How much of England have you explored?

England is full of contrasts; from the 600 miles of beautiful coastline to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and charming Devonshire villages or the ever bustling cities such as London and Manchester – whichever direction you travel you will find a wide variety of landscapes and diverse cultures to explore, so why go further?

UK holidays do not carry the stress and problems that overseas holidays often bring and also tend to be much cheaper.  A great way to see England is with a coach holiday as the coach company will organise the travel, hotel and external tours for you, so you needn’t lift a finger!

Crusader Holidays has been running coach trips for 37 years and has put together some recommended destinations for travel in the UK.

2011 Manchester Ship Canal Cruise

Manchester was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and many of the spectacular warehouses have survived and now stand against the city’s newer contemporary urban designs. Full of cutting-edge concert halls, theatres and clubs, Manchester embraces culture and the thriving music scene that has produced diverse artists from Hallé Orchestra to Oasis.

As well as taking in the sights of the city, this tour is a must for boat enthusiasts. You’ll have free time to explore Seacombe and the dock and the chance for a gentle six hour cruise along a 35 mile stretch of the Manchester Ship Canal. As you cruise through the locks and bridges that have remained largely unchanged since their construction over 100 years ago, you’ll witness some of the region’s most stunning architectural and natural sights. The on-board commentary will revealinsights into the history and the dramas of one of Britain’s major waterways. On the last day you’ll also visit the elegant Anderton boat lift, the world’s first and England’s only working boat lift, considered by many to be one of the great engineering feats of the 19th century.

The tour lasts three days and costs £230pp and includes:

·         All transport

·         Accommodation for two nights with use of the leisure facilities

·         Two breakfasts and dinners

·         A night of entertainment at the hotel

 

2011 best of the Lake District

The Lake District is an area of stunning natural beauty loved by poets and writers – Wordsworth summed up the area when he wrote ‘the loveliest spot man hath ever found’. The area’s iconic mountains, fells, placid lakes, picturesque towns and villages combine to make this a relaxing and enjoyable break.

The Lake District is England’s largest national park, so the excursions on this tour take in some of the best sights the area has to offer. In the Northern Lakeland, the tour will take you to Grasmere where you’ll have the opportunity to visit Dove Cottage, the home of William Wordsworth, Drentwater where there will be an opportunity for an optional boat cruise and the beautiful Lakeland town of Keswick.  In the Southern Lakeland, on the way to Hawkshead, you’ll pass Hill Top, the home of Beatrix Potter. You can also visit Lake Coniston, the scene of numerous water speed record attempts, and the inspiration for ‘Swallows and Amazons’.

There are two accommodation options which will depend on your departure date. The Riverside Hotel is situated on the bank of the River Kent in Kendal and only a short walk from the famous market town centre or the Hydro Hotel which is situated in an elevated position with stunning views overlooking the Lakeland town of Bowness-on-Windermere and Lake Windermere.

The tour lasts three days and costs £364pp and includes:

·         All transport and tours

·         Accommodation for four nights with use of the leisure facilities

·         Four breakfasts and dinners

 

2011 Torquay & The English Riviera Gold

With 22 miles of coastline, cliffs, coves and beaches to explore and enjoy, the English Riviera has been one of the UK’s top holiday destinations since Victorian times. This Gold Collection tour combines a stay at a stunning 4-star hotel with many planned activities. In addition, this tour provides a ‘door to door’ service meaning someone will move your luggage for you making it a truly indulging and relaxing break.

This tour takes you along the famous Devon coast. You will have a chance to see Brixham and Dartmouth’s old and picturesque ports. Next visit Paignton,a thriving holiday resort, before stopping at Torquay.Along with its evident Victorian ancestry, Torquay is a vibrant and forward-thinking resort attracting visitors of all interests, from art and culture aficionados to marine enthusiasts, but it is Torquay’s waterfront that is the focus of life in the town. On the trip you’ll also visit Plymouth, the vibrant regional capital of Devon and Cornwall.

From seaside to countryside, this tour also takes you to Dartmoor, with visits to Princetown, the highest village on Dartmoor and Widecombe-in-the-Moor, set in the beautiful Widecombe Valley. In the village you can see Church House and the adjoining Sexton’s Cottage which dates back to the Sixteenth Century.

Whilst on this tour, you’ll stay at the 4-star Barceló Imperial Hotel, situated close to the marina with fantastic views over the bay. Guests can enjoy free use of leisure facilities which include squash and tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sauna, spa and jacuzzi. You could also treat yourself in the beauty salon which offers aromatherapy and massage treatments.

 

The tour lasts 7 days and costs £530pp and includes:

·         All transport and tours

·         Accommodation for six nights with use of the leisure facilities

·         Six with breakfasts and dinners

·         Welcome drink on arrival at the hotel

 

This is just a small selection of coach trips that are available across the UK.  If you fancy seeing more of this diverse country, check out the range of coach trips that are available and you’ll be surprised at the added extras and value they provide.  Most trips combine tours of the areas where you can make friends, with free time so you can relax how you wish.

Crusader Holidays has more than 30 years experience in the coach holidays market providing short trips in the UK & Europe. Their experience and expertise ensures you see the best of each destination and have a trouble free holiday.