We caught up with Ben Allen from Thursford to find out more about their company and exhibiting at the British Tourism & Travel Show.
Tell us a bit about your organisation:
Located in North Norfolk, Thursford offers truly unique experiences all year round and is perfect for groups and individuals. In the summer, the attraction houses the world’s largest collection of steam engines and mechanical organs. In the winter, the complex is transformed into a winter wonderland, wowing audiences with one of Europe’s biggest Christmas shows, the Christmas Spectacular.
The Steam Museum is open from April – September, welcoming visitors to get up close to the machines of yesteryear. There are also live Wurlitzer performances from resident organist, Robert Wolfe. Robert has been performing at Thursford for over 40 years. Vintage fairground rides on the gallopers and gondola, a selection of retail shops and a relaxing Barn café (serving a range of hot & cold food and drink) are also available to enjoy. The Thursford Christmas Spectacular produces the famous show every November and December, with audiences travelling from all over the country (and sometimes the world).
Thursford has been working with tour operators for almost 50 years and continues to welcome returning and new visitors’ year-after-year. The show started as a small carol concert and soon grew into one of Europe’s biggest Christmas shows. Now in its 47th year, the show has a cast of over 120 singers, dancers, musicians, and speciality acts performing across a 130ft stage inside a purpose-built 1,400-seated theatre (all located within the steam museum). This three-hour extravaganza is not to be missed with non-stop singing, dancing, music, comedy, and speciality performances.
Thursford can also host, plan, and manage events, conferences, meetings, and special occasions at the Garden Pavilion, a 200-capacity venue. Packages can be flexible to individual needs and include hire of the steam museum and the surrounding gardens. Free car and coach parking, fully accessible site. Discounts are available for groups.
Tell us what your visitors can see on your stand:
Thursford offers a great day out for groups and individuals, with discounts available on bookings of over 20 (for the Christmas Spectacular) and 25 (for the steam museum) people. With extensive experience of working with groups and tour operators, there’s so much to see and do all year round. With an exciting summer lineup, including exclusive guided backstage tours of the Thursford Christmas Spectacular. Taking visitors behind the scenes of the famous show, this is an opportunity to go backstage, look inside performer’s dressing rooms, get up close to over 2000 costumes and find out more about the show’s success.
With special afternoon tea packages available and entry to the steam museum included, the private tours can be booked directly with our events team. The tour can be flexible to your chosen date and will be private to you and your group. On Sunday 7th July, Thursford will also be hosting one of the biggest steam Gala Days. The annual event welcomes over 100 exhibitors of steam engines, organs, and vintage vehicles. The Steam Museum is also open with performances from resident organist, Robert Wolfe, who plays the mighty Wurlitzer. In 2023, the event welcomed its biggest-ever crowd and featured aerobatic displays.
This year is set to be the biggest yet. Groups and coaches are welcome, with discounts available on bookings of 25+ people. Looking to experience more from the Thursford Christmas Spectacular? Thursford is also home to Norfolk’s premium lantern light walk, The Enchanted Journey of Light. An immersive walkthrough filled with sculptures and displays that transport you through underwater worlds, wild jungles, beautiful flower gardens and the frosty North Pole. Speak to our team to find out more about the truly unique experiences available at Thursford!
Why is exhibiting at the British Tourism & Travel Show an unmissable opportunity for you?
We’re looking forward to exhibiting at this year’s British Tourism & Travel Show. It’s a great opportunity for us to promote Thursford to new businesses and catch up with existing customers. We have so much on offer at our Steam Museum and Christmas Spectacular and we’re excited to showcase our other events to groups, tour operators and individuals. We’re looking forward to speaking to people directly and offering them something to takeaway to remind them to book as soon as they get home or within the months leading up to our busy summer and winter seasons.
Meet the Thursford team at the British Tourism & Travel Show on Stand C54.
Click here to get your free ticket.