Trip: Highnam Court & The Holy Innocents Church, Gloucester

Date/Time
Date(s) - 22nd Jul 2021
11:00-17:00

Location
Highnam Court

Categories


Postponed from 24th June.

We are very fortunate to have been given the opportunity of a talk on Highnam Court together with a tour of the Music, Dining and Gold Rooms on the ground floor. A sandwich lunch including homemade cakes and tea/coffee will be served in the Orangery, after which we will have at least an hour to explore the wonderful gardens and enjoy the roses at our own pace. (Please note that disabled access is limited due to gravel paths and stairs into the Orangery.)

At 15:00 we will be driven round to The Holy Innocents Church for a private 45-minute guided tour. The craftsmanship throughout the church is exceptional, including stunning windows and wall paintings. Do bring a cardigan! Our coach will then depart about 16:15.

Highnam Court was built in 1658 after the original house was seriously damaged in the Civil War. The design is linked to Ernest Carter who was a pupil of Inigo Jones. The Highnam Estate was bought in 1838 by Thomas Gambier Parry, who was an accomplished artist, musician and art collector. This talented painter is also responsible for the magnificent frescoes in Highnam Church. He started to lay out his garden in 1840, and by 1874 it rivalled any in the UK. Unfortunately since the turn of the last century almost nothing had been done in the gardens. When Roger Head became the owner in 1994 the gardens were totally overgrown but they have been totally and lovingly restored to their former glory, with many new additions being made to complement and enhance the original design.

The Holy Innocents Church Highnam is a Grade I Listed Building, one of the most significant Victorian churches in the country. It was commissioned by Thomas Gambier Parry and consecrated in 1851. The architecture is gothic revival style and the church is decorated throughout with frescoes painted by Parry. His son Hubert inherited the estate and is best remembered for his musical setting for Blake’s poem Jerusalem and much other memorable church music.

Image courtesy of Highnam Church

Group Leaders: Sue Reeves & Martha Alleguen

COST PER PERSON: £30.00

Pick-up points: Sixways (outside Co-op) 10:45, Royal Well Coach Station 10:55, Evesham Road Pittville Pump Room bus stop (northbound) 11:05.

You are welcome to join us at Highnam using your own transport, at your own risk. Please arrive at 11:45am.

If you have any questions please phone Martha on 01242 526601.

Please book using one of the following options:

  • On-line bookings with a debit or credit card can be made using the form below. Alternatively you may reserve your place, select the ‘off-line’ payment option and pay by bank transfer or cheque.
  • Bank transfer – please email events@friendsofthewilson.org.uk and wait for confirmation that places are available before arranging your bank transfer.
  • Cheque – please complete a booking form (download here) and post it with your cheque.

Places are not confirmed until payment is received.

Bank transfers should be made to Friends of The Wilson (or as much of that as the bank will accept) Sort Code 30-91-87 Account 00005816. The reference must include your surname plus as much of the event title as will fit, for example SMITH Highnam.

Please make cheques payable to Friends of The Wilson and send with a SAE or clearly written email address to Martha Alleguin,7 Sydenham Road South, Cheltenham GL52 6EF.

Bookings open 7th May.

Bookings

Bookings are now closed for this event.