Britain’s first leisure tour from China – which has been enabled by the new Approved Destination Status (ADS) visas – kicked off on 25 July when around 80 Chinese visitors gathered at the Tower of London.

The group included Chinese consumers, travel agents and representatives from the city administrations of Beijing and Shanghai and the China National Tourism Administration.

The week-long tours will begin in London and include visits to the London Eye, Madame Tussauds and the British Museum, before travelling north.

In Oxfordshire, the tour takes in Christchurch College, Bicester shopping village, Blenheim Palace and Stratford-Upon-Avon, before visiting several attractions in the Premiership football cities of Manchester and Liverpool.

More relaxing days will then be spent enjoying a cruise on Lake Windermere and visiting Scotland, where the group’s final dinner will be set in Edinburgh Castle. Details: www.visitbritain.com