3 June 2020
While COVID-19 is having a drastic impact on UK tourism, there is still plenty of news to be found. We’ll do our best to keep you updated, via various means, on some of the best examples of how tourism businesses in the destinations we represent are rising to the challenge.
#newsin30seconds
UK’s centre of remembrance turns 20 in 2021
In 2021, the National Memorial Arboretum will be celebrating its 20th birthday (since opening to the public, in May 2001). Since planting began in Staffordshire in 1997, the NMA has been a special place honouring those who have served, and continue to serve, with the 30,000 trees and more than 300 memorials creating a living tribute to the sacrifices made by the UK’s Armed Forces and civil services. It marked its 19th birthday, this year, on May 16.
Potteries Museum & Art Gallery sets the questions
The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent set the questions for The Great British Art Quiz in The Guardian(in collaboration with Art UK) on May 27. PMAG has one of the largest and most diverse regional collections outside of London, holding almost one million objects across its six outstanding collections. Its fine art collection, established in the 1920s, is distinguished by early and mid-20th century art.
News of a major hotel opening planned for Hampshire, in 2022
The team behind Watergate Bay Hotel in Cornwall and Another Place in the Lake District has acquired a new site in Hampshire to transform into its next hotel venture. Amport House in Hampshire will become the brand’s second Another Place hotel, having previously been run by the MoD as a British Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre. The property will aim to have 50 bedrooms and two restaurants and bars.
‘Walk’ through 1,000 years of history
Built by William the Conqueror in 1068 on a site occupied since Roman times, Lincoln Castle has dominated the city skyline for almost 1,000 years. Now, its Medieval Wall Walk audio guide is available to download for free until September, as part of the #Museumfromhome BBC campaign to encourage access to Arts and Culture created by Antenna International.
Plan your visit to these Victorian walled gardens in Lincolnshire
Gunby Hall and Gardens, an 18th century country house set in Victorian walled gardens at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds, is offering people a few ways to experience its beauty, even though they are not able to currently visit. Plan your day for when it re-opens by taking a virtual walk around the Gunby Gardens – from sheltered walled corners and wildflower areas to sweeping lawns – or check-out @NTGunbyHall on Twitter for daily virtual visit video walks
Further virtual tours of Trentham Gardens are unveiled
The Trentham Estate, which boasts one of England’s most-visited garden attractions, has released more footage – this time focusing on Virtual Tours of its award-winning Italian Gardens, and Perennial Meadows (https://www.trentham.co.uk/blog/). Coinciding with #EnglishTourismWeek20, The Trentham Estate has released more footage, it has also been posted on Trentham’s YouTube playlist .
Brewery’s successful evolution was a matter of survival
Last December at Staffordshire’s award-winning family run Lymestone Brewery, bottled beer accounted for just 5% of its turnover. Housed in an old brewery building dating back over 150 years, it had to close its two pubs, onsite brewery tap house, and stop brewery tours because of the coronavirus crisis. But it adapted by launching a home bottle delivery service for its beer – and within days had sold the stock that was expected to last months..