From West End wonders to literature links and glorious garden events, there’s enough to keep your group entertained all year round. If you’re looking for ways of entertaining your members this year and further ahead, the Group Leisure & Travel Show on 12th October is the place to be for the best deals and new ideas. Here are our pick of some the exhibitors at the show:
Christmas at Kew
Whether you’re a first time visitor or a seasoned regular, there is so much on offer at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, from Kew the Movies to Foodie Fridays and various courses.
This Christmas a season of wintery evenings at Kew will run from 22nd November until 1st January 2018. This will be the fifth annual run of the Christmas at Kew event and the garden has once again teamed up with entertainment promoter Raymond Gubbay Ltd to create a series of new theatrical and entertaining features.
Groups will get to follow a new illuminated trail around Kew that is made up of over a million twinkling lights, illuminated globes, glittering Christmas trees and underwater displays of lights. Further highlights include pantomime performances from Santa and his elves; a fairground with Victorian carousel and a helter skelter ride; along with festive food and drink offerings.
For group booking information contact groups@kew.org or call 020 8332 5648.
Literary Links
Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Credit: Shakespeare’s England.
With the story of history’s greatest writer, Shakespeare’s England makes the perfect day out for groups.
Explore the great bard’s life and legacy throughout his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon; beginning at his Birthplace, follow in Will’s footsteps to the Schoolroom where he was educated and became inspired to become the world’s greatest playwright, before moving on to the other family homes.
From stunning Tudor buildings to a thoroughly modern one: a trip to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, home of the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company, demonstrates the bard’s influence in the 21st Century. With guided tours, a tower with spectacular views of the River Avon, and their behind-the-scenes exhibition, the Play’s the Thing, a visit to the RSC is a must-do for theatre lovers.
For information email enquiries@shakespeares-england.co.uk or call 01789 260567.
Groups into their history may also want to look at visiting Leicester’s King Richard III Visitor Centre, which offers group benefits. The centre hosts various events that are said to be both entertaining and educational.
Contact 0116 229 4132 or visit www.kriii.com
Matinee Shows
Freddie Mercury Matinee Show. Credit: Groups Direct.
If theatre is high on your group’s agenda then the new Matinee Shows provides a host of performances that will offer tribute act entertainment at a number of London venues. The in-house productions, in association with James R Hearn, will include tribute shows of Elton John, Michael Bublé, ABBA and Cliff Richard, amongst others.
Running run from 18th January 2018 until 6th December 2018, the shows will start with Masters of the Musicals and ending with a Michael Bublé act. A three-course meal and a welcome drink are offered on arrival, providing what Groups Direct describes as a ‘quality alternative to the traditional West End theatre offerings’.
Groups Direct offers an array of deals for theatre-loving groups, such as combining afternoon tea at the Strand Palace Hotel with a West End show.
For more information, visit www.groupsdirect.co.uk.
More for theatre-lovers
Panto season is almost upon us. Oh yes it is! And if you haven’t already booked up to take your group out this Christmas, there’s plenty on offer.
The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has announced that The Bill star Graham Cole will complete the line-up of this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk show from Saturday 9 December, which runs until 14th January, 2018. For tickets contact 01902 429212 or visit grandtheatre.co.uk.
For other pantomimes, group travel organisers can visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk for tickets to shows up and down the country this Christmas.
Hotel breaks
Whether you’re looking for a short break, Turkey and Tinsel or an overnight stay to tie in with a longer trip, accommodation can also provide a host of entertainment for your group.
Warner Leisure Hotels is a great place to look for a range of hotels across the country. It hosts an abundance of festive offerings at Christmas with top-class entertainment and also runs a number of festivals and themed breaks. There are various benefits for groups visiting a Warner resort for those of 20 or more.
Freedom Hotels, exhibiting at the show, offers nine individual hotels in three stunning destinations across Scotland and northern England including The Yorkshire Hotel in Harrogate and Murraypark Hotel in Crieff. It promises the individuality of a local hotel combined with the high standards of a national group.
If you’re looking for a sense of total escape then Giant Hospitality could provide a good option for accommodating your group. With its various collections, including the Classic and Boutique collections, the group offers to cater for a range of needs – from a comfortable and economical holiday right through to luxury breaks.
Register to visit the show
You can meet representatives from many of the aforementioned attractions and many more at this year’s Group Leisure & Travel Show, taking place on 12th October at the NEC, Birmingham.
You can register for free entry now, and take advantage of our free parking offer. Find the simple Visitor Registration form at grouptravelshow.com/register – why wait?
Companies interested in exhibiting can telephone Sharon Yandell on 01908-613323 for more information or e-mail sharon.y@yandellmedia.com.
