COACH DEPARTS WICKHAM BISHOPS VILLAGE HALL - 9.00 AM

PLEASE NOTE CAR PARKING WILL BE AT WICKHAM BISHOPS VILLAGE HALL (NOT ST BARTHOLOMEW'S CHURCH CAR PARK)

COACH LEAVING GREENWICH - 4.00 PM
£28 pp for English Heritage Members
£42 pp for non-English Heritage Members

We have secured a Fords of Althorne 53 seater coach for this day visit again - very comfortable seating, smooth, good air-conditioning and toilet on board.
 

Travelling by coach, Eltham Palace, located in south-east London will be our first stop. Eltham was a royal palace in the medieval and Tudor period.  Henry VIII spent much of his childhood there.  It was acquired by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld in the early 1930s.  They transformed it into a magnificent art deco mansion, incorporating the Tudor Great Hall, built in 1470.  The Palace is surrounded by a moat, beautiful gardens and there is also a visitor centre and a café.

From Eltham, we will travel the short journey to historic Greenwich where there are varied options for lunch and where we will spend the afternoon.
Greenwich is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several excellent attractions to visit, including the National Maritime Museum, the Queen’s House and the Royal Observatory. Other attractions include the Cutty Sark, the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College and the Fan Museum.  You may of course, decide to browse the charming Greenwich market and its surrounding streets.

Please note that if you wish to visit the Queen's House at Greenwich, you will need to book your own 'free' ticket in advance on line at rmg.co.uk (Royal Museums Greenwich, Queen's House).

Thursday 18th June - Monday 22nd June 2026

5 days - 4 nights

Click here for Extended Trip details

Click here for full itinerary

Click here for Booking Form

Click here for Conditions

£38 including coach travel, entry and guided one hour tour at Highgate Cemetery (10 per guide).  Afternoon - free entry to V&A East Storehouse.  For more information on this Storehouse visit:  vam.ac.uk

Meet at Wickham Bishops Church Car Park CM8 3LA in good time for :-

09.00    Depart Wickham Bishops

10.30    Arrive Highgate Cemetery

13.30    Depart Highgate Cemetery

14.00    Arrive V&A East Storehouse

16.30    Depart V&A East Storehouse

18.00    Arrive Wickham Bishops Church Car Park

For those members already booked on this day visit please make payment by bank transfer if possible to avoid bank charges - details below.

Bank:  CAF Bank

Account Name:  The Arts Society Blackwater

Sort Code:  40-52-40

Account number:  00060437

Alternatively payment by 'card' at a future lecture.  No cheques or cash accepted.

If you would like to be included on this visit but haven't put your name down yet please contact Lynn Hamber first to check on availability either by email on  lynnhamber.marney@gmail.com or phone:  01206 331533

Highgate Cemetery, established in 1839, is one of London's most iconic and historically significant burial grounds.  Originally part of the 'Magnificent Seven' cemeteries, it was designed as a response to the city's overcrowded graveyards.  The cemetery is home to many notable figures, including authors, scientists, and political leaders and George Michael (West side).

West Cemetery:  Known for being more compact, wooded, and distinctly hilly, requiring more effort to navigate.

East Cemetery:  Generally flatter with wider paths, making it more accessible and easier for walking, though still part of the hilly Highgate landscape.

In the Private Function Suite - 132 Feering Hill, CO5 9PY

3 - Course meal including tea and coffee - £37.00 per person.

12 noon for 12.30pm.

Coach and entry to NT Petworth House, West Sussex

NT Members - £25

Non - NT Members - £25 + group entry fee of £17.50 = £42.50

Temporary Turner exhibition £10 pp for NT members and non-NT members to paid individually by cash/card on arrival at Petworth House.

Petworth

Petworth House is a magnificent country house and park with one of the finest collections of art and sculpture in the care of the National Trust, comprising over 300 paintings and 100 sculptures.

Petworth began as a medieval great house owned by the Percy Family, the Earls of Northumberland.  It was rebuilt in 1682 by the 6th Duke of Somerset who had married Elizabeth Percy.  The style was inspired by Versailles.  The present day grounds were laid out by Capability Brown in the 1750s by the 2nd Earl of Egremont who inherited the estate from his grandfather.  His son, the 3rd Earl Egremont was a famous host to some of the most illustrious artists of the time, most notably Turner.  The room settings and decoration today reflect the 'Golden Age of Petworth' when the 3rd Earl of Egremont owned the house and estate, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

In addition to the permanent collection of Turner oil paintings on permanent display, there is an additional exhibition (tickets £10 each) 'Turner's Vision at Petworth', which will include works by Turner on loan from the Tate and other private collections.

Extended Visit to Northumbria.  5 days departing 23 June 2025.

Wimpole Hall is a beautiful National Trust House with many interesting features including fantastic paintings, a walled garden, a farm with rare breeds and several places to enjoy a snack or a meal.

There is a buggy available for those who need assistance enabling everyone to visit all the  various attractions.

Cost :   £25 for NT Members

            £44 for non NT Members

The Arts Society Blackwater regrets that a refund for coach travel is only possible if a replacement can be found.

09.30    Depart from Wickham Bishops Church Car Park (CM8 3LA) 

(Please park at the rear of the church car park)

11.00     Arrive at Wimpole Hall

16.00     Depart Wimpole Hall

18.00     Arrive back at Wickham Bishops Church Car Park

4 nights - 5 days extended visit to Cheshire by coach with Tailored Travel - staying near Wrexham.

A French Renaissance-style chateau with an extensive art collection, landscaped gardens, aviary and woodland playground.

Car share to Sudbury and Lavenham.

4 nights - 5 days extended visit to Devon  by coach with Tailored Travel - staying in Torquay.

Coach and entry to Hatfield House, Hertfordshire