Coach trips from Reading: Markets And Shoppers

'Shops and markets make for a day of retail therapy. Come with us to these carefully selected towns and centres to see for yourself!'

	Gosport Market and Whiteley Village date: Tuesday 18 March 2008, pick-up route: WD adult: £19.00, concession: £18.00, child: £18.00 Gosport is an historic naval town and its market is held in the pedestrianised high street. You’ll have time to browse the stalls and, perhaps, have an early lunch before moving on to Whiteley Village. With over 40 outlets this modern purpose-built shopping complex provides a complete contrast and has many famous name retailers as well as places to eat. A day of shopping paradise!
	Columbia Road Flower Market dates: Sunday 4 May 2008, pick-up route: EB & Sunday 18 May 2008, pick-up route: SA adult: £15.00, concession: £14.00, child: £14.00 In the East End of London an oasis of colour appears every Sunday morning when this market opens. It claims to have the best selection of plants, shrubs, trees and bulbs, cut flowers and garden accessories in the country. With 50 stalls and another 30 associated shops, they could well be right. We start early as it’s all over by 2pm. Expect some walking as the drop-off point is about five minutes away from the market.
	Salisbury and Wilton Shopping Village date Tuesday 15 July 2008, pick-up route: WD adult: £19.00, concession: £18.00, child: £18.00 Salisbury attracts visitors from all over the world and with good reason. It is a busy city with old fashioned shops hiding down narrow alleys, a water mill located in the centre and a market square surrounded by shops, cafés and restaurants. In the centre of all this bustle is an oasis of calm, the magnificent cathedral and its close, a group of houses with very select residents. We’ll round the day off by way of contrast with a visit to the Wilton Shopping Village.
	Romford Market date: Saturday 6 September 2008, pick-up route: ED adult: £17.00, concession: £16.00, child: £16.00 Romford is a market town, and the market sits squarely on the old London to Colchester road. The traffic was diverted away many years ago and the Liberty Shopping Centre has been built next to the market. The result is an Essex town market with modern shopping all in one place.
	Peterborough Christmas Shopping Trip date: Saturday 29 November 2008, pick-up route: EC adult: £20.00, concession: £19.00, child: £19.00 Here is an opportunity to go Christmas shopping in a vibrant city centre. We think there’s something for everyone here: traditional family-run shops, a covered market with over 100 stalls and several shopping malls with major stores. And, if you still have time to spare, Peterborough has a magnificent Norman cathedral and a museum, both close to the shops.
	Rochester Dickensian Christmas Market date: Sunday 7 December 2008, pick-up route: EE adult: £20.00, concession: £19.00, child: £19.00 To celebrate Charles Dickens’ association with Rochester, the town mounts a special event every December, recreating some of his characters and the times in which they lived. Parades, costumed street entertainers and themed events take place throughout the day. Step back into Victorian times with us and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
	Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market date: Thursday 11 December 2008, pick-up route: WC adult: £22.00, concession: £21.00, child: £21.00 An excellent example of twinned cities joining together, Birmingham brings you a taste of Frankfurt with what is billed as the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany. We think this is an excellent chance to sample the atmosphere, German food, Glühwein and buy some gifts with a difference.