Jackie's Trip List 2010

If you have not yet been on one of our coach trips then what are you waiting for, you get picked up from the garden centre (no pick ups here, there and everywhere like some coach trips) and can leave your care safe in the knowledge that it will be secure in the car park all day, there is a courier on all the coaches to ensure your trip is a great one, we also arrange a free raffle with a prize on all trips and all for bargain prices, pop along now and book your place with Jackie on any Tuesday.

Stamford & Belton House

Thursday 20^th May £37.00 Inc. lunch & admission

£29.00 National Trust member with valid card

Stamford is a beautifully preserved English stone town with historic buildings and churches. It has retained much of its old world charm and we allow 1 ½ hours for free time to browse & have coffee. We then travel to South Witham where we will lunch at ‘The Blue Cow Inn’ before we continue on our journey to Belton House, a National Trust property. This 17th Century house with its magnificent interiors and gorgeous gardens is one of the finest restoration houses in the country. National trust members enjoy free entry. Please show your card when booking.

Pick up 8.30am return to Garden King at 7.00pm

Slimbridge Wetland Centre OR Berkeley Castle

Thursday 17^th June £29.00 Inc. entrance to venue of your choice

Today you have a choice of either Slimbridge Wetland Centre or Berkeley Castle Slimbridge is set in 80 acres of grounds on the banks of the river Severn. It is home to thousands of swans, geese, ducks and flamingos. These can be viewed via 13 hides, a 17 meter Sloane tower or by a stroll around the lakes (it is flat and wheelchairs are available) There is also a tropical house, gift shop, wildlife art gallery and restaurant.

If you don’t fancy Slimbridge, then stay on the bus and we will take you to Berkeley Castle which is only a stone’s throw away. Built in 1086 this Norman Castle is steeped in history and full of beautifully furnished apartments. Free guided tours are available, there are beautiful gardens as well as a butterfly house and tea rooms.

Pick up 8.30am return to Garden King at 7.00pm

Llangollen Steam Railway

Wednesday 14^th July £29.00 Inc. railway

We take a leisurely scenic drive to Llangollen calling at Horseshoe pass before dropping down to the town. You will have some free time here to have lunch, explore the river walks and do a bit of shopping. The train is booked for the afternoon and takes you on a 7 ½ mile trip through some of the most beautiful scenery in the U.K following the river Dee Valley and stopping at Carrog for a 20 minute turnaround, there is a tea shop. We return to Llangollen where we board the bus and return home.

Pick up 9.00am return to Garden King at 7.30pm

Llandudno

Thursday 12^th August £24.50

We are in Wales again this month but this time on the coast. This Victorian seaside resort has much to offer, a great promenade, countless shops and restaurants or why not go to the summit of the Great Orme? Reach it by tramway or cable car and see the visitor centre and Bronze Age Copper Mines. Or why not just have an ice-cream and watch the sea, whatever you choose it will be a day to remember.

Pick up 8.30am return to Garden King at 8.00pm

Ludlow and the Shropshire Hills

Wednesday 22^nd September £26.00 Inc. Coffee

A picturesque ride through the Shropshire Hills, stopping at Carding Mill Valley for coffee. We travel on to the lovely market town of Ludlow (today is market day) It has nearly 500 listed buildings, a Norman Castle and original medieval streets, it’s easy to see why Ludlow is called ‘the perfect historic town’. Time is allowed for exploring the town and having a bite to eat. We return via the Clee Hills and stop at Bowdley for an hour.

Pick up 9.00am return to Garden King at 6.30pm

Oswaldtwistle Mills

Monday 18^th October £33 including 3 course meal, tea and biscuits and live entertainment

A Lancashire day out with a difference. We have a meal, undercover shopping and a live entertainment package lined up for you. The shopping village has everything you need, a food hall, ladies fashions, menswear, a fabric clearance shop, jewellery, book, shoe and gift shops. We have live entertainment whilst you eat your 3 course lunch and finally tea and biscuits in the afternoon to take a welcome break from shopping.

Pick up 8.00am return to Garden King at 8.00pm

Christmas pudding tour at Shugborough Hall

Thursday 18^th November £38 including a glass of sherry, tour and 2 course meal

We go on The Lord Lichfield Christmas Pudding Tour. A guided tour which starts with a glass of sherry and takes us through the servant’s quarters. We visit the brewhouse, coach house and kitchen where the pudding is being prepared. We then continue to ‘The Spotgate’ an old fashioned railway carriage with super tasting food for lunch.

Pick up 9.30am return to Garden King at 4.30pm

Farmer’s market and craft festival at Burghley house

Friday 3^rd December £23.00 including entrance fee

Something exciting and unusual today (and I don’t mean Jackie!) A trip to Burghley House for their ‘Crafts for Christmas’ fair and farmer’s market food festival. The event is held in a special pavilion on the lawns (house not open at this time of year) there are around 150 craft stands, many with live demonstrations going on. There will be countless food stalls selling specially selected local produce just in time for a special Christmas. Good refreshments are available including hot lunches from The Orangery Restaurant.

Pick up 9.00am return to Garden King at 6.00pm

Rockingham Castle

Thursday 9^th December £37.00 including tour and two course Christmas dinner

Once again we are visiting Rockingham for their Christmas Special. We have a tour by costumed guides who tell us tales of what life was like in 1846 when the castle was being prepared for Christmas Eve. Log fires burn, the castle is lit by candlelight and the place decorated for Christmas. We then get served our two course Christmas Dinner, Turkey with all the trimmings – Last years was lovely and I’m sure it will be even better this year.

Pick up 9.30am return to Garden King at 4.00pm

BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

If you have any other suggestions make sure you let Jackie know about them.

Don't forget that for every trip you book, you will be entered into a free prize draw for £50.00 worth of vouchers.

Happy Tripping.