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Friday
Morning departure with stop for coffee before we arrive at Oxford approx lunch time.
There is the option of a guided tour of the Bodleian Library @ 14.00 (limited numbers) OR a
walking tour of Oxford, please let me know your choice asap or of course you are welcome to do your own thing & explore this fascinating city of Spires at your own pace.
Overnight at Marriott Hotel Northampton
Chance to use leisure facilities before dinner.
Saturday
After a good breakfast, check out.
Our first visit today will be Sulgrave Manor a Tudor and Georgian house built by direct ancestors of George Washington, the first President of the United States. Discover how Civil War, financial ruin, and a shipwreck led to the Washington's great grandfather seeking a fresh start in the New World. Sulgrave Manor is unique in that funds were raised for the purchase by both sides of the Atlantic through public subscription and now it is held in trust for the people of the UK and USA.
This afternoon a visit to Thenford House Sculpture Garden and Arboretum, the private gardens of Lord & Lady Heseltine who very kindly open them for charity four afternoons per year to selected groups. Explore the 70 acres of arboretum and ornamental gardens. The arboretum has been created since 1977 under the guidance of Michael and Anne Heseltine and contains more than 3,500 different specifies of trees and shrubs. The collection contains rare plants, many of which were wild-collected by well known plants men. The Rill is a series of nine formal ponds, each spouting four jets d’eau which exit under a stone bridge into a series of woodland pools, leading down to the two lakes. There is a sculpture garden which consists of separate ‘rooms’ displaying contemporary sculpture, mainly by British artists. The old walled kitchen garden was completely rethought in the late 1990’s, The area, which is approximately two acres, is in four sections – an herb garden, an aviary, a soft-fruit garden, and a quiet sitting area with a small pool.
There will be teas/cakes available to purchase.
All proceeds from todays opening including entry is given to a local charity.
Included in the price of the break
Coach with pickups, Forde Park, Railway Station, B&Q Newton Abbot,
Greenhill Way route, Kingsteignton & Exeter Services
Dinner Bed & Breakfast at Marriott Hotel Northampton
Either guided tour of Bodleian Library OR walking tour at Oxford
Entry to Sulgrave Manor
Entry to Lord & Lady Heseltine's Garden @ Thenford
COST £125 PER PERSON SHARING
Single supplement £20 (limited availability)
£25 per person deposit with booking
Balance due by 1st September
Please note insurance is not included | 
