Category: National Trust

The National Trust group completed their visits for 2023 with a visit to the city of York on Tuesday, 28th November. Leaving behind the heavy rain of the previous day the group set out in beautiful bright sunshine. Leaving promptly at 8.30 am from Hucknall Market we arrived in York for 10.30 am.

The day’s programme choice was broad and made for a very busy day in York. Many members headed to visit the National Trust Treasurer’s House which was situated next to the famous York Minster.

Over the rest of the day members had the opportunity to visit many of the following attractions, The York Christmas Market, The Minster, The Jorvik Centre, The Shambles, The Clifford Tower, The Castle Museum and other attractions in York.

It was a busy day but one enjoyed by the group who returned under the night skies to arrive safely back in Hucknall by early evening.

The group visits for 2024 will resume in March and continue each month through to October. A planning meeting in the New Year will produce dates and venues which will be emailed out to the group members.                                                             

 Barrie

On an overcast morning on October 26th the group left Hucknall Market with a full coach to travel to Charlecote Park which lies close to the River Avon between Warwick and Stratford.

Arriving by 10,30 am  the group were met by staff from Charlecote and given time slots to enter the House. The house has been in the ownership of the Fairfax Lucy family for over nine hundred years.

The five enormous ground floor rooms were all furnished from the Victorian period, sadly we could not see the other floors as restoration work was being carried out. 

The outside courtyard housed a brewery, laundry, kitchen and a display of carriages.

The group was then blessed with a beautiful sunny afternoon during which members enjoyed walks around the extensive grounds where deer and sheep were roaming.. There was still time to visit the cafe, gift shop, plant shop and second hand book shop.

Everyone was then safely back to the bus for the return journey to Hucknall where we arrived safely at 6.00  o’clock.

Next month our final visit takes us to York for the day.

Barrie                                                                  

The National Trust group returned to Cheshire for their September visit to one of the largest estates in the National Trust portfolio. Travelling through the Peak District we arrived safely at 10.45am. The weather forecast was for rain later in the day so many members visited the outdoor attractions first and left the tour of the House and other indoor activities for later in the day.

There were regular tours of the gardens, the mill and the estate led by very enthusiastic and well informed guides.

The estate itself was vast and had some lovely walks and grounds which were home to over one hundred and fifty deer.

The weather forecast proved to be correct with the rain arriving later in the day. This proved the ideal time to visit the cafe or restaurant for lunch and then on to Dunham Massey house itself.

Spread over three floors and staffed by lots of volunteers we learnt a lot about the many rooms on show. Originally a seventeenth century family home the National Trust acquired the house as recently as 1976.

As usual we left at 4.00pm for home and arrived back in Hucknall for 6.00pm.

Next month’s visit to Charlecote Park in Warwickshire is already full.                                                                         

Barrie

The National Trust group returned to Cheshire for the August trip visiting Lyme Park. Travelling across the Peak District to reach the venue we were met as usual by a National Trust member of staff who gave out tickets for the House tour and gave a brief outline of the estate.

The estate is vast and covers over 1,400 acres. The group spent the day touring the large and lovely Lyme House with its wonderful rooms.  Many members attended a talk on the history of the estate given by a very enthusiastic speaker.

There was also the opportunity to follow some lovely walks, explore the lakeside paths or woodland areas.

A large courtyard in the house also contained several places to eat, gift shops and book shops along with a chapel.

Safely back on the coach for four o’clock we returned via the Derbyshire countryside to arrive safely back in Hucknall before six o’clock.

The group left Hucknall Market Place at 8.30am on Monday, 31st July, to visit Quarry Bank Mill. After a two hour drive we were met by volunteers from the National Trust who gave out our tickets for the day and maps of the site.

Those members who wanted to visit the Apprentice’s House were given timed tickets for this tour.

The grounds at Quarry Bank are very extensive and include a variety of activities. The centre piece is the old cotton mill, parts of which date back to the 17th century and includes machinery that is still working today. Covering five floors there was a lot to see.

Next to the mill members were also able to visit Quarry Bank House. Close by were very large gardens on two levels and a lovely riverside walk.

There was the customary mix of National Trust shops and two cafes on site.

A short walk away was the village of Styal with its church and well preserved buildings which once housed the mill workers and their families.

A torrential downpour of rain caught a few of the members as we walked back to the coach after a very busy and enjoyable day. 

 Mainly light traffic on the  return journey saw us arrive back in Hucknall for 6.15pm