If you need a word version please email the webmaster.
Alton information has already been emailed out to those joining the meet.
Flamborough is an old fishing village on the Yorkshire Coast it has a variety of shops including two fish and chip shops a excellent butchers a bakers and a large COOP which is well stocked. There are also 2 cafes in the village.
Flamborough also has 3 Pubs in the village centre The Royal Dog and Duck, The Ship Inn and the Rose and Crown all three, serve food and real ales it is advisable to book in advance. Just outside the main village between the village and the site is the Seabirds Inn again serving food. In the Direction of the North Landing are two further pubs serving food The Viking and the North Star.
There are also Cafes at both the North Landing and the lighthouse both serving meals and light refreshments.
Bridlington is the closest town to Flamborough and is about five miles away heading south down the coast it has several larger shops including Morrisons Aldi and Tesco. Again plenty of places to eat out.
Filey is 11 miles north a small seaside resort with numerous small shops cafes and pubs it also has a Tesco.
There is a regular bus service to Bridlington from the main road close to the site.
Things to see and do
Flamborough Lighthouse is a local landmark set on the main headland there are two lighthouses the current one which is still operational and the old one that is decommissioned there are cliff paths from the lighthouse in both direction with excellent views towards Scarborough and Bridlington.
Close to the Lighthouse is a Seal Colony on the beach below giving lovely views of seals on the beach . There is also the Sea watch observatory close by.
There is also great views of the Drinking Dinosaur rock formation
South Landing is the location for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Living Sea visitors Centre with a lovely little woodland walk that can be extended along the cliff path to the Lighthouse or even to the North Landing.
North Landing is on the North of the headland it has a cafe and a walk down onto the Beach with views up to if your lucky enough to see Puffins, the cliff walk south takes you to the Lighthouse.
Sewerby Hall and Gardens is between Flamborough and Bridlington it is a local authority run house and garden with a mini zoo on site there is ample parking on site admission price includes house, garden and zoo
RSPB Bempton Cliffs is a short drive away and is the home of one of the largest Gannet colonies in the e North admission is free to RSPB members there is a charge for non members. Along with Gannets there are Fulmars Puffins Razor Bills and Puffins, all should be arriving from wintering at sea and foreign lands to reclaim their nest sites.
Although Bempton is famous for its seabirds it also has numerous nesting Barn Owls and Short Eared Owls they can regularly be seen hunting on the surrounding fields and being challenged for their food by Kestrels. There is an excellent shop and tea shop.
Burton Agnes Hall and gardens is a 10 mile drive from Flamborough and is open daily from 11-5pm
Scarborough
On the headland stands Scarborough Castle owned by Heritage is only 18 miles north admission is free to members of English Heritage. Also in Scarborough is Peasholme Park admission to the Park is free.
Scarborough is currently experiencing regular sightings of Bottle Nosed Dolphins around the headland . For information on cetacean sightings ask Ian Rowley, who is a member of the Scarborough Cetacean Whats App group and get regular updates of sightings of the animals.
Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay both are historic fishing and smuggling places with the old narrow streets of Robin Hoods bay offering excellent photo opportunities of both the narrow streets and the rugged coastline.
Whitby has its famous Abbey an English Heritage property there are several shops in the town selling Whitby Jet Jewellery and its famous Whitby Kippers.
Starting on the Friday and running until Sunday its the early Goth weekend and ideal opportunity to capture some street images and portraits. The Goths are only too happy to pose for photographers. But please ask first.
Goathland and Grosmont are situated just over an hour away from Flamborough and are the home of the North York Moors Railway famous for its appearance in Harry Potter and the home of the TV series Heartbeat.
Gloucester Wildlife trust
Collin Park Wood
An area of semi-natural, ancient woodland lying within gently rolling countryside around the River Leadon. It consists mainly of small-leaved lime trees and sessile oak, but also has one of the highest concentrations of wild service tree in Gloucestershire. The fruit of this tree was once known as ‘chequers’ and sold in bunches as children’s sweets.
Collin Park Wood nature reserve is full of woodland flowers throughout spring and summer, including bluebell, foxglove, yellow archangel, wood sage and wood-sorrel.
Bird life is abundant throughout the year, with the distinctive calls of great and lesser spotted woodpeckers being joined by the gentle melodies of willow warblers, chiffchaff and blackcap.
Entry is free
There is some roadside parking along Brand Green Road
There are no grazing animals
There are two waymarked trails to follow
There is a wide gateway at the entrance
The woodland is steep in places and can be uneven underfoot depending on the weather
Dogs are permitted.
Ketford Banks
Between Redmarley and Dymock
Newent
Nearest postcode is GL18 2BL
Ketford Banks is a small, steep sandy bank, famed for its displays of wild daffodils in early spring. Along with daffodils, the reserve supports the buff-tailed bumble bees that are their main pollinators, and beautiful displays of bluebells and foxgloves in spring and summer.
Size- 1 hectare
Entry is free
Hebridean Sheep graze from late summer into winter
Walking trails
The reserve is reached from a public bridleway between Redmarley and Dymock, and is part of a local daffodil and poets’ trails
Access
The path at Ketford Banks is a bridleway, which means it can be used by pedestrians and horses, although its steepness means it’s inaccessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs and watch our for rabbit holes underfoot
Dogs are permitted on a lead.
The Banks are found at an elevated position, so on a clear day you can see west towards Wales, making this reserve one of the most interesting and photogenic of the remaining areas of wild daffodils in the county.
Buff-tailed bumblebees and frogs are frequent visitors, while nibbled hazelnuts show the nature reserve is home to wood mice and bank voles. Mature black poplar trees can also be spotted.
Vell Mill
Half a mile east of Dymock
Forest of Dean
The nearest postcode is GL18 2DG
One of the best surviving wild daffodil meadows and part of the 'Golden Triangle', this nature reserve forms part of the areas where, in the past, thousands of people would visit during the spring - traveling up from London on the train to pick the flowers to take back and sell.
Advances in agriculture were used to ‘improve’ Vell Mill’s grassland over the years, which meant it has been a long and carefully thought out process to encourage the return of wildflowers through haymaking and grazing.
Vell Mill’s daffodils are complemented by a young orchard. In 2011, over 60 traditional Gloucestershire varieties of apple, pear and plum trees were planted as a small step towards redressing the loss of 75% of the county’s orchards over the past 50 years.
Traditional orchards are important habitats for amphibians, mammals, birds, bats and more, which not only forage and feast upon the fruits and flowers, but upon the insects that thrive in these now rare habitats.
In time, this new young orchard will connect other traditional orchards in the area, enabling wildlife to move and colonies to merge and become more robust. The trees are likely to attract nesting birds such as green woodpecker, bullfinch, fieldfare, wren and song thrush, and insects such as bumblebee and noble chafer and stag beetles.
The Meadow is the ideal setting for wildflowers such as cowslip, common dog-violet, meadow vetchling, barren strawberry and greater stitchwort to flourish, which in turn attract butterflies such as brimstone and peacock.
Ledbury
Eastnor Castle
Eastnor Deer Park
Hellens Manor
Bibury
POI’s 20 – 25 June 2024 Cae Clyd camping and Touring Park
Airworld Aviation Museum – Open Saturday and Sundays 10.00 – 14.00 (last entry 15.00) Admission – Adults £7.00 Pensioners £5.00 Under 16’s £5.00
Address - Airworld Aviation Museum, Caernarfon Airport, Dinas Dinlle, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL54 5TP. (MAP) 10 minutes, 5 Miles from site
Website - https://www.airworldmuseum.com/
Located on the airfield of the former RAF Llandwrog, the museum has an impressive collection of aircraft and aviation memorabilia. The museum offers the opportunity to get close up to some historic aircraft. Set on an active airfield, the museum houses iconic machines such as the Hawker Hunter, D.H. Vampire, along with the only T2 BAe Harrier remaining worldwide. Please see our website for latest additions to the collection. Part of the museum is devoted to the creation of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service, started here at RAF Llandwrog in 1942, whilst other sections describe the wartime airfields of North Wales. The gift shop sells model kits and souvenirs. Free car parking on site.
Trefor is a village (MAP) 12 minutes (7 Miles) form the site on the northern coast of the Llŷn Peninsula, in Gwynedd, Wales. It had a population of 1,067 at the 2021 Census. Trefor is in the Community of Llanaelhaearn, and Llithfaen is nearby. There is a beach in Trefor and also a shop in the village centre. It was in the historic county of Caernarfonshire. The following places will need you to park up in Trefor and have a bit of a walk.
Trefor Sea Stacks – Always open (MAP)
Address - Sea Stacks, Llŷn Peninsula, Trefor, Caernarfon
Cei Trefor – Always open (MAP)
Address - Llanaelhaearn LL54 5LB
Traeth Trefor – Always open (MAP)
Address - Beach Rd, Caernarfon LL54 5LB
Caernarfon Castle – Open Daily 09.30 – 17.00 - Admission Adult £12.50, 65 plus £11.90, Children (5 – 17) £8.80
Address - Caernarfon Castle, Castle Ditch, Caernarfon LL55 2AY (MAP) 12 Miles (7.5 Miles) from Site
Website - https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caernarfon-castle#overview
Royal fortress-palace built on legends and bitter medieval conflict. Caernarfon Castle is recognised around the world as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages. This fortress-palace on the banks of the River Seiont is grouped with Edward I’s other castles at Conwy, Beaumaris and Harlech as a World Heritage Site. But for sheer scale and architectural drama Caernarfon stands alone. Here Edward and his military architect Master James of St George erected a castle, town walls and a quay all at the same time. This gigantic building project eventually took 47 years and cost a staggering £25,000.The castle was born out of bitter war with Welsh princes. So of course its immense curtain walls and daunting King’s Gate were designed to withstand assault. But the polygonal towers, eagle statues and multi-coloured masonry sent a more subtle message.
Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways – Open daily 09.00 – 16.00. Admission depends on what you want to do, and what trains are running 
Address - Harbour Station, Porthmadog LL49 9NF (MAP) 26 minutes (17 miles) from site.
Website - https://www.festrail.co.uk/
Outstanding scenery, comfortable carriages and historic steam engines await you here in the heart of Snowdonia. Glorious coastlines, ancient oak woodlands, mountains, rivers and castles, all beckon as you embark on your journey on our award winning railways. With some of the most comfortable carriages on any preserved railway – standard or narrow gauge – you can step back in time to a more civilised age. 
Cwmorthin Waterfall – Always open.
Address - Cwmorthin Rd, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41 3ST (MAP)
43 Minutes (26miles from Site)
From a recent review - Free carpark, waterfall was right there, walk past the falls up the steep path and onto the quarry then onto the next quarry. A few waterfalls and old buildings to look at on the way. Very scenic, absolutely beautiful, it's a good walk to get the heart pumping in places, but nothing to strenuous. Definitely worth a visit.
The following 3 places are very close together.
1, Llanberis Lake Railway – Trains form 11.00 
Address - Gilfach Ddu, Padarn Park, Llanberis, Caernarfon LL55 4TY (MAP). Admissions – Adults £10.50, Child £5.50, Concessions £9.50. 23 Minutes (14 Miles) from Site.
Website - https://www.lake-railway.co.uk/index.html
Our little steam engines take you on a five-mile return journey alongside Lake Padarn, right in the heart of Snowdonia. The journey takes you past the 13th century Dolbadarn Castle, across possibly Britain's shortest river and past Llanberis' twin lakes. From Llanberis the train runs non-stop through the Padarn Country Park, joining the 1845 slate railway route to run along the shores of Lake Padarn to Penllyn, and giving stunning views of Snowdon, the highest peak in England and Wales. There’s a short stop at Cei Llydan, a beautifully tranquil place that's ideal for a lakeside picnic, and at Gilfach Ddu, where you can visit the National Slate Museum, watch the driver stoking the fire, the engine taking water, or spend some time in our gift shop and cafe. The five mile return trip takes around 60 minutes, and all advertised trains are scheduled to be hauled by one of our vintage steam engines rescued from the nearby Dinorwic slate quarries and lovingly restored.
2, National Slate Museum – Open 10.00 – 17.00
Address Llanberis, Caernarfon LL55 4TY (MAP). Admissions – looks like it is free! 25 Minutes (14.5 Miles) from Site.
Website - https://museum.wales/slate (seems a very slow website to navigate)
From a recent review - Fab museum lots to see. Lovely surroundings too. Well laid out museum. Good videos and nice in person demo of how to slice slate and the tools they use. Nice to see the workers terraces rebuilt as they would have through time. Lovely cafe and nice gift shop too. Can't believe its a free museum. Easy to park and lots to see around the museum too like the railway and walks by the water.
3, Dolbadarn Castle – Open 10.00 – 16.00
Address - A4086, Caernarfon LL55 4UB (MAP) Admissions – Free. 25 minutes (14.5 Miles) from site.
Website - https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/dolbadarn-castle 
Occupying a lofty, lonely spot overlooking the waters of Llyn Padarn, native-built Dolbadarn Castle was once a vital link in the defences of the ancient kingdom of Gwynedd. Most likely constructed by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) in the late 12th or early 13th century, it stood watch over the strategic route inland from Caernarfon to the upper Conwy Valley. Today the site is dominated by the sturdy round tower, very different in style to the unmortared slate slabs which make up the castle’s curtain walls. Standing 50ft/15.2m high, the tower’s design was probably inspired by that of similar fortresses built by Llywelyn’s rivals in the borderlands of the southern Marches.
Dinorwic Slate Quarry – Very little information and is a bit of a walk if you are up for it. There are some great shots to be had here if you are fit and able.
Address - Unnamed Road, Caernarfon LL55 (MAP) 32 Minutes (15 Miles) from site.
From a recent review - Absolutely loved this place, and glad I visited spent hours just wandering around this huge site. Parking at the bottom where you start the walk up to the quarry, beautiful views from the platform and loved seeing all the sheep and goats near the barrack houses.
National Trust - Plas Newydd House and Gardens – Open 10.30 – 17.00
Address - Llanfairpwllgwyngyll LL61 6DQ (MAP) Admission – Adult £7.50, Child £3.75.
Website - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/plas-newydd-house-and-garden
Plas Newydd is an enchanting mansion and gardens, with spectacular views of Snowdonia and the Menai Strait. Home of the Marquess of Anglesey, its previous historic residents include the 1st Marquess, who lost his leg during the Battle of Waterloo, and the flamboyant 5th Marquess. This elegant 18th century house is an interesting mixture of classical and Gothic which also boasts Rex Whistler’s 58-foot mural.
The Grade I-listed gardens include the Terraces, Rhododendron Garden and Australasian Arboretum. Perfect for enjoying an outdoor adventure, garden highlights include a hand-built treehouse, nature hides, Frisbee™ golf course, playground and resident red squirrels.
Salisbury Cathedral – incl. Magna Carta
Salisbury museum
Mompesson House ( NT ) – used to film Sense & Sensibility
Stonehenge ( EH )
Old Sarum (EH )
Wilton House (HHA – free, EH -2 for 1) Not open Fri & Sat
Boscombe Down Aviation Collection
Bluestones Vineyards
Langford Lakes – wild birds & bird hides. Free to enter and free parking
Cholderston Rare Breeds Farm
Hawk Conservancy Trust – nearer to Andover
Salisbury Playhouse & Arts Centre
Odeon Cinema in Salisbury
Other info
There are 3 park & ride car parks around Salisbury
Stonehenge has a huge car park quite a walk away from the Henge but there is a courtesy bus service.
Sefton details will be added shortly.
Princes Risborough is a historic market town with a population of about 7000 so there is the usual smattering of pubs, take-aways, nail-bars, hairdressers and charity shops…...but it is the Gateway to the Chilterns AONB and a fantastic place to live. (52 years and counting for us). Our site is on the hilltop overlooking the town with magnificent views west across the vale towards Oxford – sunset opportunities abound.
Ridgeway Long Distance Footpath
The school site is bounded by the footpath on one side and our garden on the other – well part of it anyway, so for those who enjoy walking Avebury is only 65 miles along the path to the west and Ivinghoe Beacon is 22 miles to the east, an easy days walk. If you want to see Rishi (Prime Minister at time of writing) Chequers is about 3 miles along the path from our site and the path goes through his front garden but you will be observed by armed policemen and on television. The Ridgeway also passes Whiteleaf Cross, an ancient chalk cross cut into the hill behind the town and within an easy (less than 1 mile) walk from our site before reaching Coombe Hill at 852 ft the highest point in the Chilterns overlooking 7 counties, Chequers, Wendover, Aylesbury and all the devastation that is HS2. Coombe Hill is National Trust with a free-to-all car park which is motorhome accessible but busy at weekends. Dozens of footpaths and cycle routes radiate from the vicinity of the school into the surrounding Green Belt and Chiltern Hills.
Public transport is good.
High Wycombe or Aylesbury with links to Marlow, Henley, Milton Keynes etc
The above towns are available by public bus service.. The bus stop is about 5 minutes walk down the hill with buses (approx every 20 mins).
Chiltern Line - train station –, voted best operator for many years, is less than 15 minutes walk from our site. Trains to London take 45 minutes (fast) or 55 minutes (slow) and run at least every 30 minutes into Marylebone Station or to Bicester, Oxford or Birmingham in the other direction. There is also a steam train service from Princes Risborough station to Chinnor that has a regular service at weekends and during most days in the school holidays, a pleasant trip of about 5 miles along the base of the Chiltern Ridge. - often using steam engines borrowed from other rescued railways as well as their own steamers. Also the Buckinghamshire Railway Museum at Quainton has regular ‘Steam Days’ with a rebuilt station about 15 miles away but very close to Waddesdon Manor if you want to double-up on the day’s excitement.
Wildlife in the area –
Red Kites are the main local attraction.
Every day they visit our site and spend hours circling above the school fields and adjoining open green-belt land in search of prey and crisps and on one occasion my dinner that had been put out to thaw! They will happily steal from tables, and they are big when close up - you have been warned! Other than kites we have squirrels, badgers and muntjac deer as regular visitors.
(Daisy will have gone by then but Barry may well have another puppy to entertain us. For those of you who don’t know me, Daisy is a Hearing Dog we have trained and Barry also trains them)
Places to visit – we are well served by the National Trust with four big houses within 15 miles. Waddesdon Manor, home of the Rothchilds; Clivedon, home of the Astors and where Mandy Rice-Davies and her friend Christine Keeler used to ‘play’.
West Wycombe Park and House, home of the Dashwood family with the Hell-Fire Club and caves (open to the public but not Nat Trust) and Hughenden Manor where Disraeli used to entertain rich guests. All well worth a visit and very photogenic.
Marlow and Henley are both fine towns with plenty of photo opportunities as are the many villages in the vicinity of the Thames such as Turville (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Windmill once owned by Hayley Mills) where Vicar of Dibley was filmed, Hambleden with a big weir where one of the country’s top slalom canoe clubs holds regular competitions – brilliant photo opportunities and many other very old villages with flint houses, thatched cottages and other ‘chocolate-box’ photos to add to your collections. Many used as film sets for Morse and Midsummer Murders as well as BBC drama series and Downton Abbey etc, too numerous to mention.
Lacy Green Windmill is within sight of our pitches, owned by the Chiltern Society and the oldest of its kind in the country, open on Sundays all year but probably more often in School holidays, walk to it across the fields and enjoy a pint in the Whip pub next door. (or the Black Horse or the Pink & Lilly both highly recommended).
Bledlow another village less than 3 miles away is home to Lord Carrington whose gardens are sometimes open to the public and well worth seeing, as are the Lyde Water Gardens and the Red Lion pub, all have nearby motorhome accessible parking.
If you want a really good meal whilst helping a charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People have their headquarters less than 4 miles from our site and the bus stops outside if you don’t want to drive. The on-site restaurant serves amazing breakfasts and lunches with cream teas a speciality in the afternoon. The whole site is dog-friendly with secure areas to exercise any four-legged friends. I am hoping to arrange a guided tour with demonstration of the work that these incredible life-changing dogs can do to for their deaf partners. (Plenty of parking for motorhomes)
Also in the area, about 4 miles away is one of NATO’s main sites. Formerly known as Strike Command and prior to that it was Bomber Command from where ‘Bomber’ Harris controlled our sorties during WW2. His autograph was on display in the local village Post Office when I first moved here but its long since closed. The bunker at the site goes down about 7 storeys if I remember correctly (I’ve been in it – spooky) and I may be able to arrange a site visit for anyone interested in how our air defences are still managed from this hilltop between High Wycombe and Princes Risborough .
So back to Princes Risborough itself.
An Esso garage is less than half a mile away. The Bell pub opposite the garage sells beer. The Bird in Hand pub on Station Road, 10 minute walk, small friendly hostelry, George & Dragon on the High Street, recently (Jan 24) changed hands but is getting good reviews. Miya is a new Japanese restaurant in the High Street which gets good reviews.
Radhuni Indian restaurant in the Market Square for excellent Indian food, and CoCo Tamarind on the Aylesbury Road (2 miles) is also excellent. Prince of India in the High Street also good.
The fish & chip shop in the Market Square has won awards for the quality of their cuisine, good stuff considering how far we are from the coast.
Food shops
There is a Coop within 5 minutes walk and a Tesco within 15 minutes walk. Tesco car park will be tight for anything bigger than a campervan.
Marks & Spencer (food shop) also within 10 minutes walk so altogether an amazing place to spend 5 days in August.
If you want to see more of the location just use Google Maps Street View and ‘enter’ the school via Merton Road, you can see our van on the right about halfway up the school drive! I could list all the websites but if you just ‘google’ anything you’re interested in I’m sure there will be an entry. If not you could always ask me via meets@photogroup.co.uk
Hope to see you here in August,
Peter.
POI’s Horsley Club Site 17 – 22 October 2024
RHS Garden Wisley – open Mon – Fri 10.00 – 16.30 Sat & Sun 09.00 – 16.30 (last entry 15.30)
Admission - Free if you are a member or Adult £18.50, Child £9.25 (slightly more for gift aid)
Address - RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley Lane Surrey GU23 6QB (MAP). 20 Minutes (8 Miles) from site.
Website - https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
People come to Wisley for so many reasons – to enjoy and learn about our renowned plant collections, to get advice and inspiration for their own gardens, to take part in workshops and events, to spend time with family and friends, and simply to relax among beautiful surroundings. From its beginnings, Wisley has been about plantsmanship and experimentation, and it continues in that spirit today. In summer 2021, we opened RHS Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science, a state-of-the-art science building surrounded by three spectacular new gardens that embrace the latest ideas in horticulture, as well as opening our new Trials Garden.
Hatchlands Park – Open 10.00 – 17.00
National trust
(house not always open, Check before you go!)
Admission – Adult £12.00, Child £6.00. (slightly more if gift aid) not sure if this includes house or just gardens.
Address - East Clandon, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7RT (MAP) 12 minutes (4 Miles) from site.
Website - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/hatchlands-park
Hatchlands Park was built in the 1750s for naval hero Admiral Edward Boscawen and his wife Fanny, since then it has housed wealthy families, a finishing school for girls and even a printing press. Today you can visit the parkland or stop for coffee in the Kitchen Café all year round. You can also see inside our house on six afternoons a week, between March and October. Take the time to wander through our 400 acres of rolling parkland and woodland, one of the largest country estates in the area and full of year round seasonal colour. You can follow waymarked walks, enjoy the tranquillity of our garden, discover areas of the park partly landscaped by Humphry Repton or bring the family to experience our natural adventure area for children.
Newlands Corner –
Address - Albury Downs, Guildford, Surrey GU4 8SE (MAP). 13 minuites (6 Miles) from site.
Website - https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/countryside/sites/visitor-information/newlands-corner
This Surrey flagship site has been a well-known and much-loved space for public use for many years situated above Chilworth and Albury villages outside Guildford. It is right in the heart of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) with many viewpoints and benches, facilities, large areas of woodland, some of them ancient, and chalk downland on the lower grassy slopes.
Stoke Park – open daily from 8am. The gardens close at dusk/8pm or whichever is sooner.
Address - Nightingale Rd, Guildford GU1 1ER (MAP) 17 Minuites (8.2Miles) from site.
Website - https://www.guildford.gov.uk/article/25340/Visiting-Stoke-Park
Stoke park is Guildford's largest and most popular award winning park. There are 52 hectares of unspoiled rolling grassland and open views across Guildford. Why not explore our recently restored Japanese garden or cool off on a hot day in the paddling pool? You can play minigolf, have fun in the playground, enjoy snacks at the park kiosk, relax in our rose garden or enjoy walking your dog in the 52 hectares (dogs must be kept on lead in our gardens). There is something for everyone at Stoke Park.
Newark Priory –
The ruins of Newark Priory are located between Ripley and Pyrford in Surrey.
Newark Priory was one of the monasteries that was dissolved during the reign of King Henry VIII.
Today Newark Priory is listed as a Grade 1 Ancient Monument. It is located upon private land but can be viewed whilst walking along the river Wey between Pyrford and Ripley.
Address - Newark Ln, Near Ripley Surrey, Ripley GU23 6DP (MAP). 10 Minutes (4.2 Miles) from Site.
Taken from a review - Amazing priory, great views from tow path of River Wey, very remote location, unfortunately you cannot visit the priory as it’s on private land. But never the less well worth a stroll along the tow path to get the stunning views of quite a substantial ruined priory.
Brooklands Museum – Open 10.00 – 17.00
Admission (purchased in advance) Adult £22.70, Children 4-17 £9.50 under 4’s Free. Address - Brooklands Dr, Weybridge KT13 0SL (MAP). 22 Minutes (8 Miles) from Site.
Website - https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/
Step back in time to the days of innovation, determination and record-breaking on the site of the world’s first race track. Discover supersonic flight with Concorde and get up close to the aircraft designed, built and flown at Brooklands. Explore the historic site brought to life through interactive collections of motor vehicles, aircraft and real-life experiences. Hear the stories of the pioneering men and women that shaped the world of motoring and aviation. Re-live the thrills and glamour of speed and flight, from over 100 years of great British history at Brooklands Museum.
Painshill – Open 10.00 – 18.00 last entry at 16.00
Admission – Adult £11.00, Concessions £10.00, Children £6.00.Under 5’s Free (purchased in advance) HHA (Private)
Address – Painshill Cobham, Surrey, KT11 1JE Closest sat nav ref is KT11 1BE (MAP) 12 Minutes (4.5 Miles) from site.
Website - https://www.painshill.co.uk/
Painshill is an award-winning 18th century landscape garden where you are invited to walk around a work of art. Winding paths will take you on a journey to discover a living canvas with beautiful vistas and dramatically placed garden buildings. Stroll around the Serpentine Lake, wander through woodland and promenade past follies, including the Ruined Abbey, Gothic Temple and Turkish Tent. It’s a photographer’s paradise where, with each turn you take, you will discover a picture perfect view. Offering everything from history to outdoor play, Painshill is a day out that delights every member of the family. Buy a day ticket to experience an important piece of English heritage or become a member and enjoy seeing the seasons change. A Grade I listed landscape garden, Painshill was created between 1738 and 1773 by the Honourable Charles Hamilton after he was inspired by landscape painting. From the sparkling Crystal Grotto to the enchanting Gothic Tower, each of the beautifully unique buildings celebrates a different styles of architecture. Other key features include the Waterwheel, a quaint Hermitage hidden in the woods and the Painshill Vineyard. Find out more about the history of the landscape and Hamilton’s vision by downloading the audio tour. For families there is a natural play area and wildlife spotting trails as well as wildflower meadows in which to run around in and get
back to nature. Dogs are very welcome, on short leads. You can enjoy a walk for 2 – 3 hours at Painshill or there are shorter accessible routes. Make it a full day out by bringing a picnic or visiting Mr Hamilton’s Tea Room for some delicious treats and refreshments. Don’t forget to pop by the Painshill Garden Shop to view an extensive range of gifts, souvenirs, decorations and even Painshill’s very own Sparkling Wine.
National Trust - Polesden Lacey – Open Various check website.
Admission – Adult £15.00, Child £7.50,
Address - Polesden Rd, Great Bookham, Leatherhead RH5 6BD (MAP) 17 Minutes (6.6 Miles) from Site.
Website - http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesden-lacey
In the Surrey Hills, just 25 miles from London, Polesden Lacey is ideal for spending time with family and friends. The genius of the garden is its setting with glorious views of Ranmore Common and rolling parkland. A landscape virtually unchanged since medieval times. Daffodils fill the lawns in spring, whilst the summer highlights are the abundant Rose garden and stunning herbaceous borders. Deckchairs on the South Lawn make it easy to take in the far-reaching views; perfect for picnics or grab a scoop of local dairy ice cream. Autumn offers golden colour across the landscape and from December the winter garden brings colour and fragrance. The house was the weekend retreat of Margaret Greville. From brewer’s daughter to friend of Kings and Queens, the house is overflowing in rich social history. Remodelled by architects Mewès and Davis, hot off their successful refurbishment of the Ritz hotel, the house interiors are a showpiece in their own right, brimming with opulence and luxury. Margaret Greville was a wealthy and discerning collector of art and objects. In her lifetime she amassed a surprisingly varied collection including Dutch and British Masters, Italian and Sicilian Maiolica and fine French furniture. Join a guided tour in the mornings or wander through at your leisure in the afternoons. Boasting a large shop and plant sales, there is bound to be something to inspire you from your visit.
Windsor Castle – Open 10.00 – 17.15 Last admission 16.00
Admission – Adult £30.00, Young person (18-24) £19.50, Child (5-17) £15.00 Under 5 Free. (purchased in advance)
Address - Windsor SL4 1NJ There is no visitor car parking at the Castle, so we recommend you use public car parks in the town centre. Details about parking in Windsor town centre can be found onwww.windsor.gov.uk (MAP) 44 Minutes (23 Miles) From Site.
Website - https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It is open to visitors throughout the year. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has since been the home of 40 monarchs.
Wakehurst – Open 10.00 – 16.30 (last entry 16.00)
(Kew Gardens)
Admission – Adult £16.50, Young person (17-25) £8.25, Child (0-16) Free
Address - Selsfield Rd, Haywards Heath RH17 6TN (MAP) 52 Minuites (37.3 Miles) from Site.
Website - http://www.kew.org/wakehurst
Taken from a recent review - Beautiful house and beautiful gardens. So much more to see than you can fit in on one visit. Would be good to compare different seasons too. Absolute highlight was the canopy walk up in the roof of the manor house to see the repairs in progress?