Extended Run Announce for the Bond In Motion Exhibition at The National Motor Museum

The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu is proud to announce that BOND IN MOTION, the exclusive official exhibition of 50 original James Bond vehicles, will be continuing throughout 2013.

The exhibition, is the largest of its kind staged anywhere in the world and features 50 original vehicles from the James Bond films, including some of the best loved and most iconic.

The exhibition, staged to celebrate 50 years of this enduring film franchise is brought right up to date with four vehicles from the 23rd and latest Bond film SKYFALL which premiered last month; the Land Rover Defender 110 and two Honda CRF250R motorcycles that feature in the opening sequence as well as the vehicle most recently added to the exhibition, the Aston Martin DB5.

Beaulieu’s Commercial Director, Stephen Munn said: “Since its opening, BOND IN MOTION has been an outstanding success, attracting over 400,000 visitors from all over the world. This critically acclaimed exhibition has been a fantastic addition to the National Motor Museum and we are delighted to have the opportunity to extend its run and welcome even more Bond fans throughout 2013.”

BOND IN MOTION features a whole range of vehicles which have appeared in Bond films over the years including cars, boats, motorbikes, jets and many more. This collection of iconic movie vehicles includes the Phantom lll Rolls-Royce from GOLDFINGER, the Lotus Esprit S1 affectionately nicknamed ‘Wet Nellie’ from THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, the Bede Acrostar jet famously flown in OCTOPUSSY, the original SFX Cello Case Ski famously navigated by Timothy Dalton in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS the original villain Parahawk featured in THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH and the Aston Martin DBS from CASINO ROYALE

BOND IN MOTION will run to 5^th January 2014 and can be seen as part of a visit to the whole Beaulieu attraction.  Advance tickets, at a special rate, are available to buy online at www.beaulieushop.co.uk.

For further information on the exhibition visit www.bondinmotion.co.uk

Celebrate The Traditional Spirit Of Christmas At Holkham

Enjoy a historic and heart-warming Christmas at Holkham this December, with three magical weekends of traditional family entertainment complete with real reindeer to add that special festive feel.

Beautiful Victorian decorations, sparkling entertainment, seasonal food and a visit from Father Christmas himself are highlights of Holkham’s Christmas Celebrations on the first two weekends of December - 1, 2, 8 and 9. 
 
Holkham Hall will be open from 11am to 5pm each day and visitors will be able to see the magnificently decorated grand state rooms of the north Norfolk property and meet Victorian characters dressed in splendid costumes. There will be story-telling, dancing, carol singing and tales from Christmas past, while Father Christmas will welcome children to collect a gift and leave him their special, secret Christmas wishes. There will also be a unique chance for visitors to see Father Christmas’s reindeer enjoying a welcome short break at Holkham before their hectic schedule of present deliveries begins on Christmas Eve.

In the Old Kitchen visitors can watch the bustling cooks prepare a traditional Christmas feast and visit the Stables Café for tempting treats and winter warmers. There will be an opportunity to source a variety of seasonal gifts from Victorian traders’ stalls in the Bygones Museum and Holkham’s own Gift Shop will be well-stocked to find that perfect Christmas present.

On the third weekend of December the spectacular setting of the Marble Hall at Holkham will provide the perfect venue for two magical theatre productions; ‘Mole’s Christmas Wind in The Willows’ on Saturday 15 and ‘A Christmas Carol’ on Sunday 16 with a matinee and evening performance on each day.

Tickets for the two weekends of Christmas Celebrations are £12 for adults, £8 for children (2 to 16 years) and £36 for families (two adults and two children).

Tickets for the Christmas Theatre are £16 for adults and £12 for children (2-16 year) for the Auditorium and £12 and £8 for the Gallery.

For further information on these events or to book tickets contact 01328 713111, email ticketoffice@holkham.co.uk or visit www.holkham.co.uk

‘Lunch for less’ as an autumnal stately treat at Burghley

England’s greatest Elizabethan house might have closed for the season at the end of October, but Burghley’s popular Orangery Restaurant will continue to serve up stately foodie treats this autumn - and with two special seasonal money-saving offers too.

During November 2012 ‘Friends Fridays’ offer even more value to a Friends of Burghley House membership, while from January to March anyone who visits the Orangery can tuck in to a special ‘Lunch for Less’ menu.

Run by prestigious caterer Absolute Taste, the bright and relaxing Orangery is open even when the House is closed and serves a full range of menu options from breakfast to dinner, all using locally sourced, fresh ingredients.

Designed by 'Capability' Brown to provide space for the family's love of horticulture in the eighteenth century, the Orangery’s huge windows provide natural light for lunches and social events, while it becomes a more intimate and elegant space in the evening.

And for the month of November, Friends of Burghley House members will be able to take advantage of an extra discount on food during ‘Friends Fridays’.

Becoming a Friend of Burghley entitles holders to free admission to Burghley House and Gardens for the whole of that season, half-price admission for up to three guests per visit and priority tickets and discounted rates on most special Burghley events.

Membership also offers a 10% discount throughout the year in the Orangery restaurant, Burghley gift shop and garden shop. But for November, Friends of Burghley members will receive a 15% discount off food and drink in the Orangery every Friday.

Individual, joint and family Friendship membership are available, starting from around £45 for the year, with money raised boosting the on-going conservation work at Burghley.

And to welcome in the New Year, The Orangery will once again be serving up yet another opportunity to enjoy local food in glorious surroundings - a chance to ‘Lunch for Less’! From 9th January 2013, the popular lunchtime treat will offer diners two courses for £12.95 from the Orangery menu, Wednesday to Saturday until 9th March.

The Orangery is open from 10am until 4pm Wednesday to Sunday, although will close on 4th November when there are functions taking place at the House. Unusually for such a historic house, you can park and visit the restaurant with no charge throughout the year.

For more details about Friends of Burghley membership as well as The Orangery opening times and menus, visit www.burghley.co.uk or telephone 01780 752451.

The Duke Of Kent Visits The National Motor Museum

On Monday, 29th October, 2012, HRH The Duke of Kent paid an official visit to the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, exactly forty years after his original visit. He was welcomed by two of Lord Montagu’s children, the Hon Ralph Montagu and the Hon Mrs Mary Montagu Scot.

On the 4th July, 1972, The Duke of Kent opened the new National Motor Museum building, which is this year celebrating its 40th anniversary.  On that occasion, he was presented with a miniature car for his children.  Based on a 1924 Sunbeam Cub, which is a permanent exhibit in the museum, the miniature version is equipped with a small petrol engine and is operated by two pedals, an accelerator and brake – but no reverse.

Used by his three children it has, since they have grown up, spent most of its time in a garage at Kensington Palace.  Earlier this year the Duke asked Beaulieu’s workshop team if they could restore it so that he could pass it on to his grandchildren. The team was on hand to re-present it to him during his visit - in perfect working order again.

A framed photograph taken at the official opening in 1972 was presented to The Duke and he was introduced to Mr Ken Robinson, Beaulieu’s former Managing Director and Mr Michael Ware, former Curator and Director of the National Motor Museum, both of whom were at the original opening in 1972.
The Duke was taken on a short tour of the museum, including its latest exhibition, BOND IN MOTION, which has drawn a whole new sector of visitors to the museum since its opening in January, giving them an opportunity that they might not otherwise have taken, to be introduced to and take an interest in historic vehicles.

The Duke was also given a tour ‘behind the scenes’ in the Collections’ Centre to view the work of the staff and volunteers of the National Motor Museum Trust in preserving its extensive motoring archives.

Twilight Tales: Story Walks by the Light of Your Own Lantern at Harewood

With brand new stories for 2012...

Join in with Trio Literati as we parade around the Grounds with Harewood’s Storyteller. You'll get to make your own lantern and take it home with you as a memory of your day too!

Trio Literati will bring stories to life as you follow them around the Grounds at Harewood. Trio Literati tell stories – but not just any stories. Enchanting tales with energy wit and fun, hats, sound effects and more! The creative trio are renowned for their special performances, unique and intriguing and always atmospheric and memorable! These stories are the kind that have you hooked from the first to the last word...

Ticket Prices
Places must be pre-booked and cost £7.50 each in addition to an Autumn Glory Event & Grounds ticket.
Child (including Autumn Glory Entry) £12.90 (£14.20 with Gift Aid)
Harewood Member Child (Autumn Glory Entry Free) £7.50
An adult will need to accompany each child but does not need to pay the Twilight Tales supplement. Adults will need to purchase an Autumn Glory Event & Grounds Ticket. You can pre-book your adult Autumn Glory Event & Grounds tickets on the Autumn Glory event page.
Twilight Tales is also taking place on Thursday 1st November. Please choose either Tuesday 30th Oct or Thursday 1st Nov when you book.

This event is part of Autumn Glory, a week-long event full of family fun for the half term week!

For further information please click here:
http://www.harewood.org/whats-on/events/1/940

Make Beaulieu Your Halloween Haunt During October Half Term: 27th October – 5th November 2012

Beaulieu is reputed to be one of Britain’s most haunted places and ghosts have often been seen and heard in its 13th Century Abbey and at Palace House, home of the Montagu family since 1538.  This October Half Term, 27th October – 5th November, Halloween descends on Beaulieu with plenty of themed activities to enjoy. Hear Spooky Stories from the costumed guides in Palace House, take a lucky dip in the Witches Cauldron and be given a Gruesome Face Painting.

All children who get into the ‘spirit’ of the holidays and come to Beaulieu in Halloween fancy dress will receive special half price admission.

In the National Motor Museum, follow the Halloween Trail and see some of the 250 vehicles on show, from early motor cars to Land Speed Record Breakers.

Don’t miss the museum’s exciting exhibition, BOND IN MOTION, displaying 50 of the best-loved and most iconic vehicles from the James Bond films. The most recent additions include two Honda CRF250R motorcycles, one modified to look like a Turkish merchant’s bike and the other, a Turkish police bike, plus a Land Rover Defender 110, all of which have recently arrived from the set of Skyfall, the 23rd instalment in the Bond film series, due to open nationwide in the UK on 26th October. These three vehicles were used in the opening sequence, shot in Istanbul and Adana, Turkey.

Have a ride on ‘Wheels’, a pod ride through 100 years of motoring history and take a trip on the high-level Beaulieu Moan-o-rail which passes through the roof of the Motor Museum.

Enter ‘On Screen Cars’ to admire vehicle stars from TV and film, including Mr Bean’s lime green Mini, Del Boy’s Trotter Van and Harry Potter’s ‘flying’ Ford Anglia, used in the filming of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Become a part of the world’s greatest car show with Beaulieu’s ‘World of Top Gear’.  Enter the Top Gear Enormodrome to see actual cars from some of the presenters’ most ambitious challenges, hear the stories behind them and enjoy clips of some of the best Top Gear moments.

Beaulieu is open daily from 10am – 5pm. For more information, please visit www.beaulieu.co.uk or telephone 01590 612345.

19th Century Literary Gem ‘Found’ at Harewood Book Shop

A recent donation of books to the Harewood House Second Hand Book Shop started a search into the story of a family history that rocked 19th century Georgian Society and provides a fascinating insight into the lives of those who played a part in the life and inspirations of the renowned romantic poet, Lord Byron.

 

Harewood House, the family seat of the Earl and Countess of Harewood and award winning visitor destination, opened a second hand book shop in Summer 2011, to encourage reading for members and visitors alike, and additionally to generate funds to support educational projects at Harewood.  Run by volunteers, all the books are donated by local supporters of the project and the bookshop provides a peaceful place to browse and buy for all visitors.

Recently, a local lady donated a selection of books she inherited with the purchase of a London house in the 1970s. Upon checking the books, (some dating back to the early 1800s) some inscriptions were noticed and researched, and the intriguing history of their original owner, Augusta Leigh and her ancestors, has been revealed.

Augusta Leigh was the half sister of Lord Byron and the purported incestuous love-interest behind his departure to fight in Greece never to return.  Augusta had seven children, one of whom, Elizabeth Medora, was thought by many to be Byron’s love-child. Augusta’s husband Colonel George Leigh, had already endured his own scandal when as equerry to the Prince of Wales, he cheated the Prince over the sale of a horse and fiddled his own regimental expenses.  He was dismissed and his family endured a life of poverty and shame, however, for the last 33 years of her life Augusta was granted residence in a grace and favour apartment at St James’ Palace.

Of the books donated ‘The Literary Life and Correspondence of the Countess of Blessington’ had been inscribed “Augusta Leigh, St James’ Palace” and another ‘Trimmer’s Fabulous Histories’ is inscribed lovingly by Augusta to ‘Henry Francis Leigh from his dear Mamma on his birthday, January 28th 1828.’  Henry Francis married in 1845 but sadly died aged just 33 leaving behind his wife Mary and daughter Geraldine. Mary went on to re-marry and have two further children Letitia and Herman with her new husband James Landon, a cotton merchant.

The family story continues with two delightful sets of miniature ‘Lilliputian Library’ books inscribed by these three children in 1864.  The condition of the books and the provenance of their owners, have raised the value of these books which are eventually to be auctioned, with the blessing of their original donor, to provide further funds towards educational projects at Harewood.
 
Audrey Kingsnorth, a volunteer at Harewood who was instrumental in bringing the Second Hand Book Shop to Harewood added: “It has been a thrilling exercise to learn so much about this family through their treasured books and we are continuing with our research.  I consulted an expert seller who advised that the Lilliputian Library books are rare in such good condition. We eventually intend to put the collection as a whole up for sale but have decided to display them for the time being in the bookshop for everyone to enjoy.”

Harewood House second-hand bookshop within the Harewood House Grounds is open every day 11.00am to 3pm, usual admission prices to Harewood House grounds apply.

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Proceeds from the book shop are channelled back into the Trust, benefiting education, the gardens, the bird garden, and the house and collections. It is located within the heart of the visitor facilities in Terrace Cottage situated next to the Adventure Playground. 

Harewood has already set the standard in promoting literacy with their regular series of storytelling events and talks on a wide range of subjects, and the book shop fits nicely into Harewood’s ethos as an educational charitable trust, promoting the joys of all things literary. Money raised by Bookshop sales has already funded a new Learning Garden which is now a resource for schools. 

Autumn gourmet getaway incl. Prosecco in room, dinner & breakfast - Whitley Hall Country House Hotel, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Imagine escaping to a top hotel...
Sipping on chilled Prosecco and enjoying fine food with a sumptuous 3-course dinner in an award-winning restaurant...
Finally, relaxing in superior accommodation with a delicious breakfast the following morning...

You can...and all for just £119 at Whitley Hall Country House Hotel.

Your package includes:

- Overnight accommodation
- A bottle of chilled Prosecco in your room upon arrival (1 x bottle per stay)
- 3-course dinner in the award-winning restaurant
- Full breakfast

Book your perfect autumn escape online now or speak to one of our friendly Reservations team on 0845 0 70 70 90 who can help you find your perfect hotel at the best possible price.

You can also build your own bespoke package, just the way you want it, by browsing our fantastic choice of supplements. Book everything instantly online, and with absolute confidence, in just 3 easy steps.

Please note, promotional prices vary over the duration of the offer. Price displayed of £119 per room, per night is based on Sunday night stays only. Stays Monday - Thursday are priced at £139 per room, per night. Offer is not available on Friday or Saturday nights.

Available: 27 Aug 2012 to 30 Nov 2012

Minimum stay: 1 night(s)

From £119.00 Per room per night, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Offer Terms & Conditions:
1) Offer valid on stays from 27th August – 30th November 2012, subject to availability. Excludes Friday & Saturday nights.
2) Minimum 1-night stay.
3) Includes 3-course dinner/allowance towards a la carte menu, full breakfast & a bottle of Prosecco in room upon arrival.
4) Promotional price may vary over the duration of the offer, however, where this is the case, this will be explained in the offer description above.
5) All prices are based on two people sharing a standard double or twin room.
6) No reduction for single occupancy.
7) This promotion is bookable online and through Classic Central Reservation Service only

For more information please visit http://www.classicbritishhotels.com/?l=offers.detail&id=100363_26194