A group of travel advisors from the U.S. recently had the opportunity to experience some of Britain's most compelling destinations firsthand, joining a hosted trip organized by VisitBritain and its destination partners—Marketing Manchester, Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, and Visit Wales. Spanning seven days across Manchester, North Wales, and the Peak District, the trip gave advisors an immersive look at the experiences they can recommend to their clients.
Manchester: A City That Surprises
The journey began in Manchester, and the city wasted no time making an impression.
The group's home base for the first two nights was the Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre, a stylish property in the heart of the city, perfectly positioned for exploring everything Manchester has to offer and offering spacious rooms with views of Greater Manchester.
Chetham's Library (Photo Credit: Janeen Christoff)
Advisors kicked off their journey with a tour of Chetham's Library—the oldest free public library in the English-speaking world—where they had the opportunity to view the desk where Marx and Engels conducted the research that led to The Communist Manifesto.
From there, the group explored the National Football Museum, a four-floor celebration of the beautiful game complete with iconic memorabilia, before diving into the city's culinary culture on a Flavours of Manchester walking tour.
Over the following days, advisors took in a guided Discover Manchester walking tour of the city centre with Manchester Guided Tours, visited the spectacular RHS Garden Bridgewater—one of Europe's largest gardening projects—and stopped at MediaCityUK, one of the UK's leading hubs for media and innovation.
Rooftop drinks at Cloud 23 (Photo Credit: Janeen Christoff)
Evenings were equally memorable. Pre-dinner drinks at Cloud 23's panoramic rooftop bar gave the group sweeping views of the city skyline, while one night was dedicated to a competitive session of shuffleboard at Electric Shuffle on Deansgate—a venue perfect for groups with 15 shuffleboard tables and creative cocktails. Dinners at The Ivy Spinningfields and The Refuge inside the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel rounded out an impressive culinary lineup.
Etihad Stadium, home to Manchester City (Photo Credit: Janeen Christoff)
A special highlight was a visit to Manchester City's home pitch, Etihad Stadium. The immersive experience took the group behind the scenes and into the inner workings of the football club. They also had a chance to see the pitch and the stadium without the crowds. After that, it was off to Wales, just a short 1.5-hour drive away.
Transportation throughout the itinerary was provided by Rabbie’s Coach, which offers both day- and multi-day trips in the UK, Scotland and Ireland.
Castle Conwy (Photo Credit: Janeen Christoff)
North Wales: Castles, Canals and Coastline
Crossing into Wales, advisors arrived in the Victorian seaside town of Llandudno for lunch at the historic St. George's Hotel, which afforded them stunning seaside views. After the meal, the group continued to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Conwy. There, a private tour of the 13th-century Conwy Castle set the tone for what Wales does so well—layering history into breathtaking landscapes.
The group checked into The Castle Hotel, itself built on the site of a Cistercian abbey, and dined at Dylan's Conwy with views of the ancient church and castle accompanied by a delicious meal.
Canoeing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct with Bearded Men Adventures (Photo Credit: Janeen Christoff)
The following morning brought one of the trip's most exhilarating moments: canoeing across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct—the highest aqueduct in the world—with Bearded Men Adventures. While the adventure was upended by stormy weather, a taste of canoeing along these canals before reaching the aqueduct, suspended 126 feet above the River Dee, was the kind of experience that no brochure can fully capture.
The Peak District: England's Oldest National Park
Britain's oldest national park made an immediate impression as the group arrived in its dramatic landscape. Made up of two distinct terrains—the untamed moors and windswept hills of the Dark Peak, and the sheep-grazed fields and quaint villages of the White Peak—the Peak District is far more varied than its name suggests.
The first stop was Treak Cliff Cavern near Castleton, where advisors descended into an underground world to discover Blue John Stone, a rare semi-precious mineral found nowhere else on earth but in this corner of the Peak District.
The cavern is a series of winding passages that open to chambers of stalactites and stalagmites. Each member of the group had the chance to polish their own piece of Blue John Stone to take home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
That evening, the group settled into a historic Peak District property: the Buxton Crescent Spa Hotel. This Georgian masterpiece has been reimagined after a multimillion-dollar restoration in 2020, and is steeped in more than 200 years of history. The hotel's luxury spa features a Victorian thermal pool fed by Buxton's natural spring waters that have drawn visitors to the town since Roman times.
Chatsworth House in the Peak District (Photo Credit: Janeen Christoff)
Another highlight of the Peak District was a visit to Chatsworth House, a stately manor widely believed to have inspired Pemberley in Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. It’s been in the Cavendish family for 16 generations and was featured in the 2005 film version of Pride & Prejudice.
Before heading to another famous film location, the group stopped in at The Cavendish Hotel on the Chatsworth Estate for a tour and an afternoon tea. Then it was a behind-the-scenes film tour at the medieval Haddon Hall, best known for its role in The Princess Bride as Prince Humperdinck's Castle.
This castle appeared in "The Princess Bride." (Photo Credit: Janeen Christoff)
The trip concluded with two more nights in Manchester at the Treehouse Hotel, including a unique Salford Rum distillery tasting and tour, a Locationist Film & TV location walking tour, and dinner at Gordon Ramsay's Lucky Cat.
Avanti West Coast high speed rail connects Manchester and London. (Photo Credit: Janeen Christoff)
Getting There: Manchester to London by Train
For clients looking to combine this northern itinerary with time in London, the connection couldn't be easier.
Avanti West Coast operates a direct high-speed service from Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston, with journey times as fast as 1 hour and 59 minutes. Trains typically run every 20 to 30 minutes and feature free Wi-Fi access, power outlets and first-class lounges.
Experience ultimate comfort in First Class in a spacious, all-inclusive setting that includes access to a pre-departure lounge and wide, reclining seats onboard. Standard Premium is ideal for clients who want the space without the all-inclusive features.
Advisors should book their clients a spot in advance as the train does fill up. Tickets reasonably priced, and travelers with a railcard can save an additional third off standard fares. It's a seamless way to bookend a northern adventure with a few days in the capital.
For travel advisors looking to send clients beyond London, this itinerary is proof that Britain's north and west offer world-class history, adventure, food, and culture in abundance.
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