May 15th 2024 – Grimsthorpe Castle, Gardens and Park Tour. The castle was open especially for our visit.

Patricia Weinbren and Lynne Henderson escorted 49 members of our Arts Society to Grimsthorpe Castle and Park. We travelled by coach provided by Catteralls coach company from Royal Leaminton Spa, the journey took  just over an hour and half. On arrival we were greeted with light refreshments in the barn after which we walked (buggies were provided if needed) to the Castle and divided into 3 groups, each group was given a guided tour of the house which was beautiful and well worth the visit. The tour took approx. one hour. The castle has been owned for 500 years by successive generations of the same family united under one ancient title, The Barony of Willoughby de Eresby.

Following the tour we had a ‘tea lunch’ of sandwiches, scones, cream/cake. The newly opened gift shop was available for us to browse in. After lunch there was a guided coach trip round the extensive park land. The members commented on how lovely the house and grounds were and there was great interest in the fact that we were ‘ahead of the game’ by visiting before the new series of ‘Bridgerton’, (which was filmed at Grimsthorpe) was released by Netflix since once that had been launched the castle was expecting many more visitors.  

Wednesday 9th August 2023

Sezincote and Batsford Arboretum

Sezincote is a family run estate, covering over 4,500 acres of rolling countryside and featuring waterfalls and canals. At the heart of the estate stands a 200 year old Mogal style house complete with temples and grottoes and a beautiful orangery.

Following our trip and refreshing morning coffee, we were treated to tours of the house. Lunch was taken nearby at a local establishment in a countryside setting, before we departed for Batsford Arboretum.  Created in the late 1800s by Lord Redesdale and now run by the Batsford Foundation, the Arboretum is heavily influenced by the Far East. It houses a unique collection of beautiful and rare trees, shrubs and bamboos.

We had free flow of both the garden, garden centre and garden terrace cafe before departing for home.

The weather was very kind and an enjoyable day was had by all.

Wednesday 10th May 2023

Dorneywood House and Dorney Court

Dorneywood House is an 18th century house in Buckinghamshire traditionally used as the grace and favour house of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.  Originally a Georgian farmhouse, it has Victorian and later additions, and following a fire in 1910, was remodelled in 1919 by Robert Lorimer. The house will be opened especially for us in the morning. 

After our journey the day began with a refreshing coffee, followed by a tour of the house and free flow of the gardens. We then enjoyed a private finger lunch under the marquee at Dorneywood.

Close by is Dorney Court, a grade one listed Tudor Manor House dating from around 1440.  It is one of England’s loveliest houses renowned for its architectural importance and often used as film and television settings.  It has been in the Palmer family for nearly half a millennium, and we had guided tours of the house, followed by a visit to the nearby garden centre.