Sunday 15thth April
Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter and Soho House
Our visit starts in St Paul's Square, the only remaining Georgian square and St Paul's, Birmingham's last surviving 18th century church. Grade 1 listed it was the parish church of James Watt, Matthew Boulton and Washington Irving. We walk a short distance through the rejuvenated Jewellery Quarter to reach the former factory of Smith & Pepper, converted into the Jewellery Quarter's own Museum. After the conducted tour including a visit to the Gallery of Jewellery's Natural World we shall visit Soho House, the elegant Georgian home of Matthew Boulton in Handsworth.
Coach departs 9.00am, Avenue Road.
Cost £18
BOOK BY March 24th
Tuesday 15th May
Woodstock and Ditchley Park, Oxfordshire
We visit Woodstock, the nearest town to Blenheim Park and Bladon where Sir Winston Churchill is buried. We take lunch here and go onto Ditchley Park. Ditchley is an 18th century Palladian house that was in a dilapidated state when Nancy and Ronald Tree bought it in 1933. Nancy then set about her redecoration and re-arrangement and in doing so became the originator of what became known as English Country House Style. During the war Churchill and his wife spent 12 weekends at Ditchley. The Trees divorced in 1947 and the estate was sold. It now houses a trust that furthers Anglo-American co-operation. It is not open to the public.
Coach departs 9.30am, Avenue Road.
Cost £22,including guided tour of Ditchley
BOOK BY April 24th
Thursday 14th June
Salisbury Cathedral and Wilton House, the home of the Earl of Pembroke.
We start in Salisbury where we visit the magnificent cathedral. It has the highest spire in England 404ft while inside immense inner space and peace with many treasures. After lunch we visit Wilton House, this 450 year old gem stands amongst parkland, woodlands and water gardens. The art collection includes paintings by Rembrandt, Brueghel and Reynolds in addition to Roman, Greek and 17th century sculpture.
Coach depart 8.00am, Avenue Road.
Cost £25.00
BOOK by May 24th
Thursday 12th July
Buxton Spa ∧ Wells Dressing Festival
We start by visiting the spectacular illuminated Poole's Cavern owned and managed by the Buxton Civic Society. Members of the Buxton Civic Society have agreed to join our own expert, Bruce Osborne in showing us round the spa town. Our visit is timed to coincide with the annual Wells Dressing. It promises to be a colourful event, so bring your camera.
Coach departs 9.00am, Avenue Road.
Cost £15 excluding admission.
BOOK BY June 21st
Saturday 22nd September
Duxford Airfield, part of the Imperial War Museum and Cambridge
Duxford was a frontline fighter station during World War II and it was here that the Spitfire, built at Castle Bromwich, first entered service in 1938. As the last Spitfires left Duxford in 1943 the 8th USAAF took over. Today there is over six hectares of indoor and outdoor displays ranging from pioneer aircraft to Concorde. Come and soak up the atmosphere. It is expected that the visit will take in Cambridge.
Coach departs 8.00am, Avenue Road.
Cost £26
BOOK BY August 31st
Saturday 13th October
Batsford Arboretum and the Cotswold town of Burford
Once again our tree expert, Dudley Brook has agreed to show us round Batsford, the favourite arboretum of many with about 55 acres offering a special degree of intimacy. Batsford House, formerly the home of Lord Redesdale and the Mitford sisters it can still be viewed from a distance but is not open to the public. We shall take lunch at Burford, an interesting town and where in 1649 the Parish Church became the scene of a mutiny by about 300 Levellers in Cromwell's New Model Army that was ruthlessly put down.
Coach departs 8.30am, Avenue Road.
Cost £21
BOOK BY September 22nd
Please note that you should use the booking form on page19 and reserve your place with full payment no later than three weeks ahead. Note - prices quoted for excursions do not include refreshments. Joining instructions will be provided.