Leisure or Walking in Kent - Your Choice! - 18th - 21st March 2022

Why not join us on this tour based in the Tudor Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club, Maidstone, Kent.

Friday: Travelling to Hever Castle, Kent for our first visit of the weekend. Dating back to the 13th 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 what is regarded as ‘one of the best collections of Tudor portraits after the National Portrait Gallery’ by David Starkey. The Book of Hours Room beautifully illuminates two prayer books which belonged to Anne Boleyn and bear her inscriptions and signature.

It is recommended that you bring a packed lunch with you as we are not scheduled to arrive at Hever Castle & Gardens until early afternoon. After exploring Hever we will re-join the coach for our onward journey to the Tudor Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club. It will be a late afternoon check-in. After we have checked-in there will be time at leisure prior to dinner.

Saturday: Leaving the hotel after breakfast we will travel to Margate. 

Today’s walk starts at Margate and is an 8 mile, generally on the level walk, along the coast from Margate to Ramsgate via Broadstairs. Although some sections of the walk can be completed at beach level, it is not possible to complete the whole walk at this level. Beginning at Margate, you’ll follow the Thanet coastal path and sections of the Viking coastal trail through nine bays, including Viking Bay at Broadstairs and the surfer’s paradise of Joss Bay. Many of the bays were used by smugglers in the past to hide their contraband. We don’t think any of this remains today, but there are some bars and cafés along the way - some of these may be seasonal.

For the non-walkers, then you will have time at Margate and Ramsgate and possibly Broadstairs (if time permits) before returning to Maidstone for the rest of day prior to Dinner.

Sunday: After breakfast we make the journey to Wye, the starting point of today’s walk (4.5 miles approx).  This is a clockwise circular walk starting and ending in the village of Wye.  It is advisable to use good walking shoes or boots and to take walking poles - there is one steep uphill section, and one steep downhill section.  The paths and tracks are generally good throughout, but some of them do cross fields and these may be muddy or wet depending on the ground conditions on the day.

After the walk, we will re-join the coach and there will be some free time in Canterbury.

For the non-walkers, you will be taken to Canterbury after dropping off the walkers in Wye, where you will have time to explore, before returning to the hotel, late afternoon.

This historic English city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is graced by the magnificent Cathedral

which is situated in the heart of Canterbury.

Monday: After breakfast you will check-out of the hotel and travel to Chartwell.

Chartwell was the much-loved Churchill family home from 1922 and the place from which Sir Winston drew inspiration until the end of his life.

The rooms remain much as they were when he lived here, with pictures, books and personal mementoes evoking the career and wide-ranging interests of a great statesman, writer, painter and family man. New to 2019, is a new exhibition to give unique insight into the life of Churchill through 50 Objects.

The hillside gardens reflect Sir Winston’s love of the landscape and nature. They include the lakes he created, the kitchen garden and the Marycot, a playhouse designed for his youngest daughter Mary.

Early afternoon we will depart Chartwell to head back to Manchester, arriving approx. 20.00hrs

Hotel: Tudor Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club, Maidstone is located right in the heart of the Garden of England, nestled in the Kent countryside.  All Bedrooms include en-suite bathroom, tea & coffee making facilities, hair dryer, Wi-Fi and television. The hotel also has a Pool, Spa, Gym and 18 hole Golf Course.

 

Price Per person: (Based on twin/double 2 adults sharing) -

• Member Plus (Members with Lottery Shares) - £259
• Members (No Lottery Shares) - £264
• Non-Member - £269
• Single Supplement £84
  

Look What's included:

• 3 Nights Accommodation including Breakfast and Dinner
• Entry to Hever Castle and Gardens, and Chartwell
• Transport throughout the tour as per itinerary
• Maps & Walks Itinerary

What's NOT included:

• Meals and Entrance to attraction fees other than those stated in the itinerary
• Any Items of a personal nature such as drinks, souvenirs etc

For further details and bookings, you can either use the Reservation Form or contact Bob Walker 

Please include your Name, Home Address, Contact Telephone Number, Membership Number and the Number Places Required (Member/Non-Member)

Leisure or Walking in Cumbria- Your Choice! - 25th - 27th June 2021

Why not join us on this tour based at the Seacote Hotel, St Bees, Cumbria.

The itinerary for the weekend includes visits to Wordsworth Birthplace in Cockermouth, a return journey on the Ravensglass & Eskdale  Railway and entry into Munster Castle and Gardens.

Saturday: The walk starts at the Historic Harbour in Whitehaven and is a scenic 7 mile undulating Coastal route from Whitehaven to St Bees.

For the non-walkers, you will have time Whitehaven before returning to St Bees in the afternoon, where you will be at leisure for the rest of day.

Whitehaven: The Beacon Museum is Copeland's museum. Explore 4 floors of interactive history whilst visiting some of the most exciting temporary exhibitions in Cumbria.

The award winning museum continues to tell the story of Copeland. Starting with the geology of the area and the early settlers, the interactive museum charts history through to the Lowther family’s development of the town of Whitehaven into one of the UK’s most significant ports and beyond to more modern twentieth century industries.

The Rum Story is a museum / visitor centre is on Lowther Street Whitehaven and is set in the original shop of the Jefferson family. The idea is to come off the streets of Georgian Whitehaven into an exotic Island in the Caribbean. 

If Whitehaven is well known for anything then it is its Historic Harbour. The harbour dates back to 1633 when the first Quay was built which is called 'old quay'. It was built to export salt and coal. Whitehaven was very important to the coal industry as in 1700, 80% of Ireland's coal was imported from Whitehaven! 

St Bees: The village of St Bees is just south of St Bees Head, the most westerly point of Cumbria, on the coastal strip between the Lakeland fells and the Irish Sea.  It has a history going back over 1,000 years and has been a popular holiday  destination for over 150 years.

It's well known for its Norman Priory dating from 1120 dedicated to our own Saint Bega, who is said to have landed here from Ireland in AD 850. Also for it's 400-year old school, and as the start of the Wainwright "Coast to Coast" Walk. There is a large sandy beach with a promenade and visitor facilities, and to the north are the towering red sandstone cliffs of St Bees Head; which is the only Heritage Coast between Scotland and Wales and an important RSPB seabird reserve.

Wordsworth House and Garden, Cockermouth is the birthplace and childhood home of romantic poet William and his sister Dorothy.
It is presented as it would have been when Wordsworth and Dorothy lived here with their parents, three brothers and servants in the 1770s. There is real food on the kitchen and dining tables much produced in the garden, and a fire burning in the working kitchen.

The children’s bedroom is full of toys and dressing up clothes, and in the Wordsworth Room there are books and games to enjoy. Down in the cellar, the household’s ghosts are waiting to tell their stories.      In the garden are 18th-century vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers, just as it would have been when William played – and learned his love of nature – here.

Ravensglass & Eskdale Railway is one of the oldest and longest narrow gauge railways in England, known affectionately as La’al Ratty meaning “little railway“ in olde Cumbrian dialect. It was 105 years ago in April 1913

that the original 3ft line closed and in 1915 the new 15in La’al Ratty was born. Our heritage steam engines transport passengers from Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lake District National Park, to Dalegarth for Boot some 210ft above sea level. The journey takes 40 minutes each way and passes seven intermediate request stops which are perfect for walking. The cosy covered and open top carriages provide the best of comfort and views as you travel up the line. 

Munster Castle & Gardens dominates the Lake District Coast where the mountains tumble into the sea and bursting with treasures and tales, haunted Muncaster oozes history from every rough stone which fashion the castle walls. 

John Ruskin described the stunning views of England’s highest mountains as “Heaven’s Gate”. Still cherished by the family who have inhabited Muncaster for over 800 years, the surrounding woodland gardens teem with wildlife & nurture exotic plants from around the world. The fabulous Hawk & Owl Centre flies falcons, owls, hawks, eagles, herons & vultures daily to enchant visitors with the majesty of these fascinating birds of prey. 

Hotel: Seacote Hotel is wonderfully situated on the West Cumbrian Coast, on the edge of the Lake District National Park. The hotel borders on the mile long beach and iconic headlands of St. Bees. With Stunning sea views it is the perfect place for a relaxing break. 

All rooms have, Ensuite facilities, Free Wi-Fi, Flat screen digital TV’s, Linen and towels provided and Tea and Coffee making facilities. The hotel has a pub attached where meals are available.

Price Per person: (Based on twin/double 2 adults sharing) -

• Member Plus (Members with Lottery Shares) - £149
• Members (No Lottery Shares) - £154
• Non-Member - £159
• Single Supplement £NIL (Limited Availability)
  

Look What's included:

• 2 Nights Accommodation including Breakfast 
• Entry to Wordsworth House, Munster Castle and Gardens
  
• Return journey on the Ravensglass & Eskdale Railway
• Transport throughout the tour as per itinerary
• Maps & Walk Itinerary

What's NOT included:

• Meals and Entrance to attraction fees other than those stated in the itinerary
• Any Items of a personal nature such as drinks, souvenirs etc

For further details and bookings, you can either use the Reservation Form or contact Bob Walker 

Please include your Name, Home Address, Contact Telephone Number, Membership Number and the Number Places Required (Member/Non-Member)

 

 

10th - 15th April 2022

Just 28 miles off the southwest tip of Britain, lies the small, beautiful archipelago of the Isles of Scilly … a charismatic destination with unique charm and warmth: with mile after mile of white sandy beaches, acres of natural landscape to explore, a rich and fascinating history. The skies seem bigger here, the horizons further away, and the landscape broader. It all feels quite intimate and old-fashioned, as if you’ve stumbled upon an idyllic film set from a bygone era. Let the concerns of everyday life drift away on the falling tide. This is the stuff that holiday memories are made of: beautiful surroundings, a gentler pace of life, quiet conversation and nature’s soundtrack.

Your Hotel: The Bell Rock Hotel is perfectly situated in St. Mary’s on Church Street; a quiet part of town, it is

very convenient for the two beaches and the shops of High Town. The hotel offers comfort and elegance, the highest standard of service and a pleasant friendly atmosphere. It boasts a super dining room, delightful bar, lounge and an indoor swimming pool. All bedrooms offer comfortable accommodation with en-suite facilities. The hotel has no lift.

Sunday
We depart Manchester calling for coffee and lunch en-route to our overnight stay in Cornwall. All rooms are en-suite. We have time for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Monday
After breakfast we take the short journey south to Penzance/Lands End to board the boat/plane for our morning sea crossing/flight across to St. Mary’s, where a mini bus will be waiting to take us to The Bell Rock Hotel. After check-in we will meet our Guide for a walking tour of St. Mary’s.

Tuesday
This afternoon we visit the island of St. Agnes and Gugh. The morning is yours to spend at leisure.

Wednesday
Today we visit Tresco and the world famous Tresco Abbey Gardens.

Thursday
Today we have a boat trip to the Island of St. Martins where we visit the Flower Farm.

Friday
After Breakfast we catch the bus to the airport for our flight back to Lands End where the coach will be waiting. From here we head for home stopping for coffee and meals en-route to arrive in Manchester late evening.

Please note: The days of the excursions may be subject to change

Price Per person: (Based on twin/double 2 adults sharing) -

• Member Plus (Members with Lottery Shares) - £945
• Members (No Lottery Shares) - £975
• Non-Member - £1005
• Single Supplement £25
  
• Insurance - £POA

Look What's included:

• Luxury coach travel
• 4 Nights Dinner bed & breakfast at the Bell Rock Hotel, St. Mary’s Isles of Scilly
• 1 Night dinner bed & breakfast at Hotel in Cornwall
• Outward by sea(if booked)/plane and return by plane ONLY(Sea transfer will only be necessary if the plane is out of service)
• Mini-bus transfer on Isles of Scilly to the hotel
• Guided tour of St Mary’s,
• Entrance to Tresco Abbey Gardens
• All boat trips
• Driver/Guide Gratuities

What's NOT included:

• Meals and Entrance to attraction fees other than those stated in the itinerary
• Any Items of a personal nature such as drinks, souvenirs etc

For further details and bookings, you can either use the Reservation Form or contact Bob Walker 

Please include your Name, Home Address, Contact Telephone Number, Membership Number and the Number Places Required (Member/Non-Member)