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British tourism maximises the opportunity
While much of Britain has ground to a halt over the last week as Siberian weather has swept across the nations, some of the nation’s best loved attractions have risen to the challenge carrying on regardless of the Arctic weather. For The Ffestiniog Railway, Porthmadog in Wales it has been business as usual as it carries passengers into the snow covered mountains of North Wales. Whilst trains, buses and cars across the country continue to battle against the extreme weather conditions the oldest independent railway company in the world steams on through the Snowdonia National Park. The railway provides unparalleled views of the magnificent scenery and landscape from the comfort of luxurious heated carriages with at-seat refreshments to the delight of those on board.

"Although our winter mid-week services are mainly run for the benefit of coach operators, we still carry a good number of ordinary passengers as well," says the railway's General Manager Paul Lewin. "In fact, one train on Thursday ran with almost 100 passengers on board - not bad for the middle of winter."

Elsewhere in what is traditionally the closed season for stately homes and animal parks, the Longleat big cats were frolicking in what had become their very own winter wonderland. Longleat, which featured in the BBC’s much loved series, Animal Park, runs VIP Winter Safaris - dedicated guided tours of the Safari Park with one of Longleat’s wardens in a zebra-striped 4x4 Land Rovers – during the closed season and subject to weather and Longleat House Private Tours for those less keen on communing with the elements. Following the “roaring” success of these tours Longleat, which recently took Silver in the “Best Tourism Experience of the Year” category in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards 2009-2010 for the House Tours. has introduced a number of new tours for both the House and the animal attractions for 2010 .

Meanwhile across the country indoor attractions including museums, galleries and aquariums have welcomed extra visitors as people are keener than ever to discover what’s on their doorstep. City hotel rooms have been snapped up by office workers and media professionals unable to commute to and from the snowy suburbs. Village pubs and local parks are also doing good business with locals keen to get out and socialize on foot.

With cold weather set to continue the innovative British tourist industry is making the most of it where it can and finding new ways to attract visitors. Ffestiniog Railways and Longleat will both be exhibiting at Best of Britain & Ireland 2010 at Olympia; 17-18th March (trade) and 19th-20th (public days.) Best of Britain & Ireland Travel Trade Forum is the prime event in the domestic travel trade calendar and the centrepiece to the fourth annual British Tourism Week.