Day Excursions

Each August for more than a century the Show has been held in the picturesque setting of Shrewsbury's beautiful 29-acre Quarry Park, with its magnificent sunken gardens, known as The Dingle, providing a colourful centrepiece which brings gasps of admiration and delight from up to 75,000 visitors to the Show each year. The beauty of the natural park makes it a show within a show, a fitting location for one of the top competitive and decorative horticultural displays staged anywhere.

The show has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's longest running horticultural show. The first show was held in Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park in July 1875.

The UK's largest independent flower show is packed full of spectacular exhibits and inspirational gardens. This year the theme is Liverpool, celebrating the city's year as European Capital of Culture. Specialist nurseries, gardening gadgets, accessories, and garden sculptures offer everything you need to add style and comfort to outdoor living. Rediscover the art of enjoyable shopping in the Rural Crafts pavilion where you are sure to find that special gift, and for the gourmet, two food halls offering foods from near and far and cookery demonstrations by celebrity chefs..

Mersey Ferries fascinating Manchester Ship Canal Cruise is a truly memorable journey along the 35-mile stretch of canal. This six-hour cruise includes a lively commentary giving a revealing insight into the facts, the history and the dramas of one of Britain’s major waterways. The cruises take in spectacular scenery leaving its passengers with an awe-inspiring sense of how its construction shaped the city of Manchester and the North West of England.

The newly refurbished vessels provide first-class surroundings and the licensed bars and serveries sell refreshments and snacks throughout the cruise.

See this seaside city of fun still buzzing with excitement and laughter long after other resorts have gone into winter
hibernation. At 10 kilometres long and using over one million bulbs the Blackpool Illuminations are an awesome spectacle. Sit back relax and enjoy a tour of the lights aboard our coach as we drive along the promenade. Electricity consumed totals 960,000 units, at an approximate cost of £50,000. Anyone got a 50p for the meter! There will be some free time during the day for shopping or a visit to the famous Pleasure Beach.

This well-known four day fayre launches York’s variety of festive city centre markets. It offers a range of markets specialising in gifts, crafts, and the very best in local farm produce. The city comes alive with bustling stalls, carol singers and buskers, just at the right time to get you in the right spirits for Christmas.