Category: National Trust

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

Our longest journey of the year saw the group make an earlier than usual start to the day by leaving Hucknall at 8.30 am. After a journey of just over two hours we arrived to fine weather at the beautiful and very large Wimpole Estate.

The Estate is one of the jewels in the National Trust collection. There has been a dwelling on the site for over two thousand years and the site has evidence of Roman occupation. Many families have occupied the house over the years before the last owner Mrs Bambridge ,the daughter of Rudyard Kipling, bequeathed the property to the National Trust upon her death in 1976.

Unlike most National Trust properties the many rooms reflect different periods from history. A Roman bath contrasted, for example, with a 1770’s dining room. 

Elsewhere in the grounds are a large walled garden, a working rare breeds farm including shire horses, pigs and sheep. The grounds which are set in beautiful countryside also had a range of well signed walks.

A courtyard with a large gift shop, cafe, an area selling plants and a nearby church all form part of a wonderful estate.

Everyone agreed that it was a lovely site and well worth the early start!! Leaving Wimpole promptly at 4.00 pm we were back in Hucknall for 6.20 pm.

Our next visit on July 31st takes us through the Peak District to Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire which still has a working mill and other buildings connected to the once thriving cotton trade.

On a beautifully sunny and warm day the National Trust group left Hucknall for the journey down to Hanbury Hall in Worcestershire.

The Hall itself was built on two storeys in the early eighteenth century as a country retreat for the wealthy Vernon family.

Timed guided tours of the Hall were available to our group but members could also tour the Hall independently at any time.

The well maintained Hall gave an insight to the life of the wealthy at the turn of the eighteenth century.

The grounds covered over 400 acres of beautiful Worcestershire countryside and many members enjoyed walking one or more of the well marked routes.

Some members also took time to visit the beautiful church situated in the village of Hanbury.

The cafe proved to be a popular venue over the day with the outside seating being well used.

The extensive gardens were also  popular with some members enjoying a guided tour around.

After a lovely day in which we were bathed in sunshine throughout we returned to the coach in time for a 4.00pm departure back to Hucknall.

After travelling along some narrow country lanes and then the very busy motorway network around Birmingham we arrived back in Hucknall at 6.15 pm.

All fifty three members were on board the coach at Hucknall Market before our depature time of 9.30 am on Monday, 27th March, 2023.

As a result we were at Calke Abbey just before 10.30 am.

The weather was dry and mainly sunny making the conditions ideal for  the various activities.

Over the day members enjoyed visiting the main house, the church, the gardens, the cafe, the shops and enjoying the well signposted walks of varying length.

A broken down van at Nuthall Island on the return journey caused some delay but did not take the gloss off a lovely day.

Next month will see the group venture further afield to Upton House near to Oxford.

                                     

 Barrie

I can now confirm the dates and prices for the first three National Trust visits which were previously notified.

The first visit is to Calke Abbey on Monday 27th of March, 2023. We will be leaving from the bus stop on Hucknall Market Place at 9.30 am and returning from the venue at 4.00 pm. The cost of the coach is £10 per person. We are repeating this visit from 2022 due to many requests from group members.

Bookings will be taken by email at nationaltrust@hucknallu3a.org.uk from 27th February, 2023. Payment can be made at the March monthly meeting or by posting/dropping off a cheque to my address at 8 Hadley Close, Sherwood Gate, Linby, Nottingham. NG15 8LD. Please put cheques in an envelope with the names of all the people being paid for on the outside. Please note that as per u3a rules monies can only be refunded if I am able to resell your seat. We will again be travelling with JB Tours.

Tuesday, 25th April, 2023 a visit to Upton House in Oxfordshire. We will leave Hucknall Market Place at 9.00 am, with bookings being accepted from March 25th.

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 will see us visit Hanbury Hall in Warwickshire again leaving Hucknall Market at 9.00 am with bookings accepted from April 24th.

Both these visits cost £15 for coach travel.

National Trust members obviously gain free entry to the venues but non-National Trust members may pay for entry on the day with costs averaging out at about £10.

New members are always welcome so please get in touch if you wish to be added to the group list.

Barrie