Study Days 2024
April 2024
Hampton Court Palace
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
Hampton Court Palace
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
May 2024
Windsor Castle
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
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.
June 2024
Waterperry Gardens
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
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.
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July 2024
St Mary's House and Gardens
After what seemed like days of a very mixed bag of weather the day of our trip to St Mary’s House and Gardens in the delightful downland village of Bramber in West Sussex was gloriously sunny. On our arrival at St Mary’s we enjoyed refreshments in the tearoom before our guided tours of the historic pilgrim inn by three very knowledgeable and friendly volunteer guides. The present building was constructed in about 1470 by William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester and founder of Magdalen College, Oxford, as an inn for pilgrims on their way to the tomb of St Thomas of Canterbury. They told us, as we went from room to room, so much about the furniture, the décor and the memorabilia displayed as well as the Inn’s history and how it had been brought from a state of semi-dereliction to its present splendour by the current owners. The building, with its unexpectedly high ceilings had several surprises, including secret doors, a recently uncovered underground passage and the amazing octagonal library. We then had time to explore the 5 acres of beautiful gardens, designed and planted by the owners and maintained by a head gardener and volunteers, before we had a pub lunch at The Castle Inn Hotel, just a short walk from the house. While some of the group moved to the hotel’s garden to relax after the meal others enjoyed discovering Bramber Castle with its far-reaching views across the Sussex Downs. All in all a great day out.
Sue & Jeremy Thompson
St Mary's House and Gardens
After what seemed like days of a very mixed bag of weather the day of our trip to St Mary’s House and Gardens in the delightful downland village of Bramber in West Sussex was gloriously sunny. On our arrival at St Mary’s we enjoyed refreshments in the tearoom before our guided tours of the historic pilgrim inn by three very knowledgeable and friendly volunteer guides. The present building was constructed in about 1470 by William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester and founder of Magdalen College, Oxford, as an inn for pilgrims on their way to the tomb of St Thomas of Canterbury. They told us, as we went from room to room, so much about the furniture, the décor and the memorabilia displayed as well as the Inn’s history and how it had been brought from a state of semi-dereliction to its present splendour by the current owners. The building, with its unexpectedly high ceilings had several surprises, including secret doors, a recently uncovered underground passage and the amazing octagonal library. We then had time to explore the 5 acres of beautiful gardens, designed and planted by the owners and maintained by a head gardener and volunteers, before we had a pub lunch at The Castle Inn Hotel, just a short walk from the house. While some of the group moved to the hotel’s garden to relax after the meal others enjoyed discovering Bramber Castle with its far-reaching views across the Sussex Downs. All in all a great day out.
Sue & Jeremy Thompson
August 2024
Cambridge
A visit to the historic university city of Cambridge with its ancient colleges (first university college founded in 1209), stunning architecture, medieval streets and the picturesque 'Backs' along the river Cam. Included will be a walking tour (approx. 60 minutes) in small groups, guided by alumni of the University of Cambridge, of some of the main sights and sites of interest, starting and ending at Kings College. On the tour we stop at Great St Mary's Church, Senate House, Corpus clock, Corpus Christie College, Trinity College and walk past Kings College Chapel. Entry to Colleges is not included. After the tour there will then be time for lunch, exploring further, or maybe even taking a punt ride. As you would expect, there is a multiplicity of places to eat in Cambridge to suit all tastes and budgets.
Organiser: Michael Smith
Cambridge
A visit to the historic university city of Cambridge with its ancient colleges (first university college founded in 1209), stunning architecture, medieval streets and the picturesque 'Backs' along the river Cam. Included will be a walking tour (approx. 60 minutes) in small groups, guided by alumni of the University of Cambridge, of some of the main sights and sites of interest, starting and ending at Kings College. On the tour we stop at Great St Mary's Church, Senate House, Corpus clock, Corpus Christie College, Trinity College and walk past Kings College Chapel. Entry to Colleges is not included. After the tour there will then be time for lunch, exploring further, or maybe even taking a punt ride. As you would expect, there is a multiplicity of places to eat in Cambridge to suit all tastes and budgets.
Organiser: Michael Smith
September 2024
Criterion Blue Town
A fully restored Victorian Music Hall is now home to the Blue Town Heritage Centre containing the history and heritage of 'Blue Town' with exhibitions and displays telling the significant story and role of the Isle of Sheppey. The trip includes a guided tour by coach of some of Sheppey's historic sites, a talk by the Centre's founder and a local history film. Called 'Blue Town' as locals painted their houses in blue paint 'liberated' from the dockyard!
Organisers: Jan and Geoff Wheddon
Criterion Blue Town
A fully restored Victorian Music Hall is now home to the Blue Town Heritage Centre containing the history and heritage of 'Blue Town' with exhibitions and displays telling the significant story and role of the Isle of Sheppey. The trip includes a guided tour by coach of some of Sheppey's historic sites, a talk by the Centre's founder and a local history film. Called 'Blue Town' as locals painted their houses in blue paint 'liberated' from the dockyard!
Organisers: Jan and Geoff Wheddon
"All the Study Days we have joined have been extremely interesting and well organised"