A tourism initiative co-funded by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership – which means visitors to Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire can benefit from special hotel rates, exclusive packages and discount passports to help them make the most of their time exploring – will hold its official opening this evening (July 3) at the Nottingham Contemporary art gallery.
The Grand Tour: Season 1 – which begins tomorrow (July 4) and runs until September 20, 2015 – is made up of a number of special exhibitions and events taking place at four of the region’s leading cultural venues: Chatsworth, Derby Museums, Nottingham Contemporary and The Harley Gallery.
Visit Peak District & Derbyshire and Experience Nottinghamshire have been working with hotel partners in the region to provide visitors taking part in the cultural programme, with special offers to encourage overnight stays, maximising the project’s impact on the visitor economy.
Chatsworth House
These partners are offering special packages and hotel guests will also receive a Grand Tour passport, which can be redeemed for special offers at each of the venues, including discounted entry to Chatsworth House.
The passport offers more than £20 worth of savings, and is also available to purchase for £2 from tourist information centres in the region and at the cultural venues which make up The Grand Tour.
In addition to the four main venues The Grand Tour offers a rich Fringe programme, with events and exhibitions taking place at Derby QUAD, Derby Festé, Galleries of Justice Museum, Newstead Abbey, Nottingham Castle, Theatre Royal Nottingham and the School of Artisan Food.
This Fringe programme is thanks to funding from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). It backed the Grand Tour’s funding by central UK agencies and has also invested a further £35,000 into Season 1 and Season 2 (running March – June 2016). D2N2 is a partnership between business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community organisations which promotes economic growth and jobs creation across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. One of its eight key economic sectors is the visitor economy (see more at www.d2n2lep.org/Visit )
David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 LEP, said: “The visitor economy is one of the eight key business sectors we’ve identified as having potential for growth and expansion in the region, and The Grand Tour is a great example of how an innovative idea and strong partnership work can help bring new visitors to the region.”
Find out more about the packages on offer and how to book your Grand Tour at: www.thegrandtour.uk.com/your-grand-tour/
