THE ARTS SOCIETY NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOLIDAY TO SCOTLAND – SUNDAY 31st MAY TO THURSDAY 4th JUNE 2026.

  We will be staying at the 4 star Granton Arms in Grantown-on-Spey which is ten minutes away from the Pine Woodland Walk in Aganach Forest, where you may see red squirrels and rare crested tits.

We will be visiting Balmoral Castle and Gardens, cherished home of the Royal Family since 1852, where the gardens were originally developed under Prince Albert’s keen supervision.  We also visit Craithie Kirk which is a Neat Gothic cruciform church with square tower and short spire designed by A. Marshall Machenzie of Elgin, with the foundation stone being    laid by Queen Victoria in 1893. The granite church overlooks the ruins of the earlier 14th. century church and has an Iona marble communion table and a 17th. century reredos. We will take a tour and tastings at Glen Moray Distillery, founded in 1897 and famous for its early use of Marsala and sherry casks before our visit to Pluscarden Catholic Abbey, which is the only medieval British monastery still being used for its original purpose, and which was founded in 1230 from a grant given by Alexander 11. The community at that time was one of Valliscaulians, a little known order who shared some of the strictness of the Carthusian discipline with the fellowship of the Benedictines, and had travelled to Elgin from their parent house, the Priory of Vallis Caulium in France. We will also visit Blair Castle, with its oldest part being Comyn’s Tower, built in 1269, and which has been the home of the Atholl family for over seven centuries. Home to politicians, soldiers, agriculturalists and entrepreneurs, the history is brought to life against a backdrop of 18th. century interiors and Scots Baronial architecture in 30 rooms. We will be boarding one of the Strathspey steam trains, used in the filming of The Traitors, for a journey through the spectacular Cairngorms National Park. On our way home, we will be visiting the Great Tapestry of Scotland, which depicts 420 million years of Scotland’s history in 160 panels. 

The Society Holiday to Cardigan Bay 26th-30th May 2025.

What a wonderful time we all had at the `Cliff Spa Hotel!

On our way down we visited Gregynog Hall, now a centre for learning, education, hosting conference and events with an with an emphasis on Music and the Arts.

The morning of the second day was spent at the National Botanical Gardens of Wales.

The afternoon we visited Newton House, a Grade 11* listed country house built in 1600. It's name derives from the 'New Town' built for English settlers in the Medieval period.

We visited Picton Castle on Wednesday...a 700 year old historical house and garden, including a spectacular walled garden! The house transformed internally into a sumptuous Georgian home in the mid 18th century.

On our final full day, we visited Fishguard to view the ' Invasion Tapestry' depicting the French Invasion of the area.

The afternoon's visit was to St David's Cathedral.

The Archdeacon gave us a very interesting talk and tour of its beautiful interior!!

On our return home we visited Powys Castle, built in the mid 13th century...it's a Medieval Castle raising dramatically above a celebrated terraced garden.

We wish to thank our Chairman Margaret Thompstone for all her hard work organising such an enjoyable holiday!

 The Arts Society Holiday Monday 13th May-Friday 17th May 2024.

What a wonderful holiday we have had in North Yorkshire at the Raven Hall Country House Hotel in Ravenscar, North Yorkshire situated 600ft above sea level, overlooking Robin Hood's Bay in the North York Moors National Park.
We visited Scampston Hall and Walled Gardens, Nunnington Hall, East Riddlesden Hall, the Edwardian Estate of Lotherton and the Scarborough Fair Collection and Vintage Transport Museum, which is home to the World Famous Munich Oktoberfest organ.

We were treated to tours and talks at many of our visits which gave us all much more insight into the history of the Halls......gardens were aglow with fresh foliage and flowers....parkland deigns by Capability Brown, more formal gardens designed by Piet Oudolf .....it really was a treat!!

Delicious three course meals every evening... a time to mix and catch up with friends.

Many thanks to Margaret Thompstone, our Chair, for all your hard work in planning the holiday which was a great success!!
 

A five day trip to Cambridge by coach organised by our Chair Margaret Thompstone.

Visits included: The Fitzwilliam Museum, Rockingham Castle (Market Harborough), Tour of Kings College Chapel, Evensong at Kings College,Botanical Gardens and free time to explore Cambridge of course!

The photograph is taken in King's College Chapel and shows the painting 'The Adoration of the Magi' 1633-34 by Flemish Baroque Artist, Peter Paul Ruben's and is painted on wood.

The wooden panelling around the Chapel Altar had to be removed and the floor dug out to form a lower level in order to house the painting!

We shall stay at the 4 star Tunbridge Wells Spa Hotel which has a gym and a swimming pool. There will be a busy itinerary including visits to  Chartwell, Ightam Moat, Knole, Scotney Castle, Penshurst Place, Upton House, Nymans House and Garden and The Royal Pavilion at Brighton. There will be a drinks reception before dinner on Tuesday evening.

Some Natiuonal Trust properties will be closed amd there will be some changes to the programme

There are a few double rooms available. For more information telephone  01782 796605

A three day visit to Thursford in Norfolk to see the Christmas Spectacular, a  non-stop extravaganza of singing, dancing, music, humour and variety. We shall also visit the Sandringham Christmas market.

The 2020 event has been  cancelled  due to the Corona virus and we intend to postpne our visit until November 2021.

We shall be staying at Redworth Hall, Newton Aycliffe where we will visit The Bowes  Museum, Raby Castle, Ushaw College, Durham Cathedral, Nostell Priory, The Navy Museum at Hartlepool and  take lunch during a river cruise in Durham. We hope to visit Durham Castle but since it is home to Durham University we shall not know if it will be open to the public until approximately one month before our  holiday.   

On Saturday evening we shall be attending Kynren, a spectacular event  with a cast and crew of 1000 depicting the history of England. Please note there will be a walk of about 300 metres from the coach to the event and anyone who does not wish to attend should confirm this when booking.

There will be a drinks reception at the hotel before dinner on Wednesday evening.

Report

45 Members took part in the tour to County Durham which was enjoyed by all. By popular acclaim the highlight was the spectacular Kynren pageant on Saturday evening. The photograph shows the famous Silver Swan Automatan at the Bowes Museum.

We shall stay at the George and Albert hotel, Evershot, near to Dorchester. There is a busy programme of excursions including:

Wells Cathedral, Forde Abbey House and Gardens, Sherborne Castle and Gardens, Kingston Lacey, Athelhampton House and Stonehenge.

Our base will be  the 4 star Brunsfield hotel in Edinburgh.  During our stay we shall visit Holyrood Palace, Rosslyn Chapel, Falkirk Palace, the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies, The Royal Botanic Gardens and The National Gallery of Scotland. In addition there will be opportunites to visit the new Scottish Parliament Building and to take afternoon tea aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. On one evening we shall go to a Scottish Evening of traditional music and dance.