ANNUAL HOLIDAY
Thursday, September 19 for FOUR days
HISTORIC HOUSES & GARDENS OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE
ITINERARY
THURSDAY
We journey to Barnsdale Gardens, voted the UK’s Best Garden to Visit 2018/19. Famed
as the home of the BBC Gardeners’ World TV programme it has been dubbed ‘a theme park for
gardeners’ because of its uniquely designed collection of 38 individual, yet realistic, small gardens
that guide you round this 8 acre site. From here we make our way to the hotel for our three night
stay.
FRIDAY
Today we head to Anglesey Abbey, a Jacobean-style house full of rich history, evolved from a
monastic priory to 20th century home. The celebrated garden, with its sweeping avenues, classical
statuary and flower borders offers captivating views with vibrant colours and scents, whatever the
season. We enjoy a guided tour here, as well as time at leisure to further explore. En route back to
the hotel we visit The Manor, Hemingford Grey, one of the oldest continuously inhabited houses in
Britain. This moated house is surrounded by 4 acres of garden renowned for its collection of over
200 old roses and irises, and many hidden corners to explore.
SATURDAY
Today we travel to Ely, and start with a visit to Ely Cathedral, with its unique 14th century
octagonal lantern tower, counted among the wonders of the medieval world. The cathedral
showcases Ely’s rich art heritage, with sculptures, stained glass and painted ceilings from the 19th
and 20th centuries. On then to Oliver Cromwell’s House. As one of the most divisive individuals in
British History, Cromwell spent a decade of his life living in Ely. We tour his family home and
experience what domestic life would have been like in the 17th century.
SUNDAY
We depart the hotel and head to Holdenby House, one of the largest prodigy houses of the
Tudor period, rivalling in size both Audley End and Theobalds. This Royal Palace with a distinguished
history is now a historic home for everyone to enjoy. In addition to the house there are substantial
grounds to explore too, including the Elizabethan Garden, Kitchen Garden, Palace Garden, King
Charles Walk and Elizbethan Pond. From here we depart in the afternoon for our homeward
journey.
HOLIDAY INN HUNTINGDON
Huntingdon Racecourse, 3-star
Three nights dinner bed & breakfast
Set in the grounds of the famous racecourse, the hotel offers modern and comfortable
accommodation. Facilities include: Open Lobby restaurant, bar & lounge; and complimentary WiFi.
Thursday 19 September 2024
4 days
From £499
Limited single rooms with no supplement
*Please note the order in which the attractions are listed are subject to change.
For further details please contact Jillian Horberry on 01427 752230 or 07771 430400 or at jillian.horberry@zen.co.uk
SPECIAL INTEREST DAYS
October 15, 2024, 10.00 for 10.30
James Wright: Mediæval Myth-busting: unpicking the fact from the fiction behind masons' marks and carvings.
April 10, 2025, 10.00 for 10.30
Dave Wright: The influence of the arts on popular perceptions of historical icons such as Cleopatra or St. George