Repton Descendents See Their Ancestor’s Designs Realised at Woburn Abbey Gardens

Woburn Abbey Gardens are home to the greatest number of realised designs by landscape gardener, Humphry Repton, in the UK. Their annual study day on his life and work takes place in November, and their Gardens team were honoured this year to find three descendents of Humphry Repton himself in attendance.

Joanna, Carol and Angela, cousins who journeyed to Woburn from Scotland, London and France respectively, are great great great great great granddaughters of Humphry Repton. Inspired to further research their family history, the three women attended the study day as a starting point on their journey to learn more.

Humphry Repton was commissioned by the 6th Duke of Bedford in 1802 to create a new vision for the grounds and gardens at Woburn Abbey. He saw himself uniting the disciplines of science, art and horticulture in this new profession of landscape gardening, and collated a series of drawings, paintings and plans in his ‘Red Book’ of designs. Only some of these projects were completed during his lifetime, but the recent and ongoing renovation project at Woburn Abbey Gardens is realising many features to be enjoyed by visitors in the 21st Century.

“It was a great privilege to be here” Said Joanna, from Dumfries, who organised their places after spotting the study day flyer on a previous visit to Woburn Abbey Gardens in the summer. “I’m a jewellery designer, and feel I work in a similar way with my vision and attention to detail. I feel an affinity with him.”

For Angela, who made the journey across the channel from Paris, the day allowed her to make new discoveries about her ancestor, “I didn’t realise he was such a talented artist”.

Carol, based in Muswell Hill, felt that the talks during the day brought Humphry Repton to life. “I’m interested in the fact he considered himself an artist but still worked amongst the labourers. It’s great that his designs are being opened up and preserved for future generations at Woburn Abbey Gardens.”

To see Repton’s designs for yourself and explore the exhibition on his life and work, Woburn Abbey Gardens are open from 10am to 4pm on Friday, Saturday and Sundays throughout the winter and then daily from the 11th April 2014.

Or see the gardens in a whole new light at the festive Luminaries Woburnensis on Saturday 7th December from 6pm – 10pm. The next Humphry Repton Study Day will be held on the 16th October 2014.

Beaulieu Strikes Gold At Beautiful South Awards 2013

Beaulieu staff with the Beautiful South 2013 gold awards

Beaulieu Events Manager Judith Maddox receiving
the gold award

Beaulieu celebrated a double win at Tourism South East’s Beautiful South Awards, as the attraction was presented with two gold awards at the ceremony held at the Felbridge Hotel, West Sussex on Wednesday 27^th November.

The first gold of the evening was awarded to Beaulieu in the Access for All Tourism category, in a joint win with the Radisson Blu Edwardian Guildford Hotel. This was shortly followed by another gold award for Beaulieu, as the attraction’s International Autojumble won the Tourism Event of the Year.

Members of both the Beaulieu Events and Front of House teams were present at the ceremony to collect their awards. Over the years, Beaulieu has developed into one of the South’s leading day visitor attractions, and prides itself on its visitor facilities and customer services. Its features now include the internationally renowned National Motor Museum, the World of Top Gear, Beaulieu Abbey, and Palace House and gardens.
The International Autojumble, now in its 47^th year, remains the most popular and longest-running of Beaulieu’s motoring events. It is the largest sale of motoring items this side of the Atlantic and welcomes somewhere in the region of 37,000 visitors over the course of the annual two day show.

2013 has proved to be a successful year for Beaulieu, which was also awarded gold in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category at the 2013 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

Beaulieu’s Commercial Director, Stephen Munn, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive these accolades, and are very proud to be recognised for the attraction’s accessibility, as this is something we have strived to improve upon as much as possible in recent times. It is wonderful to finish this year on such a high note.”

Having now been running for over twenty years, the Beautiful South Awards celebrate the very best the South East has to offer for all types of tourism businesses including B&Bs, hotels, holiday parks, self catering, visitor attractions, as well as recognising those businesses that have gone the extra mile on accessibility, sustainability and great customer service.

The awards ceremony was co-hosted by Tourism South East Chairman, Ken Robinson CBE, and travel journalist and broadcaster, Alison Rice.

Mr Robinson said: “It is great to see such excellence rewarded.  These 2013 Beautiful South Awards represent the culmination of hard work and dedication by the best tourism professionals, in our best tourism businesses, that have been recognised for providing such outstanding customer experiences.  I look forward to seeing our winners go on to represent the South East on the national stage at the Visit England Awards for Excellence in 2014.”
Peter Colling, Managing Director of TSE added: “What a brilliant night and reminder to everyone that the South East is home to some of the country’s very best tourism businesses and experiences.”

For more information about Beaulieu, please visit www.beaulieu.co.uk

Victorian Christmas Celebrations at Beaulieu - 21st December to 5th January 2014

Beaulieu

Visit Beaulieu this Festive Season, between 21st December and 5th January 2014, for a glimpse of Christmas Past in a Victorian country house.

Palace House, which has been the home of the Montagu family since 1538, is a place of enchantment at this special time of year.  Children can delve into a  ‘Box of Delights’ and dress up in period costumes while in the Lower Drawing Room there will be carol singing and musical entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

Visitors can talk to characters from Victorian times to discover what life was really like ‘Upstairs and Downstairs’ at Christmas time and warm themselves in front of the yule log in the hearth of the great fireplace while enjoying a glass of hot fruit punch. The splendid Victorian-style decorations around the house and the magnificent Christmas tree in the Upper Drawing Room will add to the flavour and charm of the season.

Victorian Christmas

In the National Motor Museum, the Victorian theme continues as visitors can see what driving was really like in those early days. Don’t miss the ‘Wheels’ pod-ride transporting you on a journey through one hundred years of motoring history.

Don’t miss your last chance to see the museum’s exciting BOND IN MOTION exhibition (closing on the 5th January), showcasing 50 original vehicles from the James Bond films. This is the largest exhibition of its kind to be staged anywhere in the world, and celebrates 50 years of the film franchise. See some of the most iconic and best-loved Bond vehicles, including the Aston Martin DB5 from Goldeneye, the ‘Little Nellie’ gyrocopter from You Only Live Twice and Bond villain Zao’s gadget-laden Jaguar XKR used in Die Another Day, plus watch action clips and behind-the-scenes footage from some of the most thrilling vehicle stunt sequences in the films.

In the World of Top Gear Enormodrome watch exclusive footage as the boys take you behind the scenes in the Top Gear production zone, enjoy clips from some of the best Top Gear moments and see actual cars from some of the presenters’ most ambitious challenges.

To complete the day, take a ride on the high-level Monorail or hop on the Veteran London Bus to see the Beaulieu sights.

For shopping delights visit the Beaulieu gift shops which offer everything from soft toys and stocking fillers for children, to a wide selection of motor related items, traditional gifts and Beaulieu’s own wine and festive fare.  There is free parking and free entry to the extensive Gift Shop, conveniently located in the Visitor Reception Hall.

The Beaulieu attraction is open from 10am to 5pm daily, except Christmas Day. For further information visit: www.beaulieu.co.uk

Christmas at the Treasure Houses of England

Expect a fabulous feast of festive entertainment and events this Christmas at the magnificent Treasure Houses of England.  Shop in style with magical Christmas markets and discover beautifully and stylishly decorated Treasure Houses for a unique and inspired day out, not to mention the opportunity to pick up some beautifully bespoke presents for your nearest and dearest.

Beaulieu

Christmas at Beaulieu is a time of magic with fun, activities and entertainment for all.  Beaulieu’s festive celebrations (21 December – 5 January) will feature carol singing around the Grand Piano in the decorated Palace House complete with a magnificent Christmas tree.  Victorian characters will be on show- to divulge fascinating details on life – upstairs and downstairs at Christmas time.

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace’s will be decorated for a ‘Dickensian’ Christmas (9 November – 13 December) with plenty to see and do, from late night shopping, storytelling, carol singers, Santa’s grotto and more. The renowned Living Crafts for Christmas (15 - 17 November) will also take place showcasing a series of high quality and contemporary creations from over 150 British designer-makers. For festive fun and splendor visit Britain’s Greatest Palace this Christmas.

Burghley House

Burghley House’s Crafts for Christmas - (28 November –1st December) will be the perfect place to pick up some very special presents featuring a wide range of new products and ideas. Graham Pickett Antiques will also be at Burghley in their usual Old Kitchen location with fabulous furniture and divine collectables.

Castle Howard

Enjoy Castle Howard in all its festive glory and take in the magical Christmas atmosphere of the candlelit house.  There will be yuletide entertainment, festive foods and gifts from 23 November to 22 December, plus a late night Carols and Candlelight event on 19 December will include a late night market, Christmas parade and carols in front of the house as dusk falls.

Chatsworth

From 9 Nov until the 23 Dec, Chatsworth will be magically transformed for the Christmas season, with the lower floors of the house decorated in the theme of 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.  With events such as twilight evenings, Christmas markets and nativities starring real farmyard animals, as well as beautiful festive displays, there is something for everyone at Chatsworth this winter.

Hatfield House

Don’t miss Hatfield’s Frost Fair (22 – 24 November) held in Marquees on Palace Green, childhood home of Elizabeth 1 you’ll find wonderful original and unusual crafts and gifts for the family and home alongside exclusive ranges from The Hatfield Gift Shop.  Plus drop in to workshops, including creative Christmas decorating using fresh flowers and greenery.

Holkham Hall

Catch awe-inspiring Holkham Hall on two weekends (7/ 8 and 14/15 Dec) and get festive with a traditional Christmas in true Holkham style! See the magnificent state rooms beautifully decorated, complete with handmade decorations. Or walk through the snowy winter wonderland, where there’s a chance for children to see Father Christmas in his magical grotto.

Leeds Castle

Christmas is growing at Leeds Castle this year. Nature has crept into the magnificent castle rooms to create a glittering Twelve Days of Christmas from 7 to 24 Dec. Meet real reindeer on the castle island and children will love our new husky sleigh rides. Our first Christmas Market with German style chalets and traditional carousel rides is here from 7 – 22 Dec, open daily from 11am to 6pm with late night shopping until 9pm on 12, 13, 19 and 20 Dec.

Woburn Abbey

Book now for Woburn Abbey’s Luminaries Woburnensis on Saturday 7th December. Explore the magical gardens illuminated after dark and discover the trail ice and fire sculptures. Visit the gift hall to pick out that perfect present and snuggle up with a hot drink to listen to the live band.


www.treasurehouses.co.uk

Bluebird Cn7’S Original Nose Panel Loaned To The National Motor Museum For New Land Speed Record Breakers Display

Original nose panel with the Bluebird CN7

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu has become the proud custodian of the original front nose panel from Donald Campbell’s famous World Land Speed Record Breaker, the Bluebird CN7.
The Malcolm Campbell Heritage Trust has offered the item on loan to the museum following its donation to the Trust by Stadco Ltd Coventry, formerly Motor Panels Ltd – the original manufacturing company that worked on the CN7.

In a presentation in the museum, in front of the Bluebird CN7 itself, two nephews of Donald Campbell, Don Wales and Peter Hulme, handed the panel over to the Chief Executive of the National Motor Museum Trust (NMMT), Russell Bowman. Two representatives from Stadco, Paul Jaggers and Neil Holloway, were also present to witness the handover.

The panel, displaying the Union Jack and US flags alongside the Bluebird insignia, is the original nose panel from the Bluebird CN7, damaged during the world’s fastest ever survived car crash at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1960 in a land speed attempt prior to Donald Campbell’s 403.1mph record set in the car in 1964 at Lake Eyre, Australia.
Following the crash, the CN7 returned to Motor Panels for a redesign, including the addition of a tail fin to stabilise the vehicle at speed, and during the repairs the panel was removed and replaced. The old, damaged nose panel spent the next 50 years in various places on the Coventry site at Stadco before its recent donation to the Malcolm Campbell Heritage Trust.

Since receiving Stadco’s donation, the Malcolm Campbell Heritage Trust has loaned the panel to the National Motor Museum, which has housed the Bluebird CN7 since the late 1960s, for a brand new Land Speed Record Breakers display.

Don Wales, nephew of Donald Campbell, said: “We are very grateful to Stadco for returning this special panel to the family. It is an iconic piece of land speed motoring history and we are delighted to be able to loan it to Beaulieu for the new Land Speed Record Breakers display being unveiled next year.”

Expected to launch in Spring 2014, the museum’s new display will feature four iconic World Land Speed Record cars, including the Bluebird CN7, Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Blue Bird 350hp, Major Henry Segrave’s Sunbeam 1000hp and Golden Arrow, accompanied by new high definition images and archive film footage.

The panel will join a number of other rare land speed artefacts that will be showcased alongside the record breakers themselves.

NMMT Chief Executive, Russell Bowman, said: “We are delighted that visitors to Beaulieu will be able to see the original panel alongside the car itself, helping us to illustrate the determination exhibited by Donald Campbell and his team to overcome major setbacks and achieve his 1964 record. We are very grateful to Stadco and the Campbell Family for this loan.”

A ‘Dickensian Christmas’ at Blenheim Palace 9th November – 13th December 2013

Blenheim Palace

A ‘Dickensian Christmas’ at Blenheim Palace 9^th November – 13^th December 2013

This year Christmas at Britain’s Greatest Palace will be more magical than ever with the Palace beautifully decorated for a traditional ‘Dickensian Christmas’. Step into a festive wonderland full of grand Christmas trees adorned with twinkling lights and exquisite decorations. Dickensian scenes will be brought to life as you tour the Palace to transport you back in time.

The grand Saloon table will be set for a Christmas feast inspired by the classic Dickens story ‘A Christmas Carol’, with some familiar Christmas scenes including the Victorian feast for ‘Tiny Tim’ and the Cratchit family. Grand trees in the Long Library will be decorated with lanterns and candles, along with displays of giant replica Victorian Christmas cards, excerpts from Dickens stories in the Long Library. At weekends Victorian carol singers and Dickens story telling will bring the magic of a Dickensian Christmas to life in the Palace.

Christmas Entertainment Guide

There is also plenty more festive fun to be had by all this season that includes:

Living Statues in the Palace - 30^th November – 1^st December

Living statue Dickensian characters Marley and Scrooge will be lurking in the Palace, surprising unsuspecting visitors as they explore the ‘Dickensian’ decorations. 

Late night Christmas Shopping – 5^th December

Enjoy Christmas shopping in the wonderful East Courtyard Shop, whilst enjoying live carol singing, port and liqueur tastings, and interesting demonstrations. Mulled wine and Winter Pimms will be available from The Oxfordshire Pantry. Blenheim Estate Christmas trees will be on sale next to the Information Kiosk outside the Palace.

Festive Family Fun and Santa's Grotto – 7^th - 8^th December / 14^th – 15^th December

Families will be able to enjoy a festive ride on the miniature train to the Pleasure Gardens to visit Santa’s Grotto on 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th December. The Children's Shop will be open providing pocket-money toys, treats and fancy dress costumes, and our ‘Pottering About’ craft studio where children can make their own handmade crafts for Christmas presents.

Christmas Carols and Storytelling – 23^rd – 24^th November / 7^th – 8^th December  

On selected weekends throughout the Christmas season the Palace will be filled with the sounds of festive singing from local school choirs and the Bletchingdon Brass Band, whilst the spirit of Christmas will come to life with Dickensian story readings for everyone to enjoy.

Blenheim Estate Christmas Trees – on sale from 30^th November – 23^rd December

Bring the spirit of Christmas home with you with a freshly harvested Christmas tree, grown on the Blenheim Estate. On sale at the Information Kiosk outside the Palace and Combe Saw Mills. To reserve your tree call 01993 813196 or email christmastrees@blenheimpalace.com.

Seasonal Delights

Enjoy a range of locally sourced food to satisfy the taste buds, with a variety of hot and cold meals available at our restaurants and cafes, whether you want to grab a bite for the children or try our seasonal Christmas delights, we have it all. Treat yourself this Christmas and book a delicious Festive Afternoon Tea. To book call 01235 200 965 or visit www.blenheimpalace.com to book online.

Winter Walks

Wrap up warm and take in the beautiful winter scenery within the spectacular landscaped parkland of Blenheim Palace, where an unrivaled combination of unspoilt natural beauty and history awaits you. 

A Burghley Christmas

Deer at Burghley

While the house may be closed for winter, Burghley's sweeping parkland, with its resident herd of deer, remains open with free entry right through the year - perfect for winter walks and a chance to blow away those cobwebs during the Christmas break. 
For a chance to warm up with some seasonal food and drink in the run-up to Christmas, Burghley’s ever-popular Orangery Restaurant, housed in a building that provided space for the family’s love of horticulture and designed by Capability Brown, will be open until 20th December, Wednesday to Sunday, 10am until 4pm. 
Burghley's newly refurbished Courtyard Shop will also be open until 20th December (11am until 4pm) while visitors will also get a chance to do some extra seasonal shopping at the special Christmas Shop in the Brewhouse offering a selection of decorations, festive lighting, winter fragrances, chocolates and cosy winter accessories such as hats, gloves and scarves as well as a large selection of Christmas cards. 
For a taste of Christmas, the end of this month features Crafts for Christmas and a free-to-enter Fine Food Market in the magnificent parklands and courtyard at England’s greatest Elizabethan House. 

A celebration of local produce offers some festive food treats at the Christmas Fine Food Market, Saturday 30th November - Sunday 1st December. Stall holders will be selling local cheese, meats, cupcakes, cider and much more in the cobbled courtyards. 
Special Festive Floral Workshops will also be staged 28th and 29th November with Burghley's head gardener John Burrows. He will reveal how to make either a beautiful table centre or festive garland that visitors can take home with them, with all materials and refreshments provided (booking is essential for the workshops).

And the popular Crafts for Christmas run by the Rural Crafts Association event returns to Burghley, Thursday 28th November - Sunday 1st December, when a marquee in the picturesque parkland provides a festive space for talented makers and designers from all over the UK producing top quality products all brought together under one roof. 
Free entry to Fine Food Market, details of ticket prices and booking for the Festive Floral Workshops and Craft for Christmas event available on Burghley's website.