Leicestershire's short break legacy still thriving

Saturday 22 November 2008 marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Thomas Cook – the legendary pioneer of short break excursions and the founder of the travel agency that is now called Thomas Cook Group. Since Thomas Cook arranged the first tourism short break back in 1841 when he packaged and sold a trip to Loughborough, Leicester and Leicestershire have continued to develop a strong reputation as an inspirational destination for visitors and tourists.

Cook's idea to offer the first ever railway excursion came to him while waiting for the stagecoach at Kibworth. With the opening of the extended Midland Counties Railway, he arranged to take a group of 570 at a shilling a head from Leicester London Road railway station to a rally in Loughborough. His idea seems to have been a good one. From that humble beginning, the company grew and was sold in 1972 for £22 million.

Although short break packages available within Leicester and Leicestershire are a lot more diverse since Cook’s inspiration back in 1841, the ambition to promote the superb leisure and tourism opportunities in the city and county still remains.

Whether visitors are looking for places to take the family, festivals and theatre, a great range of outdoor activities or to just to get away from it all and relax, Leicester and Leicestershire are home to a choice of superb short break stays, ranging from the regenerated city centre to the emerging National Forest.

For those seeking a chic and sophisticated city getaway, a visit to the newly regeneration city of Leicester is a must. The city has recently undergone a major style renaissance and is now home to the new £350 million Highcross Leicester retail and leisure development – set to propel Leicester into the Top Ten of UK shopping destinations, and the iconic new Curve theatre, described as ‘Europe’s most exciting cultural project’, opening in December 2008. An inspiring range of short break packages have been put together to reflect these changes, including boutique, shopping and theatre breaks. Visit goleicestershire.com for more information.

To keep the kids’ minds engaged during weekends and school holidays, the Stay, Play, Explore family-fun short break package is just the ticket. The package allows a family of four to choose three Leicestershire-based family attractions to visit from a choice of five for a total of just £50. Attractions participating in the short break include the award-winning National Space Centre in the city, Twycross Zoo in Atherstone, Twinlakes in Melton Mowbray, Snibston in Coalville and Conkers at the heart of the National Forest. Family-friendly accommodation providers are also participating in the package, offering accommodation from as little as £49 per family room. Visit stayplayexplore.co.uk for more information.

For those looking for something a little more outdoorsy, The National Forest in Leicestershire will not disappoint. From lakes, discovery centres, wildlife, castles, stately homes, and, of course, miles of woodland, outdoor leisure opportunities are plentiful. Visitors can also explore acres of Leicestershire’s countryside with bracken, rocky outcrops, small woods, herds of deer and meandering waterways at country parks in the county such as Bradgate Park and Beacon Hill. Accommodation available in the county starts from just £33pppn. Visit goleicestershire.com for more information.

For more information on short break packages available in Leicester and Leicestershire, visit goleicestershire.com where you will also be able to order visitor guides.