TO ENQUIRE ABOUT FORTHCOMING TRIPS PLEASE CONTACT ELAINE BASS ON 07799 233 891, USE THE CONTACT FORM BELOW, OR EMAIL outings@bju3a.co.uk
In addition to those trips, some of our Groups arrange visits either as part of their normal activities, such as our Antiques and Collectibles Groups who go to various Antiques Fairs, or arrange visits to locations of interest to their Group, such as our Gardening Groups who occasionally visit particular gardens. Whilst these are normally restricted to members of the organising Group, sometimes the Group does open up participation in the visits to non-Group members.
Our travel arrangements depend on the distance from Burton Joyce and number of people participating in the event. So private cars, the community minibus or a hired coach can be used in any combination as required.
Previous Trips
Thursford Christmas Spectacular – Monday 13th November 2023.
It was a while since we have been to this extravaganza of non-stop, singing, dancing, music, humour and variety. It is a fast-moving celebration of the festive season featuring an eclectic mix of both seasonal and year-round favourites. With a cast of 120 professional singers, dancers and musicians, most of whom are straight from the West End, this is the biggest Christmas show of its kind in Europe! It is set in the magical surroundings of mechanical organs and fairground carousels with the auditorium ablaze with colour. It features famous and much-loved chart toppers being performed alongside traditional carols.
We booked 52 seats and arranged transport from Burton Joyce, a Christmas lunch at the Refectory at Walsingham Priory, a short distance away from Thursford, where we arrived in good time for the 2 p.m. matinee performance. It was a most amazing high quality show by first class performers!
River Cruise and Sunday Lunch – 20th August 2023
We spent 3 leisurely hours cruising the River Trent and enjoying roast Sunday lunch on board., seeing views of our historic city between Holme Pierrepoint and Wilford Church. Departing from The River Lodge, Racecourse Road, boarding was at 12 o’clock, sailing at 12.30pm, following by the cruise and meal, returning at 3.30pm.
Palace of Westminster Visit – Monday 31st July 2023.
Our last visit to the mother of all parliaments was in 2014 and members who recall going say what a very popular visit this was and how much they enjoyed a wonderful day out. It took a while to obtain confirmation of the date of our 2023 visit but we eventually made the trip on July 31st..
The day included a cruise with commentary on the River Thames to the Tower of London and London Bridge, passing many famous landmarks. After a short stay there, enjoying a cup or tea or coffee and a snack, we returned to Westminster Pier for our private guided tour of the Palace of Westminster, usually known as the Houses of Parliament. There we entered Westminster Hall where our late Queen lay in state before her funeral, passed through Central Lobby from where regular TV news reports from parliament are seen, then into the House of Commons, the House of Lords, the Long Gallery and the King’s Robing Room, as well as other parts not usually seen by casual visitors.
Bletchley Park – September 2022
Forthcoming Trips
2024 trips presently under consideration are:-
British Horological Institute: Upton Hall, Upton, Newark NG23 5TE.
Close by, just the other side of Southwell, full of interest and situated in a Grade II Listed Building. The Institute is the representative body of the horological industry in the UK, founded by a group of clockmakers in 1858. Members began collecting clocks, watches and other timepieces, tools, instruments, photographs and archives containing over 5,000-6,000 valuable documents, plus a library of 4,000-5,000 books. From minuscule mechanisms and precision engineering to colossal constructions and atomic devices, with highlights comprising the first successful electric timepiece from the 17th century, to the personal watch of Captain R.F. Scott (of Antarctic fame). There are exhibits for all to see and enjoy, of long case clocks, monastic clocks to regulators, decorative, elaborate and mesmerising examples that chime and ring on the hour.
Though presently closed for the winter until 31st March, Group visits are available and will continue after the re-opening.
Burghley House, Stamford, Lincs.
Just an hour’s journey to this grand, imposing, 16th century Grade I country house just outside Stamford, built and still lived in by the Cecil family. It is set in magnificent parkland laid out by Lancelot Capability Brown, the lake covering 26 acres. Its design gives the impression of a meandering river. He also designed the Lion Bridge, built at a cost of 1,000 guineas (£1,050). He was paid £23,000 in total for all his work and his landscape has been conserved by planting 30,000 new trees between 2012 and 2016.
Built between 1555 and 1587, costing £23,000 at the time, the House retains its Elizabeth appearance and the interior displays a circuit of grand and richly furnished state apartments. The main part of the house has 35 major rooms on the ground and first floors. There are more than 80 lesser rooms and numerous halls corridors, bathrooms and service areas. At least 3 hours is needed to go round the house. There are of course refreshment facilities available to visitors. After visiting the house and gardens, there may be time to visit the nearby historical town of Stamford with its acclaimed 16th architecture.
Lea Rhododendron Gardens, Matlock.
Just outside the village of Lea in approximately 3.5 acres situated within a woodland area with access paths which allow visitors to see 500 or more varieties of rhododendrons, azaleas and other plants and shrubs. There is a teashop to enjoy as part of the visit, serving tea, coffee, cold drinks, home-made cakes and light lunches, with stunning views of the gardens.
The gardens have been owned by the Tye family since 1960 and were founded in 1935 and laid out in 1920. Additional plants include kalmia and many collected from across the world. A wide variety of alpines, acers (Japanese maples) dwarf conifers, heathers and spring bulbs are to be found in the rock garden. The Gardens are situated on the remains of a disused medieval millstone quarry, located on a woody hillside on a south-west-facing slope, on the northerly edge of the Amber Valley, looking across to one of the 1,000 feet peaks of the Pennine chain.
The Great British Car Journey.
Situated at Ambergate, in the Derbyshire Dales, it is a tour through British motoring history. The journey features over 130 British classic cars, taking you through the golden ages of British design and manufacturing starting with the Austin Seven, through to the Morris Minor, classic Mini, Ford Escort, and everything in between, covering production cars from 1922. If a guided tour is not available, visitors are guided round by an interactive tablet.
Opened on 22nd May 2021, the Journey has already received Tourist Industry accolades. There is a great cafe where visitors can relax after the remarkable tour through time. A great outing down memory lane!
The National Holocaust Centre and Museum, Laxton, nr Ollerton.
This is so much more than a museum. It is vibrant memorial, a place of testimony and a centre of learning for communities of all faiths, or none, across the UK. Since the Centre was established in 1995, in the grounds of a former farmhouse in the village of Laxton, on the edge of Sherwood Forest, it remains the first and only place of its kind in the UK.
Dedicated to Holocaust remembrance and education, the surrounding countryside provides a peaceful setting and the Centre itself is surrounded by a beautifully landscaped Memorial Garden. The scent and sight of more than 1,000 white roses in full bloom stands as a poignant living commemoration of the Holocaust. Each individual rose carries a precious reminder and together they make a powerful statement.