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Richardson Travel Coach Excursions
UK COACH EXCURSIONS
Autumn 2008
ALL MAJOR CREDIT / DEBIT CARDS (Except American Express)
CAN NOW BE USED FOR BOOKINGS AT NO EXTRA COST
All Excursion Prices are for Coach Fare ONLY. Please have any appropriate Membership Card (NT, EH or RHS) with you on the day. Early booking avoid unnecessary cancellations due to predicted low numbers; please note the discount for early booking applies up to 14 days before travel.
From the following Pick-Up Points.
CHICHESTER: Avenue De Chartres & Oaklands Way, MIDHURST: Taylors Field, Police Station & North Street Bus Stands, HASLEMERE: St Christophers Green, PETERSFIELD: Festival Hall Car Park, LISS: Car Park, WHITEHILL: Price of Wales, LIPHOOK: Sainsburys Bus Stop.
Date
Excursion
Early Booking Fare
List Fare
BOOKING LINE (01730-812867) IS OPEN:- 09:30-12:15 / 13:30-16:30 Mon. - Fri.
IWM (Bond Exhibition) Southwark
A day out for all the family south of the River Thames. The Imperial War Museum itself is Free but the "For Your Eyes Only" exhibition charges £8.00 for Adults and £4.00 for Children. Alternatively stay with the coach to London Bridge / Tower Bridge area and all the many attractions for all ages, from "London Dungeon" to "Southwark Cathedral or HMS Belfast or the Tower.
Cambridge
Explore the Historic University City of Cambridge (go shopping if you must!) and possibly visit the numerous FREE museums. (Mrs Edwards recommends " The Fitzwilliam", "Scott Polar Research" & "Kettles Yard Art Gallery") and the many Colleges are open for viewing (small charge) at selected times.
Wimpole Hall Gardens (NT)
The largest 18th Century county house in Cambridgeshire. Previously owned by Rudyard Kiplings' daughter. The magnificent 4.5 acre kitchen garden supplies the organic produce used in the Old Rectory Restaurant (licensed). The gardens include design elements by Bridgeman, Brown & Repton. NT members have Free entrance to Hall & Garden (non-NT £8.40)
Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms
To Tothill Street for the short walk to the Churchill Museum (New) & the Cabinet War Rooms in Whitehall; it was principally from here that Churchill coordinated the War Effort. Fascinating exhibitions on both Churchill himself and an insight into how the war was directed. Current special exhibition on the role of the Post Office in the First World War. Entrance £12.00 for Adults (reduced to £9.50 / £8.50 for concessions, if we get at least 10 supporters).Children under 16 Free.
West End Shopping or Culture
Your choice between Knightsbridge (Harrods etc) or Hanover Square for Regents Street & Oxford Street Shopping. Alternatively feel free to visit any other of the multiplicity of cultural attractions such as the special "Cold War Modern" Exhibition at the V & A (disembark at Knightbridge).
BOOKING LINE (01730-812867) IS OPEN:- 09:30-12:15 / 13:30-16:30 Mon. - Fri.
Greenwich: A "World Heritage Site" with Sunday Markets
So much Maritime History in one place (The Cutty Sark (remains!), National Maritime Museum, Royal Naval College, Fan Museum & Greenwich Park) as well as the Sunday Markets. If you are feeling lazy, the coach will be going up to Blackheath to park within easy walking distance of the Royal Observatory and the fantastic view across London. From there you can walk (downhill all the way) into Greenwich if you wish to proceed independently of the coach.
North Weald Market OR Kelevedon Bunker
Arguably the largest Saturday Matket in the London Area on the old North Weald Aerodrome. Non-bargain hunters can stay with the coach to the well hidden and secret underground "Bunker" that would have housed the British Government in the event that the "Cold War" went "Hot"!. A fascinating glimpse back into our collective past. Entrance only "£6.50.
West End Shopping or The National Gallery etc
Dropping off in Lower Regent Street for the Shops, Piccadilly (or even "China Town") or take the 100yd walk along to the National Gallery. As well as the established Galleries, special exhibitions include "Sisley" and "The Simon Sainsbury Bequest", all of which are free. The new "Renaissance Faces: Van Eyck to Titian" charges (reduced Tue pm for concessions).
Kensington Palace
New Special Exhibitions include " The Last Debutantes" and "Diana, Fashion & Style" as well as the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. Along with the host of historical features of the Palace itself. Individual entrance is £12.30 / £11.30 but if we have enough (15) this will reduce to £11.10 / £9.25. You can also "Take Tea" in the Orangery or wander around the famous Gardens.
Bournemouth with Christmas Market
Hardly the time of year for the Beach but excellent shopping, with a German Style Christmas Market in the square, numerous traders selling traditional Christmas gifts and a varied selection of food and drink. Time to be "Festive"? But then, if the mood takes you, visit the beach!
BOOKING LINE (01730-812867) IS OPEN:- 09:30-12:15 / 13:30-16:30 Mon. - Fri.
Winchester Christmas Market
The Christmas Market and Ice Rink are right outside the splendid Cathedral. Plenty of other shopping or visit "King Arthur's Round Table" in the only surviving medieval part of Henry VIII's Winchester Castle.
Salisbury Market Day
Take in the famous Charter Market; a colourful, bustling & historic market from where you can purchase a huge array of produce & goods. As well we an excellent shopping centre, being "out of season", why not visit the tranquility of Salisbury Cathedral, 750 years old this year.
Lakeside OR Bluewater Shopping Centres OR Barleylands
Shopping that cannot be ruined by the weather. Major stores and specialist shops at both enormaous Shopping Complexes, all probably discounting heavily in the run up to Christmas (even before the "Sales"). Alternatively stay on the coach to an "Essex Institution"; the Farm Centre & Craft Village at Barleylands. Ideal for that unique Christmas Gift.
Basingstoke Festival Place OR Milestones Museum.
Basingstoke has the huge new "under-cover" shopping complex at "Festival Place" as well as its ordinary town centre shops. Alternatively visit Milestones Museum of Hampshire Life and Industry. Laid out as an Open Air Museum but all under cover! Special exhibitions include the story of the "Titanic" and her sister ships and "Ghosts of the Falklands", as well as a myriad of evocative displays of domestic life and commerce over the generations. Entrance: Adults £7.50 / £6.75, Children £4.50. if supported by 15 or more we will get a group reduction.
Kingston OR Richmond Shopping OR Kew Gardens
Christmas shopping avoiding the West End crowds. Visit several traditional department stores including Bentalls and John Lewis or eschew the materialistic and go onto Kew Gardens and contemplate "Nature". As well as all the normal attractions, why not take the new Treetop Walkway (best in Winter) or even try out the Ice Rink! Entrance charges apply.
BOOKING LINE (01730-812867) IS OPEN:- 09:30-12:15 / 13:30-16:30 Mon. - Fri.
Why not sponsor your own Excursion?
If you have a small group (affinity group or just friends) and can guarantee at least 20 passengers for a particular destination you wish to visit, why not contact us NOW. If we consider it commercially viable, we will run an advertised excursion on the date of your choice (subject to availability) and take the "risk" of selling the other seats on the open market.
CONTINENTAL COACH EXCURSIONS
From the following Pick-up Points.
CHICHESTER: Northgate Car Park, MIDHURST: North Street Bus Stands, HASLEMERE: St Christophers Green, PETERSFIELD: Festival Hall Car Park, LISS: Car Park, WHITEHILL: Price of Wales, LIPHOOK: Sainsburys Bus Stop.
Date
Excursion
Early Booking Fare
List Fare
Calais Shopper Optional Adinkerke (Via Ferry)
The Pound may be weak but there are still bargains to be had amongst the fantastic variety of foodstuffs and alcohol. A multiplicity of stores, shops and eating places under one roof (check www.citeeurope.com for information on all the shops and useful links). Since there is no TABAC at Cite Europe you can make the Optional short visit to Adinkerke for an additional £3.00 on top of the normal Calais Fare.
Calais Sunday Shopper, Optional Adinkerke (via Tunnel)
Details as per 30th October except this is one of the only four Sundays per year when the Hypermarkets etc are allowed to open in the Calais Region. Most of the other shops & restaurants in the complex plus the adjacent Marques Avenue (Outlet Stores) will be open. Make the best of it!
Gent at Christmas (via Tunnel)
Everyone else will be crowding into Brugge; so we will drive for an extra 20 minutes and enjoy the excellent shopping and Historic Sites of Gent. The famous Churches, the 12th Century Castle, the Canals and buildings of old Gent, virtually untouched by the two World Wars. There is the evitable "Christmas Market" on St Baafsplein. Transport will be provided up to the amazing new Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) at the University for those who wish to take advantage.