The search each year for somewhere different, and indeed with different attractions, always proves challenging, and the economic situation has certainly made things more complicated, with some potential venues closing for ever and surviving hotels & venues trying to recover their losses by escalating prices. Worse, after the pound collapsed against the euro following Brexit, a large number of continental workers found it was no longer viable to work in hospitality and send money back to families so went home and never came back.
This has meant dealing with hotels has become seriously difficult as staff shortages has meant in a lot of cases people have been promoted beyond their abilities or without adequate training. Getting sensible quotes has become a nightmare with event managers (?) reading from scripts and unable to allow leeway.
So............................! The Fifteenth Credit Crunch Special is based at the 4-star Stratford Manor Hotel, Stratford-on-Avon. It's in a quiet location about three miles outside the town and set in spacious grounds with a swimming pool and spa facilities.
The itinerary is as follows:
Sunday, April 7th. Arrivals at the Stratford Manor Hotel followed by dinner at 7.30pm.
Monday, April 8th. A coach will collect everyone from the hotel for a guided tour of the area, including visiting Shakespeare's birthplace and Mary Arden's house. I have arranged a buffet lunch in the Roof Top Restaurant in the RSC Theatre, along with everyone being able to take the lift to the top of the tower to take in the views across the town.
After lunch we take a cruise on the Avon before rejoining the coach for the return to hotel.
Dinner 7.30pm
Royal Shakespeare Theatre Roof Top Restaurant
Tuesday, April 9th. We start the day with a scenic run through the lanes and villages to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon. We have exclusive parking in front of the building and there are some fascinating displays and amazing cars. Lunch has been arranged and afterwards the afternoon is free to go back into Stratford and explore further local towns such as Warwick or Coventry.
Dinner 7.30pm
Wednesday, April 10th. Departure for home unless you’re staying the extra night. If you do decide to stay a special rate of £105 per person D, B&B applies.
There’s still plenty more to see in the area, but you could, of course, just chill out and take advantage of the swimming pool and spa facilities.
CREDIT CRUNCH SPECIAL 2024. The package costs £545 per person (based on two people sharing a room) for three nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast and entry to all attractions, I'm sure you'll agree it's still a bargain in view of current inflation and escalating costs! Single supplement £45 per night.
An extra night costs a special rate of £105 per person, again based on two people sharing.
Included in the price are the following:
- Three nights’ accommodation on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis at the Stratford Manor Hotel
- Guided coach tour of Stratford-on-Avon
- Sightseeing cruise on the river Avon
- Entry to all arranged Stratford attractions
- Buffet lunch in RSC rooftop restaurant
- Entry to RSC viewing tower
- Entry to British Motor Museum
- Buffet lunch at Gaydon
- Detailed route instructions
- Rally Plates
- Windscreen sticker
- Information pack on arrival with leaflets on local attractions
- Plus more and a few surprises
ENTRY FORM – 2024 CREDIT CRUNCH SPECIAL
April 7th – 10th (11th)
This event is only offered to people on the Country Lane Tours postal mailing list and entries are limited, so if you’re thinking of coming act quickly to ensure a place!
Name (driver)……………………………………………………………………….....
Name (co-driver)………………………………………………………………………
Car (if known)……………………………….Year………………Reg………….......
Address………………………………………………………………………………..
Post Code………………Tel. No……………………Email……………….…………
Do you wish to stay Wednesday evening?...................................................................
Amount enclosed £…………………………Date…………………………………….
Any special requirements (vegetarian, dislikes, twin beds, mobility, etc.)? THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AS THINGS CAN BE DIFFICULT TO RESOLVE ON THE DAY!!………..………..................................................................................
Please make cheque payable to Country Lane Tours, and send with form to Country Lane Tours, Tirionfa, Bodfari Road, Llandyrnog, Denbigh, LL16 4HP. New entry fees are refundable in full (less £5 admin fee) up to February 28th. In order to obtain the low price non-refundable deposits and payments have to be made to the hotel, attractions etc. well in advance so regrettably after March 1st no refund is possible.
NOTE!!!!!! There are 60 rooms reserved at the Stratford Manor Hotel so if you wish to be certain of a place please book quickly as once the 60 places have gone people will be allocated rooms in the overspill hotel.
Participants in previous Credit Crunch Weekends have already had priority notification.
PLEASE NOTE!!!! THE FULL AMOUNT IS PAYABLE AS THE ADMIN. COST OF THIS EVENT IS KEPT TO A MINIMUM TO ENSURE A LOW PRICE. DEPOSITS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WILL BE RETURNED WITHOUT A ROOM BEING RESERVED.
Space precludes a detailed description of everything you will see, so the details here are necessarily a synopsis. However, the leisurely daily mileage allows plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery and quiet roads as well as the hotel facilities. If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to call me on 01824 790280, or email countrylanetours@gmail.com.
Please note! There may be slight variations in the advertised schedule if conditions dictate.
If you wish to pay by bank transfer the details are: Bank: Santander
Account Name: Country Lane Tours
Account Number: 02149028 Sort Code: 09-01-50
IBAN: GB77ABBY09015002149028
IT IS CRUCIAL IF PAYING BY TRANSFER THAT YOU SEND THE COMPLETED ENTRY FORM WITH THE PAYMENT MARKED TRANSFER!!!!!
IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS PLEASE DEAL VIA
Country Lane Tours
WHEN PEOPLE CONTACT THE HOTEL DIRECT IT INEVITABLY LEADS TO CONFUSION!