German Choirs would like to sing with British ones :-)

Of all the types of group tours that are possible when visiting the United Kingdom, it is perhaps those of the choir variety that rank amongst the most rewarding and enjoyable – over and above the choir already knowing one another, they all have a common interest and the numerous choirs that exist throughout the world are testament to the popularity of this time-honored pastime.

But more often than not, groups whose main interest is singing will often be disappointed when planning a group trip to the United Kingdom, not least since the vast majority of group tour operators do not offer itineraries that are specifically aimed at them.  But by working with a company that specializes in creating bespoke trips, choirs from throughout the world are able to combine their love of singing with the excitement associated with discovering this green and pleasant land.

Given the rich and diverse cultural heritage that the UK enjoys, Great Britain is arguably the ultimate destination for choirs who can discover the rich heritage and breath-taking landscape that this country offers, whilst being able to sing together in a beautiful new setting.

Furthermore, by singing with a UK choir, choirs from throughout the world will have the opportunity of enjoying a unique shared experience with fellow enthusiasts who share the same hobby – a great bonding experience which often results in forging new friendships which can last a lifetime.  Such ‘sing-together’ events are great ambassadors for international relations!

Such trips can be organized to follow a specific theme.  For example, German choirs can follow in the footsteps of Rosamunde Pilcher or The Beatles, whilst being able to sing with local choirs along the way.  If they decide to include London as part of their itinerary, they can even sing with the UK's only German choir.

If the choir in question is part of a larger organization with a specific interest, then an itinerary can be devised that will include excursions that have been specifically designed to meet the interests of that group.  A Firefighters choir, for example, will have the opportunity of visiting the facilities of their UK counterparts, and of course, have the opportunity of being able to sing with them too.

Correctly structured, choir trips to the UK can be a rich and rewarding experience for all participants.

As part of my work with Germany's largest Group Travel Wholesaler, I'm on the lookout for British choirs that might be interested in singing with German Choirs visiting our (still) United Kingdom. This will do wonders for Ango-German relations during these uncertain and turbulent times!

If anyone is interested, please email me at marc@emjayconsultancy.com - thanks!

Is your group interested in classic cars?

The UK classic car market is now arguably the most sophisticated in the world and one of its main strengths is the UK classic car scene. The Brits have always loved their cars, and now with a buzzing classic race scene, events such as Goodwood Revival and the Silverstone Classic and a myriad of well organised owners clubs and classic tours, these cars are the key to a lifestyle as well as a wonderful piece of mechanical history.

What is more, around 800 classic, sports, vintage and veteran car events take place in the UK each year.  Of these, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is perhaps the best known, and is an absolute must for any vintage car enthusiasts.  However, with so many events taking place throughout the year, the chances are good that your group will be able to attend one or more of them when visiting the United Kingdom.

The British love a good museum and, as we know only too well, there's no museum like a car museum. Fortunately, this country is absolutely bursting with great motor museums.

From the historic Brooklands Museum just south of London to the Beaulieu National Motor Museum in the heart of the New Forest, Coventry's Transport Museum and the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon, German car fans are spoiled for choice when it comes to great days out.

Here are some of the more noteworthy ones:

Haynes Motor Museum

Tucked away in rural Somerset sits a collection of motoring prestige and history. The Haynes International Motor Museum at Sparkford, near Yeovil, is home to more than 400 cars and motorbikes, and is Britain’s biggest motor museum.

The museum was originally opened in 1985 by John Haynes, founder of Haynes Publishing Group, who hoped it would run alongside his workshop manual business.

What’s on show is impressive, and represents motoring from the 1800s to the present day. The American Collection packs all the muscle cars from the early 20th century onwards, while the Vroom Room – part of the recent revamp – features a number of supercars, including a Lamborghini Countach. Also new is the MG and Morris Garage, which pays homage to some classic models in British motoring history. The Red Room needs no explanation, though: it’s a hall of red racers, including cars driven by Michael Schumacher and Sir Stirling Moss.

Beaulieu National Motor Museum

A name that will resonate with all motoring fans, Beaulieu is packed full of history and is a great day out for visiting car enthusiasts.  Key exhibits include everything from record-breakers to cars that have starred in films to race-bred machines from rallying, Formula One and motorbike championships.

Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon

The Heritage Centre is celebrating its 21st birthday this year, and packs a huge collection of British cars, with 300 in all. There’s a big emphasis on domestically made vehicles, with marquee badge names sitting alongside brands made under licence on these shores. 

Brooklands Museum

Brooklands is where it all began for UK motorsport, and is host to the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit. The museum pays homage to this, displaying British engineering and technological marvels from throughout the 20th century. Alternative means of transportation are covered, too, with a Concorde exhibit and other pieces of aviation history, while there’s a host of specialist car days held throughout the year.

Coventry Transport Museum

This is home to land speed record holder Thrust SCC, and there is even a simulator to go with it, in which visitors can get a taste of what it’s like to go quicker than the speed of sound. Coventry also claims to be the home of the world’s biggest collection of British road transport, with a huge display of cars, commercial vehicles and bikes.

Lakeland Motor Museum

Set against rolling hills on the outer edges of the Lake District, the easy-on-the-eye attractions don’t stop with the surroundings at Lakeland Motor Museum, as a huge selection of transport icons made over the last 100 years awaits. Models from Aston Martin, Jaguar and DeLorean are among the highlights.

If you are a member of a Oldtimer Verein, contact us today.  We would be delighted to create a bespoke itinerary for your particular group.

Hiking for groups

The United Kingdom is the quintessential destination for rambling, hiking and walking holidays and boasts some very best scenery, picturesque villages, pleasant strolls and exhilarating treks anywhere in the world.

From the easiest of ambles, to sightseeing strolls taking in our natural heritage and history, good day hikes in moorland and hill country to some of the most challenging guided mountain walks anywhere in the world, you'll find it here.

Given the abundance of possible walks, a comprehensive list would be too long to publish, but here are some suggestions to whet your appetite:

The Cornish Coastal Path

The Cornish Coastal Path offers breathtaking scenery encompassing some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Britain. The mild climate makes walking possible all year round. The ever changing views include fishing villages, sheer cliffs, pristine beaches and turquoise seas enabling you to have an experience that will be treasured for a lifetime.

The Jurassic Coast Path

The Jurassic Coast Path includes some of the most dramatic and beautiful scenery along the South West Coast Path from the charming port of Lyme Regis to the stunning sands of Studland Heath and the bustling port of Poole.

The South Downs Way

The rolling countryside of the South Downs has some of the finest views in Britain. The 102 mile National Trail takes you from Winchester, the first capital of England with it's majestic cathedral to the spectacular white chalk cliffs of Eastbourne and Beachy Head. The way follows for the most part the ridge of the South Downs making this trail a comfortable introduction to long distance walking.

The Thames Path

The Thames Path follows Britain's best known river from it's source in Gloucestershire. It meanders through some of England's most beautiful countryside embellished with lovely towns and villages. The river flows past locks and under magnificent bridges to the grand city of Oxford.

This is one of Britain's most famous walks. The author Alfred Wainwright devised the route and it has been a passionate quest for many thousands of walkers who take in the outstanding beauty and variety that the Coast To Coast Path offers.

Hadrian's Wall

The Unesco World Heritage site of Hadrian's Wall is a majestic and staggering monument to Roman ingenuity, stretching from the vibrant and proud city of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne to the peaceful solitude of the Solway Firth via historic Carlisle. Hadrian's Wall passes through the beautiful and unique Northumberland National Park and is littered with Roman turrets, temples and forts including outstanding Vindolanda and Housesteads.

The Cotswold Way

The Cotswold Way National Trail runs  for just over 100 miles from Chipping Campden to Bath through the high country of the Cotswolds; an improbably attractive quintessentially English countryside of limestone hills dotted with attractive well preserved picture-book villages of honey-coloured stone.

Britain is the ultimate walking destination.  I would be delighted to organize an unforgettable trip for your group.

The UK as a destination for groups interested in the performing arts

When it comes to the performing arts, groups visiting the United Kingdom are spoilt for choice.  

With such a diverse and dynamic cultural scene, there are a wide range of events to choose from including dance, music, opera, concerts, theatre or musical theatre.  And not just in London.  Most UK towns have a vibrant cultural scene waiting to be discovered by groups visiting from overseas.

Furthermore, bespoke packages can be created that cater to the interest of your group.  For example, choirs visiting the UK can have the opportunity of singing with a UK choir, whilst enjoying a unique itinerary that is created especially for them to cover a specific theme such.

Thanks to my  partnership with Barton Hill who have more than 30 years’ experience in creating unique bespoke packages for small and large groups, we are in a position to offer your group a memorable trip to the UK which will be tailor made.  They will take care of all the arrangements, so that you don’t have to.

Whether it’s visiting the world famous Glyndebourne Festival of Opera or attending one of countless shows or concerts throughout the country, groups will discover that the UK is the perfect destination for lovers of art forms in which artists use their body, voice, or objects to convey artistic expression.

The UK as a destination for heritage railway enthusiasts

Since Great Britain is the birthplace to the railway, there are an abundance of almost 200 historical railways scattered throughout the country, allowing railway enthusiasts to step back in time and experience rail travel from a bygone era.

The majority of these feature steam locomotives, lovingly preserved by enthusiasts.  Many also feature museums, allowing visitors to learn about all aspects of travel during steam’s golden age.

Many of the standard gauge railways (thus including former ex-branch lines and former ex-mainline routes) listed were originally closed by British Railways in the 1960s, although lines closed in subsequent decades have also been subject to restoration and operation as private or preserved heritage lines. A smaller number of lines were formerly industrial or colliery railways.

Many of these preserved railways, heritage lines and railway centres alike are popular tourist attractions and make significant contributions to their local economies.

Since such historical railway sites are fairly evenly distributed throughout the country, bespoke itineraries can easily be created for visiting groups that will allow them to visit a wide range of historical railways easily without having to travel great distances.

A well planned trip will be an unforgettable experience for groups interested in discovering Britain’s rich railway legacy.

Top 10 tips for Group leaders planning a trip to the UK

If you are a group leader interested in planning a trip to Great Britain for your group, here are a list of things to consider to ensure that your trip runs as smoothly as possible.

1. Since most British people do not speak another language so it is important that you have at least a rudimentary grasp of the English language.

2. Check if your visit coincides with a UK public holiday.  A list of these can be found here: 

https://www.gov.uk/bank-holidays

3. If you plan to fly to the UK and meet at a hotel, ensure that your onward travel is booked in advance with a taxi service  – this will mean that you will not have to queue for the expensive airport taxis and a driver will be waiting for you upon arrival.

4. If you are planning a trip to Cornwall or more remote parts of the UK, use the services of a bus company that have good knowledge of the local roads.  Some bus companies that rely on SatNav have ended up becoming stuck on narrow rural roads – don’t become one of them!

5. Invest in a pay-as-you go SIM card with a UK number – this will avoid unnecessary and expensive roaming charges when you are called or make outbound calls to UK numbers.

6. Try and avoid using motorways such as London’s M25 during the rush hour, between 07.00 - 09.00 and between 17.00 and 19.00  

7. Thoroughly research you destinations and ensure that your planned visit does not clash with any local festivals or events – unless, of course, you plan to visit them!

8. The UK’s weather is notoriously unpredictable – make sure that your group has sufficient clothing to cover all eventualities – and don’t forget to bring umbrellas!

9. When planning an evening meal for your group, bear in mind that the UK is not a Mediterranean country and that some restaurants close relatively early - particularly in more remote areas.  The optimum time to book a table is between 19:00 and 20:00.

10. Engage in the services of a professional company such as www.bartonhill.com if possible.  They have the necessary experience in creating bespoke itineraries and can make all arrangements on your behalf.

Plan your trip well in advance – a well planned trip will ensure that your group’s visit is both memorable and enjoyable!

Group trips for garden enthusiasts

Thanks to English poet and artist William Blake, England is often fondly referred to as ‘this green and pleasant land’.  And it’s easy to see why: thanks to a temperate climate, England can rightly boast to have the most stunning countryside anywhere in the world and with it an abundance of gardens which continue to delight garden enthusiasts both from within the United Kingdom and throughout the world, many of whom come here for this reason alone.

Over and above the numerous iconic public gardens such as Kew Gardens in South West London and more than 200 owned by the National Trust, there also exist many more smaller ones which whilst not always open to the general public can be viewed by prior appointment for smaller groups.  Such garden visits have a much more personal and intimate feel, allowing groups to effectively have the garden to themselves.

Garden enthusiasts that visit the United Kingdom can therefore have the best of both worlds, by visiting both the abundance of gardens that are open to the general public, but also by private viewings at gardens that are not.

It is usually easiest for groups to do this in conjunction with a group tour operator that specializes in creating bespoke itineraries for groups.  This way, they group need not worry about gaining access to the gardens and with accommodation and meal  arrangements, since these will all be have been organized beforehand.

Given its geographical proximity to mainland Europe, gardening groups can travel to the UK with their own bus and the agency will take care of all ground arrangements upon arrival.  Alternatively, they can fly and meet at a UK hotel, and arrangements will then be made for ground transportation in conjunction with a UK coach company.

Either way, a well-planned garden themed trip to the United Kingdom will be a never to be forgotten experience for all participants.