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The FF’s first ever visit to this picturesque region in North-West England, to be based in Ambleside in the South Lakes. Jonathan Holt has devised a fascinating tour to be conducted by minibus or the limited (3 cars maximum) option of following in your own car at a reduced rate. Minibus option limited to the first 16 takers. Highlights include:

The Bridge House, symbol of Ambleside

The Tower of Beauty & Friendship, Eller How

Claife Viewing Station: an artists’ viewpoint over Lake Windermere

John Longmire’s Folly, Wray Castle

Conishead Tower and Priory, the latter now the headquarters of the Buddhist Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre with its extravagantly decorated temple.

The Sir John Barrow Monument, Hoad Hill, Ulverston

The Dog Kennel, Coniston

Penrith Beacon

The Countess Pillar

Brantwood, the home of art critic and philosopher John Ruskin with its intriguing gardens.

The Larch Cottage Nurseries with its sham chapel, gatehouse, arches and amazing statuary.

…and to cap it all, a boat trip on Windermere!

Each day’s trip will depart from Ambleside, so staying close to the town is advised. No other place of pick-up is offered.

Minibus option – limited to 16 people:  Members: £70, Non-members: £85

Price includes all entries, boat trip, fuel, services of chauffeur, but not food & drink.

Driving own car option: limited to 3 cars to accommodate 12+ people. Car sharing encouraged: Members £45, non-members £55

Price includes all entries and boat trip, but not food & drink.

Enquiries to jonathanholt3@gmail.com

Options

Minibus Member £70.00 GBP Minibus Guest £85.00 GBP Car Member £45.00 GBP Car Guest £55.00 GBP

We will visit Shugborough, near Stafford, in the morning and then Weston Park, near Telford, in the afternoon. Shugborough has an interesting range of follies – Tower of the Winds, Lanthorn of Demosthenes, Hadrian’s Arch, Chinese House, Doric Temple and The Ruin. At Weston Park there is the Roman Bridge, The Knoll Tower and the Temple of Dianna where we will have an exclusive view of the interior. Shugborough to Weston Park is 17 miles.

The cost is £12 for members, £14 for non members, this includes admission to Weston Park but not Shugborough. Shugborough is a National Trust property, free to NT members, £12 to non members. Tea is available at Shugborough but not included in this price.

Further details from: Peter Godfrey 0117 9087375

pfgodgfrey@gmail.com

Options

Member £12.00 GBP 2 Members £24.00 GBP 3 Members £36.00 GBP Guest £14.00 GBP

10 miles south west of Berlin, is dotted with royal palaces, follies and garden buildings, in particular Frederick the Great’s palace Sanssouci. We will try to see as many follies as possible!

Friday 27^th – afternoon visit to Peacock Island – Lustschloss, gothic dairy and menagerie

Saturday 28^th – Sanssouci park – pagoda, belvedere, Chinese tea house   

Sunday 29^th – Babelsberg and the New Garden – grotto, gothic library, Flatowturm

Monday 30^th – morning walk to the Russian village and Ruinenberg

There are a lot of follies and the parks are large so there will be some walking, possibly up to 4 or 5 miles in a day, although shorter routes are possible. This is a ‘pay as you go’ trip, you pay for your accommodation and travel. The parks are free but there is a charge for entrance to the palaces and some of the follies. There will be an administration charge of £15 per person to cover organisational costs.

Options

Member £15.00 GBP 2 Members £30.00 GBP 3 Members £45.00 GBP