See the village of Thriplow come to life as it is transformed into a spring extravaganza for the annual Daffodil Festival and Country Fair. All in aid of charity, local residents plant daffodils around the village, and volunteers host a special fundraising fete with everything from Morris dancing, dog shows and blacksmithery demonstrations, to homemade craft stalls, street food and local musicians. The church bells will be ringing for this joyous event.
Day 1 We travel northwards to Bedfordshire with a lunchtime stop in the cathedral city of St Albans. Arrive to the hotel with time to settle in before dinner this evening which will be served in a private room - the hotel’s elegant state room featuring chandeliers, magnificent fireplaces and large bay windows with river views.
Day 2 After breakfast, journey to the quaint village of Thriplow where the annual Daffodil Festival and Country Fair will be in full swing. Throughout the village, locals have planted hundreds of daffodils, all different varieties, in public areas, lining roadsides, on driveways and in open gardens for visitors to admire. In the village centre there are craft, gift and food stalls, a plant sale, friendly farm animals including goats, donkeys, lambs and miniature ponies to meet, a stage with live music and entertainment, classic cars, tractors and lots, lots more! The event is organised by hundreds of kind-hearted and devoted volunteers, and all proceeds raised over the weekend go to charity.
Day 3 Leaving our hotel after breakfast, we travel south, stopping in Windsor to spend a few hours at leisure before continuing home.
Set by a lake in Impington, the Holiday Inn Cambridge is just a short drive from the city centre and is an ideal base for this tour. Leisure facilities include gym, indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi. Each of the bright and airy bedrooms features a satellite TV, telephone, WiFi, a seating area, hairdryer and hospitality tray. The hotel does not have a lift, but does have ground floor rooms.
