Birmingham Festival of Quilts & Textile Tour with the Quilter on Fire

Tour Info

OVERVIEW 

This 13-day tour of Wales and England takes in their rich textile history and breathtaking cultural landmarks. Beginning in London, you see some of that city’s most-loved sites, including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

From there, it’s off to Bristol. Just one highlight in this locale is the American Museum & Gardens, a treasure trove of folk and decorative arts. From there, you visit Cardigan to explore Welsh fiber traditions and ancient architecture. The rural warmth of Cotswolds is your next stop, a locale known for its golden-hued limestone and bucolic rolling hills.

In Birmingham, you spend two full days at the Festival of Quilts, Europe’s largest quilting event, renowned for presenting international quilters, an extensive exhibition of quilts, and an expansive vendor mall.

As you return to London, you will have seen the best of the United Kingdom, from Stonehenge to Windsor Castle, and will have enjoyed some of the country’s most intriguing quilt shops and museums.

COVID-19? Book with confidence

If Government imposed COVID-19 restrictions mean that we cannot run a tour, or that you cannot travel to join a tour, then you will be given a 100% refund of all monies paid to Opulent Quilt Journeys for your tour.

Vaccination requirements

Opulent Quilt Journeys requires all participants on its tours to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

START & FINISH

The tour starts at 6.00pm on Wednesday Augsut 10, at Holiday Inn Kensington High Street in London and finishes after breakfast on Monday August 22, at Holiday Inn Kensington High Street in London.

Itinerary

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1   Wed    August 10   Arrive London

Arrive at the hotel for check in at 3 p.m. Meet your tour leader and enjoy a group welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

Day 2   Thu   August 11     London

Enjoy a panoramic tour of London.  Discover iconic landmarks, architectural and cultural diversity, and fascinating history that makes London the most visited city in the world. Your London sightseeing tour takes you on a non-stop procession of landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and much more. We visit Victoria & Albert Museum, the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design that houses a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects. It was founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. On the banks of the River Thames in the heart of London is the Tower of London amidst nearly 1,000 years of history and intrigue. (B)

Day 3   Fri   August 12       London

Visit fabric and quilting shops, Antique Textile Company and Taylors Buttons. (B)

 Day 4   Sat   August 13     London-Stonehenge-Bristol

Depart London and journey to Bristol. En-route stop at Lady Sew & Sew followed by a visit to Stonehenge, the world’s most famous prehistoric monument. Dating back to approximately 3000 BC, the circle of huge upright and horizontal rectangular stones continues to fascinate academics, spiritualists, and visitors. Arrive in Bristol for overnight stay. (B)

Day 5   Sun   August 14    Bristol-Bath-Bristol

After breakfast, visit the Royal Crescent. The Roman Baths of the historical city of Bath are some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world, and it is even possible to wander around this vast leisure complex as the Romans did over 2,000 years ago. We stop at Country Threads before a visit to the American Museum & Gardens. With its remarkable collection of folk and decorative arts, the Museum shows the diverse and complex nature of American traditions. (B)

Day 6   Mon   August 15   Bristol-Lacock-Bristol

The Cotswold’s honey-colored limestone houses, historical market towns and rolling green hills framed by drystone walls represent an unspoiled idyll of quintessential England. This morning, we visit the village of Lacock, the most beautifully preserved village in the Cotswolds. Return to Bristol and enjoy a free afternoon. (B)

Day 7   Tue   August 16     Bristol-Felindre-Llandeilo

Then visit St Fagan’s National History Museum, where we explore history through the everyday lives of people in Wales. Continue travel to Felindre where we visit the National Wool Museum. Wales is famous for its wool and yarn industries, as well as its blankets and throws. A gallery in the museum shows aspects of the National Flat Textile Collection. Arrive Llandeilo for overnight. (B, D)

Day 8   Wed   August 17   Llandeilo-Lampeter-Aberystwyth

Enjoy a day trip to Lampeter with an inspirational visit to the Jen Jones Welsh Quilt Centre, the center of the Welsh quilt and quilting tradition. Jen Jones wishes to share her love of Welsh Quilts and to promote a wider understanding of the importance of this regional art form. The quilts at the center give everyone the opportunity to see, enjoy and learn about her remarkable collection as well as examples from other quilting heritages. Next shop at the Calico Kate Quilt Shop which has gained a reputation as an 'Aladdin's Cave' for quilters, dressmakers, knitters, and related crafts. In a building full of charm and character, you can wander through 12 rooms of fabric, haberdashery, and yarn, in a relaxed, homely atmosphere. Then visit Red Apple Yarn Shop which stocks high quality British wool. Continue to Aberystwyth for overnight. (B)

Day 9   Thu   August 18     Aberystwyth-Birmingham

After breakfast, we depart Aberystwyth to Birmingham. En route, visit the Minerva Arts Center in Llanidloes - the home of the Quilt Association and its collection of heritage quilts. The collection contains a large number of antique quilts made in Wales during the 19^th and 20^th Centuries, along with various associated items such as quilting templates and frames. Also on show will be the annual exhibition. (B, D)

Day 10-11    Fri August 19-Sat August 20    The Festival of Quilts

These days are dedicated to the Festival of Quilts, Europe’s leading patchwork and quilting event, included are a two-day ticket and return transfers. (B)

Day 12   Sun   August 21  Birmingham-London

Following breakfast, travel back to London. En route, visit Windsor Castle, the Queen's favorite weekend home. Windsor has a rich mix of history, culture, heritage, and fun. Witness the guards march through the streets for the Changing the Guard ceremony Enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel in London. (B, D)

Day 13   Mon   August 22 Depart London

Our tour concludes after breakfast. (B)

Tour Leader

BRANDY MASLOWSKI

Brandy Maslowski is a quilt teacher, speaker, judge, and the author of children’s book, Kristy’s Quilt. She has been a light-hearted stitcher for 30 years. From clumsy beginner quilter all the way to showing her fiber art in galleries, Brandy has a passion for fabric, stitch, color, texture and everything quilting.  She loves to travel the world with quilters to ignite their creativity with the tag line “More JOY, less OVERWHELM.” You can find her as the Quilter on Fire on Youtube, Facebook and Instagram or visit her website at www.quilteronfire.com.

View Bio and Upcoming Tours

Inclusions

TOUR INCLUSIONS

What is included in the tour price?

• Coach and driver with the group from Day 2 to Day 12
• 12 nights twin-share accommodation at well-appointed 3 or 4-star hotels with private bath or shower
• Daily breakfast and 3 course dinners with tea/coffee at hotel on Day 1, Day 7, Day 9 & Day 12
• Visits and experiences as stated in the itinerary
• Two-day entrances to the Festival of Quilts
• An English-speaking guide throughout the trip
• Porterage of one piece of luggage in and out of hotels
• Gratuities to guide and driver

What is not included in the tour price?

• International airfares 
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses and anything not mentioned

Due to the constant changes in the COVID restrictions worldwide, we highly recommend that passengers wait to purchase air tickets until the following:

1. The tour reaches the minimum number to travel.
2. Prior to the due date of their final payment (three months before departure), we will notify passengers the travel status and the requirements for travel to their destination. At that time they may choose to proceed with the tour or not. If they choose to cancel they may apply their non-refundable deposit to any other Opulent Quilt Journeys Tour within 18 months.

Please note: If passengers purchase tickets and the tour is cancelled or moved to a new date, we are not responsible for any loss regarding their ticket purchase.

Hotels

HOTELS

Holiday Inn Kensington High Street, London (3 nights)
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/london/lonwl/hoteldetail

Leonardo Glassfields, Bristol (3 nights)
https://www.leonardo-hotels.com/leonardo-hotel-bristol-glassfields

Cawdor Hotel, Llandeilo (1 night)
https://www.thecawdor.com/

Nanteos Mansion Hotel, Aberystwyth (1 night)
https://www.nanteos.com/

Hilton Metropole, Birmingham (3 nights)
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bhxmetw-hilton-birmingham-metropole/

Holiday Inn Kensington High Street, London (1 night)
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/london/lonwl/hoteldetail