The Pass
Inspirational ideas for group days out and holidays
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London Calling
London calling
London is one of the biggest cities in europe and offers attractions for groups stretching more than 30 miles either side of the River Thames. Here’s a look at some of the highlights.
Cruise into Christmas
Bateaux London is the perfect venue for Christmas parties this festive season as it offers a relaxing lunch and dinner cruise with live entertainment and dancing. Each cruise comes with fine food and drink with great views of some of London’s famous landmarks. Christmas lunches are available from 1 to 23 December, and Christmas dinners from 1 to 22 December. Group discounts are also available along with private dining areas for hire. For more information visit their website or call them on the number below.
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020 7695 1800
Room with a view
Another attraction offering stunning views of London is Tower Bridge – one of the most recognisable bridges in the world. Groups are invited to step inside the Tower Bridge Exhibition, where you can learn about how and why Tower Bridge was built from interactive displays and films. This is followed by a visit to the Victorian Engine Rooms, where you can discover how Tower Bridge works through the use of hands-on models and audio boxes. To find out about their group offers, contact them on the details below.
t
020 7407 9191
Show Queen
English National Ballet open their traditional Christmas season at the London Coliseum with The Snow Queen, from 11 to 16 December. Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairytale, The Snow Queen promises to be a ballet on a grand scale, with striking costumes, magnificent sets, and a full symphony orchestra playing Prokofiev’s beautiful music. The season continues with The Nutcracker, from 19 December to 6 January, followed by the production of Derek Deane’s Swan Lake, from 8 to 19 January. To find out about their new group discounts or to view their full performance schedule, contact them on the details below.
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020 7590 2959
Get your skates on
Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is now taking bookings for their Christmas attractions. On 11 December, groups can enjoy a Christmas Concert & Supper evening, with festive music performed by the Greenwich Baroque Orchestra and Chapel Choir, plus a two-course dinner in the Painted Hall. December also sees the return of their popular Ice Rink, situated on the banks of the River Thames. It offers magnificent views to the Queen’s House, the Greenwich Observatory, and across to Canary Wharf. And for those cold winter days, the café in the colonnades will be open for warming drinks and festive snacks. For groups of 25 or more there is no booking fee. To find out more about how to book, or to buy tickets call the number below.
t
020 8241 9818
On the hunt
London Duck Tours has launched London’s only road and river treasure hunt, designed to inspire a sense of fun and adventure. The hunt is hosted by one of Duck Tours’ experienced hunt managers and takes in all the road and river sights of London. This tour is ideal for groups and includes the hire of the Duck for two and a half hours, plus a briefing and prizes. London Duck Tours can also arrange extended treasure hunts should your group wish to continue the fun. Call them on the details below to find out more.
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0207 401 0906
Star turn
Groups visiting the BBC Television Centre in London could be in for a treat, as there’s a chance you could catch a glimpse of one of your favourite television stars on one of their exciting behind-the-scenes tours. The new series of Strictly Come Dancing is underway and runs until 22 December, so you could get the opportunity to watch the rehearsals from their viewing gallery. There are no guarantees as to who or what you will see on your tour, however their expert guides are on hand to ensure your group has an entertaining and informative tour. Free tickets to BBC TV & Radio shows are available by calling 0870 901 1227 or by visiting
www.bbc.co.uk/tickets
. To arrange a tour, contact BBC TV Tours on the details below.
t
0870 603 0304
In the frame
Another place offering a behind-the-scenes tour is Twickenham Stadium Tours. Groups can sit in the seats of their favourite players before finding out how it feels to run out of the players’ tunnel. You’ll also find the Museum of Rugby - the world’s largest collection of rugby memorabilia - which tells the story of how a schoolboy game became an internationally renowned professional sport. Paintings, archive match footage, and even a ‘scrum’ machine that tests your strength bring the game’s vibrant history to life. Find out more by calling the stadium on the number below.
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0870 405 2001
Art attack
Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, in London, is showcasing one of their biggest exhibitions until 23 December 2007. Piety and Pragmatism: Spiritualism in Futurist Art traces the evolution of Futurism’s fascinating and complex attitude toward spirituality, and will include 45 works by artists such as Giacomo Balla, Gerardo Dottori, Fillia and many others. Historical documents including Futurism’s political and artistic manifestos will also be on display, whilst information panels will provide a comprehensive overview of the period.
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01359 271085
Season’s change
The London Wetland Centre is one of the few visitor attractions in the capital that has something new to see every time you visit. Its main attraction - the wetland birds and wildlife - come and go with the seasons, and autumn sees the arrival of hundreds of ducks such as Shoveler, Wigeon and Teal, as they spend their winter on the 100-acre reserve. The centre also includes a heated ‘Bird Airport’ observatory where you can watch the wildlife in comfort, a Discovery Centre, gift shop, and most importantly on a cold day, the Water’s Edge café serves a wide range of food and drinks. There’s a reduced admission price for groups of 12 or more, plus free-guided tours and coach parking. For more information call The London Wetland Centre on the number below or visit their website.
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020 8409 4400
An uncomfortable legacy
The relationship between Britain and America has had many twists and turns over the centuries, and the new exhibition at the National Maritime Museum - Atlantic Worlds - uses over 200 artefacts to illustrate the period from the earliest settlement in America through to the war of independence. Some items will be on display for the first time including historic documents, illustrations of Native American crafts and propaganda relating to the taxation of the colonies. The exhibition has been produced with assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which enabled the museum to acquire the Michael Graham-Stewart Slavery Collection - the largest part of the exhibition. Atlantic Worlds opens at the National Maritime Museum on 30 November 2007 and continues throughout 2008.
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020 8312 6608