We hope that our summer programme will go ahead uninterrupted this year!! We have to take into account any restrictions in place at the time of the visit.
If you have any queries, please contact:
Malcolm Thompson | 01935 814 360 | thompy1@talk21.com
Thursday 19 May 2022
Abbotsbury Swannery | Subtropical Gardens
The Swannery lies at the western end of Chesil Beach which encloses the Fleet. There is an exhibition detailing the history and current conservation aims of the trust in the Decoyman’s House. By May some of the cygnets will be hatching and there is a well marked route for visitors to follow. The visit is scheduled to last for about 2½ hours.
The Subtropical Gardens are an award winning 30 acre garden established in 1765. It was expanded in the C19th by Victorian plant hunters; the Victorian sunken garden still exists today. It is famed for its camellia groves, magnolias, rhododendrons and hydrangeas. Paths of varying lengths enable the garden to be fully explored in about 2 hours.
Tuesday 14 June 2022
Dunster | West Somerset Coast
Dunster Castle was the home of the Luttrell Family for 600 years. The furnished interior of the Castle is extremely interesting. The grounds offer a working water mill, riverside woodland walks, and a terrace garden with Mediterranean and subtropical plants benefitting from the tropical and coastal location. It offers views across the Bristol Channel to the Vale of Glamorgan and Barry, and of the surrounding country. You are free to explore what you are interested in.
On the return journey a stop near Blue Anchor is planned. Massive new sea defence work is expected there this summer, but the beach and other facilities should be accessible.
Thursday 7 July 2022
Croome Court
Croome Court is an 18th century house designed by Robert Adam and set in a park designed by Lancelot “Capability” Brown. It was once the home of the Earls of Coventry. Restored from almost total loss the parkland has a serpentine river, lake, elegant park buildings, the church of St Mary Magdalen and views of the Malvern Hills. The exterior of the property has been restored and it is possible to visit the rooms inside. Whilst much of the original collection was dispersed, some porcelain, furniture and art has now returned to the interior and there are also contemporary exhibitions.
Croome was used as an airbase during World War II and a museum explains this period in the property’s history. The Visitor Centre, Shop and the canteen style Restaurant are situated in restored buildings from that time.
Tuesday 26 July 2022
Sandham Memorial Chapel | The Vyne, Basingstoke
Sandham Memorial Chapel at Burghclere houses a series of large-scale paintings by the acclaimed artist Sir Stanley Spencer. These were inspired by his experiences in the First World War as a medical orderly and soldier.
The Vyne. Explore a former Tudor powerhouse turned C17th family home, set in gardens, woodlands and wetlands. Take in historic gems including a pre-Reformation chapel, Tudor oak gallery with C16th wood carvings and neo-classical staircase hall.
Tuesday 6 September 2022
Castle Drogo
Castle Drogo stands high above the ancient woodlands of the Teign Gorge. The Castle was designed and built by renowned 20th-century architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. The castle has recently come to the end of a major conservation project, making it watertight.
Outside, the Lutyens designed garden is colourful in all seasons, and there are miles of pathways to explore. The garden layout you see today is the original design. A modern garden for a modern castle, it represents a snapshot of 1920s garden style. The garden is Grade II* listed and is of exceptional historic importance.
Thursday 29 September 2022
Dorset Churches: explore the historic towns of Wimborne Minster and Wareham
In Wimborne Minster you can explore the town or join a guided tour that will include a visit to the Minster Church, a church with origins in Anglo-Saxon Wessex as a Benedictine Nunnery. Amongst many interesting features is a chained library which is not generally open to the public. This will be followed by an optional guided stroll around to explore some of the cultural and historic elements of the town.
After lunch in Wareham, there will be an opportunity to join a 1½ hour guided stroll around the Saxon Wall walk during which we will visit the Lady of St Mary Church, and St Martin’s in the Walls Church, which is considered to be the best example of Saxon work in Dorset.
On the return journey we will stop at Bere Regis to visit one of Dorset’s best churches – St John the Baptist, another building with Saxon origins which also has links to the Hardy novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles.
Blackmore Vale and Yeovil National Trust Association 