Day Trips & Excursions

We start by meeting our Blue Badge guide for coffee & cake (included) at Hadleigh Park just outside Southend. Hadleigh Parks crests a hill with views of the romantic ruins of Hadleigh Castle set against the dramatic backdrop of the Thames Estuary.

Then a morning coach tour explores a landscape of lonely creeks, wide horizons, wildfowl, marsh farmers and oystermen. At ancient Canewdon we hear of legendary witches before we meet the sea and sweep along the Thames Estuary back into Southend.

This is the seaside to generations of Londoners. A two-course lunch with coffee is served at the Palace Hotel looking out to sea - it's a lovely spot, see the photograph below. After lunch there's a little free time to enjoy Southend.

We end the day in Old Leigh-on-Sea, which was once a thriving fishing and smuggling village. Leigh fishermen became Dunkirk heroes and today keep alive Leigh's reputation as the centre of the world cockling trade.

There's an old-world charm here with cockle boats and cockle sheds, sailors' inns and clapboard cottages. Sample the traditional cockney teatime treat or buy a simple cup of tea before heading home at 4.45pm

Lunch Menu:
Grilled Chicken with Red Wine Gravy served with seasonal vegetables and roast potatoes
or Vegetarian Moussaka

Strawberry Gateau followed by Tea/Coffee.

The main course can be served with gluten free gravy and a lactose free dessert is available by pre-order.

Adult: £80 ~ Senior £79 ~ Child: £76

Today we make our way to the Sandringham Estate, where you will have entry to the house and gardens.  

With its Jacobean-style exterior – the house sits at the heart of the Sandringham Estate. As a beautiful country retreat for the British Royal Family, it has been open to the public since 1977. With eight ground-floor rooms, largely unchanged from Edwardian times, your self-guided tour allows you to admire stunning objects d’art collected by and gifted to members of The Royal Family over the years.

These include collections of Meissen porcelain, semi-precious stones, Minton China and trompe-l’oeil ceiling work.

An onsite café allows you to obtain your own lunch and refreshments.

Adult: £49 ~ Senior £48 ~ Child: £23

Join us on a wonderful day out to Leeds Castle, one of Britain’s most celebrated historic attractions.

With a history stretching back almost 1,000 years, the castle has served many roles — from a Norman stronghold to the private residence of six medieval queens, and later a royal palace for Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Over the centuries it evolved into a Jacobean country house, a Georgian mansion, and an elegant 20th-century retreat for the rich and famous.

Today, Leeds Castle is among the most visited historic buildings in the UK, set within beautiful parkland and gardens. Standard admission is included, allowing you to enjoy a self-guided visit of the castle and its beautiful gardens at your own pace. Take time to explore the richly furnished rooms, stroll the landscaped grounds, and soak up the atmosphere of this truly iconic destination.

Adult: £55 ~ Senior £54 ~ Child: £50

Always on the telly, on many people's lists of places to see but rarely open and notoriously difficult to get to is the Sir Joseph Bazalgette's Cathedral of Sewage housing the Crossness Engines. This is one of the quirkiest visits in London that we have ever had on sale.

A welcome hot drink and buffet lunch will be served on arrival.

Enjoy a guided tour from the guides - telling the story of spending a penny in London from Roman times to the coming of the Victorian sewers. We go out onto the riverside, discover the reservoir that once held 25 million gallons of waste, walk through a sewer, explore the quirky exhibition, and take a tour of the incredible Cathedral of Sewage to see the largest beam engines in the world.

You will be able to download a free app on your smart phones and use your own earphones to listen to our tour guide's entertaining live commentary if you want.

Before heading home, we enjoy a cuppa and a Q & A session with the guides.

Adult: £86 ~ Senior £85 ~ Child: £82

Fresh out of college, aspiring journalist Andy scores a job at the prestigious Runway magazine working for fashion's most powerful and terrifying icon - editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly. Sacrificing her personal life to meet Miranda's impossible demands, Andy finds herself seduced by the glamorous world she once despised. How far will she go to succeed...and will it be worth selling her soul to get what she’s always wanted?

Ready, set, strut! Elton John’s musical The Devil Wears Prada, based on the blockbuster film and bestselling novel, is click-clacking down the runway and straight into London's Dominion Theatre in October 2024.The Devil Wears Prada Musical West End tickets are available now and are bound to sell out faster than a Dolce and Gabbana cashmere sweater! Book your The Devil Wears Prada Musical tickets now!

Venue: Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road

Start Time: 1430

Running Time: TBC

Seating Information:

Stalls | Rows P, R & S

Adult: £88 ~ Senior £88 ~ Child: £88

Coventry is a city in central England. It’s known for the medieval Coventry Cathedral, which was left in ruins after a WWII bombing. A 20th-century replacement, with abstract stained glass, stands beside it. The collection at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum includes paintings of local heroine Lady Godiva. 

We will drop you near to the Cathedral and the city is a very short walk away where you could visit these attractions or spend the day at your leisure. 

Adult: £31 ~ Senior £30 ~ Child: £27

Enjoy a relaxing and hassle-free day out with a comfortable coach journey to the Coventry Transport Museum—renowned as home to the world’s largest collection of British road transport.

Inside the museum, you’ll discover an extraordinary showcase of innovation and design, featuring everything from record-breaking land speed vehicles to beautifully preserved classic cars, bicycles, and motorcycles. Interactive exhibits and immersive displays bring the story of Britain’s motoring heritage vividly to life, making it an engaging experience for visitors of all ages.

After your museum visit, you’ll have free time to enjoy the vibrant city of Coventry. Stroll through its shopping areas, relax in a café, or choose from a variety of restaurants for lunch. You might also take the opportunity to explore nearby attractions, soak up the atmosphere, or simply enjoy a leisurely wander at your own pace.

Blending culture, comfort, and convenience, this coach trip offers the perfect way to experience a memorable day out without the stress of planning—just sit back, explore, and enjoy.

Adult: £44 ~ Senior £43 ~ Child: £40

When London's churchyards filled up, just as a young Queen Victoria came to the throne, a scheme was launched to build The Magnificent Seven - huge, modern cemeteries in a ring around the City. As soon as it opened in 1839 Highgate Cemetery in the Northern hills became THE place to be buried if you were rich or famous. Highgate would become one of the greatest cemeteries in the world full of eccentric funerary architecture. In the heart of the grounds the Egyptian Avenue leads to the Circle of Lebanon created by earth being excavated around an ancient Cedar of Lebanon.

The cemetery fell into ruin for many years until in the 1970s The Friends of Highgate Cemetery was formed to buy the freehold - the tours are run to raise money to look after it. Nature has gradually taken over and this remarkable site is now also an important wild-life reserve. Come and enjoy a two course fish & chip lunch with coffee before meeting London's famous dead in this Victorian Valhalla.

You'll be taken on a guided tour of the grand Victorian funerary architecture and notable graves in the West Cemetery and have free time to explore the East Cemetery where you'll find other notable graves including Karl Marx.

Please note there are two flights of stairs on the normal route. If you have access requirements, please let us know in advance. Although it is not steep, we feel that anyone with mobility issues should be advised.

We travel by coach to Herne Bay, a classic seaside resort with over two miles of beautiful seafront to explore. Take a gentle stroll along the promenade, relax on the beach, or enjoy the traditional charm of the pier, gardens, and coastal views. There’s plenty of time to soak up the fresh sea air, watch the waves roll in, or stop for refreshments at one of the welcoming cafés along the way.

We then move on to the charming seaside town of Whitstable, renowned for its picturesque harbour, colourful beach huts, and laid-back atmosphere. Spend time discovering the town’s unique character, browse independent shops, enjoy the coastal scenery, or sample some of the area’s famous seafood as you explore this much-loved coastal gem.

Adult: £42 ~ Senior £41 ~ Child: £38

Step back in time and experience the golden age of rail travel with a memorable journey on the Nene Valley Railway—one of the UK’s leading international steam and diesel attractions. Departing from the beautifully preserved Wansford Station, this heritage railway winds its way through the scenic Nene Valley, calling at charming stops including Overton (for Ferry Meadows), Orton Mere, Yarwell Junction, and Peterborough.

Lovingly maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers, the railway offers more than just a ride—it’s a living, breathing piece of history. Feel the power and nostalgia of a traditional steam engine, discover fascinating stories from Britain’s railway past, and soak up the tranquil countryside views along the route.

A true highlight of the experience is the chance to travel behind Tornado, a modern legend of steam. Built in the 21st century and the first main line steam locomotive constructed in the UK since 1960, Tornado captured national attention when it first steamed in 2008. Since then, it has gone on to haul Royal Trains, star in films such as Paddington 2, and feature on popular television shows including Top Gear. Renowned for its performance, Tornado even reached an impressive 100mph during a 2017 test run—making it the fastest steam locomotive in the UK since the 1960s.

After your rail adventure, the experience continues with free time in the charming Georgian town of Stamford. Frequently described as one of England’s finest stone towns, Stamford is the perfect place to unwind and explore at your own pace. Wander its quaint streets lined with independent boutiques, enjoy a relaxed lunch in a cosy café, or take in the town’s historic architecture and riverside views.

Adult: £59 ~ Senior £58 ~ Child: £55