This Year

I have at  last got the inaugural walk together for Croome on May 27.  Probably not the best time to start with current petrol prices.  However, I have walked the route and it is  about 8 miles there and back mostly flat but with one hill up to the panorama tower.

The idea is to start from the Adam designed Dunstall Castle at about 9.30 leaving cars there on the roadside, (if need be cars can be left at Upton Stoke where we will lunch which may mean some shuffling), which would halve the walk.  We would then walk into the landscaped park by Brown, go past  the park seat, followed by the rotunda, plus urns , and then the visitor centre where an NT walk leader at 11 would take us on to the Panorama Tower which would be opened for us. We would then go on to the  Royal Oak  in Upton Stoke for lunch.   On the way or way back we would also take in the Grotto , lake, Island, ice house,  Pavillion , monument to Capability Brown , Chinese Bridge, summerhouse, temple , and parkland.  There is also Pirton Castle by Wyatt  which I failed to find when I visited as it got dark. We may have to drive to it.

This is the outline, NT want to charge £18 for entry to the park so hopefully you are all members , and  £5.00 for the NT walk. This would be on a pay as you go basis.

NT are keen to get numbers quickly so if you can let me know as soon as is possible, I would be grateful.

This is really only for the fit  and agile, some of the terrain will be rough so all appropriate footwear and clothing will be needed as there is no shelter or facilities.

If this works I am planning a visit to Hagley continuing the Sanderson Miller theme as he was involved in both.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Contact: Patrick Todd   ptodd.ptcs@gmail.com

A splendiferous 3 day tour (+2 days travelling) of this attractive region of east central France, rich in fine wine, food, châteaux, gardens and of course, follies! Based in the quaint historic town of Semur-en-Auxois, the FF will gain exclusive access to some private locations, some with guided tours by the owner or gardener. A selection of the delights includes:

Moutiers-Saint-Jean: Le Jardin de Clothilde and le Jardin du Coeur de Roy.

Château of Époisse welcome by le Comte de Guitaut.

Les Jardins d’Origny welcome by François de Chatenay.

Malakoff Tower, Sermizelles and the Voutenay-sur-Cure lavoir

Tour and reception picnic at Le Parc Joly hosted by its President.

Montbard: Le Comte de Buffon’s industrial complex of forges and the Aubespin and Saint-Louis Towers, as well as the private section of the inventor of comparative anatomy.

Château de Tanlay: obelisks on guard boxes, nymphaeum.

Guided walk in Semur-en-Auxois.

Château de Bierre-lès-Semur: hermitage and oratory, welcome by landscape architect Romain Bocquet.

Wine tasting at Thorey-sous-Charny vineyard

Créancey: The Tower of Saint Étienne

Jardin de La Sérrée: grottoes

Blessey lavoir

Flavigny-sur-Ozerain: Picturesque old village, setting for the film Chocolat: Ornate gates and obelisks and visit to the aniseed sweet factory.

Our guide for the weekend will be Hubert Bonal, Président de l’Association du Parc Joly.

There are two travel options:

1. 1. 1. Minibus driven by Jonathan Holt from and return to Paris: including share of hire, petrol to, from and in Burgundy, motorway tolls, picnics on three days, wine tasting and some entries: £160.     LIMITED TO 7 PARTICIPANTS      This option is now full!
      2.  Make your own way to Semur-en-Auxois: petrol in Burgundy, picnics on three days, wine tasting and some entries: £90. TGV recommended as Montbard station is only 15km from Semur-en-Auxois.    LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS.

Mini bus from Semur-en-Auxois

Member £90.00 GBPGuest £100.00 GBP2 Members £180.00 GBP1 Member + 1 Guest £190.00 GBP

 

Touring in Burgundy will be conducted by minibuses driven by Jonathan and Hubert.
Enquiries to : Jonathan Holt <jonathanholt3@gmail.com>

An action packed three days of garden visits all in the same area.  You may book just for the garden party if you wish, or book for the Friday visit to Acton Round at the same time. Visits to the other gardens are on a pay as you go basis.
Please note – last date for bookings is 20th June

Day 1  Acton Round WV16 6XG for 2.30. The house is on the road in the village and a parking sign will be put out.

Cost will be £10 per head in advance  for a guided tour of the various follies

I will try and find a pub to meet up for  lunch

Day 2   Garden party at Elton Hall  SY8 2 HQ starting at 2pm  with all the usual trimmings tea and pimms . Parking by the church.

Fascinating garden with lots of wonderful buildings

Cost £25.00 per head non members £27.00.

Before that, informal  look at Shobden Arch and church at 12 before going to a hostelry yet to be identified. No charge.

Day 3   Start at Kyre Park at 9.30 with hopefully a guided tour of the follies there. Suggested donation on the gate £4.50

Then off to Westonbury Water Mill Gardens HR6 9HZ , various follies and a coffee shop. Entry for groups of £8.00  on the gate.

Then lunch at either at Hampton Court Gardens  or a suitable local hostelry  with a wander round the gardens. I have not managed to make contact so do not know if we can be guided. Cost on the gate from the website £12/head but will see if I can organise a discount.

Enquiries to Patrick (ptodd.ptcs@gmail.com)

 

Garden Party Options

Member GP only £25.00 GBP Guest GP only £27.00 GBP 2 Members GP only £50.00 GBP 1 Member + 1 Guest GP only £52.00 GBP Child under 16 GP only £20.00 GBP Member GP +Acton Round £35.00 GBP Guest GP+ Acton Round £39.00 GBP 2 2 Members GP+Acton Round £70.00 GBP Child GP +Acton Round £30.00 GBP Acton Round Only £10.00 GBP

A trip around the Plymouth area, to look at the Gaze Tower at Filham in Ivybridge, then Radford Castle and surrounding follies near Plymstock and finally the folly in the woods at Maristow House in the lower Tavy valley
Price will be £10 for members, and tickets will go on sale on 1st June.

Starting at the Hagley Visitor Centre, this is a guided walk over the estate to include the ruined castle, the Palladian bridge, the rotunda , the obelisk and the Temple of Theseus. Lunch would be at the park cafe. There are some steep slopes and this is only for strong walkers.

£12 to include entry to the park. Historic Houses members can get in free, so they can select the cheaper members option.

Options

Member £12.00 GBP 2 Members £24.00 GBP Guest £14.00 GBP Member + guest £26.00 GBP Historic Houses Member £2.00 GBP Historic Houses Guest £4.00 GBP