Study Days 2024
Hampton Court Palace April 2024
53 of our members were whisked off to Hampton Court Palace on this year’s first Study Day. Travelling in warmth and comfort by luxury coach we were transported to Hampton Court Palace. The venue is like a time capsule of royal life from the Tudors through to the Georgian period - after which Queen Victoria decided to base the Royal Family in London and Windsor. Much of the Palace is just as it was when King Henry VIII and his 6 wives lived there. Following on from the Tudors, the Stuarts and the House of Orange built vast extensions to the palace in a much more luxurious style to that of the Tudors. Later The Georgian monarchs added further new extensions, all whilst keeping the original Tudor structures intact. All the British Monarchs that lived at Hampton Court laid out and later amended and extended very lavish gardens. Today Hampton Court Palace represents a physical history lesson of British Royal Life.
Brenda & Colin Mark
Brenda & Colin Mark
Thursday 23 May
WINDSOR CASTLE, WINDSOR, BERKS
Forty nine intrepid travellers set off from Putlands at 8.30am for the long awaited trip to Windsor and the Castle. We had a smooth journey arriving about 10.30. We then made our way from the coach park towards the castle. As we approached we were surprised to see so many people lining the streets up to the castle. We soon realised that it was almost time for the Changing of the Guard and were pleased to be able to watch and listen to the band. It was then time to head to the castle, where we even had to go through the scanner!!!
During the day everyone spent time visiting the different areas of the castle and grounds. There was much to see...The State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel and Queen Mary's Dolls House. Some of the group went to see Queen Mary's Dolls House, which was full of the most exquisite, beautiful items of furniture etc. It is the largest and most famous dolls house in the world. Surprisingly, it was not made for a child but for Queen Mary herself; consort of George V. The house was built between 1920 and 1924 by the leading British Architect- Sir Edwin Lutyens and contains work from over 1500 artists and craftspeople. The ceremonial rooms of the State Apartments are used today by the Royal Family, with the Grand Reception Room being the most striking. There are many more beautiful furnished rooms to see. Visiting St George's Chapel was very moving, especially when you saw the array of Kings and Queens buried there, particularly the Queen Mother, the Queen and Prince Philip. The whole Chapel is full of so much to see and enjoy. Walking around Windsor you realise what an amazing place it is, so full of history but yet still a home to the Royal Family. Our visit ended at 4pm when we boarded our coach for the homeward journey after a very worthwhile visit to Windsor.
Thanks to Allen Thomas and Linda Fearnley for the photographs.
WINDSOR CASTLE, WINDSOR, BERKS
Forty nine intrepid travellers set off from Putlands at 8.30am for the long awaited trip to Windsor and the Castle. We had a smooth journey arriving about 10.30. We then made our way from the coach park towards the castle. As we approached we were surprised to see so many people lining the streets up to the castle. We soon realised that it was almost time for the Changing of the Guard and were pleased to be able to watch and listen to the band. It was then time to head to the castle, where we even had to go through the scanner!!!
During the day everyone spent time visiting the different areas of the castle and grounds. There was much to see...The State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel and Queen Mary's Dolls House. Some of the group went to see Queen Mary's Dolls House, which was full of the most exquisite, beautiful items of furniture etc. It is the largest and most famous dolls house in the world. Surprisingly, it was not made for a child but for Queen Mary herself; consort of George V. The house was built between 1920 and 1924 by the leading British Architect- Sir Edwin Lutyens and contains work from over 1500 artists and craftspeople. The ceremonial rooms of the State Apartments are used today by the Royal Family, with the Grand Reception Room being the most striking. There are many more beautiful furnished rooms to see. Visiting St George's Chapel was very moving, especially when you saw the array of Kings and Queens buried there, particularly the Queen Mother, the Queen and Prince Philip. The whole Chapel is full of so much to see and enjoy. Walking around Windsor you realise what an amazing place it is, so full of history but yet still a home to the Royal Family. Our visit ended at 4pm when we boarded our coach for the homeward journey after a very worthwhile visit to Windsor.
Thanks to Allen Thomas and Linda Fearnley for the photographs.
Wednesday 12 June
WATERPERRY GARDENS, OXFORDSHIRE
Group Leader Linda Read
The day started well as the weather forecast was for a dry day. Our predicted two hour travel time was accurate and we arrived at Waterperry with plenty of time to enjoy our coffee and lovely shortbread biscuits before joining our guide for the gardens tour. Our excellent guide gave us plenty of history on how the site was originally established by Beatrix Havergal who established her School of Horticulture for Ladies there from 1932 to 1971. We were reminded how difficult it had been for women to be taken seriously in those early days, with the mainstream horticulturists not acknowledging Miss Harvergal‘s new methods. However “ her girls” were snapped up by many of the great gardens such as Kew and Sissinghurst. The gardens were an interesting mix of the formal, rose and Tudor gardens, traditional borders, wild flower, orchards etc. and the guide was able to answer most questions regarding the various plantings.
In the afternoon we had a tour of the Frescos in Waterperry House. Once again, our guide was able to give us a broad history of the site dating from Roman times until the present day. The Frescos, which are thought to be the largest single work of its kind in this country in over 500 years, took over 15 years to complete. This work entailed artists gong to Italy to learn how to mix colour with lime plaster and then practicing with different techniques before the work was able to commence. The colours were stunning, as was the glass floor (a surprise to all of us) which linked both sides of the building on the upper floor.
Finally, before departure, members were able to indulge in some “retail therapy” in the excellent plant shop and gift barn.
Thanks to Allen Thomas and Linda Read for the photos.
WATERPERRY GARDENS, OXFORDSHIRE
Group Leader Linda Read
The day started well as the weather forecast was for a dry day. Our predicted two hour travel time was accurate and we arrived at Waterperry with plenty of time to enjoy our coffee and lovely shortbread biscuits before joining our guide for the gardens tour. Our excellent guide gave us plenty of history on how the site was originally established by Beatrix Havergal who established her School of Horticulture for Ladies there from 1932 to 1971. We were reminded how difficult it had been for women to be taken seriously in those early days, with the mainstream horticulturists not acknowledging Miss Harvergal‘s new methods. However “ her girls” were snapped up by many of the great gardens such as Kew and Sissinghurst. The gardens were an interesting mix of the formal, rose and Tudor gardens, traditional borders, wild flower, orchards etc. and the guide was able to answer most questions regarding the various plantings.
In the afternoon we had a tour of the Frescos in Waterperry House. Once again, our guide was able to give us a broad history of the site dating from Roman times until the present day. The Frescos, which are thought to be the largest single work of its kind in this country in over 500 years, took over 15 years to complete. This work entailed artists gong to Italy to learn how to mix colour with lime plaster and then practicing with different techniques before the work was able to commence. The colours were stunning, as was the glass floor (a surprise to all of us) which linked both sides of the building on the upper floor.
Finally, before departure, members were able to indulge in some “retail therapy” in the excellent plant shop and gift barn.
Thanks to Allen Thomas and Linda Read for the photos.
Wednesday 17 July
ST MARY'S HOUSE & GARDENS, NR BRAMBER, WEST SUSSEX
St Mary’s House is an historic pilgrim inn, c1450, a Grade I listed building of national importance. The current owners restored it almost 40 years ago and still live there. It has rare interiors including fine panelling, wall leather and an elegant Music Room. The 5 acres of garden are beautifully maintained with a series of 'garden rooms', a Topiary Garden, Jubilee Rose Garden, circular Poetry Garden and Water Garden with a small lake.
Organisers: Sue & Jeremy Thompson
ST MARY'S HOUSE & GARDENS, NR BRAMBER, WEST SUSSEX
St Mary’s House is an historic pilgrim inn, c1450, a Grade I listed building of national importance. The current owners restored it almost 40 years ago and still live there. It has rare interiors including fine panelling, wall leather and an elegant Music Room. The 5 acres of garden are beautifully maintained with a series of 'garden rooms', a Topiary Garden, Jubilee Rose Garden, circular Poetry Garden and Water Garden with a small lake.
Organisers: Sue & Jeremy Thompson
"All the Study Days we have joined have been extremely interesting and well organised"