ABACUS COACHES
Holidays and Day Excursions
Call David or Tracy to book on 01572 767139 / 01476 552000
The New Fox Depot, A1 Southbound, South Witham, NG33 5LN
www.abacuscoaches.co
Holidays are bonded for financial security and include a door to door service from your home, half board at the hotel, a full excursion itinerary and admission fees. These are in red boxes. Full details on our website.
Day excursions pick up at bus stations in Grantham, Bourne, Stamford, Oakham, Melton Mowbray & Colsterworth Services and points en-route between. Also Spalding where marked *. Pick-ups may be by coach, feeder bus or minibus. If you live in Deeping, Sleaford, Peterborough or Uppingham we will send a feeder bus to your group of 10 or more. School holidays and weekend day excursion dates are marked in red. Prices shown are for adults / seniors / child. Admission included unless stated. For each day excursion ticket you book more than a calendar month ahead of the departure date you will receive an Abacus bead. Collect and stick 10 beads to your Abacus savings card to redeem a £10 travel voucher. Any < 5 years @ £8 plus admission charges.
Travel Vouchers are an excellent birthday present or gift available in £10 denominations.
2017
Tuesday 1st August. Stratford Upon Avon is the medieval town synonymous with William Shakespeare, our country’s greatest wordsmith & playwright. Visit his birthplace, Mary Arden’s farm (his mother) or Anne Hathaways’ cottage (his daughter). Try also the MAD museum, butterfly farm or a river cruise. So much to do, so little time! £23/£21/£17.
Wednesday 2nd August. Bridlington. Sandy beaches, promenades, and a 900yr old working harbour are just some of the things to see in this traditional seaside town. You may choose to take a leisurely cruise on the Yorkshire Belle that leaves from the historic harbour very hour, or maybe stroll the atmospheric streets of the Old Town where you will find galleries of find the recent Dad’s Army film sets. Excellent choice of dining but everyone knows fish & chips are a must. £28/£26/£8.
Thursday 3rd August. Countryfile at Blenheim Palace. Britain’s most watched factual television show is brought to life in this major live countryside event combining the tradition of the UK’s best country fairs with the editorial and presentation of one of the BBC’s flagship programmes and set in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, a masterpiece of 18th Century baroque architecture. Throughout the day there will be exciting live arena shows, talks, hands on activities, animal displays, farming in action and shopping with more than 600 food and craft producers. £50/£48/£30.
Monday 7th August. Chesterfield & Denby Pottery. Chesterfield market is one of the biggest open-air markets in the country, selling everything from shirts to shoes, from gold to goldfish. Whatever you want there’s a stall selling it somewhere – it’s just a matter of finding it. In the afternoon we stop at the Denby Pottery which has been making their famous stoneware for over 200 years. The visitor centre houses the largest Denby collection in the world. Our coach group has discount shopping vouchers. £22/£20/£16.
Tuesday 8th August. Hunstanton.* The Norfolk seaside resort with Victorian character. Gorgeous clean beaches, breath-taking sea views and stunning cliffs add charm. £22/£20/£8.
Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Peebles Hydro Hotel****.
Thursday 10th – Sunday 13th August 2017. The itinerary includes: Wensleydale Creamery & Hawes, Edinburgh & Military Tattoo, Dawyck Botanic Gardens & Ripon. 4 days. Sharing £365. Single £440.
Friday 11th August. Houses of Parliament. A blue badge guided tour through one of the world’s most iconic buildings, including the Queen’s Robing Room, Lords’ Chamber & Royal Gallery. £50/£48/£36.
Saturday 12th August. Blists Hill Victorian Village & Ironbridge. Have a revolutionary time at this World Heritage Site and the beating heart of the Industrial Revolution, with a morning visit to Blists Hill Victorian Town; a living recreation of the Victorian era with the evocative sounds, smells and sights of the steam age. The afternoon is free to explore Ironbridge at your own pace. £42/£37/£27.
Tuesday 15th August. Buckingham Palace State Rooms. During the visit see the 19 magnificent State Rooms which provide the setting for ceremonial occasions and official entertaining furnished with many of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection. Our visit includes the Royal Gifts exhibition telling the story of Her Majesty's reign through a wide-ranging display of official gifts presented during the past 65 years, representing a spectacular display of craftsmanship from across the globe. £51/£47/£37.
Thursday 17th August. Skegness.* Sand in your toes, bucket & spade, donkey rides, sun-cream, crazy golf, fly a kite, sea air, careless fun & good company. Skegness revitalises. Carnival week. £22/£20/£8.
Bournemouth at Suncliffe Hotel***.
Sunday 20th – Friday 25th August 2017. The itinerary includes: Salisbury, Lyndhurst in New Forest, Beaulieu Motor Museum, Portland Bill Lighthouse, Chesil Beach, Weymouth & Winchester. 6 days. Sharing £445. Single £475.
Monday 21st August. Black Country Living Museum. Set in a landscape of 26 acres, it is one of the most extraordinary open-air museums in the UK; offering a glimpse into 200 years of history like no other telling the story of a very special time and place in history and some of the most hard-working, ingenious and influential people you could imagine! There is a canal-side village, tramway and a mine, as well as fifty authentic shops, houses and workshops preserving the character of the region. £37/£32/£27.
Tuesday 22nd August. Wind In The Willows. Matinee. Starring Rufus Hound as the amazing Mr Toad. This riotous comedy follows the impulsive Mr Toad whose insatiable need for speed lands him in serious trouble. With his beloved home under threat from the notorious Chief Weasel and his gang of sinister Wild Wooders, Toad must attempt a daring escape leading to a series of misadventures and a heroic battle to recapture Toad Hall. Featuring eye-poppingly beautiful design and exuberant choreography, The Wind in the Willows brings an explosion of anarchy, humour and heart to the world famous London Palladium. Personal recommendation for this show. Just fabulous! 2 tickets remain @ £60, then £70.
Wednesday 23rd August. Whipsnade Safari. Explore 600 acres of epic adventure at the UK’s biggest zoo. As home to more than 2,500 animals travel around the huge park by free Safari bus or take The Jumbo Steam Express that weaves through the territories of some of the Zoo’s most impressive and inspiring animals, such as the elephants, rhino and camels. Whilst most of the Zoo’s inhabitants are kept in specially designed enclosures, a few species are allowed to roam freely around the grounds. £47/£43/£26.
Thursday 24th August. Clacton On Sea Airshow. The seafront gardens are a carpet of glorious colour throughout summer and provide a backdrop for miles of golden sandy beaches and the town's fun packed pier. Today the seafront is transformed for a free aeronautical display. Impressive machines take to the skies whilst a whole host of exhibition, trade stands, food court and on-site entertainment are available at ground level. £30/£27/£8.
Sunday 27th August. Notting Hill Carnival. Join London’s biggest street party as the Notting Hill Carnival fills the streets of West London with Caribbean colours, music and flavours. Elaborate floats and colourful costumed performers wind their way through the streets to the sound of steel bands and calypso music. Watch the carnival parade, join in the fun and visit the tempting food stalls at one of London's biggest and best annual events. £30/£28/£15.
Llandudno at Somerset Hotel***.
Monday 28th August – Friday 1st September 2017. The itinerary includes:Chester, Conwy, Snowdonia National Park, Horseshoe Pass & Llangollen. 5 days. Sharing £370.
Wednesday 30th August. Cleethorpes. Cleethorpes is a vibrant cultural hub, offering breath-taking scenery, fabulous beaches, mouth-watering food, top attractions and fascinating history, making it the perfect away-day location. £23/£21/£8.
Thursday 31st August. Carsington Water & Crich Tramway Village. We drive in to the heart of the Derbyshire countryside today where we call in for an hour at Carsington Water visitor centre where an interactive exhibition demonstrates the function and systems of the reservoir and how its product arrives through our taps. The courtyard has a café and a RSPB shop. Moving on down the road we move back in time to Crich where Vintage trams transport you along the traditional village street into open countryside. Our visit includes unlimited electric tram rides, entry to exhibitions of the tram collection, acres of woodland park with picnic areas, the enchanting Woodland Walk and Sculpture Trail. A horse drawn tram (fee) operates today. £33/£30/£23.
Cardiff at Angel Hotel****.
Monday 4th – Friday 8th September 2017. The itinerary includes: Hereford, Royal Mint, St Fagans National History Museum, Barry Island, Tintern Abbey & Worcester. 5 days. Sharing £355. Single £390.
Tuesday 5th September. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway & Cromford Mills. We take a train ride through Derbyshire’s most lovely and unspoilt valleys arriving at Cromford Mill where we spend the afternoon at the home of Sir Richard Arkwright’s first mill complex, birthplace of the modern factory system and an UNESCO internationally recognised site of World Heritage. What happened here in Cromford in the 1770’s changed the world we live in and today the site hosts a variety of visitor attractions, shops, cafes, exhibitions, guided tours and galleries for your enjoyment. £29/£27/£20.
Wednesday 6th September. Hunstanton.* The Norfolk seaside resort with Victorian character. Gorgeous clean beaches, breath-taking sea views and stunning cliffs add charm. £22/£20/£8.
Thursday 7th September. National Memorial Arboretum & Lichfield. The National Memorial Arboretum honours the fallen, recognises service and sacrifice and fosters pride in our country. It is a spiritually uplifting place and is emerging as a world-renowned centre of remembrance. There is an option to stay all day or visit Lichfield in the afternoon. £23/£21/£17.
Saturday 9th September. Scampton Airshow is the East of England's newest airshow and home of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team - The Red Arrows. Visitors will marvel at a spectacular five hour flying display (11.00 – 16.00 hrs) and walk amongst a static display of modern fast jets and historic aircraft. The showground features a host of interactive activities and exhibitions. Inspiring youth will be at the heart of the show offering an insight into life in the modern Royal Air Force. It really will be one of the most exciting things to do in Lincolnshire in 2017! £50/£48/£10.
Monday 11th September. A day in Cambridge. Visit Kings College chapel, take a chauffeured punt on The Backs or just savour the city of beautiful minds; the choice is yours. £21/£19/£15.
Tuesday 12th September. Hooray for Hollywood @ Wicksteed Park. Step back in time to the 1920’s with show songs such as “Let’s face the music”, “Singing in the rain” & many more. Lunch & afternoon tea included. Matinee. £45.
Fort William at Croit Anna Hotel***.
Wednesday 13th – Monday 18th September 2017. The itinerary includes: Newcastle, HM Yacht Britannia, Glenfinnan, Neptune’s Staircase, Oban & Ben Nevis mountain gondola. 6 days. Sharing £400. Single £450.
Thursday 14th September. Skegness. Last opportunity of the season to enjoy some late summer sun and sea air at our favourite seaside destination. £22/£20/£8.
Friday 15th September. Harrogate Autumn Flower Show. Take inspiration from awe-inspiring plant displays, unique show gardens and stunning floral artistry at Britain’s top independent gardening event. Take in a talk or demonstration, get advice from national experts or simply browse the wide range of quality garden shopping available within this annual celebration of gardening and horticulture. £44/£42/£20.
Sunday 17th September. Sheringham in the 1940’s* is an event on the Norfolk Poppy Line Railway having become one of the most popular events in the north Norfolk calendar, just before summer draws to a close. Spend a day in the 1940s, dress up if you want to and travel on the steam trains between Sheringham and Holt. Both towns (and Weybourne station in between) embrace the moment and there’s always plenty of entertainment. Everything possible is in genuine 1940s style from the clothes to the signage, the vehicles and sounds of the era too. £27/£25/£10.
Tuesday 19th September. Ipswich is known as “East Anglia’s Waterfront Town”; a port since Saxon times but now a place to visit for food & drink, trips on the River Orwell or park your expensive yacht! As England’s oldest Anglo-Saxon town it is steeped in history with connections to Cardinal Wolsey & Charles Dickens. £28/£26/£12.
Shanklin, Isle Of Wight at Shanklin Hotel***.
Wednesday 20th – Sunday 24th September 2017. The itinerary includes: Osbourne House, Ventnor Botanic Gardens, Isle Of Wight Pearl, The Needles & Oxford. 5 days. Sharing £345. Single £375.
Thursday 21st September. Wakefield & Hepworth Museum. Wakefield’s new open market has launched in the Cathedral Precinct in the heart of the city centre situated between the city’s two major shopping centres – Trinity Walk and The Ridings Shopping Centre. Spend a full day at Wakefield or enjoy an afternoon visit to the just crowned 2017 Art Fund Museum Of The Year. £25/£23/£12.
Friday 22nd September. Diana, Princess of Wales, Kensington Palace. Celebrate the life of Diana, in this major new dress exhibition. Trace the evolution of the Princess’s style, from the demure, romantic outfits of her first public appearances, to the glamour, elegance and confidence of her later life. Don’t miss an extraordinary collection of garments, including the iconic velvet gown, famously worn at the White House when the Princess danced with John Travolta. £46/£41/£25.
Saturday 23rd September. The Malvern Autumn Show brings together everything we know and love about Nature at its finest. After a long year there’s nothing better than enjoying the fruits of the harvest. A show for food (Tom Kerridge) and gardening lovers (Carol Klein), the event hosts a range of cookery demonstrations, gardening talks, vegetable displays, vintage tractors, crafts and more. Families and Friends can enjoy a day out to remember with superb shopping. £44/£42/£17.
Monday 25th September. Woodbridge and Deben River Cruise. Today includes a lunch stop at Woodbridge, a sailing and a market town situated on the river. On the quay you can see one of only five Tide-Mills restored in this country. The 2-hour cruise on the River Deben starts from Waldringfield, well known to the sailing fraternity, to Felixstowe Ferry and return on board the MV Jahan, a 38 feet undercover boat. Included is a cream tea of freshly baked scone, butter and jam and hot drink. £44/£42/£34.