We organise several visits each year to various places, some National Trust properties, others not. Our first post-lockdown visit to Attingham Park (left) last year was particularly popular. We were able to raise about £1500 to help the National Trust's activities.
Below are the visits we've got planned so far for this year. We're planning more, so check back with us regularly to find out where we're going.
The cost of the visit includes coach transport. The pick up points are either the Bentley Heath Community Hall in Widney Lane, Dorridge or the bus stop outside the public house on the corner of Union Road/Warwick Road, Solihull, opposite House of Fraser.
Admission to non-National Trust properties is included in the cost, but please note that if you are not a National Trust member, you will have to pay the entry fee for Trust properties on arrival.
Bookings for our visits are reviewed about 4 weeks before the departure date, at which point, the visit will be cancelled if numbers have not reached a certain minimum. So please try to make your booking before then – a date has been listed for each visit. We do appreciate that for some, it may be difficult to do this, so please do not worry, as we usually can accommodate a few late bookings.
Our coach operators do have at least one wheelchair-accessible coach. If you would like to come on one of our trips and need to travel in a wheelchair, please contact us as soon as possible and we will see if can reserve it.
Where a visit includes a meal, please advise us of any dietary requirements you may have when you book.
If you are interested in joining one of our trips, or have a general enquiry about them, please send us a message using this contact form.
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Anglesey Abbey
Anglesey Abbey, near Cambridge, is a scenic Jacobean style house featuring a unique collection of paintings and objects, spanning a 350-year period, and a 114-acre 20th-century garden with a working watermill. Originally a medieval Augustinian priory, then an Elizabethan manor house, Anglesey Abbey was restored in the early 20th century by Lord Fairhaven to create a richly decorated showcase for his collection of fine art. The house retains parts of the original medieval buildings and Elizabethan decoration.
The gardens were designed around his personal taste and for entertaining his guests, with something to show them every season. Today the gardens still follow the same seasonal pattern, with something to see all year round.
Cost £25
Thursday 11 May, 2023
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway
For our May outing we will be visiting Exbury Gardens, situated on the bank of the Beaulieu River in the New Forest. The Exbury estate was purchased by Lionel de Rothschild in 1919 and work soon began on creating the gardens he had designed. They remained as private gardens until Exbury House was requisitioned by the Admiralty during WW2. Following the war the gardens were restored to their former glory and then opened to the public. Exbury is renowned for spring colour with a world-famous collection of rhododendrons and azaleas in April and May.
There is a small steam railway that runs round part of the garden.
Cost £45
Please try to book by 13 April
Thursday 6 July, 2023
Cirencester and Rodmarton Manor
We will drive to Cirencester, arriving mid-morning. There we will have the opportunity to look around and to have some refreshment. Cirencester’s origins lie in Roman times and there is a large Roman collection in the Corinium Museum. There is an extensive park where you can stretch your legs, as well as shops and the parish church.
After lunch, we will move on to nearby Rodmarton Manor, which is widely regarded as the single best example of the Arts and Crafts style of building in the country. It was built for the Biddulph family over a 20 year period either side of the First World War, and all the materials used in its construction were sourced locally and hand-worked, as is everything within the house. We will be given a guided tour of the house, followed by free time to explore the gardens. The afternoon will end with tea and cakes, which are included in the cost.
Cost: £47
Please try to book by 8 June
Tuesday 1 August, 2023
Lyme Park, Cheshire
Lyme sits in 1,400 acres (570 hectares) of parkland, with glorious views across Manchester and the Cheshire Plain. There are many footpaths on the estate including links to the Gritstone Trail. The lavish interiors of the house reflect the life of a great estate. This year the main exhibition speaks of Lyme in the Landscape. Over seven centuries of life at Lyme, the water courses have changed and been altered to adapt to the needs of the time.
Lyme has featured as “Pemberley” in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth. Who can forget the famous lake scene? Lyme’s gardens with the Reflection Lake, Orangery and Rose Garden are lovely places to stroll.
There are several places to eat including The Timber Yard Café, The Refreshment Kiosk and the Servants’ Hall.
We have also been offered a behind the scenes tour on our visit, which will take us around the servants’ quarters. Please state on your booking form if you would like to book this tour and add £2 to the cost of the trip.
Please try to book by 4 July
Cost: £26
Wednesday 13 September, 2023
Hughenden, Buckinghamshire
Once home to Queen Victoria’s favourite Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, Hughenden is equally significant for its role as a WWII base for a top-secret map making operation.
The manor, first recorded in 1086, had a succession of owners until Disraeli inherited the house in 1848. Originally a Georgian white stuccoed building, architect Edward Buckton-Lamb transformed it into a Victorian country retreat. There is a 20 min talk for those interested.
The gardens are extensive with carefully designed walks, rare chalk streams and a medieval church. There is also a cafe for light snacks, hot meals and drinks.
The coach will pick up at Bentley Heath 9.00 and Solihull 9.10. We hope to be back by 6.30.
Please try to book by 16 August
Cost: £27
October, 2023
Gloucester Cathedral & Docks
More details coming soon!