Castlebridge Hospitality has signed a management agreement with Hotel Exe Limited to open and operate the new Hotel Indigo Exeter. Castlebridge Hospitality was selected as operating partner following its recent success in opening and operating its own three leading UK...

As southern Wales continues its drive to attract groups, it's switching to socially distanced methods of targeting coach and tour operators. For the past seven years Southern Wales Tourism has co-ordinated regular sales missions, fact finding visits and ‘meet the...

Discover England-funded ‘Connections’ has developed 40 new and updated ancestral, WWII and migration bookable tours to encourage both domestic and international visitors to experience more of real England. The purpose of the project - running in partnership with Visit...

Shakespeare Distillery has launched a new and unique white rum - ‘Jester’ - to accompany its portfolio of handcrafted premium products. The independent artisan spirit producer, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, has been distilling gin for the past five years on its...

Group visits to more than 80 of English Heritage’s historic attractions countrywide will once again be possible from 17 May, provided the country successfully passes each milestone on the government’s roadmap.  They include Tintagel Castle (pictured here), Stonehenge...

Group travel organisers are invited to discover Coventry this summer on a special fam trip organised by Harry Shaw Group Travel. The three-day, two-night trip, run in partnership with Visit Coventry, takes place from Monday 21st June and costs £129 per person. The...

One of the UK’s top tourist destinations has surveyed the travel trade to ask them about bringing groups and coaches to their area. The survey took place over two weeks in February 2021 and the initial findings show that this year could, after all, be a bumper year...

Visit Wales has strengthened its relationship with the Coach Tourism Association (CTA) by becoming a new Partner Member. The importance of working together on tourism issues and opportunities for Wales in the coach operating sector has been highlighted during the...

The Group Buyer Forum event at Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, Surrey has been rescheduled to a new date of Monday 24th May. The original date had been Monday 8th March, but the national lockdown and COVID restrictions have encouraged the organisers to plan further...

Despite 2020 being the year museums and heritage sites closed their doors, Waddesdon, the Rothschild House and Gardens in Buckinghamshire, received unprecedented levels of support from virtual visitors. A huge 20,000 people took a virtual tour of the French-inspired...

Cumbria and its appeal to groups will be under the microscope during February when tourism businesses come face to face with tour planners from around the UK – and they’re all socially distanced. These businesses include iconic attractions such as Muncaster Castle,...

Daish’s Holidays is celebrating three national awards and the successful acquisition of Robinsons Holidays in what has been a challenging and turbulent year for the travel and tourism industry. Back in summer, the travel operator received national recognition in the...

Visitors to Hever Castle in Kent have raised more than £13,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity) over the Christmas period. Visitors were able to donate to GOSH Charity when pre-booking tickets online as well as buy a special Peter Pan...

The Coach Tourism Association (CTA) has appointed a new Chair, Robert Shaw, who has taken over from outgoing Chair John Wales. Following a board meeting earlier this month, the CTA has also announced the appointment of two new board members, Emma Russell from Alfa...

Hatton Shopping Village, the quintessentially English destination in Warwickshire, is welcoming several new businesses to complement its mix of 20 unique and independent retailers as Christmas approaches: Boo & Bear, Elrosé Clothing, Hatton Ceramics, Big Paws for...

Qualified City of Westminster guide Rosemary Barnes launches her new guided Christmas lights tours in the West End this week (December 4th). The two-hour tour by coach visits The Strand, Regent Street, Oxford Street, Sloane Square and King's Road. At the end there is...

Let your 2021 begin with a little sparkle with news that Waddesdon’s hugely popular Winter Light programme has now been extended throughout January. The November lockdown has meant the first two weeks of Winter Light, part of this year’s Christmas at Waddesdon, have...

The British Motor Museum has been selected as one of three finalists in the 'Collection' category in this year’s Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards. The annual awards recognise outstanding achievements within the British historic motoring and motorsport world. The...

It's been announced that the Stratford Literary Festival Winter Weekend will now take place online. Between November 20-25, audiences will be able to access an extensive programme of events on the festival’s website, www.stratlitfest.co.uk Highlights include...

Visitors to Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens this Christmas can experience an ‘illuminated spectacular’ – an after-dark winter light trail over three consecutive weekends in December. The gardens will be lit up with light displays and projections onto the historic...

“The coach and group travel industries are desperately trying to cling on by arranging tours and excursions to UK attractions. But tour planners still trying to make a living are finding that one crucial piece in the tour jigsaw is often not available – attractions!”...

One of the top attractions in the south east of England welcomed groups back earlier this month. Painshill in Cobham, Surrey, received visits from specially invited coach and tour operators and group travel organisers to its special Painshill Experience Day. The 18th...

Group travel organisers from across the UK visited Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens in West Sussex this week for a preview of the estate’s 2021 programme. Described as ‘the finest woodland gardens in England’ the estate is renowned internationally for its year-round...

This Halloween you’ll only find treats at Monkey World in Dorset – no tricks – as on the 31st October staff are giving away a free PLAYinChoc box to every child in full Halloween fancy dress. Each ToyChoc box has chocolates, an endangered animal puzzle to build and an...

Members of Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens near Horsham in West Sussex celebrated the first harvest of the vineyard earlier this month, planted on the Grade I Listed gardens’ estate. The 15 hectares of vineyards at Leonardslee, and sister property Mannings Heath Golf...

Ian Stuart, of Stuart Line Cruises in Exmouth, has very sadly passed away at the age of 56. Stuart Line Cruises was founded in 1968 by Ian’s father, Tony. He operated a small wooden 52-seater boat called ‘Seacrest’ from Exmouth seafront and became well known locally...

Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm is urging its visitors to comply with Government regulations and wear a face covering when visiting the farm. It is the law in England that face coverings should be worn inside indoor visitor attractions.   The team have worked hard...

Tour operators, group travel organisers and the UK travel trade are to be invited along on a virtual road trip in Bridgend County, Southern Wales. Because of the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Destination Management Team there are offering tour planners an...

One of the north west’s most popular retail coach stops is re-opening its doors to groups and coaches. The team at Ena Mill Retail in the Lancashire town of Atherton, Greater Manchester, are looking forward to welcoming back these important customers to its historic...

One of the country’s leading tourist attractions is to welcome groups back again – and Painshill Park in Cobham, Surrey is celebrating with a special re-launch event for coach and tour operators, group travel organisers and inbound operators on Monday 19th October. An...

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has unveiled its plans to have three of the fleet ‘back in the water’ in March and April 2021, with Balmoral to sail even sooner. The company’s two new ships, Bolette and Borealis, will take on the existing itineraries for Boudicca and Black...

Christmas at Waddesdon is back for 2020 with magical lights as well as a 30-day Christmas fair. The house is not open due to social distancing protocols, but instead an outdoor Winter Light experience will be created. To make the most of the Winter Light programme,...

English Heritage has re-opened six of its most popular attractions for pre-booked travel trade and group visits. They join Stonehenge, which has now been successfully welcoming pre-booked groups since early July. The charity has introduced a central booking system,...

East Cambridgeshire District Council has launched a new website to help visitors plan their ‘staycation’ in the district this summer – www.exploreeastcambs.co.uk With staying in the UK considered the safest option this summer, the Explore East Cambs interactive...

Brand new for the Christmas season in December this year, the award-winning South Devon Railway (SDR) will be welcoming Polar Express trains to the seven-mile heritage steam line. Held in partnership with UK-based PNP Events Ltd - who describe The Polar Express...

One of the country’s top fish and chip restaurants is to welcome back groups – and there’s never been a better time to book a group visit. The Olympus Fish and Chip Restaurant in Bolton, Lancashire has for long been a true destination for groups of coach parties...

Staff at West Midland Safari Park have been busy behind the scenes in a bid to make an impact on rhino conservation. The park is home to a ‘crash’ of southern white rhinos, which are part of an EEP (European Endangered Species Programme). This is a collaboration...

With the Netherlands now confirmed as a quarantine-free destination for UK travellers, there’s no better place to spend quality time with the family than at Efteling – the fairytale theme park in the south of Holland. Until 30 August, Efteling is celebrating the...

Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm will celebrate its 35th birthday this Friday (24 July) – and although the celebrations will be low key, the gates will be open to warmly welcome visitors back. The attraction reopened safely on 4 July in accordance with COVID-19...

Hever Castle in Kent has been awarded the VisitEngland We’re Good to Go industry standard, confirming it is adhering to the Government’s COVID-19 re-opening guidance. We’re Good to Go status has been award to Hever Castle & Gardens, Hever Castle Venue &...

As people and businesses tentatively expand their post-lockdown horizons, one north Lancashire heritage attraction has been putting itself through a testing time – deliberately. Leighton Hall, just north of Lancaster near Carnforth, joined forces with the staff of...

After the Covid-19 forced lockdown, Yorkshire tourism is taking its first tentative steps to normality. Many attractions, such as stately homes and gardens, are opening up, and Yorkshire is expected to benefit from a surge in domestic tourism. Yorkshire Blue Badge...

Airedale Tours has launched its 2021 brochure and biggest ever programme, with over 40 new tour ideas for groups in the UK, Europe and beyond. Commercial Director Rob Carroll explains: “All the Airedale favourites are there, but we have expanded our selection to...

Having received its 'Good to Go' industry standard mark from VisitEngland, the British Motor Museum will reopen on Saturday 4 July and is looking forward to welcoming visitors back through its doors. As part of a phased reopening plan the Museum will be open from...

Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm has announced that it's to re-open on 4 July in accordance with COVID-19 Government guidelines and social distancing measures. Since the Butterfly Farm temporarily closed, the team have worked hard to ensure best procedure is in...