North West

Strawberr y Fiel d www straw berr yf ieldliverpool com/ visiting-us-d uring-cor ona virus

Strawberry Field is an inspirational heritage attraction, immortalised by John Lennon in The Beatles hit Strawberry Fields Forever, which opened in September 2019. The attraction, which has achieved the Good to Go’ accreditation, and its famous garden and new exhibition welcomes prebooked groups.

One of The Guardian’s ‘Fab Finds of the Year’, Strawberry Field won ‘Tourist Attraction of The Year’ at the inaugural Staycation Awards.

Previously the site of a former Salvation Army children’s home, Strawberry Field offers an exciting and emotional visitor exhibition and garden tour with media guides. The interactive exhibition is the place where ‘nothing is real’! Stories are told of the site’s history, John Lennon’s childhood and the writing and recording of the famous song as told by his close friends and family.

Sout hport – a brea th of fresh air

With its wide shopping boulevards, award-winning beach and coastline, spectacular gardens and magnificent pier, Southport has long been recognised as one of the UK’s leading group-friendly destinations.

Now, as GTOs look to reassure their groups and restore confidence in travel, Southport’s mix of wide shopping boulevards and wide open spaces, combined with all the fresh air that goes with being a coastal resort, is proving attractive for an enjoyable and safe day out.

Enjoy a walk along the pier or by Marine Lake, or a stroll on the beach, then relax in beautiful King’s Gardens. Discover Lord Street, the unique Victorian-canopied, tree-lined shopping boulevard, and enjoy Southport’s famous outdoor café culture.

Adding to the town’s vibrant food scene, 2021 sees the opening of the new Southport Market, a purpose-built food hall that will champion local artisan suppliers.

Combine time in the town with visits to Crosby Beach and Anthony Gormley’s worldfamous art installation ‘Another Place’, 100 iron lifesize statues staring out to sea. Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) offers 800 acres of wide open space to see rare birds and pink flamingos. Visit historic Churchtown with its thatched roof cottages, and the nearby Botanic Gardens.

Coaches can drop off right in the heart of the town, and there’s a purpose-built, secure coach park with a whole day’s parking for just £5.

For more information, go to www.vis itsouthport.com, or email Steve Christian, destination development manager, at st eve chri stia n@sefton gov uk

Ludl ow Farm Shop www

The Ludlow Farmshop – a oneof-a-kind shopping environment where farming, passion for great food and retail come together to create an awardwinning experience.

They are part of the Earl of Plymouth’s Oakly Park Estate which extends to 8,000 acres of Shropshire countryside of which they farm 6,500 acres. All of their beef, lamb and Gloucester Old Spot pork comes from their own farm along with the milk used to make their cheese and dairy products. They have a herd of wild fallow deer and a bountiful supply of wild game at certain times of year.

You can buy from them, eat with them and stay with them–iit’s really up to you!

Take your gr oup to St ra tfordupon-Avon for outsta nding t hea tre, fa scinati ng exhib itions, g uided theatre tours

PE RFORMANCES

Performing the works of Shakespeare, his contemporaries and new writing all year round at their home in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Gr oup p rices

10+ pay £39.50 per ticket

(Royal Shakespeare Theatre) or £29.50 per ticket (Swan Theatre) 50+ pay £37.50 per ticket

(Royal Shakespeare Theatre) or £27.50 per ticket (Swan Theatre) 100+ pay £34.50 per ticket

(Royal Shakespeare Theatre) or £24.50 per ticket (Swan Theatre) 200+ please contact them to discuss your booking www.rsc.org.uk

Group ticket discounts are available on Premium price, A price and B price seats for Monday to Friday performances.

The d e Havil land Ai rcra ft Museum welcomes g roup vis its

NEW -Exclusive

Comet Jet airliner Group Toursnow available

The tours are an opportunity to discover why the Comet was such an innovative aircraft, the challenges of early jet air travel and how the Comet was developed to become a very successful airliner.

The expert Museum staff will be hosting exclusive group tours of the interior of the Comet 1a and Comet 4 simulator for up to 5* visitors every Saturday.

PLUS- They regularly host groups from U3A, Rotary Clubs, Cubs, Brownies and Scouts, Classic Car Clubs, Motorbike Clubs, visitors from overseas as well as Birthday parties for all ages, Reunions and Club and Company visits.

Group visits are specialized 2 hour guided tours of the

Museum by the Curator, who provides a personal insight into the work of the Museum and its Collection. The tour includes hot or cold drinks and light refreshments.

Group Day Visits during the Open Season – £18.00 per person

Group Evening visits during open season – £25.00 per person

Group visits during closed season or on a day when the museum is closed during the open season – £30.00 per person

For Gr oup v isits cont act the Genera l M anag er – e-ma il Aeroshop@d eha villa ndmuseu m.co.uk www dehavi lland mus eum co uk /vi sit-us/g roup-vis its/

Canterb ur y Cat hed ra lWelcoming Gr oup s B ack with New E xperiences

Canterbury Cathedral is the jewel in Kent’s crown- UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mother Church of the Anglican Communion, and seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. With a tradition of visitor welcome stretching back to medieval pilgrims, the Cathedral is again opening its doors after lockdown to greet today’s travellers. Inside this architectural marvel a wealth of treasures from stunning stained glass to beautiful stonework is waiting to be discovered, while outside, tranquil Precinct gardens or atmospheric Cloisters offer peaceful places to pause and reflect during any visit.

The Cathedral’s stories have helped shape England, from Thomas Becket’s martyrdom through to surviving the Blitz during WW2. With King Henry IV and the Black Prince also entombed here, there is so much to discover, whether you are visiting for the first time or rediscovering this stunning landmark, and your group can share this 1,400-year history. Private guided tours and ‘behind the scenes’ experiences are available to enhance group visits, while new facilities from an exciting Visitor Centre to an enlarged shop ensure there is always more to explore. The Cathedral are also offering groups a unique, bookable Group Welcome on entry, featuring a short introductory talk about the Cathedral’s history and highlighting points of interest to look out for, providing a lowcost way of offering an added-extra for your group.

A guided Precincts Tour is also new for groups this year, featuring a tour of the outdoor spaces and quiet corners of the cloisters, allowing for a relaxed experience. Whatever you choose to see or do, Canterbury Cathedral is sure to be a highlight of your itinerary whenever you visit.

To find out more contact the Cathedral’s Visits team. visit senq uiri es@ ca nterbur y-ca thedral.org

Milestones

From cobbled streets, teddy bears to vintage vehicles, there is so much for everyone to see, do and enjoy at Milestones, Hampshire’s museum of living history!

Life in Hampshire past Milestones tells the story of how people used to live, the things they used and the work they did. The maze of Victorian and 1930s streets is packed with shops, factories and houses, most based on original buildings from in and around Basingstoke. www.mi les tonesmuseum.org.uk

If your group enjoys shopping, you’ll discover what the high street was like before the arrival of chain stores: the milliner, saddler and ironmonger all offer a glimpse into shopping habits of the past. While you are at the museum, you’ll bump into one of their costumed interpreters. Dressed in authentic period costume, you may find them telling a story about the past, playing a record in the gramophone shop or even serving a pint in the Baverstock Arms!

Discounted prices are available for groups of 15 or more visiting at the same time.

An award winni ng ind ep end ent mus eum wit h remarka ble collections of nat ura l his tor y, huma n hi stor y a nd geology

The Museum offers a lively programme of events and

BOOK YOUR GROUP NOW!

A fascinating living history museum with Victorian streets, shops from the past, vintage vehicles, working pub, costumed characters and more!

• Discounts for pre-booked groups of 15+

• Special packages available

• Welcoming café with a wide selection of refreshments