Wildlife and heritage by charter trip

Apr 29 2008 The Journal

A TRAVEL company in the North East has launched a series of themed coach trips centred on the region’s rich wildlife and film heritage.

Gateshead-based Express Travel is working with media company Certys Limited to develop the charter trips, which will be guided by Mark O’Keefe, who lives on Tyneside.

The wildlife trips include visits to the Derwent Valley to see red kites, Seahouses in Northumberland, to see wild seals and seabirds in their natural habitat, and Rainton Meadows, the Durham Wildlife Trust nature reserve known for its waterfowl.

Ian Robertson, owner of Express Travel, said: "Our idea is to harness the public’s interest in nature and animals, giving everyone the chance to see and enjoy the fantastic wildlife that we have in our region.

"The idea of green tourism is growing and we hope to showcase some of the fabulous flora and fauna in this part of the world."

The themed film and television trips will also take passengers to locations used in massively successful Hollywood movie productions, including Alnwick Castle, where some of the Harry Potter films were shot, and Bamburgh Castle on the spectacular Northumberland coast.

Bamburgh has been used in films including El Cid and Roman Polanski’s production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

There are also trips available to Warkworth Castle, Aydon Castle and Chillingham Castle in Northumberland, the latter of which provided a backdrop to the epic Cate Blanchett movie Elizabeth in 1997.

All trips are charter only and more information can be obtained by contacting Express Travel on (0191) 478-4767 or emailing expresstravel@blueyonder.co.uk