Great British Heritage Pass celebrates 30th anniversary by freezing 2003 prices

The new four-day version of VisitBritain\'s popular Great British Heritage Pass, introduced in 2003, will remain at the same price for 2004. Now in its 30th year, the pass offers great savings for visitors exploring Britain\'s acclaimed historic sites by allowing them unlimited entry into nearly 600 castles, stately homes and gardens in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Great British Heritage Pass holders need visit only a few of them to recoup the initial cost.

The new four-day pass remains at $35 and is ideal for those planning a long weekend trip to Britain or extending a business trip for a few days\' sightseeing. Prices of other versions of the pass remain the same as in 2003: $54 for seven days; $75 for 15 days; and $102 for one month. A gazetteer accompanying the pass lists the properties which can be visited, ranging from Hampton Court Palace in south-west London, Shakespeare\'s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, Beaulieu and the National Motor Museum near Southampton in Southern England, Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, Stonehenge and Windsor Castle.

Among properties opening to pass holders for the first time in 2004 are Shakespeare\'s Globe Tour & Exhibition, Apsley House and the Queen\'s Gallery in London and Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

The pass can be purchased from travel agents or from:

BritRail, tel. (877) 677 1066, www.britrail.net;
Rail Europe, tel. (800) 274 8724, www.raileurope.com;
Tickets ToÖ , tel. (800) 869 8184 or (212) 529 9069, www.ticketsto.com.
Walk-in callers may purchase the pass from Tickets ToÖ , 915 Broadway, Suite 600, New York City or The Travel Shop, 551 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York City.