Our visit to Nature in Art at Twigworth includes an introductory talk, then an opportunity to explore the various galleries and garden features at leisure.  On the day of our visit a new exhibition will open.  Called ‘Ancient Yesterdays II’, it will feature work by the artist Elizabeth Gray, who died in 2022.  Her reduction linocuts are from a 15-year series ‘Ancient Yesterdays’, some unsigned and untitled, others not previously displayed.

Light lunches are available at the on-site Hayward Coffee Shop, overlooking the sculpture garden.  You can even bring a picnic and use various spots in the garden to enjoy your lunch.

After lunch, our coach will take us to Hellens Manor, reputed to be one of the oldest dwellings in Britain.  It is a mixture of Tudor and Jacobean architecture that has evolved from  original 12th century stonework.  Here we will have exclusive access to the house and gardens.  Our visit includes guided tours of the house where there are examples of Arts Society supported textile conservation projects, portraits by van Dyck, miniatures by Samuel Cooper, as well as fine examples of works by Hogarth and Gainsborough. 

Access into and within the house may not be suitable for some people with reduced mobility. If this may affect you, please email: visits@theartssocietycheltenham.org.uk.

Reflecting the house’s history, the gardens include a yew labyrinth, a rare octagonal dovecote, physic garden, knot garden and wonderful views to the Malvern Hills

Before we leave Hellens Manor, we will have tea/coffee and traditional scones, with jam and cream – all included in your ticket.

The combined whole day visit costs £45 per member or £50 per guest. 

If you wish to join this visit to Nature in Art and Hellens Manor, click here and an email booking form will pop up.  

Type in the required information; then simply click the SEND button on the email to register your interest, and then make your payment to secure your place.

If you have any queries, please email: visits@theartssocietycheltenham.org.uk

Beneath the floor of St Philip & St James, Leckhampton, lies a lesser known solution where locals have been interred and interned in the crypt over time; the former in catacombs, but the latter in a rare columbarium - the first within an English church since the Reformation.

This visit will include a short talk by a local historian on the connections between memorials on the church walls and those laid to rest beneath this floor.  Then visits to the crypt will be in guided groups, with afternoon tea or coffee and cake served whilst we wait for, or after we complete, our visit to these fascinating subterranean spaces.

Please note: Access to the crypt is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. 

Entry to the crypt is only by a short series of high steps (each step approximately twice the height of normal steps) and, as is often the case with such places, headroom is restricted in parts.  A short illustrated talk about the Catacombs and Columbarium will be available to anyone who wishes to join the visit but cannot easily access the crypt. 

The visit will be between 2pm and 4:30pm and cost £15 per person. 

If you wish to join this visit, click here and an email booking form will pop up.  

Type in your name, your telephone number, and the names of up to two guests you wish to invite; then click the SEND button on the email.

You will receive a confirmation email that will provide more information, including bank payment instructions.

If you have any queries, please contact: visits.cheltenham@theartssociety.org

Christmas is coming and a visit to Waddesdon Manor, the ancestral home of the Rothschilds family, at this festive time is one of the highlights on the National Trust calendar. The visit includes a tour of the House decked out for Christmas, the Christmas Fair and immersive light shows illuminating the House and, a walking light trail through the grounds. Full details on the website. (Waddesdon.org.uk)

The cost, excluding refreshments, is £45.50 for NT members and £64.50 for non-members. Payments can be made by Bank Transfer to  Lloyds Bank Sort code: 30-95-72 Account no: 02351190 quoting reference WADD + your name, or by credit card at a lecture. 

This event is fully booked.

At the turn of the 16th century, three titans of the Italian Renaissance – Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael – briefly crossed paths, competing for the attention of the most powerful patrons in Republican Florence.

On 25 January 1504, Florence’s most prominent artists met to advise on an appropriate location for Michelangelo’s nearly finished David. Among them was Leonardo da Vinci, who – like Michelangelo – had only recently returned to his native Florence.

Starting with Michelangelo’s celebrated Taddei Tondo, this exhibition explores the rivalry between Michelangelo and Leonardo and the influence both had on the young Raphael.

Exhibition organised by the Royal Academy of Arts, London, in partnership with Royal Collection Trust and the National Gallery, London.''

Transport & Approximate Timings: Executive Coach leaving Cheltenham at 8.30 am arriving at Royal Academy around 10.30 - 11am.  Guided Tour of the exhibition (we’ll be split into two groups) with timed entry at 11.40 and 12 noon. Free time following the tour returning to Cheltenham late afternoon.
Cost:  £45 per person (approx) includes entrance to the Exhibition (£25 for RA members)

If you are paid up members and would like to book places on this visit please email  Colin Hooker at visits.cheltenham@theartssociety.org with your name/s also indicating whether you are members of The Royal Academy

Strong interest is anticipated so places will be allocated on a first email reply basis. There will be a wait list after the first 45 applications

Further details, including payment and pick up venues, will be released to those successful applicants in due course.

Rolling hills meet dramatic cliffs in Kent, the garden of England. Orchards & vineyards heavy with fruit demonstrate the fecundity of the land, whicj is dotted with elegant stately homes. A lovely seaside resort provides a perfect base for exploration.

The visit includes a full programme of excursions including:

Standen House & Garden

The Royal Pavilion, Brighton

Hever Castle

Charleston House

All Saints Church, Tudeley

Watts Gallery Artists Village

The Booking Form may be found in the Documents Folder.

Please note that twin/double rooms are available. All single rooms have now been booked.

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Set in the heart of England’s smallest City, Wells is the earliest English Cathedral to be built in the Gothic style and nowhere better displays the increasing skills and achievements of the Master Masons. The Cathedral has been called “unquestionably one of the most beautiful” and “most poetic of all English Cathedrals”. To enhance our visit a private Architecture Tour - Building Architectural Beauty is included. 

There will be free time after the tour to explore more of the Cathedral or perhaps wander the Vicar’s Close the only complete medieval street left in England or possibly pop out to the Wells Street Market held on a Wednesday for some local delicacies for lunch.

No visit to this historical City would be complete without a visit to the adjacent Bishop’s Palace and Gardens. Again, we have a private tour of the Palace booked to learn a little more about the 800 years of its’ history plus plenty of time left to wander their magnificent RHS gardens. 

Please be aware that there is a ten minute walk (each way) over cobblestones from the coach set-down point so comfy shoes please. Otherwise, all areas we are visiting are accessible and other areas can be undertaken at your own risk.

With the normal luxury coach travel and three pick-up points the cost of this visit is just £46 for Members and £49 for Guests. The price also includes coffee/tea on arrival and the two tours mentioned above.  Booking information and how to book can be found in the Documents Folder on our website www.theartssocietycheltenham.org  Any queries before booking please get in touch with Carolyn McQuitty either on visits.cheltenham@theartssociety.org or 01242 581291.

This promises to be a day out with lots of options as to what  to do and see as everything is very close by in this England’s smallest City.

The visit is now fully booked but if you would like to add your name to the Waiting List please contact Carolyn McQuitty.