Things to do in United Kingdom, United Kingdom: The Best Visitor Centers

Open Sundays 1-5pm Easter to October. Bank Holidays 1-5pm. Wednesdays July & August 1-5pm. The centre was formerly part of No.1 Communal Site, RAF Woodhall Spa, and was Built in 1940 with a planned life span of only 10 years!. The site included the Officers and Sergeants Messes, Airmen's Dining Halls and the NAAFI building, together with Ration Store, Latrines and Ablution Block. Only the Airmen's Dining Halls, the NAAFI, Ablution Block and Ration Store are within the Centre's boundary The Thorpe Camp Preservation Group established the Visitor Centre in 1988 to commemorate those Airmen who flew from the airfield in World War II. 97, 619, 617 (Dambusters) and 627 Squadrons were based at RAF Woodhall Spa.

Balloch Information Centre is located in the beautiful red sandstone Old Station Building in the centre of Balloch, directly opposite Balloch Central train station. Balloch is a charming town located at the southern edge of Loch Lomond and is a great base for exploring the beautiful Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. For those that enjoy the great outdoors, Balloch is a great place to get active both on land and on water with a wide range of activities on offer throughout the year. A warm welcome awaits you at Balloch VisitScotland Information Centre where the knowledgeable staff will assist you in how to spend the perfect day in Balloch, providing you with a local map and many suggestions as to what you can do. You can also purchase discounted tickets for local attractions to include the Loch Lomond Sealife Centre and the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre. There is also a wide selection of Scottish gifts that can be purchased from the Information Centre, such as Harris Tweed bags and purses, shortbread and a wide selection of guide books and maps. Getting to Balloch couldn't be easier! Trains leave frequently from Glasgow city centre directly to Balloch and Scottish Citylink coaches pass Balloch as they travel north. Balloch is well connected by road by the A82 and A811.

The biggest display of decorative metalwork in the UK. Featuring live work from the some of the best artists and blacksmiths in the country. The Centre created the world renowned "Spoon Gorilla" made from over 40,000 donated spoons, as seen on the BBC. The Centre was officially opened to visitors in 2014 by HRH Prince Michael of Kent. Donations are welcome for Hope House Children's Hospice. Most recent projects include the "Knife Angel" made from over 100,000 weapons which have been removed from the streets of the United Kingdom, working with national police forces, families affected by knife crime and community action groups to ensure people think twice before carrying a blade.

Reached between the tides via a short causeway, St. Mary's has all the fascination of a miniature, part-time island. The Lighthouse, completed in 1898 on a hazardous coast for shipping, remained operational until 1984 when it was superseded by modern navigational techniques. Since then the Lighthouse and former keepers' cottages have been operated as a visitor centre by North Tyneside Council. The surrounding Nature Reserve contains an area of rockpools, clifftop grassland, a beach and newly created wetland habitats.Wherever possible we are open seven days a week between May and September, and during weekends and school holidays in the winter. However, it is not possible for us to open on some days because of tidal conditions. The stated opening times can also be subject to variations on occasion due to weather affecting the times of the tide.

Abbotsford is the extraordinary home of the 19th century novelist and ‘Great Scott’ who popularised tartan, saved the Scottish banknote and rediscovered his country’s Crown Jewels. In 2021-2022 Scotland celebrates the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott. Visit Abbotsford during this special occasion to meet the man behind the monument, whose imagination and patriotism shaped the Scotland of today. Discover a treasure trove of fascinating objects which inspired his greatest poems and novels. Learn about Scott's life, browse the gift shop, enjoy seasonal food in our cafe or simply relax in the beautiful formal gardens and tranquil woodlands.

We are a 4 star visitor attraction: a Highland Distillery Visitor Centre with a range of tours and award winning whiskies available. We have a shop in which you can purchase Tomatin merchandise and various expressions of Tomatin, including filling your own bottle from one of our cask strength distillery exclusive whiskies. The Tomatin Distillery lies just 16 miles south of Inverness and 15 miles north of Aviemore on the A9 - extremely convenient for anyone travelling to or from the Highlands! We are open 7 days all year round! April-September 9.30am-5.30pm October-March 10.30am-4.30pm Please contact us or visit our website for more information or to book your tour. We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre is located in a natural woodland which retains much of the original woodland and streams to provide the ideal natural setting for nearly 40 Birds of Prey & Owls. The centre is home to over 20 Owls, representing every native species as well as unique or unusual species from other parts of the world. See "Orla", and "Scout" our two magnificent female Golden Eagles. See a selection of hawks and owls fly during our daily flying shows in the flying area. Hear how these magnificent creatures have evolved to become the success predators they are, and how they live on the edge of survival every day. During current Covid restrictions we limit the number of visitors on site at any one time (currently 60). There are hand sanitisers located within the centre. We request everyone to abide by the social distancing guidelines.

Opening times for 2021 are to be confirmed. We are open daily from 1st May to 30th September however we will be closed from late July to the beginning of August. These dates are subject to change so please keep up to date on our website for the most recent information.

Royal Crown Derby is one of the original companies founded in the 18th Century that is still producing fine bone china in Derbyshire, England today. The company is the most distinguished, authentic Made in England manufacturer supplying English fine bone china tableware, giftware and collectables since 1750 The present factory was established in 1878, but the business traces its origins to the original factory which was set up in Nottingham Road in about 1750. Queen Victoria granted permission to include the title "Royal" in the company name in 1890. The current site on Osmaston Road, Derby stands on a four and half acre site, employing approximately 200 staff. The Royal Crown Derby Visitor Centre offers a customer experience whether visiting the 1750 Tea Room, Museum, viewing the latest exhibition arranged by our in-house Museum Curator, taking a factory tour to see our first class products being made by hand or purchasing from the onsite retail shop.