PROGRAMME OF OUTINGS FOR 2025
Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire Thursday 15th May 2025
From St. Marks Church Bilton Departing at 9:15 a.m.
​
Organised by George Brunavs Supported by Val Brunavs
Kedleston is a showpiece, intended to impress. The entrance front, with a massive pedimented portico, looks over sweeping pasture land, and has two rectangular side pavilions, linked to the central building by curved corridors. A medieval church tower is visible behind the west end, all that remains of a village swept away to create the vast parkland.
Sir Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Lord Scarsdale, started the house in 1759 as a setting for his paintings and sculpture collection, and as a place for reception and entertainment for important visitors. The family lived in one of the side pavilions. Building was started under the direction of Matthew Brettingham and James Paine, but by 1760 both were superseded by the brilliant and up-and-coming Robert Adam. He transformed a rather conventional Palladian design into one much more lively and interesting; the superb interiors are entirely Adam’s. The radical change in style is best seen by comparing the traditional Palladian north front with Adam’s south elevation, so full of life and “movement” (one of Adam’s favourite terms). Inside, the stunning Marble Hall, the spacious and beautiful adjoining rotunda, known as the Saloon, and all the reception rooms show Adam’s personal and inimitable style to great effect. The many remarkable furnishings and artworks are perfectly set off against the superb decor.
​
A visit to the adjoining church is also well worth making, especially to see the Curzon family monuments, outstanding amongst which is the gleaming white marble one from after 1925 to Lord Curzon and Mary, Countess Curzon.
We shall aim to arrive at Kedleston by 10.45 am to be greeted by a member of NT staff. After an introduction, the rest of the day is free for you to explore and lunch.
We leave for home at 3.45 pm, and should be back in Rugby before 5.30 pm.
Remember to bring your National Trust membership cards!
The talk on 6 February 2025, at 2.30 pm, about Lord Curzon of Kedleston, will be a good “taster” for this visit.
Chedham's Yard, Wellesbourne, CV35 9QT Thursday, 12 June 2025
By car to arrive by 2 p.m.
Organised by Pam Southern
Chedham’s Yard was a derelict forge, brought back to life by an enthusiastic group of volunteers. It is usually only open on Saturdays so is opening especially for us. It is one of only a few combined blacksmiths and wheelwrights workshops remaining in the UK.
It consists of three adjacent barns and a small tearoom so the visit will take less than two hours. You may like to extend the day by visiting Charlecote NT which is not far away.
For our visit there will be a blacksmith, wood turner and tour guides. Tea/coffee and cake are included in the price.
Parking is available near the sports ground a ten minute walk away and maps will be included when the booking forms are returned in March. You will need to be able to stand whilst watching the demonstrations
* * *
Charterhouse, London Road, Coventry, CV1 2JR Date to be Confirmed
By car to arrive at a time to be confirmed
Organised by Sheila Richards
Whilst planning this we received the exciting news that the National Trust is taking over the management of the Charterhouse from Historic Coventry Trust at the end of 2024. We shall have to wait for the new team to set up their booking arrangements and opening times for 2025.
If you are interested, please show the number of people on the booking form. Then we will contact you with more details.
The Charterhouse is an historic building over three floors set beside the River Sherbourne, in a beautiful green space filled with wildlife. It is one of Coventry’s most important heritage sites.
A grade 1 listed building, it was founded in 1381 as a Carthusian monastery, home of a silent order of monks who lived peacefully off the land. It then became a private house with several famous inhabitants including Robert Dudley, a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, and John Whittingham who cultivated the nursery and walled garden to produce exotic fruit for wealthy locals.
The last private owner, Colonel William Wyley, died in 1940, his wife having predeceased him and his only son killed in the Battle of the Somme. He bequeathed Charterhouse and much of the surrounding land to the people of Coventry wishing that the site become a centre of history, culture and learning for all to enjoy.
There is a large car park just off London Road (A4114), a 200m walk away.
We do not know what facilities the NT will make available but this year there has been a lift available to all floors.
The London Road Cemetery designed by Joseph Paxton otherwise known as Paxton’s Arboretum, and the Anglican Chapel are nearby should you wish to explore further.
* * *
Hatfield House, Park & Gardens, Hertfordshire Thursday, 17th July, 2025
By coach departing from Bilton Church at 8:45 a.m.
​
Organised by George Brunavs supported by Val Brunavs
Hatfield House is one of the most important Jacobean mansions in England. A magnificent prodigy house, it was built by Robert Cecil (1563-1612), Secretary of State, Lord High Treasurer, and Lord Privy Seal, succeeding in that role his father, William Cecil, the most powerful statesman in Elizabeth I’s England. The house and park have been owned by the Cecils (Lords Salisbury, including the late Victorian Prime Minister) up to the present day.
Built 1608-11, it has its main block running west to east, with side wings projecting southwards, thus being a departure from the more usual previous Tudor and Elizabethan courtyard plan. The exterior presents an elegant composition, and the interiors retain their early Jacobean sumptuous and spectacular decor. Particularly stunning are the Marble Hall, Grand Staircase, Long Gallery, Library, Chapel with its stained glass, and many other rooms. All are not to be missed.
The gardens and park are also well worth exploring; the gardens still remain true to their Jacobean design. Nearby is Old Hatfield Palace (which may or may not be open to visit on our day) where the young princesses Elizabeth and Mary lived at various times during Henry VIII’s reign.
We shall aim to arrive at Hatfield at 10.30 to 10.40 am, and will be welcomed by a member of Hatfield staff; this should give us time for toilet and/or cafe visits before we assemble for guided tours starting at 11.00 and 11.15 am (i.e. divided into 2 groups). The tours should last about 75-90 minutes, after which the day is free to explore everything further, and have lunch as you wish. (Food and drink are not included in the cost.)
We shall leave Hatfield for home at 4 pm, and so should be back in Rugby around 5.45 pm.
* * *
Trips and Visits
We would like to remind all members that our outings can be quite demanding. We often visit places with old and uneven floors, stairs that can be difficult with no lift options and gardens and tours that may involve quite a lot of walking. Always check with the organiser if you have mobility problems. Members who need assistance should bring a companion.
Departure Point for Coach Outings
The Committee has made arrangements with St Mark’s Church, Bilton for the use of their car park so, unless stated, we depart from there. We try to use as little space as possible, so please park on the side away from the church and as close together as possible.
We are disappointed to have fewer outings on offer this summer. If you have ideas for outings and/or feel able to offer help in organising one, please contact members of the committee and please come to our Visits Planning Meeting on 9 April 2025 in Dunchurch Village Hall.
rugbynationaltrust