Summer visits 2023

Beaconsfield Historical Society

All outings pick up from outside Waitrose and the Beacon Centre.   There is NO PICK UP from the Old Town due to the volume of parked cars.  Should the visit be oversubscribed, then preference will be given to members of Beaconsfield Historical Society.   Please note that we have introduced closing dates for bookings. 

19th April 2023 – Bletchley Park                                                                Cost: £42  (Please book by 25th March).

A wonderful opportunity to see one of the best kept secrets of World War II, Bletchley Park was the top-secret home of the World War II codebreakers and by 1945 employed around 9000 multi-skilled people to meet operational demands.  Our visit includes a private tour of the site and time to visit all the exhibitions and hear veterans life stories of their time at Bletchley.  Refreshments are available along with maps of the site.

Coach leaves Waitrose 9.15 a.m. Beacon Centre 9.30 a.m. Bletchley Park 4 p.m.  ETA Beaconsfield 5.50 p.m.

9th May 2023 – Ely Cathedral and Cambridge                                        Cost: £30 (Please book by 25th March)

Ely Cathedral, sometimes known as the Ship of the Fens, is known for its distinctive central octagonal tower and it dominates the surrounding landscape.  Seat of the Bishop of Ely,it sustains a daily pattern of morning and evening services and is a fine example of a medieval cathedral.  There should be time to visit the nationally-important stained glass museum prior to our 1 hour tour of the cathedral, as well as soaking up the atmosphere of this splendid church.  We then travel on to Cambridge, being dropped at King’s College Bridge, where we are able to spend the rest of the afternoon looking around this fascinating city.  There is plenty to see.  Refreshments are readily available in Cambridge or you may prefer to bring your own.

Coach leaves Waitrose 9.15 a.m. Beacon Centre 9.30 a.m. Cambridge 5.00 p.m.  ETA Beaconsfield 7 p.m.

2nd June 2023 – Cotswold Sculpture Park & Chavenage House              Cost: £46 (Please book by 17th May)

The Sculpture Park in Cirencester features around 250 sculptures from over 90 artists which are well worth seeing.  After strolling around the park and perhaps having a cup of tea, we visit the family owned Chavenage House, which dates from the Civil War.  After a guided tour by a member of the family, we have a home-made Cotswold Tea (included).  Chavenage House features in many films and television programmes, including Wolf Hall and Poldark.

Coach leaves Waitrose 9:15 a.m. Beacon Centre 9:30 a.m. ETA Beaconsfield 6.30 p.m.

27th July 2023 – Whitchurch Silk Mill & Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery     Cost £45 (Please book by 30th June 2023)

Whitchurch Silk Mill opened in 1816 and was a working mill until the late 1970s.  It became a museum in 1990.  Having learnt about silk making and looking around their shop, we arrive in time for lunch at the nearby Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery.  After lunch we tour the distillery, learn how to make our own gin & tonic, see how the botanicals are chosen and dried, and have the opportunity to buy some of the product before leaving.

Coach leaves Waitrose 9:00 a.m. Beacon Centre 9.15 a.m. ETA Beaconsfield 6.30 p.m.

9th August 2023 –  Althrop House Northamptonshire                                       Cost: £39 (Please book by 15th July 2023)

Home of the Spencer family for over 500 years, the house showcases one of Europe’s finest private collections of furniture, paintings and ceramics.  The current Earl is an author and historian and is dedicated to the wellbeing of the Estate.  It is also the resting place of Diana, Princess of Wales who lived at Althrop as a child.  Entry to the house is from 11.00 a.m. and the extensive grounds provide good walks.

Coach leaves Waitrose 9.00 a.m. Beacon Centre 9.15 a.m.  ETA Beaconsfield 6 p.m.

4th September 2023 – Houses of Parliament                                                Cost £25 – Limited to 40 places (Please book by 1st August 2023)

The early start means that we will be able to see around Parliament before the House sits.  Arriving at 9 – 9.30 a.m. we can have refreshments (included) as soon as we have gone through security.  Splitting into two groups, we tour both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.  After the tour, you are able to have tickets to go to the gallery to listen to debates in the Commons.  Lunch and/or refreshments are available at a café near Westminster Hall.  For security purposes a list of names of those on the visit must be supplied in advance and you will be advised if I.D. is necessary prior to going to the Houses of Parliament.  

Coach leaves Waitrose 7.30 a.m. Beacon Centre 7.45 a.m.      Leave Houses of Parliament 3 p.m. ETA Beaconsfield 4.30 p.m.

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