Chavenage House and Westonbirt 023

We depart Sussex and make our way west. Having made a suitable comfort stop we arrive at Westonbirt Arboretum in time for lunch. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore during what is one of the most colourful periods of the year. Westonbirt Arboretum, The National Arboretum is a remarkable place for people to enjoy and learn about trees. Borne of a Victorian passion for plant collecting, around 15,000 trees from all over the globe now offer the perfect setting to escape, relax or have an adventure…  Created by Victorian entrepreneur Robert Holford, its 240 hectares (600 acres) were planted during an exciting period of plant hunting, when trees and shrubs from all over the globe were introduced to Britain.  Unlike other arboretums, the landscape here was laid out aesthetically rather than in a botanical order, meaning Westonbirt Arboretum is truly one of the most beautiful tree gardens to be found anywhere in the world.  Later in the afternoon we make our way to our hotel. Dinner included at the hotel this evening

After a leisurely breakfast we depart the hotel and take the scenic route to Tetbury where we shall spend some time and get an early lunch. Tetbury has many lovely independent shops and café’s. From Tetbury we make the short drive to Chavenage House where we will enjoy a guided tour and have tea before heading for home. Our members rated our last tour to Chavenage as one of the best ever, personally led by family member Caroline Lowsley-Williams a born guide and raconteur who kept us spell bound for the duration of the tour.  Caroline will once again be guiding us when we visit Chavenage,  a wonderful Elizabethan house of mellow grey Cotswold stone and tiles which contains much of interest for the discerning visitor. The approach aspect of Chavenage is virtually as it was left by Edward Stephens in 1576. Only two families have owned Chavenage; the present owners (Lowsley-Williams) since 1891 and the Stephens family before them.  Inside Chavenage there are many interesting rooms, especially the 17th-century tapestries. The house and grounds have been used as a TV and film location on many occasions, including featuring as Trenwith in the hugely popular Poldark. Having made a suitable comfort stop we expect to arrive back in the Maresfield area by approximately 19.00.