Category: National Trust

The following visits have been arranged for later this year, 

Monday 24th of March to Packwood House, Warwickshire.

Tuesday 29th of April  to Attingham Estate, Shrewsbury.

Wednesday 28th of May to Beninborough Hall, York.

Thursday 19th of June to Powis Castle, Welshpool.

Monday  14th of July to Charlecote Park, Warwickshire. T.B.C.

Tuesday   19th of August to Lyme Park, Cheshire.

Wednesday  24th of September to Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire.

Thursday    30th of October to Nostell, West Yorkshire.

Tuesday 2nd December to Chester Christmas Market.

Visits usually depart from Hucknall Market at 8.30 am and return from the venue at 4.00 pm.

We will be travelling with Vallance Coaches this year.

An email will be sent to all group members in February re coach costs, payment methods etc. 

Bookings will again be taken a calendar month in advance of the visit.

Barrie                                                                 

Report on the National Trust visit to York on Tuesday 3rd December.

Members of the group gathered on Hucknall Market to travel in a brand new £250,000 coach supplied by Millennium Travel from Mansfield. The coach providing a very comfortable journey up to York.

Once in York the group went their own way as members seem to have planned out their day.

There was plenty to do as we enjoyed visits over the day to the Christmas Market, the Minster, the Railway Museum, The Shambles, a certain famous tea rooms and many of the local museums, shops and other attractions. Some well organised members had even prebooked their lunches.

The weather was cold but dry and eventually sunny to help make a lovely day out.  Departing at 4.30 pm we made our way back to Hucknall arriving by 6.45 pm.

Next year’s programme begins in March and goes through to October with visits to National Trust properties around the country.

Once venues and coaches are confirmed then details will be sent out.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the group this year.

Regards

Barrie

                                                             

National Trust visit to Nunnington Hall ( Yorkshire)

Members met up on Hucknall Market place for an eight thirty departure to Nunnington Hall near York.

As we waited on Hucknall Market for the coaches to arrive the owner of a local pub popped over to offer a defibrillator for us to take with us for the day as his premises were closed.  Thankfully it was not needed.

After a journey up the M1 and through the narrow lanes of the Yorkshire countryside we arrived safely at Nunnington. The site has the lovely river Rye running through and some members spotted some otters enjoying the water. Close to the Hall itself were several peacocks strutting around.

In the Hall itself were the usual array of rooms from the gentlemen’s Smoking room to the servants quarters. Outside it was an easy walk into the village of Nunnington which while very beautiful seemed to be closed completely for the day!!!

The weather was dry and sunny giving the group the opportunity to explore the grounds in comfort.

Everyone was back on the coaches for 4.00pm but several traffic jams on the M1 meant an extended journey back 

Our last visit of the year takes us to York in early December for a day visiting the Christmas Market .

September saw the group take two coaches on our longest journey of the year to Erddig close to Wrexham in Wales.

We arrived thankfully with the weather dry if cloudy and with rain forecast for later in the day, members sensibly chose to complete their tour of the gardens and parkland first. The gardens were very extensive with a very large number of apple trees, a rose garden, a Victorian garden and much more to see. The Parkland covering over 1,200 acres with two rivers passing through alongside over thirty ponds and beautifully laid out footpaths and water features. A truly beautiful landscape.

Erddig House itself was vast and after being bought by the National Trust in the 1970’s has been restored to a high standard. From the servants’ quarters below stairs to the dining rooms, bedrooms, lounges and so on the whole building was indeed very impressive.

After visiting the House there was still time for a visit to the restaurant, the Welsh food shop or second-hand bookshop before returning to the coaches for a prompt return journey to Hucknall. The rain became heavy as we travelled home after a lovely day.

October sees the group travelling up to Yorkshire to visit Nunnington Hall near York.

The final visit of the year takes us to York on Tuesday 3rd of December.

It was an early start for the group for our visit to Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire. Leaving Hucknall Market at 8.30 am we arrived at Fountains shortly after 10.30 am. 

After walking up through the reception area we were immediately met by one of our two guides who were to take us on a very informative and interesting tour of the Abbey ruins and gardens of this World Heritage site. The tours were well received and enjoyable as we learned about the history of the site.

The tour lasted for an hour and a half after which most visited one of the two restaurants for lunch.

Whilst some people continued to walk and explore the very extensive grounds the community bus was available to return weary travellers to the reception area.

There was still time to explore the National Trust shop or to buy plants for the garden before we returned to the nearby coach. Setting off at 4.00 pm the traffic on a busy M1 delayed our return slightly and we arrived back in Hucknall at 6.30 pm. All agreed it had been an excellent visit if a tiring one!!!

September sees the group venture across to Erdigg near Wrexham.