LAUNCH OF THIS YEAR'S HEART OF THE FOREST TOUR
Launch event to take place on-board the bus on Saturday 19 July at 11:00am, leaving from Ashby town centre
This summer, residents and visitors to Ashby de la Zouch and the surrounding district of North West Leicestershire will be able to explore the local area from a very unique perspective - an open- top sightseeing tour bus. A special launch event and photo opportunity will be taking place on -board the bus itself during the 11:00am tour, leaving from Market Street in Ashby town centre (outside Lloyds TSB) and returning there at 12:30pm. Organisers and sponsors of this year's tour will be present for photographs and interview.
For more details or to register your interest, please contact Tracy Renshaw at Gold Events Management on 0783 490 8576 or email tracy@gold-events.co.uk.
Complete with insightful on-board commentary, this year's Heart of the Forest Tour will run every Saturday from 19 July to 30 August 2008. Key attractions on the tour include the award-winning Conkers, dedicated to the natural world, Sence Valley Forest Park - a serene 150-acre lake and woodland beauty spot, Moira Furnace - an early 19th century iron-making furnace which now offers cycle hire for those wanting to explore the beautiful lanes and cycle ways, Donington-le-Heath Manor house - a 13th century home once owned by gunpowder plotter, Everard Digby, and the brand new National Forest Youth Hostel. Passengers can stay on-board for a full tour, hop off at any of these attractions or enjoy a leisurely stroll in the growing National Forest, and hop back on a later bus.
In partnership with North West Leicestershire District Council, Leicester Shire Promotions, Gold Events Management and Roberts Coaches, the Heart of the Forest Tour 2008 is sponsored by Conkers, Leicestershire County Council Road Safety, The National Forest, The National Forest Youth Hostel, Donington-le-Heath Manor House, Moira Furnace and Snibston.
Tickets on the bus cost £7 for adults, £5 for children, £16 for a family, with under fives travelling free. Advance tickets at reduced rates can be purchased from Leicester Tourist Information Centre in Town Hall Square, Leicester (Tel: 0116 299 4444) or the Ashby Tourist Information on North Street, Ashby de la Zouch (Tel: 01530 411 767). Discounted advanced tickets can also be purchased on the Eshop facility at www.goleicestershire.com .
Free travel on the Heart of the Forest Tour is available for concessionary bus pass holders - saving up to £7 per trip. Advanced concessionary tickets can be purchased from the Leicester or Ashby Tourist Information Centre (see above).
Note that the bus will leave for Ashby town centre from St Margaret's Bus Station in Leicester each morning when in operation and will return there at the end of day (around 5:30pm). Travel from and to St Margaret's Bus Station will incur an extra cost of £1 each way (£2 for a family ticket). These additional tickets will need to booked in advance using the eShop facility on www.goleicestershire.com or from the Leicester Tourist Information Centre in Town Hall Square, Leicester (Tel: 0116 299 4444). These tickets are also available for concessionary travel from the Leicester Tourist Information Centre.
For further information on routes, timings, ticket prices and concessions for both tours, please visit www.goleicestershire.com.
About Leicester Shire Promotions:
Leicester Shire Promotions is a private, not-for-profit company formed in July 2003 as a partnership between Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and the Leicester Shire Economic Partnership. The company is the Destination Management Organisation (DMO) responsible for promoting Leicester and Leicestershire to visitors and investors, based on a coordinated place marketing strategy that focuses on destination leadership and coordination, attracting investors and visitors, services for investors and visitors, and services for the tourism industry. For more information, please visit www.goleicestershire.com
For further media information, please contact:
Tracey Renshaw
Gold Events Management
T: 0783 490 8576
tracy@gold-events.co.uk