ENCORE DAY TRIPS FOR 2020.
Saturday 22nd February 2020.
Upton House and Gardens (NT), Edgehill, Banbury. Come and see how Lord & Lady Bearsted made Upton House and Gardens the perfect country retreat for their family in the 1930s. You can also discover Lord Bearsted's famous art collection including works by Bosch, Stubbs and Canaletto.
The coach fare will be £15.00 each. Admission to Upton House is free for NT members and £12.00 for non-members.
Pick Up Times -
Windermere Way: 09:15 Francis Road: 09:17 Woodbury Road: 09:18 Dorsett Road: 09:20 Red Lion: 09:45 St Andrews House: 09:50 Mavis’s Layby: 09:52 Ombersley Way: 09:55 Upton House: 11:00 Depart: 16:00
ENCORE DAY TRIPS FOR 2020.
Saturday 21st March 2020.
Chirk Castle (NT), Chirk, Wrexham. A stark symbol of power, Chirk Castle was completed in 1310 during the reign of the conquering Edward I to subdue the last princes of Wales. Built on an outcrop above the meeting point of the rivers Dee and Ceiriog, the imposing silhouette of the castle was a brooding statement of English intent in these disputed lands.
The coach fare will be £18.00 each. Admission to Chirk Castle is free for NT members and £13.50 for non-members.
Pick Up Times -
Red Lion: 08:30 St Andrews House: 08:35 Mavis’s Layby: 08:37 Ombersley Way: 08:40 Dorsett Road: 09:05 Woodbury Road: 09:07 Frances Road: 09:08 Windermere Way: 09:10 Chirk Castle: 10:45 Depart: 16:00
ENCORE DAY TRIPS FOR 2020.
Saturday 18th April 2020.
Speke Hall (NT), Liverpool.
Speke Hall is a rare Tudor timber-framed manor house in a most unusual setting on the banks of the River Mersey. Restored and brought back to life in the 19th century, it is a unique and beautiful mixture of Tudor simplicity and Victorian Arts and Crafts' aesthetics. Hot lunches are available between 12:00 and 14:00.
On our journey north, we will stop for an hour at Dobbies Garden Centre (Ex-Wyevale Garden Centre) at Chirk, where there are a number of retail outlets in additional to the garden centre itself. There is a restaurant, and a separate Costa on site.
The coach fare is £19.00. Admission is free for NT members and £14.00 for non-members.
Pick Up Times -
Red Lion: 07:30 St Andrews: 07:35 Mavis Layby: 07:37 Ombersley Way: 07:40 Dorsett Road: 08:05 Woodbury Road: 08:07 Francis Road: 08:08 Windermere Way: 08:10 Dobbies Chirk: 10:00-11:00 Speke Hall: 12:25 Depart: 17:00
ENCORE DAY TRIPS FOR 2020.
Saturday 16th May 2020.
Hardwick Hall and Stainsby Mill (NT).
Stainsby Mill (National Trust - Hardwick Estate)
Situated on the stunning Hardwick estate, the mill offers a vivid evocation of the workplace of a 19th-century miller. Our friendly volunteers are on hand to tell you more about Hardwick's past and present millers and you can even buy bags of freshly milled Stainsby flour.
Hardwick Hall.
It was the formidable 'Bess of Hardwick' who first created Hardwick in the 1500s. In the centuries since then her descendants, farmers, gardeners, builders, decorators, embroiderers and craftsmen of all kinds have contributed and made Hardwick their creation. We’d like you to explore and enjoy Hardwick and in the process discover the lives, loves and adventures of the creators of Hardwick.
The coach fare will be £19.00 each. Admission is free for NT members and £16.50 for non- members.
Pick Up Times -
Windermere Way: 07:35 Francis Road: 07:37 Woodbury Road: 07:38 Dorsett Road: 07:40 Ombersley Way: 08:05 Mavis Layby: 08:10 St Andrews: 08:12 Red Lion: 08:15 Stop for 45mins Stainsby Mill: 11:00 Hardwick Hall: 12:00 Depart: 17:00
ENCORE DAY TRIPS FOR 2020.
Saturday 20th June 2020.
Longleat, Wiltshire.
To wander through the sweeping corridors and grand rooms of Longleat House is to be transported back in time. Exploring this stunning example of high Elizabethan architecture – and the Capability Brown landscaped grounds surrounding it – is a day out in itself. It was substantially completed by Sir John Thynne in 1580. And today, his descendants are still lucky enough to call it their home. Though Longleat may be best known for its Capability Brown landscape, it also has a rich tradition of more formal gardens.
The Main Square is where many animals can be found, and the Longleat train travels around a lake, where Hippos may be seen. We will return to our coach in the afternoon for the Safari Drive-Through experience, which can take between 2 - 3 hours.
The coach fare is £20.00 per person, 1 child under 16 free with fare paying adult/senior. The admission is £25.20 adult, £22.70 concession and £18.90 children.
Pick Up Times -
Windermere Way: 07:30 Francis Road: 07:32 Woodbury Road: 07:33 Dorsett Road: 07:35 Ombersley Way: 07:50 Mavis Layby: 07:55 St Andrews: 07:57 Red Lion: 08:00 Longleat: 10:00 Depart: 17:00
ENCORE DAY TRIPS FOR 2020.
Saturday 18th July 2020.
Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire.
Welcome to Burghley, William Cecil’s ancestral home. This palatial Elizabethan prodigy house is still a much loved family home and we invite you to explore its historic collection of paintings, ceramics and works of art, many of which still stand where they were first recorded in 1688. Visitors are able to enjoy a guided or self-guided tour of Burghley’s 18 dramatic State Rooms, surrounded by ‘Capability’ Brown parkland, at the centre of this working traditional Estate.
Please note: their restaurant charges £12-15 for a main course lunch.
The coach fare will be £21.00 each and the admission to Burghley is £14.00 each.
Pick Up Times -
Windermere Way: 07:15 Francis Road: 07:17 Woodbury Road: 07:18 Dorsett Road: 07:20 Red Lion: 07:45 St Andrews: 07:50 Mavis Layby: 07:55 Ombersley Way: 08:00 Corley Services: 08:55-09:30 Burghley House: 11:30 Depart: 17:00
ENCORE DAY TRIPS FOR 2020.
Saturday 15th August 2020.
Bolsover Castle (English Heritage).
With spectacular views over Derbyshire, the fairy-tale Stuart mansion, Bolsover Castle, was designed to entertain and impress. Its reputation for revelry lives on as we now entertain you and your family. Wander the lavish rooms of the Little Castle, explore the romantic ruined terrace range, and delight in the views from the wall walk.
Please note that there are 107 steps up to the top of the Little Castle and 100 down to the bottom. There are also some small steps within the castle.
Guided tours are available, lasting about 90 minutes, cost £4.00 each (£2.50 for members) and last about 90 minutes.
Cavalier Horses at Bolsover.
Experience the Riding School brought dramatically to life as the Bolsover Castle horses perform the spectacular art of dressage from April onwards. With just four schools of classical dressage remaining in the world, Bolsover Castle is the only place in the country staging regular performances of this breath-taking art. The intricate displays of circles, turns and leaps are performed to evocative Baroque music, with riders dressed in the frills, feathers and high boots of the Cavalier period. Tickets for the shows cost £4.00 each and it is advisable to pre-book. Shows are at 11:30, 13:30 and 15:30.
The Bolsover town centre is only 100 yards from the castle, and there is a Wetherspoons next to the castle entrance.
The coach fare will be £19.00 each. Admission is free for EH members and £11.00 Adult or £10.00 Concession for non-members.
Pick Up Times -
Windermere Way: 07:35 Francis Road: 07:37 Woodbury Road: 07:38 Dorsett Road: 07:40 Ombersley Way: 08:05 Mavis Layby: 08:10 St Andrews: 08:12 Red Lion: 08:15 Stop for 45mins Bolsover Castle: 11:00 Depart: 17:00
ENCORE DAY TRIPS FOR 2020.
Saturday 19th September 2020.
Kedleston Hall (NT).
Take a trip back in time to the 1760s at this spectacular Neo-classical mansion framed by historic parkland.
Designed for lavish entertaining and displaying an extensive collection of paintings, sculpture and original furnishings, Kedleston is a stunning example of the work of architect Robert Adam.
The Curzon family have lived here since the 12th-century and continue to live at the Hall. Lord Curzon's Eastern Museum is a treasure trove of fascinating objects acquired on his travels in Asia and while Viceroy of India (1899 to 1905).
The Hall was used as a key location for 'The Duchess', the Hollywood blockbuster starring Keira Knightley.
The coach fare will be £17.00 each. Admission is free for NT members and £15.00 for non- members.
Pick Up Times -
Windermere Way: 08:20 Francis Road: 08:22 Woodbury Road: 08:23 Dorsett Road: 08:25 Ombersley Way: 08:50 Mavis Layby: 08:55 St Andrews: 08:57 Red Lion: 09:00 Kedleston: 10:45 Depart: 17:00
ENCORE DAY TRIPS FOR 2020.
Saturday 17th October.
Nottingham Princess River Cruise.
Today we will have a 3 hour Cruise along the River Trent in Nottingham with a 2 course lunch. The 3 hour cruise incorporates the interest of working locks and glorious countryside as we make our way through Nottingham city centre toward Stoke Bardolph.
On arrival, tea and coffee will be available in their lodge. We can board from 12:00 and will sail at 12:30. A 2 course lunch will be served, with a choice of a Traditional Roast Beef or Chicken, Vegetable Lasagne or Stuffed pepper. This will be followed by hot Apple Pie and Custard and complimentary tea or coffee. Menu choices to be confirmed 2 weeks prior to trip. There is a licensed bar on board.
The coach fare will be £17.00 each and the cruise (including lunch) is £19.45 concession, or £19.95 adult, each.
Pick Up Times -
Windermere Way: 08:45 Francis Road: 08:47 Woodbury Road: 08:48 Dorsett Road: 08:50 Red Lion: 09:15 St Andrews: 09:20 Mavis Layby: 09:25 Ombersley Way: 09:30 River Lodge: 11:15 Depart: 15:45
ENCORE DAY TRIPS FOR 2020.
Thursday 3rd December.
“The Nutcracker” at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
"Join young Clara as she is swept away into an enchanting winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes and a Sugar Plum Fairy. Her magical Christmas tree and her handsome prince with his army of toy soldiers are an unforgettable delight. In this most festive ballet, gigantic sets, lavish costumes, 60 dancers and a full orchestra combine to make the perfect Christmas treat for the entire family. This world-famous production by Sir Peter Wright, with exquisite designs by John Macfarlane, is acclaimed as one of the best."
The price of tickets is as follows (see www.birminghamhippodrome.com) - Front Stalls - rows E to M Centre £56.00; Left/right £53.00 adult or £42.00 senior Rear Stalls - row N backwards Centre £53.00/£50.00 then £46.00/£42.00; Left/right £46.00 adult or £42.00 senior; then some £35.00/£31.00 Front Circle - row A to M Centre £56.00; Left/right £53.00 adult or £42.00 senior; then some £46.00/£42.00 Rear Circle - row N to Y Centre £53.00/£50.00 then £46.00/£42.00 then £35.00/£31.00; Left/right £46.00 adult or £42.00 senior; then some £30.00
I will book seats according to individual requirements. For example, ballet fans may choose to sit in the most expensive front stalls or circle, while some who have never been to a ballet before may choose the cheapest seats. Please note that all the seats in the stalls are reached without any steps, whereas only row M in the circle has step-free access.
The cost of the coach will be from £8.50, depending on how many travel.
Pick Up Times -
Windermere Way: 16:30 Dorsett Road: 16:35 Red Lion: 17:00 St Andrews: 17:05 Ombersley Way: 17:10 Bromsgrove Methodist Church Centre, 19 Stratford Rd, Bromsgrove B60 1AS: 17:30 Theatre: 18:30