There is so much to get planning for brighter days ahead, whether it’s this year or next, here’s our selection of some of the top attractions and events for your group days out.
Bowood House & Gardens, Wiltshire
Discover the rich and fascinating history of Bowood House (pictured above) and the Lansdowne family, set within 100 acres of beautifully landscaped ‘Capability’ Brown Parkland. The Italian-inspired Terrace Garden, the Private Walled Gardens and the herbaceous border, all showcase vibrant colour in the summer. New this year, visitors can book a tour of Bowood’s spectacular gardens, with David Glass who has been Bowood’s head gardener for more than 13 years. The exclusive experience includes a 90-minute guided tour of Lord and Lady Lansdowne’s private walled garden, with lunch options also available.
LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
Choose from fantastic rides and other LEGO®-themed attractions which bring the magic of the iconic building brick to life. New for this year, groups will be able to visit LEGO® MYTHICA: World of Mythical Creatures, a multi-million-pound world which features new attractions and experiences, plus a never-before-seen UK ride. The Resort is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Hever Castle & Kent
The historic castle in the small village of Hever, was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and every summer, sees its grounds transformed by beautiful displays throughout the estate in the Hever in Bloom event.
Scheduled to take place from 21st – 27th June, groups will be able to experience the quintessential English Rose Garden at the height of its summer beauty with guided tours and a floristry workshop with the attraction’s florist. Many of the castle rooms will be filled with stunning floral arrangements, also created by the florist and garden team, taking natural beauty inside the historic walls.
Coventry Cathedral
Having been voted Best Historic Attraction or Venue at the 2020 Group Leisure & Travel Awards, you decided this unique building was a top outing, and we can completely see why. The ruins of the old Cathedral, that were created when German planes bombed the site in World War Two, provide a dramatic backdrop to open air events throughout the year – and it looks especially beautiful on a sunny day. Groups can pre-book tours, with guides happy to focus on different interests for your members, whether it be the architecture, the arts contained within the building and the artists who created them, or the story of reconciliation which continues today.
Waddesdon Manor
The grounds of the manor come to life in the summer months, not only through its seasonal flower displays but also through its ever-changing exhibitions and events. Elephant Family will take over the grounds from 16th January until 31st October, so visitors can appreciate them even more when the weather gets warmer.
Life-size sculptures of a family of five Indian elephants – a tusker, matriarch, two male adolescents and a female calf will be found in Half Moon Walk in the Pleasure Grounds throughout the season. These sculptures take their names from the real wild elephants living in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu who modelled for them. Also on offer for the season will be Nick Knight: Roses for my Garden, a photography exhibition, Gustave Moreau: The Fables, which displays several artworks from the French artist and Collecting Stories: Private World to Public Spaces, which uncovers private collections from the Rothchild family.
Compton Acres
Constructed in 1920 by Mr Thomas Simpson, you can enjoy more than ten acres of horticultural excellence, take a stop in the café and tea rooms, and gain inspiration and buy your own plants from the Plant Centre. This site encompasses more than 3,000 species of plants, some of which do not grow anywhere else in the county, and is home to a magnificent collection of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Whether it be the spectacular Kurume Hybrid azaleas in the Japanese Garden or the peculiar looking Arisaema candidissimum in the Wooded Valley, keen gardeners will want to take in everything. Pre-booked groups can also usually enjoy private garden tours.
British Airways i360
For superb views of the Sussex coastline, not many compare to the British Airways i360, a viewing pod which takes visitors up to 450 feet.
The experience is made extra special with an on-board bar, meaning groups can experience a glorious sunset with a glass of sparkling wine in the summertime. Even if the Great British weather decides to throw a curve ball, this doesn’t always indicate poor visibility either, so groups can still enjoy their flight which takes around 30 minutes to complete.
