Category: National Trust

Nunnington Hall Visit
On a beautifully sunny and eventually hot day the group left Hucknall promptly at 9.00 am for the journey up to North Yorkshire with the air conditioning on the coach being really appreciated!!

Arriving at Nunnington Hall by 11.00 am most of the group headed for the cafe for much needed refreshments. Unfortunately all the wasps from North Yorkshire seemed intent on sharing our food and drink!!!

The Hall, like many National Trust properties was taken over by the Trust because the cost of maintaining the property became too expensive for the owners. The Hall itself was laid out slightly differently to most NT venues with rooms dating back to various periods in history, the earliest being from the Tudor period. There was also a separate exhibition and an arts area.

A free tour of the gardens led by the Head Gardner would normally have been very popular but with the rapidly rising temperatures many members opted for a place in the shade, some taking advantage of the deckchairs provided by the staff from Nunnington.

Nunnington and the surrounding area is a very picturesque area and if you are in the North Yorkshire the Hall and grounds are a lovely way to spend a day. A ride through more beautiful scenery in North Yorkshire followed as we made our way back to Hucknall after a very enjoyable and relaxing day.

September and October Visits
September 13th sees us take the short journey up to Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. We will depart from Hucknall Market at 10.00 am and return from Hardwick at 4.00 pm. The cost of the coach is £10.

On Monday 10th of October, we will have our final visit of the year to Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire. The cost is £14 which includes coach fare and a guided tour in groups of 15 around the mill and surrounding area. This trip now clashes with the Forest v Aston Villa match which kicks off at 8.00 pm but I am confident that Paul, our driver, will get us home to Hucknall in time to do both events on the day!!!!

Bookings for this visit will be available via my email, nationaltrust@huknallu3a.org.uk We will be at the September monthly meeting to collect monies.

Most members are aware but, just to confirm, that the National Trust group will continue next year with trips each month from March to October.

Barrie and Sue

On the day that the two day heatwave ended, the National Trust group set off for Waddesdon Manor, in Buckinghamshire. The venue owned by the Rothschild Family is certainly one of the jewels in the National Trust portfolio.

Despite several diversions, due to road works close to the venue, we arrived safely at the venue for 11.00 am.
A visit to the Stables cafe was then followed by a timed tour of the Manor itself. Set over three floors the Manor had an enormous number of rooms to view. The volunteer guides and an excellent guidebook providing all the information needed.

There was a special exhibition devoted to Alice de Rothschild, a display of Gainsborough paintings and so many special rooms to explore most members were inside the Manor for over two hours. Once outside there were beautiful gardens to explore and over the day a film crew arrived to set up to begin filming a period drama during the following two days. Staff were generally tight lipped about the name of the production but a new Netflix programme or Bridgerton were mentioned.

After a lovely day we set off for the return journey at 4.00 pm.

October Visit
Our October visit, on Monday 10th, will now be to Quarry Bank Hill in Cheshire. The site reflects the thriving cotton industry which existed for over two hundred years and still hums today with the sight and sounds of the people who worked there, with the heritage machinery still operating. The mill was powered by the most powerful wheel in Europe. Although production stopped in 1959 you can still walk to the village of Styal to see where the workers lived. The mill owners house can also still be toured. There are also gardens and the other usual features of a National Trust site.

Times and prices will be sent out soon.

Barrie

Visits for August and September, 2022
Our August visit is to Nunnington Hall, in North Yorkshire, on Thursday 11th. The cost of the coach is £15. Please note that we will be leaving Hucknall Market Place at 9.00 am on this occasion and returning from the venue at 4.00 pm. As usual we will be taking bookings a calendar month before the visit ie on July 11th.

For September, we are visiting Hardwick Hall, on Tuesday 13th. This visit will leave Hucknall Market Place at 10.00 am with it being a relatively short journey. Returning from Hardwick at 4.00pm. The coach fare will be £10. Bookings will be taken from August 13th.

The final visit for October will be on Monday 10th but will be to a venue still to be decided since the original venue has several areas with uneven surfaces and is not totally suitable for all the group.

Barrie

Visit to Canons Ashby
Our May visit took the group into Northamptonshire and the Canons Ashby Estate which was enjoyed by many members for the first time. We set off in beautiful sunshine on what was to become the hottest day of the year and which added to the enjoyment of the day while the sun continued to shine.

A journey of an hour and a half saw us arrive at 11.00 am to enjoy the day. After booking in at the reception area and a short chat about the venue from a member of the National Trust, the group eagerly started their day.

Over the day members toured the House, explored the grounds with its three different walks, enjoyed a look around the church and sat out at the lovely cafe. Many members particularly liked their look around the extensive tiered gardens which were a major part of the grounds.
A nice feature was a video tour of the House which enabled one of our party to sit comfortably and enjoy a virtual tour of the House thereby avoiding the staircases.

Everyone was back on the coach in good time to depart for home at 4.00pm and with traffic relatively light on the M1 the members going on to a certain football match had plenty of time to reach the ground before kick off.!!

Packwood House Visit – Monday, 13th June, 2022
Our next visit is to Packwood House in Warwickshire on the above date. We will be leaving Hucknall Market at the usual time of 9.30am. There are a few places available which you can book by emailing me at nationaltrust@hucknallu3a.org.uk

Our trip in July is to the rather special venue of Waddesdon Manor, owned by the Rothschild Family. This visit will take place on Wednesday, 20th July, leaving at 8.30am to allow for the extra journey time. Bookings can be made from June 20th onwards. The cost is £14 per person for the coach fare.

Barrie Saunders

On 28th April, 2022 all members were waiting at Hucknall Market Place for a 9.30am departure to Kedleston Hall allowing us to make a prompt start to the day. Despite the many road closures in the Kedleston area, Paul, our driver, got us safely to the venue by 10.30am.

On arrival staff from the venue boarded the bus and spoke about the Hall, the walks available and the other facilities. National Trust membership cards were checked and we were free to enjoy our day.

The only thing missing was the sunshine and a cold wind to start the day meant that warm clothing was needed for the first part of the day. Many members warmed themselves with a hot drink before setting out on one of the many varied walks. The Lakeside walk proved popular along with the longer woodland walk.

The Estate was built in an attempt to copy the Chatsworth Estate, including the bridge which you cross on the way in to Chatsworth. The Hall itself is one of the most beautiful and ornate in the whole of the National Trust. A volunteer guide was available in every room to give out information and answer questions.

After a walk and the Hall visit many members visited the shop and other facilities before a final visit to the cafe before boarding the bus home. Arriving back in Hucknall for 5.00pm members had enjoyed a good day out.

National Trust Future Visits – A Reminder

Tuesday, 17th May, 2022 – Canons Abbey in Northants. Price £10
Monday, 13th June, 2022 – Packwood House in Warwickshire. Price £10
Wednesday, 20th July, 2022 – Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire. Price £14. Please note that this is an 8.30 am departure due to the extra travel distance. This is one of the really special National Trust visits with a tour of the Manor owned by the Rothschild Family.

Thank you to all members who continue to support this group.

Barrie and Sue