Travel with Blakes, travel with friends! - Blakes Coaches

8
SPALDING FLOWER FESTIVAL
& CAMBRIDGE
The Spalding Flower Festival has to be one of the most colourful and vibrant displays of its
kind. Each year, millions of surplus tulip heads from acres of fields are crafted into brilliantly
colourful decorated floats which are paraded through the town of Spalding accompanied by
marching bands.
Famous for its university, carols in King’s College Chapel and punting on the River Cam,
Cambridge is a cultural delight. The splendour of its ancient heart, with its medieval streets,
college courts, ornate bridges and gardens is perfectly preserved.
Set in 11 acres of landscaped grounds overlooking an ornamental lake this modern 4* hotel
offers every contemporary comfort. Each of the smart and tasteful rooms is ensuite, with TV,
telephone, hairdryer, telephone, iron and tea & coffee facilities. The restaurant offers a
delicious traditional menu and generous buffet breakfast. The hotel’s leisure facilities
include a well-appointed fitness suite and there is a lift to all floors.
Itinerary
4 DAY TOUR
Departure: Friday 3rd – Monday 6th May
Marriott Hotel
Peterborough (01733 371111)
FRIDAY – We leave the West Country and make our way east, stopping for coffee and
lunch en route, to our hotel in Peterborough, with ample time to settle in and unwind before
evening dinner.
SATURDAY – This morning we make our way to Spalding for the spectacle of the Flower
Festival. Springfields Festival Gardens are a beautifully landscaped area, featuring
Chelsea-style celebrity showcase gardens where all the floats will be on static display.
There is also a Flower Hall, Schools Marquee, with competitions in various categories,
displays and demonstrations by local professional and amateur artists and entertainment
throughout the day. After lunch a Floral Cavalcade, along with marching bands will parade
through the town. Adjoining the Festival Gardens you will find Springfields Outlet Shopping
Centre, where you will find many of the well known High Street shops, and some very
individual retail outlets, and well as some very tempting cafés and restaurants.
SUNDAY – After a leisurely breakfast we travel to Cambridge, with plenty of time to explore
this historic city full of famous colleges. You may like to visit one of the many museums, or
to see the city as it is meant to be seen – from the river, and take a leisurely boat trip. There
is also a large new shopping area, with all the high street favourites that you would expect
and numerous restaurants and cafés to enjoy a leisurely lunch. We return to our hotel giving
you ample time to freshen up and make use of the leisure facilities if you wish before a final
leisurely dinner.
MONDAY – We leave our hotel after breakfast and begin our homeward journey, with a stop
in Royal Windsor for lunch. We continue our journey back to the West Country, arriving early
evening.
TOUR PRICE £229.00
Price includes:
3 nights’ dinner, bed & buffet breakfast
Entrance to the Springfield Gardens Festival & Flower Parade
All excursions
Supplements:
Single supplement £45.00
Travel insurance £11.00
TELEPHONE 01398 341160
NATIONAL TRUST TREASURES…
SHROPSHIRE
5 DAY TOUR
Departure: Monday 6th – Friday 10th May
The National Trust is a conservation organisation and it works to preserve and protect the
coastline, countryside and buildings of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It does this in
a range of ways… through practical caring and conservation, through educating and
informing, and through encouraging millions of people to enjoy their national heritage. The
trust owns many heritage properties, including historic houses and gardens and we are
delighted to be able to offer a tour to five of its loveliest properties.
Holiday Inn
Telford
We are delighted to return to this modern 3* hotel situated within walking distance of Telford
town centre but with its own landscaped gardens. Each of the comfortable rooms is ensuite,
with TV, telephone, hairdryer, trouser press and tea & coffee-making facilities. Leisure
facilities include indoor pool, steam room, and spa, and the Olive Tree Restaurant provides
freshly prepared food. There is a lift to all floors.
Itinerary
MONDAY – We leave the West Country and make our way to Sanders Garden World for
coffee, before continuing on to our first National Trust property at Croome, in
Worcestershire. The Mansion House, once close to destruction it is now embarking on an
entirely new journey in the 21st century. The parkland has also been transformed to its 18thcentury
hey-day. The enchanting shrubberies lead you to dramatic views with temples,
bridges, follies and statues waiting to be found around every corner. We later complete our
journey to our hotel with time to settle in before dinner.
TUESDAY – Join us this morning as we make our way to Ludlow, one of the most attractive
towns in England. With time to browse the shops and have coffee we continue on to nearby
Berrington Hall. A Neo-classical mansion with fine interiors and many secrets to uncover.
You can explore the family rooms and see how the servants moved around the house
unseen by the family and guests. The house is surrounded by Capability Brown's final
landscaped gardens. There is a gift & plant shop and tea room.
WEDNESDAY – This morning we travel to Shrewsbury, the county town of Shropshire, set
in glorious countryside. We then make the short journey to Attingham Park, Hall, an Elegant
18th-century mansion set in an extensive deer park and built for the 1st Lord Berwick in
1785. Highlights include the impressive Picture Gallery and Dining Room, set for an evening
banquet that reflects its Regency splendour. Today is Mansion Regency Wednesday’ where
all room guides will be in costume. The mansion is set in beautiful parkland and home to a
wide range of wildlife, including the Deer Park, the Walled Garden and miles of beautiful
walks. You may also like to have a 1930’s afternoon tea in the mansion's Lady Berwick’s.
THURSDAY – This morning we travel first to Bridgnorth, which in reality is two towns: the
High Town (good views down) and the Low Town (good views up), connected by the
steepest inland funicular railway in Britain. We continue to Croft Castle and Parkland near
Leominster, A Castellated manor house set in stunning countryside with panoramic views
and home to the Croft family for nearly 1,000 years. It nestles at the heart of a 1,500-acre
estate of woodland, farm and parkland.
FRIDAY – We leave our hotel and begin our homeward journey, stopping at Wightwick
Manor & Gardens. Inspired by a lecture given by Oscar Wilde, and built in the Old English
Style, the house is furnished with pieces by William Morris and paintings by Rossetti to give
a sumptuous interior. It is set amidst a garden of yew hedges and roses. We later continue
our journey south; with a comfort stop en route, arriving back in the West Country early
evening.
TOUR PRICE
NAT TRUST MEMBERS £299.00
NON NAT TRUST MEMBERS £335.00
Price includes:
4 nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast
Entrance to Croome Mansion House. Entrance to Berrington Hall
Entrance to Attingham Park. Entrance to Croft Castle & Parkland
Entrance to Whitewick Manor & Gardens. All excursions
Supplements:
Single supplement £48.00
Travel insurance £13.50