Shearings Coach Holidays - Overall Rating based on 74 reviews
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coach tour to the isle of wight
Both journeys to and from destination were padded out with unexceptable stops, (hours of boredom). The hotel was not fit to accept customers, ... rooms, unkept and run down. On return made a complaint to Shearings but received no help or recognition whatsoever. The "customer relations" department is wrongly titled, they do not care a jot. They have your money and wash their hands of you.
My advice would be find another operator that actually cares and has some standards.
Such a shame as we travelled with Shearings a few years ago and had a great holiday.
Please be warned4 day Yorkshire tour by older coach hired in
I have an email from Shearings Ledger Group after making a complaint about a hired in 2013 older coach with frayed seat belts and foot rests broken as well as torn seat nets that allowed heavy items to fall through?
Stating they had inspected this coach and passed it as being safe with no defects so all on this coach was forced to use it for 4 days. This email continues they only bought the brand name and not the assets so they do not have any coaches so use third party hire coaches instead. So if you are lucky you will be taken in a Shearings coach on your chosen tour or if you are unlucky like on our 4 day tour you could be forced into an older coach and have your safety put at risk when you can't wear a frayed seat belt and are told this coach has no defects so they have now closed this complaint I made? So beware you have been warned as nothing is clear on their website unless you really dig to be told they may use hired in coaches? Ours came from the South East and the driver had never been to Yorkshire so any information about places visited were not given at all. We shall never use this coach company again having experienced many happy tours with Shearings before it was bought by Legger Coaches in the pandemic and this disregard for customers and misleading advertising seems to be the normal way of trading now.
EditHoliday
Just got back from one of the worst holidays I have ever experienced. Isle of Wight Friday to Monday… although 2 days of this was spent traveling for absolutely no reason! I say traveling but I mean having to get off the coach every half an hour because the coach driver had no clue!
We got picked up Friday morning and dropped off at Cobham to catch our main coach and what a coach it was!! It must of been Shearings oldest coach, very uncomfortable and it had so many scratches and dents I don’t know how you allowed it to be used!
Had to waste time in Cobham on the outbound journey and then we had to waste time at the Ferry terminal in Portsmouth. We eventually got on to the Ferry and then finally made our way to the hotel… and oh boy what a hotel!!
We received our key and was told that the lift doesn’t work and they can’t get an engineer out yet as it’s the weekend and it’s the Isle of Wight (so apparently no engineers work on the Isle of Wight). Walked up the stairs to the room (The ceiling in the corridor had mould patches which I have photos of) to our room and unlocked the door to what can only be described as an absolute ... hole. There is no way on earth that room had been cleaned in what must of been months. Thick dust everywhere, thick cobwebs with spiders hanging off them, crumbs over the carpet, mould on the window, stains on the bathroom wall which were brown streaks so I will leave that to your imagination as to what it was.
Now it’s time for dinner, if you can call it dinner. A choice of three things for starters, main and dessert, starters mainly being soup every night. My soup eventually arrived and at first I thought it was actually nice, until I had a slither of the tin in the soup which had obviously come off when the chef opened a tin. All of the starters and mains were either cold or lukewarm, service was extremely slow as there was only 2/3 servers working as the hotel was so short staffed (despite knowing a coach full of people were arriving)
The next night we sat in one of the lounges before dinner and noticed that on the lower part of the wall had water marks where there had been a leak, so we looked up at the ceiling and there was thick black mould pores on the ceiling (again I took photos of this as we couldn’t believe this actually passed health and safety)
The night before we were due to travel home we were informed that the hotel would not be providing us with a cooked breakfast that morning (despite it being included in the cost) and instead they would lay on cereals and if we would like a hot breakfast sandwich to take with us on the coach we would have to let them know… which I did and received a very cold sausage sandwich.
The journey home was an absolute shambles, we had to get up at 5:45 to get down for cereals as the coach was leaving at 7:15. We reached the ferry and the coach driver informed us that we were being put on an earlier ferry home (absolutely no need for it) and because of that he would stop at a service station somewhere along the motorway. So we were driving along and the driver pulls in to one service station which only had a Starbucks and a petrol station and tells us he will drive further along to find one with better amenities. He finally pulls in to another service station which only had yet again another Starbucks and a petrol station!! But insists we have to waste 45 minutes here as we were ahead of schedule! How ridiculous! It wasn’t even a proper service station! So we all eventually get back on the coach and the driver tells us we are about 30 minutes away from Cobham (Where we have to pick up our transfer coach) but 7 minutes later we are at Cobham! The driver clearly doesn’t have a clue on the roads! So because it only took 7 minutes to get from petrol station Starbucks to Cobham instead of the 30 minutes the driver stated we had to waste 2 and a half hours at Cobham service station before we could get our coach transfer.
This whole holiday for the 3 of us cost £919… £919 spent traveling for two days and inhaling mould and dust for the other two.
A journey that should of taken 3 and a half hours tops instead took 7 and a half hours,
Unhappy is an understatement.Torquay coach "holiday". 27/09/2021.
CEO Liam Race you should be very ashamed of your "pile em in and cut all corners" attitude. Our coach break has been a disaster from start to finish, l have never had such a longing to get back home as l have these last few awful days with Shearings/Leger. From waiting in Donnington amid the chaos of finding our coaches, to arriving at the Trecarn Hotel. Torquay, where chaos again descended as 3 coach loads of people were being attended to by just one person giving the room keys out. Then there was the coach driver who's attitude from start to finish of the "holiday" was one of distain, sarcasm and fillng the coach up with cigarette smoke. A good portion of the people on board his coach were disabled and he didn't offer a helping hand to any of them as they struggled up the coach steps. Peter is his name. Now l come to the meal times!. Queueing was par for the course, and if you didn't arrive when the "food" was put out then when the queueing dwindled one would have cold slop and tepid frozen veg. I wouldn't feed a dog on the diet that was laughingly called food!. Home day at the hotel was a long queue of 3 coaches of people, all departing at the same time of 8.00am, with breakfast starting at 7.00am. Lots of pushing and shoving as everyone wanted to eat before the journey to Donnington and another 2,3,4 hour wait for a feeder coach back to Sheffield and other destinations.
Mr Race either you or one of your cohorts will read these reviews, if only to check on your cash cow of Shearings/ Leger holidays. Well Mr Race l sincerely hope that your venture falls on its face, you deserve as much respect as we got and that was none at all.
I have clicked 1 star on each question but only because there were no none stars!!!.tenby imperial hotel 2nd to 6th August
positive RECENTLY WE WENT ON THIS HOLIDAY IT WASNT PERFECT BUT THE COACH DRIVER RODDY WAS MARVELLOUS.
ALSO RICKY HOTEL MAMANGER AND ALL THE STAFF GREAT.
A CHEF WALKED OUT AND LEFT THEM IN THE LURCH THEY GOT US FISH AND CHIPS AND ICECREAM AND SOME FREE WINE.
A PERCENTAGE OF THE OTHER CLIENTS WERE AWFUL AND YOU WILL NO DOUBT HERE A LOAD OF CRITISM. WE ALL KNOW HOE THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED STAFF SHORTAGES.
WE WERE JUST SO HAPPY TO GET AWAY. THEY WERE LIKE
EGGING EACH OTHER ON I PRESUMED THEY WANTED A FREE
HOLIDAY I JUST WANTED TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHTLlandudno trip
We went to Llandudno a few years ago which took forever to get there having left home at 7 am and not getting to the hotel till 6pm. We thought it couldn't happen again., it is doing! We are on our way to Llandudno again having left home at 5.50am and after going all around the houses we are still only in Manchester at the time of 11am. We've been stuck on this coach for over half an hour while the driver is doing god knows what. Never in my life will I travel with this company again, frustration doesn't even begin to describe how I'm feeling now.
Coach tour
Absolutely diabolical , got picked up from Gretna ( 20 miles from home ) at 5.45 am , taxi didn't turn up till 5.55 . Taxi to Penrith then bus to Leeds . Its now 12.30pm and were still waiting on the coach to take us to Harrogate . Now thats been 6 hrs 45 mins a d we've had one stop . Harrogate from Dumfries is 2.5 hrs away . We have been told were being picked up on Monday after breakfast and won't be back in Gretna till 7.30pm . If wed known all this before we went i would NEVER have booked and won't be using shearings again in the future . If i could give it no stars i would .
Scenic Staffordshire & Shropshire Travelled on 5 July 2021
Where do I begin? We were picked up by a dirty taxi at 8am then en route to our coach pick up, 4 more passengers got in. 6 people from 3 different households, in a 6 seater taxi we were facing each other and not 1 metre away from the passengers who were from different households, totally against government Covid regulations. Then on to Rugby services where we had an hour's wait to get our tour coach, the coach was very full, again not adhering to Covid regulations. We arrived at our hotel at 2pm. Our chosen hotel in Stafford was no longer available so we had been moved, by Shearings, to a Mercure business / airport style stopover hotel next to the M6 in Birmingham. We had asked for a quiet room but guess what our window faced the motorway. Our room was very basic, with no wardrobe or drawers so we had to keep our belongings in our suitcases.
Food
We were told dinner was at 6pm, if we were late we would miss the starter. The only way I could describe the evening meal was 'school dinners'. Very little choice, no details whether the food was vegetarian or vegan or details for allergies. The cheapest ingredients were used and the pudding was either fruit salad or cake!! To be able to have a choice at breakfast we had to be there at 8am, once the hot food ran out there was no more, the alternative was cereal and cheap white bread for toast, no fruit, yogurt or croissants were available.
Trips
We left at 10am, and were taken straight to the town and dropped off. The coach driver was an agency driver who told us he didn't know the area, so we were given no information about the places we were visiting. The second day we (Shearings words) 'took a scenic drive through the peaceful Shropshire countryside, calling at pretty and characterful villages along the way'. In reality we sped along the motorway at 70mph to Market Drayton and Oswestry, neither of which are villages, we travelled so fast that we could not see anything other than the central reservation or hard shoulder of the motorway. Every day we had to be back on the coach at 3pm for our journey back, hardly a day trip. We spent more time in our hotel room than seeing the countryside, the reason for our holiday.
Journey home
We did not leave our hotel until after midday, again another wasted morning, for the 45 minute journey to Rugby Services. Then a 90 minute wait for the ongoing coach, arriving back at our pickup point at 6.30pm.
Summary
Would we travel with Shearings or Leger again, DEFINITELY NOT. The complete disregard for Covid regulations, the lack of information about the area, the patronising coach driver who wore his mask round his chin, They provided the most basic service they could get away with. The company went into administration last year and with their total lack of any customer service it will happen again before long. We have travelled with many more customer focussed travel companies in the past and will look to them when we travel again.Not impressed with service
Absolutely gutted to know and been told that shearings no longer pick up from Lincolnshire Grimsby area for weekend breaks and holidays they only do midlands pick ups now and south east pick ups which I find recdicious. I used to go with shearings every year and been on some fab holidays with them. But since they been taken over I can not find or get a holiday with them from my local area. They are going to lose customers acting this way. I spent over 2 hours on the phone talking to a member of staff who said several times no these coach dont pick up from your area. I was told this by several shearing advisors and it's so very very wrong. For me to travel to south east pick up to get the coach would take me over 6 hours and I don't drive. They are going to lose many customers and passengers because of these cut backs on pick ups departures. I think I would take my holiday business else where from no one. It seems like shearings don't really care no more like they used to
CARLTON HOTEL GREAT YARMOUTH
This hotel has been closed for over a year & will be closed for a long time due to roof collapse shearings took our booking for this hotel knowing it was closed & will not open .We were then TOLD (with no choice given,) that we could not have a refund because they offered similar accommodation in the Comfort hotel which did have brilliant staff , but had no seaview, no entertainment, very dated rooms NO LIFT and we were placed on the 1st floor with a 85 yr old who had recently been fitted with a pacemaker. Shearings were told if no lift we had to have ground floor rooms. Coupled with a driver who DID NOT take any temperature readings for 2 days,he did say sorry he forgot ,12hrs on in a confined area with no checks he should be sacked . Will NOT use shearings again even if it was free.Hi don't bother my friend
We have travelled with shearings for many year having two to three breaks a year. Just got back from Torquay. We live in Ellesmere port and it took ten hours outbound and eleven inbound.
Been with old shearings many times to this part of the country and no more than six hour each way!
This company is ledger! The purchase the name and data base. And are now using the shearing brand. Believe me its not shearings as it was. My trip has to many disappointments to mention here the only plus side was the coach drive named Jack a young man who was a real nice guy.
We will never travel with this company again.Christmas break
My friend booked a christmas and after christmas break in the Lake district for 4 people. I was one and paid £150 deposit. I am 80 and y area went into stage 2 lockdown. My friend booked on the Monday as soon as the announcement was made about 2nd stage lockdown I cancelled as I am at risk, and that was in days. NO REFUND. Yet other holiday companies refund with no problem. I know things are difficult but come on cancelled within days. You have no conscience. Will not book with you again. I am also disabled. Thanks for your understanding
Eastbourne and brighton
Had a lovely 5 days. The coaches were clean and our drivers Gary and Craig were brilliant, nothing was too much trouble. The Burlington hotel was clean and the food good. The 2 lifts need up dating as they are old and not very efficient. Our room was very nice with a sea view but the bath with a shower over was very high and difficult to get in and out without help. We will definitely book further holidays as it was excellent va!he for money. Thanks.
Andre Rieu in Glasgow
Absolutely disgusting treatment when holiday cancelled by Andre Rieu due to coronavvirus. Hydro Glasgow is refunding ticket prices but shearings refusing. When even the CEO Richard Calvert is refusing to answer 2 email I personally sent you know it's not a company worthy of my business ever again. Refund everyone... do the decent legal thing ... We are not here to prop up your company
I feel the same all they are worried about is money not customer service. They are a crap company and have very poor hotels. Good luck I hope they have a conscious
Heart of Italy
Disgraceful treatment of customers requesting refund. Stay well clear and look elsewhere.
Our holiday to Italy was cancelled by Shearings because of the Coronavirus and likewise we are having trouble getting a refund which we are legally entitled to. We had up to 19 holidays a year with them and this is how they treat thei loyal customers. Other coach firms do the right thing and refund the customers money.
Shearings cancelled our trip to Scotland at the end of March and have refused to refund our money. We will NEVER book with them again.
Holland in Bloom
Our holiday in March was cancelled due to coronavirus. We have been offered a credit note instead. We are Legally entitled to our money back but Shearings are refusing.
Ordering was easy but getting our money back has been impossible so far. This company does not deserve the loyalty we have shown them over the past ten years.
Other holiday companies have refunded their customers. I wish I had booked with one of them instead. If you are going to book with them I would leave it until the last minuteTotally agree. ABTA say a refund should be given but Shearings are breaking the law and refusing. Disgusting treatment to many older customers and causing real distress.
Like many people I have been met with a brick wall. Even the CEO Richard Calvert refuses to reply to 2 emails. Never again would I book with them. Illegal underhand way of dealing with loyal customers.
Cancelled trip
Shearings cancelled our trip to Scotland and refused to refund our money. Not impressed. Will be taking this further.
You have rights. Check out ABTA and Which websites. Im having same problem. Horrible company... will never use them agsin
I agree with Brenda. Disgusting attitude from this company. I too, and I suspect many others, will never use this company again.
My husband and I are having the same problem as I have posted on another comment. Shearings are not following guidelines as set out in ABTA rules. They are BREAKING the LAW by keeping their customers monies.
St Mawes cornwall
Everything was spot on can highly recommend this holiday. Stuart our driver very informative without being annoyingly so. Laurie hotel manager was great, had a problem which was soon sorted with an upgrade. Food was delicious, waitresses quick and friendly. To top it all we had a table overlooking the harbour. Trips out were grand, we took the ferry across to Falmouth on our own saw the dolphins swimming at the front of the ferry. St Mawes lovely fishing village with good walks. Shearings 10 out of 10 best holiday yet.
5 days at Bay Hotel Torquay
This hotel is not suitable for people with disabilities steps to main entrance had to use side door which could only be opened from inside steps to dining room received help from Shearings rep low toilet seat with no wall grip had to pull-up on the sink not being able to stand for lengthy periods could not use shower payed extra for sea view could only see masts of moored boats good food with helpful staff shabby rooms please advise future disabled travellers
5 Day to Tenby
We both say what a very enjoyable 5 day break to Tenby from our pick up at 6 30am in Richmond to our return last night the journey the excursions the hotel every thing was just as we expected our lady driver kept us informed all the time We arrived at the Imperial Hotel in Tenby very well situatuated for visiting the Town we had asked for a low room as I am not now able to climb a number of stairs our bedroom was fine lovely sea view in summer you will be able to open 2 doors which gives access to a balcony and an even better view to the whole of the South bay The hotel staff were very helpful as I am not now able to carry my breakfast and my husband the first morning was helping me to get what I wanted the waitress had noticed this and no problem came over to us and said to my husband that she would help me so he could get his own and every morning she repeated the help
The only thing was no hooks in the entrance for our out door coats especially if they are damp The icing on the cake is the spectacular views that the hotel has in all a very very enjoyable 5 days Thankyou Shearings Margaret and RayTrip to Paignton
A very disappointing trip. Poor food poor service. Felt more like a motorway service station. Shearings are cutting back in all areas. Staff incompetent and very defence -blaming computer errors
The Grand Exmouth
Although pleasant hotel and staff we were very dissappointed with our room upgrade. Requested quiet relaxing room paid an extra £70+ for the upgrade only to find it was above the very loud entertainment area. So the first night when we really wanted to rest was disastrous. We then discovered that other guests that we travelled with ,same deel, same coach, driver ,meals, entertainment had been given drinks vouchers for Saturday we were told we wern't apparently all inclusive. I have not been able to resolve these queries as no One answers the phone or emails. Very dissapointed as it was our first sheerings trip and hoped it would be our way to future holidays. Now we are not sure if it right for us.
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Berkeley and Cotswold's break
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