Author Archives: Amy Gaillemin

1. Lake District, Cumbria

   2nd October 2025 1:50 pm Comments Off on Lake District, Cumbria

   At the end of September 2025, Amy, one of our UK team, visited the beautiful Lake District.

   Amy had spent many family holidays in the Lake District but wanted to find out more! Over 150 miles were covered visiting and exploring this wonderful county of Cumbria.

   The weather set the scene nicely – clear blue skies and crisp Autumnal days.

   Amy viewed several attractions that she would recommend for groups. Active groups with specific interests in art, history or gardening would enjoy tours of Levens Hall, National Trust Sizergh Castle, Holker Hall and Dalemain Mansion & Gardens. These attractions are able to tailor tours for their visitors with enthusiastic guides ready to pass on their extensive knowledge.

   Amy loved the tour of Dalemain Mansion that had an impressive Medieval banqueting room – one of the tour members was so impressed, he stroked the medieval stones surrounding the doorway and put his foot on the bar under the table that had been moulded by hundreds of feet through the ages! Maybe your group would like to do the same?

   Holker Hall, home to the Cavendish family, was full of art work including John Singer Sargent drawings that the guide was so pleased to talk about. The gardens at Holker Hall were very accessible with ramps for wheelchair users or mobility difficulties.

   Levens Hall is a destination attraction for some of the best and oldest architectural topiary gardens. At the time of Amy’s visit, the staff were all busy modelling the trees to great effect. The Levens Kitchen has a great reputation serving seasonal inspired fresh local produce.

   The fine weather was ideal for an early morning drive to watch a departure of Ullswater Steamers at Glenridding. The Ullswater Lake was like a mirror, perfect for a photograph!

   There are many ways of enjoying the spectacular scenery – by coach, by rail or by boat. Amy watched as customers arrived at Lakeside on the steam train then boarded the awaiting cruiser with the team to welcome them on the quayside of Lake Windermere.  One of the people queuing to board the cruiser having arrived by rail said to her companion, ‘This is great, we don’t have to wait!’

   Bowness-on-Windermere was teaming with visitors arriving and departing on the cruisers. Bowness is highly recommended for a few hours to explore the shops or watch the world go by in one of the cafés.

   Amy certainly experienced the ‘Lake District welcome’ with open arms with treats around every corner from Grasmere Gingerbread, Penrith Toffee or Kendal Mint Cake.

   The Lake District is a perfect destination for your group wanting to fill the camera with perfect images of stunning scenery and indulge in the history of the notable buildings in the area.

   

   Dalemain Mansion, Penrith Exterior ©Hermione Hasell McCosh

   

   Holker Hall exterior from gardens

   

   Aerial view of the East front of Sizergh Castle ©National Trust Images, James Dobson

   
   

   

   Ullswater Steamer awaitng departure on Ullswater Lake at Glenridding

   

   The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway

   

   Bowness on Windermere landing stage

   
   

2. Annual New Year ‘Kick Off’ 2025

   25th March 2025 4:04 pm Comments Off on Annual New Year ‘Kick Off’ 2025

   As is an annual tradition, the whole staff of Greatdays Travel met in Chester for the annual New Year ‘Kick off’ 2025.

   We ventured out for a walk into the wintry cold weather after meeting up at the Queen Hotel Chester. It was just a short stroll from the Queen Hotel to the city centre along part of the canal and to Eastgate. We had delicious soup and a sandwich in the Chester Cathedral cafe under the beautiful vaulted ceiling before heading out for a City Tour of Chester by a very lively and informative Gail. Our tour started at the Cathedral and took us onto the Castle walls, the Roman amphitheatre and returned back to see the ‘Rows’ and the famous Eastgate clock.

   Some of us shopped till we dropped then rejoined everyone in the hotel bar for a glass of celebratory Fizz before our gala dinner followed by Greatdays Travel Company awards. We were very well looked after by the team at the Queen who served us delicious food with a smile.

   The following day, we had a leisurely breakfast and went our separate ways home. Here’s to the next one – wherever it may be…

   If you would like to follow in our footsteps and enjoy the wonderful hospitality that this hotel has to offer, take a look at the following tours coming up:

   Motown, 60s and Soul Entertainment- Greatdays Travel Group

   70s themed Christmas Show Party – Chester

   See more Company News  here