Latest News

Read the latest group travel news.

---------------------------------------------------

Christmas Wonderland at Kentwell

Experience the festive treats of 150 years ago, as Kentwell Hall at Long Melford (nr. Sudbury) in Suffolk holds its Victorian Christmas Wonderland - from the
18 to 22 December. The building is brought to life as it would have been in the year 1869. Make decorations and visit Father Christmas. Further
information: Judith Phillips +44 (0)1787 310207.

---------------------------------------------------

Meet the Victorians at Hatfield House

New for 2011 - groups can explore Victorian history at two of Hertfordshire's top attactions. Hatfield House is working with the British Schools Museum in Hitchin to offer a fascinating insight to life in Victorian times. Hatfield House was home of Queen Victoria's Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury. Groups are met at the door by Thomas the footman, who describes life in the Victorian kitchen. An audience with Queen Victoria is included in the tour, followed by a musical interlude with songs from Gilbert and Sullivan. Limited dates are available for 2011 - £13.50 per person for groups of 20+. Further information: Julie Loughlin +44 (0)1707 287010.

---------------------------------------------------

Sounds of Christmas at Norwich

Celebrate the festive season, with the traditional music of Norwich Cathedral in Norfolk. Events include the Mediaeval Baebes concert (Friday 10 December); Christmas by Candlelight (Saturday 18 December); Christmas Procession with Carols (Sunday 19 December); and the Cathedrals Express Steam Train Carol Service (Tuesday 21 December). Don't miss the Historic Christmas Fayre in the Cloister Walks, from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 December, featuring costumed stallholders and unique gifts and crafts. Further information: Cecile Tuddenham +44 (0)1603 218332.  

---------------------------------------------------

Prize Freeze at RHS Garden Hyde Hall

If you are thinking of visiting Hyde Hall at Rettendon (nr. Chelmsford) in Essex next year, you'll be pleased to know that group admission rates have been frozen! - and there are even better deals to be had if you can pre-pay. For
pre-booked groups of 10+ the rates remain at £6.00 per person, and this drops to just £5.00 if you pre-pay. New developments for 2011 include a spectacular Spring bulb display, and an extension to the renowned Dry Garden. Open daily from 1000, facilities at the garden include a full licensed restaurant. Further information: Sue Carter +44 (0)1245 400256.

---------------------------------------------------

Duxford 2011 Air Shows

The Imperial War Museum Duxford (nr. Cambridge) in Cambridgeshire have announced their calendar of air shows for 2011. Spring Air Show (Sunday
22 May); Flying Legends (Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July); Duxford Air Show (Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September); and the Autumn Air Show (Sunday
16 October). Further information: Esther Blaine +44 (0)1223 835000.

---------------------------------------------------

Woburn scoops Top Award

Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire is celebrating after receiving one of the top awards from the zoo world in a prestigious ceremony held on Tuesday
2 November. The park was commended in recognition for its pioneering work in animal husbandry and welfare. Woburn offers a great day out for groups. Further information: Marketing Team +44 (0)1525 290333.

---------------------------------------------------

Cafe Refurbishment at the Museum of East Anglian Life

The popular cafe at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket, Suffolk has closed for refurbishment, and will re-open with a fresh new look in March 2011. This is just one of a number of new developments in what is going to be an exciting couple of years for the museum, another being the opening of Abbot's Hall in 2012. Further information: Patsy Cane +44 (0)1449 612229.

---------------------------------------------------

Award-winning Educational Trips at Old MacDonald's

Old Macdonald's Farm at South Weald (nr. Brentwood) in Essex has been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge Mark. This recognises the quality of educational opportunities available at the park. Awarded by the Independent Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, the LOTC quality badge combines for the first time learning and safety into one easily recognisable badge for all organisations providing learning outside the classroom experiences. Further information: Jessica Knight +44 (0)1277 375177.

---------------------------------------------------

New 2011 Travel Trade Brochure from Abacus Hotels 

Abacus Hotels have just published their annual "City-Country-Coast" Travel Trade brochure (pdf version) in a completely new format, designed to help group organisers not only book their hotels, but to see in one brochure all the activities in West Norfolk and North Cambridgeshire. The group consists of the Knights Hill Hotel at King's Lynn (Norfolk); the Le Strange Arms Hotel in Old Hunstanton (Norfolk); and the Orton Hall Hotel at Peterborough (Cambridgeshire). Abacus will also be attending several group travel exhibitions in 2011, including Excursions at Alexandra Palace in London. Further information: David Small +44 (0)1760 727022.

---------------------------------------------------

Bure Valley Railway - Christmas VIP Special

This Christmas, the Bure Valley Railway at Aylsham/Wroxham in Norfolk is running a special train and lunch package for groups of 20 or more. Experience a nine mile nostaglic trip by steam, then enjoy a two-course festive lunch, including coffee and mince pies. A visit from Santa completes the fun. The price for a single train and lunch package is £19.50, or £23.00 for a return train and lunch package. It is available during November and December - and a great add-on to the nearby Thursford Christmas Spectacular. Further information: Susan Munday +44 (0)1263 733858.

---------------------------------------------------

Magic of Christmas at Colchester Zoo

Groups can book now for the exclusive Magic of Christmas days at Colchester Zoo in Essex - particularly with the under 5's in mind. Visit Santa in his magical grotto and enjoy seasonal entertainment. Everything is included in the great value group rates. Dates are Wednesday 1 and 8; Thursday 2 and 9 December. Further information: Laura Guerin +44 (0)1206 331292.