York Association of the National Trust

Day Trips 2019
YANT Day Trips 2019

Day Trips Organiser:   trips@yant.org.uk

York College Christmas Lunches
Friday 6th December, 2019 OR Wednesday 11th December, 2019 at 12 noon
This event has proved so popular that this year we are offering two sessions. Please indicate if you are available for one or both of the dates, we will then let you know which date you have been allocated.

The full menu is shown on the enclosed booking form and includes a welcome drink on arrival, tea or coffee with mince pies, and a tip for the staff of £23.
Haddon Hall Christmas Trip
Thursday 12th December, 2019
Full Itinerary - Haddon Hall Christmas Trip - 12th December, 2019

After a gap of 10 years we are returning to Haddon Hall, Derbyshire for our Christmas trip.

The Hall dates from the 12th to 17th centuries. It is a Grade 1* listed building, built on a limestone bluff above the valley of the River Wye. Because of the nature of the site there are many different levels within the house itself. The ground floor is mainly flag stones, which have a worn, uneven surface. Care and attention must be paid especially in doorways which, because of changing floor levels, means there are small steps between rooms. The upper storey has wooden floors with floor coverings. Every effort has been made to aid visitors to see as much of the hall as possible, but access for visitors with disabilities is very restricted. The restaurant is reached by 10 steps with a handrail.

The coach park is situated on the opposite side of the A6 road from the house and grounds. The distance between the coach park and the house entrance is approximately 400 metres and includes some gravel surface and 30 steps. There is a buggy available to transport the less mobile from the gatehouse, which is on the opposite side of the A6 road from the coach park, but because the buggy is not taxed to travel on public highways the A6 has to be crossed by all visitors. Please indicate on the booking form if you would like to use this facility.

The cost is £45 per person to include coach hire, entrance charge, two course Christmas lunch and coffee/tea and gratuities. Please note that the detailed menu has not yet been finalised by the caterer so the booking form gives the barest information. From 2.00pm there is musical entertainment in the Banqueting Hall, at which visitors are free to "drift" in and out at any time.

N.B. There is no exemption from the admission charge for HHA members at Christmas - see the Haddon Hall website.


Mystery Tour
Tuesday 10th September, 2019

This year we approached our destination by a route that you will almost certainly not know. We had a break for coffee at around 11am and reached our lunch venue by approximately 1.15pm. The cost of the trip was £35. Ingleby’s coach left Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 9.30am and Middlethorpe Drive, Dringhouses, at 9.45am. Return to York was by 4.30pm approximately.

Review - Mystery Tour 10th September, 2019

A bright sunny morning, a comfortable coach, a pleasant driver (Andrew) and company - what could be a better start to our annual mystery tour, but where are we going? Tadcaster was our first point of interest where two brothers, John and William, started brewing. However, when William built a bigger brewery next door, John left his to Sam. Hence Sam Smith's was founded in 1895 and John's is now Heineken.

Onward via Boston Spa, Collingham etc, passing Harewood House, the home of the Lascelles and of the late Princess Royal (Mary). This is popular now for its bird garden and grounds, as well as the house, which replaced a castle. Then a lovely country drive to Otley, being the birthplace of Chippendale (famous for his furniture) in 1718 and where the Archbishops of York were Lords of the Manor. We travelled 'off piste', as it were, with Andrew negotiating the coach along really narrow roads and through lovely scenery to Ilkley which has the remains of a Druid Circle and a Roman fort. The town is now popular with retirees from Leeds and Bradford. Here we had a break for coffee at Craiglands Hotel - originally a private home and spa, which was extended by the son to offer treatments to foreign visitors, notably Russians.

Suitably refreshed we headed to the moor and passed the Cow and Calf rocks standing proudly on the hillside. Originally, the tale goes, the calf had split from the cow when a giant, Rombald, stamped on the rock when he fled from his wife! The onward road not being suitable for a coach, we turned left down Moor Lane and then via Burley in-Wharfedale to Menston, whose residents include retired footballers from Bradford City. The local primary school had been the meeting place for three of the Kaiser Chiefs. Onward past the Dick Hudson pub, which, for anyone feeling really fit, is famously on the 7-mile running route up to the Cow and Calf. We journeyed via Bingley of the 5-rise lock staircase on the Leeds/Liverpool Canal fame. They have been there since 1774 and it takes 1hr 45mins to go up the steepest staircase lock in the country. It is the Waterways’ most listed feature, by both English Heritage and the NT and was built by many Irish immigrants in order for Leeds merchants to export via Liverpool when access to the Yorkshire coal industry was required. It stretches for 134 miles and runs through a clearing in the forest. Famous (or infamous) people include the astronomer, Fred Hoyle, and the multimurderer, Peter Sutcliffe.

Travelling via Harden and Cullingworth, settled by the Romans around AD150 who are famous for building the roads on the moor. We came to Denholme, - a name of Viking origin - flat among hillsides - (Holme - meaning reclaimed marshland) and on to the Roman road from Manchester to Ilkley. Monks from Byland Abbey had land here and probably a grange. At 850 feet Denholme was the highest station on the GNR system before closure in 1961. Because of the hills and tunnels, is dubbed the Alpine Line. On through Oxenhope, the home of over twenty cloth and wool mills in the 1850s and now the end of the Worth Valley railway line, to our final destination, Haworth, for a welcome lunch. Haworth, of course, was the home of the Brontë family. The Reverend Patrick and Maria Brontë arrived in 1820 and Patrick was the minister until 1861. Their famous daughters, Emily, Anne and Charlotte, left their mark in the literary world having produced some remarkable novels. Anne is buried in the graveyard of St Mary's Church, Scarborough. Replete after lunch and a short time for some fresh air, we boarded the coach one last time for our journey home after a really enjoyable day and with many thanks to those concerned in the very time-consuming fact finding and organising of the day and to Andrew for a pleasant, safe drive.

Judith Carlton
Visit to Nostell Priory (National Trust Property)
Thursday 8th August, 2019
In August we visited a gem of God’s own country and one of the National Trust’s finest houses, Nostell Priory. The name commemorates an Augustinian priory founded in the early C12th on a site close to the present house. The last prior, Robert Ferrar, surrendered the Priory to Henry VIII in 1540 and the buildings and land were then granted to Dr Thomas Leigh one of the King’s appointed Visitors. Dr Leigh converted three ranges of the Priory buildings into a manor house known as Nostall Hall.

Review - Visit to Nostell Priory, near Wakefield (NT) - 8th August, 2019

Visit to Nostell Priory, near Wakefield (NT): 8th August The August visit was to one of the National Trust’s finest houses, Nostell Priory. After refreshments we had a slide presentation about the history and contents of the house before lunch and we were then free to explore the house on a self-guided tour.

The Priory was founded here in 1122 and dedicated to St Oswald; the eagle symbol from this time can be found all over the house. It was one of the largest and wealthiest foundations until its dissolution in 1540. The Priory was turned into a manor house, Nostell Hall, and passed through various hands until purchased by the Winn family. The first Winn we know about was George, a draper selling merchandise to Elizabeth I, which brought the family enough money to buy an estate in Lincolnshire at Thornton Curtis. George’s grandson bought Nostell Hall in 1654 and when Charles II was restored in 1660 he lent him money. The first three Winn Baronets lived in the Manor house buildings. In 1722 the 4th Baronet, Rowland Winn inherited at the age of 16.After going on the Grand Tour and being particularly impressed in Italy by Palladian architecture, he returned determined to build his own version of a Palladian mansion. He married Susanna Henshaw, heiress daughter of a London Merchant, and appointed a Yorkshireman, James Paine, as Clerk of Works for the house. Paine worked on the house for 30 years and when his son, also Rowland Winn, succeeded as the 5th Baronet in 1765, the house was far from complete. The 5th Baronet was married to Swiss heiress Sabine D’Hervart. With her money they employed the finest architects and craftsmen including Robert Adam and Thomas Chippendale. When the 5th Baronet was killed in a carriage accident both Adam and Chippendale were left out of pocket and only one wing of the four intended for the house was built.

After various other owners the house was given to the National Trust in 1953. Exploring the building we discovered an exhibition on “Chippendale: the man and his brand” as well as many exquisite contents from both Chippendale and Adam. The house also contains the painting by Pieter Brueghel the Younger “The Procession to Calvery”, which was shown in York Art gallery when the National Trust were fund raising to buy it back for the house in 2011. There is also a fine long case clock by John Harrison and an eighteenth century doll’s house, reputed to be by Chippendale.

It is a house that I am sure many of us will return to, as there are so many magnificent paintings, furniture and other objects to see.
 
Catherine Brophy

Full Itinerary - Visit to Nostell Priory (National Trust Property) - 8th August, 2019

This month we will be visiting another gem of God’s own country and one of the National Trust’s finest houses, Nostell Priory. The name commemorates an Augustinian priory founded in the early C12th on a site close to the present house. The last prior, Robert Ferrar, surrendered the Priory to Henry VIII in 1540 and the buildings and land were then granted to Dr Thomas Leigh one of the King’s appointed Visitors. Dr Leigh converted three ranges of the Priory buildings into a manor house known as Nostall Hall.

In 1650 the Winn family from Gwydir in North Wales bought the estate. They had made their fortune as textile merchants in London. George Wynne had been Draper to Queen Elizabeth I. Three generations of the family resided in the old manor house, but in the C18th Sir Rowland Winn, 4th Baronet, decided to abandon the old hall and build a modern house.

Sir Rowland had been on the Grand Tour and returned to England fired up with plans for his new mansion. He appointed a gentleman-architect from Beverley, Colonel James Moyser. He was an enthusiast for the work of Andrea Palladio and based the design of Nostell on Palladio’s Villa Mocenigo at Dolo. The building work was eventually overseen by James Paine, who made considerable alterations to the original scheme. Paine did not finish the house as Sir Rowland Winn, 5th Baronet received a bequest and brought in his own architect, Robert Adam. Adam started work on the interior of the house employing craftsmen such as Antonio Zucchi, Joseph Rose and Thomas Chippendale. Chippendale was responsible for the complete furnishing of the house with over 100 pieces by him still remaining in the Priory. The furniture is particularly interesting as it varies in quality and style from expensive chinoiserie pieces to a chopping block in the kitchen.

The Winn family has continued to live in the house up to the present day although in 1953 the house, with its principal contents and Chippendale furniture, was given to the National Trust. On arrival at Nostell Priory, light refreshments will be served. This will be followed by a talk from one of the volunteer staff about the history of the house and family. There will then be a short break before lunch is served in a private room. Lunch will be soup, sandwiches, cakes and tea/coffee. 

After lunch there will be an opportunity to visit the house on a free flow basis. This includes the exhibition on Chippendale “The Man and the Brand”. Nostell is blessed with a huge variety of landscapes and wildlife. There will be time to explore the newly created Kitchen Garden with its orchard of historic Yorkshire apple trees, vegetable patch and flowerbeds. The Menagerie House, designed by Robert Adam, is also worth a visit. This can be found in the parkland beyond the Middle Lake. There are further pleasure grounds and woods in the vicinity of the Lower Lake. There is a shop, second hand bookshop and café in the Courtyard. Any afternoon refreshments will be on an individual basis.

Please note that there is a short walk from the coach park up to the entrance to the house and stable block. There are stairs up to the 1st floor apartments in the house. The gardens and grounds are extensive although there are well laid out paths in most areas. Stout footwear is recommended.

Ingleby’s coach will pick up at Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 9.30am, Middlethorpe Drive (end nearest to Tesco Roundabout) at 9.45am and Tadcaster Bus Station at 10.05am. The journey time to Nostell is about one hour. The coach will depart from Nostell at 4.00pm. Arrival time back in York will be around 5.15-5.30pm dependent upon traffic. The cost of the trip is £30, which includes the coach hire, morning refreshments, talk, lunch and gratuities.

Please do not forget to bring your National Trust Card with you.                 

Visit to Gorton Monastery and Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, Manchester
Tuesday 9th July, 2019

In July we visited two interesting but very different buildings in Manchester, starting with the Church and Friary of St Francis, a 19th-century former Franciscan friary in Gorton. The Franciscans arrived in Gorton in December 1861 and built their friary between 1863 and 1867. It is a prominent and fascinating example of High Victorian Gothic architecture, and has had Grade II* listed status since 1963. It was designed by Edward Welby Pugin and is generally regarded as his masterpiece.


84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester, now known as Elizabeth Gaskell's House, is a Grade II* listed neo-classical villa. It was the residence of William and Elizabeth Gaskell from 1850 till their deaths in 1884 and 1865 respectively. Many of Mrs Gaskell’s books were written here. The house was built between 1835 and 1841 on the outer edge of the growing city.  It was built as part of a new suburban development planned by Richard Lane and is a rare example of the elegant Regency-style villas once popular in Manchester.
Review - Trip to Gorton Monastery and Elizabeth Gaskell’s House - 9th July 2019

An almost full coach driven by Darren and led by Roger King made its way to our first visit of the day, the Gorton Monastery, in Manchester.

On arrival at the Monastery we were greeted by our guide, Emma, who showed us into the Welcome Centre where we were seated and presented with an extensive and interesting history of the Church and Friary of St. Francis known locally as Gorton Monastery.

Emma illustrated her talk with slides of significant events in the monastery’s history, the most dramatic of which was the vandalisation in the early 1990’s. Now almost fully refurbished in its original style, there is still on-going minor restoration taking place.  

Building of the friary began in 1863 and was completed in 1872. Designed by the renowned Victorian architect A W Pugin, the friary is no longer used for worship but is open for many events, including weddings, conferences and gala dinners.

We were served with a very enjoyable lunch in the nave, overlooked by the saints returned to their original plinths during the restoration of the friary.

Before joining our coach for our next visit, we had time to explore the building and learn a little more of its history.

A short drive from the monastery took us to Mrs Gaskell’s house. A grade II listed building on the outskirts of Manchester, the Gaskell family moved into the house in 1850. This is where Elizabeth Gaskell wrote some of her most famous novels, including Cranford and North & South. Although there is very little left of the original furniture, the information offered by the guides helped the place to come alive. In particular we were shown into William Gaskell’s study and it was very easy to imagine him sitting there surrounded by his favourite books.

Many famous people visited the Gaskells, including Charles Dickens and Charlotte Bronte and the guides told us several funny stories about Charlotte’s visits to the house.

There is also a small tea-room in the basement which was enjoyed by our group, assisted by the very friendly staff.  

We left the house at 4.00 pm and made our way back to York after a very enjoyable visit to two very interesting and unusual places.
                                                     
Janet Harper
The Monastery, Gorton, Manchester
Mrs. Gaskell's House, Manchester
Photographs taken by G. Mortimer
  • Click here to see the Full Itinerary for the Day Trip

    Full Itinerary - Trip to Gorton Monastery and Elizabeth Gaskell’s House - 9th July 2019


    This month we shall be visiting two interesting but very different buildings in Manchester, starting with the Church and Friary of St Francis, a 19th-century former Franciscan friary in Gorton. The Franciscans arrived in Gorton in December 1861 and built their friary between 1863 and 1867. Most of the building work was done by the friars themselves, with a brother acting as clerk of works. The church closed for worship in 1989 and fell into disrepair. It is a prominent and fascinating example of High Victorian Gothic architecture, and has had Grade II* listed status since 1963. It was designed by Edward Welby Pugin and is generally regarded as his masterpiece. His father, A.W.N. Pugin, promoted the revival of Gothic architecture and designed the interior of the Palace of Westminster and the tower housing Big Ben.


    On arrival at the monastery at about 11.00 a.m., you will be given a 45 minute talk giving an insight into the life and work of the generations of friars who created and cherished this masterpiece of architectural and religious significance, plus the story of the rise, decline and fall of the monastery and its magnificent restoration . You will then have time to look around the monastery before a soup and sandwich lunch (included). The monastery is fully accessible. The coach will depart at 1.30 p.m. 


    It is a short drive to 84 Plymouth Grove now known as Elizabeth Gaskell's House. The Grade II* listed neo-classical villa was the residence of William and Elizabeth Gaskell from 1850 till their deaths in 1884 and 1865 respectively. Many of Mrs Gaskell’s books were written here. The house was built between 1835 and 1841 on the outer edge of the growing city.  It was built as part of a new suburban development planned by Richard Lane and is a rare example of the elegant Regency-style villas once popular in Manchester. Although there are few furnishings that belonged to the Gaskells, the furniture in the house is all from that period.  The chintz for the curtains and loose covers was printed from a 1850s design and the carpets have been specially woven, using Victorian patterns preserved by a mill in Halifax. The fireplaces, sourced locally, date from around 1840 when the house was built. You will have a guided tour of the house, which is fully accessible with lifts to all floors. If time permits, you may be able to visit the garden, which has been planted to show the sort of garden that the Gaskells enjoyed. The choice of plants has been informed by references in Elizabeth’s letters and novels, as well as by Victorian garden history. You will be offered tea or coffee and a slice of cake in the tea room before the coach departs at 4.30 p.m. arriving back in York at about 6.30 p.m.


    Ingleby’s coach will pick up at Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 8.45 a.m. and at Middlethorpe Drive, Dringhouses, at 

    9.00 a.m. The journey time is about two hours and will include a coffee and comfort stop. The cost of the trip is £36, which includes entrance, guided tour and lunch at the Monastery, entrance, guided tour and refreshment at Elizabeth Gaskell’s house, coach hire and driver’s gratuity.

Full Itinerary - Trip to Gorton Monastery and Elizabeth Gaskell’s House - 9th July 2019

This month we shall be visiting two interesting but very different buildings in Manchester, starting with the Church and Friary of St Francis, a 19th-century former Franciscan friary in Gorton. The Franciscans arrived in Gorton in December 1861 and built their friary between 1863 and 1867. Most of the building work was done by the friars themselves, with a brother acting as clerk of works. The church closed for worship in 1989 and fell into disrepair. It is a prominent and fascinating example of High Victorian Gothic architecture, and has had Grade II* listed status since 1963. It was designed by Edward Welby Pugin and is generally regarded as his masterpiece. His father, A.W.N. Pugin, promoted the revival of Gothic architecture and designed the interior of the Palace of Westminster and the tower housing Big Ben.

On arrival at the monastery at about 11.00 a.m., you will be given a 45 minute talk giving an insight into the life and work of the generations of friars who created and cherished this masterpiece of architectural and religious significance, plus the story of the rise, decline and fall of the monastery and its magnificent restoration . You will then have time to look around the monastery before a soup and sandwich lunch (included). The monastery is fully accessible. The coach will depart at 1.30 p.m. 

It is a short drive to 84 Plymouth Grove now known as Elizabeth Gaskell's House. The Grade II* listed neo-classical villa was the residence of William and Elizabeth Gaskell from 1850 till their deaths in 1884 and 1865 respectively. Many of Mrs Gaskell’s books were written here. The house was built between 1835 and 1841 on the outer edge of the growing city.  It was built as part of a new suburban development planned by Richard Lane and is a rare example of the elegant Regency-style villas once popular in Manchester. Although there are few furnishings that belonged to the Gaskells, the furniture in the house is all from that period.  The chintz for the curtains and loose covers was printed from a 1850s design and the carpets have been specially woven, using Victorian patterns preserved by a mill in Halifax. The fireplaces, sourced locally, date from around 1840 when the house was built. You will have a guided tour of the house, which is fully accessible with lifts to all floors. If time permits, you may be able to visit the garden, which has been planted to show the sort of garden that the Gaskells enjoyed. The choice of plants has been informed by references in Elizabeth’s letters and novels, as well as by Victorian garden history. You will be offered tea or coffee and a slice of cake in the tea room before the coach departs at 4.30 p.m. arriving back in York at about 6.30 p.m.

Ingleby’s coach will pick up at Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 8.45 a.m. and at Middlethorpe Drive, Dringhouses, at 
9.00 a.m. The journey time is about two hours and will include a coffee and comfort stop. The cost of the trip is £36, which includes entrance, guided tour and lunch at the Monastery, entrance, guided tour and refreshment at Elizabeth Gaskell’s house, coach hire and driver’s gratuity.
Visit to Trentham Gardens and the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
Wednesday 19th June, 2019

June was a visit to Staffordshire. The Trentham Estate is home to the award-winning Trentham Gardens, which have matured into some of the finest in Britain, and declared by James Alexander Sinclair in “The Telegraph” as “the garden makeover of the decade”. The Italian Garden planting is designed within the historic framework of Sir Charles Barry’s original Italianate Garden of the C19th. Renowned designer and multi-Chelsea gold medal winner, Tom Stuart-Smith, led the contemporary revival. To the east of these gardens are the Rivers of Grass and the adjacent Floral Labyrinth, where paths meander through 30 beds of tall perennial planting, offering up bold colours and wonderful aromas. Both these schemes were designed by the eminent Dutch plantsman, Piet Oudolf.


A short drive from Trentham Gardens took us to the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery. This is home to diverse displays of art, local history, natural sciences and the world’s greatest collection of Staffordshire ceramics. The Museum also houses part of the Staffordshire Hoard, discovered by a metal detectorist in 2009 and dating from the time of the C7th Anglo Saxon Kingdom of Mercia. This is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.
Trentham Gardens and the Fairy Sculpture Trail
Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
Photographs taken by G. Mortimer
  • Click here to see the Full Itinerary for the Day Trip

    Full Itinerary - Visit to Trentham Gardens and the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery

    19th June, 2019


    This month we will be visiting Staffordshire. The Trentham Estate is home to the award-winning Trentham Gardens, which have matured into some of the finest in Britain, and declared by James Alexander Sinclair in “The Telegraph” as “the garden makeover of the decade”.


    The Italian Garden planting is designed within the historic framework of Sir Charles Barry’s original Italianate Garden of the C19th. Renowned designer and multi-Chelsea gold medal winner, Tom Stuart-Smith, led the contemporary revival. To the east of these gardens are the Rivers of Grass and the adjacent Floral Labyrinth, where paths meander through 30 beds of tall perennial planting, offering up bold colours and wonderful aromas. Both these schemes were designed by the eminent Dutch plantsman, Piet Oudolf.


    At the centre of the gardens is the mile long, Capability Brown designed, Trentham Lake. There are seasonal boat trips to the end of the lake where it is possible either to return by boat or walk back along the Fairy Sculpture Trail past the bird and otter hides (about 45 minutes). There is also a miniature train, which offers an alternative way to see parts of the estate. Trentham Shopping Village with 50 shops, cafes and restaurants offers a chance for some retail therapy. On arrival at Trentham Gardens, you will be free to explore the estate on an individual basis. Included lunch will be served at the Six Arches Restaurant at 1.30pm (menu choices to be found on the Booking Sheet). The coach will depart at 2.30pm.


    It is a short drive from Trentham Gardens to the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery. This is home to diverse displays of art, local history, natural sciences and the world’s greatest collection of Staffordshire ceramics. The Museum also houses part of the Staffordshire Hoard, discovered by a metal detectorist in 2009 and dating from the time of the C7th Anglo Saxon Kingdom of Mercia. This is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found. The display features a raised wooden-floored mead hall with columns and banners adorned with Anglo-Saxon artwork, along with a replica fire pit and king’s chair.


    After independent viewing of the galleries, tea and biscuits will be served in the café. The coach will leave at 4.45pm arriving back in York at around 7.45pm.


    Ingleby’s coach will pick up at Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 8.00am and at Middlethorpe Drive, Dringhouses, at 8.15am. The journey time is about three hours and will include a coffee and comfort stop. The cost of the trip is £36, which includes entrance and lunch at Trentham Gardens, refreshments at the Potteries Museum, coach hire and driver’s gratuity.

Full Itinerary - Visit to Trentham Gardens and the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
19th June, 2019

This month we will be visiting Staffordshire. The Trentham Estate is home to the award-winning Trentham Gardens, which have matured into some of the finest in Britain, and declared by James Alexander Sinclair in “The Telegraph” as “the garden makeover of the decade”.

The Italian Garden planting is designed within the historic framework of Sir Charles Barry’s original Italianate Garden of the C19th. Renowned designer and multi-Chelsea gold medal winner, Tom Stuart-Smith, led the contemporary revival. To the east of these gardens are the Rivers of Grass and the adjacent Floral Labyrinth, where paths meander through 30 beds of tall perennial planting, offering up bold colours and wonderful aromas. Both these schemes were designed by the eminent Dutch plantsman, Piet Oudolf.

At the centre of the gardens is the mile long, Capability Brown designed, Trentham Lake. There are seasonal boat trips to the end of the lake where it is possible either to return by boat or walk back along the Fairy Sculpture Trail past the bird and otter hides (about 45 minutes). There is also a miniature train, which offers an alternative way to see parts of the estate. Trentham Shopping Village with 50 shops, cafes and restaurants offers a chance for some retail therapy. On arrival at Trentham Gardens, you will be free to explore the estate on an individual basis. Included lunch will be served at the Six Arches Restaurant at 1.30pm (menu choices to be found on the Booking Sheet). The coach will depart at 2.30pm.

It is a short drive from Trentham Gardens to the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery. This is home to diverse displays of art, local history, natural sciences and the world’s greatest collection of Staffordshire ceramics. The Museum also houses part of the Staffordshire Hoard, discovered by a metal detectorist in 2009 and dating from the time of the C7th Anglo Saxon Kingdom of Mercia. This is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found. The display features a raised wooden-floored mead hall with columns and banners adorned with Anglo-Saxon artwork, along with a replica fire pit and king’s chair.

After independent viewing of the galleries, tea and biscuits will be served in the café. The coach will leave at 4.45pm arriving back in York at around 7.45pm.

Ingleby’s coach will pick up at Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 8.00am and at Middlethorpe Drive, Dringhouses, at 8.15am. The journey time is about three hours and will include a coffee and comfort stop. The cost of the trip is £36, which includes entrance and lunch at Trentham Gardens, refreshments at the Potteries Museum, coach hire and driver’s gratuity.

Visit to Sledmere House and Burnby Hall Gardens
Thursday 23rd May, 2019

For our May visit we remained in God’s own county, this time going eastwards towards the Yorkshire Wolds. Our first stop was at Sledmere House. The house has been in the Sykes family since the mid C17th. It was Richard Sykes who demolished the old manor house and built a new house in the Queen Anne period style. Christopher Sykes later carried out improvements to the house in the 1770s and 1780s and employed Capability Brown to design and landscape the garden. Unfortunately, there was a major fire in the house in 1911 which led to the almost total destruction of the building. Fortunately, with the help of the local estate workers, most of the contents were salvaged.


On arrival at Sledmere we were met by Dorothy Nott who took us to see the Waggoners’ Memorial. This was a follow up to her talk to YANT on Saturday 27th April. The Memorial was commissioned by Sir Mark Sykes to commemorate the services of the local Waggoners’ Reserve who had fought in WW1.


It was then a short drive to Burnby Hall Gardens in Pocklington. These gardens have been described as “the jewel in Yorkshire’s crown”. They are home to the National Collection of Hardy Water Lilies, which grow on the Upper and Lower Lakes. Other garden features included the Victorian Garden, an Aviary, the newly re-planted Backhouse Rock Garden and a Stumpery.
  • Click here to see the Full Itinerary for the Day Trip

    Full Itinerary - Visit to Sledmere House and Burnby Hall Gardens - 23rd May, 2019


    For our May visit we are still in God’s own county, this time going eastwards towards the Yorkshire Wolds. Our first stop will be at Sledmere House. The house has been in the Sykes family since the mid C17th. It was Richard Sykes who demolished the old manor house and built a new home in the Queen Anne period style. Christopher Sykes later carried out improvements to the house in the 1770s and 1780s. He was his own architect but did consult both John Carr and Samuel Wyatt. He employed Capability Brown to design and landscape the garden. This involved the demolition of the old village and construction of the layout that you see today. Unfortunately, there was a major fire in the house in 1911 which led to the almost total destruction of the building. Fortunately, with the help of the local estate workers, most of the contents were salvaged. Sir Mark Sykes, who employed local architect Walter Brierley, then oversaw the reconstruction.


    On arrival at Sledmere, Dorothy Nott, who has kindly agreed to show the group the Waggoners’ Memorial, will meet us. This will be a follow up to her talk to YANT on Saturday 27th April. The Memorial was commissioned by Sir Mark Sykes to commemorate the services of the local Waggoners’ Reserve who had fought in WW1. Dependent on numbers and interest on the day, the party might need to be divided into two groups for this talk. It is a short walk from the Memorial to the entrance to Sledmere House and the café will be open for individual refreshments for those who wish to partake. There will be a guided tour of the house at 11.30am (duration about one hour). The upper floor can be accessed via the lift. At 12.30pm lunch will be served in the Orangery (cold meats, salads and a selection of tray bakes, tea and coffee). There will be some free time then to explore the gardens.


    The coach will leave for the short drive to Burnby Hall Gardens in Pocklington at 2.30pm. These gardens have been described as “the jewel in Yorkshire’s crown”. They are home to the National Collection of Hardy Water Lilies, which grow on the Upper and Lower Lakes. The lakes contain Carp and Roach, which can be hand fed. Other garden features include the Victorian Garden, an Aviary, the newly re-planted Backhouse Rock Garden and a Stumpery. Also of interest is the Stewart Museum, which houses artefacts belonging to Major Percy Stewart, adventurer and traveller, who lived at Burnby Hall between 1901 and 1962. There is a café, which will be available for refreshments on an individual basis. All the garden areas are accessible. The coach will leave at 5.00pm for the short drive back to York, arriving around 5.45pm.


    Ingleby’s coach will pick up at Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 9.00am and at Middlethorpe Drive, Dringhouses, at 9.15am. The journey time to Sledmere is around one hour and back from Pocklington about 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic. The cost of the trip is £36, which includes entrance and guided tour of Sledmere House, lunch, entrance to Burnby Hall Gardens, the coach hire and driver’s gratuity.


Full Itinerary - Visit to Sledmere House and Burnby Hall Gardens - 23rd May, 2019

For our May visit we are still in God’s own county, this time going eastwards towards the Yorkshire Wolds. Our first stop will be at Sledmere House. The house has been in the Sykes family since the mid C17th. It was Richard Sykes who demolished the old manor house and built a new home in the Queen Anne period style. Christopher Sykes later carried out improvements to the house in the 1770s and 1780s. He was his own architect but did consult both John Carr and Samuel Wyatt. He employed Capability Brown to design and landscape the garden. This involved the demolition of the old village and construction of the layout that you see today. Unfortunately, there was a major fire in the house in 1911 which led to the almost total destruction of the building. Fortunately, with the help of the local estate workers, most of the contents were salvaged. Sir Mark Sykes, who employed local architect Walter Brierley, then oversaw the reconstruction.

On arrival at Sledmere, Dorothy Nott, who has kindly agreed to show the group the Waggoners’ Memorial, will meet us. This will be a follow up to her talk to YANT on Saturday 27th April. The Memorial was commissioned by Sir Mark Sykes to commemorate the services of the local Waggoners’ Reserve who had fought in WW1. Dependent on numbers and interest on the day, the party might need to be divided into two groups for this talk. It is a short walk from the Memorial to the entrance to Sledmere House and the café will be open for individual refreshments for those who wish to partake. There will be a guided tour of the house at 11.30am (duration about one hour). The upper floor can be accessed via the lift. At 12.30pm lunch will be served in the Orangery (cold meats, salads and a selection of tray bakes, tea and coffee). There will be some free time then to explore the gardens.

The coach will leave for the short drive to Burnby Hall Gardens in Pocklington at 2.30pm. These gardens have been described as “the jewel in Yorkshire’s crown”. They are home to the National Collection of Hardy Water Lilies, which grow on the Upper and Lower Lakes. The lakes contain Carp and Roach, which can be hand fed. Other garden features include the Victorian Garden, an Aviary, the newly re-planted Backhouse Rock Garden and a Stumpery. Also of interest is the Stewart Museum, which houses artefacts belonging to Major Percy Stewart, adventurer and traveller, who lived at Burnby Hall between 1901 and 1962. There is a café, which will be available for refreshments on an individual basis. All the garden areas are accessible. The coach will leave at 5.00pm for the short drive back to York, arriving around 5.45pm.

Ingleby’s coach will pick up at Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 9.00am and at Middlethorpe Drive, Dringhouses, at 9.15am. The journey time to Sledmere is around one hour and back from Pocklington about 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic. The cost of the trip is £36, which includes entrance and guided tour of Sledmere House, lunch, entrance to Burnby Hall Gardens, the coach hire and driver’s gratuity.

Visit to Brodsworth Hall and Doncaster Mansion House
Friday 12th April, 2019

Our first visit in 2019 was to South Yorkshire. The morning stop was at Brodsworth Hall (English Heritage property). Brodsworth was lavishly built and furnished in the 1860s by Charles Sabine. His family were descended from French Huguenots and were later Swiss merchants and financiers. Charles was the equivalent of a Victorian “playboy” enjoying such leisurely sports as yachting and horseracing. His wife’s family, the Theobalds, had been renowned racehorse owners and trainers, which is reflected in the number of paintings of racehorses to be seen in the house. After the death of the last owner in 1988, Brodsworth was carefully “conserved as found”. The mansion is truly frozen in time and represents a unique opportunity to experience an English country house as it really was in the Victorian era.


From Brodsworth it was a short drive to Doncaster to visit the Mansion House. This Grade 1 listed building is owned and managed by Doncaster Council and is used for civic and private functions. It is one of only three Mansion Houses in England. The house, designed by James Paine, was constructed between 1746-48. Unlike the Mansion Houses in York and London, which are used for formal receptions and accommodation for their Lord Mayors, this building was constructed solely as a permanent base for entertaining.
Review - Brodsworth Hall - 12th April, 2019

It was a lovely sunny day as Ingleby’s coach, driven by Darren, set off on our journey, arriving at Brodsworth Hall at around 10.00 am. It was possible on approach to see the very impressive Italianate house through the trees. We were met at the visitor centre by our guide Mark and divided into 2 groups. Originally supplied by Lapworth Brothers of London, most of the original furniture, carpets and curtains still survive; the interiors having been conserved as they would have been when lived in by various members of the Thellusson family. 

Brodsworth is noted for its collection of paintings and sculptures, the most memorable of which are the greyhounds in the gardens and the horse paintings by the renowned horse painter James Ward. There is also a magnificent painting of Sabine Thellusson and her son Charles by Sir Thomas Lawrence in the dining room. The result of a complicated will leaving the house, eventually, to the original owner’s grandson, and then in trust for his daughter, created a situation similar to Jarndyce and Jarndyce in Dickens’ Bleak House.   

Sylvia Grant-Dalton was the last owner to live at Brodsworth where she remained for 30 years, supported by only 3 members of staff. After her death in 1988 her daughter, Pamela Williams, gave the hall and gardens to English Heritage. Before joining our coach for our next venue, The Mansion House, Doncaster, there was time to explore the beautiful gardens and grounds surrounding Brodsworth.
The Mansion House is a very imposing Georgian building in the centre of Doncaster. Our tour began in the large board-room where we were given a potted history of the house which was built in 1749 and is one of only 3 remaining mansion houses in the country. Many of the fine rooms are open to the public, and it is a popular venue for weddings and, in our case, afternoon tea. A wonderful array of sandwiches, cakes and tea were served to us with traditional Yorkshire hospitality. A very welcome meal much enjoyed by all. After tea we re-joined our coach and made our way back to York after an extremely enjoyable day’s outing.
Janet Harper
  • Click here to see the Full Itinerary for the Day Trip

    Full Itinerary - Visit to Brodsworth Hall and Doncaster Mansion House - 12th April, 2019


    Our first visit in 2019 will be to South Yorkshire. The morning stop will be at Brodsworth Hall (English Heritage property). Brodsworth was lavishly built and furnished in the 1860s by Charles Sabine. His family were descended from French Huguenots and were later Swiss merchants and financiers. Charles was the equivalent of a Victorian “playboy” enjoying such leisurely sports as yachting and horseracing. His wife’s family, the Theobalds, had been renowned racehorse owners and trainers, which is reflected in the number of paintings of racehorses to be seen in the house. After the death of the last owner in 1988, Brodsworth was carefully “conserved as found”. The mansion is truly frozen in time and represents a unique opportunity to experience an English country house as it really was in the Victorian era.


    On arrival, our party will be split into two groups for a guided tour of the house (duration about 30-45 minutes). One tour will be at 10.30am and the other tour will be at 11.30am. The ground floor of the house is level and there is a lift up to the first-floor family bedrooms but no lift access to the servants’ bedrooms. When not on the guided tour, you are free to explore the gardens. The terrace and formal gardens have tarmac paths, but the quarry gardens are accessed by gravel paths. There is a café, which serves drinks and light refreshments. Refreshments will be on an individual basis. English Heritage Members, please do not forget your cards or you will be charged the entrance fee.


    We will leave Brodsworth at 12.45pm to take the short drive to Doncaster to visit the Mansion House. This Grade 1 listed building is owned and managed by Doncaster Council and is used for civic and private functions. It is one of only three Mansion Houses in England. The house, designed by James Paine, was constructed between 1746-48. Unlike the Mansion Houses in York and London, which are used for formal receptions and accommodation for their Lord Mayors, this building was constructed solely as a permanent base for entertaining.


    There will be a short walk (about 10 minutes) from the coach drop off point to the Mansion House. On arrival we will be split into groups for a guided tour of the building (duration about one hour). Please note that the tour will include the first floor of the building and that the afternoon tea will also be served in a room on the first floor. There is no lift. Afternoon tea will be served at about 2.30pm and will consist of sandwiches, scones, trifle, cake, tea and coffee. At the end of the visit we will walk back to the coach pick up point and aim to leave around 4.00pm.


    Ingleby’s coach will pick up at Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 8.45am, Middlethorpe Drive, Dringhouses, at 9.00am and Tadcaster Bus Station at 9.20am. The journey time to Doncaster is around one hour. We expect to be back in York by 5.30pm. The cost of the trip is £36 (£27 for members of English Heritage). This includes entrance and guided tour of Brodsworth Hall, guided tour and afternoon tea at Doncaster Mansion House, coach hire and driver’s gratuity.

Full Itinerary - Visit to Brodsworth Hall and Doncaster Mansion House - 12th April, 2019

Our first visit in 2019 will be to South Yorkshire. The morning stop will be at Brodsworth Hall (English Heritage property). Brodsworth was lavishly built and furnished in the 1860s by Charles Sabine. His family were descended from French Huguenots and were later Swiss merchants and financiers. Charles was the equivalent of a Victorian “playboy” enjoying such leisurely sports as yachting and horseracing. His wife’s family, the Theobalds, had been renowned racehorse owners and trainers, which is reflected in the number of paintings of racehorses to be seen in the house. After the death of the last owner in 1988, Brodsworth was carefully “conserved as found”. The mansion is truly frozen in time and represents a unique opportunity to experience an English country house as it really was in the Victorian era.

On arrival, our party will be split into two groups for a guided tour of the house (duration about 30-45 minutes). One tour will be at 10.30am and the other tour will be at 11.30am. The ground floor of the house is level and there is a lift up to the first-floor family bedrooms but no lift access to the servants’ bedrooms. When not on the guided tour, you are free to explore the gardens. The terrace and formal gardens have tarmac paths, but the quarry gardens are accessed by gravel paths. There is a café, which serves drinks and light refreshments. Refreshments will be on an individual basis. English Heritage Members, please do not forget your cards or you will be charged the entrance fee.

We will leave Brodsworth at 12.45pm to take the short drive to Doncaster to visit the Mansion House. This Grade 1 listed building is owned and managed by Doncaster Council and is used for civic and private functions. It is one of only three Mansion Houses in England. The house, designed by James Paine, was constructed between 1746-48. Unlike the Mansion Houses in York and London, which are used for formal receptions and accommodation for their Lord Mayors, this building was constructed solely as a permanent base for entertaining.

There will be a short walk (about 10 minutes) from the coach drop off point to the Mansion House. On arrival we will be split into groups for a guided tour of the building (duration about one hour). Please note that the tour will include the first floor of the building and that the afternoon tea will also be served in a room on the first floor. There is no lift. Afternoon tea will be served at about 2.30pm and will consist of sandwiches, scones, trifle, cake, tea and coffee. At the end of the visit we will walk back to the coach pick up point and aim to leave around 4.00pm.

Ingleby’s coach will pick up at Memorial Gardens, Leeman Road, York, at 8.45am, Middlethorpe Drive, Dringhouses, at 9.00am and Tadcaster Bus Station at 9.20am. The journey time to Doncaster is around one hour. We expect to be back in York by 5.30pm. The cost of the trip is £36 (£27 for members of English Heritage). This includes entrance and guided tour of Brodsworth Hall, guided tour and afternoon tea at Doncaster Mansion House, coach hire and driver’s gratuity.
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