Date/Time
Date(s) - 16th Jul 2020
11:00-17:00
Location
Highnam Court
Categories
Due to the continuing uncertainty caused by the coronavirus and our responsibility to maintain the safety of our members, the visit to Highnam on 16th July 2020 has been postponed until 15th June 2021. If you have made a booking for 2020 we will contact you shortly to arrange a refund.
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 there are gravelled paths so disabled access is limited.)
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. Our coach will then depart about 16:00.
Highnam Court was built in 1658 after the original house was seriously damaged in the Civil War. The Highnam Estate was bought in 1838 by Thomas Gambier Parry, who was an accomplished artist, musician and art collector, and by 1874 the gardens rivalled any in the UK. When the process of restoration by current owner Roger Head started in 1994 the gardens were completely 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.
Group Leader: Sue Reeves
COST PER PERSON: £30.00.
Pick-up points: Sixways (outside Co-op) 11:00, Royal Well Coach Station 11:10, Westall Green 11:20.
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, or Paypal account, 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 or available in the Friends’ newsletter) and post it with your cheque.
Places are not confirmed until payment is received.
Bank transfers should be made to Friends of Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum (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 Alleguen, 7 Sydenham Road South, Cheltenham GL52 6EF.
Bookings
Bookings are now closed for this event.