Description
Calling all Downton Abbey and Calendar Girls fans, join us for a fun weekend of lighthearted entertainment and culture on Ava Travels From Downton to Calendar Girls break. Visit the magnificent pile that is Highclere Castle in Hampshire as we go behind the scenes of the real Downton Abbey. Highclere has a varied history and has seen many transformations, Sir Charles Barry who designed the Houses of Parliament transformed Highclere House into the present-day Highclere Castle. As you tour the castles main staterooms you will be forgiven for thinking that they seem familiar, in fact they probably are as they are filming locations for the ever-popular Downton Abbey. Back at the hotel following dinner take your seat, sit back and enjoy an engaging talk given by Britain’s most famous WI member Patricia Stewart, the original Calendar Girl who famously appeared semi-nude as October in a charity calendar that inspired a host of imitators. A great night’s entertainment. On the way home we will visit Banbury, a lively town with charming streets and historic buildings alongside new developments such as the Castle Quay Shopping Centre. See if you can spot the statue of ‘The Fine Lady Who Rides a White Horse’.
Itinerary
Friday - Depart Leyland at 09.00am for our journey to West Grange Hotel with a suitable lunch stop en-route
Saturday
Following breakfast travel the short distance to Highclere Castle, filming location for Downton Abbey, return to the hotel with time to relax before we go down for dinner, we have an speaker, enjoy an engaging talk given by Britain's most famous WI member Patricia Stewart, the original Calendar Girl. A great nights entertainment.
Sunday
Check out of our hotel following a leisurely breakfast for our journey home, en-route stop in historic Banbury where we will have time for lunch before continuing our journey home.
Venue Information
Mercure Newbury West Grange Hotel