Dates Thursday 11th – Monday 15th June 2026

Duration 5 days 4 nights

Coach Executive coach throughout 

For details click here

Guides A Blue Badge guide is included on Days 2 to 4. A guided tour and tasting at Sheppy’s House of Cider is included. A guided tour is also included at Shepton Mallet Prison, Wells Cathedral, and the American Museum at Claverton Manor.

Hotel We stay four nights on a half board basis (this will be a 3 course, 3 choice buffet dinner) at the centrally located 4* Mercure Hotel in Bridgewater  Facilities at this hotel include a restaurant and bar. All of our allocated Standard Rooms are ensuite and feature a hairdryer, television, an in-room safe, and tea & coffee making facilities.

Allocation 5 double rooms (for double occupancy), 5 twin rooms (for double occupancy), and 14 single rooms (for sole occupancy) are included in the allocation.

Single rooms The maximum number of single rooms available for your group is 14. Any extra singles are subject to availability and WILL incur a higher supplement.

Included Entrance fees to non-National Trust properties are included. A 1-way train excursion on Day 4 is also included.

Not Included Gratuities are not included in the cost of the tour. Entrance fees to National Trust properties (free to NT members) are also not included. Lunches are not included.

11th to 15th June 2026 £859.00 £99.00 single supplement

Departs 31st March, Returns 4th April

5 Day tour of Valencia 

Including various art museums, Valencia City Tour, visit to historic Sagunto.

A busy tour of the many cultural sites and art galleries

For the tailored travel brochure, click here

Hotel details:

We stay four nights on a half board basis at the 4* Stoke by Nayland Hotel (www.stokebynayland.com) on the outskirts of Leavenheath. Located in a countryside setting and 10 miles from the centre of Colchester, facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, bar, indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, steam room and a Jacuzzi. All rooms are en suite and feature television, telephone, hairdryer, and tea & coffee making facilities.

To see the brochure, click here

What we will see

Kentwell Hall
Christchurch Mansion
Constable Country – East Bergholt, Dedham & Bridge Cottage
Sutton Hoo
Aldeburgh
The Red House
Gainsborough’s House
Melford Hall
Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford
Lavenham
Beth Chatto Gardens

Details

Day 1

We meet our private executive coach at our designated pick up points. En route to our hotel we visit Kentwell Hall, a very much lived in and loved family home for over five hundred years. Representing an interesting mix of styles The Great Hall and the Dining Room emphasise their Tudor origins while the Library and the Drawing Room are classical in style. We continue to the 4* Stoke by Nayland Hotel on the outskirts of Leavenheath for a four night stay on a half board basis.

Day 2

Our Blue Badge guide meets us at our hotel this morning and accompanies us throughout the day. We firstly visit Christchurch Mansion for a guided tour, a fine Tudor building set in an ancient and beautiful park close to the centre of Ipswich. With historic room settings, outstanding paintings and furniture, and the modern Wolsey Art Gallery with changing contemporary exhibitions, it is one of the most important visitor attractions in East Anglia. We continue to Constable Country, located on the Suffolk and Essex border and renowned as the birthplace of artist John Constable. Our guided tour of East Bergholt takes in sights such as John Constable’s Studio and St Mary’s Church, built in the 15th and 16th centuries and renowned for the absence of a tower or spire to house the bells. We continue to Dedham where our guided tour takes in sights such as Constable’s School and Dedham Parish Church, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin in 1492 when the present building was begun. We finally visit the National Trust’s Bridge Cottage at Flatford. Located upstream from Flatford Mill, Bridge Cottage houses an exhibition on John Constable, several of whose paintings famously feature this property.

Day 3

With our Blue Badge guide this morning we visit the National Trust’s Sutton Hoo, an Anglo Saxon royal burial site where the priceless Sutton Hoo treasure was discovered in a huge ship grave in 1939. This afternoon we visit the picturesque 16th century fishing village of Aldeburgh. Here we visit The Red House, where Britten and Pears lived and worked from 1957 until their deaths. The Gallery features an engaging permanent exhibition that introduces visitors of all ages to Britten and his music, and the interiors of the House have been presented as they were in the mid-1960s, as has the historic Library room.

Day 4

This morning we visit Gainsborough’s House at Sudbury, where we enjoy a guided tour on arrival. The house dates back to the 16th century and was the birthplace of the famous painter, Thomas Gainsborough. The outstanding art collection is shown together with 18th century furniture and displays more of Gainsborough’s work than any other gallery. We continue with our Blue Badge guide to the National Trust’s Melford Hall, one of East Anglia’s most celebrated Elizabethan houses, and where little has changed externally since 1578. The garden contains some spectacular specimen trees and a charming banqueting house. Later this afternoon we visit Holy Trinity Church at Long Melford. One of the great Suffolk wool churches, it is widely acknowledged to be one of the most magnificent parish churches in the country. In his widely acclaimed book ‘England’s Thousand Best Churches’, Simon Jenkins awards just 18 churches a 5* rating, with Holy Trinity Long Melford being one of these. The rest of the day is at leisure in Lavenham.

Day 5

After checking out of our hotel and en route home we visit Beth Chatto Gardens. Begun in 1960 from an overgrown wasteland with poor gravel soil and boggy hollows, it has been transformed into an informal garden harmonising with the surrounding countryside. We then return back to our original pick up points.

NB: Please note we reserve the right to alter the above itinerary if required for operational reasons. Given the historic nature of the places visited, a certain degree of walking will be involved, and this holiday may not be suitable for those with mobility problems. Price based on twin share. Minimum numbers required. Normal booking conditions apply.

Members of the Arts Society Limpsfield returned from their trip to Italy, on June 12th, to study the art and architecture of Hidden Umbria, ably organised by Seanne Giddy. They studied the history and art of several of the picturesque fortified hill towns, including Spoleto, where they stayed for 6 days. They visited Assissi, the home of St. Francis, as well as Arezzo, Bevagna, Orvieto and others, with local guides to explain the significance of the artworks and historical events.  They learnt about Renaissance artists and the continuing celebrations of festivals to honour local saints, some of which have been celebrated for nearly 1000 years. Besides touring medieval churches and museums, the group found time to visited the house of Vasari built in 1540 in Arezzo as well as vineyards and olive oil producers, to see wine and olive oil making as well as tasting samples and trying the local cuisine. Members also visited workshops in Bevagna to see how beeswax candles and paper were made in medieval times and much enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Umbria.

Holiday details:

GENERAL

• Central 4* Spoleto hotel • Four dinners included • All excursion travel, entrance fees & guided tours included • Direct flights from Gatwick to Rome • Tour manager throughout • Executive coach in Italy • Gratuities included • Audio headsets included on Days 2 to 5

WHAT WE WILL SEE

• Spoleto – guided tour • Spello & Santa Maria Maggiore church – guided tour • Sansepolcro – guided tour • Museo Civico • Arezzo & the Church of San Francesco • Casa Di Vasari – guided tour • Bevagna • Ancient Workshops at Bevagna • Olio Marfuga at Trevi • Basilica of St Francis at Assisi – guided tour • Museo Civico at Montefalco – guided tour • Caprai Vineyard – wine tasting • Orvieto

ACCOMODATION

• We stay five nights at the centrally located 4* Hotel dei Duchi (www.hoteldeiduchi.com) in Spoleto. Facilities at the hotel include a bar and restaurant. All rooms are en suite and feature television, telephone and a mini bar. A set three course dinner without drinks is included on evenings 1, 2, 4 & 5, as detailed in the itinerary. The third night is on a bed and breakfast basis. 

This year 26 members enjoyed the Society’s Annual Tour exploring the delights of ‘Classical Sicily’ during a seven day stay starting in scenic Taormina.

Our first visit was to Europe’s highest volcano, Mount Etna. We were lucky as it was the only day of our stay it was not enveloped in clouds. Then decision time - who would like to make it to the top (assisted by the mini bus, cable car plus some walking) or prefer a warming cup of coffee and explore the exhibitions and shops?!  Returning from the heady heights, we had a guided tour of Taormina including the Duomo (Cathedral) and the 4thcentury BC Greek Amphitheatre.
 
Every morning, as we travelled towards our destinations, Ludo explained the fascinating and complicated history of the island. Basically, it ranged from the prehistoric tribes to the ancient Greeks and Romans to the medieval Arabs, Normans, Angevins, Bourbons, and Mafia. In 1860 Sicily joined Italy, thanks to Garibaldi, and it wasn't until the 1980's and 90's that the criminal organization we call the Mafia began to lose its dominance over corrupt local governments. Fortunately, we were not tested at the end of the day!
 
For those interested, there is a list of the dates at the end of this report.
 
Next, a day of wonders! We saw the most important and powerful Greek City from the 5thto the 3rd centuries BC, Siracusa, the home to the Temple of Apollo, Sicily’s earliest Doric temple; the Parco Archeologico featuring the Altar of Hieron ll and the spectacular Teatro Greco.  The heart of the city includes the island of Ortigia, with to the Piazza Duomo, baroque palaces and full of close- knit lanes.  Lunch was enjoyed at a working farmhouse which made a relaxing contrast to the day.
 
Heading towards to Enna, one of the most ancient towns on the island, the day was spent admiring some of the finest surviving mosaics from Roman antiquity at Piazza Amerina and the Villa Romana del Casale.  Depicting fascinating scenes from daily life, the mosaics are as remarkable for their anthropological value as their artistry.
 
Day 4 saw us at the Archaeological and Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples, near Agrigento. This is one of the most impressive complexes and the largest archaeological site in the world, covering 1,300 hectares. The Doric temples, dating from the 5th century BC, straddle a low bridge, with nine of the ten temples still visible and some still beautifully preserved. The area was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.  Much of the excavation and restoration of the temples was due to the efforts of archaeologist Domenico Antonio lo Faso Pietrasanta (1783 –1863).
 
Then came a complete contrast to the previous day – the magnificent splendour of the Cathedral of Monreale, (City of the Golden Temple) one of the great sites of Norman Sicily, adorned with a rich profusion of glittering Sicilian and Byzantine mosaics. According to a legend, William ll of Sicily fell asleep under a carob tree while hunting in the woods near Monreale. The Holy Virgin appeared to him in dream, urging him to build a church there. After removing the tree, a treasure of golden coins was found in its roots, which was supposed to finance the construction. It is more likely that the church was part of a plan of large constructions in competition with the then Bishop of Palermo,  who had ordered the large Cathedral of Palermo.  The construction of Monreale, started in 1172 and only was completed in 1267. 
 
Our final day was spent at Cefalu on the coast, a charming medieval seaside town with a splendid cathedral built in the 12th century with glittering Sicilian and Byzantine mosaics.  Following our guided tour and lunch at a seafood restaurant, we travelled to Palermo Airport for our flight home. 
 
A very interesting and enjoyable tour experiencing the fascinating history, interesting culture and amazing ancient Greco-Roman architecture. We were very lucky with the weather as the previous week had seen almost continuous rain!
 
Many thanks to Ludo, our excellent Tour Manager from Tailored Travel, who helped to make the tour such a success. Our driver deserves special praise for his brilliant driving and expert manoeuvring of the coach in very tight situations.   Sitting in the front, Wynne and I tried hard not to close our eyes and breathe in!

My sincere thanks to John Crane for allowing me to use 8 of his photographs and the last two were taken by me. 
 
 Wendy Collett, Tour Organiser

The tour encompassing the Art & History of Madrid & Central Spain was enjoyed by 29 members of the Society.

Photos taken on the Tour by our member Ross Charlton can be viewed on the Gallery Page and selecting this tour. 

Following an orientation of the city in the morning, the first afternoon was at leisure. A number of us explored the Botanical Gardens and, although early in the flowering season, the bedding looked lovely. Two large greenhouses contained some weird and wonderful plants from all over the world.

During the week we had guided tours of the ‘The Golden Triangle of Art’ being the three important Art Museums located close to each other. The Reina Sofia, Spain’snational museum of 20th century modern art was the first one we visited. This houses Picasso’s most important work – the mural ‘Guernica’ painted in 1937 andacquired by the Spanish government after the death of Franco. Then it was the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza with its interesting collection of historical through to contemporary art and finally the Prado featuring pre 20th century art.

Segovia was fascinating and is best known for its Roman Churches, world renown Roman Aqueduct, its cathedral and the Alcazar Castle. This trip was combined with Avila, a lovely medieval city surrounded by the finest preserved medieval walls with 88 turrets and 9 gateways.

My favourite place was Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and many others in the group felt the same. Known as the ‘city of three cultures’, behind its walls liefascinating palaces, fortresses, mosques, synagogues, churches and an array of medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian monuments. The magnificent 13th century cathedral is one of the largest in modern Christianity. Toledo was also the former home of the Mannerist painter El Greco.

Our last day was spent visiting the World Heritage Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Built for King Philip ll, the imposing grey Palace, severe in its lines, is a complex of Renaissance buildings including a monastery, college, mausoleum, courtyards and fountains. The remarkable Royal Library contains 15th and 16th century manuscripts and sumptuous apartments contain important works from the Hapsburg collection. Not the warmest of places we visited!!

An interesting and enjoyable tour experiencing the fascinating history and culture of this important area of Spain.

Many thanks to Paul, our excellent Tour Manager from Tailored Travel, who helped to make the tour a success.

Wendy Collett – Tour Organiser

Photo: la Plaza de Cibeles © Viaje Jet

Monday, 8 May 2017 – Friday, 12 May 2017

Over 20 members enjoyed a 5 day coach tour of Norfolk organised by Wendy Collett.  On the way we called in to see the magnificent Ickworth House in Suffolk, with its rotunda and collection of paintings and silver.  From our base in Norwich, we visited the Arts & Crafts House, Voewood, before enjoying a conducted tour of the National Trust’s Textile Conservation Studio at Blickling, where the conservation of two four-poster bed-hangings from Knole House was in progress.  We also visited two large Norfolk churches, including St. Agnes Church in Cawston.

After touring the magnificent Palladian home of the Coke family, Holkham Hall, we then called at the Jacobean Blickling Hall, voted the most haunted house in Britain.  The next day was spent  in Norwich where we visited the Cathedral and Castle Museum before a tour of the exhibits at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts on the University of East Anglia campus.  On our homeward journey we visited the Sandringham Estate.

Stuart Paterson

Please refer to the Gallery for photos of this tour.
All photos in the Gallery for this tour are © Ross Charlton