Last Saturday, the annual Excursions trade show took place at the Alexandra Palace, London.  It’s the top showcase for attractions both large and small in the south and central regions of England and over the next few weeks, I’m going to bring you up to date with some of the bright ideas that will transform any customised UK tour. You will be familiar with some of them, but others will be a very pleasant surprise, not only to you but also to anglophile clients who like to stray on and off the beaten path. I’ve added links to each one and if you can spare 5 minutes, shake off the winter blues with the YouTube video and wander around the lovely gardens at Borde Hill.

With more to come in the weeks ahead let me add to your UK knowledge-bank some of what I’ve discovered in this the treasure-filled Aladdin’s Cave.  You can also rest assured that I know exactly how to piece them all together as a seamless, enjoyable and profitable UK tour.

The Favourite, Mary Queen of Scots, Chihuly And More

This link will take you to two short videos on The Favourite, almost entirely filmed at treasure filled Hatfield House and on Mary Queen of Scots.  Having seen it over the weekend, it’s a great starting point for a customised Scotland tour.  Discover the major Chihuly glass exhibition at Kew Gardens and other ideas your clients will want to experience.

Don Giovani in the Cotswolds

Running between 5^th June and 3^rd August, the internationally renowned Longborough Festival Opera is an intimate 500-seat theatre set amidst the glorious rolling hills of the Cotswolds. The exciting 2019 programme includes four new productions: Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Donizetti’s Anna Bolena, and Cavalli’s rarely-performed La Calisto, along with Wagner’s Das Rheingold.  It’s their first step to a new Ring cycle. 

Sarah Wesley's 350th Anniversary

As two of my Inside Track readers have recently confirmed their small group tour plans for this important Methodist anniversary, this link will help you to get a clearer picture of the potential interest in this more unusual perspective on the 18^th century life of Susannah Wesley and the life and times of the great evangelists, John and Charles Wesley.

Romantic Pashley Manor

Sweeping herbaceous borders, elegant rose and historic walled gardens and enchanting woodland paths.  Welcome to this superb, award-winning garden on the Kent/Sussex border.  In addition to private garden tours, time your visit to include their annual Tulip Festival (22^nd April-7^th May), their Sculpture in Particular Exhibition displayed throughout the garden (25^th May-1^st June) and their Special Rose Week 7^th-15^th June).

Beautiful Borde Hill

This beautiful award-winning garden combines outstanding vistas with tranquil outdoor garden rooms including the delightful Azalea Ring and Rhododendron Gardens, Rose Garden and scenic Italian Garden.  Between 10^th May – 30^th Sept, the garden will be transformed into an outdoor gallery with an enticing collection of sculpture.  Between 17^th-28^th June, the afternoon air is thick with heady scent during their annual Rose Celebrations.

The Wonderful World of Wedgwood

Just 1 hour south of the Manchester Gateway, start a short shop ‘n’ ship trip to the World Capital of Ceramics with a close encounter with the master craftsmen and women at the World of Wedgwood. Browse in their Flagship Store, enjoy morning coffee served in the finest Wedgwood china and discover the Wedgwood Collection in their Museum, now owned by the V&A.