Join us on this self-drive visit, after the AGM and lecture, to Gilbert White's House and garden in Selborne.

Gilbert White (1720-1793) was one of the world's most influential naturalists, and a great nature writer whose 1789 book The Natural History of Selborne changed the way we look at the natural world.  He was also a passionate and innovative gardener, who delighted in growing melons and recording his gardening activity for almost 50 years.

The gardens at Gilbert White's House and Gardens have been recreated to reflect White's journals, with heritage planting and gardening methods. A truly unique example of a 18th century landscape garden set within 25 acres.

The visit includes a one-hour garden tour, led by a member of the gardening team, and an hour to explore Gilbert White's House, which tells the story of the naturalist. The top level of the house is dedicated to the Oates Collection, which tells the stories of Frank Oates (1840-1875) the explorer and naturalist, and Captain Lawrence Oates (1880-1912), who was part of the Terra Nova expedition to the South Pole.

A delicious selection of cake will be served during the afternoon, along with tea and coffee, in White's Cafe, overlooking the beautiful garden landscape.

Price per person £32

Click here to book via Ticket Tailor

For more information contact Tsa Palmer (clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Our coach will depart Douai Park Recreation Ground at 9am for Neasden Temple, a traditional place of Hindu worship designed and constructed entirely according to ancient Vedic architectural texts – using no structural steel whatsoever. It is a masterpiece of Indian design and workmanship with intricate marble and wooden carvings. The Temple (Mandir), is a sacred house of God and a place of daily worship.

We will be welcomed with a short video presentation and a guided tour of the Mandir. Afterwards there will be time to visit the 'Understanding Hinduism’ exhibition before a buffet lunch in the Shayona Indian restaurant which will include a starter, curry, and a dessert.

Note that there is a strict dress code within the complex. Tops must cover the shoulders, chest, navel and upper arms. Leg wear must be at least below knee length. It is customary to remove footwear upon entering the building for which shoe racks are provided.

Videos and photos using a mobile phone (for personal use only) may be taken from ground level outside the building, but no photography or filming is allowed inside. Cameras are not allowed into the building.

You are requested to either switch off your mobile phone or place it in silent mode before entering the premises.

After lunch we will travel to the nearby Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery in Ealing. We will have a private guided tour of the Manor house and garden, which was designed by architect Sir John Soane and has recently been restored. Our ticket will cover the contemporary art gallery showing a sculptural exhibition of ceramics by Phoebe Collins-James.  

There is a cafe for tea and cake. 

Price per person, including lunch £60

Click here to book via Ticket Tailor

This trip is fully booked

For more information contact Anna Manners (clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Join us on this 5-day cultural tour of Northumbria, which includes:

• A visit to Nostell Priory in Yorkshire, home to England's best collection of Chippendale furniture
• A walking tour of Durham with a Blue Badge Guide
• A guided tour of the Bowes Museum, home to a large collection of fine and decorative paintings
• A tour of Alnwick Castle, the second largest inhabited castle in England, and Cragside House and Gardens, accompanied by our Blue Badge Guide
• A visit to the remains of Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island with our Blue Badge Guide

After checking out on day five, we shall visit the Spanish Gallery at Bishop Auckland and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park before heading home.

We shall be based at the 4 star Hilton Gateshead Hotel, which overlooks the Tyne Bridge and is less than a mile from central Gateshead.

Price £899 per person sharing a twin/double room

£149 single supplement

Click here for the brochure and booking form

This tour is fully booked

If you require any further information contact Kay Sutton or Rosie Braithwaite (clicking on either of their names will generate an email for you)

Join us on this trip by coach to see the colourful ballet Don Quixote at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton. The Arts Society Newbury has secured good stalls seats for a matinee performance on Thursday 16th April commencing at 2pm. Our coach will leave Douai Park Recreation Ground at 11am returning around 6.30pm.

Birmingham Royal Ballet performs the first revival of Director Carlos Acosta’s joyful production of Don Quixote inspired by Miguel de Cervantes classic novel.

The ballet features Don Quixote himself, the young lovers Kitri and Basilio, toreadors, gypsies, and a host of other characters. The ballet concentrates on the section of the novel featuring a lively story about Kitri and Basilio. It is a vibrant, Spanish-flavoured fiesta in three acts. Set to music by Ludwig Minkus, it contains spectacular dancing and sparkling comedy.

Lunch before the performance will be in Papillon restaurant, next to the theatre. You will be asked to pre-order from the menu nearer the time. Note that lunch is not included in the ticket price and will have to be paid for separately on the day.

Price per person, including coach travel and the theatre ticket £60

This event is sold out

If you wish to join the waiting list contact Tsa Palmer (clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Join us on this trip by coach to Bletchley Park Museum, home of the Codebreakers.

We will travel by coach leaving Douai Park Recreation Ground at 9am. We should arrive back in Newbury around 5.30pm.

We will arrive at 10.30 in time for refreshments in a reserved area of the Coffee Shop, followed by a tour at 12.30 from the Chauffeurs’ Hut.

The tour is a one hour long outdoor tour, and the rest of the time onsite will be for you to explore inside the famous codebreaking huts and museum.

The recommended visit time is 4-6 hours.  

Lunch can be purchased in HUT4 Cafe with hot meals, sandwiches, salads, cakes, and other baked treats or from Block C Coffee Shop.

Bletchley Park is an English country house and estate in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire which became the top-secret home of the World War II Codebreakers and is now a vibrant heritage attraction and museum. You will step back in time to experience the extraordinary achievements of the men and women who worked there. A place of exceptional historical importance, Bletchley Park is also the birthplace of modern computing and helped shape life as we know it today. We can explore the beautiful grounds and historic building with hands-on displays and interactives.  

Highlights include the restored codebreaking huts, with their WW2 ambience faithfully recreated and the atmospheric soundscapes, galleries, and exhibitions. We can find out more about the brilliant minds and complex machines that made the vital work possible and discover the global impact Bletchley Park had on the outcome of WW2.

Price per person, including refreshments on arrival £70

Click here to book via Ticket tailor

Last few tickets available

For more information contact Anna Manners (clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Dreweatts has the pleasure in welcoming TASN members to Donnington Priory in Newbury on Monday 9th March from 6-8pm for a private view of two auctions due to take place that week. The evening includes a talk entitled: Women in Art and the Legacy of Dame Stephanie "Steve" Shirley.

Dame Stephanie Shirley CH: A Legacy shaped by Technology, Philanthropy and Art on the 10th March

To read about Dame Stephanie Shirley's extraordinary life Click here

Modern & Contemporary Art on the 11th March

Timings for the evening are as follows:

6-6.30pm: Guests arrive for welcome drinks and are free to view the sales:

6.30pm-7.30pm: Talk, panel discussion and Q&A

7.30pm-8pm: Opportunity to browse the lots on offer in the two auctions.

The evening includes a glass of wine or a soft drink.

There is no charge for this event

To book via Ticket Tailor Click here 

If you require any further information contact Stephen Howis (clicking on his name will generate an email for you)

Join us for this self-drive visit on Tuesday the 9th December for an afternoon of festive readings and carols at St Mary's Church, Church Lane, Speen, Newbury RG14 1SA followed by wine or soft drinks and mince pies.

The afternoon will commence at 2pm with a short talk by Jackie Chamberlain on the important role of church recording. Jackie is currently leading The Arts Society Newbury's Church Recording Team who are working at St Mary's church.

Church Records are the most thorough representation of what is contained in our nation’s churches. The Records are used by historians, antiquarians, researchers and are invaluable in cases of loss by theft or damage.

When it is finished, the Record is printed and bound in A4 size. A copy is presented to the church in question where it will serve as a definitive reference for the contents. Further copies go to the Victoria & Albert Art Library, the Church Care Library, Historic England and the County Records Office.

The work of the church recording team at St Mary's has provided an ideal opportunity for our membership to visit this mediæval church built on Saxon Foundations. In 1086 it was recorded in the Domesday Book. In the Victorian era St Mary's was extended substantially by the Revd Henry Majendie.

There is no charge for this event. However, we will need to know numbers attending for catering purposes. There is plenty of parking at St Mary's.

Places may be booked via Ticket Tailor or at November's lecture

Click here to book via Ticket Tailor

If you require any further information contact Stephen Howis (clicking on his name will generate an email for you)

Join us, after the AGM and lecture, on this self-drive visit to Houghton Lodge and Gardens situated in the heart of the Test Valley and only five minutes from the local market town of Stockbridge. We are expected to arrive at the garden at 2.00pm. If using Sat Nav, the postcode is SO20 6LQ.

On arrival, half of the group will tour the house at 2.15 while the other half explore the garden. Then the groups will swap to allow everybody to see the house.

Houghton Lodge and it’s gardens have been described as, ‘the jewel of the Test Valley’. The formal and informal gardens surround England’s best surviving example of an eighteenth-century cottage orné, idyllically set above the tranquil waters of the River Test. A genre of ‘picturesque’ Gothic architecture that flourished for about 25 years from 1790. Houghton was thought to be designed in 1790 by John Plaw – one of the pioneers of the style. Today the house is Grade II* and has become one of the must see houses to visit Hampshire has to offer.

With extensive fine trees and lawns sweeping down to the banks of the River Test, it is arguably one of the most beautiful privately owned historic houses and gardens in Hampshire. You will learn about Cottage Orné, see the beauty of the exquisite rooms, and listen to the stories and history that have been part of this house since it was built in 1793.

The walled garden is home to a heritage orchard enclosed by an historical chalk cobb wall. It provides protection to 32 different varieties of apple tree and recently crowned champion pear for being the widest espaliered pear tree in the world. There is a herb garden with medicinal, natural dye, perfumery/pot pourri and herbal tea beds. You can see traditional vegetable, hosta and iris beds, an impressive collection of Kelways peonies, a bramley apple tunnel, cutting and scented beds, orchid house, sweet peas, and a stunning rose and clematis arbour.

Outside the walled garden is the magnificent long border. The new Oriental Garden was opened in 2023 to coincide with the 230th anniversary of Houghton Lodge. In the water meadows you can engage with friendly alpacas, meet the little flock of Hebridean sheep and you may meet the resident topiary dragon who enjoys puffing her welcome! There is a semi formal box parterre that makes up the peacock topiary garden. The serpentine walk offers an enchanting mix of the quiet and scents of ancient times.

A cream tea will be served at 4.15.

Price per person, including the house tour and a cream tea £36

This trip is fully booked

To join the waiting list contact Tsa Palmer (clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Join us on this trip to Thenford Gardens and Arboretum, created by Lord and Lady Heseltine over many years. We will travel by coach leaving Newbury Rugby Club at 9am and arrive at Thenford Gardens, Banbury, at approximately 10.15am.

On arrival we will be offered tea or coffee and cake before being given a short introduction to the arboretum by one of the Thenford Team. All visitors will be given a detailed map and are then free to wander at leisure as this is easier than trying to keep guided tours together.

Thenford is a must see for every gardener and is a garden of major importance. It is certainly one of the most impressive, varied and fascinating to have been made over the last forty years. There is a surprise at every corner and it needs a day to do a visit justice.

Michael and Anne Heseltine purchased the house and its surrounding garden in 1976 and added over 400 acres of agricultural land. Over the next 25 years priority was put into restoring the woodland. The arboretum now spreads over 70 acres featuring a collection of more than 3000 different trees and shrubs, together with extensive herbaceous borders, water gardens, an alpine trough garden, a sculpture garden, a rose garden and a rill. The medieval fishponds and the existing lake have been restored and two new ones added. An 18th century avenue of mature yews has been returned to its former grandeur.

The garden immediately around the house includes a two acre walled garden, where the formal setting features fruit cages, a herb garden, aviary, mirror pools, domes and a spectacular fountain.

Lunch is included and is a buffet style with two courses. They usually serve a ploughman's, including ham, smoked salmon, a selection of cheeses, salads, breads and chutneys. Gluten free is catered for. Dessert is fresh berries with a chocolate sponge and cream.  

Please wear walking shoes or bring your wellies. Hopefully we won't need umbrellas!

Price per person £75, including lunch

This trip is fully booked

To join the waiting list contact Anna Manners (clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Dreweatts has the pleasure in welcoming TASN members to Donnington Priory in Newbury on Friday 6th June from 6-8pm for a private view and talk prior to the public view of the following auctions:

Old Master, British and European Art on the 11th June

Fine Jewellery on the 12th June

Brandon Lindberg, Head of Old Master, British and European Art, will be showcasing three Anglo-Indian paintings in the sale and giving an insight into artists painting in India in 18th Century. With the rise of the East India Company many aspiring British artists travelled to India to seek their fortune. The work they produced has always been highly prized, but in recent years prices have risen dramatically as a new generation of collectors has entered the market.

Charlotte Peel, Head of Jewellery, will be presenting a private collection of Cartier jewellery and talk about the history of the firm and its enduring appeal. Coinciding with the Cartier exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum, this collection showcases the distinctive style of the maison through the decades.

After the talks there will be an opportunity to browse the lots on offer in the two auctions.

The evening includes a glass of wine or a soft drink.

There is no charge for this event.

To book via Ticket Tailor Click here 

This event is fully booked

If you'd like to join the waiting list contact Stephen Howis (clicking on his name will generate an email for you)

The Arts Society Goring has a few places available on its trip by coach to Petworth House and Park in May, which includes a 45 minute to one hour guided tour.

Inspired by the Baroque palaces of Europe, and owned by one family for over 900 years, Petworth house displays one of the finest art collections in the care of the National Trust. The state rooms feature a vast collection of paintings and sculpture, including artwork by Turner, Reynolds, Gainsborough, and Van Dyck. The visit also takes in the servants’ quarters including the historic kitchens. 

Outside, the Pleasure Gardens feature formal borders, woodland walks, and architectural features. The 700 acre Deer Park was transformed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and is home to ancient trees and fallow deer.

Timings:

Depart by coach at 8.30am Goring (railway station), or 8.45am Pangbourne (opposite village hall). Arrive Petworth House: 10.30am. Depart Petworth House: 3.30pm, arrive Goring (via Pangbourne) 5.30pm (all timings approximate).

Cost per person: £44 (non National Trust Members) and £25 (National Trust Members). Full payment in advance required.       

Refreshments: Lunch/refreshments not included.

For the booking form Click here

For more information please contact Goring's Visits Secretary, John Raisin (clicking on his name will generate an email for you). Alternatively, you can call John on 07873-393573

Join us on this trip to Garsington Studios and the Getty Library on the Wormsley Estate after which we will visit Hughenden Manor in Buckinghamshire.

We will travel by coach, leaving Newbury Rugby Club at 9.45, arriving at the Wormsley Estate around 11.15. Note there is a £4 charge to park at the Rugby Club.

Our first visit will be to Garsington Studios, a multi-purpose facility nestled in the beauty and solitude of the Wormsley Estate. Purpose built by Garsington Opera to house their opera rehearsals in the summer, the studio spaces have been created with acoustics, space, and light at the heart of their design making them perfect for anything from rehearsals through recordings and filming to conferences.

Please bring a sandwich/picnic lunch to eat in the cafe after our tour of the studios.

After visiting the studios the Getty Library will open for our private view. Sir Paul Getty spent 25 years assembling one of the finest private collections of books and manuscripts in the world. When he moved to Wormsley in 1985 he commissioned the building of the castellated Library as an extension of the main house.

The librarians will put out a display of the very special books and after a short introduction to the history of the Library and its amazing contents the librarians will circulate around the room talking to small groups about the various books and manuscripts. They are also very happy to receive requests for a particular book or genre/subject to bring out for our visit.  

The Estate continues to invest in this outstanding collection, which features the first edition of Caxton’s printing of The Canterbury Tales, Anne Boleyn’s Psalter and the first folio of Shakespeare’s “Comedies, Histories and Tragedies”. Other highlights include manuscripts dating from the 12th to the 15th Century, important Bibles and extraordinary modern bindings.

In the afternoon we shall continue on to Hughenden Manor, best known as the country home of the Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, and as a top-secret map-making facility during the Second World War. 

After an introductory talk, members will see the recreated rooms as Disraeli would have known them, his furniture, pictures, the library full of his beloved books and the dining room set for Queen Victoria's visit in 1877. The rooms in the West Wing tell the story of Hughenden’s requisition by the Air Ministry in 1941 when over 100 men and women produced target maps for the RAF.

The gardens surrounding the house are most attractive, with an ultra-formal Italian influenced geometric garden, to a productive traditional walled garden. In Spring the grounds are full of daffodils. There is also a Cafe available for refreshments.

We expect to be back in Newbury at around 6pm.

If you're a member of the National Trust please remember to bring your membership card

Note there are two different ticket prices, depending on whether you are a National Trust member.

Please make sure you book the correct ticket

Price per person: 

£60 for National Trust Members
        or £75 for non members

Tickets can be booked via Ticket Tailor or at the monthly lectures

This trip is fully booked

If you'd like to join the waiting list contact Anna Manners (clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Join us on this Christmas outing to Waddesdon Manor. Inspired by the tale of Sleeping Beauty, from mid-November up until Christmas the house is transformed for a magical experience. Enjoy a new light projection on the Manor façade, as well as a glittering light trail and popular Christmas market.

Waddesdon Manor was built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild between 1874 and 1885 to display his collection of arts and to entertain his friends. It is now open to the public and welcomes thousands of visitors each year who come to appreciate the exceptional architecture, art collections and gardens.

We will travel by coach, leaving Newbury Rugby Club at 10.30, arriving at Waddesdon Manor around 12 noon. Note there is a £4 charge to park at the Rugby Club. Lunch will be taken either in the cafes on site or from the festive food stalls at the Christmas market, which numbers over 70 wooden huts selling unique and artisan hand made gifts. An opportunity for some Christmas shopping!

We have a timed group visit to tour the house. The rooms are full of sparkling Christmas trees and sumptuous decorations inspired by the Sleeping Beauty theme.

Finally at dusk we follow the spectacular light displays and trail in the grounds, before heading home. We should arrive back in Newbury at around 17.30.

This is an event with outdoor elements so do wear appropriate warm/waterproof clothing and footwear.

If you're a member of the National Trust please remember to bring your membership card

Note there are two different ticket prices, depending on whether you are a National Trust member.

Please make sure you book the correct ticket.

Price per person: 

£40 for National Trust Members
        or £55 for non members

Waiting list only

To join the waiting list contact Anna Manners (clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Image: Waddesdon, A Rothschild House & Gardens. Peter Greenaway

Join artist Jackie Hunt on this independent icon painting course in the historic Manor House of Valeni, Romania, and visit the painted monasteries of Bukovina, a World Heritage site. You’ll also learn the intricacies of Ukrainian egg painting.

Valeni is situated in the rolling countryside of Moldavia, Romania, from where you can see the Carpathian Mountains. Strip farming still exists as does some ploughing with horses. The Manor House is a traditional Moldavian style building dating back to the late 1700s. The house has been completely restored and renovated using traditional materials and incorporating modern facilities. Full details can be found at www.valenimanor.com.

The accommodation at Valeni Manor House is of an extremely high standard. The luxury bedrooms are spacious and all have ensuite facilities. They have wifi but no televisions. The house has a large drawing room with views on to the park. The studio space you will use for icon and egg painting is a restored hot house, well lit, warm and comfortable.

Jackie Hunt BA, who will be teaching the icon workshop, is a trained artist and iconographer, and has run icon painting workshops in the UK for many years. Jackie teaches in a Byzantine style and you will be taught how to gild using 23-carat gold leaf and how to paint using egg tempera.

Cost per person £1550 plus flights

For full details of the itinerary Click here

For further information contact Jackie Hunt or call 07940 649691 (clicking on Jackie's name will generate an email for you)

Join us on this exclusive trip to Crosby Moran Hall, Cheyne Walk, London SW3 5AZ.

This visit is self-drive or via public transport. The nearest tubes are Sloane Square and South Kensington a 20-minute walk or bus ride away. The tour commences at 2.30pm.

This is a rare opportunity to visit a spectacular and unique historic riverfront house, which is also the private home of Dr Christopher Moran. Crosby Moran Hall is the most important surviving domestic medieval building in London.

Our private 3 hour tour will be led by Dr Moran himself and will include a guided history of the garden, great hall, minstrel’s gallery, east library, state bedrooms, chapel, and council chamber. This tour will include Dr Moran’s comments on his collections of paintings, high-status furniture, metals, arms and armour of the Tudor, Elizabethan and Early Stuart periods.

Crosby Hall originally stood in Bishopsgate in the City Of London and was transferred to this site under threat of demolition in 1910 which was a huge undertaking. It formed part of Crosby Place built in the 15th Century for Sir John Crosby, a wealthy wool merchant, and after him was occupied by King Richard III. 

Crosby Hall was bought in 1988 by Christopher Moran, a businessman and philanthropist and he paid for a complete restoration returning to its former glory. He renamed it Crosby Moran Hall placing stone carving of heraldic beasts on the front to display the heraldry of Moran.  The great hall is considered to be the most important surviving secular domestic medieval building in London. Crosby Hall survived the 1666 Great Fire of London and has been owned and resided in by many notable people including Catherine of Aragon, Thomas More, and Sir Walter Raleigh and it was used as a setting for William Shakespeare’s Richard III.

There is a remarkable Tudor garden in the inner courtyard designed by the Marchioness of Salisbury with planting using only varieties common in Tudor England. This newly created courtyard and hall tells us the story of architecture in England from the 1560s to 1600 and allows us to take in the best that Tudor architecture, design and craftsmanship can inspire.

Our tour will be followed by a delicious tea in the dining room.

Price per person £87

This trip is now full

If you require any further information contact Anna Manners (clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Please come and join us to celebrate our 50th Anniversary

We are delighted to announce that 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of The Arts Society Newbury in 1974. To mark this important occasion we are organising a drinks reception to be held at Shaw House, Newbury on Thursday 18 July from 6-8pm.  

Liz Woods, Chair of The Arts Society Head Office is attending along with past Chairs of The Arts Society Newbury.

We will be offering drinks and canapés and there will be a short talk about the history of this fascinating Grade I listed Elizabethan building. 

Tickets are limited to 100 

PRICE PER PERSON, including drinks and canapés £25

This event is sold out

If you have any questions please email info@theartssocietynewbury.org.uk

This will be one of several events that we are planning to celebrate this important anniversary over the course of the next year. 

Photo by Engin Akyurkt on Unsplash

Rooksnest Garden, Ermin Street, Lambourn Woodlands, Hungerford RG17 7SB

Join us, after the AGM and lecture, on this 20 minute self-drive visit to Rooksnest Garden, home to the Sackler family. We are expected to arrive at the garden at 2.00pm.

This is a 10 acre exceptionally fine traditional English garden just north of Lambourn Woodlands. The gardens, mostly designed by Arabella Lennox-Boyd, surround the Grade II listed 16th century house. 

It comprises a rose garden (redesigned in 2017), herbaceous gardens, a pond garden, a fruit, vegetable and cutting garden, and glasshouses. There are also many specimen trees, fine shrubs, and an orchard. 

PRICE PER PERSON including tea and refreshments £18

This visit is sold out

To join the waiting list contact Anna Manners (Clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Join us on this coach trip to Kelmscott Manor and Buscot Park.

Following our wonderful January lecture on 'The Many Faces of William Morris' given by Jo Banham, we are very much looking forward to visiting his beautiful summer manor house by the River Thames. The limestone manor loved by Morris dates from around 1570, is Grade 1 listed and totally unspoilt and unaltered. 

We will be able to view the iconic collection of artwork and objects owned and designed by the Father of the Arts & Crafts Movement and discover why the Cotswold home became an inspiration for him and his family.   

There will be time to look at the beautiful gardens, with barns, dovecote, a meadow and stream.

Groups will be taken around the Manor room by room in groups of no more than 12 and the tour will take approximately one and a half hours.

Itinerary

9am  We will leave Arlington car park for Kelmscott Manor in West Oxfordshire near Lechlade.

10.30am  On arrival we will be greeted with tea/coffee and biscuits followed by a private guided tour, which offers us an in-depth experience, with an expert guide throughout.

13.30am  Buffet lunch after the tour.

2.30p  We rejoin our coach to travel to Buscot Park House and Gardens near Faringdon. This Grade ll listed building was built between 1780 and 1783 in the neoclassical style and is presently occupied by Lord and Lady Faringdon. There is a chance to visit the house and to wander through the beautifully laid out gardens, including the Italianate water garden.

There is a tea room which serves a selection of homemade cakes, including cream teas.

PRICE PER PERSON including lunch £67

This trip is now fully booked

If you would like to join the waiting list contact Anna Manners (Clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Image: © Society of Antiquaries of London (Kelmscott Manor) 

West Oxfordshire and Cotswolds have a joint tour to Dublin and the Wicklow Mountains in 2024. While they have enough bookings to ensure that this takes place, they could happily accommodate a few more, and wonder if it would be of interest to any members of The Arts Society Newbury.

It is possible for travellers from the Newbury area to join the group at Heathrow rather than go to the Burford/Witney area. Unusually, at present, twin, double and single rooms are available.

The closing date shown on the booking form is 15 December; it may be possible to accommodate travellers after that date, but to be sure of flights, bookings by that date are preferred.

Price: £1,399 per person sharing a twin/double room

£200 single supplement

This trip is now fully booked

Click here for the flyer

Click here for the booking form

For more information contact Georgie Fox, Wyvern Area Tours Organiser for West Oxfordshire (clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Provence takes its name from the Roman province of Provincia Gallia Transalpina, founded in 121 BC. The legacy of this Roman province can be seen in the abundance of monuments, structures and buildings. Provence is littered with Roman remains. Its diverse landscape and unique light source drew artists such as Renoir, Chagall, Cezanne, Picasso and Matisse who created Impressionist works of outstanding beauty. Its exceptional Roman remains and museums, in addition to its stunning landscape, render this region of France an excellent destination for our tour. 

We shall be based at the 4 star Hotel Arles Plaza for 4 nights bed and breakfast accommodation. Arles is a charming town boasting many important Roman remains.

Price: £1,290 per person sharing a twin/double room
£160 single supplement.

Click here for the brochure

This trip is now fully booked

This visit starts at Leighton House, 12 Holland Park Road, London W14 8LZ. The nearest tube station is High Street Kensington on the Circle and District Lines. From there it's about a 15 minute walk to Leighton House.

Following our February lecture on the eminent Victorian Artist Frederic Lord Leighton, we will meet at Leighton House at 11am for a private tour of this remarkable studio house in Kensington, which is full of idiosyncrasies.   

Frederic Lord Leighton was one of the most famous British artists of the nineteenth century. He was well acquainted with members of the royal family and with most of the great artists, writers and politicians of the late Victorian era. Leighton House is now a stunning museum and the highly knowledgeable guides will entertain us with tales of Leighton et al, and enlighten us on the wonderful restored interiors.

The tour includes a light lunch of coffee/tea and baguette sandwiches in the Learning Centre rooms before walking 10 mins to Sambourne House, 18 Stafford Terrace, London W8 7BH

Sambourne House was the glamorous family home of the legendary illustrator Edward Linley Sambourne who was well known for his cartoons in Punch magazine. This charming Victorian time capsule is among the finest examples of Victorian interiors still surviving in London. Our private tour will commence at 2.30pm.

Price £53 per person including lunch

To book Click here

Bookings can also be made in person at the lectures

If you require any further information contact Anna Manners (Clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Image: Arab Hall, Leighton House, Kensington and Chelsea. Courtesy Derek Linder

Please come and join us for our Christmas Lunch Party

Below is the proposed menu, which may be subject to change

STARTERS

Carrot, Ginger & Squash Soup, toasted pine nuts & crispy sage

Ham Hock Christmas Terrine, piccalilli & croutes

Smoked Salmon & King Prawns, horseradish cream, dill & lime vinaigrette

Spiced Burrata & honey glazed fig salad, rocket & almonds

MAINS

Roasted Free Range Turkey Breast with classic sausage stuffing, pigs in blankets, homemade gravy, cranberry sauce & traditional trimmings

Roasted Cod Supreme, butternut squash fondants, artichoke puree & spinach

Venison Pave, artichoke puree, blackberry sauce, potato terrine

Roasted Cauliflower Steak, cauliflower puree, baby heritage carrots, tenderstem, toasted almonds

Tea & Coffee

Mince Pies

Cost: £40 per person 

To book a place please email your name and menu choices to Helena Jordan (clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Please pay £40 per person to our online bank account: The Arts Society Newbury

Sort code: 60-15-07

Account number: 62422030

In the reference box please put your surname plus your initial

Bookings can also be made in person at the October and November lectures

Join us for this tour of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

On this tour we will experience over 200 years of history and culture and immerse ourselves in the history of this unique establishment. Sandhurst, where officer training has continued unbroken since 1812, is recognised around the world. We will stand in rooms where many statesmen and rulers have trained including HRH William, Prince of Wales, Sir Winston Churchill and King Abdullah II of Jordan. 

The tour is led by experienced tour guides, all ex-Military who share their extensive knowledge on the history of the Academy and its buildings. 

The tour covers all the prestige rooms in Old College, a grade 2 listed building, as well as a tour of the Royal Memorial Chapel. Sandhurst is a working military Academy and a fair amount of walking will be involved during the day. The tour will also include a visit to the new Queen Elizabeth II statue that was installed in 2022 to commemorate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 

Please time your drive to arrive by 10.45am. Coffee/tea and biscuits will be served on arrival. The historical tour commences at 11am and lasts approximately 2.5 hours. 

Visitors must bring photo ID (passport, driving licence, etc) when visiting the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. You will also be required to provide your car's registration number.

The tour will finish about 1.30pm and therefore we recommend that you bring some sandwiches for the car journey home. Alternatively, there are two excellent pubs about 10 minutes away from Sandhurst.

The Windmill at Windlesham: 01276 451330

The Crown & Cushion in Minley: 01252 545253

Price £37 per person

Click here to book

If you require any further information contact Anna Manners (Clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Manchester ranks as one of the UK’s most vibrant cities, justifying its status as Capital of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’. The city has a rich historical and cultural Heritage, with splendid public institutions often founded by generous local benefactors who amassed great fortunes and wished to leave a legacy in the city.

On this trip we will explore museums, art galleries and libraries that owe their existence to the munificence of individual philanthropists. We will discover magnificent municipal buildings erected to express pride in local achievements and optimism about the future. We will view some of the masterpieces of Pre-Raphaelite Art. And we will visit two spectacular stately homes Tatton Park and Haddon Hall.

Price: £875 per person sharing a twin/double room

£180 single room supplement

Click here for the full brochure

THIS TRIP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED.

Please click here if you wish to join the waiting list. An email to Tsa Palmer, Away Trips Organiser, will be generated for you.

Join us on this special Self Drive visit to Stratfield Saye House, Nr Reading RG7 2BZ.

The Duke of Wellington has kindly invited us to visit Stratfield Saye House, which has been home to the Dukes of Wellington since 1818.

10.15  On arrival we will have coffee/biscuits

10.45  First private tour of the house starts

12.30  Lunch in the Gift Shop and tea room.

After lunch we will have a guided talk on the Great Duke’s funeral and his magnificent Funeral Car, housed in the Wellington Exhibition, which also charts his military and political life.

Afterwards we will visit the gardens and extensive grounds.

3.30  Return to our cars.

After the Battle of Waterloo the First Duke of Wellington was regarded as the saviour of his country and of Europe.  A grateful nation voted a substantial sum of money to enable him to buy a house and an estate worthy of a great national hero. 

Today the House is lived in by the 9th Duke and his family and there is a fascinating collection of paintings and furniture purchased by the Great Duke.

Price £42 per person including lunch

This trip is now fully booked.

To join the waiting list contact Anna Manners (Clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Join us for our long awaited visit to Oxford's beautiful Union Library and the wonderful Pre-Raphaelite murals.

Proposed timings for this visit are:

12pm:  Drive to the Oxford Redbridge Park and Ride car park, which is signposted on the A34 to the west of Oxford City centre. The P&R bus will drop you off at the Westgate Centre, from where it is a short walk to the Oxford Union in St Michael's Street.

2pm:  We join Oxford walking guide Alastair Lack at the Oxford Union Gate for a tour of The Oxford Union Library and Debating Hall, followed by a one hour walking tour of Oxford University.

The Union Library is a fine example of Victorian architecture and the murals adorning the walls were painted by William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and other Pre-Raphaelite artists in the 1850s.  The murals depict the Arthurian legend as told by the then recently published 'Morte d'Arthur' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Following a short talk, the group will then visit the Debating Chamber, where many prominent politicians, including Boris Johnson, first cut their teeth in debate.

The group will then have a 60 minute walking tour of the University, taking in Radcliffe Square and the Radcliffe Camera, The Bodleian Library, the university church of St Mary the Virgin and The Sheldonian.

The afternoon will end with tea, scones and cakes.

Note that lunch is not included but refreshments can be purchased in the Westgate Centre.

This trip is now fully booked. To join the waiting list contact Anna Manners (clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Image: Oxford Union Library

Price £32 per person.

The breadth of art, architecture and cultural heritage in Italy is quite extraordinary. Although Rome and Venice are probably the most visited cities, each region boasts its own impressive collections, important churches and distinctive history. Our tour aims to bring to life the treasures that are to be found in the north of a country that has played such a central role in the development of Europe and beyond throughout history.

We shall be based in a hotel on the outskirts of Mira for an overnight stay, and a further 4 nights in Ferrara, the former capital of the Este dynasty and now a World Heritage City.

Price:  £1,990 per person sharing a twin/double room

£ 200 single supplement

click here for the brochure

To request a Booking Form click here

This trip is now fully booked. If you'd like to join the waiting list contact Tsa Palmer (clicking her name will generate an email for you).

Join us on this coach trip to Holloway College.  The pick up will be from the Lower Car Park at Arlington.  Please note that the day's parking charge is £2 per car.  Lunch is included in this trip.

On arrival at Holloway College, we shall be joined by one of the tour guides who will give us an historical tour of the Founder's Building, delving into the story of Thomas Holloway, Royal Holloway College and the architect, William Henry Crossland.

Highlights of the tour include the spectacular Chapel, Victorian corridor, quadrangles, Founder's Reading Room and Picture Gallery.

The Thomas Holloway collection is one of the finest collections of Victorian art in the world, illustrating the tastes of the era, from the romantic to the gothic. Royal Holloway's Art Collection Officer will tell the story of how the collection came to be and will give a talk on some of the most famous paintings.

This coach trip is now fully booked. To join the waiting list contact Anna Manners (clicking on her name will generate an email for you)

Price £45/per person - includes lunch

Join us on this coach trip to London to visit the 'Cezanne Exhibition' and 'A Year in Art:  Australia 1992' both at the Tate Modern. We will meet in the Lower Car Park at Arlington by 9am. The coach will pick us up from there. Parking at Arlington continues to be a problem, so if you are able to car share it would be much appreciated.  Please remember to bring £2 for the day's parking charge. We will need to be at the coach for the return journey no later than 3.30pm.

The two exhibitions will blend in well with our forthcoming lectures about Cezanne (24th January) and Australian Indigenous Art (23rd May).  Allowing a complete day at the Tate will give everyone plenty of time to explore the exhibitions and enjoy lunch either at the on-site restaurant (booking strongly recommended) or one of the local bistros.  There is also an exhibition by The Society of Wood Engravers at the nearby Bankside Gallery.

Below are a couple of lines from the introductions to each exhibition:

‘With an apple, I will astonish Paris’, Cezanne once claimed. Leaving his native Aix-en-Provence for the French capital in his 20s, this is precisely what he did. Cezanne’s still lifes, landscapes and paintings of bathers were to give licence to generations of artists to break the rule book. The history of painting was never to be the same again.

The Australian Art exhibition explores how artists have acknowledged the continuing relationship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with their lands, as well as the ongoing impact of colonisation and the complexities of representation in Australian society today.

Price £42/per person

 If you are interested contact Anna Manners (clicking her name will generate an email for you)

Image:  Pot of Primroses & Fruit. by Paul Cezanne Courtauld Institute London

Please come and join us for our Christmas Lunch party.

Below is the proposed menu (please note this is subject to change and will be confirmed nearer the time.

STARTERS

Butternut Squash soup
toasted pine nuts, crispy sage

Chicken Terrine
piccalilli, pistachio, black pudding

Gin Cured Salmon
cucumber, horseradish cream, croutes, radish

Goats Cheese Parfait
baby beetroot, ginger puree, croutes

MAINS

Roast Turkey
all the trimmings

Braised Beef Cheek
braised carrot, Roscoff onion, mash, Tenderstem

Cod Supreme
crushed new potatoes, samphire, dill sauce

Beetroot Biryani
onion bhaji, coconut yoghurt

Tea & Coffee

Mince Pies

Cost: £35 per person

11am:  We shall meet at The Fan Museum, 12 Crooms Hill Greenwich SE10 8ER for tea, coffee and biscuits.  We shall enjoy a 45 minute guided tour of the wonderful fans.

Afterwards, it's a short walk to St Alfege Church designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor.  The church was used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War and was severly damaged in the Blitz.  It has now been restored thanks to the Commissions for Building Fifty New Churches driven by Lord Lloyd Webber.

From here we enter Greenwich Park where there are a number of eateries including cafés in the Museum and the Queen's House Gallery.

After time for lunch, we shall visit the National Maritime Museum which holds the most important artefacts on the history of Britain at sea.  

Image:  Greenwich Hospital by Canaletto courtesy of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

Join us on this exclusive tour of Historic Houses in the Lothians and Borders.

Please note that guests will need to make their own arrangements to get to Edinburgh and for an overnight stay on Sunday 18th September. 

Guests may also wish to book an overnight stay on the return to Edinburgh on Friday 23rd September. 

The tour will start in Central Edinburgh on the Morning of Monday 19th September at 9.15am.  The coach will pick up in Grassmarket.  Therefore, we recommend that participants book at The Apex Grassmarket.  If you wish to see other hotels in Edinburgh, please click on this link.

The complete brochure, Booking Forms and Price list are available here on the website.  You can also use the following link to email Tsa Palmer.  Clicking on her name will generate an email for you.

Below are links to our hotel and the Historic Houses we shall be visiting:

We shall be staying at Burts for 4 nights.

Our visits include:

Monday 19th September

Hopetoun House

Preston Hall

Tuesday 20th September

Mellerstain House

Abbotsford

Thirlestane Castle

Wednesday 21st Sepember

Manderston

Floors Castle

Thursday 22nd September

Bowhill House

Traquair House

Friday 23rd September

Departure from the hotel at 10 am and proceed to Edinburgh to arrive by about 11am.

Weirs Barn, Hartley Wintney, Hook, Hampshire RG27 8HS

We will enjoy a private visit to this fascinating garden which pays homage to the Arts-and-Crafts era.  The landscape design has been brilliantly brought back to life as a family garden by Terence Lyons and the delightful 120-year topiary has been lovingly coaxed back into shape from neglect.

There will be tea and coffee afterwards served with delicious cakes and biscuits.

PRICE:  £10 per person

Join us on our first trip abroad, for over two years, to the captivating Baltic States:

Riga and Tallinn

Nestled around the Baltic Sea in the North of Europe, the Baltic States are a great destination for an escorted tour holiday rich in culture, history and stunning scenery.  We hope you will be tempted to come on the trip that we have arranged through Heritage Travel next Spring.

Since emerging from under the thumb of Soviet rule, the area has regained the prosperity of its past.  We will discover the history of the region through the beautiful architecture. The historical centre of Riga has arguably the finest collection of Art Nouveau architecture in the world, while Tallinn boasts an abundance of opulent public buildings.  Both cities have well preserved medieval cores, recognised by UNESCO and included on the World Heritage List.

The Baltic States are well developed, with advanced economies. The amenities have been carefully selected to include an outstanding choice of galleries, museums, cafés, restaurants and hotels.

If you would like a brochure, please ring Penny Withers at Heritage Group Travel in Bath on 01225 466620 or email heritage@grouptravel.co.uk. (Clicking on the email address will create an email for you).  A downloadable version of the brochure and booking form are available on the website.  Click here.

We will meet at the Radnor Arms at 9.30am for coffee and biscuits before going on to the Castle at 10.15 for our two hour tour of this magnificent 16th century country home with the opportunity to see the gardens at the end of our visit.

Longford Castle stands splendidly on the banks of the River Avon south of Salisbury in Wiltshire and has been the home of the Earls of Radnor for over 300 years.

The Longford Castle collection, formed by successive generations of the family, is one of the finest in the United Kingdom. It includes paintings by van Dyck, Claude, Teniers and Hals, together with British pictures by Reynolds and Gainsborough, as well as oriental porcelain, Brussels tapestries, and exceptional 18th century English and continental furniture.

At the end of the morning’s visit there is the chance for you to book lunch in the Radnor arms or to visit Salisbury before returning home.

PRICE PER HEAD £22

This will be a private visit.  Welford is closed to the public on Tuesdays and is being opened especially for The Arts Society Newbury.

The Queen Anne House and land has been in the same family for over 400 years, despite several name changes. The line of inheritance has been almost continuous, through the direct line, often going through daughters. It is very much a family home and it is not unusual to open a drawer and find clothes of at least 100 years old, still folded, waiting for use.

Originally, the site of a Norman monastery which explains why the parish church, St Gregory’s, is so close to the house. After the dissolution, King Henry Vlll created a hunting lodge and it is believed he had the oak trees in the park planted, as was his custom. The only time the property changed hands for money was in 1618. Unsurprisingly, the house has changed much since then and the Estate has shrunk to 2,500 acres.

Welford is probably best known for its snowdrops. During early Spring visitors are welcomed from all over the country. The beech woods are tended, but the snowdrops are left to multiply naturally. The collection of Galanthus Cultivars around the formal gardens have all been collected in the last 20 years. Continuous planting and cultivation create a garden full of exciting bark, foliage and winter scents.

45 Visitors We have allowed for 3 groups of 15 visitors.

9.45    Gates open, Park on gravel in front of the house

10.00  Gather at front door for welcome from James and Deborah Puxley

10.15  Group A.  Enter house for tour

           Group B.  Visit St Gregorys Church

           Group C.  Walk around gardens with gardener

11.00  Group A.  Visit St Gregorys Church

           Group B.   Walk around gardens with gardener.

           Group C.   Enter house for tour

11.45  Group A.  Walk around gardens with gardener.

           Group B.   Enter house for tour

           Group C.  Visit St Gregorys Church

12.30   Deborah Puxley will talk on winter gardens, snowdrops and take any further questions .

13.30   Sausage rolls and soup

There will be coffee/tea available, and restrooms, from 10.30 am, for those on Church and garden visits. There will be time after lunch to tour the rest of the grounds to see the snowdrop woods. Also there will be an opportunity to visit the recently extended Gift Shop.

Price: £30.00 per head. 

click here to book your tickets 

From the earliest times, ships coming up the Thames needed somewhere to land but by the late 17th Century, the facilities at the Pool of London were proving inadequate to the burgeoning trade. An era of dock building began, accelerating through Georgian and Victoria times, including the attendant homes and facilities for the army of dock workers. For over a century London had the largest docks in the world.  The 1960s and 1970s saw the swift demise of all of London’s docks since they could not accommodate the much larger ships needed with the introduction of the system of containers. By the 1970s The London Docklands were a desolate, decrepit and disused part of London.  

the Docklands were to rise again, however, with a massive programme of re-development that saw the area re-invent itself, Phoenix-like, as the major financial centre we see today.

Join London Blue Badge tourist guide Pepe Martinez, who will tell the story of that incredible transformation.  Using dynamic photography, video and old films, this 75 minute virtual tour will bring to life one of the most incredible regeneration projects ever attempted in Europe.  

Price: £6.00 per person

Booking now open via Ticket Source

Join City of Westminster Guide Joanna Moncrieff on a virtual tour of the best Christmas lights and shop decorations of 2021 and the last few years, whilst finding out about the UK's Christmas food and traditions along the way. We will follow a mapped route so you can visit yourself when you're able to do so.

 The tour starts in Marylebone and will virtually meander along the back streets of the West End, through Mayfair, St James's and into Soho. The tour includes hidden passages, superbly decorated posh shops and lots of historical snippets along the way. 

 Draw up a chair, pour yourself something warming, with a mince pie on the side, and join Joanna for a Christmas tour with a difference.

Joanna Moncrieff is a qualified City of Westminster and Clerkenwell & Islington Tour Guide. She has been leading guided walks and more recently virtual tours in the West End, Clerkenwell & Islington, Walthamstow and Chingford since 2009.

The Virtual Tour is an extra item added to the calendar.  There is no charge.

Our self-drive visit to Englefield house will be on the afternoon of Friday 15th October.

At the heart of the Estate is Englefield House, an imposing mansion, with a range of richly furnished staterooms. Sitting in 12 acres of formal gardens with woodlands and a walled kitchen garden, it is enclosed by a deer park, offering far-reaching views down to the lake and across the Berkshire countryside.

The present house was erected in 1558. There were substantial alterations by Thomas Hopper in the 1820s. Since 2015 Englefield has been used as the location Sandringham in the TV series ‘The Crown’.

The House is currently lived in by Richard and Zoe Benyon and their family. Our afternoon visit will comprise of a guided tour round the house by Zoé Benyon and a visit to the church, which was restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1857.

Tea will then be served in the Long Gallery. After tea, members will be free to explore the gardens in their own time.

The origins of the gardens as they appear today were created in the 1860s. Much of the original planting is still in place and this includes varieties of rhododendron, azalea, camellia, magnolia and hamamelis.  The autumn is the best time to see the stunning display of acers.
 

The lower terrace was redesigned in 1974 by the redoubtable 
Landscape architect Lanning Roper. A walled garden has recently been restored to produce many varieties of fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers.

Price:  £33/person

Click here to book via Ticket Source

Rather than giving the full itinerary here, I have just written a short resumé which includes links (in italics) to the places we shall be visiting and the hotel where we shall be staying.

For the full details and the Booking Form, please go to Documents.

This trip is now full.  Please email Tsa Palmer, should you wish to join the waiting list.

Price:  £775/person:  Single Room Supplement £90.00.

Monday 13th September

Our first visit is Knebworth House, owned by the Lytton family since the fifteenth Century.  Tea and coffee will be served before our guided tour.  And a light lunch afterwards.

After lunch we shall continue our journey to Bury St Edmunds, where we shall be staying at The Angel Hotel for 3 nights.  Dinner will be taken in the hotel this evening.

Tuesday 14th September

Our day begins with a guided, walking tour of Cambridge, which will include Queens’ College, Trinity College and King’s College.  Lunch will be taken together in a local restaurant.  We are hoping to visit the Wren Library, subject to availability.

There will be some free time in the afternoon and a chance to attend Evensong at King’s College.  We shall then return to Bury.  The rest of the evening will be at leisure.

Wednesday 15th September

We start our day with a guided visit to Ely Cathedral and the Stained Glass Museum. We shall allow free time for lunch.

 In the afternoon, we shall return to Cambridge to visit the Fitzwilliam Museum.  Dinner will be taken together in a local restaurant in Bury.

Thursday 16th September

We shall enjoy a guided visit of The Henry Moore Studios and Gardens, followed by a light lunch before we continue our return journey to Newbury.

Please join us for a fascinating visit and guided tour of The Hospital of St Cross in Winchester on Tuesday 7th September.

The Hospital was founded by Henri de Blois, Bishop of Winchester, grandson of William the Conqueror and to this day, remains a Christian Alms House for elderly men.  Peacefully situated beside the River Itchen, our visit to the magnificent private chapel and ancient medieval hall will be a rare treat.  We shall also visit the old kitchen and gardens before having tea and cakes in The Hundred Men's Hall Tea Room. 

The tour will take approximately one hour and we shall be divided into two groups, touring simultaneously, with one group doing the reverse of the other, so that each group is in a separate area at all times.

Price £20.00/person

Please book your ticket here

Please contact Anna Manners to be placed on the Waiting List.

Bramdean House:

10.30am:   Arrival at Bramdean House Garden, Alresford where we will be welcomed with an introductory talk including coffee and biscuits prior to a self-guided tour. 

The eighteenth century house is surrounded by a delightful five acre garden with wonderful hedges, axial walks and mirror image borders. Our tour will include the famous herbaceous borders and working kitchen garden. 

After our tour we shall move to the dedicated area for our picnic lunches.  Please bring your own picnic lunch.

It is a short drive of about 20 minutes to Colemore House Gardens.

Colemore House Gardens:

2pm    Arrival at Colemore House Gardens near Alton.  

This eighteenth century former rectory has a four acre garden set in lovely unspoilt countryside. 

Over the last forty years Simon de Zoete and his family have created these picturesque gardens containing many unusual plants, a spectacular arched rose walk, mirror pond and extensive herbaceous and shrub borders.  There is also a thatched pavilion built by students from the Prince’s Trust.

Our visit ends with tea and cakes, a chance to buy some plants and time to visit the charming Norman church of St Peter ad Vincula next door.

**** SOLD OUT ****

Join us from the comfort of your own home for a Virtual Tour of the Old East End of London.  The tour will last approximately one hour and there will be an opportunity at the end to ask questions.

The East End is one of London’s most fascinating and dynamic districts.  It is essentially the story of immigration, wave after wave of people coming to London to seek refuge, looking for a better life. The Story of the Old East End Virtual tour tells their story.  Using powerful images, video and google street view, our journey takes us from the arrival of French Huguenots in the 1680’s through to the late 1930’s and the nearly 10,000 mainly Jewish children who arrived at Liverpool Street station having been secretly evacuated out of Nazi occupied Europe before the outbreak of WW2. 

Pepe Martinez is an award-winning London Blue Badge Tourist Guide.  He was born in the East End and has lived there all his life.  He is an accredited Institute of Tourist Guiding Trainer and is currently tutoring on the London Blue Badge training course.

Price: £5 per person 

booking opens 1st January.  To book your place email Anna Manners

Join us on a Virtual Tour of Dickens London following the story of 'A Christmas Carol.'  

Sit back at home and watch this from the comfort of your sofa with a cuppa or a glass of Christmas cheer.

You will be guided by Richard Jones, Blue Badge London Guide, in full Victorian costume.

Richard will begin my telling you how Dickens, finding himself heavily in debt in the autumn of 1843, paid a visit to Manchester where he found himself suddenly inspired to write a novella that he would have to finish in time for Christmas of that year.

Racing back to London, he set to work, and walked the streets of London night after night in search of inspiration.

Richard will then take you on an enchanting virtual journey, utilising footage that he himself has filmed over the years, of the locations that were featured in the novella.

This Virtual Tour will be transmitted on

Wednesday 2nd December at 2.30pm

Join us for an exclusive visit to Dorney Court and wine tasting with Catriona Palmer from Justerini & Brooks.

 Dorney Court complies fully with HHA (Historic Houses Association) guidelines for Covid-19 and is open for private visits.

Dorney Court is set amidst acres of mature parkland and encircled by well-tended yew hedges. This remarkable and characterful house is Grade I listed and designated as being of outstanding architectural and historical Interest.  

You will enjoy a private tour of the house, which was built in 1440 and has been lived in by the same family for over 450 years. The oak panelled great hall contains a wealth of family portraits including works by Peter Lely and Godfrey Kneller, as well as fine 15th and 16th century furniture. The artworks reflect the tastes and fortunes of all those who have lived in this ancient house. 

The Church of St James the Less dating back to the Norman Conquest, stands next to the house.  It has been a place of worship for over one thousand years. The current chancel dates from the first 12th century church, but the nave has since been rebuilt. There is also a very fine Norman font with decorative designs carved into the stonework.

•   There are just 30 places available for this exclusive trip. 
• ·      Our private visit will be divided into 3 groups of 10.
• ·      The entire tour of house and church will take approximately 1 ½ hours.
• ·      Two groups will be guided round the house, whilst the third will visit the church. 
• ·      The groups will then swap over.

A light lunch can be taken at the Dorney Court Kitchen Garden which will be available for our exclusive use. The outstanding Crocus Plant Nursery and gift shop are also here.
 

 The Afternoon Wine Talk will take place in the Coach Barn. The talk will be given by Catriona Palmer from Justerini & Brooks. 

Socially distanced seating is readily available.

Catriona Palmer has 13 years’ experience of working in the wine trade. She has met with the very best winemakers in the world, giving wine talks in countless locations.

The art of winemaking falls into two categories – Viticulture (growing grapes and Vinification (processing them into wine).  Catriona will guide the group through these processes, giving us a clearer understanding of the winemaker’s ‘magic’.  Some wine tasting will be included.

Please contact Tsa Palmer to book your place.

 Price £30.00 (lunch not included)

 Tours start at 11am at Dorney Court

 Day finishes 2.30/3pm

 Park: at Dorney Court Garden Centre SL4 6QP 

At long last the wait of 6 years is over for our visit to

THE PURCELL CLUB

This very popular, evening tour of Westminster Abbey offers a unique, musical experience.

Named after Henry Purcell, the famous seventeenth century composer of organ music, the choir is formed from members of the Westminster Abbey Old Choristers’ Association.  

The tour takes place by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster.  All profits from the evening support the Abbey.

The tour round the historic Abbey is complemented with musical items ranging from the 16th to 21st centuries and includes several stops, notably at the Quire, the Cosmati Pavement, St Edward the Confessor’s Shrine, the Henry Vll Chapel and Poets’ Corner.

On returning to the nave, an Abbey organist will play a short piece to demonstrate the magnificent organ.  The evening concludes with the choir singing a suitable piece around the Unknown Warrior’s Grave.

Please visit The Purcell Club website for further information on the Club.

 ACCESSIBILITY

Whilst the main parts of the Abbey are wheelchair accessible, many historic features such as the Cosmati Pavement, St. Edward's Shrine and Henry VII Chapel must be visited on foot as several flights of steps need to be negotiated.   Much of the Abbey floor and steps are uneven, with some areas dimly lit.

No photography, video or sound recording is permitted.

We shall be travelling to and from the Arlington Centre by coach and the evening includes a supper within the Abbey.

Price:  £72.00 (including meal)

Depart Arlington (Lower Car Park)         15.00hrs

Coach departs Westminster Abbey         21.30 hrs