We are looking forward to seeing you for our trip to Stonor House and Henley Visit on 2nd September. 

Pick up times :

8.45 Bookham Station

8.50 Lower Shott

8:55 The Anchor

Arrive Stonor between 10.10 and 10.40

Tea/Coffee and cake included

Tour for 1.5 hours (we will possibly be required to split into 2 separate groups for this) starting at 11.15

Leave forHenley 1.15

Arrive Henley 1.30

Free time for you to have lunch and explore Henley

Leave Henley 4.00

Arrive home between 5.10 and 5.40 depending upon traffic.

Linda

Trip includes Coach Travel, entrance to Blenheim Palace (additional £1.50 if under 65).

Approximate cost cost £54.00.

For more information contact lindatdfas@aol.com

Includes Coach Travel, Guided Tour of Cathedral, Guided Tour of Restoration House.

Approximate cost £49.00.

Bookings can be made at our next meeting on 24 February or contact lindatdfas@aol.com for more information.        

A Coach trip to Eltham Palace.

In 1936, eccentric millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld decided to build their magnificent art deco mansion right next to the medieval Great Hall of Eltham Palace - creating a masterpiece of modern interiors. Explore enviable interiors like the amazing art deco dining room, site of many illustrious dinner parties; and Virginia Courtauld’s instagram worthy gold-plated bathroom. For a complete contrast with the 1930s rooms, step into the 1470s Great Hall – part of the medieval royal palace of Eltham, where Henry VIII spent his childhood. Don’t miss the palace’s beautiful gardens, with their mix of medieval remains and Arts and Crafts influences. There’s a visitor centre with a shop and a pretty café in the glasshouse.

Schedule for the day:

08:45: Depart from Bookham 

10:30: Arrive at Eltham Palace

Coffee & lunch not included

Guided tour included

15:00: Leave Eltham Palace to return to Bookham

Cost:

£50.00 for non English Heritage members & £36.50 for English Heritage members. This includes transport, admission and a guided tour of the house.

On this day trip we will visit both Penshurst Place and Hever Castle

Penshurst Place

Penshurst Place has been home to the Sidney family since 1552 making it one of the oldest family-owned estates in England.

Surrounded by 11 acres of walled formal gardens and housing one of the few surviving medieval Baronial Halls in England, Penshurst Place is an historical gem in the Weald of Kent countryside. The stately home and gardens were once used as a hunting lodge for King Henry VIII, and now feature beautiful staterooms and grounds that are frequently showcased in popular TV and film productions.

Hever Castle

Dating back to the 14th century, Hever Castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and Mother of Elizabeth I.

It formed the unlikely backdrop to a sequence of tumultuous events that changed the course of Britain’s history, monarchy and religion. Its panelled rooms house fine furniture, tapestries, antiques and an impressive collection of Tudor portraits. The Book of Hours Room beautifully illuminates two prayer books, one of which belonged to Anne Boleyn and bear her inscriptions and signature.

If you are interested in booking this trip, please see Lynne Corbould at our next meeting

Leaving from the Anchor at 0845 and the Top of the High Street at 0900.

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the captivating history of the Historic Dockyard Chatham. Located on the banks of the River Medway in Kent, this is a chance to embark on a voyage through centuries of maritime heritage as you explore this living monument to Britain’s naval past.

This is a world where ships were born and heroes were made. Climb aboard mighty warships that once ruled the seas, including the HMS Victory’s sister ship the Cavalier, and the last surviving Royal Navy destroyer from the Second World War, HMS Gannet.

Find out what life was like underwater as you board HMS Ocelot, a Cold War-era submarine, and stroll along the Ropery, where endless miles of rope were meticulously crafted to outfit navy ships, an age-old skill that continues today.

Leaving Chatham at 4pm, returning direct to Great Bookham by approx 5.30pm (Traffic Dependant).

The cost is £40 per person.

Please let us know ASAP, if you would like to join us, Email lcorbould@aol.com to secure your place.

What we will see

Mount Stewart House & Gardens

Guided tour of Belfast

Ulster Museum

Giant’s Causeway

The Walled Garden at Glenarm Castle

Guided tour of Derry

Tower Museum

Titanic Experience

5 Days from £1059.00

For more informattion contact Judy Money at

judymoney39@gmail.com

Departs 6 October 2023 for 6 days

Staying at the Al Madarig Hotel, Castellammare Del Golfo

What we will see:

Erice and its Duomo - guided tour

Trapani

Palermo - guided tour

Monreale Cathedral

Valley of the Temples - guided tour

Boat trip to Mozia 

Marsala

Florio Wine Cellar - tour and tasting

Segesta - guided tour

Booking for this tour is now closed

This visit is being organised by Arts Society Leatherhead

Having been on the waiting list for some years we have been very fortunate in being offered a special interest morning tour of Longford Castle, the home of The Earl of Radnor. Longford Castle is renowned for its collections including works by Holbein,Poussin, Gainsborough and Reynolds along with oriental porcelain, Brussels tapestries and exceptional furniture.

Accessability: The ground floor rooms are spacious and can accommodate visitors with rollators or other walking aids. There is a short flight of stairs up to the first floor galleries - the treads are narrow. If anyone feels they cannot manage this on the day, a guide will stay behind with them on the ground floor.

After the tour we will have a Ploughman's Buffet (included in the cost) at the nearby Radnor Arms before returning to Leatherhead.

Toilet facilities are available at Longford but there are no facilities for morning coffee. However we will be able to stop off very briefly at the Popham service station en-route for a comfort break and to grab a takeaway drink. The takeaway MUST have a lid on to avoid accidents to yourself on the coach. We will be very short of time so speed is of the essence at the service station.

Cost £64 (includes coach, admission, guided tour, lunch and gratuities).

08.15                      Depart from Leatherhead Leisure Centre

10.30 (approx)         Arrive Longford Castle for private tour

12.45                       Leave Longford Castle for lunch at Radnor Arms 

15.00 (approx)          Depart for Leatherhead

Organiser: Gilly Coombes, email: coombesfm@gmail.com or phone 07778 033769 

For more information or to obtain a booking form please contact Gilly Coombes                    

Following on from our lecture by Dr James Taylor

We are going to see the Beautiful, curious and rare highlights of the Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth

SPACES STILL AVAILABLE - Contact Lynne - lcorbould@aol.com

Pick up Time:

8.15am Anchor PH, Lower Road.

8.30am A246 at top of High Street .

Travel to Bournemouth arrive 10.45 (approx.)

11.00am – At the Museum

1st Group guided tour (45 mins) then explore the museum.

2nd Group explore first then guided tour.

Approx 1.00 pm – All free time in Bournemouth, for lunch or just wandering.

Coach Pick-up 4pm.

Back in Bookham 6.15pm (approx)

There is a Café at the museum, which can provide Tea, Coffee and Lunch, if required.

As the museum is less than ½ mile ( 8 minute walk) from the Pier and all the refreshments and entertainment in that area, we have decided not to supply any refreshments, but let you pick your own refreshments, etc – depending on your personal choice.

The Trip includes travel to and from Bournemouth.

Entry and Guided Tour of the Russell Cotes Museum.

Drivers Tip.

 The Cost = £35.00 per person

FEATURES

4 Star Hotel  Half board accommodation

All excursion travel and guided tours included

Entrance fees to non-National Trust properties included

Executive coach throughout

WHAT WE WILL SEE

Montacute House

Buckland Abbey

Cotehele

Exeter Cathedral - guided tour

Killerton

Britannia Royal Naval College - guided tour

Boat transfer to Greenway House and Gardens

Knightshayes

6 days from £799.00

For more information on this tour email judymoney39@gmail.com or telephone on 01372 458856

Booking forms will be available at the January meeting

Six days departing 16th October 2022

What we will see

Carlisle-Guided Tour of Glasgow-St Mungos' Cathedral-Guided Tour of Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum-House for an Art Lover-Guided Tour of Edinburgh-Royal Yacht Brittania-Hunterian Gallery-Hill House-Falkirk Wheel-Kelpies-Guided Tour of Hopetoun House-Sizergh Castle & Gardens

Accommodation - 4* Doubletree by Hilton Westerwood Hotel, Cumbernauld

For more information contact Judy Money

judymoney39@gmail.com

'Nooks and Crannies Tour' at West Horsley Place

We have managed to obtain 40 tickets for these very sought after tours.

We have 2 slots for up to 20 people - 10am & 12noon

The tour lasts 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours and is limited to our group of 20 people and includes the Bamber Booklet for everyone.

You must make your own way to West Horsley Place and arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour starts.

Following the Tour, there is a 'pop up' cafe at the Place Farm Barn, serving Tea/Coffee & Cakes (Not Included).

The cost is £20 per person.

Five days commencing on 6th May 2022

What we will see

New Cathedral at Coventry

Arley Hall & Gardens

The Lowry

RHS Garden Bridgewater

Capesthorne Hall & Gardens

Imperial War Museum North

Black Country Living Museum

Accommodation 4* Salford Quays Hotel

Only 4 double rooms and 2 singles available.

Bookings close shortly.

For more details contact Judy Money

judymoney39@gmail.com

Chiddingstone Castle has Tudor origins,Victorian rooms and was remodelled in the 19th century to resemble a medieval castle.

It has been owned and lived in by an eclectic mix of people and is grade II listed.

The Steatfield family, Lord Astor, the military during WWII , Long Dene school, and the collector Denys Eyre Bower to house his extensive art collection from 1855 to 1977 until his death when a charitable trust was created in his honour.

The pick up by  coach will be from  9.45

Four collection stops are

1) The Anchor PH, Lower Road

2) The Crown PH,bus stop

3) Top of High Street bus stop

4) Bungalow Stores

Estimated arrival time is 11am.

Tea and coffee on arrival (included)

Guided tours will then commence in 2 groups.

There will be free access to the house and collections for the duration of our visit.

We will be free to explore the woodland trail ,sit by the lake or relax on the lawn.

There are 35 acres of informal grounds.

Chiddingstone Village is a short walk through the grounds which is a National Trust protected Hamlet that has been used by several film productions.

The attractions therein are; the oldest shop in the country,St Mary's church and the rare ''Vinegar Bible'';the oldest post box in the country and the ancient Druid

'Chiding Stone'.

 The Tea room and courtyard will be open for tea's snacks and light lunches

The village has the Castle Inn and Tulip Tree rooms for larger lunches.

 Please meet back at the coach for a 3,30pm departure.

We aim to be back in Bookham for 4.30pm

The price is £35 per person.

Our first visit of the year is to Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham.  In 1747 Horace Walpole transformed what were essentially two cottages into a ‘little Gothic castle’ with pinnacles, battlements and a round tower.  It was built as Walpole’s summer residence, but soon became of interest to local inhabitants, who were able to enjoy guided tours conducted by his house-keeper.  Walpole also entertained foreign ambassadors, royalty and English aristocracy.  The popularity of Strawberry Hill House was a key contributing factor in the emergence of Gothic Revival architecture that grew throughout the 18th and 19th Centuries, taking its inspiration from gothic cathedrals around Europe.   We will begin our visit with coffee and biscuits in the Tearoom followed by a guided tour of the house, and learn about its history and the restoration leading to its re-opening in 2010.  At the end of the morning we will make the short journey to Richmond, where we have free time for lunch in one of the cafes, pubs and restaurants in the town.

Our afternoon will be spent on a guided coach tour with Blue Badge Guide Guy Fairbanks.  We will see such diverse places as the Crawdaddy Club, where the Rolling Stones launched their career; Garrick’s Villa, the actor David Garrick’s ‘little place’ in Hampton; and Twickenham Stadium, home of English Rugby.  Our tour will also take in spectacular views of the Thames, Richmond Park, Hampton Court Palace, Bushy Park, Kneller Hall, and Marble Hill House.  We will end our tour at the famous Original Maids of Honour in Kew where we have time to relax with tea and cake.

Cost of visit:  £45 – to include morning coffee and biscuits, guided tour of Strawberry Hill House, guided coach tour, afternoon tea and cake, coach travel and driver’s gratuity.

Coach departs:  Anchor at 9.00 am & Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.05 am.

Coach returns to Bookham: by approx 6.30 pm.

The tour dates are 18-22 September 2021.

What we will see

Ely & Ely Cathedral

Norwich & Cathedral

Norfolk Broads Cruise

Sandringham Estate

Poppy Line Train from Sheringham to Holt

Blickling Hall

Sainsbury Centre for Visual arts

Layer Marnay Tour 

Single rooms are now fully booked. Double rooms, available.

For any further details please contact judymoney39@gmail.com

A further virtual guided tour has been added to The Arts Society Bookham programme for 2021.  A Canterbury City guide will take us on a tour of the city lasting approximately 45 minutes.  As before, this is at no additional cost to our members. 

The tour will take place on Zoom and the link will be sent out a few days beforehand.

Vintners’ Hall has been home to the Worshipful Company of Vintners since the fifteenth century and is the spiritual home of the international wine trade. Behind its doors on Upper Thames Street lies an historic hall, which boasts a fine seventeenth-century staircase, a magnificent dining hall, and the Court Room - probably the oldest room in the City of London. 

 On this 45-minute virtual tour, led by Liveryman and London Blue Badge Guide Guy Fairbank, you’ll explore its historic rooms and see many of its wonderful treasures. We will be able to visit areas not normally seen by members of the public and learn about the different work of the Company including their role in the annual ceremony of Swan Upping.

STARTS AT 3.30PM

If you have any questions about the tours themselves, please get in touch with Bronwen at: bronwen.mills@btinternet.com

The Royal Parks are a true jewel in London’s crown, and this tour looks at five of these beautiful green spaces.  Our tour will encompass St James Park, Green Park, Regents Park, Greenwich and Victoria Tower Gardens.  We will see  Buckingham Palace and War Memorials, Zoos and Open Air Theatres.  We will see herds of deer, Tudor trees and Olympic arenas, not to mention wonderful views from Primrose Hill and Greenwich.  Our tour will finish with the sights of the Rodin sculpture and Slavery memorials in the shadow of the Houses of Parliament at Victoria Tower Gardens.

The link to both these tours will be sent out a few days beforehand by Chris Rose, and all you have to do is click on the link and join in our tour from the comfort of your armchair. 

If you have any questions about the tours themselves, please get in touch with Bronwen at: bronwen.mills@btinternet.com

STARTS 3.30PM

Our tour will take us past Windsor Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in the world.  We will see the Long Walk connecting the Castle to Windsor Great Park, and we will explore Windsor’s medieval streets with their timber-framed houses and seventeenth century Guildhall.  Our tour will take us through the town to Windsor Bridge.  Crossing the bridge, we will travel along Eton’s picturesque High Street to Eton College, arguably the world’s most famous school.  We will learn about its foundation and history, and hear about its longest-serving and most notorious headmaster, together with some of its famous alumni.

STARTS 3.30PM

PLEASE NOTE - This Trip has been postponed due to Government advice on the Coronavirus

A guided tour of the Penrose family home, which became a meeting place for some of the leading figures from the world of 20th century art.  This visit follows our March lecture.

PLEASE NOTE - This Trip has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus situation

On 1st October 2020 we leave for Western Sicily for a 6 day tour.  

Day 2 a full itinerary including a visit to Segasta with a massive unfinished Doric temple.

Day 3 we travel to Erice for the morning and in the afternoon we travel to Trapani.  

Day 4 we have a guided tour of the Cathedral at Monreale and then continue to Palermo.  

Day 5 we visit the Valley of Temples at Agrigento.  

On our final day we go to the port of Masala and that afternoon we have a boat trip to the island of Mozia.  

PLEASE NOTE - This Trip has been postponed due to Government advice on the Coronavirus

A guided tour of Britain’s only Huguenot Museum with its collections of silks, paintings and silver, followed by a river trip along the Medway.

PLEASE NOTE - This Trip has been postponed due to Government advice on the Coronavirus

A visit to Herstmonceux Castle, a 15th century castle with a world famous astronomical observatory in the grounds.  There will be guided tours of both venues.

PLEASE NOTE - This Trip has been postponed due to Government advice on the Coronavirus

A lecture by Andy McConnell, the Antique Roadshow's glass specialist, with a visit to his antique and 20th century glass showroom, followed by an afternoon exploring Rye.

PLEASE NOTE - This Trip has been cancelled due to Government advice on the Coronavirus

On 14th May 2020, we have a 5 day tour to Birmingham.  There is full itinerary visiting Soho House, the Jewellery Quarter, the Coffin Works and the Black Country Living Museum.

Our trip also includes a canal cruise and a guided tour of Coventry Cathedral.

PLEASE NOTE - This Trip has been postponed due to Government advice on the Coronavirus

A visit to Russell-Cotes Gallery and Museum, the Victorian cliff top house in Bournemouth that holds a collection of treasures from around the world.  The visit follows our April lecture.

This Trip was postponed due the the outbreak of Coronavirus

Cost of visit: £45 - includes morning coffee & biscuits, guided tour of Richmond Theatre, guided tour of Strawberry Hill House, coach travel and driver’s gratuity. 

Richmond Theatre is one of the most beautiful of all the Frank Matcham theatres.   Built in 1899 as the Theatre Royal and Opera House it was refurbished in 1991.  We begin our visit with coffee & biscuits followed by a guided tour of this beautiful venue.  We will get an exclusive look behind the scenes that traces the history of the Theatre.  We will be invited to step back in time and tread the boards in the famous footsteps of Sir Charlie Chaplin, Sir Laurence Olivier and Dame Judi Dench!  The Theatre is sited on The Green in Richmond and we will have free time after our tour for lunch in one of the cafes, pubs and restaurants in the town.

After lunch we visit Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham .  Horace Walpole transformed what was essentially two cottages into a ‘little Gothic castle’ with pinnacles, battlements and a round tower in 1747.  It was built as Walpole’s summer residence, but soon became of interest to local inhabitants who were able to enjoy guided tours conducted by his house-keeper.  Walpole also entertained foreign ambassadors, royalty and English aristocracy.  The popularity of Strawberry Hill House was a key contributing factor in the emergence of Gothic Revival architecture that grew throughout the 18th and 19th Centuries, taking its inspiration from gothic cathedrals around Europe.   We will have a guided tour around the house, and learn about its history and the restoration leading to its re-opening in 2010. There will be time for a cup of tea in the Tearoom after our tour.

A morning visiting the Ashmolean Museum, the University of Oxford's museum of art and archaeology followed by an afternoon guided tour of the City and Colleges.

The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology is the world's first university museum.  Its first building opened in 1683 to house the cabinet of curiosities that Elias Ashmole gave to the University of Oxford.  The present building was erected 1841–45.  The Museum has incredibly rich and diverse collections from around the globe, ranging from Egyptian mummies and classical sculpture to the Pre Raphaelites and modern art.    There will be an opportunity to get coffee on arrival.  The remainder of the morning can be spent exploring the collections.    We will have free time for lunch in one of the cafes, pubs and restaurants in the city centre.

After lunch we will be joined by our Oxford City Guides who will take us on a guided walk around the city centre, including a visit into one of the colleges.  There will be time afterwards to get a cup of tea before we depart for the journey home.

Cost of the visit: £35 to include a donation to the Ashmolean Museum, guided walk of the city centre, coach travel and driver’s gratuity. 

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 8.45 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 8.50 am.  Return to Bookham by approx 7.00 pm.

5 - Day Tour. 8th - 12th September

To include Santillana del Mar, Altamira Museum and Replica Cave, Picos Mountains and Potes, Santander, El Soplao Cave, Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao guided tour with 60 minute cruise. 

DAY 1.

BA flight to Bilbao.. Visit the fishing town of Castro Urdiales en route to the hotel at Playa de Isla.

DAY 2.

Visit the mountain range of Picos de Europa. Then onto the small ancient town of Potes. In the afternoon a 900 metre ascent up the FUente De Cable Car.

DAY 3.

Visit to Santillana del Mar in the morning and in the afternoon to the Altamira Museum and Replica Cave. Famous for replicas of the Palaeolithic cave paintings - the Sistine Chapel of Prehistory.

DAY 4.

A visit to Santander this morning - Cantabria's capital city. And a mine train excursion into the El Soplao cave in the afternoon.

DAY 5.

Visit to Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum before return to the UK.  

Michelham Priory was founded in 1229 by Augustinian canons.  After the dissolution of the monasteries by King Henry VIII the Priory became a country house.  It remained in private ownership until 1959, when it was presented to the Sussex Archaeological Society for ‘preservation and public enjoyment in perpetuity’. 

The Priory is approached through a 14th century gatehouse, and is surrounded by the longest medieval water-filled moat in the country.  We will begin our visit with coffee in the Priory Cafe followed by a morning at leisure to explore the house and gardens.   Inside the house furniture and artefacts trace the property’s religious origins and its development over 800 years.  The magnificent seven acre grounds are home to a historic watermill, a Bronze Age roundhouse and an Elizabethan Great Barn, as well as a Physic Garden, Cloister Garden and Kitchen Garden.

Lunchtime will be spent at the Priory.  The Cafe provides hot and cold lunches, or alternatively picnics can be enjoyed anywhere in the grounds.  After lunch we will make the short journey to Eastbourne where the afternoon is free to spend exploring, shopping or just sunbathing!

Cost of the visit: £33 to include coffee & biscuits, entrance to Michelham Priory, coach travel and driver’s gratuity.  The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.05 am.  Return to Bookham by approx 6.45 pm.

Longstock is part of the Leckford Estate owned by John Lewis and holds the national collection of water lillies. The Distillery is housed in a former corn mill restored by Bombay Sapphire working with Heatherwick Studio.

Longstock Water Garden has been described as ‘the finest water garden in the world’ by the International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society.  The seven acre Gardens are part of the Leckford Estate owned by the John Lewis Partnership.  The estate was purchased as a private estate by John Spedan Lewis of Oxford Street in 1929; a visionary retailer with an extensive knowledge of botany, entomology and aquatic life, and the founder of the John Lewis Partnership.  He spent much of his later life in these gardens, and whilst the gardens remain true to this time, the landscape has evolved so that it remains a vibrant, tranquil and beautiful place to visit.  The water remains crystal clear, connecting two islands and woodland valleys, and hosting an array of plants from around the world including over forty different waterlilies alone.

There will be an opportunity to get coffee on arrival, before we spend the morning in the Gardens.  We will then travel a short distance to Stockbridge, where we will have free time for lunch in one of the cafes, pubs and restaurants.

After lunch we will travel to The Bombay Sapphire Distillery, a short drive away and based at Laverstoke Mill in rural Hampshire.   We will learn about the ten botanicals which make Bombay Sapphire so distinctive in the iconic glasshouses designed by Thomas Heatherwick.   Our tour will chart hundreds of years of Laverstoke Mill’s illustrious history, married with the fascinating heritage of gin and Bombay Sapphire.   We will view the production of gin behind the scenes in the Dakin Still House, and uncover the secrets of Bombay Sapphire’s unique vapour infusion distillation process.   We will also discover our personal taste profile in the Dry Room, and use our individual profiles to order a complimentary cocktail from the Mill Bar. Based at Laverstoke Mill in rural North Hampshire, just 15 miles from Winchester, the Bombay Sapphire Distillery is in a conservation area with over 1000 years of history. For over 225 years, the Victorian and Georgian buildings set astride the crystal clear River Test produced bank note paper for the Bank of England and the British Empire. Now, Laverstoke Mill is a state-of-the-art sustainable distillery, which produces every drop of Bombay Sapphire gin.

Learn about the ten botanicals which make Bombay Sapphire so exquisite in the iconic glasshouses designed by Thomas Heatherwick. Chart hundreds of years of Laverstoke Mill’s illustrious history, married with the fascinating heritage of gin and Bombay Sapphire. Watch the production of gin behind the scenes in the Dakin Still House, and uncover the secrets of Bombay Sapphire’s unique vapour-infusion distillation process. Discover your personal taste profile in our Dry Room, then use your profile to order a complimentary cocktail from the Mill Bar suited to your tastes. The distillery offers self-discovery and hosted tours, as well as cocktail masterclasses for guests, and offers several event spaces for bespoke organised events.

Cost of the visit: £48 to include visit to Longstock Water Garden, guided tour and cocktail at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery, coach travel and driver’s gratuity. 

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 8.45 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 8.50 am.  Return to Bookham by approx 7.00 pm.

Arundel Castle has been the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk (the Howards) for over 850 years. They are the country’s leading Roman Catholic family, and were at the forefront of English history from the Wars of the Roses through to the Civil War.  The Castle was very badly damaged during the Civil War.  Repairs and restoration did not begin until the 18th Century, and were completed in 1900.  

 The Castle houses a fascinating collection of tapestries, clocks, and fine furniture dating from the 16th century.  The collection of paintings includes works by Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Mytens, Lawrence, Reynolds, Canaletto and others. Personal possessions of Mary, Queen of Scots, along with a selection of historical, religious and heraldic items from the Duke of Norfolk's collection, are also on display.

 Our entrance fee (Gold Ticket) includes admission to the main rooms, the Keep, the Fitzalan Chapel, the Gardens and Grounds.  Our visit is on a free flow basis, and there is no time limit on our stay at The Castle.  Lunch may be purchased in the Castle Restaurant or in the town, where the Cathedral is located.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral is a short walk from the Castle.  The feast of Corpus Christi is celebrated by the Catholic Church, and for over 100 years the feast has been marked at Arundel Cathedral by a spectacular Carpet of Flowers up the central aisle, followed by a Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Castle the following day.  The finished Carpet is on view all day during our visit and admission is free.

Cost of the visit: £37 to include entrance to Arundel Castle & Gardens, coach travel and driver’s gratuity. 

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.05 am.  Return to Bookham by approx 6.30 pm.

5-DAY TOURS FROM 12th - 16th MAY.

To include a guided tour of Cardiff and Cardiff Bay, Senedd National AssemblyBuildings, Royal Mint Visitor Centre, Castell Coch, National Museum & Art Gallery of Wales, Cardiff Castle and the Museum of Welsh Life in St Fagins, Tredegar House and Bowood House and Gardens.  

The village of Cobham in Kent is in a Conservation Area and as such remains relatively unspoilt.  The 13th century parish church, dedicated to St Mary Magdalene, has monumental brasses which are reputedly the finest in England. Thirteen of the brasses belong to the years 1320–1529 and commemorate members of the Brooke and Cobham families.  Our visit will commence with coffee & biscuits in the Church followed by a guided tour.  We will also visit the almshouses of Cobham College, a 14th century building which lies immediately behind the Church.

There will be time to have lunch in the village before our afternoon visit to Cobham Hall.  The Leather Bottle, the inn which was frequented by        Charles Dickens    and  contains a collection of Dickens memorabilia, lies opposite the Church.  We will be able to order lunch there in advance of our visit.

Cobham Hall was built in the 16th century for The 10th Baron Cobham.  The Tudor wings still remain, joined by a later classical central block.   Humphry Repton designed a landscape plan for the estate and completed one of his famous 'Red Books' for Cobham in 1790. Cobham Hall remained the family home of the Earls of Darnley until 1957 and is now home to a boarding school for girls.

Cost of the visit: £35 to include coffee & biscuits in St Mary Magdalene Church, guided tour of the Church and Cobham College, guided tour of Cobham Hall, tea & cake at Cobham Hall, coach travel and driver’s gratuity. 

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.05 am.  Return to Bookham by approx 6.30 pm.

Farnham Castle and Farnham Museum

On Tuesday 19th March 2019

 Farnham Castle was built in the 12th Century by William the Conqueror’s grandson Henry de Blois, Bishop of Winchester.  It was used as a stopping place for successive Bishops en route from Winchester to London, and several monarchs were entertained there during its history.  When the diocese of Guildford was created in 1926, it was used by the Bishop of Guildford until it was finally sold in 1956, eventually becoming a conference centre.  Our morning visit will begin with coffee in the Great Hall followed by a guided tour.

Farnham Castle Keep is adjacent to the Castle and is maintained by English Heritage.  There is an option to visit the Keep, and entrance is free of charge.

The remainder of the day will be spent in Farnham, where there are numerous cafes, restaurants, and pubs for lunch.  In the afternoon we will visit the award winning Farnham Museum based in Willmer House, which is in the centre of the town.  This magnificent 18th Century town house is largely unaltered since 1718, and has a delightful walled garden.  There are imaginative displays interpreting the history of the Farnham area and its people. Former residents of the town include the radical reformer and founder of Hansard, William Cobbett, and Mike Hawthorn, Britain's first World Motor Racing Champion. The museum is also home to an extensive art and craft collection thanks to the many artists and crafts people who have been drawn to Farnham over the years. 

Cost of the visit: £23 to include coffee & biscuits, entrance and guided tour of Farnham Castle, donation to Farnham Museum, coach travel and driver’s gratuity. 

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.30 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.35 am.  Return to Bookham by approx 4.30 pm.

To include a guided Tour of Valetta, Grand Harbour Cruse, St John's Cathedral. Grandmaster's Palace, National Museum of Fine Arts and the island of Gozo.

We will take a guided walk to see some of Dulwich's Street Art as well as have a tour of the Dulwich Art Gallery.

Our day will begin with a morning cruise along the stretch of the Thames from Maidenhead to Windsor. We will cruise by the homes of the ‘stars’, go through Boveney and Bray Locks, and pass Oakley Court, Monkey Island and Windsor Racecourse. The boat continues to Windsor with spectacular views of the Castle and Eton College, arriving in Windsor with time for lunch.

In the afternoon we will make the short journey to Frogmore House, set amidst the extensive Home Park of Windsor Castle. The house dates from the 1680s, and was purchased for Queen Charlotte in 1792.  The interests and talents of several generations of the royal family influenced Frogmore's interior as you see it today. Queen Charlotte's passion for botany is reflected in the decoration of the house. She commissioned the renowned 18th-century flower painter Mary Moser to decorate one of the principal rooms so it resembled an arbour open to the skies.

For almost 20 years Frogmore was the home of Queen Victoria's mother, The Duchess of Kent. After her death, her son-in-law, Prince Albert, commissioned the building of an elegant mausoleum in the grounds to hold her remains. 

Queen Victoria was particularly fond of Frogmore's peaceful ambience and it became her favourite retreat. She often visited Frogmore during her long widowhood, and worked on her papers there. You can also see watercolours by her daughters, the Princess Victoria and Louise in the house. Victoria and Albert's love of Frogmore lead them to break with tradition and build themselves a much larger and grander mausoleum for themselves in the grounds.

Cost of visit: £37 to include river cruise, guided tour of Frogmore House, coach travel and driver’s gratuity. Coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (Lower Shott side) at 9.05 am. Return to Bookham by approx 6.00 pm.

We travel to Deal (with a short stop en route) where we will visit the Castle. It was built in 1539 by King Henry VIII as an artillery fortress, designed to allow all-round firepower from over 140 guns to defend the important naval anchorage called the Downs. From 1730 it was gradually transformed into a genteel residence for the castle’s captain, and its military role had effectively ceased by around 1800. Restoration of the Castle to its original state began in 1945 and it was reopened to the public in the early 1960s. We visit on a free flow basis allowing as much time as required in the castle. It will be possible to omit the visit to the castle for those who prefer to explore the town instead.

There will be time to have lunch in Deal before we depart in the early afternoon for the historic Cinque Port of Sandwich. During the early Middle Ages it was one of the most important ports in the country, and it continued to flourish with the arrival of Flemish weavers in the 16th Century. Its prosperity was reflected in the wealth of jettied houses, inns, and shops. Today, Sandwich is one of the most architecturally important towns in Britain, with street after street of beautifully preserved and restored buildings. At its heart is the 16th century Guildhall, the focal point of both ancient traditions and modern activities. Our guided tour will include a visit to the Mayor’s Parlour and the ancient Courtroom.

Cost of the visit: £35 to include entrance to Deal Castle, guided tour of the Guildhall, coach travel and driver’s gratuity.

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 8.45 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 8.50 am. Return to Bookham by approx 7.00 pm.

Firle Place sits at the foot of the South Downs in its own peaceful parkland. It has been the home of the Gage family for over 500 years. The Tudor house is built around a central courtyard and was significantly remodelled in the 18th century to give the external appearance of a French château. The House contains one of the most significant and historic private collections of old master paintings, furniture and porcelain in Southern England. These include works by Gainsborough, Reynolds, Van Dyck, Raphael, Puligo, Zoffany and Teniers, together with the Panshanger Cabinets by Thomas Chippendale, and the Sèvres Melbourne dessert service,

  Our visit will include coffee & biscuits on arrival, followed by a guided tour of the House.

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Leaving Firle Place, we will travel to nearby Alfriston, arriving in time for lunch. There are tearooms, pubs, and restaurants in this picturesque village.

Our afternoon will be spent in Alfriston allowing time to visit The Clergy House as well as the church and village. The Clergy House is a rare 14th-century Wealden hall-house, which sits in an idyllic setting. It has views across the river Cuckmere, and is surrounded by a delightful, tranquil cottage garden full of wildlife. It was the first building to be acquired by the National Trust in 1896 following an appeal for funds by Octavia Hill, one of the founders of the Trust.

Cost of the visit: £32 to include coffee & biscuits, entrance and guided tour at Firle Place, coach travel and driver’s gratuity. Entrance to the Clergy House free for NT members, non members £5.30.

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.05 am. Return to Bookham by approx 6.45 pm.

A guided tour of Bath to include the Assembly Rooms, Fashion Museum, Roman Baths and No.1 The Crescent.

Guided tour of Bristol to include St Mary's Church, SS Great Britain and Tyntesfield.

Wells Cathedral, Holburne Museum of Art and Laycock Abbey
 

The Weald and Downland museum is set in 40 acres of glorious Downland countryside in the Lavant Valley. You can see more than 50 buildings, spanning more than 600 years, which have been transported from their original sites across southern England. The collection includes workers’ cottages, shops, farmhouses, barns, a watermill, and even a church. Most are open for you to explore and get a real feel for what it was like to live and work in them.

There is one building which is of particular interest to Bookham. The model dairy from the Eastwick Park Estate, originally sited on the corner of Eastwick Drive and The Spinney, and dating from circa 1807 has been rebuilt at the Museum since last autumn. It comprises two octagonal brick buildings linked by a covered but open walkway. Its restoration and reinstatement will offer a working building where traditional dairying techniques will be demonstrated in the future.

We will have coffee & biscuits on arrival before being taken on a guided tour around the Market Square and Crafts and Industries areas of the Museum. There will be time afterwards for exploring other parts of the sites and lunch. There is a café and picnic area on site.

After lunch we will make the short journey to Uppark, sited high on the South Downs.  In 1989 the original house was reduced to a ruin by fire, but the National Trust faithfully recreated the original 17th century mansion. The gardens with panoramic views are being gradually restored to their original 18th-century design. Uppark's Georgian interiors illustrate the comfort of life ‘upstairs’, in contrast with the ‘downstairs’ world of the servants. The house holds one of the best examples of a 17th century doll's house in the country.

Cost of the visit: £36 to include entrance and guided tour of the Weald and Downland Museum, coffee & biscuits, coach travel and driver’s gratuity. Entrance to Uppark is free to National Trust members, an additional £11.00 for non-members.

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 8.45 am, and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 8.50 am. Return to Bookham by approx 4.00 pm.

Thomas Holloway, inspired by his wife Jane, founded the Royal Holloway College in 1886 to give women access to higher education. Holloway was a Victorian self-made millionaire, having made his fortune from patented medicines and pills. He built the stunning Founder's building in French Renaissance style, and it was opened in 1886 by Queen Victoria and is still at the heart of the campus today. In 1900 the College was admitted to the University of London, and in 1985 it merged with Bedford College, founded in 1849 by Elizabeth Jesser Reid, to form what is today known as Royal Holloway, University of London. 

The College Art Collection has at its core the legacies of Thomas Holloway and the artist Christiana Herringham. Their collections have been enhanced through additional gifts, acquisitions and commissions which span from the 17th century to the present day. The world-class collection of paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and watercolours includes works by William Powell Frith, John Everett Millais and Edward Burne-Jones.

Our visit will include a guided tour of the college buildings and a sandwich lunch with fruit platter and coffee or tea. There will then be time to view the art collection.

Cost of the visit: £36 to include guided tour of the Royal Holloway College, sandwich lunch and fruit platter, coach travel and driver’s gratuity.

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 10.00 am, the Crown at 10.02 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at10.05 am. Return to Bookham by approx 4.00 pm.

This year we will be returning to the Royal Albert Hall for the King’s College, Cambridge Concert at 7.30 on Friday 15th December.

The world-renowned King’s College Choir performs a glorious concert of traditional classics and carols for the festive season.

The coach will depart The Anchor at 5.30 pm and pick up at the Guildford Road bus stop (High Street side) at 5.35 pm.

Tickets cost £30 to include seats in the choir, coach travel, and driver’s gratuity.

We will be visiting Christ’s Hospital School to take their Verrio Tour. This offers a rare opportunity to tour the School’s magnificent buildings, to visit the museum, watch the School Band (weather permitting) and take a full historical tour of Christ’s Hospital with the pupils.

The massive eighty-six foot long painting by Antonio Verrio situated in Dining Hall that commemorates the foundation of the Royal Mathematical School in 1673 is a highlight of the tour. Known, simply, as The Verrio, it has been a dominant feature in the Dining Hall at Horsham and its two predecessor Great Halls in London for 320 years. Our tour will conclude with a full afternoon tea in the Hall.

Cost of the visit: £37 to include the Verrio tour, afternoon tea, coach travel, and driver’s gratuity.

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 12.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 12.05 am. Depart Christ’s Hospital School for return journey at 4.30 pm.

Simon Jenkins, in England’s Thousand Best Churches, describes Jordans Meeting House as ‘the Quaker Westminster Abbey’. Built in three months in the autumn of 1688, Jordans is one of the first Quaker meeting houses built after James II issued his Declaration of Indulgence in 1687, which allowed Quaker and other non-conformist groups to worship lawfully for the first time.  The Meeting House has several important historical associations: it is the burial place of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, his first wife, Guilielma, his second wife, Hannah, and nine of his children.   Our visit will begin with coffee & biscuits followed by a talk and tour of the building.  
 
Leaving Jordans, we will travel to Claydon House, arriving at lunchtime.  There is a tearoom, serving light lunches, next to the House.  We will have time for lunch before a short guided tour of the ground floor of the House.

Claydon House has been occupied by the Verney family for more than 550 years; the place is a testament to their fascinating fluctuating fortunes, from their close involvement in the English Civil War to the family connection with Florence Nightingale.  In the 1750s, Ralph Verney set out to create a country house of extraordinary grandeur that would dazzle his wealthy neighbours and outdo his political rivals. Thirty years on, he was facing financial ruin.  Today the interiors that remain are among the most ambitious and lavish ever created in the eighteenth century.
Cost of the visit: £28 to include coffee & biscuits, donation to Jordans, a guided tour at Claydon House, coach travel and driver’s gratuity.  Entrance to Claydon House free for NT members, non members £7.50.
The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.05 am.  Return to Bookham by approx 6.45 pm.

Day 1:  Fly from Gatwick to Venice by Easyjet and transfer by private coach to 4* Hotel Helvetia in spa town Abano Terme near Padova.

Day 2:  Morning guided tour of Villa Barbaro at Maser designed by Palladio in collaboration with Veronese.   Continue to Asolo, a hill town liked so much by Robert Browning that he named a volume of poems after it.   Afternoon visit to Palladio's Villa Malcontentia.

Day 3:   Private boat trip to the islands of Murano, famous for its glass blowing and to Burano with its brightly coloured houses and finally to Torcello a barely inhabited island with its ancient buildings.  Later in the afternoon free time to explore Venice.

Day 4:  Morning guided tour of Verona, Shakespeare's inspiration for 'Romeo and Juliet'.   Afternoon guided tour of Vicenza concentrating on the architecture of Andrea Palladio.

Day 5:  Guided tour of Padova including Giotto's frescoes in the Cappella degli Scrovegni before returning to Venice for return  flight to Gatwick.
 

Arundells is one of the finest houses within Salisbury’s magnificent Cathedral Close bringing together six distinct architectural styles.   It is the former home of Sir Edward Heath KG MBE, Prime Minister and Statesman.   Sir Edward bequeathed Arundells to the Charitable Foundation set up in his name following his death in 2005.

The house remains very much as it was when it was Sir Edward’s home and reflects his time in public life. It holds his fascinating (and amusing) cartoon gallery and gifts from leaders as diverse as Sir Winston Churchill, US President Richard Nixon, China’s Chairman Mao and Cuba’s Fidel Castro.  His art collection includes works by Sir Winston Churchill, William Wyllie, LS Lowry, John Singer-Sargent, John Nash, John Piper, Walter Sickert and both Augustus and Gwen John.   There are sailing trophies, photographs, ceramics, model warships made by Napoleonic prisoners of war and musical memorabilia to see as well as Japanese woodcuts and the spectacular hand painted Chinese wallpaper depicting the story of the “Monkey King”.  The Drawing Room is home to his Steinway grand piano and in the hallway can be found scale models of all of the Morning Cloud yachts.
Our visit to Salisbury includes a guided tour of Arundells.  The rest of the day can be spent visiting some of the attractions in the city.  The Cathedral Close is home to Mompesson House (NT), the Salisbury Museum, and  the Rifles (Berkshire and Wiltshire) Museum.  The medieval city of Salisbury with its ancient market place and streets are nearby.  There are a great number of restaurants and cafes within a few minutes’ walk.  

Cost of the visit: £34 to include entrance and guided tour of Arundells, coach travel and driver’s gratuity.  
The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.05 am.  Return to Bookham by approx 7.00 pm.

We will spend the morning in Whitstable.  There will be an optional guided walk of the town and time to explore the alleyways, seafront and harbour.  There are a large number of cafes, pubs, and tearooms where lunch can be enjoyed, or alternatively you can find a seafront bench for a picnic lunch.

After lunch we will make the short journey to Provender House, home of Princess Olga Romanoff, great granddaughter of Tsar Alexander III of Russia, and great niece of the last Tsar, Nicholas II.  Princess Olga inherited the house from her mother in 2000, and is currently restoring it from a derelict state under direction of historic buildings architect Ptolemy Dean and with support from English Heritage.
 
The house was built in 1342 as a medieval hall house.  A second hall house was connected to it in the 15th century, with additions made from the 16th to the 19th centuries.  It provides a fascinating record of English building traditions over seven centuries.  We will have a guided tour of the house, probably from Princess Olga herself, followed by tea and cake in the dining room.
If time allows, we will make a brief stop on our journey home at the Macknade Food Hall in Faversham.  This excellent Food Hall was a very popular stop on one of our visits last year.

Cost of the visit: £35 to include guided tour and tea & cake at Provender House, coach travel, and driver’s gratuity. Coach departure from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.05 am.  Return to Bookham by approx 7.00 pm.

Sir David Lionel Salomons was the first Jewish Sheriff of the City of London and Mayor of London, and the second Jewish MP.  He employed the architect Decimus Burton, in the late 19th century to build a stunning Victorian mansion.   He had an avid passion for all things scientific, photographic or mechanic, and made Salomons House one of the first in the whole of England to be lit by electrical power.   There is a Museum within the house packed with fascinating exhibits that chart the history of three remarkable generations of the Salomons family,

He also created an outstanding example of a private Victorian theatre, which is largely untouched by time.  It houses an exceedingly rare electrically-driven philharmonic organ which is now one of only two operational instruments of its type left in the world.  Our visit will include a short organ recital by Kenneth Pont, the Organist in Residence.

We will travel to Ightham Mote in time for lunch.  Described by Nikolaus Pevsner as "the most complete small medieval manor house in the country’, Ightham Mote was built nearly 700 years ago.  The house has seen many changes and been owned by Medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII and high society Victorians.  Highlights include the picturesque courtyard, Great Hall, crypt, Tudor painted ceiling, Grade I listed dog kennel and the private apartments of Charles Henry Robinson, who gave Ightham Mote to the National Trust in 1985.  The house is surrounded by peaceful gardens with lakes and woodland walks.

Cost of the visit: £30 to include entrance to Salomon’s House, a guided tour of the house, organ recital, coffee & biscuits on arrival, coach travel and driver’s gratuity.  Entrance to Ightham Mote free for NT members, non members £11.50.
The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.05 am.  Return to Bookham by approx 6.30 pm.

The Royal Pavilion is the spectacular seaside palace of the Prince Regent, who became King George IV. It was transformed by John Nash between 1815 and 1823 into one of the most dazzling and exotic buildings in the British Isles.

The Royal Pavilion houses furniture and works of art including original pieces lent by HM The Queen and a magnificent display of Regency silver-gilt. It also houses an extensive collection of James Gillray cartoons, including those depicting the Prince Regent.

Our morning visit will include audio guides that will enable us to take a tour at an individual pace.

There will be time to visit the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery in the afternoon. Dynamic and innovative galleries - including fashion and style, 20th century art, design, and furniture, together with a colourful gallery depicting the history of Brighton. The rest of the afternoon is free to visit the famous Lanes or stroll along the seafront.

Cost of the visit: £36 to include coffee & biscuits, entrance, and audio guide at The Royal Pavilion, entrance to the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, coach travel, and driver’s gratuity.

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.05 am. Return to Bookham by approx 6.30 pm.

Our Thames riverboat trip will take us from Westminster Pier to Greenwich.  We will be able to view many of London’s landmark buildings from the river and see how the riverside has undergone a complete transformation in the last twenty years. The trip takes an hour and we should arrive in Greenwich by midday.  Lunch can be taken in one of the many cafes, pubs or restaurants. There is also a cafe and brasserie at the National Maritime Museum.

Our afternoon begins with a guided tour of the Queen’s House. Inigo Jones was commissioned to design the building in 1616 by King James I’s wife, Anne of Denmark.  Only the first floor was finished when she died in 1619, and it was not completed until 1629, when Charles I gave Greenwich to his wife Henrietta Maria.  It was the first fully classical building in England.

It was used by members of the royal family until 1805, when George III granted the Queen’s House to a charity for the orphans of seamen, called the Royal Naval Asylum. This remained until 1933, when the school moved to Suffolk. It was taken over by the National Maritime Museum in 1934.

The Queen’s House is famous today for its extraordinary art collection including works by Great Masters such as Gainsborough, Reynolds, Turner and Hogarth. Its connection with artists goes all the way back to 1673, when two Dutch maritime painters the Van de Veldes were given studio space by Charles.

The House underwent extensive refurbishment last year and is celebrating its 400th anniversary with a major new art display.  This includes Turner prize winner Richard Wright’s beautiful and complex installation in gold leaf on the ceiling of the Great Hall.

There will be some free time after our guided tour before we meet our coach for the return journey to Bookham.

Cost of the visit: £30 to include riverboat trip, a guided tour of the Queen’s House, coach travel, and driver’s gratuity.  
The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.05 am.  Return to Bookham by approx 6.00 pm.

Day 1:  Travel to Llandudno via the National Trust's Moseley Old Hall, an Elizabethan farmhouse where Charles II hid after the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

Day 2:  Visit Caernarfon Castle which was begun in 1283 by Edward I as part of his conquest of Wales.   Afternoon visit to the National Slate Museum in Llanberis.

Day 3:  Drive through Snowdonia National Park in the morning followed by a visit to Portmeirion, a village designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the Italian style.

Day 4:  Guided tour of Gwydir Castle, a fine example of a Tudor courtyard house, situated in the Conwy Valley.   Followed by a visit to the National Trust Bodnant Gardens, located above the River Conway with stunning views across to Snowdonia.   Leisure time in Conwy town.

Day 5:  On the return journey, visit the National Trust's Packwood House in Warwickshire.   Much of the interior was designed between 1920-30s in an idealised Elizabethan or Jacobean style for Graham Baron Ash and offers a wonderful insight into the way of life of a wealthy connoisseur in the period between the Wars.

The history of Chiddingstone Castle can be traced back to the early 1500s. Initially a timber-framed Tudor house owned by the Streatfeild family, it was transformed in the early 1880s by Henry Streatfeild, who decided to rebuild the house to resemble a medieval castle. The architect William Atkinson was employed to carry out the work. In 1955 Denis Eyre Bower bought the property to house his collection of Egyptian, Japanese, Buddhist and Jacobite collections. Denis Bower had an interesting life story which included imprisonment for attempted murder.

Our visit will follow the March lecture on Ancient Egypt and will include a tour of the Denis Eyre Bower collection. We will also have a guided tour of the house, and time to visit the gardens and nearby village of Chiddingstone. The village is owned by the National Trust and is home to the ‘chiding stone’ where local scolds were punished in former times. A Ploughman’s Lunch will be served in the Tearoom at the Castle before we depart for Emmetts Garden, a short ride away.

Emmetts Garden is owned by the National Trust. The Garden has panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, and the bluebells and azaleas are spectacular in early Spring. There is a shop, visitor centre, and tearoom that we will have time to visit before departing for home.

Cost of the visit: £35 to include entrance to Chiddingstone Castle, a guided tour of the house and collection, coffee & biscuits on arrival, a Ploughman’s lunch, coach travel and driver’s gratuity. Entrance to Emmetts Garden free for NT members, non members £8.10.

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.05 am. Return to Bookham by approx 6.00 pm.

We will be visiting Christ’s Hospital School to take their Verrio Tour. This offers a rare opportunity to tour the School’s magnificent buildings, to visit the museum, watch the School Band (weather permitting) and take a full historical tour of Christ’s Hospital with the pupils.

The massive eighty-six foot long painting by Antonio Verrio situated in Dining Hall that commemorates the foundation of the Royal Mathematical School in 1673 is a highlight of the tour. Known, simply, as The Verrio, it has been a dominant feature in the Dining Hall at Horsham and its two predecessor Great Halls in London for 320 years. Our tour will conclude with a full afternoon tea in the Hall.

Cost of the visit: £36 to include the Verrio tour, afternoon tea, coach travel, and driver’s gratuity.

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 12.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 12.05 am. Depart Christ’s Hospital School for return journey at 4.30 pm.

This year we will be returning to the Royal Albert Hall for the Classic Carol Concert at 7.30 on Tuesday 20th December.

Alan Titchmarsh will be introducing a festive assortment of traditional Christmas music and carols with the acclaimed London Philharmonic Choir and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

The coach will depart The Anchor at 5.30 pm and pick up at the Guildford Road bus stop (High Street side) at 5.35 pm.

Tickets cost £32 to include seats in the Choir, coach travel, and driver’s gratuity.

The Banqueting House is the only remaining component of the Palace of Whitehall in London. It was begun in 1619, and designed by Inigo Jones in a style influenced by Andrea Palladio. The building is important in the history of English architecture as the first structure to be completed in the neo-classical style, which was to transform English architecture.

We will be provided with audio guides for our visit. We will hear about the Rubens ceiling, the architecture, and the art collection. We will also learn about the history of the building, and stand on the site of the scaffold where King Charles I was beheaded in January 1649.

After our tour we will travel to Syon Park in time to enjoy lunch in the restaurant at the garden centre on the estate. We will have a guided tour of the House in the afternoon.

Syon House is the spectacular London home of the Duke of Northumberland.  The house was built in the sixteenth century, but completely redesigned in the eighteenth by Robert Adam, who was commissioned to create a series of striking classical interiors, filled with antiquities shipped from Italy. In the nineteenth century the architect Charles Fowler added a neo classical conservatory in the Palladian style.

The one hundred acres of parkland at Syon is essentially the landscape created over twenty years by ‘Capability’ Brown in the eighteenth century. There is a special exhibition celebrating the 300th anniversary of his birth.

Cost of the day: £30 to include entrance to The Banqueting House (including audio guide), entrance and guided tour of Syon Park, coach travel and driver’s gratuity.

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 8.45 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 8.50 am.

This year is the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, that saw William the Conqueror assume control of England in 1066.   Battle Abbey takes its name from the town and was founded to commemorate the battle, which is believed to have taken place at this site.  The high altar of the abbey church was reputedly on the spot where King Harold died and is now marked by a special commemorative stone.
Little remains of the original abbey but the impressive gateway dominates the town. The rooftop is open to visitors for the first time this year, and offer extensive views of the battlefield where wooden sculptures depicting the battle and life after 1066 dot the landscape.
We will spend the morning at the Abbey, where we will have time to visit the Gatehouse and explore the battlefield.  Audio guides are included in the cost of the day.  There is a Visitor Centre cafe which serves light lunches, or alternatively there will be time to have lunch in one of the many cafes, tearooms and pubs in the town.

After lunch we will make the short journey to Merriments Gardens.   The four acre garden has deep meandering borders and a long season of colour with wonderful planting combinations and many unusual plants.  It has been featured on BBC Gardeners World and in most gardening magazines in this country, Europe, and North America.  There will be time to explore the gardens and visit the restaurant, shop, and nursery before our journey home.

Cost of the day: £30 to include coach travel, entrance to Battle Abbey (including audio guide), and entrance to Merriments Gardens.

The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.05 am.

We stay five nights at the centrally located 4* Park Hotel in The Hague (www.parkhoteldenhaag.nl). Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant and bar. All rooms are en suite and feature television, telephone, hairdryer and tea & coffee making facilities.
NB: The single rooms carry a supplement of £99 per person. However, for a supplement of £142, there are a limited number of double rooms available for sole use which will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Day 1
Travel by coach to Dover for our P&O Ferries Channel crossing to Calais. We spend some time at leisure in Ghent before continuing to the 4* Park Hotel in The Hague for a five night stay.
Day 2
Our guided introductory tour of The Hague this morning with our tour manager takes in sights such as the Peace Palace and the parliament buildings. We then enjoy a guided tour at the Mauritshuis, known as the ‘Royal Gallery of Paintings’. Recently reopened after a major expansion and renovation the gallery is home to an outstanding collection with masterpieces by Rembrandt, Van Steen, Frans Hals, Ruysdael, Rubens, Van Dyck, and Vermeer, including his famous ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’.   We visit the Panorama Mesdag this afternoon, a cylindrical painting over 14 metres high and 120 metres in circumference. It depicts the vista of the sea, the dunes and Scheveningen village. This is the largest painting in the Netherlands and was painted by Hendrik Willem Mesdag, the most famous painter at The Hague School. The rest of the day is at leisure in The Hague.
Day 3
On arrival in Amsterdam this morning we visit the newly refurbished Rijksmuseum for a guided tour of this world renowned art collection, the most famous of which is Rembrandt’s ‘The Night Watch’, but which also includes many Dutch Old Masters such as Jan Steen, Frans Hals and Vermeer. As well as paintings, the collection includes sculptures, clocks, Delft Blue, porcelain and Asian and Oriental art. Subject to availability we visit the Anne Frank House this afternoon. For more than two years during World War II, Anne Frank and her family lived in the annex of the building at Prinsengracht 263. It was from here that she wrote her famous diary. Our day concludes with an included relaxing cruise to admire some of the city’s stunning architecture from the picturesque canals.
Day 4
Rotterdam is our destination today, world famous for its spectacular modern architecture. Our guided tour on arrival takes in the modern architecture of the Cube Houses and Markthal, and the old picturesque harbour of Delfshaven, where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America. The afternoon is at leisure in Rotterdam, and on an individual basis you may choose to enjoy a cruise through one of the largest harbours in the world, or visit the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands.
Day 5
We see the wonderful collection at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam this morning. Our guided tour on arrival introduces us to the largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh in the world. This afternoon we enjoy a guided tour at Muiderslot Castle. Built in 1280 by Count Floris V.   This is one of the most beautiful and best preserved medieval castles in the Netherlands.
Day 6
En route home we visit Rubens House at Antwerp, the former house of Peter Paul Rubens from 1616 until his death in 1640. The house was built around an inner courtyard and the Baroque portico between the courtyard and the Flemish-Italian Renaissance garden was designed by the master himself. Our guided tour of the House introduces us to the life and works of Rubens, including his self portrait, ‘Adam and Eve in Paradise’, ‘Henry IV in the battle for Paris’ and a portrait of Sir Anthony Van Dyck as a boy. We return to Bookham via P&O Ferries Channel crossing from Calais to Dover.

Our journey along the North Kent coast will include a stop for coffee & biscuits at the Macknade Fine Food Hall in Faversham.  We will arrive in Margate with time to look round the Old Town, where the ‘creative quarter" is based.  This network of quaint streets is home to numerous art galleries and shops, traditional ale houses, and even a Michelin-rated restaurant.  
 In the afternoon we will visit Turner Contemporary where we have a one hour guided tour. Turner Contemporary is one of the UK’s leading art galleries.  Situated on Margate seafront, it is a stone’s throw from the site where Britain's best-loved painter J. M. W. Turner stayed when visiting the town.
The building was designed by Sir David Chipperfield and opened in 2011.  The gallery is a catalyst for the regeneration of Margate and East Kent and has already been visited by over 2 million visitors. It presents a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions, events and learning opportunities which make intriguing links between historic and contemporary art.  This summer there will be an exhibition of Yinka Shonibare’s powerful work, which explores themes of conflict, empire and migration presented against the background of the North Sea.  The second exhibition explores the centrality of the circle in art.  Featuring more than 100 works from 3000 BC to the present day – Seeing Round Corners: The Art of the Circle brings together artworks and artefacts from artists including Leonardo da Vinci, Paul Nash, Barbara Hepworth, JMW Turner, Theaster Gates, Rebecca Horn, David Shrigley, and Bridget Riley.
Cost of the day: £25 to include coach travel, coffee & biscuits at the Macknade Food Hall, and guided tour at Turner Contemporary.
The coach will depart from the Anchor at 8.45 am and the Guildford Road bus stop at 8.50 am.

The picturesque town of Romsey in Hampshire sits beside the lovely River Test, one of the finest trout and salmon rivers in Europe.  It is home to a multitude of small independent retailers and its winding streets add to Romsey’s charm.   Romsey’s magnificent Norman Abbey, datng back to 907AD, dominates the town.  We will have a guided tour of the Abbey during the morning followed by time to have lunch in one of the town’s many pubs or cafes.
In the afternoon we will visit Broadlands for a guided tour of the House.  The estate was bought in 1736 by Henry Temple, 1st  Lord Palmerston, who employed William Kent to begin ‘de-formalising’ the gardens between the house and the river.  He created a gentle descent to the river and produced the ‘broad-lands’.  
When his son, 2nd Viscount Palmerston inherited the estate, he invited Capability Brown to visit and ‘seize upon the capabilities of the earlier Tudor and Jacobean manor house.  In 1767 a major architectural “transformation” was begun by Lancelot “Capability” Brown and completed by Henry Holland, which led to making Broadlands the Palladian-style mansion seen today surrounded by naturalistic landscaping.
Broadlands was later the country estate of the nineteenth century Prime Minister, Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston and in the 20th century home of Earl Mountbatten of Burma. Queen Elizabeth II (then
Princess Elizabeth) and Prince Philip spent their honeymoon at Broadlands in November 1947.  Today it is the home of Earl Mountbatten’s grandson, Lord Brabourne and his wife and family.

Cost of the day: £33 to include coach travel, guided tour of Romsey Abbey, entrance and guided tour of Broadlands.  The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (High Street side) at 9.05 am.

Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild built Waddesdon Manor between 1874 and 1889 as a weekend residence for grand entertaining.  The architect was Gabriel-Hippolyte Destailleur who designed a house in the style of the great Renaissance chateaux of the Loire Valley.  He also installed all the modern comforts of running water, central heating and electricity.
 Baron Ferdinand filled the house with his extensive collections of French 18th-century boiseries, Savonnerie carpets, tapestries, furniture, Sèvres ceramics, and books, as well as English and Dutch paintings and Renaissance treasures. Works were acquired for their exquisite quality and fine provenance. One of the highlights of the collection is the extraordinary musical automaton elephant, dating from 1774 and made by the French clockmaker H Martinet.  
The spectacular grounds are famous for their colourful bedding, parterres, and fountains.  The Rose Garden will be at its best in June for colour and perfume.  The gardens are also home to an aviary glade, tropical mound and water gardens.
On arrival we will be welcomed with coffee and biscuits, followed by a film introduction to Waddesdon and the Rothschilds.  After time to explore the gardens and enjoy lunch we will be provided with audio guides for our afternoon visit to the House.

Cost of the day: £27 to include coach travel, introductory film, audio guide of Waddesdon Manor, and coffee/tea & biscuits on arrival.  Entrance free to National Trust members, additional £13 to non-members.
The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (Lower Shott side) at 9.05 am.

Day 1

We visit the Beth Chatto Gardens near Colchester en route to the 4* Stoke by Nayland Hotel on the outskirts of Leavenheath for a four night stay on a half board basis.

Day 2

We firstly visit Christchurch Mansion, a fine Tudor Mansion near Ipswich.   We then continue to Constable Country where we visit East Bergholt, Dedham and the NT's Bridge Cottage at Flatford which houses an exhibition on John Constable.

Day 3

We spend time at leisure in Southwold and then visit Aldeburgh.   In the afternoon we visit Sutton Hoo, an Anglo Saxon royal burial site where the priceless Sutton Hoo treasure was discovered in a huge ship grave in 1939.

Day 4

This morning we go to Bury St Edmunds for a guided tour which includes a visit to St Edmundsbury Cathedral.   In the afternoon we continue to the NT's Ickworth House which, with its huge central rotunda, is home to a fine collection of Old Master paintings, silver and Regency furniture.

Day 5

This morning we visit Gainsborough's House at Sudbury.   After spending some time at leisure for lunch in Lavenham, we continue to the NT's Melford Hall, one of East Anglia's most celebrated Elizabethan houses.   Thereafter we return to Bookham..

Hatfield House is the home of the 7th Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury and their family.  It was built between 1607and1611 by Robert Cecil, first Earl of Salisbury and son of Lord Burghley, the chief minister of Elizabeth I. 
The superb Jacobean House was splendidly decorated for entertaining the Royal Court, with State Rooms rich in paintings, fine furniture and tapestries. Highlights include the oak-panelled Marble Hall and the grand staircase as well as the Rainbow Portrait of Elizabeth I. The Victorian kitchen has been restored and The Long Gallery is 170 feet long and has wonderful views of the gardens.
The deer park surrounding the gardens, and the Old Palace, which is in the grounds, had been owned by Elizabeth’s father, Henry VIII, who had used it as a home for his children, Edward, Elizabeth and Mary. It was while she was living in the Old Palace, in 1558, that Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne. Visitors can explore the gardens and park beyond, and see the site of the original Oak tree where she received this news.

 
Cost of the day: £35 to include coach travel, entrance and guided tour of Hatfield House, and coffee/tea & biscuits on arrival.  
The coach will depart from the Anchor at 9.00 am and the Guildford Road Bus Stop (Lower Shott side) at 9.05 am.