Day 1: Following your home taxi collection, you will join our luxury tour coach and we will make our way to Shropshire and our hotel for the next 4 nights, the Mercure Telford Centre on a dinner bed & breakfast basis.
Day 2: Following a leisurely breakfast, we travel to the Black Country Living Museum. Covering 26 acres of former industrial land, the Black Country Living Museum is uniquely placed to tell the story of the creation of the world’s first industrial landscape. Over fifty authentic shops, houses and workshops have been carefully reconstructed to preserve the character of the region when its manufacturers bought worldwide fame to Black Country Towns. Take a trip on the tram to explore the canal-side village, where you can meet and chat to the costumed characters. Explore the underground mine and experience the authentic sights, sounds, smells and tastes from the past. If you’re a fan of ‘Peaky Blinders’, you may recognise the museum as many scenes were filmed here!
This afternoon we visit Wightwick Manor & Gardens. Pronounced “Wittick”, the run by the estate is run by the National Trust, and offers a fascinating insight into a house influenced by William Morris and his contemporaries. Surrounding the house is a beautiful Edwardian garden full of textures and colours. Don’t miss the chance to walk over the newly restored mathematical bridge, which was built c.1900 and inspired by the original Mathematical Bridge at Queens' College, Cambridge.
Day 3: Today, we travel to Shrewsbury where we enjoy a cruise on the River Severn. Our 45 minute return cruise takes us from Victoria Quay to English Bridge and offers plenty of photo opportunities. On the cruise you will see and hear how important the Severn has been in sculpting the town. From the first settlements where the river provided natural defences to the development of merchant trading which fuelled the towns’ growth. During the cruise the captain will entertain you with stories of the town, past and present. Hot and cold drinks and snacks can be purchased on board.
This afternoon we visit Blists Hill Victorian Town. This 52-acre site is a bustling recreation of a Victorian town. See curious products in the Chemist, Grocers and Drapers, discover what life was like for a housewife in the cottages, enjoy a drink in the New Inn, a portion of delicious fish and chips, or a bag of old-fashioned sweets.
Day 4: This morning we visit the British Ironwork Centre, the UK’s largest centre for decorative metal work. Many of the pieces are made using recycled iron and it is astonishing just how many strange objects have been incorporated into the designs – motor parts, agricultural items, wheels, mangles, fireplaces, boxes, carts – designs which range from the poignant and meaningful to the those inspired by the big screen.
An iron safari will great you on arrival, and around the park, you will see spiderman, a transformer, and even a dinosaur.
One of the most notable projects is the Knife Angel, the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression, crafted from over 100,000 knives surrendered to police forces across the UK. This iconic sculpture stands as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of knife crime, sparking important conversations and education programs in communities nationwide. The most recent creation ‘The Bee Monument’ has followed the footsteps of the Angel, however it has been created using solely surrendered firearms.
After exploring the Sculpture Park, we make our way to the market town of Shrewsbury where we spend the afternoon exploring at leisure.
Day 5: Sadly this morning we depart our hotel and make our way back to Norfolk making suitable stops en route. We arrive late afternoon to find our door-to-door taxi service waiting to take you home.
Holiday Information:
4 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast (Dinner will be buffet style)
Price: £699pp
Single Supplement: £141 (Will be allocated a twin or double room for sole occupancy, depending on availability)
Tour Reference: AWE5248
Deposit Required: £50pp
Balance Due: 8 weeks prior to departure