Category: National Trust

Visit to Powis Castle.

We met up at Hucknall Market in very bright and warm sunshine to board our two coaches visiting Powis Castle near Welshpool. The number travelling was the highest that we have taken since the group restarted, a total of 78 members visiting this wonderful castle.

Leaving promptly we enjoyed a comfort break at Telford before completing the journey. In a rapidly increasing temperature the group enjoyed a lovely day at a very special venue.

Many members walked the extensive terraced gardens and enjoyed the excellently maintained and very colourful gardens that stretch extensively below the castle itself. Incredibly the gardens are maintained by only five full time gardeners and an army of volunteers.

The castle itself provided some respite from the now soaring temperatures as the array of displays proved very interesting and gave a good insight to the way life was lived here many centuries ago.

There was still time to have a snack, a short walk, visit the garden and gift shops before settling back on the coaches for the return journey.

If you are ever across near Welshpool take the opportunity to visit this special place,

July sees the group travel on a shorter visit to Charlecote Park in Warwickshire. Visits for later this year include Lyme Park in Cheshire, Nostell in West Yorkshire and Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire before our final visit to Chester Christmas market.

Barrie and Sue

Visit to Beningbrough Hall, York on Wednesday 28th May

A prompt departure from Hucknall Market place and a journey devoid of traffic jams meant that we arrived safely at our venue by 10.30 am. After a meet and greet session with one of the National Trust staff and passes scanned we set off for some light refreshments. The restaurant area was well stocked and well staffed and with plenty of seating available both indoors and outside most of the group were soon enjoying their refreshments. 

The rest of the day was enjoyed in generally dry weather with increasing amounts of sunshine. The gardens were exceptionally well cared for and a pleasure to walk round with what seemed like an army of volunteers eager to talk to our group members.

The grounds presented some lovely walks for the group to enjoy over the day with some members taking in several different walks.

The House was relatively small but again the volunteers were eager to bring the rooms to light with their knowledge of the building.

The plant shop and gift shop proved popular at the end of the day and members felt that this was one of the nicest venues that we had visited for a long time.

A lovely day completed we returned to the coach for the journey home having enjoyed a lovely relaxing day. 

We are taking two coaches to Powis Castle on 19th June.

 Barrie

The group met up in glorious sunshine for the visit to Attingham Park and after leaving at 8.30 am we were at the venue two hours later.

We were met on arrival by a NT member of staff, Will, who took time to give us maps, information and all the details needed for us to make the most of the day.

The property is the second most visited NT site in the country and in the lovely sunshine there was plenty to enjoy.

The Mansion proved popular with some members joining organised tours or a Tour of Hidden Attingham which allowed visits to rooms and areas usually closed off to the public.

Members made the most of the estate itself walking by the river and through beautiful countryside, on walks of varying distances.

There was still time for a cafe stop and a visit to the NT shop before gathering at the coach for the return journey.

A really god day out!!

A big thank you to Mick, our coach driver, who found an alternative route from the A50 /M1 junction when the road signs displayed that the M1 had delays of over an hour because of a lorry fire!

We arrived back safely in Hucknall by 7.15 having enjoyed a very good visit.

The next visit takes us to Beninborough Hall near York on Wednesday 28th of May.

 Barrie                                                      

Packwood House, Warwickshire

The first visit of 2025 got off to a very good start as we enjoyed very smooth and traffic jam free journeys to and from Packwood House. The weather also played its part with the sun shining down all day.

Packwood is a lovely venue boasting a very interesting main house where enthusiastic volunteers kept you well informed. The group were all given timed entry tickets for their tours which begin from 11.00 am at fifteen minute intervals.

As the sun continued to shine the organised garden tours proved popular with the group while others enjoyed the lakeside walk or walks which took you round the beautiful local countryside where new born lambs and spring flowers adorned the fields. A lovely setting.

There was still plenty of time to visit the large well stocked cafe, the plant sale area and gift shop.

Leaving promptly at 4.00 pm we were safely back on Hucknall Market shortly after 5.30 pm after a very good day out.

Barrie

                                                         

The visits arranged for this year can now be confirmed along with the coach fare.

Monday March 24th, Packwood House, Warwickshire – £15.pp.

Tuesday April 29th, Attingham Estate, Shrewsbury – £16 pp.

Wednesday May 28th, Beningbrough Estate, York – £15 pp.

Thursday 19th June, Powis Castle, Welshpool – £ 16 pp.

Monday 15th July, Charlecote Park, Warwickshire – £15 pp.

Tuesday 19th August, Lyme Park, Cheshire – £13 pp.

Wednesday 24th September, Kedleston Hall – £11 pp.

Thursday 30th October, Nostell, Wakefield – £12.

Our Christmas visit this year will be to Chester on Tuesday 2nd of December. The coach fare being £16.

Bookings for all the visits can be made a calendar month before the visit. Our first visit filled up very quickly and where viable, if numbers on the waiting list allow, we will attempt to hire a second smaller coach.

Group members will be updated on a regular basis over the year.

Barrie and Sue