Blooming Gardens

If like us your garden is starting to bloom, do you enjoy being part of nature and looking for something different? Then these tours could be for you.

This year Hunts Coaches have included a wide selection of Garden inspired day trips. The picture featured is Baumber Walled Gardens. The walled gardens are innovative and exciting, full of hidden surprises and vastly different from the traditional kitchen garden it started off as. They are owned and designed by Sonia and David Elton who live there. On this trip (13/06/19) you can enjoy a tour, sandwiches, cake and a hot drink.

A day out to Pensthorpe Natural Park in Fakenham (15/06/19) is great for all the family with stunning Norfolk gardens, garden ideas for your outdoor space, wildlife and nature conservation as well as WildRootz outdoor adventure play and Hootz House indoor play for the kids.

Looking for something different? Wisbech Rose Fair (05/07/19) sees the whole town take on a festive atmosphere, a celebration of horticulture and trading heritage. It started as a church restoration fund project by local rose growers in 1963 and is set in a unique Fenland landscape.

Garden inspired trips:-

  • 13/06/19 Baumber Walled Gardens £24.50pp
  • 15/06/19 Pensthorpe Natural Park Adult £30pp Child £23.65
  • 05/07/19 Wisbech Rose Fair Adult £18pp Child £13pp
  • 07/07/19 Easton Walled Gardens Adult £24.70 Child £20.50pp
  • 24/07/19 Sandringham Flower Show Adult £32.50pp Child £14.65pp
  • 31/07/19 Scampston Hall & Gardens Adult £32pp Child £33pp
  • 11/08/19 Woburn Abbey & Gardens Adult £43pp OAP £41.50pp Child £27.50pp
  • 17/08/19 Countryfile Live - Castle Howard Adult £49pp Child £29.50pp
  • 14/09/19 Harrogate Autumn Flower Show Adult £42pp Child £35pp

For more details Click Here.

What can I do on a day trip to York?

Are you thinking of taking a day trip to York? At Hunts Coaches we are often asked about the places we visit on day trips and short breaks. In this post we wanted to give some ideas of what you could see when arriving in York. Although we're sure you will find many more of your own.

York is the very model of an English historical town, which is why the best things to do in York sometimes feel like a trip down history lane. When you take a day trip to York expect to see a quaint and pretty place filled with medieval streets, centuries-old fortifications and a grand Cathedral. It’s not hard to see why flocks of visitors from across the world venture this far north.

Best things to do in York

1 - The Ouse

What is it? York’s river, which cuts a path through the city before ultimately ending in the Humber Estuary.

Why go? The Ouse is a picturesque delight. There are riverside routes to walk along. You will see some of York's local wonders from the Millenium bridge to Clifford's Tower and make sure to amble through Rowntree Park next to the canal. A good way to really take it all in is on one of the regular boat tours or cruises.

2 - York Minster

What is it? York’s Cathedral, and one of the most striking in the country.

Why go? With its medieval stained-glass windows, glittering artefacts and stone buttresses, York Minster is a marvel. Down in the underground chambers, you can learn more about the area’s Christian history, which dates to Roman times. And if you’ve got the stamina, walk the 275 steps up to the central tower. This leads you to the highest point in York. Most of the tour guides are local history students and will fill you in on the most interesting parts of its story.

3 - York City Walls

What is it? Ancient fortified walls that once protected the city from outsiders.

Why go? The Romans did a lot for us Brits. They built roads, hot-water baths and left York with the longest medieval barrier in the country. Walking the full length of York's city walls will take a couple of hours, especially if you stop to read the odd plaque and stop to take pictures.

4 - The Shambles

What is it? A narrow, winding, quaint street in York’s historical quarter that attracts visitors in their droves.

Why go? The Shambles, an Old English word for slaughterhouse. Many buildings in this street date back to the fourteenth century and still have butchers’ hooks out front. At first glance, you might wonder who erected these wonky, top-heavy timber-framed buildings. The overhang actually had a practical purpose: to protect the ‘wattle and daub’ walls below and stop the butcher's meat from going off in the sunshine. For Harry Potter fans the street also houses some wizard inspired shops.

5 - Merchant Adventurers Hall

What is it? One of York’s medieval marvels. A completely hidden gemBuilt in the 14th century, this Grade I listed buildings was one of the biggest of its kind in Britain.

Why go? The Hall has an unusual combination of three rooms serving three different purposes: the Great Hall for business and social gatherings, the Undercroft for charity, and the Chapel for religious devotion. Home to many remarkable collections including ones of silver, furniture and paintings. The contents provide a glimpse into the rich history of the building and the people associated with it. The Hall remains the everyday base for the Company of Merchant Adventurers of the York and you are invited to discover the secrets of this unique guild hall and its 650 years of history.

6 - The Jorvik Viking Centre

What is it? A family favourite for any day trip to York. Take a trip back in time to the days of York under Danish rule and a center for historical education.

Why go? This is a chance to delve into York’s Scandi. In 866 (yes, York really is that ancient) the city surrendered to Danish invasion; this attraction gives a glimpse of what Viking life would have been like. With its moving carriages, life-size dioramas and ancient artefacts, it’s a real trip back in time. They also replicate the smells of the ninth century here and they can be pretty eye-watering.

7 - Clifford’s Tower

What is it? The ruined Norman keep at the center of York Castle.

Why go? Like lots of history, this tower’s name has rather gruesome roots: Roger de Clifford was hanged here for treason back in 1322. But it offers some spectacular views. Should you brace yourself and walk up to the hill’s summit, you’ll be rewarded with unparalleled views of York Minster and the city and, on a clear day, you can see as far as the North York Moors national park.

8 - York Dungeon

What is it? A thrilling, immersive journey through the dark and grizzly parts of York's past.

Why go? Just like its sibling venues across the UK and other parts of Europe, York dungeon delves into the murky side of history. With a boatload of (terrifying) actors, live shows, special effects and sets that evoke as much horror as history, it's not for the faint-hearted. As you bravely shuffle through the dungeon you'll come face to face with some of York's most notorious characters (including criminals) before heading to the Tavern to calm your nerves. Plus, if you're a fan of furry rodents, you can have a cuddle with some of the little guys at the Dungeon's Rat Cafe.

9 - Yorks Chocolate Story

What is it? located in the heart of York, is an entertaining and informative guided tour through the history of York's most famous chocolate-making families and their finest creations. You'll discover chocolate's origins, how to make it, how to taste it like an expert and even the sustainable future of chocolate.

Why go? Uncover a host of surprising secrets and fascinating facts behind York's greatest chocolate products, from the Chocolate Orange to the globally famous Kit Kat. Once you've explored chocolate-making and its history, you can even shop for and indulge in chocolate to your heart's content. There's so much for you to enjoy and you could even have a go at decorating or making a chocolate lolly.

10 - National Railway Museum

What is it? A great place for transport enthusiasts like us.

Why go? Anyone with a passion for period dramas, history or design, will enjoy a trip to the National Railway Museum. The biggest railway museum in the UK. There are thousands of pieces of memorabilia, including real life trains that have long been out of service, mocked up stations and perfectly restored carriages, all of which are open to explore. You can also take a ride on the miniature railway outside.

Hopefully this list has given some inspiration for your next day trip to York. If you would like to join one of our regular trips with a selection of Lincolnshire pick up points Click Here.

A Festival of Light

On these darker days and nights, it can be comforting to think of brighter things and look forward to planning days out and breaks away. Last year, I did just that and booked a holiday with Hunts to the Festival of Light at Longleat.

I saw a documentary many years ago about how they constructed the large lantern exhibits and from that moment wanted to visit. The story of Lord Bath is intriguing too and I looked forward to seeing the family home.

On the day of departure a courier vehicle picked us up from our home address and took us to meet the main coach. We made our way to the Holiday Inn Bristol, Filton **** with comfort stops on-route. We arrived with plenty of time to take a look around the hotel and enjoy our evening meal.

The next day we travelled to Longleat and started the adventure with a drive through the Safari Park. The big cats didn’t seem to worry about their visitors and could be seen clearly from the coach.

We had plenty of free time to explore the grounds and house before the light show too. It was a treat to enjoy handmade shortbread in Emma's Kitchen. Viscountess Weymouth likes to celebrate Longleat's culinary history here. The house was decorated for a 1920’s Christmas with flapper ladies on hand to provide information on the family home.

When the lights came on it was truly spectacular. The artistry and variety was simply excellent. From under the sea to dinosaurs. Familiar faces of a little boy, girl and dog could be found within the different scenes. My favourite pieces were found in the ornamental gardens with India as the theme. Such warmth and rich colours.

Then there was the Christmas Tree light show, a moving display set to carols in the main courtyard. Truly not to be missed and certainly made me start to feel ready for the big day. A few more pictures taken, and my camera ran out of power. To be expected with so many photo worthy things to see. Back on the coach to the Hotel for our evening meal.

For your chance to see the Festival of Light, Hunts Coaches have extended this year’s trip to 3 nights which includes an excursion to Bath Xmas Market. The tour departs 06 December 2019 staying at the Holiday Inn Bristol, Filton on a half board basis. Prices from £345 per person. Click Here for more information.

Blue Monday? What Blue Monday!

Have a holiday to look forward to!

Monday 21st January 2019 is known as 'Blue Monday', it is classed as such, for being the most 'blue' or miserable day of the year! For many, we are still 10 days away from payday, the Christmas festivities are well and truly over and the busy work schedule is now rearing its ugly head!

So Hunts Coaches have come up with a fool proof plan to help beat the overall winter blues and especially, Blue Monday! And it all starts with thinking about your dream destination!

When it comes to booking a holiday, we know everyone likes something a bit different - so we have designed our getaways with you in mind. 

This Spring you can beat the blues by choosing from a range of holidays such as those featured above, Scarborough, Newquay, Poole and many more. The best thing about booking your break today with Hunts Coaches is no waiting until payday! All of our trips can be secured with a low deposit of £40pp. Then simply pay in installments up to 8 weeks before departure. If something outside the UK is more your cup of tea, and who wouldn't blame you, we offer holidays further afield too! Did you know we even offer cruises? You can view our full selection of 2019 holidays online. Click the holidays tab to view full listings.

Hunts Coaches are also proud to offer door to door pickups from a large Lincolnshire catchment area.

 Alternatively give our award-winning team a call on 01507 463000 or contact us today!

Theatre Trips

Coach excursions to the Theatre have proved firm favourites with everyone at Hunts for many a decade. Popular shows for which we run tours annually include The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, and the Thursford Christmas Spectacular.

This year’s Thursford tours are proving as popular as ever and are now sold out.

We are partnering with The New Theatre Royal in Lincoln to offer some fantastic shows. All will offer Lincolnshire coach pick-up points. Shows include Lost Voice Guy (20/03/19) and Wizard of Oz (16/04/19), a great Easter pantomime.

2018 marks the New Theatre Royal Lincoln’s 125th birthday after a whirlwind, award-winning 18 months, welcoming over 90,000 people into the Auditorium and bringing the theatre to life. It’s great to see it. The theatre has recently seen significant and sympathetic improvements to the building under new ownership and an ever-growing list of shows.

When thinking about a matinee or evening performance over the winter months, we have four to choose from. Join us to visit The Hull New Theatre for Cinderella (28/12/18) or The Bodyguard (12/01/19). London shows include Circus 1903 (04/01/19) and The Woman in Black (19/01/19)

Some of the shows are based on blockbuster films. The Bodyguard is an international, award-winning smash-hit musical based on one of these blockbuster films. Seeing a show can be an opportunity to see stars of the screen on stage. Following her triumphant West End run and sell-out UK Tour, three-time Brit nominee and X-Factor winner, Alexandra Burke, returns to the role of Rachel Marron in Hull.

View our full list and details of theatre trips.

2019 Photography Competition

Hunts Coaches Photography Competition is looking for photographs featuring Hunts Coaches vehicles.

To be in with a chance of winning, please send us your eye-catching images that feature one of the Hunts Coaches Vehicles. If you’ve captured something beautiful, fascinating, intriguing, amusing, or possibly all of these things, we want to see it.

The winning photographs will feature on the Hunts-Coaches website, newsletter, posters, social media and more.

Prizes    1st Place £50 Hunts Coaches Voucher

                2nd Place £20 Hunts Coaches Voucher

                3rd Place £10 Hunts Coaches Voucher

Send your entries to Lindsay.Linder@Hunts-Coaches.co.uk with the heading Photography Competition

The entrant must also provide:

A title.

A description of the photograph, noting whether the photograph is a composite of several images or has been enhanced in any way.

Any due acknowledgements.

The following guidelines should be followed:

Ideally the photograph should be of good print quality, but if it is available only as a web quality image then please still enter.

There is no limit to the number of photographs that you may enter. If you are not certain whether your photograph will win or you are trying to choose between several possible entries, then please just enter them all and let the judges decide.

You may wish to send one photo attachment per email due to message size restrictions.

The prizes are as listed and no cash alternatives. F. Hunt (Coach Hire) Ltd employees are not permitted to enter the competition.

The competition opens on 01 October 2018 and the deadline for submissions is the 30 March 2019 in line with the beginning of English Tourism Week. The winner will be announced 07 April 2019. #EnglishTourismWeek19

A night of comedy with the Lost Voice Guy

Hunts Coaches have secured tickets to see the Lost Voice Guy at the New Theatre Royal in Lincoln. The Comedian who says he was disabled before it was popular and a Geordie without an accent will appear at the Theatre on Wednesday 20 March 2019. He won Britain’s Got Talent in 2018 and the BBC New Comedy Award in 2014.

Lost Voice Guy is known for his one of a kind stand up routine in which his speech synthesiser delivers sharp jokes covering everything from his disability to popular culture, providing major belly laughs and 'oh no he didn't!' moments.

Hunts Coaches have made it easy to enjoy a laughter filled night out with friends and family.  The coach will pick customers up from local Lincolnshire collection points on the day. Admission to the show is included for just £26.50 per person adults and £25 per person for children.

To book contact the team on 01507 463000 or click the day trip tab above. The team are working hard to secure further dates for comedy nights. So watch this space.

Review of the 2019 Holiday Brochure Launch Night

Customers came to the 2019 brochure launch party on Thursday 6 September 2018 at the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Alford to be among the first to see the brochure and the new editions for the coming year. It proved to be a great evening with over 150 people attending. Customers had the opportunity to meet the Hunts Coaches team and to find out more about the tours.

The brochure has a wide range of destinations from Scarborough in North Yorkshire to Cruise Holidays Abroad. The brochure includes listings of the 2019 Day Excursions with special offers at just £10 per person to York, Meadowhall Sheffield, Ikea Sheffield, Leeds, Whitby, Bridlington and Scarborough. Hunts Coaches have teamed up with the New Theatre Royal to provide transport to a selection of shows too. Some customers have already started to place bookings with the team, taking advantage of the first come first served reserved coach seating.

Regular customers Mrs Carol Bateman and Mrs Diane Newbury came to the launch party. They said "We love the theatre and regularly go on theatre trips with Hunts. The special offers are a must too, we enjoy Meadowhall"

Customer Jane Portus “I like that Hunts Coaches pick up from the door for their holidays. I’ve had some great breaks”

Hunts has experienced and customer friendly staff. They provide luxury air-conditioned coaches, door to door departures within a large catchment area and free parking for those who wish to meet the coach at the Depot in Alford. By sourcing a wide range of quality hotels, and tours with great local excursions which are all included in the price of your holiday you can rest assured that they have something to suit all tastes and ages. They even include the travel insurance with no need to declare any pre-existing medical conditions when travelling in the UK and total luggage handling.

Michael and Joe Hunt “Our award-winning team planned this year’s brochure with a focus on what our customers want. It has firm favourites and some new holidays to choose from too. There is something for everyone”

The Hunts team would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to this great evening. The raffle held for Louth and District hospice will see £150 donated to this deserving cause.

 Some of the presenters from the evening.

Coach Holiday in Focus

Weston - Super - Mare in Somerset

The British seaside resort of Weston - Super - Mare on the Somerset coast is steeped with Victorian history. It is dominated by a fabulous beach and is the gateway to all the attractions that Somerset offers.

We will be travelling South West for our Turkey and Tinsel holiday. The holiday departs on the 12 November 2018 taking in the sights along the way. Sights such as Weston - Super - Mares' Grand Pier that has its history scorched into the very fabric of the place. Originally constructed in 1904, the Pier featured a 2,000-seat theatre that showcased the best in opera, stage plays and ballet until it was destroyed by fire in 1930. Three years later a funfair took its place in a rebuild. In 2008 the Grand Pier was completely destroyed by another fire. Millions of pounds worth of investment saw it re-open in 2010 to be enjoyed today.

Our tour has a full Turkey and Tinsel Package at the Smiths Hotel. The hotel has a great position on the Seafront. A family owned hotel which holds the Gold Commended status with Weston Super Mare Hotels association. Customers travelling with us will enjoy a comfortable four night stay on a half board basis on this holiday.

Other excursions include Bath. Built for pleasure and relaxation, beautiful Bath has been a wellbeing destination since Roman times. The waters are still a big draw, both at the ancient Roman Baths and the thoroughly modern Thermae Bath Spa, which houses the only natural thermal hot springs in Britain.

Bath’s compact, visitor-friendly centre is overflowing with places to eat and drink, plus some of the finest independent shops in Britain. Bath also has a remarkable collection of museums and galleries.

Bath's stunning honey-coloured Georgian architecture is straight from a Jane Austen novel - highlights include the iconic Royal Crescent and the majestic Circus. There’s plenty to see beyond the city, too, with stunning Somerset countryside to explore, as well as attractions like Stonehenge.

Talking of Stonehenge we will also include the Stonehenge Visitor Experience to walk in the footsteps of our Neolithic ancestors at Stonehenge – one of the wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. An opportunity to explore the ancient landscape on foot and step inside the Neolithic Houses to discover the tools and objects of everyday Neolithic life. The world-class exhibition and visitor centre has 250 ancient objects and the opportunity to come face to face with a 5,500 year-old man.

 

Door to Door pick ups are available from a large Lincolnshire catchment area. The holiday is priced at £395pp with limited single rooms available with no supplement. For further information or to book Click Here.

**Service Update**

We are happy to announce that we will continue to provide the No. 96 Public Bus Service. A new timetable will commence from the 03 September 2018. This timetable is in collaboration with Lincolnshire County Council. Click here to see the new timetable.

Holidays!

Our 2019 Holiday brochure will be coming out soon. However, if you can not wait please check our holiday section of the website for a preview. It includes firm favourites such as Isle of Wight and Warners. You could also come to our annual brochure launch event on Thursday 6th September 2018. The event will be held 7pm to 9pm at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Alford, LN13 9HY. If you would like to join us get in touch on 01507 463000 or email travel.office@hunts-coaches.co.uk.

Brochure Launch

Join us for our annual holiday brochure launch evening.  The Hunts Coaches team would like to invite you to the event:-

Where - Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Alford, Lincolnshire, LN13 9HY
When - Thursday 6th September 2018
Time - 7pm

There will be a talk on what the 2019 season will offer, drinks on arrival and light buffet. It's an opportunity to meet the team, ask questions, provisionally book your holiday and meet fellow holidaymakers.

Please confirm your attendance by email travel.office@hunts-coaches.co.uk  or by calling 01507 463000.

We look forward to welcoming you on the night.

Things To See In London

London is one of the world’s most visited cities, the buzzing capital is well worth the visit and has so much to offer, from magnificent history and culture to cutting-edge fashion and food.

Wondering what to do? Why not marvel at the city’s many iconic buildings and palaces, immerse yourself in culture at one of the 170 museums and relax amidst the natural beauty of the Royal Parks. Take a spin on the London Eye to experience spectacular views of the city's skyline and get a unique perspective on landmarks like Big Ben, London Bridge, Westminster Abbey and the Hungerford Bridge.

London is the world's foremost fashion destination, a shopper’s paradise: from flea markets and vintage shops to luxury department stores like Harrods, the options are endless.

Famous films have used the city as a backdrop, you could follow in the footsteps of James Bond or Harry Potter.

Londoners love to eat. Tuck into innovative fare on the city’s trendy street food scene or treat yourself to something really special at one of London’s many Michelin star restaurants.

There are some fantastic theatres with shows such as 42nd Street (Theatre Royal), Les Miserables (Queens Theatre), Phantom of the Opera (Her Majestys Theatre) and Strictly Ballroom (Picadilly Theatre). All of which we have day excursions to see. London has the best theatre scene in the world. It attracts the best in acting talent so don't be surprised to see a few famous faces on the London stage.

We have many tours that go to London for full listings click here.

Weather Update

Hunts Coaches Severe Weather Update - Due to school closures and the continued snowy conditions, all our services will remain cancelled for today, 1 March 2018.

Who would believe it is the 1st day of meteorological spring! The Hunt's team are watching out for the weather warnings and considering safety first.

We will post updates on Social Media for tomorrow (Friday, 2 March 2018). Visit our Facebook Page

Merry Christmas

The Hunts Coaches Team wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We have been busy over the last few weeks preparing for the festive break. Turkey and tinsel coach holidays prove popular and many people are visiting Christmas markets on our coaches.

We supported the annual Christmas Tree Festival at Alford Manor House. The trees beautifully decorated by local voluntary organisations, charities and schools look wonderful. 

The travel office entered the Alford Town Christmas window display competition. Although we didn't win, it was great to see children stop to enjoy the display.

We all had our fill of mince pies on the late night opening and the dark nights showed the outdoor Christmas tree in its best light.

The Hunts Travel Office are holding a raffle with all proceeds to the Leicester Children’s Home, Mablethorpe. The winner will receive a hamper full of festive treats. Tickets are available exclusively from the Travel Office on West Street, Alford.

There is still time to book on our holidays and day trips over the festive break and we look forward to providing your transport in 2018.

Don't forget the 2018 HOLIDAY BROCHURE is available now. 

As always you can contact us for Private Hire, Group Travel, Education Transport, Coach Holidays, Day Excursions & Tour Planning. 

As the frost and snow form a picture from our archives reminds us to wrap up warm.

Warmest Wishes,

The Hunts Team

Established in 1930 by Fred Hunt, Hunts Coaches have remained a family company to this day. Currently, in our third generation, the family feel encompasses what our business is about.

2-3 West Street, Alford, Lincolnshire, LN13 9DG United Kingdom
facebook logoinstagram logox logoLinkedIn logoyoutube logo 2whatsapp logo

Company Number: 01021966  |  VAT Number: 127 975 630

Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Newsletter Form
© 2026 F Hunt (Coach Hire) Ltd - Registered in the UK - Registration Number 01021966