The Visit to LONGFORD CASTLE was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions 

For further information 

Please email liz.coult@btinternet.com

Come with us to Tate Britain to see the definitive exhibition of two pivotal British  artists who were born 250 years ago.  

   Turner and Constable

     Thursday 22nd January 2026
 

This landmark exhibition explores Turner’s and Constable’s lives and legacies. It is an unmissable opportunity to explore the careers of the two greatest British landscape painters - as they were often seen in their own time - side by side. 

”Over 170 of their iconic scenes will be on show” 

The Cost £48.64 or £25.64 for Tate Members

This visit is now sold out

For further information contact Liz Coult 01483 417269  or email liz@coults.co.uk


Image attribution: J. M. W. Turner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The House and Chapel at Stonor Park

Forthcoming visit.  a Summer's day out to:

STONOR PARK and GARDENS near Henley, the home of Lord and Lady Comys.

Thursday 24th July 2025

To include a guided tour of the House and Chapel, coffee and biscuits on arrival and entry into the gardens.

Stonor’s origins go back to Medieval times. The present building took shape around 1540 and is one of the oldest family homes still lived in today.

The family have always been of the Catholic faith so have seen many changes in fortune in its long  history. There is a poignant reminder of this in the roof space where a priest hole can be seen which hid Sir Edward Campion in the 16th Century.

Outside you can visit an Italianate garden and the Old Kitchen Garden which has been developed into a dazzling flower garden by the present and past owners who have been and are passionate plantswomen.The parkland is home to an ancient herd of fallow dear.

Do come and join us on what should be a delightful and interesting visit

Tickets £43.30. will be on sale at the  May and June lecture or by contacting Liz Coult on 01483417269or email liz@coults.co.uk

Join Alexandra Epps, Arts Society Lecturer and City of London Guide, for a fascinating stroll through the unique square mile of the City of London to explore the wealth of stained glass within its historic churches.

VISIT HIGHLIGHTS

Following a coffee break on arrival we will have a 2 hour  tour - the bonus of visiting churches is that there will be plenty of opportunities to sit down and we will all be given headsets so audibility will not be a problem. You will experience glass from old to modern, created by a series of remarkable artists in a variety of styles, and discover unique stained glass stories of people, time and place.
Depending on progress we should end the tour at about 1pm in Leadenhall Market which has a choice of restaurants for lunch (not included in the ticket).

Price:  Tickets £53.

Tickets can be booked face to face at the February, March, and April meetings.

Please note that places on this visit are limited- there are only 1 or 2 left so speak to Liz if you are interested.

enquiries to Liz Coult at  01483 417269 or liz@coults.co.uk

The Autumn visit is to Kenwood House. Set on the edge of Hampstead Heath and surrounded by tranquil landscaped gardens, Kenwood is one of London's hidden gems.

VISIT HIGHLIGHTS

The breathtaking interiors and stunning world-class art collection, which includes Rembrandt's 'Self-Portrait with Two Circles.
The house has  fine historic interiors, sculpture, furniture, jewellery and is home to a significant number of historic paintings and other works of art, including 63 Old Master paintings
Paintings of note include

• The Guitar Player by Johannes Vermeer
• Portrait of Pieter van den Broecke, by Frans Hals
• Thomas Gainsborough, 'Portrait of Countess Howe'

We will have a 1 hour guided tour on arrival

There will be time  to discover more about the gardens and  architecture of Kenwood House, designed by Robert Adam

.Please note :Kenwood is a cashless site. A café is located in the old service wing.  All areas are suiatble for those with walking difficulties

Enquiries to Liz Coult on 01483 417269 or liz@coults.co.uk

Visit Information:
Destination:Kenwood House
Date 28th. November 2024

Times: The Coach leaves Meadrow Car Park (Godalming) at 8.30am and from Spectrum Long Term Car Park (Guildford) at 9am

The Coach will depart Kenwood  for the return Journey at approximately3.15pm

Price:  Tickets £42.50 Lunch is not included in the ticket price.

Tickets can be booked face to face at the October and November meetings.

.For further information please Click Here to email Liz Coult .

Places on the Visit are limited

 Hughenden Manor is best known as the country home of Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and his wife Mary Anne, and more recently as a top-secret map-making facility during the Second World War. However, there's almost a thousand years of history stretching back before either story for you to discover.   The origins of the estate date back beyond the first records in the Domesday book. In more recent history the land was farmed, and the dwelling was a humble farmhouse. This building was only upgraded to a ‘gentleman’s residence’ when it was converted in 1738.

The Hughenden Manor we know today was remodelled in 1862 for Benjamin Disraeli by architect Edward Buckton Lamb. As prospective leader of the Conservative Party, Disraeli needed a suitable country seat, so in 1848 he bought the Hughenden estate and continued the process of Gothicising the house begun by an earlier owner, the antiquary John Norris

The cost is £23 for members of the National  Trust (membership cards to be presented on entry) – and £38 for non members The coach departs at 08.45 from Meadrow Car Park (Godalming) and picks up at Spectrum (Guildford) at 09.00.  The coach will return from Hughenden at approximately 3.30

Tickets will be available at the February, March and April meetings.

enquiries to Kate Gooding on 01483 562356 or kg@wagl.biz

The 2024 Tour is to :

The Castles,Gardens and Heritage of North Wales.

The 5 day , 4 Night Tour will depart Thursday 11th, April 2024.

the Tour is now fully booked

Illustrated:Portmeirion

CLICK HERE to view the full Brochure.

If you have questions or wish to register your interest then please

CLICK HERE to Email Kate Gooding (Tour Organiser)

or call her on 01483 56 23 56

The visit to the Mandir (Temple) will be led by a guide who will tell us about the building itself and Hindu religious ceremonies.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a masterpiece of traditional Hindu design and exquisite workmanship that rises serenely amid London's iconic skyline. Using 5,000 tonnes of Italian Carrara and Indian Ambaji marble and the finest Bulgarian limestone, it was hand-carved in India before being assembled in London.

Popularly known as the 'Neasden Temple’, the Mandir is a traditional place of Hindu worship designed and constructed entirely according to ancient Vedic architectural texts – using no structural steel whatsoever.   Columns bedecked with figures from Hindu mythology support ornate ceilings, and domes with floral and geometric designs. Completed in 1995, the Mandir is surrounded by landscaped gardens, filled with lotus-shaped flowerbeds and ornamental fountains.

The tour takes about 90 minutes.  

If you are interested there is an exhibition where Visitors can learn about the origin, beliefs and values of Hinduism, the contribution of Hindu seers, and how this ancient religion is thriving today through traditions such as the Swaminarayan Sampraday no booking required and a nominal entrance fee (allow 30minutes).

There will be time to complete your visit with a meal at the delightful Shayona restaurant with traditional Indian décor and mouth-watering vegetarian cuisine, it is the perfect way to experience some authentic tastes of India.

Enquiries to Kate Gooding on 01483 562356 or kg@wagl.biz

CLICK HERE to book online

or

book face to face at the June and September meetings

The 2023 Tour

"The Historic Houses, Heritage & Art of Northumbria"

begins 7th. May 2023.

We will go to the home country of St.Cuthbert, the Venerable Bede and the powerful Prince Bishops of Durham.

Please note that the Tour is fully booked.

If you would like to know more please speak to Kate Gooding 01483 56 23 56  or email her at  info@tasgwv.org.uk .

illustrated - The Angel of the North - Antony Gormley  ( affectionately known locally as Rusty Rita)

The 2022 Tour to the Lake District is a four day - 3 night tour beginning Sunday 24th.April 2022. The Tour is now fully booked.

Our image is a particularly stunning photo of  Brotherswater

 by John Todd

The Backstage Tours include an introduction to the colourful history of the theatre, an insight into the redevelopment of the Royal Opera House and a look at aspects of current productions. As the Royal Opera House is a fully working theatre, each tour is a unique experience, and may include opportunities to see The Royal Ballet in class, or the magnificent backstage technology in operation.

Please note: Tours vary according to what is available on the day

Bookings for this visit have now closed with a waiting list.

Please note that booking for this tour has now closed.

From Sunday May 19 to Wednesday May 22.

Our 2019 4day/ 3night coach tour will leave from Shalford Village Hall on Sunday 19 May and travel north to visit the National Memorial Aboratum and the Liam O'Connor designed Armed Forces Memorial before  traveling on to the Spa Town of Harrogate (our Base for the next 3 days).

On Monday we will take a guided walk through Harrogate to take in the historical sights including the Victorian Baths, The Royal Pump Museum and the famous Edwardian "Betty's"cafe. We will then take the short journey to the RHS Garden Harlow Carr, the premier botanical gardens in the north of England. In the afternoon we visit Harewood House, the home of the Queen's cousin the Earl of Harewood.The house is renowned for it’s stunning architecture, Adam interiors, Chippendale furniture, fine porcelain and an outstanding art collection.

On Tuesday we begin our day at the medieval manor of  Norton Conyers which has hosted Royalty and is thought to be the inspiration for Thornfield Hall in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Ayre. And then onto the “wonder of the north” also known as Fountains Abbey and Studly Royal Water Gardens. This World Heritage site tucked away in a beautiful secluded valley is one of the most historic sites in Europe. We conclude our day with a visit to Ripon Cathedral, an ancient church which showcases many architectural styles including a 7th century Saxon Crypt.

Wednesday morning we visit Yorkshire’s award winning art gallery The Hepworth Wakefield and in the afternoon Newstead Abbey, best known for being the ancestral home of Lord Byron. During the afternoon we will commence our journey home arriving in Shalford in the evening.

 For more information contact Brian Hawtin on 01483 561306 or email brian.hawtin@yahoo.co.uk

The object of art is to give life a shape.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Most of us have visited Stratford-upon-Avon but come away without, perhaps, realising that in reality Shakespeare spent his working life in the City of London where he led groups of actors and theatre owners in the Square mile.

We visit sites from Blackfriars to Guildhall with connections to the Bard, his plays, his homes and his theatres.

Tony Tucker read Modern History at Oriel College, Oxford and then enjoyed a 40 year working life in the City. 
He is a qualified City of London Guide, an accredited Arts Society Lecturer and Author. 
Tony led our City walks in 2017 and 2018 so we know we will be in good hands.

Tickets at £35 will be available at the April  Meeting or from Kate Gooding on 01483 56 23 56 or by email at Kg@wagl.biz

We will visit Historic Portsmouth for the "new" Mary Rose Exhibition : following a complete revamp in 2016 there are now views of the ship from all three decks and nine galleries through full length glazing. On the Upper Deck, visitors pass through an airlock and breathe the same air as Henry VIII’s flagship.  To bring the ship to life, state of the art projections of the crew were introduced, showing them going about their everyday lives in wartime and peacetime.

PLUS we will visit The D-Day Story

After a four year improvement and upgrade project funded by  the  Heritage Lottery Fund the D-Day Story opened its doors again in March 2018. Included in the project was an improved presentation of the acclaimed Overlord Embroidery : The story of the D-Day Landings of 6 June 1944 told across 34 hand stitched panels, designed by the artist Sandra Lawrence, running to 83 metres in length.

There are still a few Tickets available at  £37 these can be purchased at the  February meeting

The 2017 Tour to Georgian Bath and Wells was a great success and a highly enjoyable break.  We had perfect weather to enjoy all the architecture and attractions of Bath and the magnificence of Wells Cathedral, amongst many other excellent and interesting visits.

Our warm thanks to the 26 participants who made the Tour such a rewarding social and cultural experience - also to Brian and Anthea Hawtin who shepherded us around so warmly and efficiently.

Now, for news of next year's Tour.............

Our 2018 Tour, from 11 to 14 May, will explore The Treasures of the Kingdom of Mercia and will be based in Birmingham. Included in the Tour will be a visit to Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter and a canal cruise, as well as the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick, Lichfield City and Cathedral and Bletchley Park.

Full details will be available from the June lecture meeting and Booking opens in September.  Do put the dates in your diary and don't miss out - come and join us on this interesting and varied Tour.

The image above shows Lichfield Cathedral.

On Thursday 5th April we shall have another walk around the City of London, "Romans to Rogers", led by Tony Tucker.

This was requested by members who very much enjoyed last years. Booking for this visit will open at our January meeting.

Emmett's Garden was laid out in its present form in the late 19th century by Frederick Lubbock, whose style was influenced by Gertude Jekyll.  He established an Italianate rose garden, a rock garden and areas to showcase his collection of exotic trees and shrubs.  We have a short stop here for coffee and a pleasant garden walk.

Knole House was originally a bishop's palace, then passed through royal ownership to the Sackville family; its long history has produced a vast collection of tapestries, paintings and furniture. Knole is undergoing a major restoration project and we are going to have a conservation tour "Past into Present", as well as time to walk round individually.  The Brewhouse Cafe is available for lunch and the surrounding parkland, with its herd of wild deer, is open for walks.

Tickets on sale from the May lecture onwards - £25 per person.

This walk will be lead by Tony Tucker, who gave our April 2016 lecture on historic organs in City of London churches.  He is a qualified City of London guide and, as a trustee of the Friends of City Churches, has access to many interesting places in the City.

After meeting at St Paul's Cathedral for coffee, we go inside at least five of Wren's best churches, including St Stephen Walbrook and St Mary Aldermary; see the steeples of a dozen others; visit some small churchyard gardens; and hear stories of Roman emperors, medieval kings and queens and other great historical figures.

Following a break for lunch, we visit sites with connections to Milton, Keats, Wordsworth and the earliest governors of states in America and Australia, finishing with a superb view of the London skyline from a City rooftop.

Tickets £30 - on sale from January's meeting.