New Owners Take The Wheel. Jane, Richard and Chris are settling into retirement with the new owners officially taking the wheel on 3 May 2025. This was a momentous moment in Shaws’ 103 year history and one that will be remembered for many years to come. New owner Jo says "Thank you to all our loyal customers who have been patiently waiting for tour details whilst the exciting new ownership gets underway. A warm welcome, too, to our new customers! The news of the business sale has generated a lot of interest within the local community, and it has been lovely to hear new voices on the end of the phone who are ready for a change of scenery". Our first day trips depart on Tue 27 May to Holt & Sheringham and Battersea Power Station and our first holiday sets off on Monday 30 June to Kent – we can’t wait to see you all!
Half Price Holiday Deposits. Quality hotels and creative itineraries await. Our summer tours are filling up nicely and provisional bookings for our autumn/winter tours are doing the same! Thanks to everyone that has been patiently waiting for tour details whilst we get everything in place with the new ownership. As a thank you (and a warm welcome) the new owners are delighted to extend a half price holiday deposit offer to all customers. Book before 31 July (travel anytime) and secure your next holiday for just £25pp.
New Owners, New Destinations. We’re delighted to reveal some exciting new day trip destinations for this summer! We know you all love the medieval town of Lavenham but this time we’ve added the beautiful English village of Long Melford to the day, making for a rather delightful two-stop tour of Suffolk on Tue 8 July. We’re also excited to board The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway for a ride along the longest heritage railway in Derbyshire on Thur 10 July, pausing for free time in Matlock too. The RHS have launched an exciting new show for 2025 and we can’t wait to visit on Fri 18 July - RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse is set in the grounds of one of the grandest stately homes in the country and is set to feature an exciting line up of up-and-coming designers! Finally, don’t miss the only boat tour available on the waterways of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Tue 29 July. This fabulous new cruise passes locks and even the old ‘Big Breakfast House’ with cream tea and commentary as you sail.
Cromer Pier Scores a Hat Trick of Wins! This beautiful, traditional pier has received accolade after accolade, just in time for the start of the summer seaside season! Not only did they bag Pier of the Year 2024, but they’ve also won top spot at the regional 2025 Muddy Stilettos Awards in the Arts, Culture & Theatre category and have also been named in The Telegraph’s top three piers in the country! Look out for the eye catching new mural which tells the story of the piers fascinating history. Visit on Thur 29 May 2025 from £35.
Your Favourite Beaches Awarded Blue Flag Status. This is the internationally recognised gold standard for beaches and we’re pleased to say that five of our day trip destinations have achieved the award. There are 33 stringent criteria that must be met in order to achieve this certification including water quality, safety and services, environmental management and information on beach facilities. Cromer Beach, Sheringham, Skegness, Southwold and Whitby all feature and we look forward to visiting most of them this month - don't miss out.
New Show Marks 40 Years of Live Aid. 13 July this year marks the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, an event that changed the world with music. To celebrate, a brand new show has been launched at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End. Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical, is a powerful show that goes behind the scenes to reveal how music united the world on that unforgettable day in 1985. Featuring hit songs by Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen and many more, it is not to be missed. See it on Wed 15 October from £85.
Llandudno Pier Wins Pier of the Year 2025. Take a stroll along the longest pier in Wales and enjoy unique views of the bay and Great Orme, just as the Victorians would have done back in 1878 when it was first completed. Judges commented on the hard work and investment in the last 18 months since Storm Darragh damage and how the pier is so clearly a much loved asset within the community. Visit Llandudno Pier during our tour of Snowdonia this summer which also includes a journey on the Welsh Highland Railway, a Puffin Island Cruise and entry to Portmeirion.