Take your group to the home of Wedgwood.....

The Home of Wedgwood......

Set in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside, Wedgwood Visitor Centre and Museum combine to offer ‘something for everyone’, and is the ideal venue for a quick shop and coffee break or a full day excursion.

Factory Tours provide a genuine glimpse into the wonderful world of Wedgwood ceramics.  It’s here where visitors can watch the master craftsmen as they create iconic Jasper pieces, fine bone china tableware and many products from the prestige catalogue. The Master Ceramic Experience, meanwhile, provides a great hands-on opportunity for visitors of all ages - making, decorating and even throwing their very own piece of pottery.  Visitors are positively encouraged to roll up their shirt-sleeves and “have a go” at mastering the skill and craft of ceramic making for themselves!

The award-winning Wedgwood Museum captures the story of more than 250 years of Josiah Wedgwood and his unique Company.  The self-guided, interactive tour takes a journey of discovery through the eye-catching artefacts and exhibits that have shaped the English ceramic industry, for centuries.The day-out continues at The Wedgwood Restaurant, which is renowned for its range of speciality main courses, light lunches and snacks, and naturally everything is served up on Wedgwood’s finest bone china!

And of course, no visit would be complete without spending some time (and some cash!) in the Retail Store and Factory Outlet Shop. Together, these boast the largest selection of tabletop, crystal and gift products by all our brands including Wedgwood, Waterford Crystal, Royal Albert and Royal Doulton - with permanent discounts of up to 75%, and seasonal sales. Open seven days a week with free coach parking, Wedgwood is just 10 minutes from Junction 15 of the M6.  Don’t forget to take advantage of driver and organiser incentives.

Visit www.wedgwoodvisitorcentre.com for further details.

Article Supplied by Wedgwood

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

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

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!

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

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.