Local Visit: 'Behind the Scenes' at Cheltenham College and The Wilson, Cheltenham Museum and Art Gallery
2024-10-24 10:30 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | Cheltenham College, Cheltenham College, Bath Rd, Cheltenham, GL53 7LD, United Kingdom
We are invited to tour ‘behind the scenes’ at Cheltenham College, followed by refreshments. After lunch (own choice), we will have a guided tour of the Arts and Craft Exhibition in this fascinating museum and art gallery.
Start times are 10:00 am at College and 2:00pm at The Wilson.

Own transport / car share.

Local Visit: Behind the Scenes at Malvern Community Hospital
2025-01-20 14:00 - 16:00 | Malvern Community Hospital, Worcester Road, Malvern, WR14 1EX
Join us for a private visit to the hospital campus, when we will hear an introductory talk about how the NHS operates nationally and locally here in Malvern, and have an opportunity to visit the campus, which includes the hospital and facilities for people with a learning difficulty and mental health issues.

Visit Leader: Jenny CowpeMaximum number: 20Transport: Own transport/ car share

Local Visit: The Firs, Elgar's Birthplace
2025-03-28 11:00 - 14:00 | The Firs, Crown East Lane, Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire, WR2 6RH, United Kingdom
This small family home is set in the midst of a beautiful cottage garden and is always a delight no matter how many times you have been. A chance to sit, reflect, and admire an array of seasonal flowers and plants. There is also a visitor centre and an orchard and woodland to explore. Little Al’s on-site Cafe serves lunch and refreshments.

Visit leader: Elaine TomlinsonMaximum Number: 30Transport: Own transport or car shareAddress: Crown East Lane, Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire, WR2 6RH

Designated mobility parking in main car park. Wheelchair access to visitor centre and garden – limited wheelchair access to cottage. Accessible toilet located in visitor centre.

Local Visit: Diglis Island and Fish Pass
2025-04-02 13:30 - 15:00 | Diglis Weir, Diglis Weir Bromwich Road, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR2 4FF, United Kingdom
We will be accompanied by Diglis expert guides onto and around the man-made island and towpath. We’ll see its hidden heritage such as the Victorian lock workshops, hear of its role in supporting endangered fish and experience the largest fish viewing window in England and Wales.

NB: There are steps down to the fish pass and we’ll be crossing using the lock gates, so sturdy footwear is recommended. Not recommended for those with mobility issues.

Visit Leader: David and Carole EntwistleMaximum Number: 36Start: 1.30pmFinish: 3.00pmTransport: Worcester Foregate station is a 15 min. walk, car or car share.

Local Visit: Guided Tours of Madresfield Court and Gardens
2025-05-21 13:30 - 17:00 | Madresfield Court, Madresfield Estate, Madresfield, Worcestershire, WR13 5AJ, United Kingdom
With two expert guides, we’ll visit 10 rooms (including the chapel) of this beautiful family home. There will also be a gardener-guided garden highlights tour taking place whilst half of the group is having the house tour. Refreshments will be available to purchase. The group will be split into two as the Court can only take 15 people at one time.

NB: Some of the house is not easily accessible for those with mobility issues; please contact the organisers before booking.

Visit Leaders: Carole and David Entwistle

Maximun Number: 34Transport: Own transport/ car share

Local Visit: Coddington Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting
2025-06-20 11:30 - 15:00 | Coddington Vineyard, Coddington Vineyard, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1JJ
Enjoy a guided tour around the beautiful garden and vineyard. Learn a brief history, followed by a tasting of the award winning wines. You can also purchase a lunch platter at £15/person. The end-time is advisory as there is no set time limit.

Visit Leader: Elaine Tomlinson

Maximum number: 20

Transport: Own Transport/ Car Share

Visit: Vale of Rheidol Railway and Aberystwyth
2025-07-01 00:00 - 23:59
A visit to the Vale of Rheidol Railway and the seaside and university town of Aberystwyth, organised by the Friends of Malvern’s Railway Group. The narrow gauge 1902 line passes through delightful countryside, climbing from sea level to 680 feet at Devil’s Bridge. See the video at https//www.rheidolrailway.co.uk/top-10-reasons-to-visit/ . This will be a day out in West Wales with wide appeal. Travel by car to Devil’s Bridge and take the one hour train journey to Aberystwyth for a 2 hour break (railway museum, town and promenade) before the return journey.

Start from Malvern by car at 0900. Reach Devil’s Bridge by 11.45 for train at 12.30. Return journey from Aberystwyth starts at 3.45. Arrive Malvern by 7.30.

Lunch: own sandwiches or local cafe/restaurant.

Price covers railway ticket.

Transport: own car or car share.

Visit Leader David Gowan (david.gowan@btinternet.com. or 01684778129 or 07764412730 from whom further details can be obtained and places reserved.

Local Visit: Day out at Winterbourne House and Garden
2025-07-02 11:30 - 16:00 | Winterbourne House, 58 Edgbaston Park Rd, Birmingham, B15 2RT, United Kingdom
Winterbourne House is an Arts and Crafts house built by John and Margaret Nettlefold and it is where they brought up their family. It has been restored to reflect their life and is delightful. The garden is equally beautiful and diverse. After a brief introduction, we will be free to wander through both the house and garden.

Visit Leader: Katharine Barber

Maximum Number: 40

Transport: Rail to University station (10-15 min. walk) or by car/car share (parking nearby)

Local Visit: Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
2025-08-04 11:30 - 15:00 | Hampton Court Castle, Hampton Court Castle, Hope under Dinmore, Herefordshire, HR6 0PN, United Kingdom
The programme for. our. visit to Hampton Court Castle has been revised. The castle was begun by Henry IV with the oldest part dating back to 1427, making it older than Hampton Court Palace! Since then it has passed through many hands and it is a truly fascinating place. It was rescued in the 1990s by Robert Van Kampen who also created an enchanting garden. Unfortunately visits inside the castle are no longer available, but the head gardener take us round in the afternoon so that we get full value from a garden tour. The cost is reduced, there will now be no limit on numbers, and the visit includes a free booklet on the gardens.

Visit Leader: Andrew Huntley

Maximum Number: No limit!

Start: 2.00pm for garden tour (I hour approx.). Meet by the greenhouse to the right of the entrance in the ornamental garden. Gates open at 10.30 am. Members should give their names and confirm at the ticket office that they are in the MCS Group.Finish: About 3.00pm, but free to roam until close at 5.00pm.

Lunch: In the Orangery Cafe at own cost or your own picnic in the grounds.

Transport: Own transport or car share.

Cost £10 plus booking fee

Local Visit: Canwood Gallery and Sculpture Park
2025-09-08 11:00 - 15:00 | Canwood Gallery, Canwood Gallery, Checkley, Herefordshire, HR1 4NF, United Kingdom
Canwood Gallery is a not-for-profit gallery set up with the goal of exhibiting thought provoking art within the beautiful and inspiring countryside of Herefordshire. The gallery’s profits are all donated to Bart’s Charity. The visit also coincides with Herefordshire Art Week.

Visit Leader: Elaine Tomlinson

Maximum Number: 40

We start at 11am with an introductory talk. After that you are free to look around for as long as you wish.

Transport: Own transport/car share

Local Visit: Gloucestershire Energy from Waste
2025-11-13 09:30 - 12:30 | Gloucestershire Energy from Waste, Javelin Park, Bath Rd, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, GL10 3ET, United Kingdom
Do join us for a private visit to this fascinating waste management facility that burns household waste to generate electricity to power about 25,000 homes. We will have an explanatory talk followed by a tour of the main production area.

Visit Leader: Sheila Wallett

Maximum number: 15

Start: 10am. Please arrive by 9.30 to allow for registration and allocation of protective clothing. Finish: around 12.30.

Transport: car share necessary because there is space for only 10 cars to park.

NB. Health and Safety Advice. There are several flights of mesh type stairs up and down and you must be able to walk for at least 45 minutes without rest during the tour, which may not be suitable for anyone suffering from vertigo. Wheelchair users and those with mobility issues are welcome to attend the talk and view certain parts of the site through a window.

Visit to Nicholson Organs
2026-01-21 13:30 - 16:00 | Nicholson Organs, Lower Interfields, Malvern, WR14 !UU
Guided tour of this 200 year old company’s latest pipe organ facilities. Nicholson products are to be found in the Witley Court Chapel St Mary’s Madresfield and Malvern Priory.

Number of places 15

Own transport or car share

Led by Katharine Barber

Visit to Sky Garden and Pershore Abbey, Pershore
2026-02-26 10:30 - 15:30 | Pershore Abbey Church Walk Pershore WR10 1BL, Church Walk, Pershore, WR10 1BL, United Kingdom
Sky Garden is the Uk’s leading independent supplier and installer of green roofs, sedum roofs and eco roofs.

Pershore Abbey is some 1300 years old, a former Benedictine Abbey with Anglo-Saxon origins. It is a very fine example of Norman and Early English architecture, and its history reflects the religious and political turbulence of its times. Judy Dale, the President of Pershore Civic Society, will take us on a guided tour.

1030 at Sky Garden, Wick, Pershore (detailed location instructions to be supplied to participants). Finish time 1130.

Lunch under own arrangements in the attractive town of Pershore.

!400 Pershore Abbey, Pershore WR10 3PA. Visit ends c1530.

Number of people 20

Own transport/car share. Car share is particularly requested by Sky Garden as their car park gets full.

The Sky Garden site is a working farm, where care needs to be taken when walking around. Toilets but no refreshments.

Visit Leaders : Jenny Cowpe aided by Ann Bartlett.

Local Visit: Eastnor Castle and Forge
2026-03-17 10:30 - 15:00 | Eastnor castle, eastnor, HR8 1RL, United Kingdom
Our visit to Eastnor Castle and Forge will encompass the Forge in the morning, with a short talk and demonstration by Andrew, who has been running the forge since 1994, and a private visit and tour of the Castle in the afternoon, with time for leisurely lunch in local cafes or nearby Ledbury. For the Forge the party will be divided into 3 groups. For the Castle the groups will come together in one party.

Visit Leader: Andrew Huntley aided by Ann Bartlett.

Maximum number: 30

Start: at the Forge 10. 30, 11.05 and 11.40 in three groups. At the Castle arrive 1.30 for a prompt start at 1.45 in one group.

Finish: Approx 3pm

Transport: car share encouraged because of limited parking space at the Forge.

Detailed directions will be provided for attendees.

The Forge is old and crowded inside, so extra care must be taken while visiting the premises.

Bookings open 14 February.

Local Visit: Alcester and Coughton Court.
2026-04-23 11:00 - 15:30 | Coughton Court, coughton, B49 5JA, United Kingdom
Join us for what promises to be fascinating tour of the old roman town of Alcester led by Alan Godfrey, chairman of the Alcester History Society. After the tour there will be time for lunch in one of Alcester’s many fine cafes and restaurants before an afternoon visit to Coughton Court. Details of the Coughton Court visit to be confirmed nearer the time as the venue is currently being transferred from the National Trust to the Throckmorton family.

Visit Leader: Elaine Tomlinson.

Maximum number: 25

Start: 1100am in Alcester

Finish: to be confirmed but later in the afternoon.

Transport: own car/car share encouraged.

Bookings open 14 February.

Local Visit: The Three Counties Equine Hospital.
2026-05-14 17:30 - 19:00 | Three Counties Equine Hospital, Stratford Bridge, Ripple, GL20 6HE, United Kingdom
The Equine Hospital was established in 1989. We will hear all about the fabulous facilities from the two clinical directors, Mark Georgetti MRCVS and Andrew Harrison MRCVS. Then we will visit the arena and see the different treatment rooms.

Visit Leader: John Chugg aided by Ann Bartlett.

Maximum number: 30 in two groups.

Start: 545pm

Finish: 7pm approx

Transport: own car/car share strongly recommended.

Price £6 plus booking fee. Bookings open 14 February.

Local Visit: BerringtonHall.
2026-06-02 00:00 - 23:59 | Berrington Hall, Leominster, HR6 0DW, United Kingdom
Berrington Hall is a Georgian house sitting within Capability Brown’s final garden and landscape. Explore the Hall at leisure, being sure to see the court mantua dress – an exemplary example. There are many NT guides who are extremely informative and answer many questions. Our very own Nick St George will provide a garden history and architectural tour outside, including a special talk entitled “Berrington, Brown and the Backlash”. This will examine the background to Berrington’s internationally significant late “Capability” Brown landscape and its neo-classical house, designed by Brown’s son-in-law, Henry Holland.

The venue has a tea room serving cakes and sandwiches.

Visit Leaders: Carole and David Entwistle.

Maximum number: 35

Start: 1100 am

Finish: at your leisure. House and gardens close at 5pm. Last entry to the house is at 4pm.

Garden Tours. 12.45 to 2.15 and 3 to 4.30.

Transport: own car/car share.

Price £5 plus booking fee for NT members. £!8.15 plus booking fee for non-NT members.

Local Visit: Kilpeck Church.
2026-07-04 11:30 - 12:30 | Kilpeck Church, kilpeck, HR2 9DN, United States
The parish church of St Mary & St David was originally in Wales and first mention of it was in the book of Llandaff which was given to that diocese in about 650. The church you will visit is about 850 years old and was built in the Romanesque style in about 1140. The carvings around the south door, the 85 corbels, the west window and the monster heads are in a fine state of preservation. We are extremely fortunate that our own John Dixon, a great lover of churches, has offered to guide us around the church.

The Kilpeck Inn offers a good selection of meals and sandwiches. If you wish to eat there, please contact the leader at least 14 days before the visit to choose from the menu.

Visit Leaders: Katharine Barber

Maximum number: 30

Start: 10.45

Finish: 12.30 approx

Transport: own car/car share.

Price £6 plus booking fee. Bookings open 14 February.

Local Visit and Talk: Beauchamp Almshouses and St Leonard's Church.
2026-08-14 14:30 - 16:00 | Beauchamp Community, Malvern, WR13 5AX, United Kingdom
Talk by Duncan Filer and visit to the Almshouses and Church. Learn how this landmark of Malvern’s history is a thriving community.

Visit Leader; Elaine Tomlinson.

Maximum number: 25

Start: 2.30 pm

Finish: 4.30 approx

Transport: own car/car share encouraged because parking is limited.

Price £6 plus booking fee. Bookings open 14 February.

Local Visit: Marlbank Vineyard.
2026-09-18 14:30 - 16:30 | Marlbank Vineyard, Marlbank Farmhouse, Welland, WR13 6NB, United Kingdom
Join us for a visit to the Marlbank Vineyard and discover how the marl soils washed down from the Malvern Hills contribute to the unique characteristics of their award winning Blanc de Noirs sparkling white wine, from the best possible Pinot Noir grapes. There will also be an opportunity to taste the wine!

Visit Leader: David Woodward

Maximum number: 20

Start: 2.30 pm

Finish: 4.30 approx

Transport: own car/car share encouraged because parking is limited.

Price £22 plus booking fee. Bookings open 14 February.

Local Visit: Javelin Park. Gloucestershire Energy from Waste
2026-10-15 09:30 - 12:30 | Gloucestershire Energy from Waste, Javelin Park, Bath Rd, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, GL10 3ET, United Kingdom
Do join us for a private visit to this fascinating waste management facility that burns household waste to generate electricity to power about 25,000 homes. We will have an explanatory talk followed by a tour of the main production area.

Visit Leader: Sheila Wallett

Maximum number: 15

Start: 10am. Please arrive by 9.30 to allow for registration and allocation of protective clothing. Finish: around 12.30.

Transport: car share necessary because there is space for only 10 cars to park.

NB. Health and Safety Advice. There are several flights of mesh type stairs up and down and you must be able to walk for at least 45 minutes without rest during the tour, which may not be suitable for anyone suffering from vertigo. Wheelchair users and those with mobility issues are welcome to attend the talk and view certain parts of the site through a window.

Bookings open 14 February

Local Visit: The Secrets of Croome Court.
2026-11-11 11:00 - 12:30 | Croome Court, high green, worcester, WR8 9DW, United Kingdom
Perhaps you know the Court, but maybe not as well as John Chugg! John attended the last Coventry family party when he was 4 years old, and has memories of two liveried footmen. John and Eileen will take us behind the scenes of the Court. We hope for access to the attics, where interesting furniture is stored, but this can’t be guaranteed. What’s guaranteed is a fascinating morning

Visit Leaders: John Chugg and Eileen Clement, aided by Ann Bartlett.

Maximum number: 20 in two groups of 10.

Start: 1100am.

Finish: 1230 approx.

Transport: own car/car share encouraged.

Price £5 plus booking fee for NT members. £!9.10 plus booking fee for non-NT members.
