There's some important information that applies to all outings. This includes our new scheme for refunds to members of the RHS or HHA when we visit some properties. Please click here to read it.

Click the clock to see the pick-up timetables .     Click on the symbol for more information.

There are pictures from some earlier outings on the Photo Galleries page

You need to book using the form in the March 2012 newsletter.

 Please remember to enclose a stamped addressed envelope with all bookings

Date

Outing details

Coach Start 11.00am

Depart for home 4.30pm

Highcliffe Castle (HHA)

This gem of a building is not far away from us. It was built in the 1830s and was a family home until 1950. As the name suggests it is built on a high cliff, with views over Mudeford and the Isle of Wight.

There is restaurant adjacent to the house, serving home-cooked food including lunches, sandwiches, cakes and cream teas.

The house has had a lot of work done on it in the last few years. If you haven't visited for a while this would be a good chance to see what's been done.

Access is easy, and the surrounding grounds are level, unless you want to walk down to the beach via the steep path.

Members £17    Non-members £19.55

Coach start 8.30am

Estimated return at Swanage 8.00pm

A la Ronde (NT), Devon

A fascinating and unique house overlooking the River Exe in Devon. Completed in 1796 by two single cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter who tried to recreate an octagonal Basilica like the San Vitali at Ravenna. It actually has 16 sides and contains many of the artefacts brought back by the Parminters from their grand tour in Europe.

The building is small and we may need to split into two groups - one visiting the house while the other has lunch (in the restaurant or you can bring a picnic).

There will be a coffee stop en route. If time allows we may visit another place of interest on the way home.

The house is on three floors and has some steep, narrow stairs.

Members £17    Non-members £19.55

Monday 11 June

Swannery

Gardens

Coach start 9.00am

Depart for home 4.30

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens (HHA) and Swannery

We should arrive at the Swannery in time for coffee and a stroll around before watching the swans being fed at noon. We then go to the Gardens where we can have lunch at the restaurant, or a picnic. There will be plenty of time to see the Gardens, which have been named Garden Of The Year by the Historic Houses Association.

You will need to do a reasonable amount of walking to get the best out of the properties, but both have good systems of pathways. The Swannery is generally flat, but the Gardens aren't! The Gardens do however have a well-signed path that's suitable for wheelchairs, and would probably suit the less active or mobile.

Members £23    Non-members £26.45 (includes entrance to both properties).

Tuesday 19 June

Moreton

Cider Museum

Coach start 10.00am

Depart for home 4pm

Moreton & The Cider Museum

You may have already been to these places, but not perhaps with a guide.

Moreton Church is unique - after wartime bombing destroyed all the glass, every window (even the smallest) was eventually replaced with ones engraved by Lawrence Whistler. TE Lawrence is buried in the graveyard, which is a short walk from the Church. Even the tearoom (which is in the old school and where we shall have a ploughman's lunch) is steeped in history. As well as photos of school classes there are photos of TE Lawrence's funeral, and you can see the bier which carried his coffin.

We start by visiting the church. After lunch there should be time to walk to the graveyard, or down the lane to the ford across the Frome. After this we will visit the nearby cider museum which also has an interesting collection of clocks.

Members £22    Non-members £25.30 (includes lunch and entry fees)

Coach start 8.30am

Depart for home 4.30

Knightshayes Court (NT), Devon

This Victorian country house, built in the lush landscape of mid-Devon, is an exciting architectural experience, with extraordinary medieval romantic interiors and rich decoration, giving an insight into grand country life. The impressive organic kitchen garden has been restored to full production. The celebrated gardens feature a water-lily pool, rare shrubs and amusing topiary. There are attractive woodland walks and wonderful specimen trees. There is a self-service restaurant for meals, sandwiches, cream teas etc. Picnics can be eaten in the parkland.

There will be a coffee stop en route, and a comfort stop on the return journey.

The building has a ramped entrance, but there are stairs to other floors. There are cobbles in the stables courtyard and restaurant.  The grounds are reasonably easy to negotiate, with slopes and gravel paths; the steps to the terraces have handrails.

Members £15    Non-members £17.25

Coach start 9.15am

Depart for home 4.30

New Forest Show, Brockenhurst

Like the idea of going to the show but can't face the traffic and parking? Come on the coach with us.

The New Forest and Hampshire County Show is an annual agricultural show held for three days at the end of July at New Park, Brockenhurst. It's a great day out with lots to do, learn and see. The show attracts, on average, 95,000 visitors every year and brings together a celebration of traditional country pursuits, crafts, produce and entertainment. Uniquely, there is the New Forest Corner where all the customs of the Forest are explained.

Obviously you can't see much of this without a fair amount of walking.  The showground is level but it's mostly gravel paths or grass. There's a fair amount of seating, but with 30,000+ people each day, it will be crowded. See the video on their website.

Members £18    Non-members £20.70 (includes entry to show)

Coach start 8.15am

Depart for home 4pm

Cothay Manor, nr Wellington, Somerset

This is a private visit on a day when the Manor is closed to the public.

This is said to be the finest medieval manor house in England, with a Great Hall, solar, undercroft, gatehouse and fishpond. It's little altered since it was built, and still has wall paintings in some rooms. There are many 'themed' gardens set off a 200yard Yew Walk by the river.

The present owners bought it in 1993. It featured in the very first series of Country House Rescue.

We will arrive at 11am and tour the house first. A ploughman's lunch will be available for pre-order (£6.50) or you can picnic on the lawn.

The 12 acres of gardens are mostly level with gravel paths.

Members £28    Non-members £32.20