Visit Isle of Man has announced that it saw a positive surge in figures achieved in 2023, marking a significant milestone in the resurgence of travel and tourism. In 2023, Visit Isle of Man recorded that the Island welcomed 318,000 visitors who contributed £183.2m revenue in visitor spend, exceeding targets by 18,000 and £21.8m respectively. [...]
The museum dedicated to the life and works of the city’s most famous band have put the ‘acorns for peace’ on display - with a remarkable backstory. Yoko Ono recounted how, on 15 June 1968, along with John Lennon, the couple planted two acorns for peace at Coventry Cathedral - the first of many Peace [...]
Blenheim Palace is marking 150 years since the birth of Sir Winston Churchill. The estate is celebrating his extraordinary life with an exciting line-up of events including weekly Churchill at Blenheim tours, VIP tours of the Palace State Rooms, Churchill exhibition and Private Apartments, as well as a tour to Churchill’s grave. Churchill at Blenheim [...]
A New Kensington Palace exhibition uncovers the forgotten stories of those who worked at the royal palaces over three hundred years ago. Untold Lives: A Palace at Work, has opened at Kensington Palace, telling the stories of the servants and courtiers who looked after the royal family and their homes. From pages to cooks, from [...]
Shakespeare North Playhouse, located in Prescot, Liverpool, is home to the only 17th-century style, timber-built "Cockpit" theatre outside London. Awarded the Theatre Building of The Year 2023 prize at The Stage Awards, the venue can be configured in two formations: end-on, and in-the-round. Built entirely during the pandemic thanks to public funds and donations, the [...]
Visitors to the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery can celebrate the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s Eurovision win at Brighton Dome on 6 April 1974 with an exhibition commemorating the event and the iconic pop band. Displayed through photographs, film, memories, and memorabilia, the Abba: One Week in Brighton exhibition, running from 28 March to 4 [...]
The popular TV drama Vera and author Ann Cleeves, who wrote the book series, were awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award at February’s North East England Tourism Awards. The hit crime drama, now in its 13th series, was awarded the title for the positive impact it has had on the region, thanks to filming [...]
This year the Bodleian Libraries is relaunching its groups offer and is working with attractions and hotels across Oxford to create a memorable experience. The Bodleian Libraries, or ‘the Bod’ as it is affectionately known by the students who study in the space, is the academic heart of Oxford and the central University library, dating [...]
Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury reopens from 20 March, and with a host of events for Spring and Summer, the house kicks off with an exciting new exhibition for art lovers. Over 350 years since they were created, five paintings by the renowned Baroque painter Guercino are displayed together for the first time in this new exhibition, [...]
The Three Counties Food and Drink Festival, held at the Three Counties Showground at Malvern, Worcestershire, returns on 27 and 28 July 2024. The festival has announced the initial line-up of talented chefs who will be serving up their repertoire of recipes in the 500-seat cookery theatre, which is accessible to all ticket holders. Rachel [...]
A stunning historical treasure in the West Midlands is giving visitors the chance to marvel at two of Europe's most remarkable tapestries and uncover centuries of captivating history. Situated in the vibrant heart of Coventry's Cathedral Quarter, St Mary's Guildhall is inviting guests to embark on a journey through seven centuries of rich history with [...]
Strawberry Field, the interactive visitor exhibition and place of John Lennon’s childhood, has won the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards. Strawberry Field is a visitor attraction in Liverpool, located at the iconic site immortalised by John Lennon in The Beatles' hit, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’. Telling the story [...]
Featuring within CTA’s 2024 Conference, County Durham has announced various updates for groups in 2024. At Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, the Remaking Beamish development continues. The opening of a Georgian tavern and pottery is planned, alongside a 1950s cinema, toy shop and electrical store. Meanwhile, at Auckland Castle, which featured on the [...]
The Heights of Abraham, claimed to be Derbyshire’s oldest visitor attraction, has announced that 2024 will be “A year of light and colour” as the destination celebrates 40 years of cable car flights and 50 years since the current owners took over the stewardship of the hilltop estate. The cable cars have now restarted with [...]
Throughout 2024, The Royal Collection Trust is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House at Windsor Castle, the largest and most famous dolls’ house in the world. Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House was built between 1921 and 1924 as a gift from the nation to Queen Mary following the First World War. It is [...]
Betws-y-Coed’s The Swallow Falls Inn, owned by The Inn Collection Group, is set to reopen after long-term closures. Located close to the spectacular waterfall of the same name on the Afon Llugwy, The Swallow Falls Inn will undergo a full and extensive refurbishment to bring it back to life. Plans include a new bar and [...]
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) features 10 centres around the British Isles offering groups a look at wetland birds and wildlife. In 2024, groups can benefit from 15% discount on admission as well as talks and guided tours. Sites also offer accessibility. Each site promotes conservation, as well as opportunities for activities including photography, [...]
New CTA member Premier Holidays is an award-winning tour operator, specialising in group departures around the UK. In particular, the independent operator has many years’ experience organising travel and events to the Channel Islands, and can offer tailor-made itineraries for groups. Premier Holidays provides a wide range of accommodation, up to 5 star hotels. All [...]
Kynren, a performance based on an epic tale of England, will take place every Saturday night from 27 July to 14 September, located just outside Bishop Auckland, County Durham. The historical show is a multi-award winning production featuring a 1,000-strong volunteer cast and crew, performed on a gigantic 7.5-acre stage. The show travels through 2000 [...]
New for 2024, The Coronation Street Experience introduces a mid-week travel trade offer. Ideal for groups, the visit gives travel trade customers sole access to the Coronation Street Visitor Centre and Exhibition. Groups can also try Weatherfield inspired Northern bites in either Roy's Rolls or the Rovers Return replica sets, dependent on group size and [...]
Cunard’s newest cruise ship Queen Anne will visit Liverpool on Monday 3 June 2024, which groups can watch from a Mersey Ferry. A Cunard visit always plays a significant role in Liverpool’s cruise season, as the first Cunard sailing departed Liverpool in 1840 and the city was home to their Head Office for nearly 130 [...]
In 2024, Tatton Park in Cheshire is celebrating 150 years of Maurice Egerton, the last owner of Tatton, and his remarkable legacy as a pioneer aviator, intrepid traveller, and a man of great inventive skill. The location is presenting two new Mansion exhibitions where visitors can learn more about Maurice Egerton and get up close [...]
Dudley’s Black Country Living Museum, which recently became a CTA member, is inviting coach groups to experience 300 years of industrial and social history from the heart of the Midlands, tracing from the Industrial revolution to post-war prosperity. Groups can experience over 26 acres complete with recreated and rebuilt shops, homes, and industrial workshops, brought [...]
New CTA member Lomond Leisure Group is a family business with restaurants and bars in Central Scotland, focusing on hospitality, sustainability, environment, and character. The company has a portfolio of properties in Glasgow and Edinburgh and operates management contracts for clients in Loch Tay. Lomond Leisure Group is welcoming coach groups in 2024 to its [...]
VisitAberdeenshire has launched a new travel trade website that showcases travel trade-ready products in an easy and searchable format. The website includes dedicated accommodation pages, plus a transport section, along with other helpful aspects specifically for the travel trade. The new website can be reached at travel-trade.visitabdn.com/ and includes the MYABDN itinerary builder, enabling operators [...]
Hever Castle, Kent, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, will unveil the Boleyn Apartment on the first floor of the castle on Monday 25 March to give visitors a unique and immersive experience of Tudor history. The apartment, the only surviving suite of rooms in the world that the Boleyn family definitely occupied, is being [...]
Shipbuilder Cammell Laird is set to build a new Mersey ferry at the firm’s Birkenhead shipyard. The agreement follows a year of negotiations between the city’s Combined Authority and Cammell Laird. Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, who was joined by engineering apprentices as he signed the contract, pledged that the multimillion-pound project will [...]
St Mary’s Guildhall in Coventry is inviting CTA members to a special fam trip, including a guided tour, taking place on Tuesday 27 February between 11am and 1pm. St Mary’s Guildhall acted as the centre of power in England during the War of the Roses, housed the crown jewels, was the prison of Mary, Queen [...]
Salisbury Cathedral welcomed over five hundred group visitors on 12 December for the annual Carol Concert for Groups, led by The Dean of Salisbury, the Very Reverend Nicholas Papadopulos. Visitors were treated to singing from the Cathedral’s world class choir, directed by David Halls, Director of Music, interspersed with special Christmas readings by staff and [...]
The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent has announced the return of its popular Call The Midwife Official Location Tour in 2024. Fans of the BBC series will have the opportunity to step into the actual filming locations at this historic site. The unique tour offers fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes views and a chance to see [...]
From March 2024, groups can experience The Queen Charlotte Afternoon Tea at Hampton Court Palace. From £30 per person, the afternoon tea includes two Duchess’s Finger Sandwiches, one Farmer George’s Pork Pie with Hampton Court Garden chutney, one mature cheddar cheese scone with herb butter, one Warm vanilla scone with gooseberry jam and clotted cream, [...]
Following a major project to conserve and share the stories of Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, the Northumberland attraction near Morpeth is keen to welcome coach groups in 2024. The striking hall, inspired by Greek and Italian architecture, features the imposing Pillar Hall, as well as the coffered ceiling and elaborate decoration in the reception [...]
Mersey Ferries has announced its 2024 programme for Manchester Ship Canal & Liverpool Bay Cruises. The Manchester Ship Canal Cruise is a six-hour round-trip cruise and sails from Liverpool and Wirral along the Manchester Ship Canal to Warrington and back. Groups can relax as they travel under bridges mostly unchanged since they were built over [...]
English Heritage would like to remind CTA operator and wholesaler members about its Trade Admission Prices & Site Opening Times 2024/25 publication, available to download here. The document provides clear group pricing and dates of entry for all of English Heritage properties and locations across England. For inspirational ideas on group travel, and an ideal [...]
Discover Durham has announced a range of developments in and around the city, leading with the newest of The Auckland Project’s attractions. The Faith Museum, now open, explores the ways faith has shaped lives and communities across Britain through rarely seen objects, artwork, and national treasures spanning 6,000 years. Meanwhile, as the countdown to the [...]
Movie goers will spot Blenheim Palace as a film location for several scene’s in Ridley Scott’s current cinema epic, Napoleon, and coach groups will be able to explore some of the areas used in the sets. The Blenheim Estate was used as the location for some of the film’s intense battle scenes. The palace’s great [...]
The Royal Collection Trust is inviting groups to its new Holbein at the Tudor Court exhibition. As one the most important artists of the 16th century, Holbein was central to the depiction of Henry VIII and his court as we understand it today. Running from now until 14 April 2024 at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham [...]
CTA welcomed around 60 members to its World Travel Market networking event. Taking place on WTM’s opening morning on 6 November at The Fox pub at the Excel arena, the CTA event was sponsored by CroisiEurope. The session welcomed operators, wholesalers, and supplier members, [...]
Kent’s Hever Castle is celebrating another gold award at South & South East in Bloom 2023. For the ninth year in a row, the 150-acre gardens have been awarded a prestigious Gold medal with judges, describing the rose garden as a “significant highlight.” The South & South East in Bloom awards is the largest horticultural [...]
Tatton Park in Knutsford, Cheshire, is hosting a series of Alice in Wonderland-inspired Christmas events. Between 21 November and 31 December, Welcome to Wonderland: The Christmas Mansion, allows guests to follow Alice’s footsteps through Lewis Carrol’s make-believe world, including the Duchess’ Garden, the Queen of Hearts’ grand palace, and the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Group [...]
The Three Counties Showground in Malvern is inviting coach groups to its programme of 2024 events, starting with the RHS Malvern Spring Festival. This iconic event, taking place from 9-12 May 2024, is a vibrant celebration of gardening excellence. Featuring themed areas, floral displays, show gardens, expert nurseries, and celebrity-led demonstrations, the RHS Malvern Spring [...]
The Royal Collection Trust has released its Group Visits & Private Tours 2024 brochure, featuring the Official Residences of His Majesty The King, including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Available for download from this link, the new brochure presents special visits and highlights, as well as opening dates and times, and [...]
A classic Mini from the award-winning Great British Car Journey museum in Ambergate, Derbyshire, is taking part in the 2,000 mile legendary Italian Job run. The car rally is being staged in aid of Buttle UK, a charity dedicated to helping children and young people in crisis. The car, which was one of the last [...]
The Stompcast podcast, hosted by Dr Alex George, has partnered with Visit Isle of Man for a three-part episode on the island. The podcast episode features a special guest appearance by Peter Hickman, the celebrated Isle of Man TT racer and motorsport icon. Dr Alex George is a prominent figure in mental health advocacy, using [...]
Strawberry Field is a one of a kind, an authentic experience at the site that captured the heart of John Lennon as a boy and inspired the legendary Beatles song. It prides itself as one of the most genuine and accessible attractions in the UK and offers visitors the chance to see the original iconic [...]
Longleat has rejoined CTA as an attraction member and its travel trade team are delighted to invite coach and tour operator members of the CTA to a special Longleat House familiarisation visit on Friday 17 November from 11am. This event is part of Great West Way Marketplace and hosted by Longleat, conveniently taking place prior to [...]
VisitWindsor and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead advises that work to refurbish the Windsor Coach Park lift and footbridge to the town centre has begun. The council has split these important works into two phases, with phase one refurbishing the bridge lift. During this stage, the bridge will remain open to the public [...]
VisitBlackpool is asking coach operators to respond to a short, five-question survey to improve the town’s coach facilities. To shape improved facilities around the planned Blackpool Central leisure development, VisitBlackpool is asking coach operators to respond to the survey on their use of coach parking facilities at this link. “Coaches have been an integral part [...]
UKinbound has awarded Blenheim Palace the accolade of Individual Attraction of the Year at its Awards for Excellence event at Belfast City Hall on 21 September. The winners were decided by a panel of independent judges from across the tourism industry. Heather Carter, Managing Director at Blenheim Palace, said: “Winning this award truly means a [...]
Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust has received the esteemed Sandford Award for high achievement in heritage education. The award reflects the excellence of the sessions delivered by the team, which includes work with schools, colleges and universities as well as families, community and special interest groups. The Sandford Award has been running since 1978 and is [...]
