York Association of the National Trust

Day Trips 2017
YANT Day Trips 2017

  Day Trips Organiser:    trips@yant.org.uk

Christmas Lunch at Tennants
Wednesday 13th December, 2017
A couple of years ago we organised some successful and popular visits to Tennants Auctioneers, in Leyburn.  

A number of people expressed a desire for a return visit to again enjoy the excellent fayre they provide. So this year we chose Tennants as the venue for our Christmas Lunch day trip. In addition to the meal, we enjoyed some seasonal entertainment from Chris Cade who performed his own inimitable version of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”.

Our Christmas meal consisted of a welcome drink followed by a 3-course lunch. Wine/drinks with the meal were on an individual basis.

This visit to Tennants was for Christmas Lunch only and did not include a tour.

Travel by Ingleby’s coach: Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 10.30am, Middlethorpe Drive, Dringhouses, York, at 10.45am and Easingwold, Long Street (by the Co-op) at 11.00am. The journey time is about 1½ hours. Leave Leyburn around 3.45pm to arrive back in Easingwold at 4.45pm and York around 5.15pm.  

COST: The cost of the trip was £40, which included coach hire, 3-course lunch, entertainment and gratuities.
Mystery Tour
Tuesday 3rd October, 2017

This is an interesting route ending in an area we have never visited before. Coffee in a Farm Shop with a lovely view at approx. 10.45 (the shop is well stocked, so bring a shopping bag!) Lunch is in an old seventeenth century coaching inn. With a choice from the “Carvery” of beef, pork or vegetarian option; autumn fruit crumble or cheesecake with tea or coffee.

Travel by Stephenson's coach: Easingwold Co op 08.45 (free parking in the area suitable for Haxby and Wigginton members); Memorial Gardens 09.25; Middlethorpe Drive 09.45; Drop offs in reverse order. We should return to Memorial Gardens by 17.00. Please complete the booking form before 22nd September.

COST:  £32 each to include coach, coffee, 2-course "Carvery" Lunch and gratuities.

Elizabeth Hjort


"... a carvery lunch at the half-timbered Red Lion coaching inn at Redbourne was the treat that awaited us, and it gave us a chance to chat with others of our fellow travellers, as we tucked into a roast meal followed by crumble or cheesecake."
Review - Mystery Tour - 3rd October, 2017

A GRAND DAY OUT (apologies to Wallace and Gromit)
On a clear, sunny October day, what could be better than a mystery coach trip organised for the York Association of the National Trust by Kath Carr and Elizabeth Hjort?

We set off for Leeds – no, for Scarborough – only to find ourselves heading for Stamford Bridge after passing the Food and Environment Research Agency at Sand Hutton. With a briefing on the battle of Stamford Bridge and information about two prisons nearby to keep us alert, we continued, not to Bridlington, but through Pocklington, the wool town where William Wilberforce the Abolitionist went to school, and towards Market Weighton, once Britain’s largest sheep market and the birthplace of Britain’s tallest man.

We were not going to Beverley. Drewton’s Farm Shop at South Cave proved to be our first destination, where we enjoyed beverages and a browse among the mouth-watering foodstuffs in the delicatessen, hoping the while to see one of the red kites that have been successfully reintroduced in the area. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, Drewton became a partly deserted medieval village, in spite of its position on a Roman road leading to a Humber crossing.

Would we go on to Hull, the 2017 City of Culture? No, today was not for a heady input of culture – we went on across the Humber suspension bridge, admiring the sandbanks at low tide as we did so, before meandering through several Lincolnshire villages. A bridge was first proposed for the area in 1872, but it would take until 1981 before there was one, and it was no mean achievement, in view of the shifting bed of the estuary which made a long central span essential.

Perhaps Scunthorpe really would prove to be our destination, as so often promised down the 10 years of this annual excursion. No, that was not to be. Instead, a carvery lunch at the half-timbered Red Lion coaching inn at Redbourne was the treat that awaited us, and it gave us a chance to chat with others of our fellow travellers, as we tucked into a roast meal followed by crumble or cheesecake.

And the homeward route, by main roads and motorways, did allow us a brief glimpse of Scunthorpe in the distance.  

(By a guest member of the National Trust for Scotland)
Visit to Patrington and Holmpton Bunker
Wednesday 20th September, 2017
Our autumn trip takes us into the East Riding of Yorkshire to visit the beautiful church of St Patrick, Patrington, and the historic RAF Command Centre and Cold War Bunker at Holmpton. In Simon Jenkins’ book “England’s Thousand Best Churches” he quotes “Patrington church calls itself the ‘Queen of Holderness’ and rightly so. It is the queen, too, of what I regard as the finest era of English Gothic, the final flowering of the Decorated Style in the early C14th before the Black Death”. This beautiful church, with its glorious spire, can be seen for miles across the flat Holderness countryside. However, it is the interior of the church which lives up to its 5* rating. There is a riot of carving from the tops of the pillars and capitals to the myriad of faces depicting people, animals and grotesques.

In complete contrast to this piece of ecclesiastical history, our second visit of the day is to the Bunker at RAF Holmpton. Hidden under a modest brick bungalow in rural East Yorkshire is a Cold War Bunker complete with a half megaton nuclear warhead. The Bunker started life in the 1950s as an RAF Early Warning Radar Station operating until 1974. The site was refurbished in the 1980s to form a new Emergency HQ for RAF Support Command. When the Cold War ended in 1991, the Bunker was converted into an experimental HQ for the new UK Air CCIS System. In 2014 the complex was sold by the MOD into private ownership and now continues as an exhibition space showing its 60 years of service with the RAF.
Review - Patrington and Holmpton Bunker - 20th September, 2017

Visit to St Patrick’s Church, Patrington, and Holmpton Bunker
A group of just thirty-three left York for the wilds of East Yorkshire, the other side of Hull. For once, the exit from York was quick and on time despite the York College on Tadcaster Road being open. Our journey continued to be uneventful until we reached the outskirts of Hull. Here there was more traffic but we went straight through. Brief glimpses were seen of the waterside developments in the “City of Culture”, mainly new retail and residential buildings. Once past the Ferry Terminals, we headed for our first visit, passing several small villages on the way.

On arrival at Patrington, we were met by our guide outside the church and ushered inside. We were welcomed by a nice cup of tea or coffee served by some ladies from the village. This was accompanied by a selection of excellent homemade cakes. After refreshments, we took a seat in the church and our guide gave a very good explanation of the history of the building. Construction of the present church started in AD 1310 and was completed in AD 1410. We were then free to explore the interior after which we were taken into the grounds for further explanations of the exterior of the building and the graveyard.

Having said our farewells, we re-joined our coach for a short journey to the Dunedin Country House on the edge of the village where we were served an excellent buffet lunch with tea or coffee.

Our second visit entailed driving further east towards Withernsea on the coast and then heading south towards what appeared at first to be a brick building, a wooden hut and a grass mound. It was hard to imagine that this site was at the forefront of our Early Warning System.

We were welcomed by our guides to the former RAF Holmpton, which is now privately owned, and opened to the public by volunteers. After a brief introduction, we were taken downstairs and into the centre of operations. We were shown an introductory film showing operations, which happened on the site. We were then free to explore the rest of the underground installations, kitchens, operations rooms and, most importantly, the bar. A number of video screens showed various scenarios including a simulated exercise in a local council authority area after the dropping of The Bomb. We gradually drifted upstairs where a welcome cup of tea was available and said our goodbyes to the guides.

Our journey home was as smooth as the outward one and the weather for the day was fine. Our defence system is still at Staxton Wold on the Bridlington Road.

Brian and Marilyn Purkiss
Full Itinerary - Patrington and Holmpton Bunker - 20th September, 2017

Our autumn trip takes us into the East Riding of Yorkshire to visit the beautiful church of St Patrick, Patrington, and the historic RAF Command Centre and Cold War Bunker at Holmpton. In Simon Jenkins’ book “England’s Thousand Best Churches” he quotes “Patrington church calls itself the ‘Queen of Holderness’ and rightly so. It is the queen, too, of what I regard as the finest era of English Gothic, the final flowering of the Decorated Style in the early C14th before the Black Death”. This beautiful church, with its glorious spire, can be seen for miles across the flat Holderness countryside. However, it is the interior of the church which lives up to its 5* rating. There is a riot of carving from the tops of the pillars and capitals to the myriad of faces depicting people, animals and grotesques.

In complete contrast to this piece of ecclesiastical history, our second visit of the day is to the Bunker at RAF Holmpton. Hidden under a modest brick bungalow in rural East Yorkshire is a Cold War Bunker complete with a half megaton nuclear warhead. The Bunker started life in the 1950s as an RAF Early Warning Radar Station operating until 1974. The site was refurbished in the 1980s to form a new Emergency HQ for RAF Support Command. When the Cold War ended in 1991, the Bunker was converted into an experimental HQ for the new UK Air CCIS System. In 2014 the complex was sold by the MOD into private ownership and now continues as an exhibition space showing its 60 years of service with the RAF. Our first stop will be at St Patrick’s Church where welcome refreshments will be dispensed. The party will then be divided into groups for a guided tour of the church. The tour will be about 1-1.5 hours. We will then transfer to Dunedin Country House for lunch – a short walk of around 10 minutes. Lunch will consist of a selection of sandwiches, quiches, salads, cakes, tea and coffee.

After lunch, there is a short drive to our second visit of the day to Holmpton where we will have exclusive access to the Bunker. Two of the staff are veterans who served when the Bunker was active and they will be on hand to answer questions and explain about the role the site played during the Cold War. Tea, coffee and homemade cakes will be available to buy on an individual basis. All donations will go towards “Help the Heroes”. Please note that access to the Bunker is via a well- lit tunnel. However, in order to get the most out of your visit, there are several levels, which are served by three sets of staircases with handrails. There is no lift.

Ingleby’s coach will pick up at Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 9.00am and Middlethorpe Drive, Dringhouses, at 9.15am.
The journey time will be about 1.5 hours. The coach will depart from Holmpton at 4.30pm and estimated arrival time back in York is at 6.00pm.

COST: The cost of the trip is £36, which includes the coach hire, morning refreshments and guided tour of St Patrick’s church, lunch, entrance to the Bunker and driver’s gratuity.
Kilburn and Ampleforth Abbey
Thursday 24th August, 2017

This month our trip will explore two lovely locations in God’s own county. Our first stop will be the pretty village of Kilburn where we will visit the home and workshop of Robert Thompson, famously referred to as “The Mouseman”. Born in the village in 1876, Thompson dedicated his life to the craft of carving and joinery in English Oak.


Our second visit of the day will be to Ampleforth Abbey, home since 1802 to an Order of Benedictine Monks. The Abbey was founded in a house given to Father Anselm Bolton by Anne Fairfax of Gilling Castle (also Fairfax House, York). The community established a school for boys, which still flourishes today as a co-educational independent boarding school.For more than 200 years the monks have grown apples in the Abbey Orchards. These orchards grow over 40 different varieties of apples from 2,000 trees on a 7-acre site. Now the monks have turned their hands to making cider, which is produced on-site, in the Abbey Cider Mill.
Review - Kilburn and Ampleforth Abbey - 24th August, 2017

Visit to The Mouseman Centre and Ampleforth College
A full coach left York at 9.00am for our visit to the Mouseman Centre and Ampleforth College. On arrival at Kilburn we were split into two groups to visit the museum and the showroom in turn. We were introduced to the Mouseman story by a video presentation given by Ian Thompson Cartwright, the great grandson of the founder Robert Thompson. He told us that the business, founded in 1919, was still in the same family. The furniture made of English oak was still produced by the same methods and embellished by the trademark mouse.

The resident guide Chris led our group around the museum stopping in the main hall, which displayed the various tools of the trade. He gave a detailed description of how the furniture was made with particular emphasis on the adze, which created the rippled effect on the tabletops. A visit to the furniture showroom was a must. The beautiful furniture on display had price tickets making it the stuff of dreams or perhaps a winning lottery ticket! But, well worth a visit and we were then at liberty to enjoy the gardens surrounding the museum from which there was a good view of the famous White Horse, visible on the hillside over-looking the village.

After a very enjoyable visit to the Mouseman Centre we re-joined the coach and made our way to Ampleforth College where we enjoyed lunch followed by a tour of the Cider Mill. Our guide informed us that there were at least 60 varieties of apples grown in their orchard many of which went into the making of the cider.

On arrival at the Abbey we made our way around the extensive and beautiful grounds to the Abbey Church. Choir practice was taking place so it was not possible to enjoy the interior of the church. This was perhaps compensated for by the acoustics, which helped create a very impressive sound from the choir. The main hall of the Abbey was available to visitors, which displayed many photographs of previous students and teachers. There was also a gift shop and restaurant.

Janet Harper
Full Itinerary - Kilburn and Ampleforth Abbey - 24th August, 2017

This month our trip will explore two lovely locations in God’s own county. Our first stop will be the pretty village of Kilburn where we will visit the home and workshop of Robert Thompson, famously referred to as “The Mouseman”. Born in the village in 1876, Thompson dedicated his life to the craft of carving and joinery in English Oak. The famous mouse symbol on all items carved by his workshop relates back to a remark, which Thompson heard, made by one of his craftsmen: “We are all as poor as church mice”. From then on Thompson adopted the mouse as his logo. He became known throughout the country for his magnificent church furniture, some of which might be seen later in the church at Ampleforth Abbey. Thompson’s business still flourishes today with the main emphasis now on the carving of domestic furniture.

Our second visit of the day will be to Ampleforth Abbey, home since 1802 to an Order of Benedictine Monks. The Abbey was founded in a house given to Father Anselm Bolton by Anne Fairfax of Gilling Castle (also Fairfax House, York). The community established a school for boys, which still flourishes today as a co-educational independent boarding school. The Abbey Church is a major work by the distinguished C20th church architect, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. It contains some beautiful choir stalls carved by Robert Thompson.  

For more than 200 years the monks have grown apples in the Abbey Orchards. These orchards grow over 40 different varieties of apples from 2,000 trees on a 7-acre site. Now the monks have turned their hands to making cider, which is produced on-site, in the Abbey Cider Mill. Their award-winning North Yorkshire Cider can be tasted and bought on the premises.

Our first stop of the day will be in Kilburn. Here we will divide into two groups. Whilst one group enjoys a guided tour of the museum (about 45 minutes), the other group will be free to explore the gift shop, showroom and workshop. Please note that the museum is on two floors with no lift. Refreshments in the café will be on an individual basis. The local parish church may also be of interest as it contains some pews carved by Robert Thompson. The groups will then change over and at the end of the morning there will be a short drive of 20-30 minutes to Ampleforth Abbey.

On arrival at Ampleforth Abbey, lunch will be served at “The Windmill”, a private venue. This will consist of soup, sandwiches, Ampleforth Apple Cake, tea and coffee. There will then be a guided tour of the Abbey Orchard and Cider Mill with a chance to taste some of the local produce.

The tour will last about 1.5 hours. Please note that the tour will be outside for some of the time and that the ground could be slippery and uneven. Sensible footwear and appropriate outerwear is recommended. The Cider Mill is a working space and caution is advised around machinery, uneven floors and possible slippery surfaces. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be dispensed at the end of the `tour.

There will then be some free time to explore the Abbey Church and Visitors’ Centre.

Ingleby’s coach will pick up at Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 9.00am and in Long Street, Easingwold (outside the Co- op) at 9.30am. The journey time will be around 1-1.5 hours. The coach will leave Ampleforth Abbey at 5.00pm and arrive in Easingwold around 6.00pm and in York around 6.30pm.

COST: The cost of the trip is £36 which includes the coach hire, guided tour of the museum at Kilburn, lunch at Ampleforth Abbey, tour of the Abbey Orchards and Cider Mill, afternoon refreshments and coach driver’s gratuity.
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Tuesday 18th July, 2017

Belsay Castle was the home of the Middleton family for seven centuries.  In 1603, during the reign of James I, a mansion wing was added to the west side of the castle converting it into a gentleman’s residence.  The Middleton family lived in the castle until 1817 when a new mansion, Belsay Hall, was built.  The Hall was designed by Sir Charles Monck and was inspired by what Sir Charles had seen on his honeymoon in Greece.  The building has a plain façade with an interior arranged around an imposing central 2-storey Pillar Hall.  The Hall passed into State ownership in 1980 and is now displayed without furnishings.  The jewel in the crown is the magnificent Quarry Garden with ravines, pinnacles and sheer rock faces inspired by Sicilian Quarries.  Created by Sir Charles Monck, the garden is a wonderful example of the Picturesque Style with its own microclimate which allows for the growth of various plants not normally seen in the north of England.  Sir Charles’s grandson, Arthur, who was a pioneering plants man, added the Winter Garden, Yew Garden and Magnolia Terrace.
Review - Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens - 18th July, 2017

Arriving at Belsay the large stable block/entrance was undergoing extensive roof repairs and the first thing we saw was a building shrouded in plastic-covered scaffolding, which made for some interesting manoeuvres for our driver in the car park!

The present, rather outwardly austere, Hall was built from adjacent quarried rock in 1817 after Sir Charles Monck, the then owner of the 14thC castle, was inspired by the elegant Greek Revival style seen on his honeymoon. All the gutters and fall pipes are enclosed within the stonework to preserve the simplicity of line, which characterised the style. Inside almost everything is symmetrical including a staircase, which goes nowhere!  

When our volunteer guide, who clearly loved the place, told us that there was nothing in the house it seemed as if we might have a somewhat disappointing tour. However she asked us to use our imagination as her enthusiastic commentary brought each room to life for us. The family had moved out in the early 1960s, selling the furnishings to pay crippling taxes. The Hall then stood empty for eighteen years, until English Heritage took it over on the condition that it remained unfurnished. The head gardener told us of the battle they have had with rabbits, which are now largely excluded by rabbit-proof fences and gates, though the latter do depend on visitors closing them! The gardens are a credit to the hard work of her team. They include a palm tree, which is the furthest north in England of its species. The ruined castle, which is separated from the Hall by the impressive rock-faced Quarry Gardens with many exotic species due to their microclimate, has the largest Peel tower in the country. The spiral staircase in the tower leads to fine views of the surrounding countryside.

Celia Rutt
Full Itinerary - Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens - 18th July, 2017

Our July trip will be to the North East with a visit to Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens. Belsay Castle was the home of the Middleton family for seven centuries. The great-fortified tower still dominates the castle and was built as a statement of family pride and in response to the constant unrest and conflict, which beset the border regions. Built in the C14th, it is an outstanding example of a Pele tower – a fortification constructed to defend the family, servants and animals from the Border Reivers. In 1603, during the reign of James I, a mansion wing was added to the west side of the castle converting it into a gentleman’s residence. The Middleton family lived in the castle until 1817 when a new mansion, Belsay Hall, was built. The Hall was designed by Sir Charles Monck and was inspired by what Sir Charles had seen on his honeymoon in Greece. The building has a plain façade with an interior arranged around an imposing central 2-storey Pillar Hall. The Hall passed into State ownership in 1980 and is now displayed without furnishings. The jewel in the crown is the magnificent Quarry Garden with ravines, pinnacles and sheer rock faces inspired by Sicilian Quarries. Created by Sir Charles Monck, the garden is a wonderful example of the Picturesque Style with its own microclimate which allows for the growth of various plants not normally seen in the north of England. Sir Charles’s grandson, Arthur, who was a pioneering plants man, added the Winter Garden, Yew Garden and Magnolia Terrace.

On arrival at Belsay, there will be an introductory talk about the family and estate whilst tea, coffee and biscuits are served. This will be followed by a guided tour of Belsay Hall, which will last about an hour. The Head Gardener will then give an introduction to the gardens on the formal terrace with a short question and answer session. A light lunch of sandwiches, cakes, tea and coffee will follow after which there will be free time to explore the gardens and Belsay Castle. Please note that there will be steps to negotiate in both Belsay Hall and Castle. The Quarry Garden, by its nature, will involve some inclines and rough ground so sensible footwear is recommended. Any afternoon refreshments will be on an individual basis.  

Ingleby’s coach will pick up at Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 8.30am. The journey time will be around 2.5 hours with a coffee and comfort stop at a motorway service station. The coach will depart Belsay at 4.30pm. There will be a short comfort stop on the way back and the estimated arrival time in York will be around 7.00-7.30pm.

COST: The cost of the trip is £36 which includes the coach hire, admission fee to Belsay, morning refreshments with introductory talk, guided tour of Belsay Hall, introductory talk about the gardens, lunch and driver’s gratuity.
Silk Museum and Paradise Mill, Macclesfield & Gawsworth Hall
Wednesday 28th June, 2017
This month we travel to Cheshire with our first stop in Macclesfield, once the centre of the silk industry. Our visit to the Silk Museum and the Paradise Mill will give both an insight into the town’s industrial past and reveal the ancient craft of silk making. Housed in the former Art School, the Silk Museum tells the story of silk from cocoon to loom and the history of the early humble beginnings of this industry to the huge growth of the silk mills.

On the guided tour of Paradise Mill you will experience the silk making machinery in action and see demonstrations of Jacquard hand-loom silk weaving. Your guide will tell you about the rise and decline of the industry and include details of the weavers’ daily lives in the 1930s.

In the afternoon we will visit nearby Gawsworth Hall. The Hall is a magnificent example of a timber-framed house in the Cheshire black-and-white style. The present house was constructed between 1480 and 1600 replacing an earlier Norman building. Your self-guided tour of Gawsworth will be preceded by a 15-20 minute introduction by the present lady of the house, Elizabeth Richards. During your visit you will see some fine paintings, furniture and stained glass. The grounds are no less impressive with a rookery, tilting ground and an Elizabethan pleasure garden.
Review - Silk Museum and Paradise Mill, Macclesfield & Gawsworth Hall - 28th June, 2017

Visit to Macclesfield and Gawsworth Hall

It was a very rainy day when the coach driven by Craig left York on our journey to Macclesfield. Due to traffic problems and the bad weather we arrived at our destination an hour late. It was therefore decided we would visit the Silk Museum and Paradise Mill without a guide. Fortunately the two buildings were only a few yards apart. The Silk Museum housed in the original Macclesfield School of Art was a fount of information about the silk weaving trade, which moved from weavers cottages to the mills in the industrial revolution. Most of the silk was imported from India and China and woven into material for the making of elegant gowns and furnishings such as wedding dresses, curtains and suite coverings. Attention was particularly drawn to the silk parachutes, which were made during the last war saving the lives of thousands of British airmen. There was also the opportunity to watch a DVD about the history of silk weaving which also highlighted the hardship experienced by the weavers in the early 19th century, when some of the mills were forced to close down causing mass unemployment in the area.

Paradise Mill had many looms, some of them restored Jacquard looms, displaying silk threads of various colours and we were given a brief demonstration of how the looms were operated manually before the introduction of electricity. The mill workers had very long days and the work was extremely arduous and noisy. Children as young as six worked 60 hours a week. From the museum and mill we made our way to the Heritage Building formerly the Old Sunday School where we enjoyed an excellent buffet lunch of sandwiches and cakes. We then joined the coach for the short journey to Gawsworth Hall, a lovely Tudor home now owned by the Richards family. Elizabeth Richards, together with her son Rupert arranged for us to be seated in the pavilion overlooking the gardens. Together they gave us a potted history of the Hall and some of its colourful inhabitants, one of whom was Mary Fitton believed to be the “Dark Lady” of Shakespeare’s sonnets. This was followed by a self-guided tour of the house, which contained many valuable paintings and some wonderful antique oak furniture. Of particular interest were the William Morris stained glass windows in the chapel. Finally, most of our group enjoyed the hospitality of the tearoom before joining the coach and making our way back to York.

Janet Harper
Silk Museum and Paradise Mill, Macclesfield, Cheshire
Gawsworth Hall, Gawsworth, Macclesfield, Cheshire
Photographs courtesy of G. Mortimer
Full Itinerary - Silk Museum and Paradise Mill, Macclesfield & Gawsworth Hall
28th June, 2017

This month we travel to Cheshire with our first stop in Macclesfield, once the centre of the silk industry. Our visit to the Silk Museum and the Paradise Mill will give both an insight into the town’s industrial past and reveal the ancient craft of silk making. Housed in the former Art School, the Silk Museum tells the story of silk from cocoon to loom and the history of the early humble beginnings of this industry to the huge growth of the silk mills. The tour of the Silk Museum will be on a self-guided basis.

On the guided tour of Paradise Mill you will experience the silk making machinery in action and see demonstrations of Jacquard hand-loom silk weaving. Your guide will tell you about the rise and decline of the industry and include details of the weavers’ daily lives in the 1930s. The guided tour will last about one hour. A lift is available to access the third-floor mill. If you will need to make use of the lift, please indicate this on the Booking Form.

In the afternoon we will visit nearby Gawsworth Hall. The Hall is a magnificent example of a timber-framed house in the Cheshire black-and-white style. The present house was constructed between 1480 and 1600 replacing an earlier Norman building. Your self-guided tour of Gawsworth will be preceded by a 15-20 minute introduction by the present lady of the house, Elizabeth Richards. During your visit you will see some fine paintings, furniture and stained glass. The grounds are no less impressive with a rookery, tilting ground and an Elizabethan pleasure garden. Refreshments will be available on an individual basis.

Please note that with all old historic houses there are unexpected steps and stairs, uneven floorboards and low beamed ceilings. Care needs to be taken in the gardens in case of slippery and uneven ground.

Stephensons’ coach will pick up in Easingwold (opposite the Co-op in Long Street) at 8.00am, Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 8.30am and Middlethorpe Drive, York, at 8.45am. The journey time is around two hours with a comfort and coffee stop at a motorway service station. On arrival at the museum site, the party will be divided into two groups: one group to take the self-guided tour of the Silk Museum and one to have the guided tour of Paradise Mill. The groups will then swap over. At the end of the visit there will be a light lunch served at the nearby Tea Kitchen. Lunch will consist of home-made soup, baguettes, choice of cake and tea/coffee.

The coach will depart from the museum site in Macclesfield around 2.15pm and from Gawsworth Hall for the return journey home at 4.45pm. There will be a short comfort stop on the route back. Please note that traffic can be very heavy in the Manchester area and on the M62. The estimated arrival time in York is 7.00pm and in Easingwold at 7.30pm.

COST: The cost of the trip is £36, which includes coach hire, morning refreshments, entrances to The Silk Museum and Paradise Mill, light lunch, entrance to Gawsworth Hall and driver’s gratuity.
Southwell Minster and the Workhouse
Wednesday 17th May, 2017
Our May trip takes us down into Nottinghamshire to the pretty little town of Southwell. Southwell Minster became the cathedral of Nottinghamshire in 1884 but this church of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been a minster (or missionary church) covering most of the county since Saxon times. Sometimes called the “village cathedral”, it boasts Roman remains, a Saxon carving, solid Norman architecture and the world famous chapter house filled with unique carvings.

After lunch, we will visit the Southwell Workhouse just over a mile from the town. This austere building, the most complete workhouse in existence, was built in 1824 as a place of last resort for the destitute. Its architecture was influenced by prison design and its harsh regime became a blueprint for workhouses throughout the country. This rural workhouse was designed to house around 160 inmates. They lived and worked in a strictly segregated environment with virtually no contact between the old, infirm and able-bodied men, women and children.
Review - Southwell Minster and the Workhouse - 17th May, 2017

Although the coach apparently left Easingwold on time, it was late arriving at Memorial Gardens due to heavy traffic, probably exacerbated by local rain showers. As a result, we arrived in Southwell somewhat behind schedule, although The Hearty Goodfellow was duly expecting us for tea/coffee. Unfortunately the heavens opened as we made our way to Southwell Minster, which was a long five-minutes walk, especially in pouring rain.

The group of 45 people was divided into three groups for the Minster tour, which was very interesting and much enlightened by the knowledgeable guides. The Minster is no doubt well worth exploring, both inside and outside, and a return visit would be well worth consideration.  

After the guided tours, we then made our way back to the Hearty Goodfellow for lunch; luckily the rain had largely stopped for this walk. The fish and chips with mushy peas were excellent, the vegetarian option was apparently fine and lunch was clearly well received by everyone.

After lunch we boarded the coach for a short fifteen minute drive to The Workhouse, for our self-guided tour of this interesting National Trust property which provided plenty of interesting information on how the treatment of ‘the poor’ had been managed, and the important distinctions drawn between the deserving poor, who should be helped to get back on their feet, and the undeserving poor, who were clearly considered the lowest of the low and to be treated as such and to be discouraged as far as possible. I found it most interesting to see the quantities of different foods provided, according to a weekly menu, with more food for the healthy workers as compared to the infirm and women. Most if not all of the vegetables available were homegrown in the gardens provided and intensively worked by the able-bodied men living there. It is also notable that men and women were totally separated, there was no idea of keeping a family together.

We had good time exploring the workhouse, even in the open as the rain had moved away, and we left on schedule for a safe journey back to York.

Colin Sherwood
Full Itinerary - Southwell Minster and the Workhouse - 17th May, 2017

Our May trip takes us down into Nottinghamshire to the pretty little town of Southwell. Southwell Minster became the cathedral of Nottinghamshire in 1884 but this church of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been a minster (or missionary church) covering most of the county since Saxon times. Sometimes called the “village cathedral”, it boasts Roman remains, a Saxon carving, solid Norman architecture and the world famous chapter house filled with unique carvings.

After lunch, we will visit the Southwell Workhouse just over a mile from the town. This austere building, the most complete workhouse in existence, was built in 1824 as a place of last resort for the destitute. Its architecture was influenced by prison design and its harsh regime became a blueprint for workhouses throughout the country. This rural workhouse was designed to house around 160 inmates. They lived and worked in a strictly segregated environment with virtually no contact between the old, infirm and able-bodied men, women and children.

On arrival in Southwell, coffee/tea and biscuits will be served at a local pub, “The Hearty Goodfellow”. There is then a short stroll to Southwell Minster (5-10 minutes) for a guided tour of the church which will last about 85 minutes. After the visit, it is back to the “Hearty Goodfellow” for a fish and chip lunch with mushy peas, bread and butter and tea/coffee (vegetarian option available). Please indicate your preference on the Booking Form.

In the afternoon, a short drive will take us to the Workhouse, which is just a mile from the town centre. The Workhouse is a National Trust property and so it will be necessary to show your card on arrival. Please remember to bring your card with you otherwise you will be charged the entrance fee.

An audio tour will be available lasting 1½ hours (free to NT members). Any refreshments at the café will be on an individual basis. Please note that the building is on several floors with no lift.

Stephensons’ coach will pick up in Easingwold (opposite the Co-op in Long Street) at 8.00am, at Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 8.30am and at Middlethorpe Drive, York, at 8.45am. The journey time is around two hours with a short comfort stop at Blyth Services. The coach will depart at 2.15pm for the short drive to the Workhouse and from the Workhouse for the journey home at 4.30pm. If required, there will be a short comfort stop on the route back. The estimated arrival time in York is 6.30pm and in Easingwold at 7.00pm.

COST: The cost of the trip is £36, which includes coach hire, morning refreshments, guided tour of Southwell Minster, lunch, afternoon refreshments and driver’s gratuity.
Saltaire and East Riddlesden Hall
Tuesday 25th April, 2017
Our first visit in 2017 will be to West Yorkshire. The morning stop will be in Saltaire, a model industrial village built by Sir Titus Salt in the C19th. Bradford mill owner, Sir Titus Salt, moved his mills to a “green field site” and built an entire village for his textile workers. Salts Mill opened in 1853 but the village took twenty years to complete. Salt provided everything: cottages, almshouses, school, shops, institute, wash houses, hospital and a church, but no pub. Now a World Heritage Site, Saltaire is still a thriving community with Salts Mill at its heart.

Our second visit of the day will be to the National Trust property of East Riddlesden Hall. A wealthy Halifax clothier, James Murgatroyd, built the hall in 1642. This Grade 1 Listed Building has a number of interesting features including two Yorkshire Rose Windows, a priest hole, Royalist symbols and graffiti. The family was reputed to be the inspiration for the baronets in the comic opera “Ruddigore” by Gilbert and Sullivan. In the grounds are one of the north’s finest tithe barns, a herb garden and meadowland.
Review - Saltaire and East Riddlesden Hall - 25th April, 2017

"Oh to be in England now that April is here" could only be written by the poet when safely abroad, not having to endure the blast of icy wind that assailed us awaiting the coach (Once we were aboard, it was a first class coach, comfortable and warm.) It took us a while to get out of York, with traffic being denser that we had expected, but then a smooth ride took us to Saltaire and the "Don't tell Titus" restaurant for a very welcome refreshment pause (the coffee was some of the best we have tasted for quite some time). Titus was no doubt pleased with our abstention though no doubt spinning in his grave at some of the other items on sale.

Off next to the village church, also built by Sir Titus for his workers; inside it felt more like a chapel than a church. After all, he was a non-conformist. a benefactor whose faith underpinned his charity, the liberal MP for Bradford when Lord Palmerston was prime minister. Here two ladies treated us to the best history lesson I can remember, in the form of highly animated address: Mrs Hill and Mrs Dooley, one conscious of her social superiority the other more outspoken and only occasionally "knowing her place". Substantially laced with humour it felt like a very successful transplant for Victorian Music Hall, certainly we learnt more about bloomers in half an hour than we learnt in a lifetime. We were each given a bookmark with our name for the day from a character of the period. Then off on our windswept walk around the village, led by the same two ladies with their wit and prodigious memories before returning to the "Don't tell Titus" for a most enjoyable lunch.

After lunch, on to East Riddlesden Hall, built in the turbulent mid 17th century by James Murgatroyd, a clothier and royalist. The house is a real time capsule; all the furnishing is of the same period. Among royalist symbols, you come across a louring portrait of James LInd; you get a sense of the haughtiness that pointed to the "glorious revolution". But on the lighter side the kitchen boasts a feathered pie, elsewhere, there is what looks like a teapot but is not and some beautiful ceiling plasterwork. The Hall is well worth a visit, deep gleaming polished wood has a charm all its own.

Claudine and Alan Purvis
Full Itinerary - Saltaire and East Riddlesden Hall - 25th April, 2017

Our first visit in 2017 will be to West Yorkshire. The morning stop will be in Saltaire, a model industrial village built by Sir Titus Salt in the C19th. Bradford mill owner, Sir Titus Salt, moved his mills to a “green field site” and built an entire village for his textile workers. Salts Mill opened in 1853 but the village took twenty years to complete. Salt provided everything: cottages, almshouses, school, shops, institute, wash houses, hospital and a church, but no pub. Now a World Heritage Site, Saltaire is still a thriving community with Salts Mill at its heart.

Our second visit of the day will be to the National Trust property of East Riddlesden Hall. A wealthy Halifax clothier, James Murgatroyd, built the hall in 1642. This Grade 1 Listed Building has a number of interesting features including two Yorkshire Rose Windows, a priest hole, Royalist symbols and graffiti. The family was reputed to be the inspiration for the baronets in the comic opera “Ruddigore” by Gilbert and Sullivan. In the grounds are one of the north’s finest tithe barns, a herb garden and meadowland.

On arrival in Saltaire, coffee/tea and biscuits will be served at one of the local licensed restaurants aptly named “Don’t Tell Titus”. The party will then be divided up into smaller groups for a walking tour of the village with a costumed guide. This tour will last about 90 minutes. Please note that the route is on the flat but there are some cobbled areas to negotiate. After the tour, a light lunch of soup, sandwiches, cake, orange juice and tea/coffee will be served at “Don’t Tell Titus”. Please note that lunch will be in the upper floor private dining room (no lift).

There is just a short drive to East Riddlesden Hall, which is a peaceful green space in an otherwise urban setting. Upon arrival, it will be necessary to show our National Trust Cards so please do remember to bring them with you otherwise you will be charged the entrance fee. Your visit to the Hall and gardens will be on a self-guided basis although there will be room guides available to answer any questions as you walk around. Please note that the Hall has two storeys (no lift). Be aware when walking around the gardens that the ground could be slippery and uneven. The afternoon will conclude with light refreshments.

Stephensons’ coach will pick up in Easingwold (opposite the Co-op in Long Street) at 8.30am and Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York at 9.00am. The journey time will be about 1½ hours. The coach will depart from Saltaire at 2.30pm for the 20 minutes’ drive to East Riddlesden Hall. Departure from East Riddlesden Hall will be at 5.00pm. The estimated arrival time back in York is at 6.30pm and Easingwold at 7.00pm.

COST: The cost of the trip is £36, which includes coach hire, morning refreshments, guided tour of Saltaire, lunch, afternoon refreshments and driver’s gratuity.
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