Seven Good Reasons for Flying Non-Stop to Manchester

 

This week, I’m sharpening the focus on some irresistible travel experiences in the north of England which are made all the more accessible because of Virgin Atlantic’s non-stop flights to Manchester. With airside to curbside in around 30 minutes, let me whet your appetite with an amazing Liverpool and London Beatles tour (also available in a modified format as a Liverpool shore excursion) and the idea of creating imaginative three county combinations like England, Wales and Scotland, or England, Wales and Ireland – which is what the Manchester gateway can deliver for you. Nearly all of these suggestions are for August and September 2020.

Take Five Based on over 40 years of product knowledge, operational experience and a huge network of grassroot suppliers, take a moment for a closer look at 26 more good reasons for flying to Manchester. These conversation-starting itineraries cover a wide variety of interesting themes, from castles and gardens to literature, great cathedrals and living history events to gourmet tours and Christmas Markets. They can all be customised to meet the time frame/budget of 2 clients, 4 friends traveling together or a small group with specific interests.

A Liverpool And London Beatles Tour Visit the Beatles Story, be one of only a few to see inside John Lennon’s and Sir Paul McCartney’s childhood homes, discover the new attraction at Strawberry Field and the private collection at the Magical Beatles Museum, sing your way round the Magical Mystery Tour, spend an evening at the Cavern Club, and get a unique perspective on the Casbah Coffee Club, the launch pad for the Fab Four. Then take a ticket to ride train journey to London for a tour that includes a walk across Abbey Road.

Chatsworth, Welsh Castles and the Emerald Isle The former spa town of Buxton is a scenic 45 minutes east of Manchester Airport, making it an excellent base for a 3-country tour starting with an art treasures tour of Chatsworth House, home to the annual RHS Flower Show (June 11-14 2020). Heading west towards Wales, stop at Wedgwood to throw your own pot, take a walking tour of Chester led by a Roman Legionnaire and visit the 12th century castles at Conwy and Caernarfon before the fast ferry crossing to Dublin for a 3-night visit.

The World of Wedgwood Less than an hour south of Manchester Airport, their award-winning Wedgwood factory tour is a must. You can expand it to include either throwing your own pot in the Master Craft Studio or decorating your own work of art in the Decorating Studio. Add further value by including a private tour of the V&A museum collection, one of the finest collections of ceramics in the world. Finish with English Afternoon Tea in one of the world’s finest tearooms and all served in the finest Wedgwood china of course.

The Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton and Harrogate The 26th International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival will be performed in Buxton (1st-8th August), and in Harrogate (9th-23rd August). An annual event, it celebrates the musical partnership between Sir Arthur Sullivan and W S Gilbert with forty full-scale productions. If you do some local research, you might be amazed at the number of Gilbert and Sullivan Societies there are in North America in cities, many with good access to non-stop flights into Manchester. Some of your clients might be actively involved with a local amateur operatic society…?

Experience the York Food and Drink Festival Sink your teeth into the historic city of York and savour a 7-day menu of creative events enhanced by a half day course at the York Cookery School and a 3-hour artisan walking tour. Topped and tailed with some interesting Foodie Experiences in London, this is a perfect idea for you and 7 (or more) of your friends. Other highlights include a special version of the York Chocolate Trail, and English Afternoon Tea in two fabulous locations. The York Food Festival runs between 18th-27th September 2020.

Discover the New RHS Garden Bridgewater 2020 is a particularly exciting time for Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Gardens as a new addition, the RHS Garden Bridgewater in Greater Manchester opens its gates from Thursday 30th July. The garden is set in the grounds of the former 19th century Worsley New Hall and it will include the restored 11-acre Weston Walled Garden, one of the largest in the country, featuring a Wellbeing Garden, Orchard Garden and Bee and Butterfly Garden as well as a unique Chinese Streamside Garden. Watch this space for more updates.

Paull Tickner, owner of U.K-based Custom GB, is known for his expertise in creating and operating imaginative, value-added tours of Great Britain and Ireland. Visit his website at www.customgb.co.uk or email him at ptickner@customgb.co.uk.