Short Breaks

Visit to East Anglia ...26th to 29th April 2010

As is usually the case we had sunny weather for our visit to East Anglia, so we all set off in high spirits on the Monday morning. Our lady coach driver proved to be wonderful although she did arrive a little late. Our first stop in Cambridge allowed us to stretch our legs and to see parts of the city which the Blue Badge guide knew so well. We met our tour leader Caroline there and she stayed with us for the next four days. We had been “bumped out” of our original hotel in Norwich with only a few days notice, but the alternative was great. The Georgian House Hotel did us proud with comfortable rooms, good food and friendly staff.

On the second day we went to Holkam Hall on the north coast of Norfolk and it was an interesting, informative visit. In the afternoon we had little time to see everything at the Norwich Museum, but Evensong at Norwich Cathedral was a highlight for many. It is an amazingly huge and wonderous building and sitting in the Choir with singing all around us was superb. The next day we went to Robert Walpole’s home of Houghton Hall and were able to contrast it with Holkham. Some of us were lucky enough to meet the nanny pushing around the “ heir and spare” twin boys who are under a year old.

For me our visit to Sandringham in the afternoon was the highlight of the Short break. On a lovely, sunny afternoon, and looking around independently, we toured the church, the private rooms in the main house and the beautiful gardens. The staff were delightful and knowledgeable and the rooms so light and welcoming.

Our final day took us to Blickling Hall which has a wonderful garden, the bluebells just coming out. It is a National Trust property and the guides in each room were, as you would expect, very well versed on their subject. The yew hedge on either side of the main entrance is amazing.

Our final leg stretch and visit was done in a slight drizzle at Wicken Fen. We were lucky that two ladies had come especially to show us around an original cottage, and some people managed the boardwalk around the Visitor Centre. This place, like everywhere else on a Short Break requires more time and investigation. A super trip with a lovely group of people.

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Short Breaks 2010

Our away visit takes us to Northern Ireland with a flight to Belfast. This trip is going from 13th to 17th September 2010, but the itinerary has to be finalised. We will visit The Giant's Causeway of course, Castle Coole near Enniskillen followed by a subterranean boat trip, Mount Stewart House and gardens, The Argory in Armagh City, and places of interest in Belfast itself. As with all our away trips the hotel will provide a supper on the first evening, but folks then generally get into smaller groups to eat out in any number of local restaurants. Never having visited Ireland the short breaks organiser is excited by the prospect.

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Each visit usually begins and ends on a coach in Warwick with all coaches, airline tickets (where appropriate), transfers, cost of guides and entries included in the overall price.

For further information on buying tickets for events see Home Page.

For more information on Short Breaks and the availability of tickets please contact shortbreaks@rlsdfas.org.uk