The wait is over! Here are our Autumn/Winter Coach Trips for this year. Don’t forget our Coach Trips are extremely popular and places book up extremely fast! If you would like to join us on any of our trips we suggest contacting us as soon as possible. Please see below for how to book your place.

Croft Castle & Brockhampton Estate

Thursday 26th September 2019

Price: £37
National Trust Members: £24
Leave: 8.15am
Return approximately: 6.15pm

For the first of our Autumn/Winter trips join us for a day out at Croft Castle & Parkland, sat deep in the heart of Herefordshire countryside surrounded by 1500 acres of historic woodland, farm and parkland. In the castle you can live life as Sir James Croft and find out how the family bought back their home in 1923.  Explore the family photographs or sit and read through the auction catalogues. Outside, explore the working walled garden complete with historic orchards and vineyard and take a peek inside the 1908 glasshouse. Take a stroll through the parkland up to the Iron Age hill fort for far reaching views including the Brecon Beacons or follow one of the woodland trails and find over 300 veteran trees along the way. For refreshments there is a tea room serving local food and drink. There is also a gift shop & second-hand bookshop.

On leaving Croft Castle we will next visit a traditionally farmed estate and medieval manor house. Brockhampton Manor house is located on a 1700 acre farmed estate – a romantic timber-framed house dating back to the late 14th century. The estate is home to a rich variety of wildlife, along with historic farming breeds such as Hereford cattle and Ryeland sheep. The house is surrounded by a moat and is entered via a charming timber-framed gatehouse, built 1530-40. There are six different routes to walk on the estate so head to the Visitor Reception to get a map to find out which one would be best for you. There is a second hand bookshop, and gift shop to visit. For refreshments, The Old Apple Store Tea Room or The Granary offer cakes, sandwiches, and drinks.

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Knightshayes Court

Thursday 17th October

Price: £36
National Trust Members: £25
Leave: 8.30am
Return approximately: 5.30pm

Knightshayes is a Victorian country house & estate in Tiverton built on a grand scale by William Burges. The Gothic inspired house has richly decorated interiors and is full of curiosities including gargoyles and a medieval-inspired great hall. Look out for lovely views of Tiverton and the Exe Valley from some of the rooms. Visits to the house are ‘free flow’ and most of the rooms are stewarded.

Outside there are acres of gardens and parkland with over 1200 plant species which are unique to Knightshayes making it one of the best gardens in Devon, including formal terraces, topiary and many fine specimen trees. The 4 acre walled kitchen garden is well worth a visit and provides seasonal produce for the Stables Café. It also specialises in produce that was grown in Victorian times.

The Stables Café is open and has a seasonal menu which includes light lunches and homemade cakes. There is also a gift shop selling produce which is locally sourced.

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NEC Festive Gift Fair

Thursday 14th November

Price: £25
Leave: 8.30am
Return approximately: 3.30pm

This annual event always proves popular with people planning their Christmas shopping, particularly if you are stuck for ideas. It will be a fun day out with unusual and affordable gifts for anyone who needs some inspiration. There will be over 300 gift stalls to choose from and to get you in the Christmas mood there will be festive entertainers, musicians, carol singers, decorations and a Festive Food village.

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Sudeley Castle Spectacle of Light

Thursday 12th December

Price: £37
Leave: 3.15pm
Return approximately: 7.30pm

Come and join us for our final trip of 2019, for what promises to be a magical evening out! Sudeley Castle and the grounds will be lit up after dark allowing you to follow a trail of light around the enchanting gardens and romantic ruins. Music will provide a soundtrack to each spectacle, making it a truly unforgettable experience. Sip festive warmers of mulled wine and hot chocolate and tuck into scrumptious food on the castle terrace. Our time slot for the illuminated walk is booked for 4.45pm and will take approximately 60-75 minutes, so get wrapped up warm for what will be a truly festive evening out.

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Hestercombe House & Gardens

Thursday 27th February 2020

Price: £32
Leave: 9am
Return approximately: 5pm

In February 2020, we will be returning to the ever popular Hestercombe Gardens – a small but perfectly formed estate nestled in the Somerset countryside, close to Taunton. Comprising a unique collection of three gardens, spanning three centuries of garden history and design, all have undergone acclaimed restoration works, and today provide important examples of gardens in contrasting styles, that continue to grow and develop.

Walk the gardens and enjoy the snowdrops, beautiful hellebores and winter aconite. Visit the warm and welcoming Stables Restaurant & Coffee shop within the courtyard, to enjoy delicious refreshments, or browse in the beautiful gift shop which is filled with interesting and unusual books.

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BOOK TODAY

If you would like to book places on any of the these trips please call Emma Russan on 01452 741444. Emma is in the office Monday to Friday between 9am – 5pm. Payment is due at time of booking. If you book and then have to cancel we will endeavour to fill your place, if this is not possible we may be unable to offer a refund. All our trips are available on a first come first served basis, to avoid disappointment please contact us soon as possible. 

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Spring/Summer Coach Trips

We are already thinking about our trips next year, they will be advertised via our our website, social media, email mailing list and in store on the first Monday of March 2020.