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VisitWiltshire launches 2010 group travel brochure
18 January 2010
VisitWiltshire has launched its 2010 Group Visits Guide. The pocket sized 24 page booklet is packed full of detailed information plus a new range of sample itineraries. Group travel organisers, coach and tour operators will find everything they need from accommodation and refreshment stops to attractions and events.
Attractions
Wiltshire is home to some of the UK's best known attractions offering plenty of interesting stops for group visitors. These include the famous stone circles at Stonehenge and Avebury, Salisbury Cathedral plus Stourhead, Wilton House and other stately homes. There are also many unusual museums such as The Rifles and STEAM and family friendly attractions like Longleat.
The Group Visits Guide, which is designed to be used alongside the 'What to Do' guide, provides additional and special details for group travel organisers. Inside organisers will find recommended visiting times, coach parking facilities and group rates for the featured attractions.
Places to stay
The 2010 guide makes finding a hotel suitable for groups extremely easy, with information on the number of people each provider can accommodate as well as details on coach parking facilities and group rate guidelines. Furthermore there is a great choice of 26 properties from budget city hotels to luxury country house hotels.
Refreshment stops for groups
Wiltshire has an abundance of coffee, lunch and tea stops for groups and the new brochures lists a selection of over 50 places that can accommodate at least 40 people. All either have on-site parking or are within easy reach of a coach park. Whether groups are looking for country pubs, refreshment stops alongside key attractions or city restaurants, it's all in the guide.
2010 events
In addition to Wiltshire's plethora of attractions to keep groups entertained, there are also plenty of events taking place throughout the year which can add that extra sparkle to a great day out.
Events range from walks and those focusing on the outdoors to numerous music festivals and those that celebrate the best of Wiltshire from the arts and culture to food and drink.
Amongst the range of events in 2010 are:
Salisbury International Arts Festival
Taking place between May 21 and June 5, 2010 in Salisbury, the event celebrates the best in world arts, music and dance, inviting performers from around the globe. For further information including details of performers visit www.salisburyfestival.co.uk
Marlborough International Jazz Festival
Between July 9 and 11, 2010, the quaint market town of Marlborough becomes a mini New Orleans as it plays host to the annual jazz festival. For a full listing of acts visit www.marlboroughjazz.co.uk
Two special anniversaries in 2010 bring the county's industrial heritage to the fore.
200 years of the Kennet & Avon Canal
Throughout 2010, the county will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Kennet & Avon Canal. The canal which runs right through the centre of the county is famous for the impressive Caen Hill Locks, a compact flight of 16 locks which form part of the 29 locks near Devizes which raise the canal 237 feet in two miles. It is also popular with walkers and cyclists thanks to its easy tow paths. Events are planned throughout the 2010 to celebrate the anniversary and groups are encouraged to visit Wadworth Brewery in Devizes to sample the special anniversary ale! Keep visiting www.visitwiltshire.co.uk for updated details of events and activities surrounding the anniversary.
175 years of the Great Western Railway
The railway that links London to the South West is celebrating its 175th anniversary with a number of events throughout 2010. Much of the railway is celebrated at STEAM in Swindon, the home of the railway and where the company's locomotives were built. http://www.steam-museum.org.uk/. Among the events on offer include Pete Waterman's Railnuts on 10th April, where the railway fanatic spends a day at STEAM celebrating railways and models. In June the STEAM Museum will celebrate its 10th Anniversary and in August tickets will be available for an official 175th Anniversary Gala Dinner, hosted by Pete Waterman. Please keep checking the website for updated events and information for group visitors.
A full calendar of up-coming events is available on www.visitwiltshire.co.uk.
Suggested itineraries
Group travel planners looking for something interestingly different will find the suggested itineraries very useful. Each itinerary has a specific focus such as world heritage sites, film tourism or spectacular gardens. For example: Animal encounters, Tales of the Bloody Past and World Heritage Wonders.
Add information on things to do for free, new activities for 2010, suggestions for things to do out of season as well as coach parks across the county and it's easy to see why this is an essential tool for the professional group organiser.
For a free copy of the VisitWiltshire Group Visits Guide 2010 visit www.visitwiltshire.co.uk or call 0845 602 7343.
