Although travel is far from normal right now, the vaccination programme continues to provide hope for group travel organisers who are beginning to plan trips for later this year. We all need something to look forward to, and after spending so long at home, we yearn to reunite with our friends, clubs and societies, and not through a computer screen!
So, if you’re in need of some inspiration for your next group adventure, whether it be a day out to a local attraction with lunch, or a 5-day tour to another part of the country, we’ve summarised some of our top favourite places to visit in the UK in 2021.
Flower Shows and Gardens
Firstly, as we begin to merge from the winter months, spring flowers such as snowdrops and daffodils have got us looking forward to getting back out into nature, so this year’s flower shows and gardens will be as popular as ever. The summer brings the spectacular Hampton Court and Chelsea flower shows, but summer is not the only season for impressive gardens. RHS Wisley will light up with beautiful illuminations throughout December for the Glow at Wisley event which is sure to spark your festive spirit.
Cornwall
Those who reside here are lucky to experience the picturesque Cornish coasts and quaint villages every day. There’s plenty of places to visit including the beautiful seaside town of St Ives, the village of St Agnes which sits in both an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a World Heritage Site, the attractive harbour of Padstow, and Falmouth, also a thriving harbour with a fantastic maritime heritage.
Cornwall is also home to The Eden Project, a must-see attraction. Nestled in a huge crater, enormous biomes house the largest rainforest in captivity with stunning plants, exhibitions and gardens. You’ll want to add this to your bucket list!
As seen on TV
All this time at home has enabled us to catch-up on the latest television series including Downton Abbey, The Crown and more recently, Bridgerton which has increased the desire to visit regency sites such as Highclere Castle, Windsor, Kensington Palace and Bletchley Park.
Also, a newly recognised attraction for 2021 is Gwyrch Castle in North Wales which was used as the location of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! The castle itself is a ruin, but it is possible to walk around or take a guided tour to hear the history of the castle. There are stunning views across the deer park and to the Irish Sea too.
The Isle of Man
The Isle of Man 
is a hidden treasure in the Irish Sea, just 60 miles from the mainland, and is adorned with classic railways, heritage sites and coastal resorts. It is the perfect destination for groups as it offers many attractions for different interests including the world’s largest working waterwheel, the Great Laxey Wheel, the Great Mines Trail, Tynwald Hill which is home to the 1,000-year-old Manx parliament, plus many scenic railway journeys on the Snaefell Mountain Railway, the island steam railway, and the Manx electric railway.
Battle of Flowers in Jersey
Jersey is alreadya popular destination for holidays and day trips, but the Battle of Flowers provides even more reason to visit. During the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1902, islanders decided to hold a parade in their honour, with horse-drawn floats covered in flowers taking to the waterfront streets of Jersey.
Developing into tradition over the years, this festival of blooms attracts visitors from all over, plus there are many other things to see and do on the island including its capital St Helier, the Jersey Museums, Elizabeth Castle and the Jersey War Tunnels.
Now, we can’t talk about travel and ignore the current pandemic that we are facing, but rest assured, you and your group can travel with complete confidence by coach, as measures have been put in place to ensure your journey is Covid-19 secure.
There are enhanced daily vehicle cleaning regimes with antiviral products to disinfect all surfaces, and new air filtration systems to purify the air on board. All drivers and passengers will be temperature checked prior to boarding and asked to wear a mask and make use of the hand sanitiser on board. Plus, the seating capacity has been reduced to adhere to social distancing with a new boarding process, loading from the back to the front, to avoid walking past seated passengers.
After a year of uncertainty and keeping apart, we believe 2021 is all about re-connecting with others, trying new experiences, creating memories, and making the most of our country’s wonderful destinations and attractions that we haven’t been able to explore for a while. We hope this has inspired some ideas for your next group venture.
Silver Travel Advisor recommends Lucketts Group – Group Travel
