16 July 2018, 11:30
A flying visit to honour the RAF
Drink in the history of the Dambusters with Saga’s memorial tour of ‘Bomber County’
If you’re going to raise a toast to the heroes of the RAF, there’s nowhere better than at the Dambusters Inn. And the Lincolnshire pub is one of the nostalgic destinations on a Saga break to ‘Bomber County’ marking the 75th anniversary of the Second World War raid on the Ruhr dams.
The inn – just named Lincolnshire Pub of the Year by the Campaign for Real Ale – has a microbrewery with its own range of Dambuster beers, as well as a host of memorabilia, and is close to RAF Scampton, the base from which Lancaster aircraft of 617 Squadron launched their attack with the revolutionary ‘bouncing’ bombs in May, 1943.
The four-night Remembering the Dambusters trip, on October 14, 2018 features a guided tour of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby, a Typhoon and fighter base, offering the opportunity to view historic aircraft up close.
There’s also a visit to Woodhall Spa, site of the public memorial to 617 Squadron. After relocating there from Scampton, the squadron carried out some of the most technologically advanced and successful operations of the war, including the sinking of the German battleship Tirpitz and the destruction of the Saumur railway tunnel and Bielefeld railway viaduct.
The itinerary also includes a guided tour of International Bomber Command Centre, near Lincoln, which is home to the UK’s tallest war memorial and exhibition galleries explaining the experience of serving as aircrew or ground support.
The Saga break is based at the three-star Best Western Kenwick Park Hotel in Louth, in the grounds of the Kenwick Park Estate, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering plenty of lovely walks and an 18-hole golf course.
There is free time in the historic city of Lincoln, and an optional coach trip to the coastal resort of Skegness, home to the original Butlins Holiday Camp.
For details call free on 0800 092 0803 or visit saga.co.uk/dambusters
Remembering the Dambusters: Four nights from £429, starts October 14, 2018. Price includes all breakfasts and dinners, welcome drink, Saga tour manager, porterage at the hotel. Hotel has no lifts but ground floor rooms may be available.
Editors:
Saga has created four ‘Time to’ holiday styles: Go for it, Stay & Explore, Discover and Unwind. Each style helps guests decide on a holiday that feels right for them. Remembering the Dambusters is Stay & Explore.
Saga is a specialist in the provision of products and services for life after 50. The Saga brand is one of the most recognised and trusted brands in the UK and is known for its high level of customer service and its high quality, award winning products and services including cruises and holidays, insurance, personal finance and publishing. Visit saga.co.uk
