To help you more clearly visualise some of the many attractions I mention, I’m going to introduce several short ‘imagine you’re here’ youtube videos which bring to life what you can offer clients in their customised UK itinerary.  I know this will mean dedicating a bit more time to reading my Inside Track but if the UK’s on your agenda, you will find it to be time well spent, especially if you then share some of the information with your clients…

This week, you can sample the new cookery school at the 5-star Grand Hotel in York and admire the skill of the mastercraftsmen and women at Middleport Pottery.  You can also take a stroll through a 17th century living history village and see just how glorious the gardens are at Exbury.  Along with the other winners of the prestigious HHA/Christies Garden of the Year award, they are all on Southampton’s doorstep.

I’ve also flagged up the 75^th anniversary of D Day in Portsmouth and a wonderful embroidery collection just north of London.

New Cookery School Opens

The new cookery school opened last Friday at the luxurious 5-star Grand Hotel York.  Led by expert tutors, sessions range from half-day to full day courses on how to prepare authentic dishes, with fresh local produce at the heart of each creation. Choose from a selection of classes from international cuisine and Modern British classics, to bread making and dinner party dining.

D Day 75th Anniversary

In early June, the city of Portsmouth will host commemorative events to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.  Read my Britain Insider column and discover the role being played by Southwick House where Eisenhower famously announced, “We go” at 4:19 a.m. on June 6, 1944, the re-enactments at Southwick village, the D-Day Museum, Portsmouth Cathedral and the Historic Dockyard.

The Embroiderers' Guild Collection

The Embroiderers’ Guild was formed in 1906 to raise technical and design standards in British embroidery. The Guild assembled a nationally important collection of world costume and textiles which is on long-term loan to Bucks County Museum, which now stores, cares for and displays the collection. A small selection of the collection can be viewed in the Beryl Dean Gallery at the museum.

Hand Crafted in Middleport

Visit Middleport Pottery ‘Home of Burleigh’ for a truly unique factory tour which leads visitors through each stage of production, showing how a lump of clay is transformed into a finished piece of iconic Burleigh ware. Burleigh’s production methods have changed little in 130 years and include the highly specialised ‘tissue transfer’ decoration method which cannot be seen anywhere else.

Living History

Away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, this living history village is in Gosport, a short ferry ride across Portsmouth’s busy harbour. It’s where you can meet and talk with the ‘villagers’ dressed in period costumes and watch them demonstrate the historic skills of the blacksmith, lace-makers and weavers from 17^th Century England. Step back in time with this video.

Winners Row

Garden loving cruise clients sailing in or out of Southampton need to know that just to the west of the city there are 5 former winners of the annual Garden of the Year competition.  Sponsored by the Historic Houses Association and Christies, they include Abbotsbury, Athelhampton, Exbury, Forde Abbey and Heale House as a unique pre or post cruise extension.  Check the link.