Plan-It travel

 

Tue 3rd June

Lea Valley Cruise

The River Lea or Lee flows from Hertford to the Thames and was for centuries an important highway into London. Today it is mainly pleasure boats and water birds that travel up and down the river in place of the barges carrying coal. The Great Bed of Ware, now in the V&A, was made as an advertising gimmick for this coaching town on the Old North Road from London to York & Scotland. It is still a good place to stop for lunch. Market day is Tuesday. In the afternoon we board the boat at Broxbourne for an hour and a half of gentle cruising through quiet countryside. This is the Lee Valley Park, an important reserve for wild birds with more area covered by water than the Norfolk Broads. A cream tea, included in the tour price, will be served before we return to the wharf to head home by 4-45pm. (Includes Cruise & Cream Tea)
TCM £18.00 NM £21.00 Depart Code D

Fri 6th June

Friday Fish Supper

Sit back and enjoy a scenic drive through the Kent countryside. We spend some time in Bexhill before making our way to the Wheatsheaf Public House at Littlecommon for a very enjoyable fish and chip supper. Choice of 3 starters, 5 main courses and 3 desserts (choice on the day). (Includes Supper)
TCM £18.50 NM £21.50 Depart Code J

Sat 7th June

Sluis & Blankenberg

Four countries in one trip, through France and Belgium to Sluis, a typical Dutch town just across the Belgian/Dutch border. Then back along the Belgian coast to Blankenberge, Belgium’s “Blackpool”, the home of “mussels and chips”, our channel crossings are made via Euro-Tunnel.
(Passports Required)
TCM £27.00 NM £30.00 Depart Code A

Sun 8th June

Kennet & Avon Canal Cruise
& Marlborough

In the morning we visit attractive Marlborough for shopping, sightseeing and for lunch. The High Street is said to be the widest in England with specialist shops (particularly designer women’s wear), pubs and restaurants, many set under the 17c arcades, known as penthouses. In the afternoon, by coach to Kintbury to join the horse drawn barge Kennet Valley, a romantic spectacle with the horses Hannah and Bonny decked out in their traditional harness and decoration. To the sound of water lapping the Hull, hear the history of the canal and the men who built and worked it. Savour the gentle peace of 18c England as you enjoy the afternoon sun. (Includes boat ride)
TCM £24.00 NM £27.00 Depart Code C

Wed 11th June

A Day in the Royal Landscape

During the morning enjoy a scenic coach tour telling the story of Windsor Great Park and the Royal Landscape with a stop to visit the Windsor Farm Shop before arriving in Windsor for lunch. Our afternoon is dedicated to The Savill Garden, which began life some seventy years ago when Sir Eric Savill started developing a boggy area of the Great Park encouraged by King George V and Queen Mary. Today it is recognised as one of Britain’s greatest ornamental gardens and never fails to charm. In summer the huge herbaceous borders are simply astonishing.
TCM £14.00 NM £17.00 Depart Code E

Sat 14th June

Dorset & Hampshire Explorer Tour

Stopping en-route at Guildford Cathedral for coffee, we continue via the New Forest to Christchurch for lunch. Christchurch is uniquely situated on the confluence of the Rivers Stour & Avon on the shores of its own harbour, and has an attractive blend of historic buildings, beautiful beaches, exclusive shops and restaurants. Afterwards we make our way via pretty Hampshire villages, stopping at Winchester for afternoon tea. Winchester retains more of its mediaeval character and buildings than any other town in the UK.
TCM £15.00 NM £18.00 Depart Code C

Sun 15th June

Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum & Village

We make our way to Hungerford for a coffee stop, then onto Lacock Abbey. Founded in 1232, many parts of this fine Abbey have survived largely intact. The 16th-century stable courtyard has a clock-house, brewery and bake-house, and the Victorian woodland groups include an 18th-century summerhouse and Victorian rose garden. The village dates from the 13th century. Museum dedicated to W.H Fox Talbot, photographic pioneer.
(National Trust Members Deduct £8.50)
TCM £22.00 NM £26.00 Depart Code B

Wed 18th June

Ashdown Forest Tour & Cream Tea at Heaven Farm

We travel down to the Ashdown Forest where a local farmer will board the coach and be our guide for a delightful afternoon tour, we end our day with cream tea at Heaven Farm, a remarkably intact 170 year old farm now preserved as a living museum. (Includes Guide & Cream Tea)
TCM £17.50 NM £20.50 Depart Code F

Thur 19th June

The Old Kent Coast

Today we visit Broadstairs, a favourite summer resort of Charles Dickens who described it as a place left high and dry by the tide of years. Douglas Fairbanks junior and Mary Pickford honeymooned here and Edward Heath sang in the church choir. The town still maintains an air of gentility. Enjoy some fresh seafood and visit a classic Broadstairs Italian ice cream parlour. Our afternoon stop is Ramsgate.
TCM £13.00 NM £16.00 Depart Code G

Sat 21st June

De – Panne

Situated in West Flanders, with long sandy beaches, lively promenade, bars, restaurants and a town of colourful shops, De Panne in one of Belgium’s top seaside resorts.
(You will need a valid EU passport)
TCM £27.00 NM £30.00 Depart Code A

Mon 23rd June

St Mary’s House & Gardens

We drive through pretty country roads, to Brighton for time to look around this popular resort and to enjoy some lunch. In the afternoon we visit St Mary’s House and Victorian “secret” Garden, with afternoon refreshments included. Guided tours tell of previous owners and of the TV programmes that have been located there, including Dr Who. The Gardens contain amusing topiary the “Living Fossil” tree and the mysterious ivy-clad Monk’s Walk.
A fascinating house with mystery, picturesque charm with atmosphere of friendliness and welcome. (Includes Admission)
TCM £20.00 NM £23.00 Depart Code E

Wed 25th June

Luncheon Club Venue

TCM ONLY £20.00 per person Depart Code G

Sat 28th June

Bath

We make our way via Stonehenge to the city of Bath, one of England’s tourist gems which has been welcoming visitors for over two millennia. From the moment you arrive you will feel the wealth of heritage and soak up the culture in one of the UK’s best loved cities.
TCM £16.00 NM £19.00 Depart Code B

Sun 29th June

Hemingford Abbots Flower Festival

The first flower show was held in 1964 … more than forty years on bi-ennial event continues and has become a regular fixture in the calendars of garden lovers and those who wish to soak up the atmosphere of a traditional English village on a summer’s day. Twenty-five homes open their gardens to the public revealing a multitude of styles and designs from modern landscapes to traditional cottage gardens. One thing all have in common is the many hundreds of hours of careful preparation and hard toil in order to ensure everything is in peak condition at the right time. Although the results speak for themselves, visitors are clearly impressed reflecting only that there is not enough time to visit every garden. Rest and refreshment is on hand for the foot-weary. Home made cakes and teas are served at a number of idyllic garden settings. The sound of brass bands and church bells adds a fitting backdrop to this snapshot of rural England at its best. (Includes Admission)
TCM £23.00 NM £25.00