Head for Hitchin – A Town with a village feel.....

…from the Hitchin Initiative

Hitchin nestles at the foothills of The Chilterns, in rural North Hertfordshire and set in glorious countryside. The town is also easy to reach being well positioned,  just 35 miles from London and within 10 minutes of both the M1 and A1(M). Hitchin is a lively, bustling Market Town with a great sense of history but with a forward-looking commitment to remaining the pre-eminent town in the District. Hitchin’s award-winning Market is open now 4 days each week with general stalls on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday enhanced by bric-a-brac and collectables on Friday and compulsive car-booters on Sunday! On the last Saturday of each month there is also an attractive riverside Local Produce & Crafts Market and more recently, a Street Food Fest on the first Saturday. Plenty to keep bargain hunters happy.

The Hitchin British Schools Museum is unique in that it is the only surviving example in the world of an original ‘monitorial schoolroom’ where children from poor backgrounds were able to get a basic education. The schoolroom dates from 1837 and later additions include the Gallery Classroom from 1853 and the Edwardian classrooms from 1905. Guides are available or you are welcome to explore at your leisure. www.britishschoolsmuseum.co.uk St Mary’s is the largest parish church in the county after St Albans and is mentioned as a Minster in the Domesday Book. Founded around 792AD, it has been much changed over the centuries but the main body of the church dates from the 1300s and 1400s when it was funded by wealth from the wool trade. Take time to visit this beautiful building which is right at the heart of the town.

Whether you are a foodie or a fashionista or simply looking for that original gift, the independent shops of Hitchin will not disappoint. The range of clothing shops get together and run two great fashion shows on the Market Place each year – one to highlight Spring/Summer collections in May and then in October to profile what’s on offer for Autumn/Winter; from latest trends to vintage, sportswear to bridal outfits. There are great food shops in Hitchin – independent butcher Allinghams with locally reared meat and a wide selection of tasty sausages that are made on the premises; Quotidian bakery at the end of Sun Street where the early morning aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries tempts many on their way to work to stop off for coffee and croissant; Halseys Deli and Tearooms near St Marys with the best cheese counter around and lots of independent cafes with a menu of refreshments from tea and cake to a glass of wine and a three course meal. And with our many and varied restaurants, it has been said that you can eat your way around the world in Hitchin!

Hitchin is a great town for music and the arts. There are two theatres – The Queen Mother Theatre www.qmt.org.uk and the Market Theatre in Sun Street www.markettheatre.co.uk both of which present Christmas productions as well as a great variety of productions throughout the year. Music plays a big part in the life of the town whether jazz at one of the pubs, Hitchin Folk Club at The Sun Hotel, a classical concert in St Mary’s or in the wonderful Morrison Hall at Benslow Music Trust www.benslowmusic.org  Hitchin Festival takes place in July each year when over 100 productions are staged across a range of cultural activities – programmes are out at the end of May and on the website www.hitchin-festival.co.uk  December is a busy month as well with concerts, pantomimes and outdoor events; Christmas Tree Lights Switch-On on Friday 22^nd November with stalls and entertainment, food and gluhwein from 2pm to 8pm; Markets Gala Day on Sunday 8^th December from 10am until 5pm with street stalls,a stage for music and lots of roaming street entertainers; Father Christmas arrival on Sunday 15^th December from around 11am until 3pm and then our open-air carol concert at 8pm on Wednesday 18^th December.

These are just a few reasons why Hitchin should be a stop off point on any tour or a day trip destination. We can help with any enquiry – coach parking, meet & greet, guided tours, catering etc. We can also supply Brief Guides to Historic Hitchin for an independent tour, a Blue Plaque guide leaflet, maps, information on the wider area and during the summer we can signpost tours to Hitchin Lavender Farm and some of the delightful villages that make up Hitchin’s rural area. Hotel rooms are available at The Sun Hotel, Hitchin Priory, The Lord Lister Hotel, The Firs Hotel and Bella Vita.There is a town website at www.hitchin.co.uk and we can be contacted at: info@htci.org.uk or tel: 01462 453335. There is also now an iphone app – see hitchin.co.uk/app 

Groups Exclusive......

Royal Yacht Britannia......

Gleneagles 2014......

Flavours of Herefordshire......

Herefordshire is a treasure house of familiar cherished flavours, and what better way to celebrate this than at a festival with wholesome, healthy, quality, simple yet delicious food as its focus. The Flavours of Herefordshire Festival 2013 takes place on 2^nd and 3^rd November in a prime location in the heart of Hereford City with the stunning and iconic backdrop of Hereford Cathedral and the historic High Town.  The ‘pop-up city in a city’ is free to all and encompasses not only food and drink but all the ‘flavours’ of Herefordshire including family entertainment, creative events and culture.

There are some well-known faces in the pipe-line for November so check in at www.flavoursofherefordshire.co.uk for up to date information on who will be tempting the crowds into the Celebrity Theatre.Because of the rural nature of the county our food is still intrinsically what it has always been – home grown, home reared, homemade and reflecting the seasons of the year.  Herefordshire is a county where every day men and women, farmers and gardeners, cooks and caterers, bakers and cake makers, butchers and cheese makers, distillers, brewers, cider and perry makers all have a strong awareness of tradition and fantastic imagination. These are the people with great commitment and passion for their chosen profession and finding out the story behind your purchases through meeting the producers is what makes this culinary celebration so enjoyable.

We’ve got something for everyone with a jam-packed offering of local produce, celebrities, workshops, demonstrations, entertainment, family fun and lip-licking good street food so start planning your trip to Herefordshire now! For more information on the Festival and tickets go to www.flavoursofherefordshire.co.uk .

Birmingham Museums......

Drayton Manor, Ideal for Groups......

Barnsdale Gardens Exhibition

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Wedgewood Visitor Centre.....

New 18TH Century Creations Guided Tour.......

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Painshill landscape garden and Strawberry Hill House have created a joint package for group visits. The new ‘18th Century Creations’ offer includes a guided tour of both historic venues in one day. Groups can enjoy half a day at Painshill landscape garden, created by the Honourable Charles Hamilton (1704 – 1786) and the other half at Strawberry Hill House, created by Horace Walpole (1717 – 1797).

The day provides a fantastic mix of 18th century theatrical design. Experience Hamilton’s series of scenes which continually change and surprise you. Enter Walpole’s gloomy hall before ascending to a sumptuous state apartment – a burst of crimson and gold. From stunning Georgian Gothic architecture to magical follies and historic plantings, this guided tour is a visual feast of 18th century creations. Cost: £16 per person (excluding travel, refreshments and food) Group Number: Minimum 15 people. Maximum 50 people Availability: July until November (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)Please pre-book on ☎01932 868113 or visit www.painshill.co.uk for more information.

Newhaven Fort - Newhaven's Best Kept Secret.....

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Newhaven Fort is the largest work of defence ever constructed in Sussex. In its present guise, Newhaven Fort offers an extraordinary visitor experience. It is educational, emotive and absolutely captivating. First time visitors are genuinely bowled over by what they find at this award-winning attraction.

This scheduled ancient monument tells the story of life in a Victorian Fortress and the on-site military museum demonstrates Newhaven Fort’s role through two World Wars. Take the time to visit the recreated Blitz shelter simulation and experience how it would have felt being caught in a real air-raid. You can also experience a sense of freedom in this 10-acre site as you stroll along the ramparts and enjoy the breathtaking views of the South Downs and Sussex Coast. The cliff-top gun emplacements are sure to fire any imagination! And when you’re tired from all that fresh air, visit the Searchlight Café for a well-earned cup of tea and a nice light lunch. There is also a small gift shop carrying a range of stock from pocket-money priced souvenirs to wartime replicas and model kits.

Group visits are welcome, and the Fort’s knowledgeable staff are available for introductory talks on request. Why not time your visit to coincide with one of the Fort’s many special events? Throughout the season the Fort hosts vehicle rallies, living history displays, music events, live theatre, film screenings and seasonal quiz trails. Coach parking is free and group discounts are available for groups of 20 plus people. Newhaven Fort is open daily between 1st March and 3rd November, from 10.30 until 18.00 (17.00 in October/November) and last admission is one hour before closing. For more information on Newhaven Fort please call ☎01273 517622 or visit www.newhavenfort.org.uk

Festive Breaks with Warner Leisure Hotels.....

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Warner Leisure Hotels have 13 stunning hotels and villages across the UK, offering short breaks for adults. From the picturesque Yorkshire Dales to the glistening Solent shores of the Isle of Wight; each hotel offers fine dining, lovely rooms, live entertainment and plenty of areas to just relax and soak up the scenery. Now, with the festive season fast approaching, Warner Leisure Hotels offer fantastic breaks, providing the perfect setting to start the party season. Their Turkey and Tinsel breaks are the best fun you can have in one place! Christmas Day on one day, New Year on another, you even get a visit from Santa! Or perhaps a festive party weekend would appeal to your group more?

With so many breaks to choose from, there isn’t a better place for your guests to get away to!Every break is half board and includes a host of daytime activities and live entertainment every night of your stay, so you can have great nights out without leaving the hotel! Whatever you fancy, there’ll be something for everyone in your group – and it’s all included in the price of a break! Benefits for coach operators: Free driver place if 15 people book onto the coach. An extra free place if 35 people book onto the coach. Marketing support. Free drink, lunch and newspaper vouchers for your driver. Dedicated sales support team. An allocation of single rooms without supplements, Coach parking and educational visits. For more information www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk

Take your group to Bristol Zoo Gardens......

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Set in 12 acres of award-winning grounds, Bristol Zoo Gardens is a fantastic day out for plant and animal lovers alike. During a visit you and your group will be able to get close to our gorillas, lion cubs, penguins, seals, lemurs, butterflies, and bats in the exciting, immersive exhibits. If you want to get really close, why not try hand feeding the colourful parrots? You and your group can also take advantage of a variety of free activities throughout the day, including animal encounters, amazing animal shows and a series of animal talks and feeds.

As well as being home to over 400 different animal species, the Zoo’s impressive gardens house Bristol’s most important collections of plants. There are unusual trees, shrubs and plants from around the world, rare species of orchid and native plants such as the bath asparagus which is endangered in the wild. They have carefully combined colour and texture to create stunning displays all year round. In addition to the amazing animals and beautiful gardens, Bristol Zoo Gardens has also become home to 12 huge and incredibly life like animatronic dinosaurs in DinoZoo 2. The dinosaurs will be taking up residence until 8 September and include some of the world’s most interesting species such as Quetzalcoatlus, and airplane sized reptile and the infamous T-Rex.

Add to this a variety of daily animal shows, nine under cover animal houses, a restaurant, excellent facilities, plus the chance to join an expert talk, you and your group have the makings of a funfilled day out for visitors all ages - whatever the weather. They also hold a number of events throughout the year designed to entertain and inspire group visitors – such as autumn tours of our beautiful botanic gardens, and guided history walks. Why not book a group in for a guided ‘walk and talk’ around the Zoo on one of the following subjects:

Conservation and endangered species

History of Bristol Zoo Gardens - from Brunel to biodiversity

The role of the modern zoo

There are great discounts of up to 32% on entry prices for groups of 10 or more visitors. Event organisers receive free entry, plus special arrangements are in place for coach drivers. To help plan your visit, why not think about booking in for a free familiarisation visit. For more information, please telephone ☎0117 974 7300 or visit the website at www.bristolzoo.org.uk

Summer at Drayton Manor Theme Park.......

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Situated in the Heart of England, Drayton Manor Theme Park is one of the UK’s most popular day out destinations for group visitors as there is something to keep everyone entertained. Located near Tamworth, just outside Birmingham, Drayton Manor is famous for having Europe’s only Thomas Land™, which is a must-see attraction for fans of all ages of the little blue engine and his friends. It’s celebrating its fifth anniversary this year and a new Thomas & Friends™ ride will be unveiled this summer to mark the occasion.Also new this year is A Fish Story, an underwater musical adventure film screened in the park’s sensational 4D Cinema. It tells the tale of Deepo, an orange Garibaldi fish, and Billy, a trainee at the aquarium who magically turns into a fish, who journey to the depths of the ocean, encountering many different sea creatures along the way.

Fans of teenage superhero, Ben 10, can experience the Ben 10: Ultimate Mission rollercoaster, situated on the park’s CN Street. For the brave, there are the whiteknuckle thrill rides, such as the 54m high drop tower, Apocalypse, voted the UK’s scariest thrill ride, and G-Force, a rollercoaster that subjects riders to 4.3Gs. In addition, there’s also a 15-acre zoo to take a stroll around, home to an assortment of big cats, apes, primates, birds and insects. There’s also Dino Trail, designed to intrigue and educate visitors about the prehistoric reptiles. Great group discounts and offers can be found online and groups of 12 or more, arriving in one vehicle, can get fantastic prices when they pre-book. For groups travelling from further afield or simply looking to turn a day trip into an overnight stay, there’s also the luxurious fourstar Drayton Manor Hotel. It has 150 bedrooms, including 15 Thomas & Friends themed family rooms, each with a unique handpainted scene on the wall and ceiling, themed bunk beds, and train track patterned carpets in the corridors leading to each room. For further details, special offers, or to book a room go to www.draytonmanorhotel.com. 

The hotel also has two bars and restaurants and is located near to the theme park’s on-site restaurant, The Grill Inn, which is open to non-visitors and visitors from 12.00pm – 10.00pm daily, ensuring people are never stuck for a choice of fine food and drink. For more information visit www.thegrillinn.co.uk.

For more information visit www.draytonmanor.co.uk or call TEL: 0844 472 1960

Go Racing at Ayr.....

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Ayr Racecourse is home to Scotland’s two biggest and richest race meetings – the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival in April and the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup Festival in September. This year’s Gold Cup fixture runs from Thursday September 19 until Saturday September 21. The centrepiece is the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup, Europe’s richest sprint handicap, being run at 3.50 pm on Saturday.

There is no finer sight in racing than watching the 24 horses hurtle down the six furlong sprint track in pursuit of the £90,000 plus first prize. The middle day of the meeting is William Hill Ladies Day and the final of the Ladies competition. Up to 24 ladies will have a coin awarded at several fixtures to those considered by our judges to be the best dressed. And ladies attending on the day will be in with a chance of winning one of the last few coins. Once all finalists have been chosen each will draw the name of a horse running in the William Hill Ayr Bronze Cup – the lady with the winning horse drives off in a brand new Vauxhall Adam Jam 1.4 with an ‘Urban Pack’ Intellinik Infotainment System. Runners up prize is a fabulous cruise and third place receive a piece of jewellery.

There are seven races on Thursday and Friday and eight on Saturday. There is free parking on centre of the course and coach drivers receive a complimentary ticket. For more information or to book tickets call Elaine Ferguson on ☎01292 264179.

Visit Winchester.......

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The ancient capital of England, Winchester is a beautiful and unspoiled cathedral city on the edge of the rolling South Downs. Home of good food and excellent farmers markets this lovely city combines the best of city life with the freshness of the surrounding countryside. Birthplace of the modern game of cricket, resting place of author Jane Austen and inspiration to the many craft-makers and artists who live here, Winchester is a fascinating destination at any time of the year.

Popular for bustling shopping streets Winchester summer season is brimming with colour and quirky entertainment. The 11th century Cathedral and the Great Hall are well worth a visit. The College is the oldest continuously running school in the country and the Hospital of St Cross, a medieval almshouse still offers the Wayfarer’s Dole to travelers as it has done for more than eight centuries. Winchester’s many bars, traditional pubs and restaurants make eating out a pleasure and the pretty riverside walks are a delight. Just outside the city is the INTECH science centre with its 100 hands-on indestructible activities. Also nearby is Hampshire’s largest animal attraction, Marwell Wildlife. Your group will be greeted and given a personal, free of charge welcome. Book this ahead and ensure a useful introduction to the city, its hidden gems and highlights. Guided tours also available. www.visit-hampshire.co.uk

Private Tours of Tregothnan.....

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Tregothnan, near Truro in Cornwall is an amazing private estate with beautiful historic botanic garden, arboretum and tea garden. Home to the Boscawen family since 1335, the Estate is internationally known as the home of English tea. Inspired by a tradition stretching back generations, they began supplying England’s first and only tea in 2005, although Tregothnan is believed to be the first place to grow ornamental Camellias outdoors almost 200 years earlier.

As well as growing English tea, the land also allows them to produce sustainable coppiced charcoal, Manuka honey and Kea plum jam.Tregothnan is an amazing place to visit and is open for private garden tours with a delicious cream tea in the 19th century summerhouse, for pre-booked groups only. The qualified Blue Badge guide, Alison Cameron will act as your chaperon, discussing the fascinating history of the garden, its impressive plant collections and exciting plans for the future. The tea garden is included in the walk around, an authentic “piece of Darjeeling”. There is plenty of convenient parking at the woodyard. This private botanic garden and arboretum is unequalled offering a diversity of rare plants and trees, sweeping vistas and peaceful secluded groves. The traditional parts of the garden are impressive yet there is always something new and exciting to enjoy. Everywhere there are lovely views over the Estate and surrounding countryside. Visits are arranged by appointment only and may be taken at 10am or 2pm, Monday – Friday.

☎01872 520000. www.tregothnanshop.co.uk

Bath Christmas Market 28th November – 15th December 2013.......

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Once again, Bath Christmas Market is getting ready to welcome coach groups from all over the country to enjoy its festive atmosphere and unique shopping, and this year organisers Bath Tourism Plus are making this great tour opportunity even easier for you. As well as opening the coach parking booking system nice and early (you can book your preferred drop off and pick up now!), you could also win your charge back if you book for a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday – all coaches booked on these days will be entered into a free prize draw, with 30 winners.

Tours and groups can pre-order event programmes now, to be delivered to you prior to the event , so that your customers can get into the festive mood and begin planning their visit while still on the road.  These will be sent with food vouchers for the driver or group organiser. For much of the event, there will be a welcoming party at the coach drop off point, ready to direct your eager customers in the right direction (whether that is to the market, café or nearest loo!).

The market’s location, in the heart of the city, is also perfect for visitors to enjoy all that the city has to offer – a wonderful mix of high street and designer shops, fascinating attractions and warm, inviting cafes and bars.The event organisers have even provided an online marketing toolkit, with images, words and images to help you to promote your tour and fill up every seat – in fact, if you can even include your tour in a list on the event website, free of charge.

Bath Christmas Market offers a brilliant tour opportunity – it is hugely popular with visitors, there are no tickets or entry fees to organise, and there are numerous ways to incorporate it into a wider Christmas themed tour. Coaches visiting Bath during the operational dates of the Christmas Market need to register with Bath & North East Somerset Council (www.bathnes.gov.uk/parking). More details of all of the above, including terms and conditions for the prize draw are available on the website www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk

Knebworth Always Welcoming.......

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This magnificent stately home offers groups of all ages a warm welcome and a day out to remember. Tour the house, wander around the grounds, explore the Dinosaur Trail and discover the amazing Adventure Playground. Book a guided tour of the beautiful House and your group will enjoy a fascinating insight into the story of Knebworth and the Lytton Family for whom it has been home for over 500 years. Includes the wonderful Banqueting Hall, the focal point of the family occupation of Knebworth for over five centuries.

New for 2013 – An Illustrated Talk: Textiles in the Collection at Knebworth. Archivist Clare Fleck looks at the history of the house and the family members who collected, used or wore textiles from the collection. Have your talk in the morning after coffee, then adjourn to the Garden Terrace Tea Room for lunch followed by a guided tour of the House and Garden in the afternoon. A tour of the House in the Groups admission ticket (£12.00 for adults, £11.50 for seniors on closed days and £11 for adults and £10.50 for seniors on open days). Clare’s talk is an extra £3 per person. After the tour, there is time to enjoy the gardens.

For Group Booking information and a booking please look at: http://www.knebworthhouse.com/downloads/GroupBooking.pdf

Or ☎01438 810931.

Email: groupbookings@ knebworthhouse.com

Enjoy Scenic Water Cruises Around Rutland Water......

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Take a cruise around Rutland Water aboard the Rutland Belle to enjoy the scenery from the water amidst the sailors, anglers and water birds, whilst listening to commentary highlighting the points of interest. Rutland Belle is open from April to October. Groups are welcome to join one of the public afternoon sailings which depart from Whitwell North Shore every day from May to September and at weekends and selected days in April & October. Exclusive sailings are also available in the mornings when it is possible to include a tour of Normanton Church – Rutland Water’s distinctive landmark – which was saved from the waves during the 1970s when the lake was created.

Rutland Water lies at the heart of England’s smallest county of Rutland which is a neighbour to Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. The nearby market towns are Melton Mowbray, famous for it’s street and cattle markets, pork pies and Stilton cheese, and Stamford – one of the finest stone-built towns in England, or Rutland’s own towns of Uppingham and Oakham. Oakham is Rutland’s ‘county town’ and has a market, museum, church and castle. There are nearby gardens to visit.

Rutland Water offers ample coach parking. Refreshments, snacks or meals are available at the shore side Café and there’s a licensed bar on board Rutland Belle. So whether you are driving through or making a day of it, Rutland Water and Rutland Belle will be pleased to take your reservations and welcome you aboard. Rutland Water Cruises Ltd Tel: ☎01572 787630 rwcruises@ aol.com

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Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre & Tours.....

Wadworth Brewery is located in the heart of the beautiful thriving market town of Devizes, the most central town in the magical county of Wiltshire. Established in 1875, this independent family owned brewery is steeped in history, heritage & traditional skills, as well as a wide collection of carefully hand crafted ales. With an on-site Sample Bar, Brewery Shop & Visitor Centre, there’s certainly much more to Wadworth than meets the eye – a visit to see the award winning working Shire Horses, who are responsible for delivering their ales across town each week day, is highly recommended!

Scheduled tours are available daily at 11am & 2pm, catering for up to 60 people, prices start from just £6.00 per person. Brewery Tours include a visit to the main production areas, the on-site Sign Studio; where guests can gaze at the unique hand painted pub signs, followed by a visit to the Stables (should they not be on their annual holiday!) then finishing with a tutored beer sampling session. They offer complimentary places for the group organiser & coach driver with refreshments included, coach parking is also available free of charge on site with prior arrangement. The Visitor Centre is an ideal rest stop for any group party, with refreshments & the famous 6X Beer Fruit Cake available Monday to Saturday from 10am-5pm. The Visitor Centre is free entry and is home to a well stocked gift shop, bar & self guided exhibition taking you from 1875 to the present day.For more information on guided tours please ☎01380 732277 or email at visitorcentre@wadworth.co.uk

Penshurst... The Quintessential English Home

Set in the beautiful Weald of Kent, Penshurst Place and the Estate have stood on the banks of the river Medway since the 14th century, when the awe-inspiring medieval Baron’s Hall was built as a country retreat for the Lord Mayor of London, Sir John de Pulteney. Used as a location for many a large film and small screen productions, Penshurst Place has a unique place in history – with literary connections from Sir Philip Sidney, Ben Jonson to Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The historic gardens are as old as the house, with records dating back to 1346. These enchanting formal gardens were laid out in Elizabethan times and have remained remarkably true to their early design.

In the House, alongside the unique and stunning Baron’s Hall, built in 1341, there are a series of staterooms containing an impressive collection of portraits, tapestries, furniture, porcelain and armour. In addition, visitors will enjoy a reminder of bygone childhoods in the Toy Museum, a delight for all ages.

The new Porcupine Pantry, open daily and is located outside the main house and grounds ticketed area and also accessible via the Gift Shop. It has seating inside and out for up to 82 people. Serving a selection of hot and cold drinks from 9am – 6pm – it will provide a simple breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea menu including bacon rolls and a selection of freshly-baked savoury and sweet pastries cooked on the premises.For more information, guided tours and booking forms ☎01892 870307.Email: groups@ penshurstplace.com/forgroups

Anyone For Cricket ??

 Your groups will enjoy a tour behind the scenes to discover more about The Kia Oval and the Surrey County Cricket Club. This interesting and very famous International Cricket Stadium has a fascinating history, not just for cricket but its contribution to many other sports. During the 2013 Cricket Season tours are available from now until the 27th September, with Winter dates available in September. The tours take place regularly on a Saturday at 11 am, non match days only. Additional tours will be available during busy periods and around key international fixtures: the ICC Champions Trophy, Natwest International T20 England v New Zealand and the Investec Ashes Test Match England v Australia.

Ground tours take about 90 minutes and depart from the Members Pavilion near the Hobbs Gate entrance of the ground.Tickets: please book in advance. The Kia Oval offers an enjoyable experience for groups both adults and children. Each child will get a fun fact sheet to fill in as part of their group tour. For group enquiries Email: tours@surreycricket.com or Visit: www.kiaoval.com

Tour The Great One.....

Home of the amazing Chelsea Football Club, Stamford Bridge is a fascinating venue to visit. A tour must not be missed, it’s a fun, informative and unforgettable experience for sports fans of all ages. The fully guided tour will take you behind the scenes at one of the world’s greatest football clubs, providing access to areas normally reserved for players and officials.

Meet the press as you sit behind the desk in the press room. Soak up the atmosphere in the spectacular home dressing room and feel the excitement as you walk down the tunnel to the pitch side with the roar of a capacity crowd ringing in your ears. All tours include entry into the excellent Museum, giving you the chance to see how Chelsea has evolved on and off the pitch to become one of the greatest football clubs in the world. This is a highly interactive experience, bringing the club’s past alive through audio visual shows as well as a fascinating collection of Chelsea related memorabilia. Upgrade your tour to a Platinum tour and enjoy a VIP experience with private tour, tour guide and lunch. Prebook: online on www. chelseafc.com/tours or ☎0871 984 1955.

Tantalising Tastes at Gloucester Quays Monthly Food Markets.......

Gloucester Quays Outlets established artisan food markets are a must visit this spring/summer! Located at our stunning Gloucester Quays Outlet at Gloucester’s historic docks, the market is held on the first weekend of every month from 10am on Saturdays and 11am on Sundays. We have 30+ delightful stalls selling delicious morsels made from local, seasonal produce which are bound to set your taste buds tingling!

Award-winning food and drink producers gravitate to the Orchard Street Market naturally, making the day a feast for all the senses and introducing visitors to a new world of flavours.
But what really sets this market apart is the artisan foods, arts and crafts on offer. Irrepressible shopaholics, foodies and lovers of pretty things will adore the Orchard Street Market. From hand-made jewellery to one-off home-wares and accessories, the market offers something you don’t see every day! (just the first weekend of every month at Gloucester Quays!)

Shoppers can browse, crafters can gather inspiration, foodies can indulge and sightseers can meander the byways of the docks, dreaming of days gone by! More details at www.gloucesterquays.co.uk or by calling TEL: 01452 338901

Chelsea Celebrates in Style…

This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show celebrated its centenary year with its usual inspirational style. This, the world’s greatest flower show is always a massive source of inspiration offering an amazing day out for gardeners, world-class or not so serious…and this year was no exception with magnificent show gardens, a breathtaking Great Pavilion and lots of tempting shopping opportunities.

Looking back to 1913, the year of the first Chelsea Flower Show, planning and planting up a garden was a very different story. Although gardeners were just as passionate about plants, there were no garden centres and class and the social scale were prominent factors. The wealthy lady of the house would visit the Chelsea Flower Show with her head gardener to source plants and place orders. Plants would eventually arrive in the autumn in boxes via the railway station. For the not so wealthy, perennials, annuals, fruit and vegetables were traded from house to house, a reason that you still see similar planting patterns along a row of cottages. Things changed when FW Woolworth and Sutton & Sons arrived in the early 1900s bringing quality seeds and plants to the High Street and after the Second World War, Chelsea broadened its social appeal. The first recognized garden centre opened in London in 1961 and the slow spread across the country surely changed the nature of the annual visit to SW3.
The RHS Chelsea Show, always spectacular, entertaining and colourful, thankfully continues to thrive offering huge inspiration to even the most casual garden lover. Plan to take your group next year 20-24 May 2014. Best Show Garden this year went to the innovative and sustainable Trailfinders Austrailian Garden presented by Fleming’s. This lovely relaxing and inviting space used native Australian plants from lush ferns to bright kangaroo paws and bottle trees.

Best Artisan Garden award went to the Japanese garden, an alcove garden with traditional tatami room. After the Fire took the Best Fresh Garden award with their interpretation of a forest regeneration. In the Great Pavilion, the Diamond Jubilee Award went to Warmenhoven for their display of alliums and amaryllis. The President’s award went to Blackmore & Langdon for their delphinium and begonia display.

There’s still time to visit one of the 2013 RHS Flower Shows.
RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show takes place from 9th-14th July
RHS Flower Show Tatton Park is from 25-28 July.
The Malvern Autumn Show from 28-29 September.
RHS Harvest Festival Show from 8-9 October.
RHS Shades of Autumn from 22-23 October.
www.rhs.org.uk

Amazing Ascot…Truly Memorable......

Ascot Racecourse is synonymous with quality, excellence and superb racing. Royal Ascot this year was no exception offering first class racing on each of the five days and an eclectic mix of tradition, pageantry and style. But there’s lots more great racing and opportunities for a fantastic day out The highlights continue throughout the year as each raceday hosts a unique theme and atmosphere offering something different for groups. Enjoy the chance to dress to impress with a summer cocktail party in July, party with a concert in August, enjoy the Beer Festival or be thrilled by the spectacular fireworks in the autumn. Also on offer is the exciting finale of the Flat season, Britain’s richest raceday, QIPCO British Champions Day which takes place in October. All this complements the thrilling Flat and Jumps racing that takes place throughout the year as well as five dedicated family racedays.

Advantages of being a group booker include; generous discounts, free parking throughout the year (except Royal Ascot), a dedicated Groups team that can provide posters and images to help promote the event and free behind the scenes tours (subject to dates and availability). Furthermore, ticket packages are available that include admission, betting vouchers, racecards and drinks to make it easier on arrival plus free admission for the coach driver. Group prices, for ten people or more, start at £8 per person. Children aged 17 and under go free.

Depending on the group size, requirements, budget and the time of year, there is a range of offerings for Groups to choose from. The Groups Team can put a package together to suit all requirements, be it vouchers for a racecard, betting and a drink, afternoon tea or a three course meal. Private tours and rooms are all possible, subject to dates and availability.
Group Packages. Party Packages offer a straightforward and simple way to enjoy the full Ascot experience even for those who are new to racing - viewing, betting and refreshments are all included and planned in advance.
• Grandstand Admission ticket
• £2 Tote bet
• Racecard
• 2 Glasses of wine OR 3 pints of beer
• A free message in the racecard (based on a first come, first served basis and subject to availability)
For further information and to book: Ticket enquiries call Tel: 0844 346 3000. Website: www.ascot.co.uk Email enquiries@ascot.co.uk

Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre, Expect More Than A Zoo!.....

Enjoy a fun-filled, fascinating day out for all ages at Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset! Open every day (except Christmas Day), groups are welcome throughout the year. With ample free parking, and discounts available to pre-booked groups, Monkey World also offers free entry and a drink to uniformed coach drivers. The 65-acre park is home to the stars of TV’s ‘Monkey Life’ and ‘Monkey Business’, and provides sanctuary for rescued and endangered primates from around the world. Some are now part of international breeding programmes for endangered species including Europe’s official orang-utan crèche.
Daily keepers’ talks provide a captivating insight into life at the park and its inhabitants - staff are so enthusiastic about what they do, giving a real feel-good factor. Pre-bookable guided tours are also available.

The park is well laid out and spacious for both humans and primates alike. Visitors while away the hours watching the monkeys and apes interact, then let the kids use up all their energy in the huge Great Ape Adventure Play Area.The Café serves good value hot and cold food or there are numerous picnic areas to be enjoyed throughout the park. Monkey World also has excellent facilities for the disabled, including electric scooters, wheelchairs, sensory statues and wheelchair swings. For more information visit www.monkeyworld.org or Tel: 01929 462537. Offering great value for money and a fun yet educational day out – make Monkey World your top destination this year!