DATE: 9 – 11 July 2010.  Tour Code : STAMJUL

We have now completed this very successful tour. The guided walk of Stamford, (which has been the backdrop for the BBC film of ‘Middlemarch’ and the film adaptation of ‘Pride & Prejudice’) was very informative. Whilst in Stamford we will also took part in a tasting session and tour of All Saints brewery founded in 1825. This was fascinating as it uses steam power to drive the machiery.We followed this with a tour of Burghley House and Gardens, once the home of Cardinal Wolsey.

Our tour also included a visit to St John the Baptist church, Barnack. This church is well known, beyond its own locality, for its considerable architectural significance. Built originally around 1000ad its fine Saxon tower is still standing. According to Simon Jenkins (1000 best churches) “….not an inch of wall space in the church seems to lack some point of interest…”

Not an inch of wall space in the church seems to lack some point of interest

Our exploration of the area continued with a stroll along the famous Clipsham Yew tree avenue and then crossing the border into Northamptonshire and visiting Prebendal Manor with its history dating back to the Viking period. Whilst there, we had the opportunity to visit the Tithe Barn Museum which displays artefacts from the archaeological excavations and the history of the Manor. After stopping for lunch at Whitwell on Rutland Water, we completed our tour by having a guided walk of the Oakham Market area; Oakham being the county town of Rutland, England’s smallest county. Later we travelled to Woolsthorpe manor, childhood home of Sir Issac Newton for a guided tour of the house and discovery centre. All in all the weekend packed in a unique mixture of social and architectural history that would be hard to better!

 What was Included:

• Dedicated guide
• Dedicated tour manager
• Transport to sites
• Course pack
• Wine reception
• All coffee, tea, cakes/biscuits
• 2 lunches
• 3 evening meals

Accomodation: Three nights B&B at De Vere, Belton Woods. Set in 475 acres of tranquil Lincolnshire countryside, we are a complete health, golf, sports and activities resort. Beautifully appointed with all of the facilities you would expect from a premier four star hotel, De Vere Belton Woods represents an exciting new generation of business and leisure venue, where every conceivable need is catered for without you even having to leave the grounds of the hotel.

Hotel Facilities: General Restaurant & Bar; 24- Hour Front Desk; Newspapers; Garden; Non-Smoking Rooms;  Continental Breakfast.

Cost: From £450 per person (based on 2 sharing a twin/double room). Single supplement : £35 per night.