Antiques, Crafts & Collectables
07 Sep 2011
Visitors to Britain hoping to discover a veritable treasure trove of antiques, traditional crafts and unique collectables during their stay, will certainly not be disappointed. From charming antique shops and world-renowned fairs, to craft exhibitions and museums offering hands-on, interactive experiences bringing centuries of history vividly to life, they will find everything they could wish for and so much more...
We're blessed with magnificent castles and spectacular stately homes, packed to the rafters with priceless antique furniture and textiles, beautiful original features and stunning private art collections. Imagine how your clients would feel if they could not only visit wonderful historic homes like this, but actually stay in them?
Building on the phenomenal success of our new Stay in a Castle programme launched this year, we've now added 18 fabulous Irish Castle Hotels to our Stay in a Castle Portfolio for 2012, meaning that your clients now have the choice of experiencing living like royalty in nearly 50 wonderful properties in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, blending the history and heritage of the past with luxurious modern day comforts.
Wales is a great place to find superb examples of local craftmanship. Made by Hand at Tredegar House in Newport, South Wales, is an excellent example of the many wonderful craft fairs held throughout the UK. The fair will be taking place from 2-4 December 2011 and is renowned as the finest craft event in the region, celebrating the best of British and Celtic contemporary design. An excellent base in the area the 4* Vale Hotel, Golf and Country Club offering exceptional facilities and high quality accommodation.
The hotel is also conveniently located for visiting St Fagan's Natural History Museum - one of Europe's foremost open-air museums and Wales' most popular heritage attractions. It's very much a living museum and there are workshops where craftsmen still demonstrate their traditional skills. With an extensive programme of special events throughout the year, St Fagans comes to life - literally - as traditional festivals, music and dance events are celebrated.
London is full of wonderfully eccentric museums and bizarre historic collections, which include the Old Operating Theatre, the only remaining 19th century operating theatre in England and the oldest in Europe and the remarkable Fan Museum - home to the world's finest collection of fans dating from the 11th century to the present day.
Why not take advantage my team's knowledge and expertise to create a unique offbeat tour of London, including some of these more unusual & fascinating museums that aren't always the first to spring to mind - perfect for repeat visits to London, where clients who have already visited the capital's mainstream attractions would like to delve a little deeper into the culture and history of the city.