NEARLY NEW DAYTRIPS

VIEWS AND VISTAS

NEARLY NEW

Enjoy a day of beautiful Views & Vistas on the swooping South including the Devil’s Dyke with a visit to cliff top Lewes and, the crowning glory of the day - the new Brighton i360. Created by the couple who designed the London Eye this isn’t a wheel, it is the world’s first vertical cable car on the beach near the West Pier. You glide to the top at 450 feet in a futuristic glass viewing pod with 360 degree views.

BIRMINGHAM - THE CITY OF A THOUSAND TRADES

NEARLY NEW

There’s a real buzz about the new improved Birmingham – a city of beautiful squares, greenery and public art. Visit the extraordinary new Library of Birmingham,  see the Staffordshire Hoard and take an entertaining City panorama. In the afternoon visit Aston Hall, a grand stately home or the quirky Newman Brothers Coffin Works.

THE WYE VALLEY & THE ROYAL FOREST OF DEAN

NEARLY NEW

The beautiful Wye Valley is Border Country, fought over for centuries by the English and the Welsh. The great primeval Royal Forest of Dean is a fairy tale Queen of Forests where witches live, miners are free and sheep have badgers. With wonderful scenery all day, a River Wye Cruise and tea and homemade shortbread included in the tour fee this is a great day for groups who like to see a lot without walking too far.

ABINGDON & THE COUNTRY CRUISE

NEARLY NEW

This day begins and ends in beautiful Abingdon-on-Thames where the mediaeval buildings drip down into the water – quite unlike any other Thames side town. With a gentle walk, a little bit on the coach and a two-hour country cruise this new  tour was a real crowd-pleaser last year and this year includes rare access to the ancient Abingdon Abbey buildings.

ADVENTURES IN METRO-LAND

NEARLY NEW

Almost as soon as the Romans built their wall London began to creep out towards the surrounding villages.  Our story of urban sprawl begins in the idyllic village threatened by Heathrow’s third runway before venturing out into the Green Belt and John Betjeman’s Metro-Land to the handsome Chiltern town of Old Amersham where the museum opens just for us. Includes morning refreshments and a tasty buffet lunch.

SUSSEX PRAIRIE GARDENS

NEARLY NEW

Visit the Upper Adur Valley in West Sussex  - dotted with pretty villages and beautiful views. Include a very good hotel carvery meal or opt for free time to do your own thing for lunch in lovely Steyning. In the afternoon we visit one of the most glorious new gardens in England where we round off a memorable day out with tea and home made cake.

JOHN CONSTABLE'S STOUR VALLEY

NEARLY NEW

John Constable, perhaps the greatest and most original of the great British landscape artists was born, lived and painted in his studio in East Bergholt and his father owned nearby Flatford Mill. The tranquil garden at East Bergholt Place is often referred to as the Cornish garden in Suffolk. The tour fee includes morning coffee and lunch at a fine country pub and a top notch Blue Badge tour guide.

PORTSMOUTH REVISITED

NEARLY NEW

Now is the time to visit Portsmouth. In this beautifully revamped day we start at an old fort above the city and enjoy a Portsmouth coach panorama and a short walk through  Old Portsmouth to see the famous Hot Walls. After free time for lunch at Gunwharf Quays where you can opt to scale the Spinnaker Tower we visit to the Historic Royal Dockyard