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What’s on this Christmas at Continuum Attractions

Immerse yourself in a Victorian Christmas, meet Santa on a sweet chocolate journey, create your own festive teddy at one of the UK’s most famous landmarks and much more with Continuum Attractions this Christmas.

The Real Mary King’s Close – A Victorian Christmas

Where: Edinburgh

When: Every Sunday in December

What: Be transported to Victorian Edinburgh to hear tales of the festive season from one of the last residents of The Close. Learn how Christmas traditions evolved in the heart of the city and hear fascinating folklore during the interactive experience at the UK’s number one tourist attraction. Warm up with a cup of tea and savour traditional scones, and join in a hands-on, Victorian-inspired craft activity – an ideal way to step into the Christmas spirit, as the Victorians once did.

Book your Victorian Christmas experience here!

York’s Chocolate Story – Santa’s Christmas Tour

Where: York

When: Daily until December 23rd

What: Get ready for a sweet, festive adventure on Santa’s Christmas Tour! This guided journey takes you through the ages of chocolate, revealing York’s rich heritage with each stop – including tales of the city’s chocolate founding families including the Terrys and Rowntrees. Along the way, enjoy delicious chocolate samples and meet Santa in his workshop, where you’ll create your own Christmas-themed chocolate treats.

Book your sweet Santa experience here!

Spinnaker Tower – Santa’s Toy Maker Workshop

Where: Portsmouth

When: Until December 24th

What: This Christmas, something enchanting is happening at Spinnaker Tower that you won’t want to miss. Santa and his merry elves are bringing their toy-making workshop at the top of Portsmouth’s iconic tower. Each child will craft their very own cuddly toy and pay a visit to meet Santa himself! But wait, there’s more! As you explore the tower, keep an eye out for those mischievous elves. Follow their trail and discover the delightful surprises they’ve hidden along the way.

Join the workshop here!

Oxford Castle & Prison – Lantern Led Tours

Where: Oxford

When: Daily (apart from 24th, 25th and 26th)

What: As the nights grow longer, join costumed guides for an atmospheric, lantern-lit exploration of the historic Oxford Castle & Prison, scene of medieval battles, notorious prisoners and more than a few ghostly beings. Hear the real stories of Oxford’s past and climb the 950-year-old St George’s Tower for panoramic views of Oxford’s midwinter skyline before descending to the crypt by flickering lantern light.

Take the tour here!

Coronation Street Experience – Star Tours

Where: Manchester

When: Weekends

What: A long list of Corrie legends from Dame Maureen Lipman to Andy Whyment have graced the set’s Star Tours in the past so who could you meet this December? Coronation Street’s iconic cobbles are open for guided tours of the nation’s favourite street meaning fans can pay a visit to locations including the Rovers Return and Roy’s Rolls, or upgrade to meet a cast member. The Coronation Street Exhibition is also open every day to take a trip down memory lane.

Book your Corrie experience here!

Emmerdale Village Tour – Guided Tour

Where: Leeds

When: Weekends

What: Step into the heart of Emmerdale, where some of TV’s most dramatic moments have unfolded. Walk in the footsteps of the Dingles, Sugdens and Tates around the external Emmerdale Village Tour set, located in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside. Pose outside iconic landmarks like The Woolpack and David’s Shop, and learn about the secrets behind the idyllic filming location.

Step into the drama here!

The Loch Ness Centre – The Tour

Where: Inverness

When: Daily (apart from 25th)

What: Are you ready to uncover the truth about one of the world’s most famous legends? This unique immersive experience allows you to become part of the legend and unearth real stories about Loch Ness along the way. Take a walk through 500 million years of history to explore the myths of the loch, delve deep below the surface of its waters to uncover hidden secrets, discover real objects and artefacts throughout the immersive journey and look into scientific research inspired by sightings of the Loch Ness Monster.

Discover the legend here!

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‘Fabulous’ The Real Mary King’s Close among world’s most reviewed experiences

The Real Mary King’s Close is officially one of the world’s most reviewed tourist attractions!

Our immersive glimpse into 17th-century Edinburgh has attracted more than 1,800 reviews in 2024, more than Disneyland Paris according to latest data from Tripadvisor.

It comes after the Royal Mile attraction celebrated its best summer season ever, welcoming over 93,000 guests from around the globe between June and August. Guests booked from as far afield as Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, and Tuvalu.

It was also named the UK’s Best Visitor Attraction by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards this summer, part of a clean sweep of awards for Continuum Attractions.

Andrew Pawson, our acting CEO, said: “The sheer quantity of glowing reviews is a testament to the rich history we share and the passion our team has for creating a brilliant guest experience. Our success is a direct result of our passionate storytellers who bring Edinburgh’s hidden history to life.”

Since opening to the public in 2003, The Close has welcomed millions of guests, with the number expected to hit 3.9m by the end of 2024.

Discover The Real Mary King’s Close and book your visit here.

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Continuum Attractions announce new Acting CEO and unveil bold expansion plans

At Continuum Attractions, we’re passionate about creating unforgettable experiences at some of the UK’s most loved tourist attractions. Following a recent strategic review, we’re thrilled to share our exciting growth plans and a leadership update.

We are proud to announce that long-time Continuum executive Andrew Pawson has stepped into the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer. With nearly 40 years of experience, Andrew brings a deep understanding of both our attractions and our audience. His vision is focused on expanding our portfolio and enhancing visitor engagement through innovative, data-driven, immersive technologies.

Andrew’s remit will be wide-ranging and see him take the reins of our portfolio which includes: The Real Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh (recently named TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best UK Visitor Attraction 2024), the Coronation Street Experience and Emmerdale Village Tour in partnership with ITV, The Loch Ness Centre, which opened last year as well as partnerships with others including Explorado.

Reflecting on his new role, Andrew said: “We specialise in bringing history to life and curating memorable and enjoyable experiences for our guests. I am thrilled to accept the position of acting CEO and thank the board for the confidence they have placed in me. After nearly 40 years in the business, my passion has never waned, and I look forward to the next steps in our growth journey.”

In addition to expanding and enhancing our current attractions, we’re actively exploring new opportunities. As Andrew noted, “We are looking for new attractions that could benefit from revitalisation, a fresh commercial approach, and the unique skills of our talented team. Owners can trust us to honour their brand and deliver meaningful commercial results.”

Our chair, Sue Garland-Worthington, formerly deputy CEO of British Tourism and Visit Britain, has recently joined the Group’s board. She shared her enthusiasm for our future direction: “We’re committed to investing in data-driven insights and harnessing the power of GenAI and augmented reality to enrich our storytelling. At the same time, we’ll stay true to our renowned human-led storytelling approach, ensuring every visitor leaves with a memorable experience.”

Sue leads the board alongside Judith Donovan CBE, former chair of the Eden Project, and Andrew Marsden MStJ, a respected business and brand strategist.

The new Acting CEO replaces Juliana Delaney, who has departed the business after 16 years at the helm.

Having started her long career, firstly in charge of the marketing, and then operation of the world famous Jorvik Viking Centre in York, Juliana went on to take what was a diverse group and turn it into a streamlined operator of cultural attractions across the UK.

“16 years as CEO in one company is a long stretch and now is the time to wish the team at Continuum a fond farewell and for me to move on into a different path,” said Delaney..

Amongst Delaney’s many success stories – attracting a record 980,000 visitors a year to Jorvik, welcoming a similar number over 18 months to Coronation Street The Tour in Quay Street Manchester, launching and sustaining the pre-eminent position of The Real Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh as the UK’s top attraction and leading the re-telling of the Loch Ness Monster story in 2023.

She has also held roles on destination marketing boards, acted as a Trustee for charity projects, sat on advisory boards for the government on tourism issues, also for the English department of the University of York, held roles within TEA and IAAPA and was also a Merchant Adventurer of the City of York.

“The greatest pleasure always came from seeing happy guests, but also from the amazing people I have worked alongside over the years; many of whom have gone on to build great careers in our wonderful industry,” said Delaney.

Juliana is moving on to develop a ‘portfolio’ of interests.

She leaves behind a thriving company with nine live projects, a £20 million turnover and one which employs nearly 600 team members.

The Board thanked Juliana for her many years of sterling service and wished her well for the future.

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Halloween at Continuum Attractions

children dressed for Halloween at Greenwood Family Park

Top Halloween events in the UK 2024: A spooktacular family guide

GreenWood Family Park Halloween Event – SpookWood

Where: North Wales
When: Daily throughout October

 

children dressed for Halloween at Greenwood Family Park

This Halloween, GreenWood Family Park transforms into SpookWood, a thrilling Halloween wonderland perfect for families. Stroll through forest paths lined with giant pumpkins and spooky decorations, offering the perfect backdrop for your Halloween photos.

Enjoy family-friendly activities such as pumpkin carving, a kids’ costume competition (with a special category for dogs), and spooky Halloween shows. Plus, don’t miss out on GreenWood’s famous rides like the world’s first people-powered rollercoaster and the Solar Splash water slide.

Book your SpookWood adventure today!

The Real Mary King’s Close – Lantern-Led Halloween Tours

Where: Edinburgh
When: 11th – 31st October

Step back in time at Edinburgh’s top-rated attraction, The Real Mary King’s Close, with special Lantern-Led Halloween Tours. Walk through darkened streets to learn about 400 years of haunted history, featuring characters like the Witch Pricker and the Foul Clenger.

Perfect for families who love a mix of history and thrills, this atmospheric, after-dark experience is one of Edinburgh’s most exciting Halloween events.

Book your lantern-led tour today!

Spinnaker Tower – Halloween Build A Teddy Workshop

Where: Portsmouth
When: 29th – 31st October

Head to Spinnaker Tower this Halloween for the ultimate Build A Teddy Workshop. Kids can create their own cuddly friend, choosing between a spooky Squishy Pumpkin or a Frankenbear Teddy. The fun doesn’t stop there – families can also explore the tower and complete the Sky Ranger Squad family trail.

Make unforgettable Halloween memories with a unique souvenir to take home!

Book your Halloween teddy workshop today!

Oxford Castle & Prison – Paranormal Investigation and Dinner

Where: Oxford
When: 2nd November

Join paranormal investigator Dr. Ciaran O’Keeffe at the 950-year-old Oxford Castle for a one-of-a-kind Paranormal Investigation. Begin the evening with a glass of prosecco in the castle crypt, followed by a two-course dinner in a former prison hospital ward. After dinner, embark on a chilling investigation through the Punishment Cells and the 17th-century well chamber.

This exclusive event is a must for thrill-seekers wanting to explore the paranormal side of history.

Reserve your spot for this paranormal experience!

Coronation Street Experience – Star Tours

Where: Manchester
When: Weekends in October

Walk the iconic cobbles of Coronation Street this October with a special Star Tour. You’ll visit famous locations like the Rovers Return and Roy’s Rolls, with a chance to meet a surprise Corrie star! The Coronation Street Exhibition will also be open daily, offering fans an opportunity to explore the history of the nation’s favorite TV show.

Book your Corrie Star Tour today!

York’s Chocolate Story – Trick or Treat Trek

Where: York
When: 28th – 31st October

Embark on the Trick or Treat Trek at York’s Chocolate Story this Halloween. Follow the sinister guides through York’s ancient streets and discover hidden corners filled with spooky secrets. Along the way, enjoy plenty of sweet treats and, of course, delicious “shock-olate.”

This event is both frightening and fun – perfect for families looking for a spooky adventure with a tasty twist.

Book your Trick or Treat Trek today!

Emmerdale Village Tour – Star Tours

Where: Leeds
When: Weekends in October

Explore the famous Emmerdale Village this October with special Star Tours. You’ll visit iconic locations such as The Woolpack and David’s Shop. Guests will also get the chance to meet popular Emmerdale stars like Danny Miller and Lisa Riley.

Book your Emmerdale Star Tour today!

The Loch Ness Centre – Immersive Tour and Deepscan Cruise

Where: Inverness
When: Daily

Discover the secrets of one of the world’s most famous legends at The Loch Ness Centre. Take part in the Immersive Tour, where you’ll explore 500 million years of history and the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster. Don’t miss the chance to join a Deepscan Cruise and conduct your own investigation into what lies beneath the water’s surface.

Book your Loch Ness experience now!

Plan your spooky getaway now

Whether you’re in search of family-friendly Halloween activities or a spine-chilling adventure, the UK has it all this spooky season. Don’t miss out on these amazing events – book your tickets today to make the most of Halloween 2024!

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GreenWood Family Park leads nominations in UK Theme Park Awards

GreenWood Family Park leads nominations in UK Theme Park Awards

We’re celebrating a treble award shortlisting at the prestigious UK Theme Park Awards!

GreenWood Family Park, which boasts the UK’s only people-powered rollercoaster, is facing off against some of the UK’s most famous theme parks to be named as the nation’s most sustainable.

It is going head-to-head with the operator of attractions like Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, as well as sites like Drayton Manor and Fantasy Island.

GreenWood has been shortlisted three times in the Best Sustainability Initiative category in recognition of its relentless commitment to lessening its impact on the environment. Two of its unique rides have made the shortlist, as well as the adventure park’s overall commitment to going and staying green.

GreenWood’s shortlisted entries

  • Green Dragon Roller Coaster

The world’s only people-powered rollercoaster uses nothing but energy of its riders to spiral its way through the trees. The 250-metre track, which features a 360-horizontal loop, carries up to 20 people and even transfers energy back into the grid when running at full capacity.

  • Solar Splash

The giant water slide was the UK’s first solar-powered ride and boasts two 60-metre wave chutes, as well as a longer spiral slide. The ride is connected to GreenWood’s own 576-panel solar array, which also powers much of rest of the park’s infrastructure.

  • Going Green

Aside from the individual rides, GreenWood showcases innovative techniques to ensure its environmental impact is a little as possible. The site has adopted rainwater harvesting, a dedicated solar farm and a newly drilled borehole for fresh water to contribute to its goal of becoming self-sustaining. It’s a day out unlike any other, where fun and sustainability go hand-in-hand.

You can cast your vote for one of GreenWood’s shortlisted entries at https://ukthemeparkawards.com/vote.

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Awards all around as Continuum bags Travellers’ Choice clean sweep

Our portfolio of attractions has each been celebrated by TripAdvisor in recognition of our high customer satisfaction levels and the quality of visitor experience.

All eight Continuum locations have been awarded prestigious Travellers’ Choice Awards, once again evidencing our spot as one of Britain’s leading attractions operators.

The latest success came just 24 hours after it was revealed that The Real Mary King’s Close is officially the UK’s most popular tourist attraction.

The attraction beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile beat competition including Tower of London, Tower Bridge and The British Museum to be named Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards’ Best of the Best for the UK.

The Close even placed as the 11th-best attraction in Europe, one place below the ancient ruins of Pompeii and above the likes of the Trevi Fountain, Van Gogh Museum and fellow Edinburgh sites like Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh Castle. Read more about The Close’s recognition here.

And our success is down to continuing to put engaging storytelling at the heart of what we do.

Our CEO, Juliana Delaney, says: “Our teams work incredibly hard to create memorable, story-led experiences for our guests, so it is always rewarding to get such glowing feedback from them. This is what drives us on and ensures that they want to return themselves or recommend us to others.

“We are delighted that our visitors have shared their five-star experiences on TripAdvisor and that our portfolio has unanimously been awarded with Travellers’ Choice Awards.”

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The Real Mary King’s Close named UK’s number one tourist attraction

Edinburgh’s The Real Mary King’s Close has been revealed as the UK’s favourite tourist attraction, beating competition from some of the nation’s most iconic locations.

The tour takes guests beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to discover the city’s long-forgotten 17th-century streets and beat London attractions including Tower Bridge, The British Museum and Tower of London to top spot in Tripadvisor’s latest rankings.

Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best was revealed on Tuesday and highlights the top attractions to visit in the UK and internationally.

The Real Mary King’s Close, which was opened in 2003, is operated by Continuum Attractions and welcomes more than 250,000 visitors each year.

Commenting on the landmark achievement, Juliana Delaney, CEO of Continuum Attractions, said: “Our attraction is truly unique. Being able to bring the centuries-old stories of Edinburgh’s dark past to life in such an engaging and fun way is testament to our brilliant team of storytellers who capture the imagination of our guests.

“When we took on the Close some 20 years ago the predictions were for 60,000 visitors per year. Through the careful development of the site and expert storytelling we have built a reputation that has reached far and wide.

“Being named as the UK’s number one tourist destination is a real privilege but the most important thing is knowing that our guests enjoy their time with us and will want to return. Our partnership with City of Edinburgh Council has delivered them a world-class heritage attraction.”

The Real Mary King’s Close has been part of Edinburgh’s rich cultural scene for 21 years after Continuum Attractions teamed with the city council to reveal the Close’s rich history.

Edinburgh attractions claimed all three top spots in Tripadvisor’s latest rankings with Royal Yacht Britannia taking second place and Edinburgh Castle rounding off the top three.

The Real Mary King’s Close has received more than 21,000 reviews on Tripadvisor which has helped it to land in top spot.

One recent reviewer said: “This tour is highly recommended by me! If you love history this will be an awesome way to immerse yourself in what life was like in the 1600s in Old Town.

A second said: “A very interesting and unique visit to the Edinburgh of past times. You get to visit the old homes of people who lived there and learn their stories. Our guide Emilia was very nice and made the whole tour feel like time travel. Would totally recommend!”

Find out more about The Real Mary King’s Close and book tickets here.

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Guests from 118 countries welcomed to Loch Ness Centre in first year as Continuum attraction

    • The Loch Ness Centre is celebrating the first anniversary of its £1.5m upgrade
    • 48 per cent of visitors say they’re convinced the Loch Ness Monster lurks beneath the water
    • Guests from 188 countries have booked onto tours
    • More than 13,000 Nessie hunters have taken to the water with sonar equipment in the last year to search for answers

More than 85,000 people have joined the hunt for the Loch Ness Monster in the last year, including visitors from 118 countries.

June 10th marks the first anniversary of the reopening of The Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit. We invested £1.5m in the Highlands attraction in 2023, intertwining high-tech and immersive storytelling with the legendary story of the Nessie.

Lured by its rich mix of scientific research and reported sightings, guests have descended on the original Drumnadrochit Hotel from all four corners of the world in the last 12 months, including from Australia, Guatemala, Malawi and Mongolia.

While guests are intrigued by stories of Nessie, it’s clear that many believe tales of the legendary creature are based in fact. Since reopening last year, visitors have been having their say at the end of each hour-long tour. They say:

    • ‘I see Nessie’ – 48 per cent
    • ‘Nonsense’ – 23 per cent
    • ‘Possibility’ – 28 per cent

Juliana Delaney, our CEO, says: “The Loch Ness story is one of the most famous ever told and, more than ever, we are discovering that there are believers in almost every country, keen to make up their own minds about Nessie.

“When we redesigned and reopened the attraction last year, we were committed to retaining the authenticity and portraying the real story behind Loch Ness, its mysteries and its monster. Moving away from the cliches, we were passionate about focusing on the facts and real-life accounts. We acknowledge that, in many cases, there are rational explanations grounded in science for what people encounter but there are still plenty that have gone unexplained to this day.

“Our balance between explaining the science and beautifully illustrating witness accounts is what continues to draw people to the Loch and The Loch Ness Centre. Guests from six continents and 118 countries can’t be wrong.”

Visitors have praised the Centre’s “modern and fresh” presentation and how it appeals to all ages, backed by its five-star status on Tripadvisor.

One guest said: “We returned to the exhibition following its recent refurbishment and wow – what a difference. This new presentation vividly brings the science, culture and folklore to life in a clear and entertaining way.

A second commented: “What an excellent experience. It’s not what I was expecting. It was educational, witty and there was something for everyone. It was a really well-balanced view of possibilities with enough of a magical element to fulfil the fantasy.”

A visit to the Centre is internationally popular. In the last year, bookings have come from across the globe, including:

    • Guatemala
    • Laos
    • Malawi
    • Mozambique
    • Nepal
    • Oman
    • Peru
    • Samoa
    • Turkmenistan
    • Venezuela
    • Zambia

A single booking could be done on behalf of a group or an individual.

As well as visiting the Exhibition, more than 13,000 guests have also headed out onto the Loch on a Deepscan Cruise. The boat, named after the first Operation Deepscan Expedition carried out in the Loch in 1987, ferries guests across the water to search its depths using world-class sonar equipment, as well as to get stunning views of Urquhart Castle.

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Hundreds attend four-day Quest for Nessie at Continuum Attractions’ Loch Ness Centre

The Loch Ness Centre recently led the largest-ever search for Nessie to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the first organised surface watch.

The Quest, which took place at the end of May, concluded with an unexplainable noise being captured during a Deepscan cruise – one of the cornerstone activities of the four-day event centred around the centuries-old search for answers.

Hundreds of guests. From as far afield as Washington State, USA, took part in the hunt along the 23-mile-long loch in the Scottish Highlands. The event was held in and around The Loch Ness Centre, operated by Continuum Attractions, which celebrated the first anniversary of its £1.5m refurb on 10th June.

Among The Quest’s headline events was a hydrophone cruise to listen for mysterious sounds echoing from the depths of the loch, led by Alan McKenna from Loch Ness Exploration. His team captured a unique noise to be analysed – a rhythmic pulsing that lasted about 10 seconds. Alan will now isolate the noise in attempt to identify the source of the fascinating sound that he has never heard before.

Meanwhile, Evelyn Murphy, 11, captured a potential sighting with an intriguing photo, showing a clear break in the water made by an unidentified object or creature.

The Quest took place on the 90th anniversary of the pioneering adventurer Sir Edward Mountain and his team of twenty becoming the first ‘Watchers of the Monster’.

The centre also hosted a live debate with Alan McKenna as well as Roland Watson, a renowned Loch Ness writer, and eyewitness Richard White, which was held in-person and screened virtually to participants from around the world. The panel told gripping stories, discussed their ongoing research, and dissected eyewitness accounts, all while debating the existence of the elusive monster.

Other volunteers explored the depths of the world-famous loch with Deepscan Captain, Alistair Matheson, the Skipper for the Loch Ness Project. Monster hunters joined Alistair and Alan McKenna for an extended excursion, utilising a 60-foot hydrophone to listen for mysterious sounds echoing from the depths of the loch.

Ashley Range, a volunteer who travelled from Washington State to take part in The Quest, said: “I’ve been obsessed with Scotland and Nessie my whole life, and to be here is just a dream. To be on an actual expedition and out on Deepscan exploring Loch Ness is a dream come true. I definitely believe in Nessie. Although a lot of the evidence can be explained, there is a lot out there that is unexplainable. It’s been an incredible trip!”

Paul Nixon, general manager of The Loch Ness Centre, said: “The excitement this weekend has proven that intrigue surrounding Loch Ness and its monster is still very much alive. We all want the same thing, to discover the mysteries of the natural phenomena beneath the loch. We’ve been delighted to welcome so many people to The Loch Ness Centre for hour-long centre tours and Deepscan boat trips across the weekend. After another successful The Quest Weekend, we’re more determined than ever to continue our search for answers.”

Next year’s Quest Weekend is taking place on Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th May 2025. www.lochness.com/thequest

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Continuum Attractions takes the reins at iconic Loch Ness attraction with £1.5 million investment

The Loch Ness Centre logo over the loch

We are delighted to announce that Continuum Attractions has now signed a long-term lease to take over one of Scotland’s most famous visitor attractions, The Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition in the Highlands of Scotland, near Inverness.

L – R Robert Bremner, Juliana Delaney Chief Executive of Continuum, Paul Nixon Continuum and David Bremner. Photo Credit: Paul Campbell Photography

Our plan over the next 12 weeks will be to spend £1.5 million transforming the attraction into a world-class visitor attraction, ready to re-open in Spring 2023, as the new ‘The Loch Ness Centre’.

We are award-winning, authentic storytellers, and what a story we have to tell here. The transformation will engage, entertain and inform guests, focusing on telling the globally renowned story behind the legend of Loch Ness, exploring the myths, alongside the scientific research, that has turned Nessie into one of Scotland’s most famous icons.

A concept graphic showing the entrance to The Loch Ness Centre.
The concept image above shows the first Prologue Room in the new Loch Ness Centre where we will excite our guests and spark their imagination for what is to come. This room features a series of curiosities to whet the visitors’ appetite.

The Loch Ness Centre will become the 8th attraction within Continuum’s UK-wide portfolio alongside; The Real Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh. York’s Chocolate Story in York, The Emmerdale Village Tour in Leeds, Coronation Street The Tour in Manchester, Greenwood Family Park in North Wales, Oxford Castle & Prison in Oxford, and the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.

The first Loch Ness exhibition was founded in May 1980 by Ronnie Bremner and designer Tony Hamsworth. The following winter, in conjunction with naturalist Adrian Shine, leader of the Loch Ness Project a lifelong partnership was formed between the Loch Ness Centre and the Loch Ness Project which continues to this day with the Projects laboratory and research centre on site. Continuum’s investment in a new five-star attraction will further unlock the mysteries and history of the world-famous destination and its many year-round activities and attractions.

Juliana Delaney, chief executive of Continuum Attractions, said:

“Continuum tells the real stories in real places about real people. The search for Nessie encapsulates all three. Having had tremendous success with the award-winning Real Mary King’s Close on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, I was keen to seek out another great Scottish story to tell. We found it on Loch Ness. This is a magical place – it could be our Jurassic Park, and if a monster hasn’t been found here yet, this is the place in which it will be discovered! So I will encourage everyone to ‘keep looking’.”

Chris Taylor, VisitScotland Regional Leadership Director, said:

“Loch Ness is renowned the world over for its most elusive resident, Nessie, and indeed the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition has and will continue to attract visitors from around the world each year.

In Scotland’s Year of Stories, it is great to hear that this investment will mean that even more people will have the chance to learn all about Nessie – the subject of so many myths, tales and stories over the years.
Tourism is a force for good. It creates jobs, sustains communities and contributes significantly to the economy. The impact of tourism spreads far beyond the industry itself – it benefits our economy, our community and our wellbeing.”

Michael Golding, CEO at Visit Inverness Loch Ness added:

“We are delighted to welcome Continuum Attractions to the destination and are working with them to ensure the story and experience are authentically local for our 1.6M visitors annually. The destination continues to attract significant investment and collectively this ensures the area remains a must-visit destination in any visit to Scotland.”

Outgoing Managing Director, Robert Bremner, added: 

“This is an exciting time for the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition. Retaining the authenticity of the attraction was always our priority and we know we’re in safe hands working with the award-winning team at Continuum, who have outstanding capability in authentic storytelling and creating an exceptional visitor experience, with a focus on tourism operators; while retaining the families ownership of this historic site.

“As a family we have been in control of the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition for over 40 years and my brother David and I felt the time was right for us to hand over the reins to Continuum to develop the new and improved offering which will allow visitors to experience the history of the Loch Ness Monster by exploring Scotland’s geological past and folklore like never before.”

Find out more on our website.

For media enquiries, images and interviews, contact:

nikki@soundbitepr.co.uk, 07940 233 927

abie@soundbitepr.co.uk, 0131 510 3252

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Spinnaker Tower is Shaping Portsmouth

“It is with a great deal of pride, excitement and pleasure that I welcome Tony and the team from the Spinnaker Tower to Shaping Portsmouth as our latest Patron. The venue is iconic and one of the most recognisable in the city. Tony and his team are excellent ambassadors for the city and represent the very best of our businesses.” – Stef Nienaltowski, CEO of Shaping Portsmouth

We are excited to be joining other businesses, education centres, and cultural groups in promoting our home city. What makes our attraction so great is the view of our favourite city, Portsmouth, and our island’s beautiful coastline.

Shaping Portsmouth’s mission is to boost all things Portsmouth! Working with organisations to create sustainable partnerships and make Portsmouth the UK’s premier waterfront city to invest, learn and visit. They are well known for their work with The University of Portsmouth, The Armed Forces Covenant, and South Western Railway.

You can learn more about Shaping Portsmouth’s mission on their website.

By working with such a great group we are part of a movement dedicated to pushing projects we love. Shaping Portsmouth supports green space initiatives, education programs, and exploring and discovering Portsmouth’s vibrant cultural heritage.

We are proud to be Shaping Portsmouth and look forward to continuing to work in the heart of the community.

Learn how Spinnaker Tower also works with local Portsmouth suppliers read more in our blog post here.

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Investment for the future; Juliana Delaney responds to big numbers for tourism in Britain in 2020

Investment for the future

Juliana Delaney responds to big numbers for tourism in Britain in 2020

Crunching the numbers

“It has been a big month of big numbers from our national tourism agencies, VisitBritain and Visit England, not only highlighting that Britons ‘staycationing’ this year is on the rise and will add £27bn to the UK economy, but also that visitors spent £951m in Britain last year and that this is expected to also increase.

“These figures and their projected positive impact make me feel excited, encouraged, energised…and ever-more focused on the importance of staying relevant. It’s certainly not the moment for attractions to rest on their laurels with the security that visitors will come. We are operating in an increasingly broad competitive field, where screens big and small compete for people’s time, and where even a trip to the cinema is referred to as ‘light exercise’ (University College London research).

Climate disruption

“With climate change and weather disruption top of the news agenda, there is added insecurity of what the weather will do, in addition to the unknown real impact of Brexit, which undoubtedly will affect us negatively from the European visitor.”

Investing for the future

“The only matter we can be assured about is that we need to continue to invest in our offering and in our people. And we need to work collaboratively with others, such as our local tourism bodies, other attractions, accommodation providers and national organisations, to ensure that we can create the biggest impact possible not just for ourselves, but for our regions and all those who live, work and visit them.”

Already this year, we confirmed £100k investment in new interpretation of The Plague and Queen Mary exhibitions in Edinburgh, significant investment in York’s Chocolate Story to enhance the guest experience and increase our fresh chocolate production, and the unveiling of a new ‘Giant’ attraction at the sustainability focused Greenwood Family Park in Wales.

“We’ve set aside substantial budget for staff training, building on the mental health awareness campaign from 2019, where we worked together with St John’s Ambulance to train personnel at each of our eight sites as mental health first aiders. We’re prepped to embrace the challenges of 2020, we’re also braced for the highs and lows that will naturally come as part of the ride.”

That was Juliana Delaney, our Chief Executive commenting on the latest tourism news.

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Continuum Attractions Purchase GreenWood Forest Park

Continuum Attractions announces that the company has purchased GreenWood Forest Park, Y Felinheli, North Wales. The sale went through on Monday 17th July 2017.

Continuum Attractions has bought GreenWood Forest Park because it is a successful and award winning family adventure park business and an unmissable opportunity for the business to expand into the family, outdoor attraction market.

Andrew Pawson, Financial Director of Continuum Attractions says:

“GreenWood Forest Park is a wonderful place to visit, it also has a fantastic team in place, which is delivering that success. It offers a great visit for happy and loyal guests. It also champions green and sustainability issues, and manages its environmental impact. We are very proud to take on the GreenWood legacy. We believe in the future of tourism, particularly in North Wales.”

They operate heritage and entertainment themed attractions across the UK and are thrilled to be adding an outdoor business to their portfolio.

Kevin Smith, Group Attractions Director commented:

“We are delighted to have added GreenWood Forest Park to our portfolio of outstanding UK visitor attractions. Continuum Attractions has been keen to expand into outdoor, family experiences and GreenWood will offer a fantastic opportunity for us to do so.

North Wales is a fantastic place to visit, not only is it an area of outstanding beauty but as the popularity of the ‘staycation’ continues, the area is becoming a thriving hub for holiday makers both nationally and internationally.”

GreenWood Forest Park is a TripAdvisor UK Top 10 Attraction and a North Wales Tourist Board Green and Innovation Award-winner. North Wales was voted 4th best place to visit globally by Lonely Planet.

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Continuum Attractions celebrate The ‘Story’ of their Success

Continuum Attractions is currently seeing a significant increase in visitor numbers across the business and their research suggests that this is due to their visitor’s desire for a good story.

The company has always been at the forefront of the UK attractions industry through the presentation of well told stories in fascinating locations.

The Jorvik Viking Centre, which was opened by the company in 1984, was hugely innovative in terms of immersing visitors into ‘History as a Story’. For the first time, visitors could touch and smell things and really experience the stories and history of the subject rather than view it quietly from behind barriers and glass cases.

CEO Juliana Delaney, who has been with the company from the very beginning, is known for joking: “Our story begins with a hole in the ground but that’s all very much in our past now”

33 years later, the company certainly has come a long way, working with over 100 visitor attractions across the world and currently operating 9 attractions in the UK in Edinburgh, Leeds, Oxford, Canterbury, Gwynedd, Cardiff, Portsmouth and York, where the head office is based.

Each attraction tells a unique neighbourhood story, from the amazing warren of streets frozen in time beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to celebrating the famous tales of Chaucer or the iconic Yorkshire based drama -Emmerdale.

Group Head of Sales and Marketing, Julie Ozbek attests the continued success of the company to the storytelling.

“Our visitors love the stories that we tell and the interactive way that we deliver them. Our own research confirms that experiences that highlight history and nostalgia are now more in demand than ever.

We know that more people are staying in the UK for their leisure time now as well as overseas visitors coming into the country.

Other factors are likely to have had an effect on our increased admission numbers. Recent concerns over the safety of the city of London may also have contributed to visitors considering other key tourism destinations within the UK. Cities like York and Edinburgh appear to be becoming more popular as destinations. Because these cities have been a less obvious choice, particularly to international travellers in the past, visitors are more interested to learn about the broader UK heritage and the unique stories of the places that they are experiencing.” 

Many potential visitors might know that York was home to Vikings but are delighted to learn more about how it is the UK’s home of Chocolate at York’s Chocolate Story. This attraction in particular has seen a 12% increase in visitors from 2016 while Oxford Castle Unlocked, which tells the story of the city’s Norman castle turned prison is 13% up on the previous year.

The majority of the attractions are fully guided and offer interactive elements which appeal to visitors of all ages. The theatrical and innovative presentations mean that visitors come away informed and entertained which can be confirmed by consistently positive feedback and various awards and accreditations.

Continuum Attractions have turned storytelling into a hugely effective enterprise and have established themselves as experts in the leisure industry. With a portfolio spanning over 3 decades, the story of the company’s success is certainly not a thing of the past but a potential for further success.

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Continuum Attractions Directors Visit Greenwood Forest Park

There have been some new faces on site at GreenWood Forest Park this week.

The directors of Continuum Attractions, the company that purchased the park earlier in July, have been onsite getting to know the staff and guests, they are delighted with the purchase and are committed to maintaining the wonderful feel at Y Felinheli.

CEO: Juliana Delaney has strong connections to the area with relatives living in Bethel and Caernarfon. She has been a frequent visitor to the local area since she was 2 years old and is well known for professing the beauty and charms of North Wales.

She says:

“We are thrilled to have added GreenWood Forest Park to the Continuum Attractions family. North Wales is a place very dear to my heart and a region that has a fantastic future for tourism. The park is already such a great day out for guests with a passionate team dedicated to providing the very best experience for everyone. Myself and the rest of the team at Continuum Attractions look forward to working with our new colleagues to continue this for years to come.   

The former owners Steve and Andrea Bristow, who set up the business 25 years ago, made the decision to retire to enjoy more time to travel and spend with family. York based Continuum Attractions operates visitor experiences across the UK and has a long history of managing successful family friendly attractions.

Andrew Pawson, Continuum Attractions Director commented, in between goes on the Solar Splash Slides:

“We are delighted to have added GreenWood Forest Park to our portfolio of award winning visitor attractions.

Continuum Attractions has bought GreenWood Forest Park because it is a successful and award winning family adventure park business. The focus on sustainability is really important across our business.

North Wales is a fantastic place to visit and has important cultural traditions such as the use of the Welsh language. We are absolutely committed to continuing the tradition of the use of Welsh as the first language on site at GreenWood Forest Park.”  

Jim Jones Managing Director of North Wales Tourism has also had an opportunity to meet with the new owners this week and says:

“I am delighted that Continuum Attractions have purchased Greenwood Forest Park, as it demonstrates yet again the confidence businesses have by investing in North Wales. We are not Lonely Planet’s 4th best place to visit on the planet for nothing!

I have had an opportunity to meet the CEO Juliana Delaney, who I am very impressed with, she has a great team and knows the area very well. She didn’t need any convincing on the opportunities being based here in North Wales has for the future of Greenwood Forest Park and the expanding portfolio of Continuum Attractions.

I very much look forward to continue to support and work with the team going forward”

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Praise in Scottish Parliament for The Real Mary King’s Close and British Travel Awards

Gordon Lindhurst, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Member of Scottish Parliament for the Lothian region has praised 2 Edinburgh visitor attractions, The Real Mary King’s Close and Edinburgh Castle while speaking in Parliament last week. The city centre attractions have both been shortlisted for Best UK Heritage Attraction Award at the upcoming British Travel Awards. A prestigious list of only 5 attractions across the UK.

Mr Lindhurst lodged a motion for congratulations with the Scottish Parliament on Friday 7th July supported by 18 other Members:

“The Parliament congratulates everyone at The Real Mary King’s Close and Edinburgh Castle on the attractions being nominated for the Best UK Heritage Attraction Award at the British Travel Awards. Recognises the value of The Real Mary King’s Close attraction in the telling of Old Town Edinburgh in the 17th Century, including the lives of the people who lived within the tenement buildings and the devastating effects of the plague on the local populations; understands that since opening in 2003 the attraction has been one of the most popular in Edinburgh city centre for tourists.”  

Mr Lindhurst then went on to say that:

“being part of a shortlist of five across the UK is testament to the value that Edinburgh holds in terms of UK Heritage” before going on to wish everyone at The Real Mary King’s Close, including the operators, Continuum Attractions all the very best ahead of the announcement of the award on the 29th November.

Owned and operated by Continuum Attractions, The Real Mary King’s Close is a VisitScotland five-star attraction allows visitors to step back in time and be guided through these famous underground closes to witness some of the most dramatic episodes from Edinburgh’s incredible past.

CEO of the Continuum Attractions, Juliana Delaney commented:

“I would like to thank Mr Lindhurst and other supporting members of the Scottish Parliament for highlighting the significance of seeing Edinburgh so well represented in these prestigious awards. Our nomination is a true testament to the fantastic team at The Real Mary King’s Close and the contribution they make to tourism in Edinburgh.”

2017 is the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, a celebration of Scotland’s people, traditions, distinct culture, landscapes, attractions and icons, as well as hidden gems.