Excursion Options for 2009—2010

1. In and around Stratford-upon-Avon:

The Shakespeare Properties
Nash's House/New Place, Hall's Croft
£3 per person
Anne Hathaway's Cottage
£3 per person
Mary Arden's House
£5 per person

The Birthplace as it says is the site of Shakespeare’s birth and his childhood home.
Nash’s House/New Place was Shakespeare’s retirement home and the place of his death. The original house was knocked down but the original site is still of interest. The main sight to see is the beautiful gardens which run down almost to the river.
Hall’s Croft is the house owned by Shakespeare’s daughter who married Dr. John Hall. The house gives a fascinating insight into the life of wealthy people and medical matters of the time.
Anne Hathaway’s cottage is a very pretty country cottage belonging to the family of Shakespeare’s wife. It has a beautiful garden and contains authentic furniture.
Mary Arden’s House was a working farm belonging to Shakespeare’s mother’s family. It is the only property which takes more than one hour to visit (allow at least 2 hours). There are falconry displays and we can arrange educational workshops here which are more suitable for younger students.
Backstage tours
Not available all through the year but highly recommended especially if the students are to see one of the plays. The guides give a brief history of the theatres and some background information to the current plays. £4.50 per person

The Butterfly Farm

The largest butterfly farm in Europe which can also provide some interesting lectures suitable for scientific based students. £4*

Backstage tours

Not available all through the year but highly recommended especially if the students are to see one of the plays. The guides give a brief history of the theatres and some background information to the current plays. £4.50*

Brass Rubbing Centre

Groups are offered a talk about church brasses from all over the country and given a chance to produce their own work of art. £2.50*

2. Local excursions:

Warwick Castle is probably the most popular attraction of our programmes. It offers 3 main exhibitions; two of which comprise of waxwork models. The historical artefacts and grounds are fascinating. Students often say that half a day here is not long enough. From £8.50*

Oxford offers many attractions, most of which are related to the university. There is the Oxford Story a ride through time to trace the history of education in Oxford. £4.50 plus transport fees (£300 per day for a coach). Various colleges are also open for viewing including Christ-church £3.50*. Guided tours for 1 or 2 hours can also be arranged £4.00*. Various museums (free) and art galleries are also open.

Blenheim Palace £15 can make a beautiful stopping point on the way to Oxford. It is an exquisite building with well presented guided tours which include much information about Winston Churchill.

The Cotswolds is an attractive area which offers walks, relaxing visits to country villages and an opportunity to try a cream tea. Bourton-on-the-Water also has attractions such as a model village, Birdland, a perfumery and a motor museum. The Perfumery £4.50 plus transport (£200 for a coach) would be the most suitable for our groups and includes a talk relating to the science of scents, a sensory garden and a cinema show complete with smells.

Birmingham shows some of our industrial heritage and is just a short distance to the north of Stratford. It offers attractions such as The Jewellery Quarter £4.50 plus transport. Originally jewellery manufacturers now open as a museum, and The Art Gallery. One or both of these may be combined with some free time as Birmingham has a well laid out, partly pedestrian only shopping area.
Birmingham also offers a beautiful botanical garden, Cadbury's World £7.50* the educational site attached to the chocolate factory, and The Black Country Museum £8.00* both plus transport (£300 per day for a coach). The latter is a living open air museum covering a huge site and has exhibitions including a working mine, a Victorian schoolroom and canal trips.

Worcester, another larger town to the west of Stratford has a beautiful cathedral with guided tours and The Royal Worcester Porcelain factory £7.00* plus transport which give one hour tours explaining the various stages of production of their products.

National Trust Properties include Baddesley Clinton, Packwood House, Charlecote Manor, Hidcote Gardens and Upton House. They are properties bought for their historical worth and preserved. Guides are available.

Coventry Motor Museum and Royal Mail both free and interesting for teenagers

Broughton Castle A family run castle with an interesting history from the Civil War.

Avoncroft Museum Museum of historic buildings.

George Eliot Country tours Guided tours and excursion sites relating to the author

The Heritage Motor Centre The largest collection of British cars in the world. There is a museum, quad biking, and off road driving. They can provide an educational service in the form of a talk but when last attended it was too basic for intermediate level speakers and above.

Kenilworth Castle Ruined castle with well presented information areas. Once owned by royalty and also by a favourite of Elizabeth I who spent time here on one of her 'progresses'.

Ragley Hall Stately Home of the Marques and Marchioness of Hertford set in 400 acres of park land, woodland and gardens.

Compton Verney Art Gallery

3. Further afield:

Bath Roman Baths

Ironbridge Many areas of industrial heritage represented and the site of the famous Iron bridge.

London Museums, art galleries, exhibitions, guided walks and tours, theatre, parks and gardens and shopping!

Windsor Castle

Drayton Manor Theme Park

RAF Cosford

4. Other excursions:

Industrial visits Football matches Cream teas Farms Sports afternoons Animal centres Factory visits Art Drama workshops Morris Men workshops Lectures Church visits

5. Evening activities:

Cinema trips Go karting Karaoke nights Ten pin bowling Sports evenings Theatres Ice skating Ghost walks Pub evenings (depending on age)

* Please note the prices quoted are per person and relate to under 16 year old students attending in a group of 20 or more. It is often difficult to give up to date quotes for other excursions as it really depends on how many are in a group. If you are particularly interested in any of the excursions that are un-priced please let us know and we will be happy to send more details.