Friday, 23 August 2013

Nottingham Industrial Museum and Wollaton Hall.....

Nottingham's Wollaton Hall is a spectacular Elizabethan mansion, which starred as 'Wayne Manor' in the Dark Knight Rises Batman film released in July 2012. Set within a 500-acre deer park, Wollaton Hall offers free coach parking and is ideally located for coach tours coming to Nottingham.

While here, be sure to visit the Nottingham Industrial Museum.Located in the 17th century stable block of Wollaton hall, Nottingham Industrial Museum celebrates the rich industrial heritage of Nottingham and the surrounding areas. The museum is volunteer run and is open every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday. It can be opened for group tours on other days if pre-arranged.Take a walk around the galleries and discover the people, companies and industries that made Nottingham famous around the world. The museum has displays relating to five areas of Nottingham industry, Textiles, Transport, Communication, Mining and Steam, each investigating Nottingham's rich industrial heritage. The museum also houses a working Basford Beam engine and an original Thomas Humber's Bicycle! http://www.nottinghamindustrialmuseum.co.uk/

Stay at the Cliftonville Hotel Cromer......

The Cliftonville Hotel is beautifully situated on Cromer's seafront, Norfolk, just ten minutes walk from the town centre. The hotel is a 30 bed roomed property with all rooms having an excellent sea view Beautifully restored to its original Edwardian splendour the hotel is an AA 3 Star and Grade II listed building.

Family run hotel with 17 years experience makes us the perfect partner for the independent coach operator offering the quality of service that has come to be expected by clients who book coach holidays. The hotel welcomes coach parties and groups particularly in the off-season and shoulder periods of the main summer season Ideally located for trips to North Norfolk's major attractions including the North Norfolk Steam Railway, The Thursford Collection and Christmas Show and boat excursions on the Norfolk Broads. Just 25 miles from the City of Norwich with its vast array of shops, market, museums, castle, cathedral and fascinating cobbled lanes and ally ways makes an interesting a full day trip adding yet another reason to stay at the Cliftonville Hotel.


For further information E-mail reservations@cliftonvillehotel.co.uk or telephone 01263 512543 www.cliftonvillehotel.co.uk

Welsh Wildlife Experiences....

Wildlife is easy to spot in Wales" says Phil Hurst of Wildlife Trusts Wales. These top ten wildlife sites are where you are likely to see the beautiful wildlife listed. But they are not exclusive to these locations. Dolphins can be watched from numerous headlands around Wales and if you are lucky you can spot otters in the early morning along rivers from Bangor to Cardiff. Ospreys nest from April to late summer on the Cors Dyfi reserve in Machynlleth. Other birds prey seen regularly include red kite, honey buzzard and marsh and hen harriers. This tranquil site has a variety of habitats, open water, swamp, bog, wet woodland, scrub and gorse, all supporting their own mix of flora and fauna. Dragonflies, damselflies and a diversity of plants and flowers can also be enjoyed. A short walk from the parking area passes the first pond to the living willow screen bird watching area. Facilities include a visitor centre, small shop and basic refreshments. Tel: 01938 555654.

Although dolphins can be regularly seen from the shore in many parts, the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre organizes boat trips from April onwards. The centre also raises awareness of the marine wildlife in Cardigan Bay through interpretive displays and boat trips. The North Wales Wildlife Trust also run regular land-based dolphin watching seashore safaris over the
summer. Tel: 01545 560032.

Otters can be seen at the lovely Gilfach Farm Reserve in Radnorshire. Last summer a family saw a female and two cubs walking along the nature trail in mid-afternoon. A good time to visit is October to December when otters come to the waterfalls to chase the leaping salmon. Gilfach nature discovery centre is situated in a beautiful setting at the confluence of the Marteg River with the River Wye in the Cambrian Mountains of Mid Wales. Gilfach is locally unique because of its wide variety of habitats supporting an abundance of birds and animals within a small area. Tel: 01597 823298.

Fields of orchids and Ox-Eye Daisies can be enjoyed at Pentwyn Farm Meadow, Monmouthshire. Situated above the beautiful Wye Valley, Pentwyn Farm reserve provides commanding views over the surrounding countryside. Tel: 01600 740601

Red Kites can be seen at feeding stations at Gigrin Farm Tel: 01597 810243, in Radnorshire and the Red Kite Feeding Centre (01550 740617) at Llanddeusant in the west of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Here your group will enjoy seeing 50 plus Kites along with Buzzards and Ravens. Allow time for a browse and refreshment in the shop and cafe.There are an estimated 16000 Puffins and 300,000 Manx Shearwaters on the world renowned Skomer and Skokholm islands, which are also home to large numbers of grey seals. You need to book visits in advance and boats run daily from March to December.

Skomer Round Island Cruises offer leisurely wildlife cruises surrounded by amazing marine wildlife and seabirds, puffins and razorbills, seals and gannets and maybe even a dolphin or porpoise. Tel: 01646 603121

Spectacular Cemlyn on Anglesey is an internationally important site for seabirds and visitors can experience these rare and elegant birds close up, chasing and diving in spectacular courtship displays for winging in with freshly caught fish. The Arctic Tern also nests here and migrates up to 50,000 miles every year between the Arctic and Antarctic. Tel: 01248 351541.

See Salmon leaping at Radyr Weir on the River Taff, Cardiff and enjoy a thrilling experience. In Mid Wales one of the best places is the River Marteg at the Gilfach Farm reserve in Radnorshire, but you can even see them in the centre of Cardiff on the River Taff by Blackweir. Carpets of bluebells cover the ancient woodlands in many parts of Wales, but few reach the dazzling heights of Coed y Felin Tel: 01352 810469, just outside Mold in Flintshire. In the south visit the Coed Dyrysiog Tel: 01874 625708 reserve just outside Brecon.


Wednesday, 21 August 2013

Make sure you visit The Green Britain Centre.....

The Green Britain Centre is fun, free and informative. Set in a stunning timber framed building, it plays host to lots of day trippers, educational groups and conferences.

Home to the only modern windmill in the world the public can climb, you get right to the heart of wind power and Norfolk with the 360 degree viewing platform at the top. Get up close and personal with Greenbird – the fastest wind powered vehicle on the planet – and see one of Britain’s largest solar trackers follow the sun across the sky.

Explore our organically certified gardens. Enjoy hot and cold snacks and meals in our cafe; serving organic and locally sourced ingredients. Relax with a cup of Fairtrade tea or coffee and a slice of homemade cake. Or browse our eco gift shop.

Ample coach parking and a warm welcome awaits you.

For more information visit www.greenbritaincentre.co.uk or call 01760 726736


SatNav Postcode: PE37 7HT

Tuesday, 20 August 2013

Coral Greyhounds this Christmas.....

Coral Greyhounds this Christmas

We’ve got something for customers of all ages, shapes and sizes this Christmas at our greyhound tracks. The two top stadia in the industry are situated in Romford (London Road) and Brighton & Hove (Nevill Road) and each has a wide range of facilities to suit every group size and budget.

Both tracks host morning and evening meetings throughout the week meaning you have the choice to enjoy a leisurely Sunday Lunch, a cracking Saturday night out or a relaxing weekday afternoon, all the while being entertained by our fabulous greyhounds. Every visit will guarantee at least 12 thrilling races come rain or shine. All restaurants are glass-fronted so races can be enjoyed from the comfort of your table, or from our outside viewing areas. All diners receive complimentary admission and race-card, and a dedicated tote messenger will take your bets from your table, meaning all you have to worry about is which trap to bet on next! All restaurants lay on a delicious new seasonal menu, including options for kids and those with any allergies. We have ample parking and disabled facilities.

To book your visit to Coral greyhounds or for more information, please visit our websites or call our lovely Reservations teams:

Romford:
01708 762 345

Hove:
08457 023 952



Tuesday, 13 August 2013

Visit Leeds Kirkgate Market......

Leeds Kirkgate Market this Christmas

This Christmas come and discover a treasure trove of unique gifts at Leeds Kirkgate Market from fresh chestnuts and cranberries for your Christmas day to smoked salmon for that extra special Boxing Day brunch. Kirkgate Market is open seven days a week from the start of December until Christmas Eve, offering the best in quality, variety and value for money. Leeds Markets will be a hub of festive spirit with a whole host of exciting activities alongside brilliant Christmas shopping!

Come and visit the M&S Market Stall, the birthplace of Marks & Spencer and follow the award winning M&S Leeds Heritage Trail. Winner of the Group Travel Award for innovation in Tourism 2013. Travelling from past to present, the trail takes you on a journey through the rich heritage of Leeds, and the Victorian Gardens open Christmas Market. The trail finishes at the Marks in Time Exhibition at the M&S Company archive, White Rose award finalist for small visitor attraction 2013. Whether you take the trail as a self-guided walk, or book an expert tour guide you’ll be finding out more about the fascinating story of British high-street favourite that began life at Leeds Kirkgate Market.

There’s a whole lot more going on!!

Every Saturday in December we’ll have adorable live reindeer on the outdoor market to set the Christmassy scene alongside our giant Christmas tree. They’ll be brass bands playing traditional carols and the market will be decked out with delightful decorations including the M&S Christmas Clock Tree. Don’t forget our free Shop & Drop service which allows you to do all your festive shopping then leave it in our “chiller” room until a more convenient time of day (perhaps whilst you’re having a cup of tea!) For coach bookings over 30 customers we will provide free mince pies and hot punch in our hospitality suite which overlooks the spectacular 1904 market hall when booked in advance.

It’s the only place to be this Christmas.

To enjoy the experience of Christmas at Europe’s biggest indoor market, please contact the market’s information centre on 0113 3781950 or email markets@leeds.gov.uk, or to book a guided M&S trail please contact 0208 7182800 or e-mail companyarchive@marksandspencer.com

Thursday, 1 August 2013

Attention to all Bus and Coach operators.....

We are running a brand new competition starting in the September issue of Coach Tours UK. We are looking for bus and coach operators throughout the UK and Europe to send in pictures of your coaches out and about visiting attractions. All you need to do to enter is send us a picture to our twitter account @coach_toursuk by the 9th August. The best picture received will be printed in the September issue, good luck !!!! #ctukpicsontour

Cadbury World....

Cadbury World is a popular attraction based in the historic village of Bournville, Birmingham. It has 14 amazing zones offering groups a fun day out to discover the magic and making of Cadbury chocolate. There’s so much to see and do for visitors of all ages; from uncovering the fascinating story of Cadbury chocolate to playing in chocolate rain and having warm liquid Cadbury Dairy Milk poured over your favorite treat.

Groups will discover the origins of the cocoa bean amidst trees and waterfalls in the Aztec Jungle, before jumping on board the magical Cadabra ride and meeting the famous Cadbury drumming gorilla. They’ll have the chance to walk through a full scale replica of Bull Street where John Cadbury opened his first shop in 1824. Here they’ll be greeted by one of Cadbury World’s Victorian and Georgian characters before finding out how the Cadbury business began and what makes Cadbury chocolate so delicious.

Cadbury World’s in-house chocolatiers use around 12,000kg of chocolate every year to create limited edition and seasonal novelty products available exclusively from the on-site shop. Visitors can watch these creations being made and decorated in the Chocolate Making zone, and will also see demonstrations of traditional chocolate making skills.

Special discounted entry rates for groups of 15 or more are offered with free coach parking, plus admission and a complimentary meal for one driver all included. Organisers of groups of 20 or more will also receive free admission for the group organiser. For brochures and booking enquiries, please visit www.cadburyworld.co.uk or call 0844 880 7667. Follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CadburyWorldUK or Twitter @CadburyWorld.

Duchess of Cleveland walled garden open to public.....

Groups visiting 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield can now see the newly replanted Duchess of Cleveland walled garden, which has just opened to the public.  

As well as creating a tranquil garden for visitors to enjoy, with fruit trees, wildflowers and bees, the walled garden provides a glimpse into a lesser known time in Battle Abbey’s history; when it was lived in as a country house estate. The Duchess of Cleveland lived at the Abbey from 1858 and jealously guarded the walled garden as her own private space.

Sixteen apple varieties, including 'Golden Pippin' which originated in Sussex in 1629 and 'Alfriston', a favourite Victorian exhibition variety, have been planted, as well as cherry, quince, medlar and nine varieties of pear.  Grasses and wildflowers native to the Weald area such as knapweed, yarrow and oxeye daisy have been introduced to enhance the grassland,   and spring bulbs have been planted. Victorian style bee-hives have been installed, with bees being introduced later in the summer to complete the ecosystem of the garden.

Dawn Champion, English Heritage Area Manager comments: “We hope that by reopening the walled garden we have added a new dimension to the visitor experience, to give everyone the opportunity to pause and reflect, and to enjoy Battle Abbey not just for its history, but its beauty and atmosphere as well.” TEL: 01424 776791.