MAY 2014
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Amazing Animals The best Zoological attractions from across the UK
STADIUM CITY The sporting legacy of the British capital
TO THE EDGE OF ENGLAND
Touring in the South West
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PLUS
● Let The Right One In – Theatre Review ● Afternoon Tea Locations
NEWS...
Dorchester Record Year I Can’t Sing flops at the Collection for Royal boycott Albert Hall West End
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EDITOR’S LETTER
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Titus Adronicus at the Globe might leave you feeling faint
Threatening theatre
T
his month I was made very aware of the effectiveness of graphic violence on the stage when I went to see Let The Right One In at the London Apollo. Good grief. I don’t try to hide the fact that I’m pretty squeamish, but seeing throats cut and vampires with mouths dripping with blood as they attacked their victims live on the stage had more of an impact on me than any slasher film I’ve ever seen. I can watch violent films and TV shows without much of an issue because I’m very aware that what I’m seeing isn’t real, but seeing it live is on a whole new level. By the sounds of things, I’m not alone, with many people struggling to get through the Globe Theatre’s Titus Andronicus on opening night without fainting or needing to leave for a breath of fresh air. I’ve seen live productions of Hamlet before, but the wounds and murder were implied rather than depicted in all their graphic and horrific detail. I find it hard to imagine anything more intense on the stage than seeing people appear to kill
and maim each other right in front of you. I think it’s a testament to how real some of these productions are nowadays that you need to have a strong stomach to watch them. It really made Let The Right One In command respect as there’s no getting away from how dangerous the vampires in the story are, even though it’s about so much more than that. Take a look at my review on page 36 if you’d like to read more. I doubt I’ll be willingly watching a production like either of these examples again – it sounds like I’d be putting myself through quite an ordeal to do so – but if you don’t have a borderline bloodphobia like me I would highly recommend it. The on stage violence doesn’t feel completely gratuitous like it does in many modern day films, to the point it becomes impossible to take seriously and there is no rope strong enough to suspend your disbelief. It instead feels like a reminder of how savage these events really are. James Day — Production Editor May 2014 l Group Travel World
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IN THIS ISSUE
6 17 22 31 34 36 38 42 45
NEWS
Current affairs within the world of travel and tourism
AFTERNOON TEA
A tasty selection of afternoon tea events handy for groups
SOUTH WEST
Regional feature outlining popular attractions for groups in the area
WEIRD & WACKY
A glimpse at some of the most memorable attractions to visit within the UK
THEATRE NEWS
The latest theatre news and stories
THEATRE REVIEWS
A detailed review of Let The Right One In
THEATRE LISTINGS
Information regarding regional theatre and current West End shows
TICKETMASTER
An interview with actor Robert Lindsay
LONDON & PARTNERS
Latest tourism developments within the capital
46 54 56 63 66 68 71 72 74
SPORTS IN LONDON
A six page spread examining London’s sports heritage
TEAM ON TOUR
The Crowne Plaza, Royal Albert Hall & Hyde Park
ANIMAL MAGIC
Top animal attractions recommended by the general public
PARIS FOR GROUPS
Hotspots within the French capital
HOTEL REVIEW
Lorraine Jackson reviews the Tylney Hall Hotel in Hampshire
UKINBOUND
An extensive diary of UKinbound’s latest activities
COACH TOURISM COUNCIL
The trade association’s recent news and stories
GTO GRAPEVINE
Useful tips for GTO’s including five of the best
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
An interview with Mark Smith from Best Western Hotels GB
COVER PICTURE: Woburn Safari Park. DAVID ROBB CONTENTS: Dartmouth Steam Train, Paignton, Devon, England. ©VISITBRITAIN/ DAVID CLAPP
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CONTRIBUTORS
Lorraine Jackson
Lorraine Jackson is a subscriptions executive for Group Travel World. She enjoys travel, especially in the United States, and reviewing hotels and restaurants for the magazines. Her hobbies include visiting art galleries and reading non-fiction.
www.grouptravelworld.com
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Amy O’ Donovan
Amy O’Donovan is the marketing & events executive for UKinbound and will be contributing their monthly page to Group Travel World magazine. She previously worked for Tourism Ireland in Madrid and is fluent in Spanish. Her hobbies include travel, history, culture and sport.
Holly Cave
Holly studied biology at university, but after realising she couldn’t cut the head off a cockroach, trained as a science writer. After swapping cramped tube journeys for sweltering bus trips around the world in 2010, Holly also started writing about travel and blogs at Travel Each Day.
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NEWS
Boycott against Dorchester Travels... Collection hotel chain Tidbit ●
Several companies and celebrities announce their boycott of the chain because of ties to the Sultanate of Brunei and its recent instatement of Sharia law
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A boycott is underway against the Dorchester Collection hotel chain, which is owned by the Brunei Investment Agency, a branch of the Ministry of Finance in Brunei. The boycott follows the introduction of Sharia law in the small Asian country, which imposed the penalty of death by stoning for homosexuality on May 1, in the place of a 10 year prison sentence. The protests have had a number of high profile backers. The Oscars Night Before party, which was due to be held at the chain’s Beverly Hills Hotel, was moved after organisers said there was ‘deep concern’ about the introduction of the Sharia law. Virgin CEO Richard Branson tweeted: “No @Virgin employee, nor our family, will stay at Dorchester Hotels until the Sultan abides by basic human rights.” A number of high profile celebrities, such as Stephen Fry, Sharon Osbourne and Jay Leno, and a number
From July 19, 2014, to mark the Centenary of the First World War, Imperial War Museum (IWM) London will open ground-breaking new First World War Galleries as well as revealing the new, reconfigured Atrium with its large object displays. Two new art shows are opening; the major First World War art exhibition, Truth and Memory featuring over 130 works as well as IWM Contemporary: Mark Neville. IWM London will also have three new shops and a new museum café. Finnish festival Flow takes place from August 8-10 at Helsinki’s iconic Suvilahti - in the shadows of a disused power station. Flow truly embraces its penchant for urban spaces and modern art, with the venue setting it aside as one of the most exciting and innovative festivals of the summer. Now in its 11th year, the festival includes headliners Outkast, The Horrors and Pusha T.
The Shard to offer group rates The View from The Shard, the visitor attraction at the top of Western Europe’s tallest building, has launched a range of exclusive offers for group travel operators. A discounted group rate is now available for parties of 15 or more, at a rate of £22.46 per person. A number of other group options are also available as this spring comes to an end. For an additional £10 each during May half-term from May 26 – June 1, 2014, children’s goody bags can be included. Goody bags contain The View from The Shard’s own branded Official Kids Guidebook, coloured pencil set and constructionhelmet pencil sharpener. A ticket plus glass of 6
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champagne for European Mother’s Day is available at £29.50pp on May 29, 2014, allowing visitors to enjoy a glass of bubbly from London’s highest bar on Level 69 of The Shard. Visitors can also save 30% on ‘The Tallest Tower: Building The Shard’ DVD on Father’s Day. The DVDs can be purchased for £8.00 each (along with the standard group ticket rate). The offer is of course valid on Father’s Day bookings (Sunday, June 15, 2014). The Channel 4 in-depth documentary reveals the story of one man’s desire to leave a lasting landmark on the capital with 100,000 tonnes of concrete and 11,468 glass panels.
of fashion designers have also condemned the move. The mayor of Beverley Hills, Lili Bosse, also got involved, urging the city council to condemn Brunei’s new laws and wishing to force the Dorchester Collection to sell its Beverley Hills hotel. The council unanimously passed a resolution condemning the sultanate, but were undecided on whether to support the boycott itself. Website www.cruise.co.uk has also joined the boycott, calling the law something which was barbaric 1,500 years ago. Managing Director Seamus Conlon said: “Nothing brings people together more than travel. This is one of the core philosophies of our business and something like this is anathema to that principal. As soon as we heard this news there was only ever one course of action we could take.” The site said that any guests asking to book one of the hotels will be politely told why the request cannot be fulfilled and offered an alternative. According to Women’s Wear Daily, a response was received form a spokesperson for the Dorchester Collection. It said:
“We are aware that many variations of Sharia law are practiced in many countries throughout the world and these countries have diverse business interests including fashion, hospitality and travel groups, media, entertainment, banking and many other sectors. “We are sensitive to the fact that any such potential withdrawal of business directly impacts our employees, who represent the full diversity of society. Our loyal and dedicated employees have no involvement in this religious and political issue. “We continue to abide by the laws of the countries we operate in and do not tolerate any form of discrimination of any kind. The laws that exist in other countries outside of where Dorchester Collection operates do not affect the policies that govern how we run our hotels. Dorchester Collection’s code, endorsed by the company’s ownership, emphasizes equality, respect and integrity in all areas of our operation, and strongly values people and cultural diversity amongst our guests and employees.”
The Shard is currently the tallest building in western Europe
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Disneyland Paris prepares Ratatouille attraction Disneyland Paris has unveiled the first visual and video trailer of the Ratatouille themed mini-land which will open this summer in its Walt Disney Studios park. The Oscar-winning Disney Pixar film tells the tale of Rémy, a young rat who has amazing talents in the kitchen and dreams of one day becoming a great chef. This leads to a fun but perilous journey that eventually lands him as the head chef of one of the most famous restaurants in Paris. On the attraction Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy, guests shrink down to the size of a rat and join Rémy and his friends as they scurry through the kitchen, dining room, and walls of Gusteau’s famous Parisian restaurant, while trying to avoid the nemesis from the film, Chef Skinner. The attraction is located in
l a m i n A of the
The ‘mini-land’ is the fourth attraction at the park inspired by a Pixar film
a new corner of the park’s Toon Studio which has been transformed into a Ratatouilleinspired version of the City of Light. In addition to the attraction, this mini-land also features a shop and a rat-scale themed table service restaurant, Bistrot Chez Rémy. The restaurant,
which is the only one of its kind across Disney Parks worldwide, is directly adjacent to the attraction and serves the Rémy’s famous dish, ratatouille. Ratatouille will be the fourth attraction at the Walt Disney Studios park inspired by a Disney Pixar film.
h t n o M
A baby elephant is the latest addition and now on show at Twycross Zoo in the Midlands. In the early hours of the morning on March 4, 18 year old Noorjahan, one of Zoo’s four Asian elephants, gave birth to a healthy female calf after a 22-month long pregnancy. Dr Charlotte Macdonald, Head of Life Sciences, said: “The calf was born at approximately 0230hrs and was up on its feet after a matter of minutes. The infant has bonded very well with mum, who is doing an exceptional job of taking care of her.” The young calf will suckle an incredible 11-litres of milk a day from her mother until she is approximately 12-months old, after which she will also begin to take solids such as vegetables, fruit and hay. When she reaches adulthood, just like her mum, she will be munching her way through four bales of hay, several buckets of vegetables and fruit and numerous gallons
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of water a day to wash it all down! Sarah Chapman, Head of Veterinary Services, commented: “We have a natural all female family herd at Twycross and so Noorjahan was artificially inseminated. “This birth was another herd birth at Twycross Zoo with the mother having access to different substrates and lots of space, with the rest of the herd close at hand for support. The herd’s behaviour was monitored by the vet and animal teams via CCTV and it was good to see that all members of the herd were very excited by the new arrival and very interested in the infant. “The birth was very quick
which is great for both Noorjahan and the calf. The calf was able to stand with the help of her mother and the fact she was on a deep bed of sand helped her soft feet to grip for her to take her first steps. All the females continue to take a huge interest in the calf and are very protective of her. This is perfectly natural, with Aunties playing a very important ‘babysitting’ role in the natural herd structure.” Asian elephants are classified as an ‘endangered’ species on the IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species, and their numbers in the wild are suffering severely due to habitat destruction and poaching.
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NEWS
Best year ever for Royal Albert Hall Venue records highest ever operting surplus, with income up more than 10% on previous year London’s Royal Albert Hall enjoyed a superb 2013, posting record audience numbers of 1.71m and operating income of £18.6m, up 10.4% on the previous year. The figures represent the most successful year of trading in the venue’s 143-year history, with 390 events driving a 7% increase in audiences. The venue recorded its highest ever operating surplus of £5.3m. The Hall’s own promotions – which included performances of Carmen, Swan Lake and live orchestral accompaniment to films including Fantasia and Singin’ in the Rain – generated £600,000 more in ticket sales than in 2012. New sponsors saw income support from businesses rise by 27% to £1.7m. More than £1.8m was contributed by the venue’s members’ scheme, with refurbishment
and improvement costs for the grade I-listed building during the year of almost £8m. The release of the figures coincides with the unveiling a new large-scale mural by artist Peter Blake, featuring more than 400 artists who have performed in the hall since it was first opened in 1871. The venue’s Chief Operating Officer Jasper Hope said: “I’m enormously proud that our continued financial success is allowing us to build upon Prince Albert’s legacy for the Hall to be a leading showcase for the arts and sciences. “By encouraging more visitors through our doors we’re raising vital revenues to support the maintenance and running costs of this iconic venue, as well as enabling us to plan for ambitious new development projects to take us beyond our 150th anniversary, all the while offering a global stage for an annual calendar of world-class performances.”
The hall is much more than just a home for the BBC Proms. Read more on p54 of this issue. PAUL KHERA
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Early bird discounts available for Excursions 2015 stands Stands at Excursions 2015, the UK’s longest established national group travel show, are now available at a special early bird discounted price until June 27, 2014. Demand for space is expected to be high following this year’s record-breaking show. Visitor numbers were up by over 30% as the show moved into the Great Hall at Alexandra Palace, North London for its 10th anniversary. The free entry exhibition will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 and works in partnership with London & Partners and VisitEngland. It is expected to bring together 300 exhibitors from the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe and more than 1,300 group buyers and inbound/outbound itinerary planners. Attractions,
Museum of Science and Industry names new director Sally MacDonald has been named the new director of Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI). MOSI, which was threatened with closure due to budget cuts in 2013, is part of the Science Museum Group (SMG). SMG’s Director Ian Blatchford said: “We could not have found a better leader for the museum.” Ms MacDonald, who has been University College London’s (UCL) Director of Public and Cultural Engagement since 2006 and will succeed Jean Franczyk, who has been in charge of MOSI since it joined SMG in 2012. Ms MacDonald joins MOSI in the autumn, grew up in the city and called it the most exciting in the UK. She said the museum had made great strides under Ms Franczyk’s expert stewardship. She said: “I’m privileged to be leading the next stage of its development and see tremendous potential for collaboration both with partners in Greater Manchester and across the Science Museum Group.” www.grouptravelworld.com
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show as the best ever. For 2015, we plan to build even more on the visitor quality and quantity ensuring we continue to deliver a high level of positive enquiries and new bookings for exhibitors.” Research from Excursions 2014 confirmed that 39% of visitors attended the show for the first time and 55% will not visit any other UK exhibition. 98% of visitors over the last six years have consistently rated the show as ‘worthwhile’ or ‘very worthwhile’. Excursions is a growing show, which broke attendance records this year
destinations, accommodation providers and tour operators will be showcasing their latest group offers providing fresh ideas for group day trips and shorts breaks across the UK
Frontline Kent website launches Visit Kent has launched a new website focusing on attractions relating to the county’s military history. Mark Dance of Kent County Council joined Amanda Cottrell, Chairman of Visit Kent, at Dover Castle to launch the new Frontline Kent website. The website, www. frontlinekent.co.uk, features itineraries and information for those keen to explore Kent’s wartime social and
and further afield. Joanne Channon, from Tourism South East, said: “Feedback from exhibitors and visitors alike was unanimously positive in declaring this year’s
military history during the centenary of the start of World War One, the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of World War Two, and the 70th anniversary of D Day. Mr Dance said: “Kent has always been the guardian of England and this year’s commemorations give us all a chance to explore our heritage and the tremendous contribution our county and our people made to the two world wars.” Mrs Cottrell said: “There is tremendous interest in uncovering the experiences of people caught up in these major conflicts from
Early bird booking forms are now available via the show’s website www.excursions.org.uk; alternatively contact Joanne Channon at Tourism South East on jchannon@tourismse. com or call 023 8062 5472
at home and overseas. “We have successfully promoted our special Frontline itineraries to travel trade in the US and mainland Europe for the past two years. “Now our new website offers everyone a perfect introduction to this year’s commemorative events and exhibitions alongside destinations right across Kent that contributed to the war efforts. “These include our iconic castles, secret intelligence bases and the historic houses that opened their doors to the wounded returning from overseas.”
Amanda Cottrell and Mark Dance at the launch event
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NEWS
ArcelorMittal Orbit opens The famous icon of 2012 Olympic Games and public sculpture providing spectacular views of the city of London is open to the public It was promised that the games would bring development to Stratford in East London, which would rejuvenate what was once a ‘no-go’ area. E20, previously only a fictional postcode used in the soapopera EastEnders, is now the official postcode of the Olympic area and was created for a new look of the East End of London. The first experience the public got of the revitalised and reinvigorated Stratford was the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre, which received a warm response. In its first year the shopping centre attracted over 50 million customers. The fact that brands such as Apple, Hugo Boss and Lacoste have now adopted the area speak volumes about the power the Olympic development has had on the brand new E20 postcode. The athletes’ village has
almost finished being converted into apartment’s and has been renamed ‘East Village, London E20’. Most of the apartments have already been completed and sold, which is not a surprise given the areas rail and underground links, world standard sports venues, shopping, restaurants, cafes, interactive parks and the ArcelorMittal Orbit, that are now all open to the public. E20 isn’t just for locals, Londoners or athletes to enjoy though. With so many things to do, there are plenty of reasons to bring your group to this brand new area of London. You can visit www. queenelizabetholympicpark. co.uk for a complete overview of what the park has to offer. The best way to top off a trip to the area is with a visit up to the viewing deck of the ArcelorMittal Orbit. The sculpture stands 114.5m high, 22 meters higher than the statue of liberty, and provides views of over 20 miles across London, taking in the City to the west, Crystal Palace to the south and Alexandra Palace to the north. Uniquely, as far as
The orbit is an ideal size for group functions
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views of London go, this one looks back into the centre rather than from the centre outward, which, particularly in the evening when London’s lights turn on, makes for a pretty fantastic city-scape. The ArcelorMittal Orbit was designed by Turner Prize winning artist Sir Anish Kapoor and structural designer Cecil Balmond. The 2,000 tonnes of steel that it took to build the sculpture was provided by Lakshmi Mittal of ArcelorMittal, hence its name. The ArcelorMittal Orbit was conceived in 2009 and won the competition set by Boris Johnson for a sculptural design to sit in the Olympic park. It’s more than a London 2012 icon and a viewing platform; it is also a piece of public art. As with all art, the sculpture is a question of taste. However this huge and impressive sculpture really must be seen in person before it’s judged. Once you’ve arrived in Stratford, you really do begin to appreciate the size of the ArcelorMittal Orbit. As you approach its base you only need to walk a couple of paces The sculpture uses 2,000 tonnes of steel
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The Orbit offers a different view, looking into the city centre instead of outwards
to completely change your perspective of the continually looping and twisting red steel above you. Once you’re truly at the base of the sculpture the experience has already started. Within the red steel spirals, suspended only about a meter above you is a 50 tonne steel bell. The designers created the bell so that your journey through the structure begins in a dark contained space, but once you emerge from the lifts you arrive in much lighter space, stretching as far as the horizon. To complete the experience, visitors are encouraged to come back down to earth via the 455 steps which spiral around the central column, from which you again have a constantly changing perspective of the sculpture. At the top of the ArcelorMittal Orbit there are two indoor viewing decks, one fitted with digital telescopes, and a surrounding outdoor walkway. The venue is designed to accommodate events and offers space for conferences, private parties and corporate events, as well as being licenced for weddings. Right beside the sculpture is a building called The Podium which houses a gift shop and the EastTwenty bar and kitchen serving food and drinks. The bar can also be
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booked as part of an event. Group tickets are on sale and are £6 for children, £12 for adults and £11 for concessions (students and 60 years and over). Standard group prices are available for any group of 15+ individuals booked onto the same timed entry at least five days in advance. The ArcelorMittal Orbit is open daily from 1000 – 1800hrs (last entry 1730hrs) during summer 2014. Group bookings can be made at the on-site café bar and special group prices are available at certain times. For group tickets, contact 0333 600 6099 or tickets@ arcelormittalorbit.com There is a 28 bay coach park in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. For those combining a visit with Westfield Stratford City, there is parking available in the new 20 bay coach park on Westfield Avenue. All coaches visiting Westfield Stratford City must book at least 24 hours in advance by contacting the concierge service: wsconciergeservices@ westfield-uk.com or call 0208 221 7308. The ArcelorMittal Orbit is a 10 minute walk from Stratford – London’s best connected station with fast links to all areas of the capital, the region and Europe. For further information on the ArcelorMittal Orbit, visit www. arcelormittalorbit.com
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NEWS
Coronation Street Tour is a big hit Coach operators are requesting extra allocation to meet demand Coronation Street The Tour is proving to be a popular new attraction with groups and for coach operators with availability being filled daily for the limited run of the tour. Elizabeth Mounser, Group Sales Manager for Continuum Leading Attractions said: “The demand from both the trade and group organisers has been phenomenal and it has been a delight to launch a new product to the trade and to the Continuum portfolio. I would also like to personally thank everyone within the industry for the support they have given us and the feedback and comments which have been fantastic. “I am also pleased to
The tour of the famous set is filling coaches with visitors
announce that we have released more availability and extended opening hours to meet the demand.” The tour officially opened on Saturday, April 5 and part of the tour takes visitors where no member of the public has ever been before. Visitors can walk
through the door to Sound Stage One which houses the green room, the stars dressing rooms and selected interior sets. The venue said feedback from visitors and tour companies has been astounding. Martin Lock from National Holidays said: “We first announced the
possibility of Coronation Street The Tour late last year and the response we received on social media was massive. I have to say it has not disappointed. “From opening day, all of the tours operated have been filled and the reactions from customers have been first class. Tickets are in high demand right through to September both in England and in Scotland, we have even had to request extra allocations. We have all been really impressed with the tour and are enjoying a fantastic relationship with Continuum.” Coaches can drop off their passengers just outside the gate and then move to the coach park a few minutes’ walk away. For more information or to make a booking call 08444 539 000.
Red Funnel’s strong 2014 continues Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferries recorded a strong Easter, with passenger figures up 47% over the Easter week. Passenger numbers over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend were also high. The figures follow a positive first quarter of 2014 for the company, during which it has experienced a 13% increase in traffic year on year. The newly refurbished Red Falcon, holiday offers, and high levels of customer satisfaction were highlighted as contributing factors to the increase in traffic, and Red Funnel is anticipating that the positive trend will continue. Summer bookings are ahead of previous years. Red Funnel said there has been an encouraging take-up of the new £25 deposit scheme, which is available to customers who book their ferry travel and holiday accommodation in advance, with the balance to be paid 30 days before travel. Kevin George, CEO of Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferries said: “2014 has so far been very strong for us and follows an improving trend that started in Q3 last year. We are investing heavily in the onboard 12
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Red Funnel said much of its success was down to high customer satisfaction
experience to ensure that for visitors, an Isle of Wight holiday starts the moment you step on board. “The customer feedback, following our recent £2.2m investment in the new look Red Falcon, has been superb, and we hope to announce further fleet investments this year.” On board the new look Red Falcon, it is possible to buy gifts and souvenirs, obtain tourist information, and buy attraction and event tickets. The Red Falcon also offers dogs and their owners the pet friendly North Lounge. The service includes free WiFi, full air conditioning and a new range of food and drink options, sourced locally wherever possible. Selected crossings also feature live acoustic music and children’s entertainment. www.grouptravelworld.com
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NEWS
City Cruises expands outside London The company acquires a new boat from Blue Line Cruises in Poole City Cruises, a river sightseeing tour company based on the Thames, has confirmed the acquisition of the Solent Scene sightseeing boat from Blue Line Cruises. It is currently operating a number of coastal cruise itineraries in and around Poole Harbour. Recognising the growing demand for ‘staycations’ in the UK, City Cruises looked to Poole, where over three million people visit annually and spend over £20m on attractions alone. The cruises take in some of the most popular tourist sights in the South West, including Sandbanks, Brownsea Island and the Jurassic Coastline. Kyle Haughton, MD City Cruises, said: “For a long time have had the ambition to expand beyond London. This is the first major step and we are grateful for all the support of our trade partners in making this happen. What’s more, we couldn’t be more delighted that it is in such a beautiful location as the South Coast.” Blue Line Cruises, operated by City Cruises Poole, is offering pleasure cruises from Poole Harbour and Swanage, plus special event cruises and private charters. The announcement comes
The acquisition of the Solent Scene marks City Cruises’ first expansion outside London
shortly after City Cruises revealed year-on-year growth of 22%, which allowed for the creation of a new London Thames Circular Cruise and a second Thamesjet RIB, BlueLightning, in the first quarter of this year. Much of these recent successes have been attributed to the extensive trade partnerships developed by the brand.
Scotland’s Famous Grouse Experience Sees £250,000 Investment Established in 1775, The Glenturret Distillery in Crieff, Scotland, has seen its first major upgrade since 2007 in anticipation for this year’s Ryder Cup, to be held in September. Home to one of the country’s favourite Scottish blended whiskies, The Famous Grouse, the popular venue is said to welcome an average of 120,000 visitors per annum and with the £250,000 investment now complete, it will no doubt remain a growing hot spot for groups. The refurbishment has seen a 14
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dramatic change to the venue’s visitor café, as well as its welcome lounge; with tasting experiences having been dramatically transformed. A new tasting bar has been opened to allow visitors a closer view of the whisky blending process, and improvements have been made for corporate and private events, including The Famous Grouse Suite, comfortably tailored to accommodate group businesses. The official refurbishment will be introduced later this month.
The Thames Circular sails from Tower Pier to Westminster and back, with the 45 minute sailing offering views of 45 of London’s most famous landmarks, including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Shakespeare’s Globe and St. Paul’s Cathedral. City Cruises’ heritage vessel, Eleanor Rose, underwent a £250,000 revamp to
accommodate seven sailings a day, offering live commentary for visitors looking to gain a unique insight into the Capital’s history. The Thames Circular is a popular option for groups visiting the Capital. As well as a designated queue and guaranteed boarding time, groups of 20 or more can take advantage of 10% discounts.
Bond and Beyond UK Autumn tour 2014 A concert tour celebrating music from the famous James Bond franchise starts this October. ‘Bond and Beyond’ celebrates the world’s best known secret agent with a concert of iconic music and songs from the franchise. The most memorable of movie music from over five decades will include: From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, Diamonds Are Forever, Live And Let Die, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Licence To Kill, Tomorrow Never Dies and Skyfall.
The London Concert Orchestra will be joined on stage by guest singers Tim Howar and Louise Dearman. Tim is the co-lead singer of Mike & the Mechanics and his musical theatre endeavours include Peggy Sue Got Married, Tonight’s the Night and ‘Rent.’ West End star Louise’s credits include Wicked, Guys and Dolls and Grease. The performance will also include a special tribute to other esteemed detectives and sleuths from film and TV with classic signature tunes such as The Pink Panther, Hawaii Five0, The Sweeney and Poirot. www.grouptravelworld.com
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AFTERNOON TEA
There is an exceptional demand from groups to attend an afternoon tea service at the Houses of Parliament
spot of tea A
S
ipping tea aboard the Bluebell Railway is an ideal activity for avid train lovers, sweetened with the Victorian-style steam engine’s exterior; undoubtedly picturesque, puffing along the meandering country tracks. Guests looking to embark the ‘Wealden Rambler’ tea train will be presented with a cacophony of national and international delights, including a generous selection of sandwiches, shortcakes and fruit bread, irresistibly washed down with a flavoursome Indian Tea. The ‘Lounge Car’ provides a deluxe on board service on select dates throughout the year, making it the ideal gift for any group. Its decorated interior boasts a flamboyant spread, with deep blue’s and fern greens denoting a rather vibrant setting. Rustic charm adds an antiqued vibe which is expected from such an attraction. It is recommended that those interested should book at least two months in advance, with departure dates scheduled up until December 2014. Exclusive discounted rates are available for groups of 15 or more; eligible for coach groups and travel organisations specifically. www.grouptravelworld.com
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A tasty selection of afternoon tea events have been outlined below, handy for groups looking to sink their teeth into a ‘Best of British’ type affair, writes Amy Moore T: 01825 720800 E: info@bluebell-railway.co.uk W: www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/groups Afternoon tea hosted at The Berkeley Hotel is a guaranteed hit with any group visiting, as the venue actively pursues a creative catwalk theme; adding a unique twist to the otherwise traditional ceremonial. Constructed to resemble the latest designs in fashion, the cuisine has been adequately tailored to the season, alternating every six months to provide an efficient service from 1300 to 1730hrs every day. Hosted in the Caramel Room, ‘Prêt-à-Portea’ currently serves a contemporaneous Spring/Summer collection, inclusive of a chocolate pecan skin tote bag and a mango bavarois dress with blueberry compote. Special dietary requirements are recommended to be
given within 24 hours of making the reservation and bookings should be made at least 90 days in advance. A smart dress code is suggested but not enforced, to provide the utmost authentic experience. Why not make it an overnight stay? Parties of 10 people or more are eligible for discounted rates on a generous selection of sophisticated guest rooms. Booking groups can revel in complimentary access to five of the hotels highly commended facilities, with a tailor made gift ready to take away, ensuring a memorable experience for all. T: 020 7107 8866 E: For the ‘Caramel Room’ email dining@the-berkeley.co.uk or for more information email info@the-berkeley. co.uk W: www.the-berkeley.co.uk May 2014 ● Group Travel World
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The cocktail creating class offers something entirely different, using the sweet treats featured in the traditional afternoon tea fare to inject a unique twist to a four course liquid luncheon. AFTERNOON TEA creating class offers something entirely different, using the sweet treats featured in the traditional afternoon tea fare to inject a unique twist to a four course liquid luncheon. Pre booked or open dated tickets are available to book online via the venue’s designated website, allowing operators more flexibility. A glass of champagne welcomes those to an ultimate fine dining experience; warming the palette for such beverages as Victoria Sponge Daiquiri, Apple Tartini and a contemporary reversion of the classic Black Forrest Gateau. T: 020 7940 8300 E: sales@vinopolis.co.uk W: Tickets can be bought online at www. shop.vinopolis.co.uk
Taking tea aboard the Bluebell Railway is ideal for avid steam train enthusiasts All things bright and beautiful are served at the Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea Party; hosted at the prestigious Cedar Court Grand Hotel and Spa in York. A vibrant display of creative genius from staff does well to demonstrate an immaculate attention to detail; perfectly suited to the renowned ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme. The originality of the piece is portrayed in the serving of edible candles and chocolate clocks; washed down with the choice of ‘Fairytale Tea.’ Additional personal touches include ‘Drink Me’ labels, derivative of the hearty children’s tale and a pack of playing cards scattered amongst the decorative table surface. Organised on a strict schedule, the occasion is ideal for adults and children alike, with an abundant selection of colourful cakes and state of the art confectionery. The popular afternoon tea event has been fully booked
until the end of June, so groups shouldn’t hesitate when it comes to making a reservation. Alternatively, groups looking to venture out could choose to explore the city’s local woodland countryside, perhaps opting for a longer stay at the modernised hotel, which was awarded ‘Hotel of the Year’ at the Yorkshire Life Food & Drink Awards in 2013. T: 01904 380038 W: www.cedarcourtgrand.co.uk Located within the authentic brick walled railway arches of London Bridge, the Vinopolis functions as an events venue dedicated to the world of wine. The building itself was constructed in 1999 and can comfortably cater for groups of all sizes, with a number of spacious rooms enticing 300 guests or more. The cocktail
AT A GLANCE ...
es Afternoon tea masterclass A light breakfast is served in the authentic ‘Lobby Bar’ of OneAldywch, before guests are whisked away to undertake a two hour master class to perfect the art of afternoon tea. Situated on the sophisticated side of London, those participating can learn how to uniquely craft baked treats ready for testing within the hotel’s deluxe ‘Axis Restaurant;’ along with some surprise accompaniments of course. Recipe cards are
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The exceptional demand from group bookers to attend a popular afternoon tea service at the Houses of Parliament, which has been formed as an attachment of initial ticketed tours, is being served at a deluxe riverside location from April 2014. The national affair has been shifted to the elegant surroundings of the ‘Terrace Pavilion’ in the House of Commons; a room which provides fine views overlooking the River Thames. A tempting menu of savouries and sweets are combined with a contemporary twist, derivative of the ever changing seasons. Special dietary requirements are available upon request. Providing flexible bookings on most Saturdays throughout the year and on select weekdays during the holiday period. Those participating are guaranteed a memorable experience, with an average of two sittings per day. Group rates for tours of 10 or more are purchasable at specialised rates and those eligible for concessions are students, over 60’s and members of the UK Armed Forces. Advanced bookings are essential. T: 020 7219 4565 E: laceyir@parliament.uk W: www.parliament.uk/visiting
The authentic ‘Axis Restuarant’ at OneAlywch plays host to a unqiue afternoon tea experience
generously gifted before leaving, guaranteeing the most memorable experience to those visiting. Sessions are being taught until late June, so those eager better get in there quick. Those booking should also be aware that the venue allows groups of up to eight people per course. T: 020 7300 0300 E: axis@onealdwych.com W: www.onealdwych.com
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Booking deadline 30 June 2014.
City Cruises combines snacking and sightseeing aboard its iconic vessels
AFTERNOON TEA Labelled ‘London’s number one sightseeing tour on the Thames,’ City Cruises welcomes an average crowd of 20 people or more aboard its afternoon tea sail, ‘TeaCruise.’ With each event lasting up to 90 minutes, passengers are served a spot of sightseeing on the river combined with a generous side of tea and cake; now available to book five days a week. The cruise starts at Tower Pier, with the gentle sail drifting breezily past a collection of London’s most iconic features, including Tower Bridge, the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament. The afternoon delight comes inclusive of scones with a healthy dollop of cream, deep filled sandwiches, cakes and an endless supply of tea. A glass of bubbly comes as an optional extra for those desiring a fine dining experience. The top deck awaits once passengers have had their fill – the ideal spot to sit back, relax and enjoy the 360 degree view of the striking London landscape. Groups of 20 people or more receives a 10% discount when booked in advance. T: 020 77 400 400 W: www.citycruises.com
Widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Elizabethan architecture in Britain, the stunning stately home of Longleat House boasts over 450 years of history, with plenty to intrigue those attending. Set within 900 acres of beautiful landscaped parkland, the structure remains home to the seventh Marquess of Bath; having been greatly extended from its initial 60 acres purchased in 1540. A splendid afternoon tea can be enjoyed in the impressive ‘Orangery’ overlooking the venue’s magnificent gardens. Or perhaps settle for a more traditional setting; housed within the original wine cellar.
Group bookings include a vast selection of dainty sandwiches, freshly baked scones and an assortment of home-made cakes, neatly displayed on a traditional three tiered mount. Custom group rates are available, with parties of 12 people or more gifted a 30% cut from initial standard entry. An exclusive flexi-ticket has been introduced to suit any itinerary. T: 01985 844328. E: groups@longleat.co.uk W: www.longleat.co.uk/explore/longleathouse
Longleat House boasts a romantic setting with 900 acres of lavish parkland
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Fonmon Castle & Gardens
800 years of history and stunning Georgian interiors – just 25 minutes from Cardiff and M4
Open year round for pre-booked tour groups: • Exclusive group Castle tours with experienced tour guide • Delicious home cooked teas served in the beautiful Rococo library • Visitors free to wander and explore the delightful gardens parking drivers receive complimentary refreshments • Ample free on-site parking,
Salisbury Cathedral has the tallest church spire in the UK
SOUTH WEST
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ge num u h e e of th land. m o s t g s ines ju h west of En m a x Day e n the sout s e m a J ions i Carta, signed in 1215. The cathedral is t a n i t celebrating the 800th anniversary of the des
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Part of the Magna Carter can be seen at the Cathedral
On the way to the south western counties of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, there are plenty of attractions which may be worth a look as you’re passing by.
signing of the Magna Carta next year with a number of events. More details will be published as the year approaches. The cathedral will re-display and represent its Magna Carta in the newly conserved Chapter House, safeguarding the document for the future and using the latest interpretation techniques to communicate its historical significance to those visiting. The cathedral offers a range of options for day visits from groups of 10 or more, able to arrange bespoke tours and packages. There are also a number of catering packages available.
spider monkeys. Guided tours of the sanctuary last approximated 75 minutes and are booked exclusively per group. The tours are suitable for groups of various sizes, costing £35 for up to five, £60 for six to nine and £75 for groups of 10 to 15. School tours cost £40 for groups of up to 30 children.
SALISBURY CATHEDRAL
MONKEY WORLD
POOLE POTTERY
Completed in 1258, the Anglican Salisbury Cathedral has the tallest church spire in the UK, making it quite an impressive sight to behold. It is home to the best preserved of only four original documents from the Magna
Based in Fareham, Dorset, Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre assists governments around the world to stop the smuggling of primates from the wild. The sanctuary is home to a number of animals, including chimpanzees, orang-utans, lemurs and
Poole Pottery has rich heritage as a centre of excellence for the most skilled craftsman and artisans dating back 140 years. Groups can visit the working studio, watch free demonstrations and find out how the pottery is made.
ne the UKs greatest tourism hotspots, the south west of England is a perfect location for a group tour. The counties of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset all see tourism as one of their primary exports, so there is plenty to see and do for visitors of all ages.
ON THE APPROACH
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www.monkeyworld.org
CALL 01929 462537 TO PRE-BOOK FOR GROUP DISCOUNTS! FREE INFORMATION LINE: 0800 44 55 66
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The seaside town of Weston-super-Mare is an excellent resort to use as a base in Somerset. SOUTH WEST The site offers a paint a pot area, where visitors can choose from a selection of pieces to paint themselves. Discounted rates are offered for groups of 10 or more.
AMERICAN MUSEUM The American Museum, at Claverton Manor near Bath, takes visitors on a journey through the history of America, from early settlers to the 20th century. The museum offers free admission for the group organiser, free coach parking, admission and refreshments for the driver and introduction by a member of staff. Standard group visit rates are £7.00 per person for a minimum of 15 people.
curriculum with a convenient pick-up and drop-off point at the entrance. Weston has a good choice of hotels which frequently see visits from coach groups. A good option on the sea front is Smiths Hotel, which is currently having a number of its rooms refurbished. Another option
Weston-super-Mare’s restored Grand Pier
SOMERSET
DEVON Devon is a large county most famous for its moorland and countryside. A great outdoors experience, this is the county where you will be wanting to spend most of your time.
DARTMOOR
Areas of Somerset might have been hit hard by the past winter’s atrocious weather, but the area is still very much open for business. There is plenty to see and do in the area to warrant staying for several days.
WESTON-SUPER-MARE The seaside town of Weston-super-Mare is an excellent resort to use as a base in Somerset. The town features a number of attractions, including a large sandy beach, the Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare Museum, the SeaQuarium and the seasonal Wheel of Weston. The town’s most famous attraction is the Grand Pier, which has been fully restored since it was devastated by a fire in 2008. The pier includes a number of rides and attractions, dining, a rich events diary and offers private hire and even weddings. For school groups, it also offers a range of educational visits linked to the natural
destination. Nearby attractions include the Conygar Tower at Dunster, a grade II listed building standing on top of a hill overlooking the nearby village, as well as Exmoor, which is just over the border into Devon. The town itself offers a number of activities for all ages, including a steam railway, walking tracks, horse riding, extreme sports and cycling.
is the Anchor Head Hotel coach holidays guesthouse, which is located close to the seafront towards the north of the town, with a small beach and promenade walk situuated directly in front of the hotel.
MINEHEAD Another great option for a tour base is Minehead, another vibrant coastal
Dartmoor National Park’s 368 square miles of moorland is right at the heart of Devon. The location has great appeal for hikers in particular, though there are plenty of alternative activities. In January 2012, Spielberg blockbuster Warhorse was released, which had used Dartmoor for its stunning light and landscape. Guided walks of the areas of Dartmoor shown in the film are offered on specific days, though they last for three hours and are not very suitable for visitors with mobility issues. Call the High Moorland Visitor Centre on 01822 890414 for more information on future walks. If walking isn’t for you, you may instead be interested in the Tavistock Farmers Market, which takes place on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Everything on sale is produced within the local area and all the stallholders are the farmers, growers or producers themselves.
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Dartmoor is true hikers’ country
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SOUTH WEST
Chapel Porth Beach is completely exposed to the Atlantic, meaning it takes the full force of the weather. This makes it a great place to go surfing or body boarding,
DARTMOUTH RAILWAY Dartmouth Railway is celebrating its 150th anniversary on August 16 this year. More details on the special event being held to commemorate are due to be announced in the coming weeks. The Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company, as its name aptly suggests, offers both river and sea cruises along the river Dart and across the English Riviera, as well as steam train travel. Dedicated group organisers are on hand to help plan and book group visits. Special rates are available with options to visit both during the day and in the evening.
CORNWALL At the edge of the south west mainland, Cornwall is one the UK’s best tourist destinations, offering an enormous number of excellent destinations. There are a plethora of options for a day trip, far too many to cover, so here are some of my personal favourites.
CHAPEL PORTH BEACH On the North Cornwall coast near St Agnes, Chapel Porth Beach is easily my favourite beach in the county. This is because it varies so dramatically
depending on where the tide is during your visit. Located in a mining valley, at high tide the location is a cramped narrow stone and shingle beach between two cliffs. However, as the tide goes out further, visitors can move freely around the cliffs facing the sea, revealing a number of large caves to explore. The sand stretches out for miles, from St Agnes Head to Lushingtons at the far end of Porthtowan Beach. Chapel Porth Beach is completely exposed to the Atlantic, meaning it takes the full force of the weather. This makes it a great place to go surfing or body boarding, but also means there is a real danger of being cut off by the incoming tide. When the tide is rising, don’t leave it too late to return to the valley. The beach is quite secluded, meaning it’s impossible to reach it in a vehicle larger than a minibus, but it does have its own Café, a number of nearby footpaths and is a wonderful location to spend an entire day. To make the most of it, time your visit so you arrive as the tide is just starting to go out. This lets you take advantage of the expansive low-tide sand and the high waves as the tide returns.
Chapel Porth Beach has something for all
EDEN PROJECT The Eden Project is one of Cornwall’s most famous attractions. The large artificial biomes, hidden away from view in a former clay pit, house a number of plants collected from around the world. New for 2014 are introductory talks for groups, where visitors can learn how the site was transformed. The 20-minute talk provides invaluable insight into the history of the project. The talk requires a minimum group size of 15. Groups also have access to pre-booked guided tours. Each tour lasts one hour and covers one area of the project. The tour costs £55 for a group of up to 25, and £110 for a group of up to 55.
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The Eden Project is a huge park open to the public. It has two huge biomes, which create a tropical and temperate zone under which millions of plants now grow. Opened in 2001, it is a major visitor attraction in England. ©VisitBritain/ Adam Burton
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Tintagel Castle is in a breathtaking location
SOUTH WEST
Groups of 10 or more receive discounted entry. The discount offered is better for those arriving by coach or minibus instead of by car, and stands at £14 per adult, £5.25 per child and £10.25 for students or seniors. Free entry is offered to one driver per coach, who is also given a £10 complimentary catering voucher, one group organiser, tour escort or Blue Badge Guide per coach, who receives a £5 voucher if the group numbers 25 or more, children under five years old and for an essential carer per visitor with a disability. ‘Eden Friends’ or annual passholders are also admitted free. No deposit is necessary – full payment is taken on the day. The site also offers free coach parking and a dedicated drop-off point, along with a free coach wash.
The famous Land’s End signpost
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LAND’S END Located about eight miles west-southwest of Penzance and famous as the most westerly part of the UK mainland, Land’s End has beautiful scenery and a number of facilities which make it a great day out. As well as the clear views of the Atlantic Ocean and the area’s geographical significance, there are several attractions to help fill out the day. This includes the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 4D cinema show, The End to End exhibition and the Greeb Farm Park and Small Animal Centre. A new attraction is the Arthur’s Quest interactive experience, based on the legend of King Arthur. All of these attractions are suitable for visitors of all ages. The area also boasts the West Country Shopping Village, a charming retail haven,
as well as the Land’s End Restaurant and plenty of other options for food and refreshments. The location offers excellent facilities for groups, including free coach parking and drop-off points, free admission to attractions and meals for drivers, special menus and bookings at the Land’s End restaurant and custom packages including lunch or homemade Cornish cream tea.
TINTAGEL Considered to be the birthplace of the legendary King Arthur, Tintagel is a magical day out. For those wishing to delve deeper into the Arthorian lore, King Arthur’s Great Halls is the only indoor attraction in the world dedicated to the legendary folklore. A lightshow narrated by Robert Powell tells the story of the king and his knights. There is also an opportunity to see the round table and granite throne. The biggest attraction in the village is Tintagel Castle, a breath-taking ruin with a history stretching back to Roman times, situated on a rocky outcrop on the rugged north Cornwall coast. As well as stunning sea views, the castle has a great events programme featuring fighting knights and storytelling. A 15% discount is offered to groups of 11 or more. Free entry is provided for the coach driver and tour leader, but the closest parking is a nine-space coach park in Tintagel Village 600 metres away from the ruin itself, which is something to consider as access to the castle involves following some pretty steep streets. Elsewhere in the village are a number of gift shops following the King Arthur theme and plenty of excellent cafes and restaurants to choose from. n www.grouptravelworld.com
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Weird Wacky W E I R D & WAC KY
W
hen you think about the bizarre and unusual, Ripley’s Believe It or Not is a standout attraction. Located in Piccadilly Circus, London, visitors can marvel at an unbelievable collection of jaw dropping artefacts from across the globe – many of which were collected by the ultimate explorer Robert Ripley himself. With over 700 astonishing exhibits, galleries and interactive experiences spanning across six floors, Ripley’s Believe It or Not London celebrates the weird, wonderful and bizarre in all its forms. Exhibits include a representation of the world’s tallest man, a rare collection Amazonian shrunken heads and real fossilised dinosaur eggs. There is also Ripley’s Marvellous Mirror Maze and the Impossible LaseRace to experience. Groups of 10 or more can save up to 37% on entry, on top of a receiving a free ticket for every 10 paid tickets. Groups get fasttracked entry into the attraction and can
get a two-course meal at Planet Hollywood for £13, located a one-minute walk away.
T: 020 3238 0022 E: groups@ripleyslondon.com W: www.ripleyslondon.com/groups For a more adrenaline fuelled experience, why not try airsoft against zombies in an abandoned shopping centre in Reading? Visitors are briefed by the ‘Police Special Zombie Bashing Unit’ on how to use airsoft weapons in a fully immersive experience as a zombie apocalypse unfolds around them. They then have to make their way through the shopping centre, fighting off zombies (actors) as a team to avoid being overcome. Up to 20 people can take part on one of the days, whether they are all in the same group or not. It is unknown how long the experience will be available, as the shopping centre is scheduled for demolition. Be sure to book while you still can. Unfortunately no group discounts are available. The event is apparently priced
Zombie experience days provide adrenaline-fuelled weirdness
James Day examines some of the more off-beat group travel destinations in the UK as low as it can be already at £139 per person, but it is nevertheless a great group day out. T: 020 8275 5256 W: http://wish.co.uk/zombieshopping-mall The Clink Prison Museum is built upon the original site of The Clink Prison, which dates back to 1144 and was one of England’s oldest and most notorious prisons. Spanning for over 600 years, it witnessed a remarkable amount of social and political change in England, and thus housed a multitude of sinners throughout its existence, including debtors, heretics, drunkards, harlots, and later religious adversaries. Positioned in the heart of modern day Southwark, the prison was situated in an area that has long been associated with more raucous, vivacious and unruly behaviour. It was the ‘louder, ruder
Ripley’s Believe It or Not has a host of bizarre exhibits
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W E I R D & WAC KY and wickeder’ neighbour to London, and a place where Londoners sought entertainment. Visitors will learn all about this scandalous truth of Old Bankside through a hands-on educational experience, with the opportunity to view archaeological artefacts, handle torture devices, and to view and hear all about the tales of torment and many misfortunes of the inmates. Groups of 10 or more can take advantage of a guided tour option, which can be tailored to their specific needs. Discounted entry is also available. T: 020 7403 0900 E: Miranda@clink.co.uk W: www.clink.co.uk The Beaney is an art museum and library situated in the heart of the historic city of Canterbury. Following a £14m restoration project the revitalised Beaney re-opened its doors to the public in September 2012. Entry to the museum is free. The facility provides state-of-the-art exhibition galleries, a brand new and extended library, excellent educational facilities and a varied programme of interactive events for all ages. Until Sunday, July 27, the Beaney Museum in Canterbury is home to the ‘Teddy Bear Story’ exhibition, which celebrates the special toys that have been childhood companions to millions of people. The exhibition traces the history of teddy bears, and investigates the world-wide production and success of this favourite toy. Well-known bears feature, from folk and fairy stories to picture books, film and television, along with some teddies that have their own personal stories to tell. The Beaney offers an exciting programme
Mercat Tours offer plenty of ghost tour options in Edinburgh Options are available for schools, stag and hen tours, birthdays and work functions, all of which feature their own unique surprises. Mercat Tours is now providing coach guides for the first time, responding to increasing demand for city tour, multiday coach guides and tour directors from agents and tour operators. T: 0131 225 5445 W: www.mercattours.com Bog Snorkling – one of the UK’s oddest events of events and activities for schools and colleges designed to inspire young people and enrich learning. Special described tours of the museum are available for groups of blind and partially sighted people. Contact martin.crowther@ canterbury.gov.uk for further details. T: 01227 378100 W: www.canterbury.co.uk/Beaney
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Mercat Tours in Edinburgh offers a number of ghost tour experiences which are suitable for groups. Private tours grant the group to have an exclusive guide and allow the group to choose what they would like to hear. Options include ghostly tales and historical gems, medical misdoings and architectural treats, literary delights or a little bit of everything. Groups can choose where their tour will start and how long it will last. It can also be arranged to finish near the next point in your journey, whether that is a restaurant, hotel or pub. There is also an option to include the Blair Street underground vaults, though this is not for the faint of heart. Other extras include a ‘jumper-ooter’ or a foreign language guide.
Now here’s something truly weird. Sunday August 24, 2014 sees the 29th World Bog Snorkelling Championships, held annually in Llanwrtyd Wells, part of the World Alternative Games. In 2013 the bog snorkellers included participants from France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Eire and Mali, making this a truly international world championships. As usual there were plenty of fancy dress entries, with the first prize for fancy dress going to two women dressed as the ‘Happy Flappers’, complete with feather boas. The event takes place at Waen Rhydd bog on the outskirts of the town, getting underway at around 1000hrs. The site is signposted from the town for those who don’t mind about a mile walk, and there is also a shuttle bus running from the town square to the bog and back. There are food and drink stalls, crafts, a bouncy castle, live music and a bar on the site, so it’s a great day out even if you don’t fancy taking the plunge. Online entries close seven days before the event, if any of you are interested in doing more than just watching. W: www.green-events.co.uk has details on this event and other green events in the area www.grouptravelworld.com
07/05/2014 17:09
Theatre
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T H E AT R E // N E W S
I Can’t Sing closes after six weeks Last performance of the £6m production took place on May 10 The £6m musical I Can’t Sing, created by Comedian Harry Hill and a parody of the X Factor television programme, has flopped on the West End at the London Palladium, closing on May 10 after an opening just six weeks prior on March 26. The closure is one of the biggest musical flops since last year’s Spice Girls musical Viva Forever, which lasted seven months and reportedly lost £5m. It’s easy to be cynical about the production’s source material, which has overstayed its welcome on prime-time TV in the eyes of many, yet the musical enjoyed a fairly positive press reception. GTW’s own review was called off when the news of the closure broke, since it would no longer be open by the time the magazine went to press, but The Independent, The Telegraph and The Mirror all gave very positive reviews. Opinion was not
Simon Cowell had agreed to co-produce the show, admitting he enjoyed his portrayal as a megalomaniac
unanimous however, with The Sunday Times calling it ‘Witless, infantile, noisy, embarrassing, derivative, shamelessly moneygrubbing tripe.’ Rebecca Quigley, Chief Executive of the production company Stage Entertainment UK, said: “We are sad to be bringing I Can’t Sing to a close but are immensely proud to
have co-produced the show. The West End can be an unpredictable place as the closure of a number of highprofile productions recently has shown. “I Can’t Sing has had audiences on their feet night after night, four and five star reviews from the critics and an amazing company and creative
team, but it seems that isn’t always enough.” Nigel Hall, of Simon Cowell’s production company Syco Entertainment, said: “From the moment Harry Hill and Steve Brown told us their idea for I Can’t Sing we knew this was going to be a fun project. Alongside Stage Entertainment we’d like to thank the cast and crew who have worked so hard on this show. To everyone at Really Useful Theatres and the ever supportive staff at the London Palladium, and everyone involved in I Can’t Sing, I’d like to say a huge thanks and wish them the very best of luck with their next venture.” Although theatre sales have done well throughout the recession, I Can’t Sing is not the only high-profile casualty. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Stephen Ward, based on the Profumo scandal, closed after less than four months, while Tim Rice’s From Here To Eternity closed on the same day after a six-month run.
currently taking bookings up to October 25, 2014.
ADDITIONAL CAST MEMBERS ACTOR NEIL MORRISSEY will join the West End cast of Relative Values at the Harold Pinter Theatre from May 26 to June 21, 2014. He will take over the role of Crestwell the Butler from Rory Bremner, who ends his 10 week engagement on May 24. Neil Morrissey is best known for creating the role of Tony in the BBC sitcom, ‘Men Behaving Badly’. He is also widely remembered as the voice of popular children’s TV character, Bob The Builder, with whom he released two hit singles that both reached number one in the UK charts. His West End and stage credits include the musical version of Victoria Wood’s ‘Acorn Antiques’ which he starred alongside Julie Walters, Celia Imrie and Duncan Preston. He also played Nathan Detroit in Rob Ashford’s
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production of ‘Guys and Dolls’ at the Piccadilly Theatre, and played the role of Fagin in the UK tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s ‘Oliver!’
MICHAEL WATSON has taken over the role of Frankie Valli in The Jersey Boys. The role had been played for six years (up to March 9, 2014) by Ryan Molloy. The show has also announced that it will be extending to
February 15, 2015 and tickets for the new dates are now on sale. Michael Watson, who was born in Essex, has previously appeared on the London stage in We Will Rock You, Imagine This, Sister Act and Shrek the Musical. Jersey Boys opened at the Prince Edward Theatre March 18, 2008 and closed on March 9, 2014. The show re-opened a few days later, at the Piccadilly Theatre on March 14, where it is
have been announced for the stage adaptation of Shakespeare in Love, which opens at the Noel Coward Theatre on July 23, 2014. Joining the previously announced Tom Bateman (Will Shakespeare) and Lucy Briggs-Owen (Viola De Lessps) will be: Ian Bartholomew (Tilney), Tony Bell (Ralph), Anna Carteret (Queen Elizabeth), Paul Chahidi (Henslowe), David Ganley (Burbage), Richard Howard (Sir Robert De Lesseps),Harry Jardine (Sam), Abigail McKern (Nurse), David Oakes(Marlowe), Patrick Osborne (Mr Wabash), Alistair Petrie(Wessex), Doug Rao (Ned Alleyn), Ferdy Roberts (Fennyman), Colin Ryan (JohnWebster), Gaiety (Crab the dog).
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Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @GTWMagazine.
Titus Andronicus shocks Globe audience A revival of Shakespeare’s most violent play has certainly lived up to its reputation, with two people fainting and more having to be taken out of the theatre to recover. Reaction proved as strong to Lucy Bailey’s production of Titus Andronicus at its opening night at the globe as when it was first unveiled in 2006. Five fainted at a preview earlier in the week. The London Standard reported that several of the groundlings – the audience who stand in the central pit of the open-air auditorium – gasped and fell to the floor when Flora SpencerLonghurst, as Lavinia, walked on stage covered in blood after she had been raped and her tongue and hands cut off. Within minutes, at least eight audience members had been led out for fresh air. Gasps continued during the performance as necks were slit, hands chopped and a woman
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The most recent production of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus is not for the faint hearted
raped and killed with a sword. In fairness, the production does come with the warning that it is ‘grotesquely violent’ and ‘daringly experimental.’ Titus Andronicus is playing at the Globe Theatre until July 13. A Globe spokeswoman said fainting was not uncommon
among groundlings, but assured that staff were well-trained. While some didn’t have the stomach for the production, many less squeamish audience members thoroughly enjoyed it, so it’s fair to say audience members weren’t walking out because of a poor production.
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Scottsboro Boys moves to Garrick Theatre The Young Vic’s 2013 sell out musical production of The Scottsboro Boys by Kander and Ebb transfers to the West End’s Garrick Theatre where it will open on October 21, 2014 following previews from October 4. It is currently booking until 21 Feb 2015. Directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, the original London production was nominated for six Olivier Awards. The musical tells the true story of nine young black men, aged between 12 and 19, travelling on a train through Scottsboro, Alabama in 1931 in search of a new life. As the group find themselves wrongly accused of rape, their subsequent trial divides the nation, and continues to affect legislation years after the events.
May 2014 l Group Travel World
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The p opene 2010, nomin Casti yet to Curre Men is bookin
T H E AT R E // R E V I E W
Let The Right – The Apollo rises One In from the dead JAMES DAY
I
n December last year, part of the ceiling of the Apollo Theatre in London collapsed, injuring 76 people. The theatre was packed for a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which has now moved to the Gielgud Theatre. The Apollo has now reopened after a renovation which leaves no trace of the incident from December. It’s a very attractive theatre, with golden details and statues in the walls and comfortable seating with ample legroom. It has four levels – the stalls, dress circle, upper circle and balcony, which the theatre claims is the steepest seating tier in London. We were seated in the stalls, and if I had any complaint about the theatre itself, it’s that the stall seating wasn’t
Rebecca Benson is chilling as Eli
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steep at all. It meant once the seats in front of us were occupied, our view was obstructed, resulting in a lot of leaning left and right throughout the show to get a better view. However, it did highlight how well the current show at the Apollo – Let The Right One In – is performing, as there wasn’t an empty seat in my sight. The investigation into the ceiling collapse incident is still ongoing, but for the time being there is a gorgeous tapestry of the night sky obscuring the view of the work, which suits the setting of Let The Right One In perfectly. It extends the birch forest set on the stage into the theatre itself, an effect further enhanced by cast members walking across the stage before
the production starts, representing generic people taking a walk in the woods. You are made to feel like you’re in a real place, although I felt the frequency at which people passed by made it not feel as secluded as it should have. Onto the show itself – adapted for the stage from a Swedish novel and film – the production is both a horror and a love story between a socially awkward and tormented boy at secondary school, Oskar, and what appears to be a young girl, Eli, who moves in next door. She turns out to be a vampire and just as much of an outcast as the boy is. The man people perceive to be her father is actually her protector, who kills innocent people by knocking them out with halothane, stringing them up to trees, cutting their throats and draining their blood, like slaughtered pigs. Before you all roll your eyes at what appears at first glance to be yet another teenage vampire tale and ask why the more famous and far more dreadful story of Twilight wasn’t adapted for the stage instead, let me explain that this a much more powerful story than just vampires secretly living alongside humans. It comes down hard on society failing to help Oskar escape from his tormentors, three bullies portrayed very well with cruel brutality. The failings of Oskar’s needy and alcoholic mother, distant
father and the gym teacher who neglects to discipline the bullies at all, are on display. It is also a story of blind love, with both Oskar and Eli able to overcome everything they learn about each other and support each other through the dark events which take place. Oskar himself is played by Martin Quinn, who’s portrayal is funny but still perfectly captures the awkwardness of his character. Rebecca Benson plays Eli, switching between a fragile child and violent terror, with an unnatural voice which feels like it is outside of her own consciousness. I wondered how well a horror story would work on the stage, and the answer was very well. It doesn’t hold back at all when the victims are slaughtered or when Eli goes for the throat, with lots of blood and physicality. As someone who is very squeamish, watching the bloody attacks take place live on stage was almost unbearable. But this is not a complaint – the violence is completely necessary. Despite the air of loneliness and vulnerably exuded by Eli, it’s important to be reminded of how frightening this vampire is. Let The Right One In is a great hybrid of tenderness and brutality – a horror story where the monster is also a protagonist. It’s a really interesting and unsettling production which is a great choice on the West End. ■
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T H E AT R E L I S T I N G S / / L O N D O N
Theatre Listings On these three pages lists the major UK shows currently open, or about to open on the West End and beyond. Always check the details before making any arrangements LONDON
BRING UP THE BODIES
OPENING THIS MONTH: 1984, The Pajama Game, Wolf Hall, Bring up the Bodies, Miss Saigon, Bakersfield Mist
Booking to: September 2014 Times: 1930hrs on selected days Length: 3hrs 5mins Booking Codes: EN GL
Duchess
Theatre Royal
Catherine Street, WC2
BAKERSFIELD MIST
Booking to: August 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Thu & Sat 1500 Length: TBC (Opens May 27) Booking Codes: AM EN GL SE TM Victoria Palace
Booking to: May 2015 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Thu & Sat 1430 Length: 3hrs Booking Codes: AP EN GL SE TM
Shaftesbury Avenue W1D
BLITHE SPIRIT
Booking to: June 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Wed & Sat 1430 Length: 2hrs 30mins Booking Codes: AM AP EN GL TM Prince of Wales
Coventry Street W1
THE BOOK OF MORMON
Booking to: June 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Wed & Sat 1430 Length: 2hrs 20mins Booking Codes: AM AP EN GL TM Adelphi
Strand WC2
THE BODYGUARD
Booking to: August 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Wed & Sat 1500 Length: 2hrs 30mins Booking Codes: AP EN GL SE TM Aldwych Theatre 38
Vaudeville Theatre Royal
Haymarket, SW1
FATAL ATTRACTION
Booking to: June 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Thu & Sat 1430 Length: 2hrs 30mins Booking Codes: AM EN GL SE TM
Booking to: August 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Thu & Sat 1430 Length: 2hrs 15mins Booking Codes: AM EN GL TM Harold Pinter
Noel Coward
St. Martin’s Lane WC2
THE FULL MONTY
The Strand WC2
HANDBAGGED
Panton Street, SW1
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
Booking to: June 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Thu & Sat 1430 Length: 2hrs 30mins Booking Codes: AM AP DY GL SE TM
Booking to: September 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Wed & Sat 1430 Length: TBC (Opens July 17) Booking Codes: AM EN GL
Arts Theatre
Duke of York’s
Great Newport Street
GHOST STORIES
Booking to: August 2014 Times: Fri 2000, Sat 1700 & 2000, Sun 1600 & 1900
St Martin’s Lane WC2
JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE
Booking to: September 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Wed & Sat 1430
Once – Declan Bennett (Guy) and Zrinka Cvitešić (Girl) Photo Frank Ockenfels
Drury Lane WC2
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Booking to: May 2015 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Thu & Sat 1500 Length: 2hrs 30mins Booking Codes: AM AP EN GL SE TM
Victoria Street SW1
BILLY ELIOT – THE MUSICAL
Gielgud
Length: 1hr 20mins Booking Codes: AM EN GL SE TM
Sat 1600 Length: 2hrs 00mins Booking Codes: EN
Aldwych WC2 l May 2014
038_041_GTW_May14 Theatre Listings.indd 38
Palace
Shaftesbury Avenue W1
THE COMMITMENTS
Booking to: April 2015 Times: Tue-Fri 1930, Sat & Sun 1500 & 1900 Length: 2hrs 30mins Booking Codes: AP EN GL SE TM Gielgud
Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
Booking to: February 2015 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Thu & Sat 1430 Length: 2hrs 45 mins Booking Codes: EN GL SE TM Savoy
Strand WC2
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
Booking to: November 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Thu & Sat 1500 Length: 2hrs 35mins Booking Codes: AM AP EN GL TM Main House
Leicester Place, WC2
EPSTEIN: THE MAN WHO MADE THE BEATLES
Booking to: September 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Thu 1500,
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07/05/2014 17:23
War Horse at the New London Theatre, photo by Brinkhoff Mögenburg
Length: 2hrs 10mins Booking Codes: AM EN GL SE TM Piccadilly
Denmark Street W1
JERSEY BOYS
Booking to: October 2014 Times: Tue-Sat 1930, Tue & Sat 1500, Sun 1700 Length: 2hrs 35 mins Booking Codes: AM AP EN GL SE TM Queens
Shaftesbury Avenue W1
LES MISERABLES
Booking Codes: AP EN GL SE TM
Shaftesbury Shaftesbury Avenue WC2
Cambridge
Booking to: September 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Wed & Sat 1500 Length: TBC (Opens May 14) Booking Codes: AM EN GL SE TM
Earlham Street WC2
MATILDA THE MUSICAL
Booking to: December 2014 Times: Tue 1900, Wed-Sat 1930, Wed & Sat 1430, Sun 1500 Length: 2hrs 40mins Booking Codes: AP DM EN GL SE TM Shaftesbury Theatre WC2
Shaftesbury Ave
MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL
Booking to: April 2015 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Wed & Sat 1430 Length: 3hrs 00mins Booking Codes: AP EN GL SE TM
Booking to: March 2015 Times: Mon – Sat 1930, Wed & Sat 1430 Length: TBC (Opens October 23) Booking Codes: AM AP EN GL SE TM
Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue W1
Prince EdwardOld Compton Street W1
Booking to: September 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1945, Thu & Sat 1500 Length: 2hrs 15mins Booking Codes: EN GL SE TM
Booking to: October 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Thu & Sat 1430 Length: 2hrs 40mins Booking Codes: AP EN GL SE TM
Lyceum
St Martin’s
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
Catherine Street WC2
THE LION KING
Booking to: September 2014 Times: Tue-Sat 1930, Weds, Sat & Sun 1430 Length: 2hrs 45mins Booking Codes: AM AP DY EN GL SE TM
MISS SAIGON
West Street WC2
THE MOUSETRAP
Booking to: January 2015 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Tue 1500, Sat 1600 Length: 2hrs 15mins Booking Codes: AP EN GL SE TM Playhouse Theatre Northumberland Ave
Adelphi
MADE IN DAGENHAM – THE MUSICAL
Booking to: March 2015 Times: Mon – Sat 1930, Wed & Sat 1500 Length: TBC (Opens November 5) Booking Codes: EN GL SE TM Novello
1984
Strand WC2
Aldwych WC2
MAMMA MIA!
Booking to: April 2015 Times: Mon-Sat 1945, Thu & Sat 1500 Length: 2hrs 30mins www.grouptravelworld.com
038_041_GTW_May14 Theatre Listings.indd 39
Booking to: July 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Wed & Sat 1430 Length: 1hrs 40mins Booking Codes: AM EN GL SE TM Phoenix
Charing Cross Road WC2
ONCE
Booking to: July 2015 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Thu & Sat 1430 Length: 2hrs 20mins Booking Codes: AM AP EN GL SE TM
THE PAJAMA GAME
Her Majesty’s
Haymarket SW1
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Booking to: October 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Thu & Sat 1430 Length: 2hrs 30mins Booking Codes: AP EN GL SE TM
Booking to: June 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1945, Thu & Sat 1500 Length: 2hrs 10mins 00mins Booking Codes: A EN GL SE TM New London
Drury Lane WC2
WAR HORSE
Booking to: February 2015 Times: Mon 1930, Tue 1900, Wed-Sat 1930, Thu & Sat 1430 Length: 2hrs 40mins Booking Codes: AP EN GL SE TM Apollo Victoria
Noel Coward
St Martin’s Lane WC2
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Booking to: October 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Wed & Sat 1430 Length: TBC (Opens July 23) Booking Codes: AM DY EN GL SE TM
Booking to: April 2015 Times: Mon-Sat 1930, Wed & Sat 1430 Length: 2hrs 50mins Booking Codes: AM AP EN GL SE TM Aldwych Theatre
Ambassadors
STOMP
Criterion
Piccadilly Circus W1V
THE 39 STEPS
Booking to: October 2014 Times: Mon-Sat 2000, Wed 1500, Sat 1600 Length: 2hrs 00mins Booking Codes: AP EN GL SE TM
Aldwych WC2
WOLF HALL
West Street WC2
Booking to: December 2014 Times: Mon, Thurs-Sat 2000, Thurs & Sat 1500, Sun 1500 & 1800 Length: 1hrs 40mins Booking Codes: AM AP GL TM
Wilton Road SW1
WICKED
Booking to: September 2014 Times: 1400 & 1930 on selected days Length: 3hrs 20mins Booking Codes: EN GL SE TM Fortune
Russell Street WC2
THE WOMAN IN BLACK
Booking to: January 2015 Times: Tue-Sat 2000, Tue & Thu 1500, Sat 1600 Length: 2hrs 00mins Booking Codes: AM AP EN GL SE TM
KEY TO BOOKING CODES Lyric
Shaftesbury Avenue WC2
THRILLER LIVE
Booking to: April 2015 Times: Tue-Fri 1930, Sat 1600 & 2000, Sun 1530 & 1930 Length: 2hrs Booking Codes: AP EN GL SE TM Garrick
AM Ambassador Groups AP Applause Groups DY Disney Theatrical TM Ticketmaster Groups
GL Groupline SE SEE Groups EN Encore Tickets
When booking, please mention
Charing Cross Road WC2
TWELVE ANGRY MEN
May 2014 ●
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07/05/2014 17:23
T H E AT R E L I S T I N G S / / T O U R I N G
What follows is a list of theatre productions touring the UK. All dates listed are at least three months away. Some earlier dates may be available.
ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
Woking New Victoria: Aug 12-16 Bournemouth Pavilion: Aug 19-23 Brighton Royal: Aug 26-30 Glasgow Royal: Sep 2-6 Wimbledon Theatre: Sep 9-13 Aberdeen His Majesty’s: Sep 16-20 Torquay Princess: Sep 30 – Oct 4
AVENUE Q
Oxford New: Aug 12-16 Glasgow Pavillion: Aug 18-20 Carlisle Sands: Aug 21-23 Wimbledon Theatre: Aug 26-28 Cork Opera House: Sep 4-6 Portsmouth Kings: Sep 8-12 Birmingham Alexandra: Sep 16-20
BARNUM
Leicester Curve: Sep 5-13 Bristol Hippodrome: Sep 16-27 Southend Cliffs Pavillion: Sep 30 – Oct 4 Wycombe Swan: Oct 7-11 Wimbledon New: Oct 14-18 Edinburgh Playhouse: Oct 27 – Nov 1 Hull New: Oct 21-25 Manchester Palace: Nov 4-15 Aberdeen His Majesty’s: Nov 18-22 Bradford Alhambra: Nov 25-29 Woking New Victoria: Jan 20-24, 2015
Wolverhampton Grand: Jan 27-31 Nottingham Royal: Feb 3-14 Newcastle Royal: Feb 17-28
BLOOD BROTHERS
Dublin Bord Gais: Sep 29 – Oct 11 Birmingham Hippodrome: Oct 13-25 Leicester De Montfort Hall: Oct 27 – Nov 1 Glasgow King’s: Nov 3-15 Darlington Civic: Nov 24-29
Rock of Ages has a large number of tour locations. Photo courtesy of Ambassador Theatre Group
BUDDY HOLLY STORY
Derby Assembley Rooms: Aug 18-23
CALAMITY JANE
Newbury Watermill: July 17 – Sep 6 Plymouth Royal: Sep 16-20 Edinburgh Playhouse: 23-27 Cheltenham Everyman: Sep 30 – Oct 4 Nottingham Royal: Oct 7-11 Cardiff New: Oct 14-18 Bristol Hippodrome: Oct 21-25 Truro Hall for Cornwall: Oct 28 – Nov 1 Woking New Victoria: Nov 4-8 Milton Keynes Theatre: Nov 25-29
CATS
Bournemouth Pavillion: Aug 11-16 Torquay Princess: Aug 18-30
Joseph starts its tour at the Hall for Cornwall, Truro. Photo courtesy of Ambassador Theatre Group
Birmingham Hippodrome: Sep 9-27
COPPÉLIA – ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET
Southampton Mayflower: Oct 15-18
Oxford New: Oct 28 – Nov 1 Bristol Hippodrome: Nov 4-8
DIRTY DANCING
Belfast Grand Opera House: July 29 – Aug 16 Glasgow Kings: Aug 26 – Sep 20 Milton Keynes Theatre: Oct 21 – Nov 8 Oxford New: Dec 9 – Jan 3 2015 Eastbourne Congress: Jan 13-24 Sunderland Empire: Jan 27 – Feb 14 Edinburgh Playhouse: Feb 24 – Mar 14 Cardiff Millennium Centre: Mar 17-28 Liverpool Empire: Apr 7-25
FAME
Shrewsbury Severn Theatre: Sep 29 – Oct 4
JERSEY BOYS
Manchester Palace: Sep 4 – Oct 4 Edinburgh Playhouse: Oct 8-25 Stoke Regent: Oct 28 – Nov 8 Hull New: Nov 11-22 Sunderland Empire: Nov 25 – Dec 6 Birmingham Alexandra: Dec 9 – Jan 4 2015
JOSEPH
Hall for Cornwall Truro: Aug 25-30 Stoke Regent: Sep 15-20 Bromley Churchill: Sep 22-27 Carlisle Sands: Oct 7-11 Liverpool Empire: Oct 14-18 Manchester Palace: Oct 21-25 40
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038_041_GTW_May14 Theatre Listings.indd 40
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Norwich Royal: Oct 28 – Nov 1 Darlington Civic: Nov 17-22
LORD OF THE FLIES
Aberdeen His Majesty’s: August 27-30 Liverpool Empire: Sep 10-13 Canterbury Marlowe: Sep 24-27 London Sadler’s Wells: Oct 7-11 Cardiff Millennium Centre: Oct 22-25 Newcastle Royal: Nov 5-8 Norwich Royal: Nov 19-22 Bradford Alhambra: Dec 3-6
LION KING
Southampton Mayflower: July 11 – Sep 6 Sunderland Empire: Sep 18 – Nov 1 Cardiff Millennium Centre: Nov 6 – Jan 11
ROCK OF AGES
Brighton Theatre Royal: Aug 11-16 Milton Keynes: 18-23 Woking New Victoria: Aug 25-30 York Grand Opera House: Sep 1-6 Southampton Mayflower: Sep 8-13 Dublin Bord Gais: Sep 15-20 Belfast Opera: Sep 22-27 Hull New: Sep 29 – Oct 4 Cardiff New: Oct 6-11
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Join the discussion on Twitter by following us at @GTWMagazine.
Oxford New: Oct 20-25 Sheffield Lyceum: Oct 27 – Nov 1 Southend Cliffs Pavilion: Nov 10-15 Wimbledon: Nov 17-22
SHREK THE MUSICAL
Bristol Hippodrome: Aug 19 – Sep 17 Nottingham Royal: Sep 10-28 Belfast Opera House: Oct 8-19 BGE Dublin: Oct 21 – Nov 19 Oxford New: Nov 10-23 Manchester Palace: Dec 1 – Jan 11 2015 Aberdeen his Majesty’s: Jan 21 – Feb 8 Canterbury Marlowe: Feb 11 – Mar 1 Newcastle Royal: Mar 11-28 Glasgow King’s: Apr 29 – May 17 Sheffield Lyceum: May 27 – June 7 Southampton Mayflower: July 8-26
SINGING IN THE RAIN
Glasgow King’s: Aug 12-23 Bradford Alhambra: Sep 2-13 Southampton Mayflower: Sep 16 – Oct 4
SWAN LAKE – ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET
Manchester Palace: Oct 8-11 Milton Keynes Theatre: Nov 11-15 Liverpool Empire: Nov 18-22 London Coliseum: Jan 7-18 2015
Join our Linkedin group Group Travel World Magazine
TOP HAT
Wimbledon Theatre: Aug 12-23 Milton Keynes: Aug 26 – Sep 6 Newcastle Royal: Sep 9-20 Aberdeen His Majesty’s: Sep 23 – Oct 4 Edinburgh Festival: Oct 7-18 Wolverhampton Grand: Oct 21 – Nov 1 Nottingham Royal: Nov 4-15 Bristol Hippodrome: Nov 18-29 Leeds Grand: Dec 23 – Jan 4 2015 Cardiff Millenium Centre: Jan 14-24
WAR OF THE WORLDS
Liverpool Arena: Nov 28 Glasgow Arena: Nov 29 Manchester Arena: Nov 30 Nottingham Arena: Dec 2 Newcastle Arena: Dec 3 Birmingham LG Arena: Dec 5 Leeds Arena: Dec 6 Cardiff Arena: Dec 7-8 Bournemouth BIC: Dec 10-11 London O2: Dec 13 Brighton Centre: Dec 14-15
When booking, please mention
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TICKETMASTER
Robert Lindsay: the ultimate stage role Ticketmaster Groups recently caught up with Robert Lindsay ahead of his much anticipated return to the stage in the new adaptation of comedy smash hit Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Congratulations on your return to the You’re starring in the stage remake West End, what was it about this show of the 1988 classic Dirty Rotten Q Q A that brought you back, and how does it feel? Scoundrels, are you a fan of the original and
The show has a great universal appeal for both audiences as a classic comedy, the British audience will love it!
what can our readers expect?
A
It’s a musical and it’s time for a fantastic musical in the West End. It’s great to be working on a Broadway show that we have already prepared for the British audience’s great sense of humour.
A
I’ve deliberately never watched the movie - this is a musical version of the film - so consequently a completely different project which I can make my own.
You’re an incredibly diverse actor, Q working on television, film and stage. Which do you prefer most and why?
bit of the show are you most looking forward to and why? Q Which A What has it been like coming up against Rufus Hound who plays arch rival Q Freddy Benson in the show? Singing and dancing! I’ve missed it.
A
Rufus and I have been getting on famously in rehearsals - we are very different performers which is exactly right for Lawrence and Freddie.
A Having played so many different roles, what attracted Q And finally, what do you think it is that you to the part of Lawrence makes Dirty Rotten Scoundrels the Q perfect night out for groups? Jameson? Stage is my passion, screen is my living.
A
This is the ultimate actors’ role - he’s a chameleon, conning people with his impersonations.
You have performed in both the West End and on Q Broadway, how do the audiences
A
Without a doubt, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a family show, there’s something for everyone. My sons have read the script and fell about laughing. My wife is looking forward to seeing the dance routines. I’ve seen the sets which are very glamorous. The whole evening will be a great night out!
compare?
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p00_GTW_0514 English Nat Ballet 07/05/2014 11:40 Page 1
GRO e UPS RÇ‹ RAT e E R Ç‹
CoppĂŠlia
London Coliseum 23 – 27 Jul 2014 020 7845 9300 ballet.org.uk/coppelia
1RW DYDLODEOH RQ 6DWXUGD\ HYHQLQJ WRS SULFH EDQGV Booking fees apply
ŠPhoto: Eric Richmond Dancer: Laurretta Summerscales Registered Charity 214005
The comic tale of an eccentric toymaker and his mechanical doll
LO N D O N N E W S Francesca Corradini Marketing Executive
London News is brought to you by London & Partners, the official promotional organisation for London. For more information on London go to: visitlondon.com
Greatest Events in London
L
ondon is known as the top choice for an unrivalled range of festivals and high profile cultural events, which bring hundreds of thousands of spectators to world-renowned venues and iconic locations, as well as onto the capital’s streets. Special events coming up in 2014 include the Notting Hill Carnival in August, Totally Thames in September, The London Restaurant Festival in October, the traditional Lord Mayor’s Show in November and the spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display at the London Eye on December 31.
Big Ben illuminated during the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display
Notting Hill Carnival August 24-25, 2014, Notting Hill The streets of West London come alive every August Bank Holiday weekend as London celebrates Europe’s biggest street festival. With a Caribbean theme that sees West London packed with steel bands, Calypso music and tempting food stalls, the Notting Hill Carnival is a huge party. Expect a sea of colour as amazing floats and costumed performers wind their way through the streets of London. Whether you want to join in the fun or simply watch the crowds go by, don’t miss the chance to be part of one of London’s biggest and best annual events. For more information visit thelondonnottinghillcarnival. com
Samba dancers at the Notting Hill Carnival’s parade
Totally Thames September 1-30, 2014, River Thames Throughout September, Totally Thames festival will celebrate www.grouptravelworld.com
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the River Thames with a 30-day programme of river-inspired events. These will include arts, music and community festivals, colourful regattas, river rallies and races, exploration, environmental and educational activities, not to mention plenty of opportunities to walk and eat beside the river. Don’t miss the London’s River Marathon on September 27 – this spectacular boat race up the Thames attracts more than 300 crews from all over the globe. For more information visit totallythames.org
The London Restaurant Festival October 9-27, 2014, Various Locations If you love food, don’t miss the London Restaurant Festival, three weeks of fabulous foodie events and special menus at London restaurants. Now in its sixth year, the London Restaurant Festival is a city-wide celebration of London restaurants and chefs. There’s something for every taste and budget, from great-value festival restaurant-hopping menus to amazing one-off chef-led events. Highlights include exclusive Festival Menus, a range of tours gathered by culinary theme and many food-focused activities running throughout the festival.
For more information visit londonrestaurantfestival.com
The Lord Mayor’s Show November 8, 2014, Various Locations From vibrant samba dancing to military marching bands, the legendary Lord Mayor’s Show offers a host of entertainment as it winds its way through the heart of London. The Lord Mayor’s Show dates back to 1215, when King John granted a charter allowing the citizens of London to elect their own mayor. Every year since, the newly elected Lord Mayor of London has travelled from the City of London to Westminster to pledge allegiance to the Crown. These days, the parade is more of a celebration than a show of loyalty. Join in the fun as half a million people turn out to watch as the colourful procession travels across London. After the procession, a fantastic fireworks display lights up the sky over the river Thames. For more information visit lordmayorsshow.org
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display December 31, 2014, EDF Energy London Eye Celebrating the start of the New Year, London’s official New Year’s Eve fireworks display shoots off from the EDF Energy
London Eye, with St Paul’s, the Big Ben and the rest of the city providing a spectacular background. Each year around 250,000 people watch the fireworks from the banks of the River Thames. Prime viewing points include the Victoria Embankment as well as some of the central bridges such as Westminster, Waterloo and the Millennium Bridge. What better way to enjoy the festive season and bring in the New Year!
KEEP IN CONTACT WITH US!
Travel Trade Newsletter Going out once a month and featuring the latest news and information from London for the travel trade, the newsletter is delivered to key travel trade contacts across the globe. Sign up now at londonandpartners.com/ traveltrade
Follow us on LinkedIn Our LinkedIn group, ‘London & Partners – Travel Trade’ is constantly growing. Join us for up to the minute news and discussion with your peers in the travel trade.
Travel Trade Website Our travel trade website is designed to help you sell London to your clients, check it out now! londonandpartners.com/ traveltrade
May 2014 ●
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SPORT
Sporting capital
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James Day examines London’s sporting heritage and what the various teams and venues have to offer for groups
ondon has always been a great city for sport. From the plethora of football league teams based within the city, to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the capital has something for everyone. Many of these locations offer behind the scenes tours. These are fantastic for fans, but may also be of interest to those interested in the history of the sport. Larger Premier League teams tend to have museums built into their stadiums and London’s cricket grounds have an enormous amount of sporting heritage to display. More active groups can head to the Olympic Park, where they can participate in many of the sports which were played on site during London 2012. Many of the venues offer flexible opening hours and since they were created with a sporting legacy in mind, provide absolute topquality facilities which are suitable for use by people of all skill levels. You may notice rugby stadiums such as Twickenham are missing from this feature. There certainly are some fantastic rugby venues in the city, and GTW plans to examine these further along with venues elsewhere in the UK in a dedicated feature closer to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, which is being held in England.
FOOTBALL Football is by far the biggest sport in the UK and a city the size of London has more than its fair share of top flight teams. The amount of sporting heritage to found across these various stadiums is 46
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enormous, with many of the clubs offering tours of their grounds. There is of course Wembley Stadium, the home of English football, and fans may even be interested in The Oval, which had a role to play in the development of the sport.
ARSENAL – EMIRATES STADIUM Anyone entering the city from the East Coast Mainline is greeted with a close-up view of Arsenal’s Emirates stadium, as they close in on Kings Cross Station. It is the third largest football stadium in the UK, beaten only by Wembley and Old Trafford. Opened on July 22 2006, the stadium cost £390m to build and features four tiers inside – a large, shallow lower tier, an eight-row second ‘club tier’ nicknamed the Prawn Circle because of its proximity to restaurants and lounges inside, a third tier comprised entirely of 150 executive boxes and an upper tier. Arsenal is quite flexible with stadium tours, offering them seven days a week from 1000hrs, providing it is not a match day, or after 1300hrs the day before a European fixture. There are two separate tours on offer, each of which includes admission to the football club’s museum. The self-guided audio tour has a host of famous Arsenal players sharing their match-day experiences with visitors, as they explore behind-the-scenes at the Emirates. Attendees can hear from Manager Arsene Wenger as they take their place in the changing room and hear the crowd roar as they walk down the tunnel to the pitch. The tours are available in Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian,
Mandarin and Japanese, as well as English. A more premium alternative is the Legends Tour, where visitors are shown around by one of Arsenal’s past heroes. The tour leader will share thoughts on the current team, his playing days and any news from the ‘inner sanctum’ of the club. Visitors will also receive a personalised signed photo. Tours are currently led by 1971 FA Cup hero Charlie George, double winner John Radford, 1987 League Cup winning captain
Stamford bridge offers one hour tours and easy access to coaches
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The Emirates Stadium is one of the most striking sporting venues in the UK
Kenny Sansom, 1989 League winner Perry Groves and famous right back and pundit Lee Dixon.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC – THE VALLEY Currently in the Championship, Charlton Athletic is offering school parties, and junior football clubs the opportunity to witness professional football at the valley stadium. Each season, the club welcomes
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thousands of youngsters in groups from across Kent, Essex, Surrey, Sussex and further afield. The club usually provides coach travel, as well as match tickets to help take the pressure away from organisers. Fans and corporate clients can also hire The Valley’s pitch, with four slots available each day during the hire season. The hire includes full use of the pitch, changing rooms and dug outs, use of lower west stand for spectators, complimentary
function room hire, private bars and food facilities, three footballs to kick around and keep and use of The Valley’s designated parking facilities.
CHELSEA – STAMFORD BRIDGE Chelsea has seen a great deal of success since the club was taken over by Roman Abramavich. It is a club which is amongst the Premiership title contenders and English Champions League representation year in, year out. Located in Fulham, Stamford Bridge offers a fully guided one-hour tour of the stadium with access to areas usually reserved for players and officials. The club says its tours are suitable for all ages and nationalities. Visitors can imagine meeting the press when sitting behind the desk in the press room or soak up the atmosphere in the Chelsea dressing room. All tours include entry to Chelsea’s museum, showing how the club has evolved over the years. Private tours are available for groups of 20 or more, though parties smaller than this will need to book online through the usual stadium tours page. Rates are £17 for adults, £11 for children and £12 concessions. For every 10 children/concessions, an adult will be welcomed free of charge. Groups of 30+ gain a 15% discount, while groups of 50+ can save 20%. Tours run 30 minutes past the hour starting from 0930hrs except on match days or the day before Champions League matches. Free pickup and drop off for coaches and minibuses is provided. May 2014 l Group Travel World
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SPORT CRYSTAL PALACE – SELHURST PARK Palace has enjoyed a very successful Premier League season following its promotion, which currently sees the team comfortably sitting mid-table and certain of more top-flight football next season. Crystal Palace has a lot to offer school groups, as Selhurst Park has a study centre at the heart, providing a varied programme of activities and learning experiences in its designated learning and teaching zone. The centre has a wide range of packages available and places emphasis on personal learning. The study centre also handles the behindthe-scenes guided stadium tours for Selhurst Park, suitable for all age groups. It includes access to restricted areas and the opportunity to meet with the club historian. Tours can be included in a day at the study centre for children’s parties. Tours can be booked from 1030 to 1530hrs, though not on match days.
FULHAM – CRAVEN COTTAGE There’s a good chance Craven Cottage won’t be enjoying Premier League football next season, although they do have a history of miraculous escapes from relegation in the top flight. However, London’s oldest professional football club, established in 1879, will have plenty to offer regardless of its league placement. The club offers a range of Craven Cottage tours which are farely priced very fairly indeed. Groups of 15 can enjoy a private guided tour for £150 (£10 per person) with any additional visitors charged £8 each. For a team which has been established
Wembley is a truly iconic stadium
The Tottenham Hotspur trophy cabinet in the top flight of English football, this is quite an exceptional price, although the ground is somewhat smaller than a number of other Premier League teams. Groups can finish their tour with a light lunch, afternoon tea or refreshments, with options starting from £5.50 per person. Tours can be accommodated seven days a week, are subject to availability.
MILLWALL – THE DEN Visiting The Den can be a bit of an intimidating prospect, although the reputation of Millwall’s supporters has improved over recent years. The ground and surrounding area still require a significant police presence on match day, but it is at least an experience away fans can enjoy. The Den is perhaps considered a threatening venue for away fans and it is not recommended for visitors wearing colours of the away team around the stadium. For groups, the club offers a number of options and is open to suggestions which will enhance a group experience. An example of this is a ‘guard of honour’ extra, where groups of up to 26 under 16s can join the teams pitch-side, forming a tunnel for the players before the game. This costs £5 per child taking part. Group discounts are also available for variable prices depending on where the group is seated.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS – LOFTUS ROAD Safely in the Championship play-off, Queens Park Rangers (QPR) could be enjoying Premier League football next
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season if all goes well at the end of its campaign. The team, based in White City, offers selfguided tours of its Loftus Road stadium. Guiding visitors with an audio-visual handset, the tour is narrated by former player and manager Ray Wilkins and covers many areas of the ground, including hospitality areas, interview rooms, dressing rooms, the tunnel and pitchside. Current Manager Harry Redknapp’s provides a voiceover in the dressing room as visitors proceed to their seat. Tours run on non matchday Tuesdays and Saturdays at 1000, 1115 and 1230hrs.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR – WHITE HART LANE Tottenham Hotspur, or Spurs, is a real Premier League mainstay with a wealth of interesting history. To accommodate this, the club offers a catalogue of tours around its White Hart Lane stadium – a venue which might not be around for much longer with a new development in the works. The venue offers group tours of the stadium, which follow the same path as the club’s classic tours. Included are the pitch-side and technical area, the tunnel including the hall of fame, dressing rooms, the press auditorium, the directors box, trophy cabinets and memorabilia and a walk through the lounges, including the Bill Nicholson Suite. Some of the trophies on display should be of interest to all football fans. Spurs were the first English team to win the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963, and the trophy can be seen from close enough to see your
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The Aquatic Centre at the Olympic park has excellent facilities
SPORT own reflection in it. A replica of the 1972 UEFA cup is also on display, along with a replica of the FA Cup which Spurs won for a record seventh time in 1982 and a replica of the League Cup; presented to Spurs in 1999 after their third win. The trophy has since been won again in 2008.
WEMBLEY The new Wembley may have opened almost two years late and well over-budget, at a cost of £737m, but most football fans would agree that the extra time and money has been well spent. The 90,000 capacity venue is only beaten by Barcelona’s Camp Nou in Europe. The stadium has seen plenty of use since its completion, hosting two Champions League football finals and the only NFL American football games played in Europe. There’s also an enormous amount of heritage to be found from the archaic years of the old stadium. Tours of the stadium include the changing rooms, the press room, photo opportunities from some of the best seats in the stadium, the players tunnel, a climb up the 107 trophy winner’s steps and a visit to the royal box, where there is a chance to get your hands on the FA Cup (or rather, a replica of it). The tour also shows the 1966 World Cup crossbar, the Jules Rimet Trophy commemorating the England World Cup win, the original flag from the London 1948 Olympic Games and more. A VIP ‘access all areas’ tour is also available, showing even more of the stadium tour with a private guide. Groups of 25+ receive a 15% discount.
WEST HAM – UPTON PARK Although they haven’t enjoyed quite the same consistency as some other regular top-flight sides, West Ham is still very much a household name with a colourful
history. Like Millwall, its fiercest rival, the club has a reputation for hooliganism, though it has not been subject to quite the same media disapproval. The clubs fans are often labelled as ‘passionate’ rather than violent as a result. The club offers some limited stadium tours on selected days. With this in mind, it might be a good idea to arrange a visit well in advance to ensure availability. Tours are provided by club historian and regular programme contributor John Helliar. They include access to the dressing room and tunnel. Of course, Upton Park will not be the home of West Ham United for much longer. The club’s home ground will change to the Olympic Stadium from 2016.
RELIVE THE OLYMPICS The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is now open to the public, providing an enormous amount of sporting heritage following the phenomenally successful London 2012 games. As is to be expected, the park holds some of the best facilities in the country for a large number of sports. Whether your groups interest is in participating in or spectating sport, the park will offer plenty of options for many years to come. A full suite of park tours are available, with both walking and coach tour options. Blue Badge tourist guides are running a series of walks through the park, every Thursday and Saturday at 1100hrs. City and Village Tours are available for groups of 25 or more, with many tours and itineries to choose from.
OLYMPIC STADIUM The most recognisable venue, the stadium, is closed while it is redeveloped a new home for West Ham United, who will take over the stadium in 2016. However it will host some Rugby World Cup fixtures
in 2015 if you cannot wait until then to experience it. Once the redevelopment is complete, the venue will host more than just top-flight football, as it will become the national centre for UK athletics. Athletics events will receive priority from the last Friday in June to the end of July, ensuring it will always be possible to watch and compete in the same events which took place in the stadium during London 2012.
LEE VALLEY VELOPARK
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The velodrome has been a reliable source of British gold medals for quite some time now, and in London 2012 it was no different. The Lee Valley Velopark saw Team GB win seven out of a possible 10 gold medals from its 6,000 capacity velodrome, really cementing the country’s reputation for producing high-calibre racing cyclists. The velodrome has limited spaces per session, but school groups can still be accommodated from as little as £4.33 per person for a one hour, fully coached sessions. As well as being the fastest velodrome in the world, the Velopark includes a brand new one-mile floodlit road cycle circuit, the remodelled and floodlit Olympic BMX track and 8km of mountain bike trails. All www.grouptravelworld.com
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of these are available for use by cyclists of all abilities. The Velopark is open from 0900 to 2200hrs seven days a week.
is also home to the London Lions team and a boxing ring hosting world class boxing every Saturday night.
LONDON AQUATICS CENTRE
LEE VALLEY HOCKEY & TENNIS CENTRE
The home of London 2012’s swimming events offers a programme of activities suitable for all abilities. The programme includes fun and family sessions, lane swimming, diving, swimming lessons, diving lessons, community swim sessions and other aquatic disciplines. The venue has a seating capacity of 2,500, with the option to expand to 3,500 with temporary seating, and will continue to host world class events. The centre is open from 0600 to 2130hrs Monday to Friday, and from 0900 to 1700hrs on weekends.
COPPER BOX ARENA The Copper Box Arena was host to a variety of sports at London 2012, including handball, boxing, volleyball, modern pentathlon, fencing, basketball, badminton and gymnastics. The venue remains the home of a variety of sports and activities. It includes an 80+ station gym, group exercise classes including yoga, pilates and box fit, 10 badminton courts, a basketball court which www.grouptravelworld.com
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Opening in June, the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre provides two hockey pitches, four indoor tennis courts and six outdoor courts, each of which will be available to the public throughout the day and evening all year round. The complex also features a state of the art clubhouse, complete with a bar and social areas. The primary hockey pitch seats 3,000 people, a capacity which can be extended to 15,000 for larger events. A number of large hockey tournaments will appear at the venue from 2016, including the Women’s Champions Event, the Men’s World League Round 3 and the Women’s Hockey World Cup in 2018. Programmes at the centre will be aimed at all abilities.
CRICKET London boasts two of the country’s most famous cricket grounds, both of which have a great deal of history and frequently host large international matches as well as county cricket. Both offer a catalogue
of tours and can provide match day tours ahead of specific matches.
THE OVAL Located in Lambeth, South London and the home of Surrey County Cricket Club, the Oval was built in 1845 and was the first ground to host international test cricket. What is less well known is that The Oval has played its part in football heritage too, hosting the first FA Cup Final in 1872. The Oval’s ground tours provide visitors with the history behind the iconic international stadium. It includes full access to the member’s pavilion, players’ dressing rooms and backstage access to the Ken Barrington Indoor Cricket Centre and Gym where the players train. Visitors can also see the stadium from a media perspective, with access to the Brian Johnston Broadcasting Centre and the Sydney Pardon Press Box. Naturally, the tour also includes access to the outfield. Areas of the tour are subject to availability and weather dependant. Tours can be taken on Saturdays at 1100hrs on non match days, with additional mid week tour dates available around key international fixtures. A ‘Ticket & Tour’ option is also available, providing a whistle stop tour of the ground May 2014 l Group Travel World
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SPORT prior to a day of county cricket. This one hour tour begins at 1000hrs but does not allow access to players areas or the pitch. Adult group rates are £10 each for a minimum of 20 people, while child and school groups are half this price. Bookings should be made at least three weeks in advance. The maximum size of a group is 25, with larger groups split up to accommodate numbers.
LORD’S CRICKET GROUND Since it is the base of the England and Wales Cricket Board, the European Cricket Council and until 2005 the International Cricket Council, Lords is widely referred to as the ‘Home of Cricket.’ The ground also includes the world’s oldest sporting museum and is currently the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club. Lord’s is celebrating its 200th
The historical Oval Pavillion, completed in 1898 anniversary this year, making it a great year to visit. Led by expert guides, the 1 hour 45 minute tours take in the dressing rooms, the pavilion and the J.P. Morgan Media Centre. The tours also pass the Ashes Urn and Honours Boards, where visitors get a chance to sit in the seats usually occupied by the England team. The Lord’s Tavern, which serves traditional pub food, offers a 10% discount for tour visitors. Lord’s also offers specialist tours. Options include tours for educational group, architectural tours for groups with a particular interest in the buildings and art tours.
TENNIS – WIMBLEDON The OCS stand at the Oval
The most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, the Wimbledon
Championships, is held at the All-England club. This year, the tournament runs from June 23 – July 6, probably a bit too close to make group plans for now, but the venue does include a museum and offers guided tours. Guided tours last for an hour and a half and are directed by blue badge tourist guides, who take visitors through the most recognisable and exclusive places in the grounds. The route includes Centre Court, No. 1 Court, the picnic terraces and water gardens and the Millennium Building and press interview room. Admission to the museum is included. Group bookings of 15 or more can be made in advance and are available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Cantonese, Mandarin and other languages when pre-arranged. ■
Contacts ● ARSENAL T: 020 7619 5000 W: www.arsenal.com/tours ● CHARLTON ATHLETIC T: 020 8333 4040 E: sales@cafc.co.uk W: www.cafc.co.uk ● CHELSEA T: 0871 984 1955 E: toursgroupbookings@ chelseafc.com W: www.chelseafc.com/ stadium-tours ● CRYSTAL PALACE T: 0208 768 6066 E: enquiries@study centrecpfc.org.uk W: www.studycentrecpfc. org.uk/the-centre/ stadium-tours/ ● FULHAM T: 0843 208 1234
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E: cottagetours@fulhamfc. com W: www.fulhamfc.com/ visit/experiences-andevents/stadium-tours ● MILLWALL T: 0844 826 2004 E: opickup@millwallplc.com W: www.millwallfc.co.uk/ tickets/Group-Bookings.aspx ● QUEENS PARK RANGERS T: 08444 777 007 W: www.qpr.co.uk/tickets/ information/stadium-tours
● WEST HAM T: 0871 222 2700 W: www.whufc.com
W: www.visitleevalley.org. uk/en/content/cms/ london2012/velo-park
● QUEEN ELIZABETH OLYMPIC PARK T: 0800 0722 110 W: www.queenelizabe tholympicpark.co.uk
● LONDON AQUATICS CENTRE T: 0208 536 3150 W: www.better.org.uk/ leisure/london-aquatics -centre
● COPPER BOX ARENA T: 0208 221 4900 W: www.better.org.uk/ leisure/copper-box-arena
● THE OVAL T: 0844 847 9866 E: tickets@surreycricket. com W: www.kiaoval.com/ tickets/ground-tours
● TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR T: 0844 844 0102 W: www.tottenhamhotspur. com/stadium-tours
● LEE VALLEY HOCKEY & TENNIS CENTRE W: www.visitleevalley.org. uk/en/content/cms/l ondon2012/lee-valleyhockey-tennis
● WEMBLEY T: 0844 847 2478 W: http://wembleystadium. com/Wembley-Tours.aspx
● LEE VALLEY VELOPARK T: 08456 770 603 E: velopark@leevalleypark. org.uk
● LORD’S CRICKET GROUND T: 0207 616 8595 E: tours@mcc.org.uk W: www.lords.org/lords/ things-to-do/tours-of-lords ● WIMBLEDON T: 0208 946 6131 E: museum@aeltc.com
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STADIUM TOURS AT WHITE HART LANE
INSIGHT
Two days in the ‘Wilderness’
Ian Gillis shows how to fill two days in a tiny corner of London just off the beaten track
“W
hen a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” So said Samuel Johnson in 1777 when London, although rapidly expanding in size and population as the heart of the fledgling British Empire, was still no bigger than one of the typical suburban satellite towns that today surround the capital, pretending not to exist purely to absorb the populace overflow that began in earnest during the 60’s and 70’s. Were Samuel alive today, I’m sure he’d say (probably via Twitter) “When a man is tired of London, he can safely claim to have seen 1% of it in a day.” With so much to offer visitors with all manner of tastes and interests, London is a roundthe-clock tapestry, rich in visual and cultural stimulation. Yet 80% of visitors never stray further afield than the so-called five-mile circle. With the theatre and eatery rich area of Covent Garden/Leicester Square at it’s centre, the five-mile circle has at it’s East/West extremes Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace, with world-famous tourist landmarks such as The Tower, Westminster Abbey, 54
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St Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and the London Eye to sample in between. Many visitors barely rely on anything other than the Circle Line tube service to get around as just about every other station offers another world famous landmark upon disembarkation. However, those heading West on the Circle Line, the last station before an abrupt right-turn northwards, Victoria, would more than likely be heading for the northern gateways of Paddington and Kings Cross. Gloucester Road, a gateway to a whole different part of London every bit as stimulating as the widely recognised characteristic attractions to the east.
MUSEUMS A short walk through a connected tunnel brings you to the doorstep of the Natural History and Science Museums, perfect bookends of history and future, nature and science. Often overlooked in the shadow of the larger museums is the Victoria and Albert, nonetheless still the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design,
with over 4.5 million artefacts on display. All three museums are free to enter, though some specialised attractions and events occasionally demand a small charge. The Natural History Museum alone could keep you busy for an entire day and even then you’d be lucky to take in all that it offers. Very few visitors to London, would, understandably wish to spend their entire
nestled amongst the Georgian townhouses synonymous with this part of London. Upon arrival the boutique style lobby instantly projects an elegant atmosphere replete with marble floors, zinc countertops and mood lighting. Check-in is conducted professionally and courteously with a quick overview of the hotels facilities and an all-important introduction to the concierge,
Upon arrival the boutique style lobby instantly projects an elegant atmosphere replete with marble floors, zinc countertops and mood lighting. visit on one attraction. This part of London demands your undivided attention over at least a couple of days, so where to stay?
THE CROWNE PLAZA The area has a rich and varied selection of hotels to choose from, suitable for all budgets. Just a one-minute walk from Gloucester Road tube station is the four-star Crowne Plaza London-Kensington,
steeped in details of discovery beyond the hotel doors. I stayed in one of the split level suites offering a downstairs living area with sofas, a desk and flat-screen TV, equally perfect for hosting business meetings or a small family. The bedroom upstairs was accessible by a stained wood spiral staircase offering a large and comfortable king size bed, another flat-screen TV with premium channels and paywww.grouptravelworld.com
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Suede perform at the Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust. PAUL KHERA
the diverse list of events that take place annually also include circuses, operas, film premieres and even sumo wrestling in order to adhere to a tight itinerary. Special rates and offers are available to group tour operators; rates vary depending on the season and length of stay. Coach drivers are offered free accommodation subject to availability and size of the group. The hotel can be found on Cromwell Road and conveniently, the coach drop-off point serving all hotels in the area is located directly outside the hotel entrance.
ROYAL ALBERT HALL
per-view, high-speed internet access, mini-bar, coffee/tea maker, and a private bathroom. There are plenty of amenities for guests to enjoy directly on site. For delicious cuisine, hungry patrons can delight in breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the hotel’s chic Umami Restaurant, an Oriental eatery offering a comprehensive selection of dishes influenced from Thailand in the evening, and a traditional breakfast buffet serving a full English hot counter and typical continental fare. Those wishing to unwind with a drink can find refuge at The Bar, offering a wide range of signature cocktails. For those wishing to dine in the comfort and privacy of their guestroom or suite, a convenient room service is available 24-hours a day. In addition, a beautifully landscaped, one-acre garden with a large patio area offers the ideal place to unwind while the state-of-the-art fitness centre, with a soothing sauna, keeps health-conscious guests occupied. Groups are well catered for with group check-in as standard and breakfast provided in a private area, especially useful if dining at the same time www.grouptravelworld.com
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A trip to this part of London would not be complete without visiting the Royal Albert Hall, one of London’s most recognisable art and culture venues. Since it’s opening in 1871 the list of famous performers, sportspeople and world figures who have appeared there is unrivalled; from hosting the first UK performances by the likes of Wagner, Elgar and Verdi in the 19th Century to more contemporary modern day artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Noel Gallagher and Suede. Although best known for being the predominant host of the annual eight-week classical music series The Proms (more commonly known as the BBC Proms) since 1941, the diverse list of events that take place annually also include circuses, operas, film premieres and even
sumo wrestling. This iconic venue is open to the public during the day, through guided tours of the building, live music in Verdi, the Hall’s new Italian Kitchen, and free exhibitions. The Elgar Room, a state-of-the art small-scale performance space which opened in 2009, hosts classical recitals, comedy, cabaret, jazz nights, family shows and more. Such variety creates an event experience like no other. The vast choice of restaurant and bars on offer ensures arriving early for a show no longer requires standing around for hours with a warm over-priced beer in a plastic cup. Concertgoers can choose to dine in any number of restaurants offering a wide choice of cuisine, or explore the interior perimeter corridors on every floor offering breath-taking views of the main auditorium. Since 2000, the Royal Albert Hall has played host to an annual series of gigs and events on behalf of the Teenage Cancer Trust, raising awareness of the venue to a younger generation. The day of my visit was to witness the triumphant return of Suede who closed the 2014 series with a celebration of the 20th anniversary of their iconic album Dog Man Star. Recognising the kudos of playing such a revered venue, the band augmented their
Crowne Plaza patio and gardens
Club suite bedroom
Duplex suite lounge
usual five-piece line up with an 11-piece string and horn section adding gravity and neardivinity to the performance perfectly in keeping with the Hall’s decorated history. Singer Brett Anderson even alluded to the Hall’s rich diversity and heritage, with a heartfelt dedication of the albums closing track Still Life, to his late father, remembering the frequent childhood visits to witness many classical music performances.
ALBERT MEMORIAL & HYDE PARK Step outside the north façade of the Royal Albert Hall and right in front of you is one of London’s most ornate monuments, the Albert Memorial located in Kensington Gardens. Public tours take place on the first Sunday of the month from March to December 2014, starting at 1400 and 1500hrs. The guided tour costs £7 (£6 for concessions and English Heritage members) with booking required fro groups. There is no need to book unless you are a group. Beyond Kensington Gardens is Hyde Park, covering 350 acres and home to a number of famous landmarks including the Serpentine Lake, Speakers’ Corner and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. The park also offers various recreational activities, including open water swimming, boating, cycling, tennis and horse riding. Unlike many other areas of London, Hyde Park offers concessions for coach tour operators, including the issuing of drive-through permits and a newly renovated coach parking facility, located on The Horse Ride alongside The Mall, enabling single-decked coaches to park in nearby St James’s Park. For me personally, the perfect end to a visit to this part of London is a spot by the Serpentine Lake at dusk. As the sun sets in the unobstructed West offering a palette of brilliant oranges and purples on a good day, you’d be forgiven for forgetting you’re in central London as the bucolic bliss washes over you. Whether you’re looking for culture, history, science or pure relaxation, this corner of London offers it all. n May 2014 l Group Travel World
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Animal Magic A AN N II M MA A LL AT AT T TR RA AC CT T II O ON N SS
Animal attractions house a certain charm that makes them a regular hotspot for families in particular, offering those visiting plenty to see and do. Amy Moore takes us through some of the top destinations recommended by the general public. Marwell Wildlife charity demonstrates strict dedication to conservation
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arwell Zoo is just one example of a leading charitable destination, demonstrating strict dedication to conservation through ‘Marwell Wildlife.’ Spanning 150 acres of sublime woodland scenery, it is suggested an average day at the site takes around four or five hours to complete. Alternative modes of transport are suitable for those with young children, including free embarkation on the ‘Road Train’ with lollipop themed carousel.
Leading the way is a tractor to reinforce the more upmarket farm like setting. The ‘Rail Train’ is also a somewhat memorable feature with an antique exterior derivative of the archaic steam engine. A guidebook is available to purchase, further inviting the opportunity to educate and entertain, with an interactive map that can be downloaded for use around the site. ‘Marwell Hall’ is a particular hotspot for anyone visiting. The grade one listed building is patterned with lime green ivy dependent on the season, with its growing popularity as a specialised pre booked event attraction. The ‘Formal Gardens’ are located behind the hall, providing the ideal opportunity to soak in the surroundings. T: Those looking to book a group event at ‘Marwell Hall’ should contact the designated events team on 01962 777966 or for general enquiries call 01962 777407 E: marwell@marwell.org.uk W: www.marwell.org.uk
Marwell offers the opportunity to get up close and personal
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The conservation theme of ‘endangerment’ should be considered in relation to Port Lympne in Kent, with a distinguished focus on the care of wild animals and the successful breeding of rare species to pave the way for a more secure and sustainable future. Such a destination may seem a little underrated, though arguably it stands as one of the largest animal parks in the UK, combined with the acclaimed ‘Aspinall Foundation’ to further promote conservation. The charity itself has a solid reputation of providing sufficient funding for specialised animal projects in particular; continuing its work on a more international scale. They have recently celebrated their 30 year anniversary at the www.grouptravelworld.com
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HAND FEED GIRAFFES, LEMURS AND PENGUINS EVERY DAY!
FANTASTIC GROUP DISCOUNTS FROM £6.25 pp
Dalton-in-Furness Cumbria LA15 8JR
24 hour Info: 01229 466086
www.safarizoo.co.uk
A N I M A L AT T R A C T I O N S
The aquarium transports visitors to an amazing underwater world, with an opportunity to view aquatic animals from all over the planet
centre. Having been awarded the ‘Kent Excellence in Business Award’ two years running, the 600 acre landscape is recognised as one of excellence, boasting a rich itinerary for groups throughout the year. Parking is free for coaches with designated spaces to accommodate larger vehicles. Safari trucks touring the area provide adequate disabled access. A whopping 20% off online bookings are applicable to single and fam visits only, with the venue boasting easy access by bus, rail and road.
guided tours, hosted by specially trained educational officers at the site. Running a little over an hour, each tour is scheduled on a rotary basis of up to three times a day, alternating throughout the year, with a maximum group of 15 people attending unless discussed prior. Group entrance tickets are also available to purchase, with validity of up to a year. The venue is open all year round, with Bank holidays in particular inviting the opportunity for guests to get stuck in, as the site plays host to a ‘Banana Bonanza;’ an event ideal for groups and families alike. The attraction itself is titled as an ape rescue centre, currently housing over 240 rescued and endangered primates and rejecting the ideal of illegally obtaining the animals for personal gain. Filmed on location is the niche documentary series ‘Monkey Life,’ created in 2006 and currently on its eigth series. Useful information regarding local hotels and B&B’s is available via the attractions website for those who perhaps desire a longer stay.
T: 0844 842 4647 E: info@aspinallfoundation.org W: www.aspinallfoundation.org For groups considering a fun day out, The National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham provides a fantastically themed attraction; offering a definitive insight into an abundance of sea life. The aquarium transports visitors to an amazing underwater world, with an opportunity to view aquatic animals from all over the planet, including the all new ‘Penguin Ice Adventure.’ The Antarctic themed enclosure is home to a colony of 12 Gentoo penguins, originating from New Zealand. Multiple viewing platforms welcome an all-round view of the confine, with an indoor temperature of eight degrees to ensure visitors have a truly authentic experience. Designated areas are also on hand for guests who fancy getting stuck in with their best imitations of the mammal. The venue houses over 2,000 creatures, including the UK’s only hammerhead shark, as well as a giant green sea turtle rescued from the wild. Reduced rates are available for tickets booked in advance.
Marvel with pride at the array of wildlife at Colchester Zoo not visit ‘Wolf Peak,’ home to a pack of six artic wolves; the latest arrivals steeped in local heritage. Groups are warmly welcomed with special discounted rates. T: 01229 466086 E: For general enquiries email enquiries@wildanimalpark.co.uk or alternatively office@wildanimalpark. co.uk for more considerable matters. W: www.southlakessafarizoo.com Having been awarded a ‘Certificate of Excellence’ in 2012 with an overall ranking of 4.5 on TripAdvisor, Monkey World does well to target groups by offering personal
T: 01929 401003. To enquire about a group entrance ticket, contact the administration office on 01929 462537 W: www.monkeyworld.org The privately owned estate of Colchester Zoo in Essex sets apart over 270 well preserved species, spanning 60 acres of sublime parkland scenery. First opened in June 1963, the venue underwent an additional 20 acre plot expansion in the 1990’s and has since celebrated its 50th birthday. A collaboration with the ‘Action for the Wild’ charity meant it achieved charitable status in 2004; better demonstrated through its personal project entitled the
T: 01527 579 555 E: michellesimpson@gough.co.uk W: www.sealife.co.uk/birmingham/ A uniquely interactive experience provides hands on fun for groups at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria; the ideal destination for those with a vested interest in nature and conservation. Those visiting could choose to immerse themselves in a fun filled day hand feeding the statuesque giraffes and wander amongst copious amounts of skipping kangaroos and other animals. Some might even be lucky enough to spot the free flying macaws which graciously soar overhead. Pre booked parties can enjoy admission into ‘The Maki Restaurant,’ serving hot and cold cuisine and providing adequate picnic areas to perch. A treetop style decking area invites voyeuristic views that span across the centre, overlooking the free roaming rhinos and baboons below. Looking for something a little more exhilarating? Why 58
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‘Penguin Ice Adventure’ has recently opened at Sea Life Centre, Birmingham www.grouptravelworld.com
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A N I M A L AT T R A C T I O N S ‘UmPhafa Private Reserve’ based in South Africa. Here, specific attention is drawn towards the staff’s dedication towards conservation. Those visiting are bound to be spoilt for choice, as the attraction offers a deluxe choice of a number of catering outlets. The site itself is reliant on the benefits from each, with further details on how to donate available online. Groups keen to save money are recommended to book at least 48 hours in advance, eligible only for parties of 15 people or more. Perks include free coach parking upon arrival and an offer of a free day out for the designated driver amongst others. T: 01206 331292 E: enquiries@colchesterzoo.org W: www.colchester-zoo.com Set amidst 80 acres of lavishly enriching countryside, Knockhatch Adventure Park fits the group trip criteria perfectly, with a mantra detailing “fun for all the family, whatever the weather.” A destination recommended by GTW to boost any itinerary, it entices those adventurous enough to attend. State of the art attractions are included in the price of entry, such a bouncing bungee trampoline, a boating lake for the more relaxed or
The estate of Colchester Zoo sets apart over 270 well preserved species go-karting for the downmarket adrenaline junkie. The ‘Falconry Centre’ is no doubt a highlight for anyone visiting, in affiliation with the ‘Hawk Walk,’ offering an exclusive meet and greet at an affordable price. Scheduled talks are provided by the animal handlers for school trips specifically, with an added opportunity to handle some of the smaller animals. Exceeding popular during term time, special rates apply to educational groups, with a separate 25% discount for parties of 16 or more. A rural campsite welcomes an
zoreoview
by HARLEY DENHAM
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overnight stay amidst the rural setting of the East Sussex Downs, inclusive of a two for one entry voucher. Feeling peckish? The ‘Froggie’s Café’ is open all year round, serving the likes of fish finger meals for the kids. In warmer weather, why not tuck in at a meaty burger bar? Or perhaps cool off with a pasty from ‘The Mineshaft Café.’ T: 01323 442051 E: info@knockhatch.com W: www.knockhatch.com
Woburn Safari Park groups@woburnsafari.co.uk 01525 290407 When visiting Woburn Safari Park groups are offered a fantastic experience and rates. Groups of 15 or more will be allocated discounted entry when traveling in the same vehicle. The group organiser will be given free entry on the day of arrival but also a free pre visit. Parking is also free for coaches and minibuses. Your group can explore the foot safari where they will find a range of restaurants. Groups can also visit the sea lion house ‘Sea Lion Cove’ for a unique live animal demonstration combined with a 3D cinema experience. A variety of keeper talks and demonstrations can be found in the performance areas where you can learn how the animals are cared
for at Woburn. You can also find leisure actives such as the Great Woburn Railway, indoor play areas and GO Ape (available at additional cost) The road Safari takes visitors up close and personal with the animals that live at Woburn Safari Park. On the first road circuit you will be initially greeted by ostriches, white rhinos, antelope and buffalo. The second circuit, secured by electric gates allows visitors to see tigers, antelopes and a pack of lions which can usually be found under the tree. Also living together are a few wolves and American black blears. The third and final circuit holds the most amusing animals at Woburn. The friendly monkeys can be seen hanging and swinging from ropes, playing and approaching vehicles. Giraffes, zebras and many more animas including several new arrivals this spring are homed to Woburn Safari Park where you and your group will enjoy a fantastic visit!
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The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world
PA R I S
Perfect s i r a P
Holly Cave provides an insight on what the French capital has on offer for Groups
P
aris may be the world’s greatest city. For first-timers, it’s packed full of legendary art, architecture and culture, and is home to icons such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. But this stylish and sophisticated city is everevolving and there’s always more to see for returning visitors. This relatively compact city is perfect for group travel and being able to access its outlying attractions – such as Giverny and Versailles – easily by road really opens up the possibilities.
POSTCARD PARIS C’est chic! The famous sights and attractions of Paris are recognised the world over, and are synonymous with laissez-faire elegance. A classic tour through the centre of the city will call in at Notre Dame, Place de la Concorde, the Opera House, the Arc de Triomphe, cruise down the wide avenue of the Champs Elysees and, of course, stop at the Eiffel Tower.
Accessing the top of this iconic landmark is easy – take the lift or stretch your legs on the stairs – and special group rates are available for groups over 20. On a clear day, the panoramic views from the top are stunning. It’s open until 2300hrs and the atmosphere after dark is magical. But stunning views aren’t hard to come by in Paris. A great spot to visit is the bohemian district of Montmartre, where famous artists once convened in its village streets. In the tree-shaded Place du Tertre, artists still gather to paint and draw local scenes and speedily capture the likeness of passers-by. Coaches can park at the bottom of the hill and it’s a short stroll up the cobbled streets or a funicular ride to the top, where the pearl-like Basilica of the Sacré Cœur gazes out over the city below. From here, see if you can spot the red windmill which marks out the legendary Moulin Rouge concert hall. Pop back later to catch the feathered showgirls dance the can-can.
CITY CRUISING The Seine is the lifeblood of Paris. A number of vessels large and small take visitors on its waters, from which so much of the city can be seen and fully admired. The river flows through 10 of the 20 arrondisements, or districts, passing the Notre-Dame cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Orsay Museum, The National Assembly building, Hotel des Invalides, the Grand Palais and the Palais de Chaillot. A full Seine cruise travels beneath the 32 bridges, including the pretty Pont Neuf which has been immortalised in many paintings, stories and films over the years. Boats often pause here and the little island is a lovely spot on which to stretch your legs or simple soak up the sunshine on a summer’s day on the benches beneath the willows. You might also want to come back to the Pont des Arts after your cruise to enjoy the ‘Paris Beach’, where thousands of tons of imported sand, palm trees and
The Grande Arche de la Défense – a more modern attraction
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PA R I S
Paris is a relatively compact city beach chairs turn the riverbank into the French Riviera. At night, the key sights and attractions become more obvious as they are illuminated with glittering lights. The statuesque Notre Dame on the Île de la Cité looks especially beautiful after dark. Take a river trip early in your stay and you’ll get a great understanding of the city’s layout and character before you delve deeper. When it comes to choosing a cruise, there are high-end lunch and dinner cruises – often with full orchestras and cabaret performances – hop-on hop-off boats tours and more specialised river excursions which take in the history of the area, or relate the views to well-known films and plays. If you are after something
a little more active, there are many operators which combine a bicycle tour of the banks with some relaxation time aboard ship.
MODERN PARIS It’s easy to fall headlong into the historic romance of this city, without remembering that Paris is setting contemporary trends, too. Taking the time to seek out the 21st century attractions rewards you with a completely different perspective – and an insight into everyday life. When it comes to art and architecture, pay a visit to La Grande Arche de la Défense and Centre Pompidou. The latter is homage to high-tech architecture, housing 50,000 works of modern art
aris P f o s t e k r a M Spending an afternoon wandering the markets of the city is the perfect way to immerse you in the Parisian way of life. There are over 80 outdoor food markets alone, some of which are open daily and others which only appear on certain days of the week. Marché Place Monge is a favourite with Parisians, especially on Sundays. Many stalls sell produce from Paris itself and others sell ideal lunch items such as freshly roast chicken, local cheeses and charcuterie. Combine a visit to the Eiffel Tower with a browse of the stalls at the attractive Marché Saxe-Breteuil. It is located straight in front of the monument, which makes for a charming setting – one of the best in the city. As well as food, it also sells amazing fresh flowers, clothes and household goods. It is open on Thursday and Saturdays from early morning until mid-afternoon. The largest flea market is Clignancourt, which spills off the main road into alleyways and little squares. The varied stalls sell almost anything you could think of and wandering through it often seems more like visiting a museum than shopping. There’s plenty of parking on the edges of this sprawling market. As with all the markets, it’s best to head there first thing in the morning before the streets become too crowded.
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The beautiful Notré Dame Cathedral within its tubular steel walls. Exhibitions change regularly, with around 600 pieces on display at any one time. It’s not far from the Louvre, so juxtapose the two for a morning or afternoon of culture. Enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the Seine in the expansive Tuileries Garden beside the Louvre. La Grande Arche de la Défense is a bold, modernist monument set in the midst of the Parisian equivalent of Canary Wharf – it is as far from the tree-lined avenues of Montmartre as you can get. Built in the late 1980s, it was designed as a monument to humanitarian ideals, acting as a counterpoint to the military might of the Arc de Triomph. Watch office workers scurry by as you sip on a coffee at one of the cafes in the area, or wander through Les Quatre Temps mall – the largest shopping centre in Europe. However, when it comes to shopping in style, Galeries Lafayette is the only place to go. The gorgeous 10-storey Belle Epoque interior of this building, dating from the late 1800s draws many visitors. For a lot of visitors, this feels like the true essence of Paris; chic and decadent. The shops www.grouptravelworld.com
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sell a wide range of high fashion and even gourmet food, and every Friday at 1500hrs there is a free fashion show on the seventh floor of the Coupole building. Fashion fiends will love spending a few hours at the little visited Docks en Seine. This modern redevelopment of the old riverside warehouses near Charles de Gaulle Bridge is marked out by its bright green external walkways. It is now a fashion and design centre, showcasing young designers in its programme of exhibitions, alongside an array of cafes, restaurants and bars, and comes into its own after sundown.
THE OUTSKIRTS Visitors staying more than a couple of days might consider heading out to Versailles, just half an hour by coach from Paris. Explore the incredible opulence of the 17th century palace of Louis XIV where both inside and out, the venue’s lavishness makes it a jaw-dropping sight. A whole day will give you time to explore not only the palace and its gardens, but also the pink marble Grand Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet, which was MarieAntoinette’s rustic retreat from her tumultuous life in court. At weekends from the start of April until late October,
Inside the cathedral at Notré Dame visitors can enjoy the beautiful fountain display in which the jets of water move precisely in time to music. Move over, Las Vegas! Monet’s gardens at Giverny (open April to November) are just 45 minutes by coach from Paris. The French Impressionist moved here with his family in 1883 and lived here until his death. He created his Séries of paintings here, which featured rural idylls of haystacks, cathedrals and water lilies from his garden pond. You can see many of these works of art in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Mesmerisingly beautiful, this village
and the house and gardens from which Monet drew so much of his inspiration in his later life are well worth a wander. July and August are the best months in which to visit, as the famous water lilies will be in bloom. Access is easy: the coach park is just five minutes from the house, now called Fondation Claude Monet. If you have time, the neighbouring medieval village of Vernon is a hidden gem. As well as escaping the crowds of Giverny, visitors can explore the castle, cobbled streets and museum full of works by artists from the surrounding area, including Monet himself. n
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A C C O M M O D AT I O N
Best of the Best:
Tylney Hall Hotel Lorraine Jackson visits the Hampshire hotel and examines its rich history and facilities
T
ylney Hall Hotel is located in the beautiful Hampshire countryside in Rotherwick, close to the small town of Hook and around 10 miles east of Basingstoke. Only one hour’s drive from London, and with good links to major routes, it is an independently owned country house hotel, Grade II listed and situated within 66 acres of mature grounds incorporating lakes, woodland and landscaped gardens. The approach to Tylney Hall takes you along a sweeping drive and up to the main courtyard entrance in front of the impressive mansion building. Tylney Hall has a total of 112 rooms, some of which are suites, located within the mansion house or in the Orangery and walled garden, many with views of the lovely grounds. There are a number of ground floor bedrooms and also wheelchair friendly accommodations. On arrival at reception we were greeted by pleasant staff, efficiently checked in and shown to our room in the mansion house, via a grand staircase. Our suite consisted of a large bedroom with décor and furnishings befitting of the period, a lounge area with ornate fireplace and far-reaching views of the lawns and mature Redwoods and a recently renovated contemporary bathroom. The rooms were wellappointed with tea and coffee making facilities, flat screen TV, complimentary WiFi, trouser press and comfortable sofa and armchairs in which to relax. The
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spacious bathroom offered a Jacuzzi extra-large bath, twin marble sinks and Molton Brown toiletries. I met up later with friendly Senior Assistant Manager, Frederik van Niekerk for a tour of the hotel. He highlighted some of the more recent history of the Hall including the fact that it had served as a Hospital during the First World War, with the Park being used by the Army Service Corps as a base for mules. During the Second World War it was the headquarters for Lord Rotherwick’s famous shipping line, the Clan Line Steamers Ltd. In 1948 it became a school and remained as such until 1984. After extensive restoration, the hall reopened as a hotel and restaurant in 1985, and was acquired by Elite Hotels in 1986. Frederik escorted me into the sumptuous lounge areas, perfect for light lunches and afternoon tea. The Italian lounge was an elegant and luxurious drawing room with marble fireplaces, comfortable period furniture and beautifully ornate ceiling, which was imported in sections from the Grimation Palace in Florence. The old library, with its traditional wood panelling, had been restored to house the bar and was a cosy area popular for pre-dinner drinks. We looked at several of the many rooms available at Tylney Hall for meetings and conferences, weddings and parties. Of particular note was the spacious and atmospheric oak-panelled Tylney Suite with a separate stage and minstrel’s gallery, able to accommodate 120. Also of
Afternoon tea on the terrace
Aerial view of the hall and the pool
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A view of Tylney Hall from the lake
note was the Chestnut Suite, a self-contained building offering an exclusive venue in its own corner of the grounds and the Hampshire Suite benefitting from its own private garden. In all there are 12 meeting rooms, which can cater for group sizes of 10 to 120 and
The hotel’s reception area
provide first class business and MICE facilities. The hotel is very flexible with individual group requirements and will consider negotiated rates for interested parties. My tour finished in the beautiful grounds taking in the Gertrude Jekyll water gardens and the Italian and Rose gardens. During the evening we dined in The Oak Room restaurant, which can serve 100 covers, managed by Head Chef Stephen Hine who is responsible for the RAC Three Ribbon award. We enjoyed a drink and appetisers in the Italian lounge before being shown to our table. The restaurant had a relaxed ambience and the waiting staff were friendly and professional. Dinner courses were offered from a set dinner menu or full a la carte and included
choices such as starters of Maryland Crab Cake, Salmon Rillette, Ham Hock Terrine and mains of Pan Fried Fillet of Sea Bream, Char-grilled Rump Steak and Supreme of Guinea Fowl. I particularly savoured the Sea Bream with Saffron, Prawn & Chive Risotto. In between courses we also tasted refreshing appetisers; the passion fruit sorbet was luscious. To finish we enjoyed delicious desserts from the temptations on offer. A pianist played throughout the evening which added to the ambience. In the morning I returned to The Oak Room and just managed to squeeze in a small breakfast from the continental buffet. In the daylight I could fully appreciate the fine qualities of the dining room with its wonderful baroque
ceiling and full-length windows looking onto the gardens, providing natural light into the lovely room. Excellent leisure facilities exist at Tylney Hall Hotel including an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, gym and sauna and, for those who like to be pampered, an onsite spa offering a range of enticing treatments. As for outside pursuits the hotel stands alongside an 18-hole golf course, available to guests, as well as offering wooded trails for walking, jogging or biking and all-weather tennis courts. In addition archery and clay pigeon shooting can be prebooked for groups within the grounds. Tylney Hall also has a secret gem, hidden within its own walled garden, in the shape of an outside heated swimming pool and terrace, perfect for hot summer days. For more information, visit www.tylneyhall. co.uk. For reservations, call 01256 764881
Experience The Household Cavalry Story in London’s Royal Heartland
Open daily from 10am The Household Cavalry Museum Horse Guards Whitehall London SW1A 2AX Tel: 020 7930 3070
www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk www.grouptravelworld.com
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UKINBOUND NEWS By Amy O’Donovan, Marketing & Events Executive UKinbound
The UKinbound Summer Ball takes place at Stamford Bridge
UKinbound’s latest fixtures
T
ime is flying by and I can’t believe another month has passed since I last updated you all. During April, we had a Members Networking Evening which took place at the Household Cavalry Museum, which is situated in the heart of the Horse Guards, Whitehall, London.. It was a highly attended event and it was lovely catching up with members as well as potential members in one of London’s most historic buildings. Plans are now fully underway for the UKinbound Summer Ball.Taking place on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at one of the UK’s most prestigious footballing venues, Stamford Bridge. It is fitting that the theme for this year’s magnificent Summer Ball is none other than the World Cup! As the travel industry’s most important fixture, join over 350 of the key industry ‘players’ for a magnificent evening in The Great Hall situated on the ground floor of the club’s West Stand at Stamford Bridge. Tickets are still available but they are selling out fast, don’t find yourself caught on the sidelines - net your tickets today to avoid disappointment. For all the information go to our website: www. ukinbound.org Recently I was invited to Chelsea FC’s music venue Under the Bridge for their second annual industry networking event where I got a taste of what’s to come for our big event. Here at UKinbound, we are all looking forward to returning on Wednesday, June 18. I attended Golden Tours - 30 Years in Tourism celebration which was
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The Household Cavalry Museum
Titanic Belfast
held at the amazing Icebar By Icehotel, in London. Now, I wasn’t in there all night as that would have been crazy. However, I did put on a big blue coat and had an ice cold cocktail in there, where the walls, bar, tables and even my own personal glass were made of the purest ice. One of my colleagues also attended the opening of the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the distinctive looping structure of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is now open for business and group tickets are also available. A few weeks ago, I did a weekend city break to Belfast to visit Titanic Belfast. I went on the hop on hop off tour as I enjoy getting an overview of any new city when I first arrive. I did a tour of Crumlin Road Gaol, St. George’s Market, City Hall and Titanic Belfast. I had high expectations of Titanic Belfast and I wasn’t disappointed. It was incredible. The interactive element is wonderful and the way in which it tells the historic story is very beautiful and respectful. Then I went on a Black Taxi Tour, which is a famous way to
explore Belfast. Irish Cab Tours (www. irishcabtours.com) provided me with a really great driver who was actually born on Falls Road at the height of the troubles. He gave a truly authentic tour of Belfast. I would highly recommend this type of tour to visitors as it is something unique to Belfast. That’s all for now, until next month! ■
KEEP IN CONTACT WITH US!
Events Calendar Schedule our events in your diary with our Events Calendar www. ukinbound.org/events/events-calendar
Follow us on Twitter Join us on Twitter and check out our news updates @UKinbound
Become a member For inquiring about membership, email info@ukinbound.org
www.grouptravelworld.com
08/05/2014 11:51
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p00_GTW_0514 Best Western 03/05/2014 10:17 Page 1
Since its foundation 25 years ago the CTC has become the leading organisation for promoting travel and tourism by coach
C TC B U L L E T I N From Paul Ovington, CTC Public Relations
AGM event and Board Election Introduction
T
he AGM has become an increasingly important and popular event in the CTC calendar and we are very grateful to De Vere for hosting this year’s meeting, industry seminar and networking event over Sunday June 8 and Monday June 9 at its four-star Village Urban Resort hotel at Chilwell just outside Nottingham. As usual there will be an evening networking event with dinner and overnight accommodation as guests of the hotel. The AGM on Monday morning (under the Coach Tourism Association Limited banner), will include a review of the past year and how the CTC will be moving forward over the next 12 months. Following the formal business session, there will be some not-to-be-missed industry related presentations which will appeal to both operators and suppliers. 2015 is the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta and there are hundreds of events and
to a Day at the Races
The AGM event was held at the Village Urban resort hotel
celebrations being planned across Britain to mark the occasion. Mark Gill, Executive Director of the Magna Carta Trust, will outline the opportunities for operators in conjunction with attractions and hotels, to develop Magna Carta Trails. We increasingly rely on research for travel statistics, tourism insights and holiday trends. Jane Darragh of VisitEngland, will reveal
Visit Scotland Expo Scotland’s Heritage, the partnership of 27 key Scottish tourism partners, presented its annual awards at VisitScotland Expo in Glasgow with Shearings Holidays awarded the UK Tour Operator of the Year award. Pictured (from left) are: Graeme Bowie (Historic Scotland), Liz Young (National Trust for Scotland), Caroline Narloch of Shearings, Malcolm Roughead (VisitScotland) and Pete Chambers (The Royal Yacht Britannia).
www.grouptravelworld.com
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findings of research into what the future holds for domestic tourism. The CTA AGM includes annual elections to the Board for the next three years. Any member - operator or supplier - who would like to make a personal commitment to the organisation and play a bigger part in the workings of the CTC is welcome to put themselves forward for election.
Groups On Track and Jockey Club Racecourses are inviting CTC operators to join them for the Coral-Eclipse Day at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esheron Saturday, July 5 for what is the pinnacle of the Surrey racecourse’s racing and social calendar. Regarded as one of the biggest events in the racing season, it ranks among the best flat racing days in the country and features the Group 1 CoralEclipse Stakes. The day will include a welcome and introduction from Groups On Track and Jockey Club Racecourses, optional tour of Sandown Parks facilities, a private suite for the day overlooking the Parade Ring and a buffet lunch. The day will give an insight to how a Day at the Races can work for day trips and tour planning, including ideas and unique group packages for 15 Racecourses throughout the UK.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels preview CTC Members were guests of ATG Tickets at a preview of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Pictured from left are Wendy Nash from Kevendys Coaches, Kristy Elsmere and Linda Glue from Woods Travel, Jane McKay of ATG Tickets and Elodie Salom from Worthing Coaches.
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For Group Travel Organisers, a page with useful tips, tourism gossip and travel product reviews
GTO GRAPEVINE
5 of the best: travel cases
Briggs & Riley Torq 4-Wheel 15.6” Laptop Cabin Suitcase
Tranverz S Camove From £95.00
£379.00
Antler The Ultimate Traveller
Caribee Time Traveller 26 Inch Wheeled Trolley Case
£124
Urbanite Mega Double Decker £130
£135 Available to purchase in 23 vibrant colours, this case with polyester coating provides adequate double decker storage. Its glossy exterior denotes style and sophistication; making those carrying it the envy of the travel industry. Padded grips add ease to comfort for those looking to undertake longer journeys and a secure fastening mechanism with built in ‘compression straps’ boast extra protection for valuables stored. A zippered front pocket can easily store a laptop or other electronic devices of a similar size. Smaller models are also practical for those wanting to cut costs with “carry on” luggage.
A tough outer shell casing streamlines this compact travel bag, suitably tailored to stock an array of high tech gadgets. Those travelling on business can enjoy the perks of a padded slip pouch for tablet and a business card holder tucked away. The case comes inclusive of black to suit any need and has been constructed using a highly water resistant material. Customers can rest safe with a personalised key code mechanism, which can be secured at the top. Four wheels situated at the base constitute carefree transport through the terminal by providing an ‘anti tilt’ feature. A smaller version of the design is available to purchase, which can be conveniently attached to the front.
Those seeking something smaller could choose to purchase this sleek travel case, with over the shoulder flexibility, two detachable back straps or alternatively a hardwearing carry handle. Awarded five star ratings from the majority of online reviewers, the bag has been recommended for overnight trips specifically and therefore, a multitude of compartments are available in front, providing adequate transport for any necessary electronics. Once opened, elasticated straps do well to hold items in place, with a dedicated cable pouch having been installed A detachable phone sleeve is also on hand for those who may desire it.
Functional as backpack or trolley storage, the retro design has been made available in two uniquely different sizes; purchasable together or separately if required. The model allows for extra storage space as the front can be expanded or adjusted with secured compression straps sewn to the exterior. ‘Volt’ free wheels at the base can also be locked should one choose to carry on back. Multiple handles have been installed to offer a deluxe choice of carry, yet does little to distract from the general attractiveness of the product. With an interior capacity of up to 70 litres, those who have purchased shouldn’t find the need to save space when packing.
‘Antler’ provides an enticing range of luggage materials, inclusive of business, backpacks and accessories. The ‘Urbanite’ collection reflects the utmost originality with its semi-cylindrical shape forming a rather fashionable design. A robust exterior does little to disguise the fact it’s sold from one of the top designer outlets for travel ware. The design has been tailored for longer trips specifically, featuring a number of compartments within a fully lined interior. With an overall weight of approximately 3.9kg, the case shouldn’t be a struggle to transport should the need for heavy lifting arise.
www.eastpack.com
www.briggs-riley.com
www.antler.co.uk
www.antler.co.uk
www.antler.co.uk
ABTA disability reminder ABTA has issued a gentle reminder to all members, ensuring those passengers with limited accessibility can swiftly request assistance for their flight when making a booking online. As well as being a legal requirement, statistics have shown that around 20% of people in the UK have some form of disability and therefore, ABTA has taken 72
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action to comprehensively update its website guidance on accessible travel within the member zone. A mere click away from the homepage, a request can be made via an online form or designated phone number, following feedback from customers which showed frustration in not being able to access relevant information
regarding their travel arrangements. Travel businesses featured that sell or market flightbased packages online must now display the advertised airlines safety rules, including any restrictions it may have regarding those with limited mobility. Nikki White, ABTA Head of Destinations and Sustainability,
said: “We know that our members have already done a great deal of work to ensure that their websites are accessible to customers with a disability and provide them with the right information, but we want all of our members to be aware of the risks of not getting this right.” ABTA has provided comprehensive guidance on all aspects of accessibility which has been made available exclusively at www.abta.com. www.grouptravelworld.com
08/05/2014 16:13
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Huge new Pavers Shoe Store now open!
INTERVIEW
Up Close and PersonL Best group trip you have ever been on?
Mark Smith is Director of Leisure and Travel Trade Sales at Best Western Hotels GB
Anywhere involving watching Tottenham abroad! Preferably in the sun, there have been many over the last few years. Madrid, Lisbon, Numerous trips to Germany, Prague, many interesting trips behind the old ‘iron curtain’ in Poland etc. The best one recently was the Champions League season. 20 of us went to Milan, where there was great food and sun. The fact that we won put the icing on the cake! The trip to Madrid would have been better (as apart from the beer/ football the sun was out) but the fact that we lost 4-0 put a bit of a dampener on it. During my days working for Thomas Cook I arranged many trips out to watch Italian football (which I always had to accompany) to many of the major Italian cities. Outside of sport a trip to Canada in March to see Toronto was superb, the highlight seeing the American side of the falls being frozen solid. I have been lucky enough to have visited many countries though my favourite type of holiday will always be a cruise (I have done over 15 of those!)
And the worst?
Probably my first ever family group holiday to the Isle of Man. Awful weather, poor accommodation and the fact that everywhere was closed. To make matters worse the big entertainment complex on the island burnt down the night before we got there. Possibly the most comical was a trip out to Leverkusen (football again) where 16 of us went out and only two returned. Yes I was one of the two that got back, the others (after I had checked them in at Frankfurt airport) decided to go for one more drink and missed the call for the flight. They arrived at the gate as the plane was taking off!
Favourite UK destination for a group? Having just spent a weekend away with a group of friends in Liverpool, I must say how impressed I was with how much to do there was. Bars, nightlife, history and very friendly people. As for regions to visit I don’t think you can beat Somerset (gods own county!) Loads of things to see and do for all ages, and I know its clichéd but anyone visiting must partake in a glass of scrumpy and
visit Cheddar to have some authentic cheddar cheese, and whilst you are there enjoy a visit to the most wonderful place to spend a day – the home of Somerset CCC in Taunton. The sun, a glass of whatever tipple takes your fancy and of course a great day’s sport! On a personal note I don’t think you can beat a group day out to the races (especially if the weather is good). Particular favourites include York, Goodwood and Cheltenham. Always book the decent tickets. The ladies love the chance to dress up, and the men love a good excuse to socialise!
What makes a good group trip? The accommodation is very important (but then I would say that) and the people you travel with can also make or break the trip. A good knowledgeable guide also comes in handy, especially if abroad – someone who can speak the local dialect. Pre-planning is also important and if anything needs booking in advance, then make sure it gets done and don’t leave it until you get there.
What do you always pack? My iPod (and don’t forget the charger!) a copy of the local paper to see if there are any interesting gigs to go to during my stay and of course a decent insurance policy, something I was very grateful for on a recent trip to Moscow where my luggage had been lost for nearly a week. A decent book (can’t be doing with a kindle) always comes in handy and of course a rough guide to where the best pubs are!
And what do you always leave out? Mobile Phone and laptop. If they are not there, I wont be tempted to use them.
What was your favourite trip last year?
A wonderful way to spend a day at the races, especially when you sponsor the race. 74
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A trip with a group of 20 lads to Rome (football again). This time the result was favourable. That or a family trip on board Independence of the Seas for a 15 day cruise around the western Mediterranean. You can’t beat a good cruise. www.grouptravelworld.com
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