Car Visits

The car section organises four or five visits per year to a variety of properties, gardens and other places of interest for members who wish to travel in their own car

Wednesday 10th April - Guided Tour of Repton

Following on from the talk about Repton in March, we have now organised a guided tour of Repton taking in the history and sites of this fascinating small town.

Repton has a long history taking in the bronze age and Roman settlement, but becomes a major royal centre of the Mercian kings during the Anglo-Saxon period with some members of the royal family converting to Christianity in AD 653. Evidence of Viking attack and winter settlement has been found including the recent site of a mass grave of Viking warriors and Mercian camp followers.

The medieval parish church of St Wystan has an Anglo-Saxon crypt originally containing the bones of St Wystan and a number of Mercian kings. A medieval priory, now part of Repton school, is located close to the church.

Our guided tour will take approximately 2 hours taking in many of the interesting historical sites and buildings in the town.

Note: This event is now fully booked

Location: Repton Parish Church

Meet: 2pm

Charge: members £8; non members £10

Organiser: Allan Antcliffe: Tel 07807 147572, email: allan.antcliffe@hotmail.co.uk

Wednesday 1st May - Rode Hall and Gardens, Scholar Green, Cheshire

Rode Hall, a Georgian country house, is situated between Stoke on Trent and Congleton and has been the family home of the Wilbraham family since 1669. Our guided tour starting at 11am will take in the Entrance Hall, Staircase Hall, Ante-Room and Library, Drawing Room and Dining Room.

The house is noted for its family portraits, Gillow furniture and fine collection of English porcelain and pottery. Members can then take advantage of lunch or snacks at the Courtyard Kitchen following which you are at liberty to explore Rode’s Grade II listed park and gardens which are amongst the finest in Cheshire.

Our visit is timed to coincide with the woodland being carpeted in bluebells and lily of the valley.

Location: Rode Hall, Scholar Green. Cheshire. ST7 3QP.

Meet: 11am

Charge: members £16; non-members £18

Organiser: Allan Antcliffe Tel 07807 147572 email: allan.antcliffe@hotmail.co.uk

Wednesday 5th June - Morton Hall Gardens, Near Redditch

Morton Hall rests on the crest of a steep embankment and looks out west over the Vale of Evesham to Welsh mountain ranges on the horizon. This grand view is framed by the Malvern and Clee Hills to the left and right.

Our guided tour by either the head gardener or the owner will start in front of the hall with a brief talk about the hall’s history. The tour of the gardens will take in the East Terrace, New Garden and Park, Stroll Garden, Rockery and South Garden followed by a light lunch with soup or quiches served on the East Terrace or in the Orangery.

Location: Morton Hall Lane, Redditch, B96 65J

Meet: 11am

Charge: members £19; non-members £21 (includes a light lunch)

Organiser: Allan Antcliffe Tel 07807 147572 email: allan.antcliffe@hotmail.co.uk

Wednesday 10th July Guided Tour of Shrewsbury plus Boat trip on the River Severn

Shrewsbury is set amidst the glorious Shropshire countryside near to the Welsh Borders and is one of England’s finest medieval market towns. The town has over 600 listed buildings including the Castle and the Abbey (home of the fictional Brother Cadfael) and is the birthplace of Charles Darwin.

Our group will meet at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery at 11am to join our Blue Badge Guide for a 90-minute walking tour exploring the history and buildings of Shrewsbury. After time for lunch, we will reconvene at Victoria Bridge at 1.45pm to board the Sabrina tourist boat for a 45-minute return cruise along the River Severn taking in the sights including Shrewsbury Castle, St Chads Church, The Dingle, the Town Walls and Shrewsbury Abbey.

Tea/Coffee and biscuits are included and will be served during our cruise.

Location: Shrewsbury Town Square

Meet: 11am

Charge: members £22; non-members £23

Organiser: Allan Antcliffe: Tel 07807 147572, email: allan.antcliffe@hotmail.co.uk