EXCURSION PROGRAMME The following excursions are offered at the cost indicated and all include transport, taxes, guide, tickets and a light lunch: Wednesday, 3 May British Wool Discovery Day EUR 90 (incl VAT) Thursday, 4 May Day at the Coast EUR 90 (incl VAT) Friday, 5 May Gardens and Crafts Day EUR 120 (incl VAT) Saturday, 6 May Farm Visit EUR 54 (incl VAT) Below are full details of the excursions available for registered partners. The Farm Visit on Saturday May 6 th is also for delegates. Places are limited so we suggest you book early. We strongly recommend you wear comfortable shoes as some walking is involved. Dress code: casual.
Wednesday 3 May British Wool Discovery Day Meet in Lobby Hotel Old Swan at 08.45 Return to Hotel Old Swan at 16.15 Cost: EUR 90 For registered partners With Yorkshire at the heart of the British wool industry, we have put together a British wool discovery visit for you. First of all, you will have the chance to explore the British Wool Marketing Board depot which operates the central marketing system for UK fleece wool. A farmer-run organisation, the BWMB was established in 1950 with the aim of achieving the best possible net return for producers. It is the only organisation in the world that collects, grades, sells and promotes fleece wool. After tea and biscuits, you will leave for the beautiful village of Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in the late 19th century. Saltaire got its name from Titus Salt, a successful weaver of beautiful fabrics that were used to make expensive dresses for the ladies of England. This location along the River Aire was important because it gave his mill access to what is now known as the Leeds-Liverpool Canal and to the railway. Along with this mill that was built in the midnineteenth century, Salt also built a planned, selfcontained community especially for the workers in his new mill. Today, Salt s Mill has been beautifully renovated into a complex of shops and eating establishments and you will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch here. It also houses the 1853 Gallery. This gallery is home to the collected works of David Hockney, who is thought to be one of greatest living artists in the world. Hockney was born and raised in Bradford. In the afternoon you will visit a traditional woolen mill with all stage processing, which perfectly captures the quintessentially British spirit.
Thursday 4 May A Day at the Coast Meet in Lobby Hotel Old Swan at 08.15 Return to Hotel Old Swan at 16.00 Cost: EUR 90 For registered partners Your day starts with a scenic drive across the North York Moors through the award-winning picturesque market town Helmsley and delightful hamlet Lealholme with its sheep and beck. Whitby is an ancient and beautiful sea port which is the jewel in the crown of the Yorkshire coast. Encircled by the wild North York Moors and edged by a spectacular coastline, this area is one of striking beauty and character. Breathe deep, feel free and relax. With stunning scenery, as well as history and tradition, and superb local food this is a truly captivating place. You may even choose to climb the 199 steps to Whitby Abbey. Whitby has some of the best fish and chips around and you will have lunch in a local restaurant overlooking over the harbour. Returning to Harrogate, there will be a brief stop in Goathland, which has a station on the heritage North York Moors steam railway, and was a set in the Harry Potter films.
Friday 5 May Gardens & Crafts Day Meet in Lobby Hotel Old Swan at 08.45 Return to Hotel Old Swan at 16.00 Cost: EUR 120 For registered Partners The day begins with a visit to stunning World Heritage site Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Gardens. Here you will explore the dramatic abbey ruins, hidden gems in the Fountains mill, and the Georgian water gardens. Fountains Abbey is one of the largest and best preserved Cistercian Monasteries in England and became prosperous through the medieval wool trade. It was founded in 1132 and operated for over 400 years before Henry VIII ordered the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Then on to Masham, a typical bustling Yorkshire market town renowned for its annual sheep and steam tractor fairs. Here we visit the Black Sheep Brewery and discover the story behind its name before enjoying a light lunch in the bistro. After lunch, you can then try your hand at a typical Yorkshire craft, felting. Create a small item with the help of an artisan tutor which you can take away with you.
Saturday 6 May Sheep Farm Visit Meet in Lobby Hotel Old Swan at 09.30 Return to Hotel Old Swan at 14.30 Cost: EUR 54 For registered delegates and partners Visit a farm set in the foothills of the Yorkshire Dales where you can admire the local landscape and learn about local sheep breeds, including Swaledale, Herdwick and Blue-faced Leicester. After the farm tour, a light lunch will be served and in the early afternoon the bus will return to Harrogate. Please note we cannot guarantee to return for a fixed time so if you have a flight later that day, please first contact meetings@iwto.org so we can advise whether it will be possible for you to join the farm visit.