This week’s top two stories have been influenced by Inside Track readers’ requests.  Firstly, there’s a Cotswolds-based walking tour through some of England’s loveliest scenery and picturesque villages which are also homes to many 15^th and 16^th century pubs serving ploughman’s lunches and real ales.  The next one focuses on Christmas Markets in three of our great cathedral cities, visits to stately homes stunningly decorated in full festive mode and finishing with more of the same back in London.

Returning to the current season, I’ve flagged up some dates for green-fingered clients unable to make it to the Chelsea Flower Show looking for a top-notch horticultural extravaganza as a highlight for their customised 2019 tour.  I’ve also chosen Blenheim Palace to illustrate the wide variety of events that take place annually in our great treasure-filled palaces, castles and grand houses.

Finally, I’ve closed with a chocolate-themed idea based on the great Viking city of York and the Yorkshire Dales and a heads up for a significant ceramics biennial in the World Capital of Ceramics.

Cotswold Walking Tours

I’ve just put together a couple of different Cotswolds Walking Tours for a small group of 10 women and for 4 older travellers.  Do you have clients who’d like to do this for 3-4 nights before or after a cruise or as a nice idea before heading into London for e few days?  Check my website and let’s start an email conversation.

Christmas Markets

I’m just finalising a couple of different early December Christmas Markets itineraries for 2 Inside Track readers and I’m testing the waters to see if it’s something you might consider.  It features 3 of the best in England and includes a couple of treasure houses fully decorated for Christmas.  I can provide some great images to help you to promote the idea.

The Royal Horticultural Society

The RHS has been inspiring a love of gardens for over 200 years with its world-famous garden shows.  Having been busy in their own gardens during the spring, suggest a summer UK tour customised to include their annual Flower Shows at Hampton Court (1^st-7^th July), Tatton Park (17^th-21^st July) and at the fabulous RHS flagship garden at Wisley (3^rd-8^th September).

Blenheim Palace

I’m struck by the large number of events they stage during the year. A few that have caught my eye include their Food Festival (25^th-27^th May), Giffards Circus (6^th-10^th June), their Flower Show (21^st-23^rd June), the Elizabethan pop up Rose Theatre season (8^th July to 7^th September) and the Blenheim Palace Horse Trials (19^th-22^nd September).

Chocolate Heaven

With York being the UK’s home of chocolate and now hosting the new Cookery School at the 5-star Grand Hotel, this theme has potential for further development within the city and out in the Yorkshire Dales where Leyburn-based Inspired Chocolate make high-quality artisanal chocolates in a purpose-built Chocolate Factory in the Yorkshire Dales.  This city and countryside combination produces a deliciously memorable result.

British Ceramics Biennial 2019

This exceptional event returns to the World Capital of Ceramics aka Stoke on Trent between 7^th September and 13^th October this year featuring work by contemporary artists in exhibitions and events across the city.  If you have clients with an interest in ceramics, start planning a visit using one of growing number of non-stop flights into Manchester. More details coming shortly.