Thursday 26th January - Oxford
In the morning we will have a guided walking tour where we will learn about the history of the city and the university, discover the famous alumni who have studied and taught at the university and go inside New College, founded in 1379, as seen in the Harry Potter films and television productions of Inspector Morse and Lewis. Free time for lunch and to explore Oxford or perhaps visit the Ashmolean Museum or Bodleian Library.
5th - 11th March - New York Big Apple Art Tour
We will stay at Park Central Hotel on a room only basis. Proposed visits include the Frick Museum, Guggenheim Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, Rockefeller Center, Ellis Island and Harbor tour and the Empire State Building. We plan to arrange a theatre trip as an optional extra. There will also be plenty of free time to enjoy this amazing city.
Thursday 3rd May - Basildon Park
Basildon Park (near Reading, Berkshire) is an impressive Georgian mansion, surrounded by glorious parkland, lovingly rescued from ruin by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the mid-1950s, when they restored the elegant interior and scoured the country salvaging 18th-century architectural fixtures and fittings.
20th-24th May - The Houses and Art of Norfolk
We will stay at the Maids Head Hotel, 2 nights HB (first and last) and 2 nights B&B. Highlights include: Audley End House and Gardens; Anglesey Abbey; The Castle Museum and Art Gallery; Blickling Hall Gardens and Park; Houghton Hall; The Sandringham Estate; Horning (where we will have a trip on a paddle steamer), Southwold and Sutton Hoo.
June or September - TBD – Chichester Festival Theatre
Positioned in the beautiful surroundings of Oaklands Park, Chichester Festival Theatre is one of the United Kingdom’s flagship theatres, with a dazzling international reputation for producing a wide range of theatrical productions, from musicals and comedies, to classic drama, and innovative new writing. We plan a private theatre tour, lunch at the brasserie followed by a matinee.
2012 productions are not decided yet, so we will arrange a date when their programme is announced.
Friday 6th July Summer Luncheon, Windlesham Golf Club
Thursday 19th July - Wrest Park, Bedfordshire
The present house was built in 1834-39 and is the earliest example of the French Revival style in Britain. Designed by amateur architect Tom Liddell, Wrest has some of the earliest Rococo revival interiors in England. Reception rooms in the house are open to the public. Boasting 90 acres of glorious gardens, it’s great for lovers of history, heritage and horticulture to indulge their passion. Discover the endless selection of walks, picnic areas and places to explore or simply sit back and dream of days gone by. Wrest Park is home to the beautiful French-style Orangery, Classical Bowling Green House and splendid 18th-century Baroque Pavilion by Thomas Archer. Step inside these garden buildings and get a flavour of how the other half lived.
September or June - TBD – Arundel Castle, West Sussex
The seat of the Dukes of Norfolk set in 40 acres of sweeping grounds and gardens, Arundel Castle has been open to visitors seasonally for nearly 200 years. It is one of the great treasure houses of England, each having its own unique place in history, and is home to priceless works of art. Come and see paintings and furniture, tapestries and stained glass, china and clocks, sculpture and carving, heraldry and armour in stunning room settings.
This trip will be arranged after we know the programme for the Chichester Festival Theatre.
Tuesday 6th November – Cabinet War Rooms and Banqueting House
The Cabinet War Rooms sheltered the heart of British military and government command throughout the Second World War, before being sealed in August 1945. In 1984 the War Rooms were restored by the Imperial War Museum and opened as a unique historic site and museum.
The Banqueting House is the only surviving part of the great Palace of Whitehall, created in 1622 by Inigo Jones. Throughout history it has played host to parliamentary receptions, investitures and ennoblements.
November TBD – Special Interest Day
Friday 7th December Christmas Luncheon, Frimley Hall Hotel
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