wouldn’t run so smoothly without the superb hours and dedication given by their team of over 1,400 volunteers, who cover everything from driving the trains down to ensuring your Group can get the best package for them from the Ticket Office, the team really are passionate about what they do, and the experience of riding on the Steam Train in carriages dating back to the1930’s make this a must for any coach operators looking to take their groups on an unforgettable journey into how things used to be in times gone by. Having pulled into Bridgnorth Station our Coach was waiting for us to take us onto our final visit of the day to the superb Ironbridge Gorge.

Ironbridge Gorge (☎01952 435900) has a total of 10 Museums spread across a huge area.Our group visited one of the Museums, Bliss Hill Victorian Village, where visitors really do take a step back in time into an actual Victorian village, complete with some superb shops, an old fashioned English Pub, Lloyds Bank and a fascinating visit to the Candlemakers, who showed some of our Group how candles were made in Victorian times. The Candlemaker explained the simple technique used for making Candles, and how a typical Candlemaker would work for 16 hours a day, 6 days a week. This however wasn’t all doom and gloom with the money earned being approximately £45.00 a week, enough to buy a terraced
house in the old days. Ironbridge really does have a huge amount to offer coach groups, whilst our visit was only short and took in a small part of the attraction, you would need to allow plenty of time to get around everything on offer, with the Tile Museum and Tar Tunnel recommended by our Guide, Roger Bailey. Our group returned to the coach before taking a short trip to view the Ironbridge itself, and then set off back through the traffic to return to our starting point at the Birmingham Airport Holiday Inn. To summarise, Steve Reed Tourism’s Familiarisation visits are well worth attending if you are a coach operator, the trips give you a real insight as to what your group can expect, and allow you to experience areas and attractions yourself before promoting them to your customers. For more information on future events contact Steve Reed at Steve Reed Tourism on ☎01420 560288 or visit his website at www.stevereedtourism.co.uk

Article Wrote by Matthew Inglis (Advertisement Manager, Coach Tours UK Magazine)

Superb shopping at Boundary Mills Stores.........

Visit Boundary Mill Stores, the UK’s largest quality mill store, where you will discover famous name fashion and home brands* at up to 75% off the recommended retail price. Whether you are a regular visitor or new to Boundary Mill Stores, you will be sure to find some great quality bargains. As an incentive, if you arrange for your group to visit for a minimum of 2 hours with over 20 passengers, Boundary Mill Stores will offer the driver £10 in cash and the Group Organiser a £10 Boundary Mill Stores Gift Voucher.

All Stores have a Coach Co-ordinator and offer a “meet and greet” service on arrival. The Coach Co-ordinator is on hand to provide information regarding the facilities in-store, and to ensure that your visit runs smoothly, they will also direct you to the free parking available at all Stores. Simply contact the Coach Co-ordinator at the relevant Store prior to your visit. There are fantastic events and promotions for your groups throughout 2013. From the 4th June and throughout the remainder of the month, all Stores will be holding their fantastic Summer Sale. There’s the Autumn Launch in late September and Late Night Christmas Shopping from the end of November and through December, before the Stores commence their Boxing Day and January sales.

Boundary Mill Stores flagship store is situated at the end of the M65 at Colne. They opened their fifth store in Sheffield last year, which is conveniently located just off Jct33 of the M1. The other Stores are located in Grantham, Newcastle and Walsall and are all easily accessible via major road networks. All Stores feature a B.B.’s Coffee Shop, which provides a great selection of freshly prepared savouries and sweets, and can comfortably accommodate groups. All group visits can be adapted and tailor-made to accommodate your requirements, and this extends to the inclusive tours that Boundary Mill Stores offer. Please do not hesitate to contact them and they will do their very best to help you.
*Brands and departments differ by store.

Details at www.boundarymill.co.uk

Group Travel at Intu Trafford Centre 2013......

 Intu Trafford Centre is a Mancunian icon – and one of the best group travel destinations in the UK. One look at their constantly refreshed attractions shows you why, with some of the best shopping in the country, and a huge choice of entertainments, dining and leisure. With dozens of major stores under one fabulous roof, trading till 10pm every weekday and a wealth of designer brands, it’s the perfect shopping destination. Selfridges, a flagship John Lewis, a 4-level Marks and Spencer, Debenhams and an extended Next store creates a mix found nowhere else outside of London’s Oxford Street.

Fresh names to explore this summer include Victoria’s Secret and PINK, the masters of fashionable intimate wear. New taste sensations for you to enjoy have arrived from the Far East (Chow Street Kitchen) and the Middle East (Saffran) – joining a spread of delicious dining options that covers Italy, France, Thailand, China, Japan, Spain and the US – with many more besides. New group attractions for 2013 include the breath-taking Sealife aquarium, housing thousands of ocean creatures from sharks to jellyfish, starfish and rays. The UK’s first ever Legoland Discovery Centre is right next door to Sealife, and offers a very special interactive play-time for children aged 3-12yrs. Then there’s Aerial Extreme, a thrilling high ropes adventure course, bowling and a grand Odeon cinema in the Dome – with fashion shows and celebrity stardust thrown into the mix. Family groups and day trippers who arrive by pre-booked coaches are met in the coach park by intu Trafford Centre’s own ‘meeters and greeters’ who give visitors a brief introduction to the Centre and the facilities. Of course, creche facilities, fun buggy hire and attentive customer service await shoppers with children. Coach party visitors can get their hands on a special voucher booklet, offering fantastic savings around the Centre, and coach drivers are entitled to complimentary meal and cinema vouchers.

* For more details, call Customer Services on TEL: 0161 749 1717, or visit the groups page at: www. traffordcentre.co.uk/gettinghere/ groupvisits/

Great new exhibition at Coventry Transport Museum......

The team at the excellent Coventry Transport Museum, located in the centre of historic Coventry, are preparing for a major new temporary exhibition for 2013, which will throw the spotlight on the British motor industry’s huge contribution to the wartime production, during World War II. The exhibition, entitled War Effort, will run at the Museum from 12 July 2013 until 5 January 2014, and will tell the incredible story of how in the 1940s, the UK’s motor companies supported the military, by building so-called ‘shadow factories’, and turning over production to building thousands of military vehicles, staff cars, munitions and other military equipment. War Effort will take visitors on a very personal journey through the lives of some of the people who worked in these factories, and will shed particular light on the fascinating stories of the women who were drafted to work in the factories, many for the first time in their lives.

War Effort is part of an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions mounted throughout the year at Coventry Transport Museum, with the aim of making sure that there is always something new to see at this fascinating treasure-trove of motoring, social history and nostalgia. Coventry Transport Museum is so much more than a display of cars, motorbikes and cycles – the Museum is laid out as a journey through time, taking visitors on a moving and inspiring journey through the story of Coventry’s past, and highlighting the stories of the people whose innovations revolutionised the world in which we live.
Admission to the Museum and to the War Effort exhibition is free of charge, and group visits are most welcome. Pre-booked coach groups will enjoy a dedicated in-coach meet and greet, discount vouchers to use in the Museum’s beautiful gift and nostalgia shop, complimentary coach parking (subject to availability) and a lunch voucher for drivers.
Find out more TEL: 024 7623 4270, www.transport-museum.com enquiries@transport-museum.co.uk.

The Blenheim Palace Flower Show Bursts into Bloom......

**New three-day Flower Show**

Blenheim Palace is delighted to announce a brand new event in 2013 - The Blenheim Palace Flower Show, taking place from Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd June. This wonderful three-day flower and garden show, will feature over 150 floral and gardens exhibitors, a Grand Floral Marquee with RHS judges, ten garden landscapes, and lots more including food and refreshments and family activities. Set within the spectacular grounds of Blenheim Palace, The brand new Blenheim Palace Flower Show has it all. The event celebrates everything floral from award-winning nurseries to gardening celebrities and experts who can help you transform your garden into a tranquil haven. The show is packed with inspiration and colour and celebrates the very best of gardening in the UK. Stunning floral displays will be featured in the Grand Floral Marquee including RHS Gold Medal winning nursery Primrose Bank Nursery who will be displaying their wonderful range of Hellebores. Also see Heucheraholics, Devine Nursery, Roualeyn Fuchsias, Rougham Hall Nursery, whilst Apuldram Roses will be featuring a selection of modern roses in their grand display.

Meet one of TV’s favourite gardening celebrities Christine Walkden in the plant advisory marquee. Christine will be at the show on Saturday and Sunday and will be holding two Q & A sessions a day. Liz Nicholson (from Nicholsons Nursery in Oxfordshire) will be designing a show garden and running “The Tree & Hedging advice” area. The show will feature over 150 gardening exhibitors, including plants, gardening sundries, garden buildings, quality furniture, food & drink. Celebrity Chef Jean Christophe Novelli will be at the show on Friday 21st June demonstrating how to cook the perfect Barbeque food. The Blenheim Palace Flower Show will take place within the stunning setting of Blenheim Park. Visitors to the Flower Show can enter the Park and Formal Gardens of Blenheim Palace at no extra cost. If you are feeling peckish, Blenheim Palace has a whole range of catering options available at the show from Cream teas to country wines, salads to hot meals. On Sunday 23rd June, the Heritage Motor Club Rally will also be based within the Park. Advance tickets available. For all up-to-date information visit www.blenheimpalace.com

Amazon adventures at the Living Rainforest......

Experience the sights, smells and sounds of the Amazon at The Living Rainforest, near Newbury in Berkshire. With over 700 species of plants and animals, there’s plenty to discover! On your visit to our tropical world, see & feel the lush vegetation that gives a real jungle experience. Immerse your senses and wonder at the plants that have changed the way we live today.
Children will love our free roaming butterflies, birds and lizards and they can learn about the environment through fun-packed activities such as meet the animal sessions, art workshops and treasure trails. Afterwards, you can relax in the café with a fair-trade cappuccino and a handmade baguette from the selection of organic produce on offer, while they go wild in the outdoor play area. The Living Rainforest is an all weather attraction open all year from 10am- 5pm. With a shop and outdoor play area, as well as regular special events for children and families alike, it’s a fantastic day out. The annual ticket also provides great value all year long. Visit www.livingrainforest.org for more information.