Sheffield 2019

We depart the Maresfield area and make our way north. Having made a suitable stop we break our journey over the lunch period at The Battle of Bosworth visitors centre. Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre tells the dramatic story of the Battle of Bosworth on Monday 22nd August 1485, which marked a major turning point in English history. Discover more about the Battle where Richard III fought for his crown and lost his life, and Henry Tudor became King! Find out how archaeologists discovered the true location of the Battle and see some of the unique objects that were unearthed. Mid afternoon we continue on to our hotel.

Tuesday 19 – Thursday 21 March

A full program of fascinating visits in and around a city that we suspect you would never otherwise visit.

During our stay in the city we will enjoy the company of a local blue badge guide who will guide us around his home town and the surrounding area.

One of the highlights of our stay will be a visit to The Cutlers Hall. The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire was incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1621, and in 1638 the Company bought a piece of land on Church Street and built their first hall. The present hall, the third, a Grade II* listed building, was built on the same piece of land in 1832. This is regarded as one of the finest livery halls in the north of England. From its beginnings in the early part of the 17th century, the Cutlers' Company has played an integral role both in the expansion of the major local industries and in the growth of Sheffield.  There will be time to visit The Sykes Gallery, Sheffield’s Metalwork Collection which is one of the finest in the world. It contains the cutlery, flatware and tableware that have made Sheffield famous, as well as beautiful objects collected from every continent.  The Collection comprises of some 13,000 items, thought to be the most extensive grouping of Sheffield-made cutlery, flatware (forks and spoons) and holloware (bowls, teapots, containers) in existence. The Collection was awarded Designated Status by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport in 1999 in recognition of its outstanding national and historical significance.   The Ruskin Collection, we will see a broad range of exhibits, including early renaissance art, gothic architecture, engravings, mosaic decoration, illustrations of birds, flowers, insects, geological specimens, illustrated books and medieval manuscripts.  Coinciding with our visit will be a very special exhibition of drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci on loan from The Royal Collection.  You will see many other buildings of note the 1893 Town Hall and the impressive Winter Garden – the largest urban glass house in Europe – which now faces Tudor Square, home to the Crucible and Lyceum theatres. The medieval Anglican Cathedral, an astounding building to visit, has reopened following complete restoration.  The Sheffield Victorian Botanical Gardens have been entirely restored and remodelled with the magnificent glasshouse. A clutch of excellent museums and visitor centres tell different aspects of the city's story.  We shall visit the Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet and there are many other little surprises around the city like the Abbeydale Picture House that we will visit. We also take you out of the city to the edge of the moors and enjoy a scenic drive to an area that was renown for being the heart of the silver plating industry and enjoys some fabulous scenery.

Victoria at The Sheffield Lyceum Theatre (world premiere tour) on Thursday 21st March. 14.00 matinee, stalls seats. This is optional and tickets are £40.00.  A co-production between Northern Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada.  Passion, tragedy, fierce devotion. Queen Victoria’s diaries revealed a life so fascinating that her daughter Beatrice tried to rewrite history. Her irrepressible love for Albert sparked a royal dynasty. But his untimely death brought the world's most powerful woman to her knees with grief. Northern Ballet's new biopic brings the sensational story of Victoria to life in dance. Choreographed by Cathy Marston, creator of Northern Ballet’s acclaimed Jane Eyre. Don’t miss it.

After breakfast we commence our journey back to Sussex. We break our journey in the historic town of Warwick with time for lunch and a quick look around before continuing our journey south. We expect to arrive back in the Maresfield area by approximately 18.30.