‘EXTRAORDINARY EXCITEMENT’: Long-awaited Bayeux Tapestry a sensation at British Museum
After a wait of almost 1,000 years and a journey of hundreds of miles, the Bayeux Tapestry’s big moment is here. The embroidered panorama depicting the last successful invasion of England went on public display at the British Museum this month, back on British soil for the first time since the 11th century.
WHY WALES?: The considerable charms of the UK’s ‘forgotten cousin’
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ About 30,000 Canadians a year visit Wales, or 2% of those who travel into the UK overall – numbers that are sure to rise with the launch of new Toronto-Cardiff flights this summer by WestJet (already renewed for 2027). Nevertheless, most UK travel trade observers in Canada agree that limited output could – and should – grow.
CANADIAN AGENTS DISCOVER THE ‘WONDER OF WALES’
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Last week, a handful of Canadian travel advisors were whisked off to Wales to get a taste of the small country’s large personality with the aim using their first-hand experience to return with the stories, confidence and product knowledge to inspire their clients to discover a lesser-known side of Britain – and one considered an “undiscovered gem.”
SLEEPING IN A UFO: The Isle of Wight’s most extraordinary stay
By CINDY-LOU DALE/ The modern traveller is no longer satisfied with simply booking a room. Increasingly, holidays are chosen not only for where they are, but for the stories they create. Whether spending the night in a converted lighthouse, a luxury treehouse or an underwater suite, experiential accommodation has become one of tourism’s fastest-growing sectors.
BRITAIN’S BEST FOOTIE FIXES: A visitor’s guide, from Wrexham to Wembley and Lasso to Liverpool
By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ The English Premier League has kicked off for another season, following hot on the heels of this summer’s frenzied World Cup. And with sports tourism (and soccer in particular) on the front foot, the “home of football” is poised to welcome fans from around the world for both games and stadium experiences across the country.
GLASGOW COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Visit Britain shines spotlight on Scotland, sports travel
With the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games kicking off Thursday (July 23), Scotland’s largest city is set to shine on the global stage again following its standout success in 2014.
ROBOTAXIS ARE COMING TO LONDON: The city’s famed black cab drivers are skeptical
The Ford Mustang Mach-E cruises down a London road choked with traffic, using its onboard AI system to avoid jaywalkers and cyclists, and navigate roadwork as it drives to its destination.
THE BRIDGERTON EFFECT: Hit Netflix show fuels U.K. surge
British tourism is experiencing a “Bridgerton”-fuelled surge, according to leading tour operator Evan Evans, which says the demand for the series’ UK filming locations has resulted in a staggering 276% increase in website visits for its Stonehenge & Bath private tours, while online searches for the Hampton Court & Windsor tours have climbed 140%.
DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT: U.K. to enforce ETA starting Feb. 25
VisitBritain is advising that the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) program will be strictly enforced for visitors to the UK – including Canadians – effective Feb. 25. From that date onward, travellers without an approved ETA will not be permitted to board transportation to the UK or enter the country.
BRITISH FAM SHOWS OFF TOURISM TREASURES: Designed to help shape Canadian tour operator offerings
VisitBritain is hosting more than 70 international buyers – including delegates from Canada – on educational trips across England, Scotland and Wales this week as it seeks to boost growth in its inbound visitor economy, worth an estimated £34.6 billion in 2025.
BLOCKBUSTER EXHIBIT: Famous artwork returns to UK after 1,000 years
The Bayeux Tapestry, the 11th-century artwork depicting the Norman conquest of England, is set be displayed in the U.K. for the first time in almost 1,000 years. The treasured medieval tapestry will be on loan from France and arrive at the British Museum in London, where it will star in a blockbuster exhibition from September to July 2027.
QUINTESSENTIAL LONDON: New Goway getaway packages combine footy and a show
Goway is leaning into excitement for the FIFA World Cup this summer and consumer demand for special event experiences with new packages that combine a U.K. Premier League football (soccer) match with a theatrical show in London’s West End.
WISHLIST ’26: Inspiring Scotland on screen
According to the latest Scotland Visitor Survey, one in five visitors (19%) said film, TV or literature inspired their trip – a figure that rises to 37% for long-haul travellers.
CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE: Windsor puts on its holiday best
Tis the season: Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in Britain, is always a holiday delight, bedecked in seasonal décor and offering visitors a festive experience steeped in royal history. For those who can’t be there in Christmas morning, here’s a wee peek at what the royal family will wake up to.
THE ART OF ‘COORIE’: Where to cozy up in Scotland this winter
They call it “coorie.” Based on the old Scottish word for nestling or snuggling, the concept today implies “embracing the great outdoors (no matter what the weather) and enjoying the cozy feeling of coming back to home comforts afterwards.”