VISITS

21 March 2012

Strawberry Hill, Twickenham & Ham House, Richmond-on-Thames

Our visit will begin with coffee and tour of Strawberry Hill. The Strawberry Hill Trust, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, has recently undertaken a £9 million repair and restoration of Walpole’s villa. Created by Horace Walpole in the 18th century, Strawberry Hill is internationally famous as Britain’s finest example of Georgian Gothic revival architecture. Horace Walpole (1717 – 1797) son of Sir Robert, Britain’s first Prime Minister, built Strawberry Hill to house his vast collection of treasures. Walpole intended a tour of Strawberry Hill to be a theatrical experience. You enter a gloomy hall and pass up a staircase of grey stony appearance before finally entering the sumptuous state apartment - a burst of crimson and gold. Lady Waldegrave was the chatelaine of Strawberry Hill during most of the 19th century. Preserving Walpole’s house, she added grand entertaining spaces now known as the Waldegrave Wing. In 1923 Strawberry Hill was purchased for St Mary’s. In 2007 it was leased to The Strawberry Hill Trust to restore and open to the public. Strawberry Hill was filled with art, antiquities and curiosities of every period from the ancient to the modern.

After our visit we shall move on to Ham House, 5 miles away, where we shall be able to purchase food or if you prefer eat your own packed lunch.

A 400-year-old treasure trove waiting to be discovered and one of a series of grand houses and palaces alongside the River Thames. Ham House and Garden is an unusually complete survival of the 17th century that impressed in its day and continues to do so today. Rich in history and atmosphere, Ham is largely the vision of Elizabeth Murray, Countess of Dysart, who was deeply embroiled in the politics of the English Civil War and subsequent restoration of the monarchy. Discover the fine interiors and historic gardens that make Ham an unusual and fascinating place to visit. You will be free to wander the house at leisure; there are guides in every room. A garden tour has been arranged for our group at 3.15pm. We shall depart at about 4.15pm. This is a National Trust House so if you are a member there will be no entry charge.

The coach will pick up at the following places
Town Hall 7.40am, Sacred Hearts 8.00am

Cost for NT members: Nadfas £28 Guests: £30.
OR (not NT members) Nadfas: £38 Guests £40.