The British Tourism & Travel Show is back at the NEC, Birmingham on 22-23 March 2023. Before then, our exhibitors have lots planned for your groups.
As the summer season draws to an end, we ramp up the festivities that is in store for those planning group tours for the remainder of the year. The autumn/winter season has lots to offer your groups, from festive events, to tailored boat and railway trips and everything in between, we look at what some British Tourism & Travel Show (BTTS) exhibitors have in store this autumn and winter.
Relax on the water
A trip on the water might not seem like an obvious choice for the winter months. But many boat tour providers offer a range of exciting trips all year round, making it an ideal autumn or winter activity for groups.
Forth Boat Tours (Stand E38) in the Scottish town of Queensferry operates two distinctive 90 minute cruises: The Three Bridges & Inchcolm Island cruise and Blackness Castle, Three Bridges cruise. Groups will have the opportunity to see wildlife including seals and puffins on their tour too.
See the Three Bridges as you have never seen them before on the Three Bridges & Inchcolm Island cruise. Take in views of the Edinburgh skyline and the island of Inchcolm with its medieval abbey, known as the Iona of the East.
On the Blackness Castle, Three Bridges cruise, groups can set sail for adventure and history while enjoying a complimentary cream tea. This cruise bridges the past and the present, and lets you take in views of the imposing medieval fortress of Blackness Castle on the shores of the Forth.
“Each year, our friendly and professional crew entertain thousands of visitors on our award-winning cruises,” says Alastair Baird, Sales, Marketing and Development Manager at Forth Boat Tours. He continued, “we welcome groups and parties of all sizes and interests. From school outings and local community groups to coach parties, everyone is welcome on board.”
The cruises depart from South Queensferry, a short distance from Scotland’s bustling capital Edinburgh.
See the sights of Plymouth… or Liverpool
Looking for a boat trip in England? Groups wishing to see the sights of Plymouth can 
enjoy tailored sightseeing cruises with Plymouth Boat Trips (Stand B41).
Step aboard and discover Plymouth Sound, the River Tamar, the historic Royal Naval Dockyard and the breath-taking scenery of the South West coast.
A finalist in the 2020 Coach Tourism Awards, Plymouth Boat Trips offer various cruises from a one-hour Mayflower Heritage, scenic and naval harbour experience to half-day trips.
In Liverpool, you’ll find a cruise with a twist on The Floating Grace (Stand A7). Groups can experience a unique dining experience onboard Liverpool’s unique floating restaurant and bar. While enjoying lunch or dinner, see the sights of the Albert Dock go by and relax in style.
Throughout December, you can also step aboard The Floating Grace for a Christmas-themed cruise with a traditional Christmas dinner and a welcome flute of bubbly! With seating for up to 50 guests, there are also evening dinner cruises, Sunday lunch cruises and afternoon tea cruises to book.
Steam through winter
If heritage railway is more your group’s thing, look no further than Gwili Railway (Stand A23) in Carmarthen, Wales. Choose from a range of vintage train rides and experiences this autumn and winter, including:
- Halloween Lights of The Valley Train: Enjoy the delights of a steam train in bright, colourful lights this October and November.
- Santa Special: Meet Santa and enjoy a complimentary mince pie and sherry for all adults (or drink and snack for children) on a ride through the beautiful South Wales countryside.
- Murder Mystery: An evening of surprises and intrigue awaits on a vintage steam train. There will be clues, acting, a steam train trip and a four-course meal.
- New Year Lights of The Valley Train: Steam through South West Wales on a vintage train adorned with sparkling neon lights in December.
There’s dedicated coach parking at Bronwydd Arms station, discounted group rates, and free entry and refreshments for the driver.
Enjoy Lancashire views
East Lancashire Railway (Stand A20) also has a range of dining experiences throughout the year. Groups will be transported back in time on a historic steam engine while enjoying the picturesque panoramas of the Lancashire countryside.
From traditional afternoon teas and mid-week lunches to evening dining and festive dinners, there’s something for every group. There are also seasonal events to look forward to, including group Christmas dinners and Halloween Ghost Trains.
For coach groups, there’s dedicated coach parking near Bury Bolton Street Station, and coach drop-off points in Bury and Rawtenstall.
Done-for-you tours
For coach tour operators or group organisers who prefer to work with a group tour wholesaler, our exhibitors have you covered.
Action Tours (Stand D27) is celebrating its 30th anniversary with its largest brochure ever. New tours join its popular packages throughout Ireland, the UK, the Isle of Man and Europe. How about an Irish break to the Tipperary and Shannon regions in October? Or a festive-themed ‘Turkey & Tinsel’ break in the spectacular seascapes of County Donegal in November or December?
Other autumn and winter breaks include:
- Pembrokeshire Coastlines Turkey & Tinsel
- Scottish Borders Scenic Discovery
- Harrogate ‘Fizz & Fayre’
- English Riviera Turkey & Tinsel
- Luxembourg’s Autumn Colours
These tours are also available to book for next year, with some in February and March 2023 available.
Albatross Travel (Stand C6) offer a range of Autumn Gold tours for coach and tourism groups to enjoy the season’s magnificent colours. Scotland, Lancashire, and North Devon are just some locations to choose from.
Of course, we can’t forget about Christmas. This year, festive tours from Albatross Travel include Christmas at Ightham Mote & Canterbury Cathedral and Waddesdon Manor at Christmas & Festive Afternoon Tea Cruise.
Then there are the Winter Warmer tours in January-March 2023 for something to look forward to after holidays. There are many destinations for your groups to visit and explore – Cornwall, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Caernarfon, to name a few!
A good night’s sleep
One of the most important elements of a group tour is, of course, the accommodation. Our hotel exhibitors offer a warm welcome to groups and host a wide range of events during winter and all year round.
The Yarn Market Hotel (Stand A56) in the medieval village of Dunster runs special breaks and hosts many group bookings during the year.
Special breaks include a Dark Skies stargazing weekend, choral singing weekend, South West Coast Path walking break, jazz music 
breaks, a folk dancing weekend and an Exmoor cultural tour visiting local churches and villages.
Many of these can run on scheduled dates, subject to availability, and the hotel welcomes groups of between six and 55 people.
“We have excellent facilities for groups with 28 bedrooms and two restaurants which can seat up to 60 people,” says Antony Brunt of Yarn Market Hotel.” He added, “whatever your groups’ interest, we welcome hearing from you. We are always pleased to assist with planning itineraries to see the best that Exmoor has to offer.”
Look no further than Strathmore Hotels (Stand F33) for Christmas breaks. The hotel group has eight unique hotels spread across Scotland and the North of England. Groups can enjoy Christmas, Twixmas and New Year breaks this winter, along with various themed 
breaks throughout the year.
Strathmore Hotels offers group rates, and packages for 20 or more people that come with special discounts.
Wherever you choose to take your groups for autumn/winter 2022 and beyond, the British Tourism & Travel Show brings all the inspiration you need together, so you can give your groups a truly unique and memorable experience.
BTTS is free to attend, and registration will be open soon. In the meantime, join our mailing list to stay updated with event and exhibitor news.