Winter 2007/8

FRIENDS OF LEAMINGTON SPA ART GALLERY & MUSEUM

SUMMER OUTINGS 2011

All outings leave from Newbold Comyn car park (by the swimming pool) with a pick up in Newbold Terrace, opposite the Spa Centre, a few minutes later.
N.B. Several of our outings have later starts than usual, we thought we would give this a try to see if you like it!!

LUDLOW AND STOKESAY COURT, SHROPSHIRE - SATURDAY 14 MAY

Depart from Newbold Comyn at 9.00am

We go straight to Ludlow, arriving in time for coffee and a good browse round this lively and unspoilt market town with many independent shops and a Saturday market. The castle, church and medieval and Georgian buildings fill the historical town centre. Have lunch here before leaving at 1.30pm to go to Stokesay Court. This is a magnificent late Victorian mansion set within extensive grounds. Unspoilt and secluded, Stokesay was a primary location for the film adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel “Atonement”. Still very much a lived in private home we shall have a tour of the house before refreshments (tea and cake, included in the price). There should then be time to look round the gardens before leaving at 5.00pm.

Bookings by 6 May please Organizer – Lyn Buckle Tel. 339499

HANBURY HALL, WORCESTERSHIRE - WEDNESDAY 8 JUNE

Depart from Newbold Comyn at 11.00am

We go straight to Hanbury Hall which is a beautiful William and Mary-style house built in 1701. As well as the delights of the Hall which include magnificent recently restored staircase wall paintings, there is an intricately laid out parterre, fruit garden, grove, orangery, orchard and bowling green. This is a National Trust property, so there is also the usual tea-room, open-air Stables Kiosk, shop and plant sales. Lunch can be purchased, or bring a picnic. We leave at 5.00pm. so there will be time to do a park walk or just sit, relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Bookings by 31 May please Organizer – Pat Butler Tel. 498166

BROADWAY, WORCS. AND THROUGHAM COURT, GLOS. - WEDNESDAY 6 JULY

Depart from Newbold Comyn at 10.00am

Straight to Broadway, one of the most beautiful Cotswold villages, which has a good variety of pubs, cafes and restaurants for coffee and lunch. There are plenty of interesting shops to browse. The Gordon Russell Museum, located in the original grade II listed workshop, celebrates the work of the renowned 20th century furniture designer, Sir Gordon Russell MC, and that of his company, over 60 years in Broadway.
We leave at 1.15pm to go to Througham Court. This is the home of Dr Christine Facer Hoffman who runs a dynamic landscape design practice specialising in contemporary design. She previously had a successful career in medical science and her work is inspired by scientific facts and theories and the numbers and patterns found in nature which are symbolically and metaphorically interpreted in landscape design. We shall have a lecture tour of her garden followed by tea/homemade cake (included in price) in the converted barn. Leaving at 5.00pm.

Bookings by 24 June please Organizer – Pat Butler Tel. 498166

WHITCHURCH SILK MILL, HAMPSHIRE AND HIGHCLERE CASTLE, BERKSHIRE

TUESDAY 9 AUGUST Depart from Newbold Comyn at 8.30am

We shall have a coffee stop en route, arriving approx. 11.00am at Whitchurch Silk Mill. This is located on the River Test, at the edge of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Silk has been produced here since 1830. See the historic Grade II* Georgian working watermill, Victorian waterwheel, power looms and other textile machinery. There are textile and costume exhibitions and a shop. We shall have a guided tour and a sandwich lunch is included in the price..
Leaving at 1.30pm we go to Highclere Castle, described as the finest occupied Victorian mansion in England, it was designed and built by Sir Charles Barry, the architect of the Houses of Parliament. It has been the home of the Earls of Carnarvon for over 300 years and was the seat, 100 years ago, of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who famously discovered the Tomb of the Egyptian Boy Pharaoh, Tutankhamun. There is an Egyptian Exhibition but this is NOT included in the price of this outing. More recently Highclere Castle was the setting for the popular TV serial Downton Abbey. This visit is at your own pace, no guided tour. There is a Tea Room to get a cuppa before leaving at 5.00pm.

Bookings by 1 August please Organizer – Lyn Buckle Tel. 339499

CHURCHILL MUSEUM & CABINET WAR ROOMS AND LEIGHTON HOUSE, LONDON

MONDAY 12 SEPTEMBER Depart from Newbold Comyn at 8.30am

On this audio guided tour we learn the history of the Cabinet War Rooms and the daily routine. We see, among others, the newly restored historic areas, now known as The Churchill Suite, the Map Room and the Cabinet Room. The Churchill Museum uses cutting edge technology and multimedia displays to bring the story of Winston Churchill to life, from childhood to his ‘finest hour’ and later years. There is a café for lunch and a shop. We leave at 2.45pm to go to Leighton House. This stunning London home of Lord Frederic Leighton reopened to the public in 2010, after a £1.6m refurbishment. Built around a hall intended to evoke an Oriental courtyard it has a handsome library, drawing room, dining room, picture gallery and studio. Also seen for the first time is the narrow back staircase, revealing secrets of the life of this giant of Victorian art. We shall have a guided tour and leave at 5.30pm. There are no refreshment facilities at Leighton House.

Bookings by 5 September please Organizer – Lyn Buckle Tel. 339499