Short Break
All Breakfasts
All Excursions Included
Max Group Size 25
Day 1 Burton Upon Trent
Make your own way to the Mercure Burton Upon Trent. This evening enjoy a Welcome Drink with your travel companions and Tour Manager in the bar area of your hotel before a delicious dinner. Meals included: DDay 2 National Brewery Centre and Calke Abbey
This morning after breakfast visit The National Brewery Centre. Take a guided tour around this historic museum with an expert guide. Discover the history, art & fun of brewing and then immerse yourself in a "behind the scenes" encounter with the head horseman and Shire horses. These beautiful animals were an integral part of the brewing world as far back as the 1800's - ensuring beer got delivered to public houses. See how the head horseman prepared the animals for a day pulling the dray and how nowadays they dress them ready for local shows & parades. Your visit will conclude with a beer tasting session in the elegant Brewery Tap bar where you will get to sample some of the award winning ales brewed on site. This afternoon travel to Calke Abbey. Calke Abbey is a Grade I listed country house in the care of the charitable National Trust. The site was an Augustinian priory from the 12th century until its dissolution by Henry VIII. The present building, named Calke Abbey in 1808, was never actually an abbey, but is a Baroque mansion built between 1701 and 1704. Step back in time as Calke is not presented like other country houses of its day. Paintwork is faded and peeling; vast collections of personal belongings are left as they were found. Here, the past is remarkably well preserved, in estate buildings, archaeology and the family's belongings. Return to your hotel and meet with your fellow travel companions for dinner at the hotel.
Meals included: B,DDay 3 National Memorial Aboretum and Trentham Gardens
This morning after a hearty breakfast, travel to see the National Memorial Arboretum. The National Memorial Arboretum is the UK's year-round centre of Remembrance. The Arboretum features over 300 thought provoking memorials for military, public service and civilian organisations and associations, along with tributes for individuals. The memorials all have fascinating stories behind them set in beautiful landscaped gardens. Then enjoy a visit to the award winning Trentham Gardens. The new-look gardens have matured into some of the finest in Britain.The contemporary revival of the famous Italian Gardens was led by renowned designer and multi-Chelsea gold-medal winner Tom Stuart-Smith. At the centre of Trentham Gardens is the mile long, Capability Brown designed, Trentham Lake. We all know that fairies live at the bottom of the garden, and Trentham Gardens is no exception! Take the fairy trail and keep your eyes peeled as you walk around our beautiful mile long lake, and through the woodland and gardens where the fairies live. Browse around the 77 timber lodges housing amazing shops, cafés and restaurants all filled to rafters with treats alongside Trentham Garden Centre. This evening enjoy dinner with your travel companions at the hotel.
Meals included: B,DDay 4 Stoke on Trent
After breakfast depart on your full day excursion to Stoke on Trent. Visit Middleport Pottery - an award-winning visitor destination in the heart of Burslem, the Mother Town of the Potteries. World famous Burleigh pottery has been created here using traditional methods since 1889. Explore the mould store which houses Europe's largest collection of ceramic moulds and see the beautiful showroom which showcases Burleigh ware produced over the years. On site is a huge grade II listed bottle kiln - one of only 46 remaining in the city and you will be able to see inside this iconic reminder of the city's great industrial heritage. Later we travel to Wedgwood to find out a little about Josiah Wedgwood - one of the progressive British industrialists of the eighteenth century whose career touched the world of science. See craftsmen at work on a factory tour, utilising unique artisan skills and techniques honed over 260 years. Then enjoy a delicious afternoon tea served on their famous pottery! Later we return to your hotel for a relaxed dinner.
Meals included: B,D
