*NOTE: Booking have closed for this year’s tour to Ireland & the UK; if you are interested in a future tour, please let me know so I can keep you informed & you don’t miss out on a seat.
A classic farming tour of the British Isles – full of intriguing contrasts, fascinating rural history and varied agriculture. From Ireland’s colourful villages on the wild Atlantic coast and England’s neatly stone-fenced fields and thatched cottages, right up to Scotland’s heather-clad hills and wild lochs on the same latitude as Norway.
But this is not just a rush-around look at the standard highlights; this is an exceptional tour with extras not included by any other tour of Ireland & the UK.
There’s no plan to run this tour next year (I have a few other destination irons waiting in the fire) so I recommend placing a deposit now to reserve your seat and avoid disappointment. Bookings by late February ensures we stay in the best hotels.
Bookings via Australia’s largest farm tour company, Quadrant Australia.
Everywhere you turn in Ireland, Wales, England & Scotland there are surprises. We’ll be seeing many cultural highlights on this farm tour of Ireland & the UK; plus many off the beaten track gems, many relating to agricultural history.
JUST A FEW OF THE HIGHLIGHTS:
IRELAND:
The wild Atlantic coastline & classic rural Irish villages & traditional pubs, one of Ireland’s best farmers markets, Irish music; historic woollen mill, an Irish livestock auction on sale day, lunch with 2 rural Irish book authors.
Ireland’s spectacular Cliffs of Moher, dropping down to the wild Atlantic Ocean. It’s hard to grasp the scale of these escarpments – there are people walking on top of the cliffs in this photograph, but so small they’re hard to see.
WALES:
One of the tour’s absolute highlights; the best livestock show in the UK and what is renowned as one of the best in the world – the Royal Welsh. Plus Cardiff Castle – complete with antique timber carvings of Australian native animals.
We’ll spend the day at the UK’s best livestock show, the Royal Welsh. This huge show attracts the cream of Britain’s cattle, more than 140 breeds of sheep plus world class horses and pigs. More than 7,000 animals in total. There’s a fantastic array of local produce to sample and much to see and do – and international visitors are very well looked after. Truly – this is agricultural event heaven. Being in an out of the way location, most of the 240,000 attendees are country people; giving it an authentic and particularly friendly atmosphere.
ENGLAND:
Vast estates growing grain & running livestock, an English livestock auctioneer in action, Buckingham Palace State Rooms & Royal Mews, a visit to a rural newspaper to meet the editor, London’s best farmers market – as well as Oxford, the Cotswolds & Lake District – with postcard-perfect scenes recognisable from many UK films.
Blenheim Palace has something of interest for everyone – fantastic architecture and antiques, magnificent garden landscapes laid out by Capability Brown, and surrounded by the most scenic sheep paddocks you’ve ever seen. For many, the birthplace of Winston Churchill will be one of the most memorable highlights of the 2019 Ireland & UK tour.
SCOTLAND:
One of the most progressive farms in the UK, especially scenic Highland Games and the enjoyment of fabulous produce in farm shops.
We’ll have plenty of free time to go for exploration walks or relax in historic hotels and enjoy local produce; such as at Deacon Brodie’s Tavern, not far from Edinburgh Castle.
WHAT MAKES THIS UK & IRELAND FARM TOUR UNIQUE?
- We’re attending far more special events than any other Ireland & UK farm tour. And these experiences are the icing on the cake; a priceless opportunity to get an insight into British agriculture and rural traditions.
- Personal conversations over dinner with a variety of locals involved in agriculture. These are interesting and witty people that other group tours & solo travellers just do not encounter.
- Professional standard photography advice if you’d like it, relating to whatever camera you bring – including mobile phone cameras. You’ll enjoy capturing the best travel photographs you’ve ever got; that really do justice to the fabulous sights we’ll see.
Blenheim Palace, gardens. There will be plenty of options for walks to explore rural surroundings on the 2019 Ireland & UK tour.
DATES:
We’ll be sitting back relaxing on our flight towards Dublin on Tuesday 16th July and arriving back from London on 4th August. With passengers who choose to take up the optional extension to explore the Scottish Highlands landing back in Australia on Saturday 10th August.
BOOKINGS:
Deposits ensure your place on this unique tour – bookings via the Coffs Harbour office of Quadrant Australia, Australia’s largest farm tour company.
Book by 28th February to ensure you’re staying in the very best accommodation available.
LIKE MORE DETAILS ON THE IRELAND & UK FARM TOUR?
Visit the Ireland & UK Farm Tour F.A.Q. page for detailed answers to many questions
Email Fiona Lake for a copy of the itinerary & booking form or call Fiona on (07) 4728 4922 or +61 7 4728 4922 (North Queensland, Australia)
Call Quadrant Australia to book your place – 1300 301 128 or +61 2 6651 1555.
Lunch beside a cafe in front of Bath Abbey. Most lunchtimes we’ll have the option to go off exploring or choose a bakery or cafe to relax in. Cultural highlights in British towns & cities are prolific and obvious, but even the largest cities contain many features of specific relevance to people interested in agriculture.