Be sure to visit Chesterfield......

Coach Friendly Chesterfield

We are proud that Chesterfield has become the first coach friendly town in the East Midlands. The award, presented by the Confederation of Passenger Transport, recognises towns and cities which offer excellent services for coach parties.  The criteria includes: providing a coach drivers’ rest room, coach parking, set down and pick up points and staff who can be on hand to deal with any problems. 

After gaining this award, we went on to win the Coach Friendly Town category of the Coach Tourism Awards 2013.Chesterfield can offer coaches free parking and set down and pickup points at the town’s coach station, as well as a rest room for drivers. Coaches should book in advance through Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre, in Rykneld Square (Tel: 01246 345777/8). 

We are able to offer a free ‘meet and greet’ service; this includes a welcome pack with a Chesterfield mini guide, town centre map, a list of coffee shops and eating places, directions to the nearest toilets and the town’s famous market, and a ‘what’s on today’ print out. Drivers aren’t forgotten as they get £10 of vouchers to spend on the Market, courtesy of Chesterfield’s Market Traders Federation.The Visitor Information Centre can also book audio trails, town walking tours and even a trip up the Tower of Chesterfield’s ‘Crooked Spire’ Church, on behalf of coach parties.

The town is surrounded by major attractions including Chatsworth, Hardwick Hall and the Peak District, so can be included in a range of coach tours.  Several suggested itineraries are provided by the Visitor Information Centre, plus a list of events in town, such as the popular Medieval Market in July, that make Chesterfield a great place for a group visit throughout the year. For more information please visit www.visitchesterfield.info

Article Supplied by Visit Chesterfield

Talyllyn Railway, the perfect Welsh day out.....

The Talyllyn Railway is the ideal Welsh day out. Our friendly staff and volunteers will welcome groups to the spectacular and beautiful scenery where the southern slopes of Snowdonia meet the sea on the Mid Wales coast of Cardigan Bay. Your narrow gauge steam train dates back to the 1860s and will transport you in comfort from Tywyn inland nearly 8 miles. In need of refreshment or a souvenir? We have well stocked licensed cafés and shops at Tywyn and Abergynolwyn. There are facilities for wheelchairs on almost all our trains, and there are accessible toilets. The Talyllyn railway was the first railway in the world to be preserved in 1951. Ever since it has been run mainly by volunteers, whose enthusiasm is infectious. They will always find time to chat, even perhaps to show our visitors the workings of the immaculate steam engine at the head of the train.

Want to have a look at our signal box? Just ask! There is a fantastic Narrow Gauge Railway Museum at Tywyn, where the story of the little railways throughout the UK can be enjoyed. There is free coach parking and free driver hospitality too. We also offer free group reservations on our trains. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

For more information contact the Railway on:- TEL: 01654 710472 This article has been supplied by Talyllyn Railway.

Talyllyn Railway, Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9EY

www.talyllyn.co.uk

Coach Tours UK has moved offices.....

Coach Tours UK Magazine has now re-located to our new offices in Peterborough, as such we now have a new postal address and contact telephone number. Please contact us on the following:-

Coach Tours UK Magazine

AT Graphics LTD,

4 Milnyard Square,

Orton Southgate,

Peterborough,

Cambs,

PE2 6GX

Tel: 01733 362 300

Email: matt@coachtoursuk.com

Take your group to Alford Manor House.....

Alford Manor House is situated within 200metres of Alford Town centre and market place. SATNAV LN13 9EP. Coaches can be accommodated in our car park, but it may be easier for the larger vehicles to drop off and pick up outside the house.

Reputedly the largest thatched manor house in the country, the House was built to a traditional H plan in 1611. It is a very rare example of a composite structure, featuring a wooden frame  encased in brick.

The Ground floor and first floor rooms feature design interventions from Georgian through to Victorian times, whilst the attic floor is virtually untouched since 1611.

Group visits can be given a guided tour of the house. Some rooms are furnished, whilst many feature the design, build and decoration of the period determined from the extensive refurbishment completed in 2006. Self-guided tours are also available.The Hackett Barn rural life museum has an extensive range of artefacts showing rural Lincolnshire life over the last centuries. Our enthusiastic volunteer guides, some of whom used the equipment during their working lives, can explain how the equipment was used.

The walled garden (about one acre), although not extensive, was awarded the Judges Prize in the East Midlands section of the Britain in Bloom competition, and features Heritage varieties of Apple and a local species of garden pea, not commercially available, as well as flower and herb borders. Finally our tea room service can provide light refreshments and / or light lunches for groups if pre-booked. To obtain further information please phone 01507 463073 and ask for Janett, or email info@alfordmanorhouse .co.uk.

Website: www.alfordmanorhouse.co.uk

Article Supplied by Alford Manor House