I’m really pleased with the encouraging response to my Antiques Fairs and London Markets tour now being timed and costed to suit specific dates in 2020.  Many of you will have heard of the larger than life International Antiques and Collectors Fair at Newark and details based on a Manchester gateway arrival make my top story.  Please remember, as with nearly all my tours, they can be customised to suit 2 clients, 4 friends travelling together or a small group of 8-12.

The Cornucopia of Spring Gardens will appeal to Master Gardeners and members of the Garden Club of America and the new 18^th century cutting edge exhibition at York’s Fairfax House adds an extra dimension to a London Girls Getaway. 

I know you have far too many trade publications to read but my recent articles for the Insider Travel Report and for Travel Research Online will add further to your UK knowledge bank.

My final story makes a good 2-night pre or post cruise extension for cruises sailing in or out of Harwich.

The Best of Antiques And Collectables

Building on last week’s interest in my Antiques Fairs and London Markets tour, this video gives a good overview of the 2-day Ardingly event which takes place 7 times in 2020.  Manchester is the gateway for the world-renowned Newark Antiques and Collectables Fair, the ultimate of treasure hunting grounds and the largest event of its kind in Europe with up to 2,500 stands!  Read More

Cornucopia of Spring Gardens

If you’re thinking of presenting a sensational tour to your gardening contacts when they meet again after the summer holiday, take a look at this conversation-starting itinerary.  With words like Stourhead, Highgrove House and Blenheim Palace leaping off the page and looking magnificent in late May, offer it to them as a customised, value added pre or post Chelsea Flower Show tour.  Read More

18th Century Cutting-Edge Fashion

The autumn exhibition at the Fairfax House, York will highlight Georgian fashion.  Often extreme but always bold, vibrant and colourful it was a world of towering hairstyles, outlandishly high heels, decadently rich fabrics and daringly wide hooped petticoats.  Add 2 nights in York to a fashion-themed Girls Getaway with some special London visits and a side trip to the Fashion Museum in Bath.

A Seafaring Adventure of Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard

As some of your client’s parents/grandparents fought for our freedom in WWII, a pre or post cruise visit to Portsmouth’s D Day Museum could mean a great deal to them.  It’s only 45 minutes east of Southampton.  For families, an action-packed day at the Historic Dockyard is an easy train-based day out from London.  They’re both featured in last week’s Britain Insider column.

Paris and London Flower Shows, A Battle Re-Enactment And Some Gluhwein

Last week’s article for Travel Research Online featured the Journées des Plantes in Paris and Chelsea in London, two new attractions in York, a major ceramics event in the world capital of ceramics and the annual re-enactment of the 1066 Battle of Hastings.  I also added my Antiques Fairs and London Markets tour which is already attracting some small group interest.  Read More

Pavilioned In Splendour

East Anglia, the eastern corner of England features in very few major tour operator’s brochures which is disappointing as it is home to many magnificent privately-owned stately homes that open rarely for the public, award winning gardens, stunning cathedrals, ancient country pubs and some very fine hotel properties.  Some say this is the real England which makes this tour worth a much closer look.