SIX MAGNA CARTA TOURISM TRAILS LAUNCHED
WITH OFFICIAL HOTEL PARTNER RADISSON BLU EDWARDIAN, LONDON

The story of Magna Carta is to be promoted throughout the tourism sector, following the launch of the new Magna Carta trails at the Radisson Blu Edwardian May Fair Hotel London

Magna Carta is the foundation stone supporting the freedoms enjoyed by nearly two billion people in over 100 countries. As well as enshrining the Rule of Law and limiting authoritarian rule in England in the 1200s, it has over the centuries influenced constitutional thinking worldwide. It has been described as “England's greatest export”.

A new website has been launched (www.magnacartatrails.com) to provide visitors with a wealth of information about the range of towns and locations across the country associated with Magna Carta. These include major tourist destinations, such as the British Library, to some of the most beautiful Cathedrals, including Lincoln, Salisbury and Durham, to small towns and villages that all played an important role in securing Magna Carta almost 800 years ago.

At the core of the website are six new geographic tourist trails, each covering different aspects of the Magna Carta story to provide visitors with two to three day itineraries. The trails are designed to be self-guided, but a number of tour operators can also book elements of the trails for incoming visitors.

Radisson Blu Edwardian is the official hotel partner to the Magna Carta 800th Committee and is providing special rates for visitors during the anniversary year.

The trails include:

• London to Windsor: 4 days
• Salisbury and Wiltshire: 2 days
• The cathedral cities of the north: 3 days
• Kent and East Sussex: 3 days
• East of England: 2 days
• The heart of England: 3 days

Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL, chair of the Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Committee said: “We are keen to encourage visitors and all those interested in England's heritage to visit the many sites associated with Magna Carta. This website and the suggested trails will be an invaluable source for everyone. They will be handy guides for the thousands of visitors who will converge on England from around the world next summer, wishing to explore the areas which are part of the Magna Carta story. Doing all six trails will take visitors just over a fortnight, immersed in 800 years of history.”

Last night's launch celebrates Radisson Blu Edwardian, London's status as the official hotel partner to the Magna Carta 800th Committee.

Judith West, Director of Partnerships introduced proceedings, saying “We're delighted to be the official hotel partner to the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta. We recognise the importance of a strong heritage and values – we're proud of ours. Founded in London in  1977, The Edwardian Group – who own and operate Radisson Blu Edwardian, London – have been developing leading hotels and hospitality brands ever since, with the guiding principle of delivering a truly exceptional and memorable experience for our guests, time and time again .

“Our properties are perfectly located across the capital and in Guildford, providing the ideal base when visiting the Magna Carta sites at the British Library, in the City of London, Runnymede and, indeed – with the superb transport  links in London – to the rest of the Charter Cities in the UK ”.

 The trails are designed to encourage domestic and international visitors to join the commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta on 15 June 2015 at Runnymede and other locations.

Momentum has been building for years in anticipation of 15 June 2015, exactly 800 years after King John added his seal to Magna Carta, as presented to him by the barons at Runnymede on the Thames near Windsor. The trails will add to the excitement of this momentous occasion in history.

Frank Baldwin, Chairman of The Battlefields Trust said: “When people think about Magna Carta they do not normally associate it with battles and sieges.  But the Great Charter arose from the conflict between King John, his barons and the other European princes.

“The immediate consequences were eighteen months of fighting across England between King John and the Barons assisted by the French.  These battles and sieges took places across England from Dover to Berwick and Exeter to Norwich.

“The Trust's Magna Carta 800th Project is making an important contribution to the Magna Carta Trails and we are delighted to be associated with them.”

A printed leaflet is also available, which can be downloaded from the www.magnacartatrails.com website or will be available from Visitor Information Centres across the country and select Magna Carta locations. The six trails will also be on show at the World Travel Market at London's ExCel from 3 – 6 November 2014.

ENDS

ISSUED BY CHELGATE LTD ON BEHALF OF THE MAGNA CARTA TRUST

For further information please contact Nick Wood-Dow at Chelgate on
07713 681 322 or Mark Gill, Executive Director of the MC800th Committee,
on 07879 632 870

NOTES TO EDITORS

The trails were commissioned by the 800th Commemoration Committee of the Magna Carta Trust, and were jointly funded by the City of London, Temple Church, Visit Surrey, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Visit County Durham, Visit Worcestershire, Visit Wiltshire, Salisbury Cathedral, Visit Lincoln, and Faversham Town Council.

ABOUT THE 800TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE

The Magna Carta Trust's 800th Anniversary Commemoration Committee is  charged by the Magna Carta Trust to co-ordinate activities, raise the profile of the anniversary and deliver a number of key national and  international aspirations. For more information, visit www.magnacarta800th.com

ABOUT EDWARDIAN GROUP LONDON

Edwardian Group London is one of the UK's largest, privately-owned companies, which has been developing luxury hotel and hospitality premises since being founded by Jasminder Singh OBE in 1977.  The company owns and operates Radisson Blu Edwardian, London hotels, The May Fair and several restaurant, bar and spa brands.

ABOUT RADISSON BLU EDWARDIAN, LONDON

Radisson Blu Edwardian, London is a collection of 12 luxury hotels in London, as well as a further two properties in Guildford and Manchester. The design of each hotel draws upon its own individual heritage and location. All 14 properties are united in offering guests a surprisingly cosmopolitan experience, with friendly, unpretentious service, luxurious bedrooms and facilities, cutting edge technology and outstanding food and drink.