Great Houses of Norfolk

Transcription

1 Great Houses of Norfolk Wednesday 09 - Sunday 13 May 2018 The wide open spaces of present day East Anglia give little indication of the region s rich past, a time when Norfolk was one of England s most densely populated and wealthiest areas. During the Middle Ages, a vibrant economy based on trade and farming resulted in the creation of beautiful churches and fine buildings in the towns. Wealth and power went hand in hand as the centuries passed, and politics also loomed large in East Anglia. For those at the top of the political tree, in many cases men from merchant backgrounds, the system of patronage enabled the building of personal power statements in the form of some of the country s most magnificent country houses, each with its own glorious architectural embellishments and splendid art collections.

2 WEDNESDAY 09 MAY 2018 We will depart on an early morning EasyJet flight from the Isle of Man to London Gatwick (please note that flights are not included in the tour price. Flight times have been taken from the 2017 schedule as the schedule for 2018 is not as yet available. Flight times may be subject to change). Upon arrival we will be met by a local coach and travel to Ely for a visit to Ely Cathedral. Originally founded by St Etheldrada, a Saxon Princess, it is today a wonderful example of Romanesque architecture. Recently the project of major restoration, the Octagon and Lady Chapel are of special interest. Around the Cathedral stands the largest collection of medieval buildings still in domestic use. Upon arrival there will be some free time for lunch prior to a guided visit of Ely Cathedral. We will continue our journey to Norwich, where we will check in to the 4 star Maids Head Hotel for 4 nights bed and breakfast accommodation. After some time to freshen up dinner will be taken in the hotel. THURSDAY 10 MAY 2018 After breakfast at the hotel we will transfer to Norwich city centre and meet a local guide for a walking tour. Located on the River Wensum, Norwich is one of the best preserved cities in Britain. The arrival of Flemish settlers in the 12 th century led to the establishment of a thriving textile industry and Norwich soon became a very prosperous market town and the second city of England. Remnants of the city s prosperity remain and it boasts one of the finest medieval streets in England. Our tour will finish at Norwich Cathedral. There will be some free time to take coffee in the Cathedral refectory prior to meeting a resident guide for a guided visit. Founded in 1096 by Bishop Losinga, the cathedral boasts the second tallest spire in England. Built from white stone shipped in from Normandy, the surviving cloister is the most extensive in the country. There will be free time for lunch in central Norwich. The afternoon will continue with a visit to the Castle Museum based in Norwich Castle, where there will be a short address (subject to availability) on the Norwich School of Painters prior to a visit of the galleries. Exhibits include medieval armour, pottery and porcelain. The art gallery displays works by the Norwich School of Painters, including John Crome, whom many compare with Constable and John Sell Cotman, known for his watercolours. At the end of the afternoon we will return to the hotel for an evening at leisure. FRIDAY 11 MAY 2018 This morning after breakfast at the hotel we will travel to Wells-next-the-Sea for a private guided tour of Holkham Hall. One of England s finest Palladian country houses, Holkham Hall has been the seat of the Earls of Leicester and home of the Coke family for almost 250 years. Built by William Kent in for the first Earl, Holkham was undoubtedly influenced by nearby Houghton Hall, and is a fine example of the 18 th century Palladian style. The central block of State Rooms is linked by corridors to the four symmetrical blocks of rooms for ordinary use. The most striking room is the Marble Hall where Kent used fine English alabaster to magnificent and sumptuous effect. Holkham is renowned for its fabulous collection of art classical Greek and Roman statuary; paintings by Van Dyck, Rubens, Claude, Poussin and Gainsborough; a copy of Michelangelo s lost Bathers cartoon; and original furniture. The 3,000-acre park, with its mile-long lake, was landscaped by Capability Brown in 1762, and the formal terraces were laid out by Nesfield in Coffee will be served upon arrival and there will be free time for lunch in the restaurant following our visit. In the afternoon we will rejoin our coach and travel to East Ruston to visit East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens. Alan Gray and Graham Robeson incorporated innovative design and clever planting when they laid out their gardens around the Arts and Crafts Vicarage more than fifteen years ago, and today the site covers an area of 32 acres. We will return to our hotel for an evening at leisure. SATURDAY 12 MAY 2018 This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we will rejoin our coach and travel to Sandringham for a visit to Sandringham House. Hidden in the heart of 60 acres of beautiful wooded grounds, Her Majesty the Queen s charming country retreat is still maintained in the style of

3 Edward and Alexandra. The main ground floor rooms are full of treasured family ornaments, portraits and furniture, while the old stable-block now houses a Museum. In the gardens there are informal glades, dells, lawns and lakes, bordered by colourful shrubs, flowers and magnificent specimen trees. Here we will enjoy a free flow visit of the house with room stewards available to answer any questions, and an independent visit of the gardens. There will be free time for lunch in the main restaurant or in the Terrace Coffee Shop. In the afternoon we will continue with a free flow visit of Houghton Hall. Built in the 18th century by Sir Robert Walpole to designs by Colen Campbell, the interior decoration was undertaken by William Kent. It is regarded as one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in England. Situated in beautiful parkland, the house contains magnificent furniture, pictures and china. We will return to our hotel by coach and this evening will be at leisure. SUNDAY 13 MAY 2018 We will check out of the hotel after breakfast and travel to Saffron Walden for a visit to Audley End House. The house was inherited by Thomas Howard, Earl of Suffolk, who set about creating a house to entertain King James I. One of the greatest prodigy houses of Jacobean England, Audley End has been successively remodelled, ultimately by Robert Adam who added galleries and a suite of reception rooms. Capability Brown designed the beautiful English landscape garden and parkland. There will be free time for lunch on arrival followed by a free flow visit. This afternoon we will rejoin our coach and travel to London Gatwick for the early evening return EasyJet flight to the Isle of Man (please note that flights are not included in the tour price. Flight times have been taken from the 2017 schedule as the schedule for 2018 is not as yet available. Flight times may be subject to change). Please note that as this tour has been arranged many months in advance, the final itinerary may vary from the above.

4 PRACTICAL DETAILS TOUR PRICE 695 per person sharing a twin/double room 200 single room supplement PRICE INCLUDES Executive coach travel throughout 4 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the 4 star Maids Head Hotel Dinner in the hotel on the evening of arrival Guided tour of Ely Cathedral Local guide for a walking tour of Norwich Guided visit of Norwich Cathedral Short address at the Castle Museum Private guided visit of Holkham Hall All booking and entrance fees as per the itinerary OPTIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE Please see enclosed insurance details HOTEL DETAILS Maids Head Hotel (4 star) 20 Tombland Norwich Norfolk NR3 1LB For further details please visit their website FINANCIAL SECURITY ABTOT provides protection for your booking as set out in the Financial Protection clause of our Booking Conditions. PAYMENT DETAILS A deposit of 150 per person, plus the relevant insurance premium (if required), is due as soon as possible and no later than Wednesday 27 September Please note that as places on the tour are limited, bookings will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. The final balance will be due by Wednesday 28 February BOOKING & FINAL TRAVEL DETAILS To reserve your place on the tour, please send your completed booking form and deposit, together with your insurance premium (if required), to Heritage Group Travel. You will receive a confirmation of your booking combined with an invoice for the final balance, together with your insurance policy if requested. Please note that no reminder will be sent for the final balance. The final travel details (itinerary, hotel details and luggage label) will be available approximately days prior to travel. MINIMUM NUMBERS The price of the tour is based on a minimum of 25 participants. Charlotte House, 12 Charlotte Street Bath BA1 2NE Tel:

5 Great Houses of Norfolk Wednesday 09 - Sunday 13 May 2018 Please complete this form in BLOCK CAPITALS and return it to Heritage Group Travel, together with your deposit of 150 per person, plus your insurance premium (if required), as soon as possible and no later than Wednesday 27 September TITLE FIRST PERSON TITLE SECOND PERSON FIRST NAME FIRST NAME SURNAME SURNAME Name by which you wish to be known on tour (if different from above) Name by which you wish to be known on tour (if different from above) ADDRESS ADDRESS POST CODE POST CODE TELEPHONE MOBILE TELEPHONE MOBILE SPECIAL REQUESTS e.g. Dietary or health requirements, etc (Special requests cannot always be guaranteed) SPECIAL REQUESTS e.g. Dietary or health requirements, etc (Special requests cannot always be guaranteed) I/We would like to reserve the following room type Twin Double Single Supplement of 200 (subject to single room availability) If you intend sharing a room with someone not specified on this form please give their name below: Tour Reference:

6 Great Houses of Norfolk INSURANCE (optional for the UK) FIRST PERSON INSURANCE (optional for the UK) SECOND PERSON INSURANCE COMPANY: INSURANCE COMPANY: POLICY NO. POLICY NO. Or I/We wish to take Heritage Group Travel s insurance and enclose the completed form and premium of : Or I/We wish to take Heritage Group Travel s insurance and enclose the completed form and premium of : ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DATE OF BIRTH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DATE OF BIRTH NATIONAL TRUST MEMBER YES / NO (Please delete) NATIONAL TRUST MEMBER YES / NO (Please delete) PERSON TO CONTACT IN AN EMERGENCY NAME DAYTIME NO PERSON TO CONTACT IN AN EMERGENCY NAME DAYTIME NO MOBILE NO MOBILE NO All personal information is stored according to the guidelines set out under the Data Protection Act METHODS OF PAYMENT I/We wish to book place(s) on the tour and enclose a deposit of 150 per person. I/We enclose a cheque made payable to Heritage Group Travel for the sum of Please debit my VISA/MASTERCARD the sum of (a 1.5% credit card fee will be added to this amount) I/We have read Heritage Group Travel s booking conditions Signature Please debit my DEBIT CARD the sum of NAME OF CARDHOLDER CARD NO EXPIRY DATE Date Please telephone Heritage Group Travel on with your 3 digit security code as payment cannot be processed without this number and bookings cannot be confirmed until payment has been made. Charlotte House, 12 Charlotte Street, Bath BA1 2NE

7 BOOKING CONDITIONS Heritage Group Travel Ltd, which is hereinafter called The Company, holds ATOL number 3707 and ABTOT licence number The Client here means the person who makes a booking and any other persons included within that booking. All arrangements made by The Company on behalf of The Client are subject to The Company s Booking Conditions as set out herein. All arrangements are subject to the terms and conditions imposed by The Company s suppliers, including ferry companies, hotels, airlines, coach companies, insurance companies and other companies and / or individuals. The Company will accept responsibility for the actions/omissions of its employees. The Company will take all reasonable steps to ensure that all arrangements made are reliable and proper and that the suppliers of all relevant services are efficient and reputable. The Company will also accept responsibility for the actions/omissions of its agents, sub-contractors and suppliers within the scope of the contracted arrangements, subject to any limitations as laid down in international conventions which govern air, sea and land carriers. The Company will not accept responsibility for and will not be liable in respect of loss or damage or changes caused by Force Majeure events such as political unrest, civil unrest, hostilities, industrial disputes, technical problems, weather problems, traffic problems or any other such events beyond its control. If for reasons beyond the control of The Company the arrangements cannot be fulfilled The Company will make every effort to provide suitable alternative arrangements. Payment/Cancellation Terms The booking form sets out details of deposit payments, with dates by which deposits must be received in The Company s offices. The booking details also show the dates by which the final balance must be received in The Company s offices. The Company reserves the right to cancel any arrangements made and retain any deposits received if the schedule of payments is not adhered to. If for any reason The Client wishes to cancel the arrangements made then The Company must be notified in writing. Cancellation charges will be made on the following scale: Notice Period Cancellation Fee More than 56 days before departure Loss of deposit(s) 56 to 29 days before departure 30% (or deposit(s) if greater) 28 to 15 days before departure 60% 14 days to day of departure 100% NB. The above scale of cancellation charges does not apply where additional services (e.g. low-cost flights, concert tickets, etc) are not included in the tour price. Any refund due will be based on the basic tour price only. Financial Protection The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 for Heritage Group Travel, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following: 1. non-flight packages commencing in and returning to the UK; 2. non-flight packages commencing and returning to a country other than the UK; and 3. flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the UK, which are sold to customers outside of the UK. 1, 2 and 3 provides for a refund in the event you have not travelled. 1 and 3 provides for repatriation. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Heritage Group Travel. Prices Prices are based on a minimum number of participants as set out. If numbers do not reach the specified minimum by the balance date shown, The Company reserves the right to cancel all arrangements made and refund monies paid. Passports / Visas For travel outside the UK, British Citizens require a valid 10 year passport which normally needs 3-6 months validity remaining from the date of your return. We will notify you if a visa is required for travel to a country included in your itinerary. Complaints Most complaints can be dealt with on the spot either with the relevant supplier or with your tour leader. Failing a satisfactory outcome The Company must be contacted immediately and every effort will be made to rectify the matter. Should there be no satisfactory outcome, The Client must write to The Company within 14 days outlining the nature of the complaint. In the unlikely event that a dispute between a Client and The Company cannot be solved amicably, a low cost Independent Dispute Settlement may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to conclusion. This scheme is administered by an independent third party on behalf of the Association of Independent Tour Operators of which The Company is a member. ABTOT - Revised June 2016