Shropshire Tourism Nominates Ironbridge for VirtualTourist's 8th Wonder of the World

(June 10, 2013) - Shropshire Tourism announced today that it has entered Ironbridge into VirtualTourist.com's quest to crown the "8th Wonder of the World". Public voting is now open at VirtualTourist.com, a leading travel research website and community that is part of TripAdvisor Media Group.

Claire Owen from Shropshire Tourism said, "As a World Heritage Site and birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, we feel that Ironbridge is certainly a worthy nomination and would like to encourage everyone to vote."

With numerous Tourism Boards, Chambers of Commerce and Visitor Bureaus sending in a nomination, the public is asked to vote for their favorite out of the almost 300 submissions from around the World.  Voters can visit www.virtualtourist.com to vote for Ironbridge and have until September 30 to do so.  There is also a link to the voting page from Shropshire Tourism's website, www.shropshiretourism.co.uk. The wonder with the most votes will be crowned the winner.  The winner will be featured in a national broadcast TV segment on a popular syndicated program as well as receive a massive media relations campaign push from VirtualTourist.

"It's wonderful to have a nomination from every corner of the world so we are thrilled to receive Ironbridge as a nomination from Shropshire Tourism," said Giampiero Ambrosi, General Manager of VirtualTourist.com.  "As one of the best travel guide resources on the web, members and visitors to our site have been to almost every country in the world.  We are eager to see which landmark they will choose to be crowned the 8^th Wonder of the World."  To vote for Ironbridge for 8^th Wonder of the World, just visit www.virtualtourist.com/8thwonder.

For more information, visit www.virtualtourist.com/8thwonder

Shropshire County Hotels Unveil New Website

Rob Hill, spokesperson for the group said, "Member hotels reflect the quality and diversity of Shropshire itself: Delightfully different Country House Hotels, Country Inns and Restaurants with Rooms, each unique and each remarkable in their own way. All take pride in offering outstanding hospitality and superb food which provides a showcase for the abundance of fantastic ingredients produced in Shropshire.

Coming together to promote ourselves more effectively as a group we hope to raise awareness about the quality services we have to offer and encourage both local people and those from further afield to pay us a visit, whether it's dining out in one of our restaurants or coming to stay with us."

The new website www.visitshropshirehotels.com been designed and developed by the in-house IT team at Shropshire Tourism, the county's leading tourism marketing organisation.

Kay Corbett, Senior Web Development Officer at Shropshire Tourism said, "It was a pleasure to work with Shropshire County Hotels on their new website. In addition to a new modern design, additional features have been added including an interactive map, news and event feeds."

UK Debut for White Salvia at Welshampton Fair

The Salvia 'Wollerton White' plant - a seedling off Salvia microphylla 'Cerro Potosi' - has been donated to Welshampton Fair, to be held in Welshampton Parish Hall from noon to 3pm, by Mr and Mrs John Jenkins from Wollerton Old Hall Garden, Wollerton, Market Drayton.

"It's the first white form of Salvia microphylla and its arrival has caused quite a stir in the plant world," explained event co-ordinator Gillian Eleftheriou. "Head gardener Andrew Humphris put in a batch of the normal pink salvia and out of it came these two white seedlings.

"This is going to be no ordinary plant sale. The special plants auction at 1.30pm will be really special because plantsmen have been so helpful and generous."

Also included in the auction is Hosta 'Unduly Graced', named because of its origins - the garden of Elvis' Presley's Graceland mansion, where its parent resided beside his swimming pool - which has been donated by Tim Saville, who lives at Penycae, near Wrexham.

Proceeds from the event will be divided between Shropshire Macmillan Cancer Support and St Michael and All Angels Church in Welshampton.

Fine art auctioneer Andrew Beeston from Halls, Shrewsbury will conduct the 1.30pm special plants auction of 30 lots, which have been donated by private national collection holders, specialist nurseries and leading plant specialists across North Shropshire and the Welsh and Cheshire borders.

Visitors to the fair will also have a rare chance to pick up tips from Shropshire's gardening guru Margaret Thrower, who will be joining award winning garden designer Richard Lucas to answer visitors' questions on this year's 'Ask the Experts' panel.

Quiz prizes on offer include tickets to Shrewsbury Flower Show, family passes to great venues and every visitor will also be able to enter a draw to win B&B in a top Lake District hotel.

"The fair provides a unique opportunity to buy specimen plants, from personal national collections and private gardens, that are not generally available to the public," explained Mrs Eleftheriou.

"The fair tends to attract local people, visitors and plantaholics because it offers such an unusual selection of plants. In the grand plant sale alone, we will have well in excess of 1,000 plants on offer, all grown by a dedicated team of six people. We are planning even more space in the grand marquee for plants and people this year."

The event, which has donated more than £25,000 to charities over the past seven years, will also feature quality cake, preserves and craft stalls. Entry and car parking are free.

Meres and Mosses Landscape Partnership Scheme Launch New Interactive Website

The new website, www.themeresandmosses.co.uk is part of an ambitious programme of activity funded by The Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund to raise awareness about the Meres and Mosses which are home to some of the rarest wildlife in the UK.

Nearly £2m is available over the next 5 years to engage communities, raise awareness, conserve and restore habitat and work with landowners to improve the area through the Nature Improvement Area and Meres and Mosses Landscape Partnership Scheme.

Programme Manager Peter Moss said, "This ambitious programme is vitally important for the future of the Meres and Mosses area.  Everyone living and working here has their part to play in its protection and enhancement so please spread the word and do something to help today."

To find out all about this and get involved please visit www.themeresandmosses.co.uk. Here you will find up to date information on specific projects, events, details on farm and community grants as well as an interactive map and a resource library where the public can submit their favourite images of the area.

The website, which went live on 23rd April 2013, was designed and developed by the in-house IT team at Shropshire Tourism. Melanie Smith, Meres and Mosses Administrator said, "It has been great working with Shropshire Tourism.  They are extremely approachable, helpful and creative.  We are delighted with our new website."

TRIPADVISOR REVEALS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES MOST RECOMMENDED BY TRAVELLERS

TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel site, today reveals the most highly recommended UNESCO World Heritage Sites according to the TripAdvisor traveller community. Of the top 10 in the world, Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire, known throughout the world as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, comes in at second place. The famous site also takes the number one spot in the UK.

The results are based on more than 1.1 million traveller feedback forms, collected in partnership with UNESCO, making this the largest study of its kind ever conducted.

The Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa in China is recognised as the most highly recommended site in the world, according to TripAdvisor travellers.

Simon McCloy Chief Executive at Shropshire Tourism said, "We are really delighted with this news - we have long promoted Ironbridge as a brilliant place to visit in Shropshire, and it is really encouraging to hear that the TripAdvisor traveller community agrees. To be revealed as the most highly recommended UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK is a huge coup for Shropshire, but to be rated second in the World exceeds even our expectations. It is true testament to the hard work that everyone at The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust do to make Ironbridge such a first rate visitor experience."

World's Most Recommended Sites

1. 1. Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa  - China
2. 2. Ironbridge Gorge - UK
3. 3. Palace and Park of Fontainebleau - France
4. 4. Historic Centre of Guimaraes - Portugal
5. 5. Masada - Israel
6. 6. Byblos - Lebanon
7. 7. Persepolis - Iran
8. 8. Hwaseong Fortress - Republic of Korea
9. 9. Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula - Italy
10. 10. Meidan Emam, Esfahan - Iran

UK's Most Recommended Sites

These UK World Heritage sites are those most recommended, according to TripAdvisor travellers:

1. 1. Ironbridge Gorge - Shropshire
2. 2. Heart of Neolithic Orkney - Orkney Islands, Scotland
3. 3. Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey - North Yorkshire
4. 4. Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd - Gwynedd, Wales
5. 5. City of Bath - Bath
6. 6. Durham Castle and Cathedral - Durham
7. 7. Old and New Towns of Edinburgh – Edinburgh, Scotland
8. 8. Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, and St Martin’s Church - Canterbury
9. 9. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal - North East Wales
10. 10. Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and St Martin’s Church - London

"Every one of the 962 designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites is of enormous cultural or natural significance," commented Emma Shaw, TripAdvisor spokesperson. "These lists identify the sites that are valued most highly by the millions of TripAdvisor travellers who visit them and therefore, Ironbridge Gorge should be incredibly proud of its position at second place in the world and number one in the UK."

The partnership between TripAdvisor and UNESCO's World Heritage Centre launched in October 2009 to raise awareness of and gain travellers' support to preserve natural and cultural sites inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list. 

Within the partnership, TripAdvisor is also providing support to the World Heritage Centre to help monitor the conservation of the world’s most important cultural and natural heritage sites. TripAdvisor shares the feedback to the World Heritage Centre so that it may better support UNESCO member states in protection and presentation of the properties.   

Shropshire Holiday Cottages feature in new ITV1 show

Wyndham & Bronwen Williams of Tugford Farm Holiday Cottages & Livery (www.tugford.com) have been filmed for ITV1’s brand new show, Holiday Home Sweet Home, presented by Lisa Faulkner. The programme also featuyres their self catering cottage Churchwarden Cottage in Ludlow (www.churchwardencottage.com)
 
Tugford Farm Holiday Cottages & Livery offer self-catering, B&B and equine B&B for guests who wish to bring their horse on holiday with them on their working farm in unspoilt rural South Shropshire. Churchwarden Cottage offers guests the alternative option of staying self-catering in the centre of the historic market town of Ludlow. We have been providing holidays and equine B&B for 7 years having successfully diversified into tourism turning redundant farm buildings into quality barn conversions and now have a strong clientele of returning guests.
 
In this new daytime series, Lisa Faulkner presents her guide to holiday homes around the UK. The series looks at a broad range of homes from aspirational beach front villas to idyllic rural cottages. Along the way, Lisa also visits some more quirky properties from historic forts to gypsy caravans and glamorous camping to stately manor houses. Whatever your budget or taste, Lisa finds a holiday home to suit everyone.
 
It’s not just the properties but the people who are at the heart of this show. The 20 x 60’ series will introduce people who run, and own these holiday homes, uncovering a unique insight into the work that goes into running a holiday let; and of course the holidaymakers, as they enjoy their summer break. Lisa’s journey will also take in some of beautiful Britain and will offer top tips on what to see and do in different areas of the country.
 
Tune into Holiday Home Sweet Home on Saturday, 27th October at 1.15pm on ITV1 to discover what goes into the perfect British holiday package.

Ironbridge Park and Ride - FREE Service Extended to 27th October 2012

Ironbridge Park & Ride: Fast, frequent and hassle free

If you are  planning your visit to Ironbridge Gorge there is now a fast, convenient and hassle free way in which to get there. The new 250 space Ironbridge Park and Ride, operating weekends, bank holidays and local school holidays offers buses every 12 minutes and with excellent links to the national road network is really easy to reach. Once in Ironbridge connections to all of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums including; Blists Hill Victorian Town, Coalport China Museum and Jackfield Title Museum can be made via the Gorge Connect bus service

Key information

• Free to park
• Buses every 12 minutes
• 250 parking spaces
• Direct service into Ironbridge
• Easy access: From M54 Junction 6 follow A5223 south to Jiggers roundabout. Sign posted from the A road network
• SAT NAV postcode TF4 3QE 
• Operating weekends, bank holidays and local school holidays
• The first bus leaves the Park and Ride site at 9am 
• The last bus returns to the Park and Ride site at 5.48pm 
• April – October

For more information including timetables and connecting services click here or call Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre on 01952 433424.

The service will return in April 2013.

Ludlow takes second place in prestigious Countryfile Magazine Awards

Now in its second year, the Countryfile Magazine Awards are a celebration of the countryside and its people. The 2012 awards were launched in the April issue of Countryfile Magazine, and featured 12 categories, from conservation projects and best heritage attraction to country writers and our finest nature reserves.  

In each of the 12 categories, a panel of experts drew up a shortlist of candidates. The awards were then voted for by readers of the magazine and members of the public via post, email and on the Countryfile Magazine website, www.countryfile.com.  

Louth in Lincolnshire took first place, while Richmond in Yorkshire was voted into third place in the favourite market town category.

Claire Owen from Shropshire Tourism said, “This is fantastic news for Ludlow and for Shropshire. Shropshire Tourism has been encouraging people to vote since April when it was announced that Ludlow had been nominated and we are delighted with the announcement today [24^th August 2012] from Countryfile Magazine. Thank you to everyone who voted.”

Ludlow was nominated in the ‘Britain’s Favourite Market Town’ category by the countryside writer, Nicholas Crane, who last year championed the town’s listed buildings, Norman castle and weekly food market in his BBC2 series ‘Town’.  

Fergus Collins, Editor of Countryfile Magazine, commented: “The Countryfile Magazine Awards are a great way for the magazine and its readers to celebrate the best of the British countryside. Essentially, we're saying a heartfelt thanks to all those who work so hard to protect our landscapes, heritage and wildlife – and having a bit of fun along the way."

Shropshire on Countryfile

Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury journey to Shropshire to find out how the landscape has inspired people for generations to get out into the countryside to live a healthier life.

New look for the Shropshire Tourism Brochure

Commenting on the new brochure, Claire Owen from Shropshire Tourism said, “We felt it was important to ensure the brochure for 2011 had a fresh, modern re-design. As the official tourist guide promoting the whole of Shropshire, the magazine style brochure continues to include places to stay, things to see and do, as well as showing the very best of what Shropshire has to offer potential visitors.”

“We have received over 350 requests for the brochure within the first day of it being released, and with our targeted distribution and advertising campaign going live in January, we are very hopeful that 2011 will be another bumper year for tourism as the ‘staycation’ trend continues.”

To request a local guide of things to see and do in the county call Shropshire Tourism on 01743 261919 or visit www.shropshiretourism.co.uk