2018 Excursions
Sunday 15 April
HISTORIC DROITWICH
As a follow-up to the lecture to the Society in October, Lyn Blewitt will lead an afternoon walk through Friar St and High St in Droitwich, to show the (exteriors of) buildings researched by the Historic Droitwich project and give a summary of each building’s known architectural history. Start at 2.30 pm outside Priory House / Fire Station training centre, at the west end of Friar Street.
Wednesday 9 May
TRETOWER COURT & CASTLE and LLWYN CELYN
Coach tour, organised by David Collier. The first stop will be Tretower Court and Castle, near Crickhowell. The Court, now in the hands of CADW, evolved from the adjacent Tretower Castle site and is a rare survivor showing the way in which a castle develops into a fortified Manor House. In about 1450, the Castle was given to Sir Roger Vaughan, the richest commoner in Wales, who developed the Court. Today, the interior has been refitted by CADW to represent how it might have been in its heyday. Coffee will be served here. After stopping in Abergavenny for lunch we will visit Llwyn Celyn, at the mouth of the Llanthony valley. This is one of the finest surviving medieval hall houses in Wales. Built in 1420 and lived in until 2014, it has needed a heroic restoration effort by the current custodians – the Landmark Trust. We will have a privileged guided tour of the work done, just prior to the official opening in June. Tea and cakes provided.
Friday 1 June
SUFTON COURT and OLD SUFTON, MORDIFORD
A day visit in members’ own cars, organised by Janet Dunleavey, to Sufton Court, Mordiford, near Hereford, the home of Mr and Mrs James Hereford. The Hereford family have lived on their estate in Mordiford since the 12th century. Sufton Court was built in 1788 to designs by James Wyatt as a replacement for their adjacent medieval home, Old Sufton. We will visit Sufton Court in the morning, where coffee will be provided, and return to visit Old Sufton after lunch at one of the local hostelries.
Wednesday 4 July
TETBURY and CHAVENAGE HOUSE
A coach trip, organised by Chris Bowers. Morning visit to Tetbury with time to take a self-guided town tour and visit St Mary’s, an 18th century church built on an early Christian site. There are ample pubs, cafes and restaurants for lunch (or take a packed lunch) and shops to browse.
After lunch we will leave Tetbury for a guided tour of the nearby delightful and atmospheric Chavenage House by a member of the Lowsley-Williams family who have owned the house since 1891. The house, completed in 1576, will be easily recognised by followers of Poldark, Lark Rise to Candleford and many other films and TV programmes. Tea and scone before departure.
Wednesday 25 July
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM and WINTERBOURNE HOUSE
An afternoon walk, led by Bob Ruffle, from the University station (on the site of Metchley Roman fort), through the University of Birmingham campus, with its grand early 20th century and later buildings, including the Chamberlain Tower, Aston Webb’s Great Hall and the Barber Institute, finishing at Winterbourne House. Winterbourne is an important Arts and Crafts house, built in 1902-4 for the Nettlefold family, and recently beautifully restored to its original state by the University, after many years as student accommodation and teaching space. It has an excellent tea room. Make your own way to the station for the walk, or join us later at Winterbourne, where there is parking.
Tuesday 14 August
WORCESTERSHIRE CHURCHES EVENING
By popular request, Tim Bridges will lead an evening visit, using our own cars, to St Edmund, Stoulton, and St James, Norton-juxta-Kempsey, both Norman in origin, with Victorian and later additions and restorations, and interesting fixtures and fittings. Refreshments included.
Wednesday 26 September
HARTLEBURY – THE WORCESTERSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY GALLERY
A chance for members to see the new gallery at the County Museum, due to be inaugurated in July 2018, and to tour the museum store, a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of Worcestershire history. Store tour in the morning, followed by lunch and self-guided afternoon tour of the museum.
Please find a copy of the excursion expression of interest form here