Friday 18^th December 2020

Virtual online tour – “The Spirit of Christmas”

This Christmas special live online virtual day visit will be celebrating all things Christmassy. 

We recommend a mince pie and glass of Christmas cheer to hand as you enjoy this extra treat.

Presented by Tourist Guides Pepe Martinez, an award- winning London Blue badge Tourist Guide and accredited Institute of Tourist Guide Trainer who is currently tutoring on the London Blue badge training course, and Simon Whitehouse, also an award- winning Blue badge Guide and Lecturer at the Ithaca College London Centre.

This extra special Christmas extravaganza will be in two parts.  Part one will explore the history of all those Christmas traditions we now take for granted such as Christmas crackers, mince pies, Christmas cards and the Christmas tree.

After a short interval, part two will be a virtual Version of “Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol” which will be presented jointly by Pepe and Simon.

This event will be streamed online on Friday 18^th December 2020 at 11:00am via a link sent to members only and available by this link to YouTube for 48 hours only.

Wednesday 19^th May 2021

“Curtain Up! The Story of London’s Theatreland”

As a replacement for the postponed the Dornywood House & Dorney Court visit, we have a virtual tour of London’s Theatreland.

This will be presented by Simon Whitehouse, an award- winning London Blue Badge Guide and lecturer at the Ithaca College London Centre. 

This will be via a link sent to members only and available by this link to YouTube for 48 hours only.

Wednesday 12^th May 2021

Dorneywood House and Dorney Court

Unfortunately, this day visit has been postponed due to the Coronavirus situation. 

We have re-arranged for May 2023.

More details nearer the time.

Wednesday 11^th August 2021

Sezincote and Batsford Arboretum

Sezincote is a family run estate in the Cotswolds. It is a 200-year-old home in the style of a Mogul Indian Palace. The mixture of Hindu and Muslin detail makes it a unique example of the architecture of Akbur. It is thought that Sezincote is the only Mogul building surviving in Western Europe. The interior is purely classical Greek revival.

The gardens are originally attributed to Thomas Dancell and are a beautiful mixture of mighty oaks, flower beds, water and statues.  A later addition of the orangery unfurls above a Repton landscape that has remained unchanged since the mid 19th century.

Our afternoon visit is to Batsford Arboretum and wild garden.  This is home to a unique collection of some of the world’s most beautiful and rare trees, shrubs and bamboos. It was created in the late 1800’s by Lord Redesdale, grandfather to the infamous Mitford sisters, and is heavily influenced by the far East.

Our day will begin with coffee at a charming café before a tour in two groups round Sezincote Palace and garden.

We will then have lunch in a country inn, The Horse and Groom. The visit will end with a free flow tour of the Arboretum with time for a look round the garden centre and a chance to buy your own refreshments before the journey home.

Tickets will be on sale at our June 2021 meetings.

More information:
Sezincote website
Batsford Arboretum website

Wednesday 20^th May 2020 – Chatsworth

Unfortunately, this day visit has been postponed due to the coronavirus situation. We have rearranged for Wednesday 11th May 2022.

More details nearer the time.

Click here for Chatsworth House website

Wednesday 19^th August 2020 – Weston Park

Unfortunately, this day visit has been postponed due to the coronavirus situation. We have rearranged for Wednesday 17th August 2022.

Click here for Weston Park website