This Halloween Search For Spectres At Beaulieu Abbey 31st October & 2nd November 2012

 

On the 31st October and 2nd November 2012 join the Hampshire Ghost Club as they embark on a paranormal investigation within the grounds of the Beaulieu attraction, in historic 13th century Beaulieu Abbey, the site

of many spooky spectre sightings.

Beaulieu Abbey was founded in 1204, when King John gave a gift of land to the Cistercian monks to found a monastery. The largest Cistercian Abbey in England, Beaulieu thrived for over 300 years until it was destroyed in the 1530s at the time of the dissolution of the Monasteries.
The strange stories and legends surrounding Beaulieu Abbey have captured the imaginations of people from all walks of life, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who had a great interest in psychic research and made many visits to Beaulieu in search of the unexplainable. To this day, both staff and visitors to Beaulieu report glimpsing ghosts of the Abbey’s former inhabitants, as well as sounds and smells from eras past.

Now the Hampshire Ghost Club are inviting members of the public to join them on two ghost hunts, investigating some of the most haunted areas of Beaulieu’s ancient Abbey.

 
The paranormal sessions will take place on two nights around Halloween, beginning at 9pm and continuing through to 1am. Activities will include vigils and investigations, using professional equipment, in the Abbey’s Domus building, which was formerly the Lay Brothers’ Dormitory. Investigations will also take place in the Abbey ruins and Cloisters. 

Ticket prices are £50 per person, including hot drink refreshments, and are available to people aged 18+. Pre-booking for these sessions is essential, and you can reserve your place by telephoning 01590 612888.

For more information, please visit www.beaulieuevents.co.uk or telephone 01590 612345.

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’s Christmas Fair (16 November) in support of the Estate’s Countryside Educational Trust includes an array of quality items from food and drink to jewellery, antiques and plants.  In addition, their Christmas Celebrations (15 December-6 January) will feature carol singing in festively decorated Palace House and Victorian characters who will be on show-stopping hand to divulge fascinating details on life in a Victorian country house

Blenheim Palace’s renowned Living Crafts for Christmas (16-18 November) showcases a series of splendid creations from over 100 British designer-makers as well as hosting outdoor demonstrations of stone carving, blacksmithing, street theatre and handbell ringing. Meanwhile, the Palace will be telling the story of The Three Kings (10 November-14 December) through spectacular themed decorations, with the State Rooms decorated in glittering gold and festooned in exotic silk.

Celebrate and sample local produce at Burghley House’s free fine food market (1 December) where cheeses, meats and cupcakes are just some of the drool-worthy delights on offer.

The NSPCC Christmas Shopping Fair will be hosted by Castle Howard, which also presents its captivating Christmas Craft & Produce Market (2-4 December & 9-10 December). Relish some seasonal finery throughout the castle and grounds with family decorations, festive music, seasonal menus and weekend audiences with Father Christmas (24 November-16 December).

The Christmas celebrations officially start at Chatsworth in early November and this year’s ‘Pantomime’ theme is sure to provide plenty of fun for children and adults alike. Well known Panto characters will be found throughout the House with a tall tale to be told in every room. For something decidedly different, visit Chatsworth for their Christmas themed evenings at the farm shop (20, 22 November & 5, 12 December). Browse their various gifts, treats and Christmas produce while enjoying live demonstrations and a top seasonal tipple of mulled wine.  Chatsworth also presents a host of workshops and making events, from their floral workshop (29 & 30 November) to wreath making (5 & 6 December) sessions.   And don’t forget to bring the entire family to Chatsworth’s nativity performances, featuring adorable real animals from their farmyard (evening nativities 1, 8, 15 and 22 December at 6pm and daytime nativities 1-2, 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 December).

Festive food, a crackling fire in the grate and a house dressed for a family Christmas; Harewood celebrates all that is good about the festive season with their much-anticipated Christmas Weekends
(1 December-23 December).   Immerse yourself in the magic of the house and take a tour of glorious grounds, feel the true spirit of a Harewood Christmas.

Get in the festive spirit with Music for Christmas at Hatfield (9 December).  Staged in the Old Palace, Hertfordshire Chorus - one of the UK's leading symphonic choirs - present an evening of seasonal favourites as mulled wine, coffee and mince pies will be doing the delicious rounds prior to the performance.  And don’t miss Hatfield’s Frost Fair (23 – 25 November) where you will find wonderful original and unusual crafts and gifts for the family and home.

Catch awe-inspiring splendour at Holkham Hall for their resplendent Christmas Celebrations (1, 2, 8 & 9 December). With the staterooms decorated in stunning Victorian style and cast in oh-so romantic candlelight, it promises to be a magnificent sight to behold.   Watch the cooks in the Old Kitchen as they prepare the Christmas feast and meet the traditionally clothed Victorian characters who will be filling the hall with storytelling, dancing, carol singing and tales from Christmas past; while Father Christmas welcomes children each with their own special gift.  Visit the Victorian traders selling Christmas gifts and crafts in the Bygones Museum and courtyard and indulge in tasty refreshments at The Stables Café, with mulled wine and tempting festive treats.

The lovely fellows at Leeds Castle are proud to present Christmas Past (12 -23 Dec) - a glorious celebration of the Victorian Christmas.  Come and see the incredible illuminated Woodland Walk and prepare to be amazed!  Glorious food, shops, stalls, fabulous gifts, Christmas carols, a Victorian train, Santa Claus and more.

Treasure Houses of England

• The Treasure Houses of England are 10 of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in England today. Together they attract in excess of 2.8 million visitors annually.

• Members are Beaulieu, Blenheim Palace, Burghley House, Castle Howard, Chatsworth, Harewood, Hatfield House, Holkham Hall, Leeds Castle and Woburn Abbey.

• One of the most compelling features of the Treasure Houses of England is that they all offer the visitor a living history. Most are still homes to the great families who have owned them for generations. Others keep their heritage alive by re-creating scenes and events that have dominated and shaped England from the 9th century to the present day.

• Between them they house some of the most important art collections in the world with famous works from artists such as Van Dyck and Gainsborough. The connoisseur of fine furniture, porcelain and china will find priceless examples of Chippendale, Wedgwood and Meissen. 

• Each house is an architectural masterpiece surrounded by beautiful parklands and gardens.

For more information visit www.treasurehouses.co.uk

Maids Head Hotel, Norwich, Norfolk - Seasonal Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Offer

Book a room at the Maids Head Hotel, including dinner and full breakfast for two people and you will get a bottle of Prosecco and chocolates in your room on arrival. Book 2-nights or more and receive a complimentary upgrade during your stay or a complimentary bottle of House wine with dinner each night.

Full pre-payment is required at time of booking. This offer is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Available: 1 Jun 2012 to 1 Nov 2012

Minimum stay: 1 night(s)

From £129.00 Per room per night, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Offer Terms & Conditions: Full pre-payment is required at time of booking. This offer is non-refundable and non-transferable. Offer is subject to availability. Prices are per room, per night, for 2 people in a standard room, unless otherwise stated. Minimum 1-night stay. Dinner allocation of £25 per person.

For more information please visit http://www.classicbritishhotels.com/?l=offers.detail&id=1001268_22033

Wine Tasting at The Maids Head Hotel, Norwich, Norfolk

CLASSIC BRITISH HOTELS
Wine Tasting at The Maidshead

For all those wine lovers we have a weekend break not to be missed arrive at the hotel on Friday 21st September stay in one of our feature rooms and enjoy wine tasting experience.

Discover fine wines with our Wine Director and after the wine tasting enjoy a Norfolk Cheese platter with a bottle of wine selected by you from the wine tasting.

Your break includes a feature bedroom, Wine tasting event, Cheese board supper and bottle of wine for £150 based on 2 adults sharing a room. A saving of £64 as this package retails at £214 if booked individually.

Book extra nights inclusive of full English breakfast at £95 per room per night.

Available: 21 Sep 2012 to 21 Sep 2012

Minimum stay: 1 night(s)

From £150.00 Per room per night, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Offer Terms & Conditions: subject to availability, full pre-payment is required (non refundable and non-transferable).

For more information please visit:  http://www.classicbritishhotels.com/?l=offers.detail&id=1001268_25453

The Best Beaulieu!

Glorious sunshine, soaring temperatures and packed event fields combined to make this year’s autojumble, held on the 8th and 9th September, one of the most memorable and enjoyable to date. Motoring enthusiasts from all over Europe and beyond flocked into the picturesque grounds of the National Motor Museum, for the 46th International Autojumble, which this year had a real festival atmosphere.

Total visitor numbers over the weekend were 38,352, matching the best numbers in recent years. Although at capacity for stands in the past few years, the Events team managed to find a few extra spaces to accommodate late entries, with a final number of 2,419 stands. This included 217 cars for sale on the Beaulieu Arena and a record number of classic cars for sale in the Dealermart.

Beaulieu’s Events Manager, Judith Maddox said: “Following on from the London Olympics, which have been declared the best ever held, many visitors to the show were heard to say that this was the best Beaulieu Autojumble to date.”

Despite economic uncertainty in Europe, overseas exhibitors were again well represented with a larger than usual contingent coming from Northern and Southern Ireland.  As usual, many different languages were to be heard on the event fields during the weekend with English by no means in the majority.

The warm summer Saturday evening encouraged visitors to stay late and exhibitors to stay open beyond the show closing time. Sunday was another brisk trading day, particularly for larger motoring items, and the free delivery service to the car parks for bulky items was again much in demand as was the onward dispatch service provided by Easy Logistics.

The fine weather brought an increase in Sunday’s Trunk Trader numbers (always weather dependent!), with exhibitors and visitors alike rummaging through the booty for hidden gems.

The Automart had an eclectic range of vehicles for sale, from restoration projects such as a 1960s cream E-Type Jaguar to a mint condition 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud lll with an asking price of £34,950 and a Mercedes Benz 600 SEL at £13,950 with just 14,000 on the clock and one careful owner – the Prime Minister of Dubai.

Other highlights included a 1937 Peugeot 402 for £14,850, a stunning 1995 Morgan Plus 8 in cream with just 17,400 miles on the clock on sale for £33,500 and a 1997 Lotus 7, being sold by long-time autojumbler, Norman Brown, for £17,000.

A clutch of BMW Isetta bubble cars also drew a lot of attention, one in particular, a 1961 model,  had been lovingly restored by its owner over a period of 22 years and was on sale for offers over £12,500.  By the end of the show a good proportion of cars were displaying ‘SOLD’ signs.

One of the highlights of the Bonhams Auction, held on Saturday, was the sale of the entire contents of the Exmoor Classic Car Museum, a specialist museum located in Porlock, Somerset, which sold for a total of £667,128. Every lot in the collection of 10 cars, 13 motorcycles and assorted automobilia sold, with the top lots a 1927 Bugatti Type 40 Roadster (£149,340), a 1972 Ferrari ‘Dino’ 246GTS Spider (£144,860), and a 1923 Rolls Royce 20hp Doctor’s Coupe (£57,500). 

Outside the collection a striking red-and-black 1938 Delage D6-70 Tourer first owned by 1940s screen icon Margaret Lockwood (1916 – 1990) realised £51,750. The top-selling lot was a 1925 Bentley 3/4½-litre Speed Model Red Label Tourer, which achieved £140,000 on the hammer.

Another highlight was the sale of a 1962 Ferrari 250GTE 2+2 Series 2 Coupe project, coachwork by Pininfarina. Offered in ‘barn find’ condition for restoration, the car sold for £82,140 – more than four times its highest pre-sale estimate – to a UK telephone bidder.

Tim Schofield, Director of the Bonhams Motor Car Department, said: “We were privileged to offer Stephen Johns’ collection for sale at Beaulieu and we were delighted to see it achieve the prices it did. The Beaulieu auction was another huge success, with over 93% of lots sold and a record hammer price just short of £2.6 million.”

The winners of this year’s Best Stand were SU Carburetters – the name may sound familiar, as this is the second year running that they have won the award. The Salisbury based family business run by John Burnett and his sons, Mark, Jamie and Andy specialises in S.U & Amal carburettors, fuel pumps, service kits and spares. The stand was imaginatively designed to look like a bombed 1940s pub, ‘The Skinners Arms’, which even included an ambulance –complete with casualty -  and original photographs of the Skinner family, who founded SU Carburetters. They were also commended by the judges for their professionalism and outstanding customer service.

Lord Montagu presented the Burnetts with a trophy donated by Lolly Starnes, in memory of her father, Terry Lee, a keen autojumbler who spent his life looking for rare items of interest. In addition to the trophy, they once again receive a free stand at next year’s International Autojumble.

It was particularly noticeable this year that a number of stand-holders had put a lot of thought into the theming and decoration of their stalls, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment of the event. Perhaps this is something to build on for future years...

Gary Stretton, editor of show sponsor, Classics Monthly said:”It is indicative of the international Autojumble’s reputation that it can always deliver with a strong attendance and it was a welcome end of season boost for exhibitors who have had a difficult year of poor weather and cancelled events.”

The International Autojumble 2013 has been provisionally scheduled for the 7th & 8th September. These dates will be confirmed as soon as possible, please check the Beaulieu website www.beaulieuevents.co.uk nearer the time.

The celebrated adventuress who went from a childhood at Holkham to being the wife of a Bedouin Sheikh

Copyright Jane Digby

The fascinating life of the celebrated adventuress Jane Digby who spent her early years at Holkham, but who went on to fall in love with an Austrian prince and then spent the later part of her life married to a Bedouin Sheikh will be the subject of a  lecture at Holkham for a Norfolk charity on September 28.

The Norfolk Churches Trust is hosting the event at Holkham where Mary S Lovell, author of Jane Digby’s biography, A Scandalous Life, will  give a unique and fully illustrated two-part talk about this celebrated adventuress.

In the first part Mary will provide a potted history of Jane Digby's fascinating story, which is told in full in her biography .In the second part of the programme Mary will explain how she researched and uncovered Jane's story over a period of some years, using as a guide, Jane's own diaries to which she was given unprecedented access by the Digby family. This search led Mary from Minterne House in Dorset to Holkham and to various homes of Jane's young married life in the London area, when she was the feted young wife of a Cabinet Minister, Lord Ellenborough in the days of the Regency.

After a love affair with an Austrian prince ruined her reputation and caused a sensational divorce, Jane was forced to leave England and her path led her through the capitals of Europe such as Munich where she was the ‘cherami’ of King Ludwig of Bavaria, and became the wife of a Baron before eloping with a Corfiote count when her husband and lover duelled at the roadside to keep her. From there the trail led through Corfu, Athens and Italy. Eventually, in 1992 the research took Mary to Syria where Jane had gone 140 years earlier in search of the best Arabian horses. Here Jane's story ended after she fell in love and married a Bedouin Sheikh and lived, more or less happily ever after until her death in 1881, by then the respected matriarch of her tribe.

Jane had many adventures along the way and Mary has had a number of adventures of her own in researching Jane's story. She has offered to share them with the audience and will be happy to sign paperback copies of the book, which will be on sale after the event.

The lecture will take place in the Saloon at Holkham Hall and canapés and wine will be served in the Statue Gallery.  Tickets for the evening cost £30 each and are available by contacting the Holkham Ticket Office Tel: 01328 713111 or for more information visit www.holkham.co.uk

Cotswold Lodge Hotel, Oxford, Oxfordshire, Autumn gourmet getaway incl. Prosecco in room, dinner & breakfast

CLASSIC BRITISH HOTELS
Cotswold Lodge Hotel, Oxford, Oxfordshire

  



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 £129 at Cotswold Lodge 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 do vary over the duration of the offer. Price displayed of £129 per room, per night is valid on stays Sunday to Thursday. A supplement of £20 per room, per night applies on Friday & Saturday nights. A minimum 2-night stay also applies on Friday & Saturday nights.
....................................................................................................

Available: 27 Aug 2012 to 30 Nov 2012

Minimum stay: 1 night(s)

From £129.00 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.
2) Minimum 1-night stay. (Minimum 2-night stay applies on Friday & Saturday nights)
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=100327_26222

Simply Classics - Beaulieu Is Simply In A Class Of Its Own

Visitors to Beaulieu on the Sunday of August Bank Holiday weekend could have been forgiven for thinking they had stepped back in time, as over 300 classic cars filled the grounds of the National Motor Museum, gleaming in the afternoon sunshine, for Simply Classics.
 
The event, only in its second year, has grown rapidly in popularity within a relatively short amount of time, and there was a fantastic range of classics on show, from Morgans and Morris Minors to Bentleys and Jaguars.

The highlight of the day was the presence of two very rare vintage racing cars, owned by Chris Williams, which were started up at regular intervals through the day to give visitors an idea of just how powerful these cars are. The matt-black Packard-Bentley, affectionately nicknamed “Mavis”, boasted a massive 42 litre Packard V12 engine, which quite literally ‘fired up’ as Chris revved the engine, throwing flames out of the exhausts on both sides.
It was accompanied by a Napier Bentley – a 1968 one-off special build vintage racing car with a 24 litre Napier Sea Lion W12 aeroplane engine. The engine had three banks of four very large stub exhausts, and the sound it makes when it has been started up has been likened to a World War I biplane.

A number of rally participants entered their treasured vehicles into the Concours Competition – a brand new feature introduced to the show this year. Judged by freelance motoring journalist, Dale Drinnan, and Managing Director of Vintage Tyres Supplies, Chris Marchant, each of the entrants’ vehicles was scrutinised in detail. The winner, Kevin Curtis from Totton, with his electric Monza blue Ford Escort RS1600, was presented with a special Vintage Tyres anniversary trophy by Mr Marchant. It is a rare car, and according to Kevin, who is part of the RS Owners’ Club, 1150 were originally built and today the car is thought to be one of only 200 still in existence.

On the day, visitors to Beaulieu were asked to vote for their favourite vehicle on display in the People’s Choice Awards. Brian Robinson from Ashurst won the award with his beautiful Jaguar XK140, and was presented with a special edition 60th anniversary Beaulieu Trophy by Lord Montagu. Second place went to a 1909 Paterson touring car, with owner Jan Degeling receiving a Vintage Tyres Trophy, followed by Gary Collins’ VW Campervan in third place. Gary, from Chichester, was presented with a bottle of Beaulieu Apple Cider.
Following the presentation, the top ten vehicles voted for in the awards took part in a cavalcade through the grounds, and created a display for visitors to admire against the stunning backdrop of Palace House.