We have a saying, ‘you wait ages for a bus and then 2 or 3 come along at the same time.’ It’s sometimes like that with big-potential fueled new ideas for UK travel and this week’s edition showcases a couple of examples, namely the ‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’ Exhibition at the V&A in London and the long-awaited film version of the hugely popular Downton Abbey. The exhibition starts in February, but the movie’s launch date is still to be confirmed. Both will attract extensive media coverage which will make offering the tours I’ve created much easier to sell.
My Fashion Tour of England will help you to develop interest in a customised UK tour, and my Downton Abbey tour features picture-perfect English villages and a ‘life below stairs’ visit to the kitchens beneath a large stately home. Email me for details.
Attending Sunday Morning Worship or Choral Evensong in St Georges Chapel, Windsor is becoming popular. Clovelly’s Lobster and Crab Festival is a tasty addition to a Poldark tour of Cornwall. The Cotswolds provides the perfect base for some more travel less, experience more tour ideas.
The Christian Dior Exhibition at the V&A LondonThere is no other country in the world, besides my own, whose way of life I like so much. I love English traditions, English politeness, English architecture. I even love English cooking.” Christian Dior. From February to July and spanning 1947 to the present day, the V&A Museum will celebrate one of the most ingenious and iconic designers in fashion history. Re-imagining the highly popular exhibition from Paris, more light will be shed on Christian Dior’s admiration of the grandeur of Britain’s great houses and gardens as well as British-designed ocean liners including the Queen Mary. |
A Fashion Tour of EnglandThe V&A holds one of the world’s largest and most important fashion collections which, with the Christian Dior exhibition, gets any programme off to a fantastic start. With special visits to other notable costume collections in and around London and side trips to Bath and Brighton, with some careful thought, you already have clients and contacts who will be fascinated by this idea. |
Downton AbbeyThe long-awaited film version of Downton Abbey is coming to the big screen and shooting begins in September. Many of the stars from the original main cast are returning and the new film is sure to send visitor numbers soaring once again. To avoid disappointment, let’s get ahead and start a conversation about a 2019 Downton Abbey On Location tour. |
Worship in St George’s Chapel, WindsorIn the past couple of weeks, I’ve created several customised tours for Inside Track readers that include either Sunday Morning Worship or Choral Evensong in St George’s Chapel Windsor. The burial place of 10 monarchs and one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings in England, it’s where Prince Harry and The Countess of Sussex were recently married. This is a thoughtful addition to a tailor-made tour. |
Lobster and Crab FeastNorthern Devon has a sustainable lobster fishing programme that feeds the coastal waters with tens of thousands of baby lobsters each year from our hatchery. The picturesque, cliff-side village of Clovelly celebrates this each year at their Lobster and Crab Feast. This year’s is Sunday, 2nd September 2018 with cook outs on the ancient quay and across the region via the www.northdevonfoodtrail.co.uk and its app. |
Saved and Restored
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Putting the ‘T’ in the Cotswolds
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Gold, Gardens and Antiques
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Tapestries, a Spa, and Royal Connections
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Calling All Quilters
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Paull Tickner, owner of U.K.-based Custom GB, is known for his expertise in creating and operating imaginative, value-added tours of Great Britain and Ireland. Visit his website at www.customgb.co.uk or email him at ptickner@customgb.co.uk.