Visit Renishaw Hall in 2014.....

Renishaw Recollections

As part of Renishaw Hall & Garden’s 2014 season, which opens on March 29^th, Christine Beevers, Renishaw Hall’s archivist, is asking people with personal and family links to the hall and estate to come forward and get in touch. Named ‘Renishaw Recollections’, Christine’s project hopes to use the memories told to help shape the history of Renishaw Hall, and give more insight in to the way the estate functioned, through the experiences of the people working for the family.

Visitors can tell their Renishaw family stories to Christine by contacting her via enquiries@renishaw-hall.co.uk or visiting the Estate Office during opening hours from March 29^th to September  28^th2014. Renishaw Hall & Gardens will be also hosting a World War I talk, given by Christine, as she explores the archive to find the Sitwell family’s many links to First World War on the centenary of the year of its outbreak. Important artefacts – not normally on view to the public – will be brought out of the house archives and displayed and explained during the talk. Dates TBC, during the summer months 2014. Check www.renishaw-hall.co.uk for updates. 

Orwell River Cruises.... Explore the River

Orwell River Cruises Limited was specifically formed in 2001 to bring back the pleasure of river cruising to the River Orwell after an absence of such a facility for several decades. A Suffolk businessman, with strong links with the maritime scene, is the driving force behind the family owned Orwell River Cruises. It had long been an ambition to provide a traditional professionally run river cruise service locally so that more people could experience the wonders of the River Orwell and Stour estuary, including the very impressive Port of Felixstowe.

The River Orwell is one of the most scenic and historic rivers in the country, and has been officially voted by the Royal Yachting Association the second most beautiful river in England.Orwell Lady public cruises sail from Ipswich Wet Dock (Orwell Quay) to Pin Mill or Harwich Harbour from Easter weekend through to September. There is a programme of music evenings, sunset cruises, wine tasting and afternoon tea cruises throughout the season and the vessel is a popular venue for private charters.

Tickets for all public cruises and theme nights are available from the Tourist Information Centre in Ipswich by calling 01473 258070. For further information please visit the website www.orwellrivercruises.com, contact via info@orwellrivercruises.com or telephone 07734 875887.

Classic Lodges Hotels......

Classic Lodges Hotels has something for you offering flexible group rates from £35.00 per person and meal stops including afternoon tea from £6.50 per person.

Classic Lodges Hotels are a carefully picked selection of 16 properties, each with a unique character and history, and all in fabulous locations from the Borders to the Sussex Downs, some are perfect country house hideaways in acres of landscaped grounds - others are set in the heart of town for your convenience. All properties share the Classic Lodges' signature warm welcome, and the very highest standards of comfort and hospitality. Whichever you chose, you can be sure of wonderful food, luxuriously comfortable bedrooms and an atmosphere that will make you want to relax and unwind

Accommodation Rates & Meal Stops Prices

n Groups rates from £35.OODBB per person, based on 2 people sharing

n Cream tea (teas with scones and cream) £6.50 per person

n Afternoon tea (as above with cakes and sandwiches) £13.50 per person

n Soup and sandwich £8.95 per person

n Three course set lunch £14.95 per person

n 2 course was £10.95 per person

n Coffee/tea with stops £1.90 per person

Hotels and Locations

n Bagden Hall, Denby Dale, nr Wakefield, West Yorkshire

n Charingworth Manor, Cotswolds

n Fasington Lodge, Preston Grinkle Park, Easington, North Yorkshire

n Grovefield House, Nr Windsor The Hickstead, Burgess Hill, Sussex

n The Old Swan, Harrogate

n The White Swan, Alnwick

n Marshall Meadows Hotel, Berwick

n The Plough and Harrow, Birmingham

n Queens Head Inn, nr Peterborough

n Roundthom Country House, Penrith

n Abbey Hotel Bath

Castle House Hereford

n Ramsey Park Hotel, Ramsey, Lsle of Man

n Woodbury Park Golf Club, Exeter

This is a carefully chosen selection of 16 properties located across the UK. Your group will enjoy personal service from the flexible and experienced staff. There is free onsite parking at all hotels as well as a central groups requests desk.

Each month Classic Lodges Hotels releases new ideas and packages. To ensure you receive the latest deals simply register with nphillips@classiclodges.co.uk Visit - http://www.classiclodges.co.uk

ALL RATES QUOTED ABOVE ARE APPLICABLE FOR GROUPS, PLEASE CHECK WITH CLASSIC LODGES FOR PRICES IF YOU ARE NOT A COACH OPERATOR

Stay at the Langstone Cliff Hotel......

The Langstone Cliff Hotel is set in 19 acres of woodland on the beautiful Devon coast at Dawlish Warren with expansive lawns and gardens and magnificent sea views overlooking the golden sandy beaches and internationally famous nature reserve at Dawlish Warren There are 64 comfortable en-suite bedrooms in the hotel on just 2 floors ground and first reached by a lift and four staircases.

The Hotel has a wealth of leisure facilities including 2 swimming pools, a tennis court, table tennis, snooker, a fitness room and we have beauty and holistic therapists as well as a hairdresser. There is FREE wi-fi throughout the building and extensive lounges. There is a 200 seat restaurant located on the ground floor as well as a purpose built banqueting suite with a magnificent 60 feet x 60 feet sprung strip maple dance floor which can accommodate up to 400 guests. The well-stocked bars offer a wide range of beers lagers, ciders and stout as well as wines spirits and minerals. Teas, coffees and a comprehensive range of snacks and light meals are also available all day until 9.00pm.

The beach at Dawlish Warren is a short walk from the hotel via public footpath. Public transport is available right outside the hotel gates and mainline trains stop at Dawlish Warren station just a few hundred metre’s from the hotel. There is ample parking within the hotel grounds for cars and coaches. www.langstone-hotel.co.uk

Exhibition Marks first phase of £50,000 investment in Royal Crown Derby Visitor Centre.....

Royal Crown Derby has unveiled the first phase of a £50,000 investment in its visitor Centre, with the launch of a new exhibition entitled 'The Finest of Dining - from 1750 to 2013 and beyond.' The prestigious new exhibition at the Osmaston Road factory site features some of the world's most exclusive ranges of fine bone china made for Royalty and aristocracy throughout the world - all of which were created by Royal Crown Derby's artisans. The exhibition was launched to invited dignitaries and guests by Royal Crown Derby's Chief Executive Kevin Oakes and Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant Mr. William Tucker.

The exhibition will be open to visitors until the end of the year along with the site's award winning museum and factory tours where people can see the

World-famous ware being made and decorated. Displays include exhibits of ware commissioned by Royalty through the ages, including Queen Victoria and George Ill, items created for Tiffany and designs by Salvador Dali; coming right up to date with exquisite services featured in worldwide hit TV series' Downton Abbey and Mr. Selfridge. The exhibition marks a major investment in the award-winning Visitor Centre which will also see new activities and facilities launching throughout the summer and autumn to create a truly five-star attraction.

Plans include:

·    a new decorating studio for families,

·    upgraded factory tour experience,

·    programme of free activities

Throughout the summer for children:-

• Fantastic new retail outlet 

• new museum experience,

• Relaxed new coffee lounge with children's corner and free Wi-Fi,

·  exclusive afternoon tea venue

·  A series of exciting new events.

Royal Crown Derby Chief Executive Kevin Oakes said: "Royal Crown Derby is entering an exciting new phase in its illustrious history. We are investing in the company, its people and this historic site and our aim is to create a thriving Centre of excellence which the city can be truly proud of.

‘Already the investment is leading to new jobs with three young apprentices in place and a fourth apprentice on the cards. An events manager is about to be recruited and we anticipate three positions will be created in the new cafe and afternoon tea experience. We hope local families and visitors to Derby alike will support us and come and see what a vibrant and exciting place Royal Crown Derby has become." Admission to the exhibition (including free entry to the museum) is £2 per person and £1 for children and concessions. Throughout the summer, admission to the exhibition will also be free for visitors taking a tour of the factory. For opening times and full details visit www.royalcrownderby.co.uk

Nottingham Industrial Museum and Wollaton Hall.....

Nottingham's Wollaton Hall is a spectacular Elizabethan mansion, which starred as 'Wayne Manor' in the Dark Knight Rises Batman film released in July 2012. Set within a 500-acre deer park, Wollaton Hall offers free coach parking and is ideally located for coach tours coming to Nottingham.

While here, be sure to visit the Nottingham Industrial Museum.Located in the 17th century stable block of Wollaton hall, Nottingham Industrial Museum celebrates the rich industrial heritage of Nottingham and the surrounding areas. The museum is volunteer run and is open every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday. It can be opened for group tours on other days if pre-arranged.Take a walk around the galleries and discover the people, companies and industries that made Nottingham famous around the world. The museum has displays relating to five areas of Nottingham industry, Textiles, Transport, Communication, Mining and Steam, each investigating Nottingham's rich industrial heritage. The museum also houses a working Basford Beam engine and an original Thomas Humber's Bicycle! http://www.nottinghamindustrialmuseum.co.uk/

Stay at the Cliftonville Hotel Cromer......

The Cliftonville Hotel is beautifully situated on Cromer's seafront, Norfolk, just ten minutes walk from the town centre. The hotel is a 30 bed roomed property with all rooms having an excellent sea view Beautifully restored to its original Edwardian splendour the hotel is an AA 3 Star and Grade II listed building.

Family run hotel with 17 years experience makes us the perfect partner for the independent coach operator offering the quality of service that has come to be expected by clients who book coach holidays. The hotel welcomes coach parties and groups particularly in the off-season and shoulder periods of the main summer season Ideally located for trips to North Norfolk's major attractions including the North Norfolk Steam Railway, The Thursford Collection and Christmas Show and boat excursions on the Norfolk Broads. Just 25 miles from the City of Norwich with its vast array of shops, market, museums, castle, cathedral and fascinating cobbled lanes and ally ways makes an interesting a full day trip adding yet another reason to stay at the Cliftonville Hotel.

For further information E-mail reservations@cliftonvillehotel.co.uk or telephone 01263 512543 www.cliftonvillehotel.co.uk