SOANE TRAVELS: North Wales and the English Counties of Shropshire and Staffordshire

Transcription

1 SOANE TRAVELS: North Wales and the English Counties of Shropshire and Staffordshire Optional London activities Wednesday, 19 September and Thursday, 20 September - see separate pages Organized by Stefano Aluffi-Pentini and his team with A Private View of Europe in conjunction with David Brown and Soane Museum Director Tim Knox Please join us on our fall 2012 tour when we will explore areas of Wales and England boasting some of the most beautiful landscapes in Britain. Departing from London by express train for the north of Wales where we will be based for the first three of our eight nights. Bodysgallen Hall (pictured right) in Northern Wales is one of the three stunning country house hotels now owned by the National Trust. It has spectacular views to Snowdonia and Conwy Castle, and is set in a most delightful romantic garden. The hotel is extremely comfortable and the atmosphere is that of a private country house, yet with all the comforts and conveniences of WiFi and a spa with fitness center and indoor pool. Wales is an extraordinary place, but off the beaten track for most American s. Weston Park, our second home for the week (picture left), is indeed still a private country house, and is now cared for by the Weston Park Foundation. Built around 1671 it contains one of the best collections of furniture, tapestries and paintings to be found in any house. We will be living amongst all of this during our stay at Weston Park. All rooms have either bathrooms ensuite or private. There is complimentary WiFi throughout the house and everything is well appointed as they do rent the house out for private conferences and to special groups like the Soane. The present Earl of Bradford still owns the estate and lives nearby. We will be greeted and given a tour of the property with Gareth Williams, House Curator. Gareth will also be joining us at various points during our time in Shropshire and Staffordshire. We have invited David Brown to join with Stefano Aluffi-Pentini to work with us on this tour. Many may remember David from our Derbyshire tours. David lives in Shropshire and knows virtually all of the owners personally, and therefore we can be assured that our visits will be special and the hospitality will be frequent. And Stefano and his team have been the mastermind behind many of our trips since [ FLAGS: Wales Shropshire Staffordshire ] Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation 1040 First Avenue, No. 311 New York NY T Infor@SoaneFoundation.com

2 A sampling of houses to be included, with other private visits that cannot be publicized. We start our travels in the North of Wales. Plas Newydd on the Isle of Anglesey is the home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Anglesey, who, some years ago, gave it to the National Trust. In a stunning situation overlooking the Menai Straits, the house is famous for the marvelous Rex Whistler mural that decorated the whole of the Dining Room, whilst Lady Anglesey's bedroom is one of the few remaining rooms actually decorated by Sybil Colefax. Here we will enjoy the special treat of dinner in the Music Room. This island has become a bit more known in the press as Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge reside nearby on the Isle of Anglesey. Erdigg is one of the most atmospheric house in Britain. Rescued from almost dereliction, it contains a suite of rooms with all the original decoration, furniture and furnishings including some exquisite Chinese wallpaper. The formal garden has been totally restored. Penrhyn Castle is a celebration of wealth created by slate mines. This monumental 19th century Neo-Norman castle is crammed with an outstanding collection of paintings and other fascinating contents such as a slate bed made for Queen Victoria. Gwydir Castle has parts dating to the 1300's. The current owner s have occupied the house since In 1998, HRH The Prince of Wales opened the newly reinstated 1640's Dining Room, whose fine paneling and carving of which were recovered from the Metropolitan Museum in New York in The story of the quest for, and eventual repatriation of this famous room is recounted in Judy Corbett s book Castles in the Air. (published in 2005; available on Amazon.com) Bodnant Garden near Tal-y-Cafn is situated above the River Conwy and overlooks the Conwy Valley towards the Carneddau range of mountains. The garden occupies 80 acres surrounding Bodnant House and is a combination of both formal gardens bounded by clipped box hedges and ornamental ponds and pools, and more woodland settings. It is famous for its breeding program, especially varieties of Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Many more Welsh treats are in store.

3 Just at the crossing of the Welsh and English border, we visit... Brynkinalt is the home of the Hill-Trevor family, and lived in by the brother of the present Lord Trevor. The house was built of beautiful mellow brick in 1612 by Sir Edward Trevor, and is set in a magnificent landscape park. The house has fine collection of furniture, paintings and family memorabilia, all in a series of very attractive rooms. We will enjoy a lunch here at the house. Two special visits for us will be to see Soane designed spaces and houses... Chillington Hall (built 1785) will be the site of one of our lunches. This is the home of the Giffard family since 1178, and John and Crescent Giffard still live in the house built by Francis Smith of Warwick in the 18 th century. For us, the highlight will be the recently restored Saloon by Sir John Soane. This magnificent domed room is at the heart of the house. Pell Wall House (built 1822) near Market Drayton in Shropshire is one of Soane's most elegant houses, but sadly in recent years, has fallen into a derelict state. It has been the subject of much concern, but now an enthusiastic new owner is working to restore the house. Whatever the progress made by the time of our tour, we will try and make even a brief visit to see this house of special interest to us. Further explorations will include... Attingham Park near Shrewsbury. With its wings, colonnades and Palladian central block Attingham Park built in 1785 is over 400 feet long, and stands in its beautiful Humphry Repton deer park. The sumptuous interiors reflecting the Regency splendor of England, have delicate decoration, and are furnished with the collections of the Berwick family who lived here until The collection of Ambassadorial silver is one of the most important owned by the National Trust. Onslow Park is also on the Attingham estate. This is a new house on this historic estate by the architect Craig Hamilton, one of the UK s best known classical architects. This impressive house is being built in the Italianate style, and will house the Wingfield family pictures and furniture, and will be the seat of the Wingfield family. Craig Hamilton has very generously agreed to join us for our visit. ( )

4 SOANE TRAVELS: North Wales and the English Counties Cronkhill is set above the River Severn on the Attingham estate, and was built by John Nash in It is the first Italianate Villa that he built in England. Longner Hall has been the home of the Burton family for over 700 years. The present house was built by Nash in 1803 and is a confection of fan vaulting and plasterwork. The owners will be our host and guide and we will complete the visit with drinks. Whilst staying at Weston Park, we ll enjoy drinks one evening at the Temple of Diana. This magnificent building is by James Paine, and has a glorious interior, and is now a home furnished with great style. We hope to include Oakly Park, a Cockerell house with an unrivaled art collection. Mawley Hall, another beautiful Smith of Warwick house, with rooms dripping with stunning plasterwork, and still very much a sumptuous lived-in English country house. Willey Park, set in its beautiful park, is the masterpiece of Lewis Wyatt, built in 1812 for the 1 st Lord Forester. It is unaltered, and the central galleried hall is a stunning space, with the elegant reception rooms leading off. It is superbly maintained by Catherine, Lady Forester and her family. Lady Forester will host our visit and entertain the group to drinks. Shugborough in Staffordshire is the ancestral seat of the Earls of Lichfield, and for many years the home of the photographer Patrick Lichfield. Shugborough is one of the most splendid 18th century houses in Britain. The interiors have splendid plasterwork by Vassalli, from when the house was changed between 1790 and 1800 to the designs of Samuel Wyatt. The rooms are full of Anson portraits and marvelous French furniture. The Library is particularly enchanting. The outside is nearly as spectacular, as the park is dotted with classical monuments designed by James Athenian Stuart, including a triumphal arch, Doric Temple and the lovely Tower of the Winds. We will enjoy a end-of-the-day private visit.... and there is much more to be explored. Please join us! Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation 1040 First Avenue, No. 311 New York NY T Infor@SoaneFoundation.com

5 SOANE TRAVELS: North Wales and the English Counties of Shropshire and Staffordshire Optional London activities Wednesday, 19 September and Thursday, 20 September - see separate pages ALL INCLUSIVE: Soane Travel trips are all inclusive* and provide a deluxe personalized travel experience. The cost per person includes eight-nights hotel (three at Bodysgallen and five at Weston Park), breakfast each day, all lunches and dinners including evening cocktails or receptions, train travel from London, local transportation by private deluxe coach, all entries, guides and our local historian for the week. Cost: $9,250** per person, based on double occupancy. Please reserve by July 31st. **this is based on figures as of 3/1/12 at $1.60 to the British Pound, and includes a $1,000 per traveler donation to the foundation. Sir John Soane's Museum Foundation reserves to right to alter the pricing according to the current exchange rate at the time of any balances due for the trip; full payment locks in the pricing at the time of payment. Doubles - all rooms are superior or deluxe rooms. Twin beds on request - if available. Single Occupancy - Bodysgallen has some singles rooms which in combination with Weston's double rooms, requires a supplement of $600; double rooms at both properties for single occupancy at $900 supplement. Suites - Available for a surcharge - price upon request Note: bathrooms at Weston Park are either en-suite (part of the room) or private (adjacent to the room). * Not included: air transportation to and from London, airport transfers, hotels in London, travel insurance; personal expenses such as extra beverages, guest laundry, room service, phone calls/faxes. TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE IS RECOMMENDED - see flyer for information. A deposit of $2,000 per person is due to confirm your reservation. After August 10th, the deposit becomes non-refundable unless your place can be resold to another traveler, then $1,000 will be refunded. START & FINISH IN LONDON: We will depart London around 9am or 10 am on the 21 st by express train (for our convenience, the luggage will be transported by van direct to Bodysgallen). The return to London will be by motorcoach and is estimated we ll arrive around 5pm on the evening of Saturday the 29 th. Pick-up locations on the 21 st will be from Claridge s in Mayfair, Brook and Davies Streets - and from just down the block at the Marriott Grosvenor Square, If participating in our London events prior to the trip, you may wish to book the same hotel for the 29th and leave a piece of checked luggage at the hotel (with your formal cloths or special attire from the Regency Rout party). For further information contact Chas Miller: Tel Chas@SoaneFoundation.com Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation 1040 First Avenue, No. 311 New York NY T Infor@SoaneFoundation.com

6 Houses Halls Castles Mansions Manors Parks Plas House: a structure serving as an abode of human beings. From Middle English hous, hus, from Old English hūs ( dwelling, shelter, house ), from Proto-Germanic *hūsan (compare Dutch huis, Low German huus, German haus), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)keus-, from *(s)keu- 'to hide'. Hall: a manor house Castle: a large building, typically fortified; in previous ages often inhabited by a nobleman or king Manor: a landed estate; the main house of such an estate or similar residence; a mansion Mansion: a large house or building Park: a tract of ground kept in a natural state adjacent to a residence Plas: mansion in Welsh Here are links to our hotels: Bodysgallen Hall our first hotel for three-nights: Weston Park our hotel for five-nights: To see room details: SOANE TRAVELS: North Wales and the English Counties of Shropshire and Staffordshire Organized by Stefano Aluffi-Pentini and his team with A Private View of Europe in conjunction with David Brown and Soane Museum Director Tim Knox Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation, 1040 First Avenue, No. 311, New York NY T info@soanefoundation.com Photos of previous trips, please go to

7 R e s e r v a t i o n F o r m SOANE TRAVELS: Wales & England Yes, we would like to join you! Please reserve by July 31st. NAME(S): ADDRESS: TEL: FAX: CONTACT/ASSISTANT: ACCOMMODATIONS: Double occupancy - we wish to have a double room for two of us. Single accommodations at a supplement (please circle) at $600 additional or $900 additional for larger rooms. PAYMENT OPTIONS: DEPOSIT: Enclosed is $ (a deposit of $2,000* per person) to reserve place(s) for the trip. The deposit is due to confirm your place and *includes the $1,000 donation to the Foundation. After May 10th, the deposit becomes non-refundable unless your place(s) can be resold to another traveler, then $1,000 will be refunded. FULL PAYMENT: I enclose $ ($9,250* per person, based on double occupancy = $18,500). *Includes the $1,000 per person donation to the Foundation. If single occupancy, please submit full payment in the amount of either $9,850 or $10,150 for larger single accommodations. FORMS OF PAYMENT: Check - Please make checks payable to: Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation Credit Card Charge Special Option - Please charge the contribution amount of $1,000 per person to an American Express, Visa, MasterCard** and I/we will send a check for the balance of either the deposit ($1,000) or full payment. ( ** the Foundation is only permitted to accept credit card payments for non-travel related costs. ) Please charge $ Name as it appears: Card Number: Expiration: Billing Zip Code: Signature: RETURN FORM TO: FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation 1040 First Avenue, No. 311 New York, NY Chas Miller - Chas@SoaneFoundation.com T F Not included in rate: Airfare to/from London, airport transfers, London hotels; alcoholic beverages other than when provided, personal expenses, trip insurance.