We are planning a self-drive visit to the wonderful Palladian historic home built by Lord Arlington in 1666, set in 10,500 acres of landscaped gardens, parkland, ancient broadleaf woodland and agricultural farmland, home to the Dukes of Grafton for over 350 years.

Since 2012, the 12th Duke of Grafton has undertaken an extensive restoration effort, breathing new life into the Hall and its surrounding grounds, ensuring its legacy endures for generations to come.

The timetable for the day is:

Arrive at 10.50
Coffee or tea at 11.00
Guided Tour of the Hall followed by free time to explore the grounds at 11.15
Sandwich lunch at 12.45

The cost £25.00 per member, £28.00 per guest, to include coffee/tea on arrival, guided private tour of the Hall, free time in the grounds, sandwich lunch with tea/coffee/soft drinks. Numbers are strictly limited.  To book, please download the form from the Documents section under Our Society.

Elton Hall has been home to the Proby family since 1660.

It is a fascinating mixture of styles, reflecting the tastes and interest of succeeding generations. Every room contains treasures – magnificent furniture, a wonderful collection of porcelain and fine paintings from early 15th century Old Masters to the remarkable 19th century work of Alma Tadema and Millais. The library, one of the largest in private ownership, possess such as Henry VIII’s prayer book.

The garden, restored over the last forty years was awarded the Historic Houses Judges’ Choice Garden of 2021 and includes glorious herbaceous borders, an orangery garden, topiary and a sunken lily pond.

To apply, please download the application form from the Documents section

Programme (please note this visit is being offered on a self-drive basis)

13.30 Arrive Gainsborough House CO10 2EU

13.45 Introductory Talk by Emma Boyd, Museum Curator

14.30 Small Group Guided Tours

15.30 Tea and Cake in the Watering Place Cafe

16.00 Time at leisure to wander through the collections, explore the garden and shop, or visit the special exhibition ‘Gainsborough and the Legacy of Landscape: Masterpieces from Woburn Abbey’ (additional ticket £5.00, payable on the day)

17.00 Museum closes

The booking form can be downloaded from the Document section of the website.

A beautiful mediaeval moated manor which is the seat of the Walpole family. We will have a guided tour of the house and gardens, particularly the famous rose garden and sensory garden. There is a ruined chapel which has been made into a folly garden. On arrival there will be a guided tour of the house followed by a ploughman’s lunch. After lunch there will be a guided tour of the gardens and there may be time to explore the estate further to see the chapel and folly garden, stable yard gallery and visitor centre.

For more information and to apply, please visit the Documents under the Our Society section of this website.

Arrive at Prebendal Manor with a tour of the house and garden. There is a tithe barn and artifacts and a history of Nassington. A light lunch will be served.

 In the afternoon we travel to Milton Hall, which is approximately 20 minutes away, where we will be offered a tour of the house. The house is private so we are privileged to have this opportunity.

 This is only on offer to paid-up members. Numbers are limited so places will be given on a first come first served basis.  For health reasons, rather than booking a coach, the Committee advises that members use their own cars, sharing where they are comfortable to do so.

Cost £30 each.

The application form can be downloaded in the Documents section under the Our Society heading.

Mannington Hall is a moated medieval country house in the parish of Itteringham in Norfolk. Moated hall built mid 15th century and purchased by Horatio, diplomat brother of Sir Robert Walpole, in the 18th century. Extended in the 1860s by the 4th and 5th Earls of Orford, it remains a Walpole family home. Gardens feature roses, especially classic varieties, themed borders, ruined church, Victorian follies, wildflower meadow, bird hide and arboretum.

VISIT TO SOMERLEYTON HALL AND GARDENS

 JUNE 18th 2019

Somerleyton Hall is one of the finest private houses in East Anglia, owned by the Crossley family. It is very much a family home, most recently re-designed in Anglo-Italian style in the mid 19th century. It is Grade 11 listed as are the formal gardens, which feature a yew hedge maze, walled gardens, new rose garden, pergolas and a fine collection of specimen trees.

We shall have private tours of both the Hall and Gardens, time for coffee and a light lunch.

A coach has been booked and providing 35 (minimum) join the visit, the price will be in the region of £26.00. Journey time just under 2hrs. Near Suffolk coast / Lowestoft.

If you would like to secure a place, please email angela.mulberryfarm@gmail.com

Official bookings will start 1st March 2019

A tale of two young lovers separated by the cruelty of society and fate, La traviata is one of opera’s most powerful and enduring romances.

When Alfredo, an innocent young man from the country, meets charismatic Parisian courtesan Violetta, he falls deeply and immediately in love. But can Violetta ever escape her dark past and find a new beginning with him? And will his family ever consent to their relationship?

The only Verdi opera set in the composer’s own day, La traviata still feels startlingly contemporary – a truthful, unblinking exploration of love and desire and the many contradictions and complications of human emotion. Tom Cairns’ timeless production combines sumptuous visuals with heart-breaking dramatic realism to create a true contemporary classic.

Set to some of opera’s most memorable tunes, from rousing drinking songs to passionate love-duets, Verdi’s score amplifies a familiar story, transforming it into something profoundly moving, whether you’re seeing it for the first or the fiftieth time.

For booking form and further details click on "Our Society" then "Documents" to download the flyer

For booking form and further details click on "About Us" and then "Documents" to download the flyer

to include an introduction by Christopher Garibaldi - Museum Director and drinks and refreshments by 'The Pantry' the new caterers for the Museum £15 per person. For further details see Flyer and Booking Form by clicking on "About Us" and then "Documents".

The Matinee starts at 2.30 pm and there will be plenty of time for lunch and shopping or visit to another Norwich attraction. The coach will leave Newmarket at 10.30 and return around 6.30 Price of ticket and coach: £37.50 per person

Day trip to London see 'Documents' for booking form

The coach will leave Newmarket at 8.00 and return around 7.30. The day will include a guided tour of Penshurst House in the morning and there will be plenty of leisure time to enjoy the gardens of both houses. Cost of day but not including food - £35 Bring a picnic or purchase from a wide range of lunch and tea refreshments during the visit.

8.00 am Coach leaves outside Hughes on Newmarket High Street. Returns for 7.30 pm. Guided visit to: Cutty Sark, Gipsy Moth, The Queen's House, Maritime Museum AND Flamsted House, Meridian Line Wolfe's Statue. OR explore Greenwich on your own £18 (payable to Newmarket DFAS) Tickets: Mrs. Anne Bloomfield at info@newmarketdfas.org.uk

Cost: £22 (£14 for Nat.Heritage members) by coach at 9.00 outside Hughes, High Street, Newmarket Organiser: Paddy Smith

As featured in the most recent NADFAS magazine members will know that the Higgins has recently been refurbished with several new galleries added. We shall have a preliminary tour in the morning, with the rest of the day to return individually to items of particular interest, or may be to cross the road to the Bunyan Museum where entrance is also free. City Centre shopping is five minutes away. The museum has a very nice café for morning coffee and afternoon tea and the Riverside Grill next door can provide anything from a snack to a full lunch; or you can take your own picnic to eat by the river. Cost for the day covers travel and the morning Higgins Tour. There is a concession for over 60’s making the total £15; under 60’s will pay £16. Your only additional expense will be your tea/coffee/lunch.

The coach leaves Newmarket at 9.30 am from Hughes on the High Street (£2 all day parking at All Saints Car Park) and arrives back at 5.15 pm. The price £35 includes coach journey, lunch (soup, sandwiches and tea or coffee), guided tour of the house, access to the gardens and a guided coach trip of the surrounding park and village. Morning tea and coffee paid for separately. (Places will be reserved on a first-come basis and late-comer’s cheques will be returned immediately when the list is full.) For a form please email: admin@newmarketdfas.org.uk

The coach leaves Newmarket (car park opposite Tesco) at 4.00 pm. £50 for best seats including travel. A pre-theatre group supper at the Assembly House is being arranged.

Fotheringhay, is the birthplace of Richard III. In the morning we will visit the Mound and the Church which is associated with Mary Queen of Scots. Here there is an exhibition mounted by Lady Victoria Leeming. We will then go to Prebendal Manor five miles away at Nassington for lunch.We will visit the 800 year old manor and its re-created medieval gardens and also the tithe barn and museum. 9.30 Tesco Park and Ride. Return 5.30. £22 includes lunch Contact Mrs. Paddy Smith