| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Coordinator: | |
| When: | Dates and places to be agreed |
Day trips are organised up to four times a year to various locations.
We sometimes visit a National Trust property, in which case those members who are also members of the National Trust will just pay for the coach.
The facilitators for this group are Pat C. and Margaret H.
All our members receive details of a forthcoming trip via email. If enough members sign up for the trip, then a booking is made and payment will be taken. Costs vary depending on the cost of the coach and whether any admission fees are included in the price.
The coach normally departs from Olton Friary, where you may leave your car for the day for a voluntary contribution of £2. Our trips are always very popular, so book early to avoid disappointment!
Quarry Bank Mill
Our first coach trip of 2026 was to Quarry Bank Mill in Styal, Cheshire in March. The venue is owned by the National Trust and is one of the best preserved textile factories of the Industrial Revolution. The 400 acre estate is a place of stark contrast, where the power of the Industrial Revolution sits alongside the beauty of picturesque gardens and countryside.
The members found out about the life and legacy of the founder, Simon Greg and wandered through the picturesque gardens that rise up the banks of the river valley offering stunning views. A guided tour of the Apprentice House gave the opportunity to step into the lives of the pauper children who worked in the mill.
Recent trips
Gloucester
Our September 2025 trip took a group of members to the city of Gloucester. We split into small groups to explore as we pleased with pretty well everyone heading for the cathedral. The building was truly magnificent and has a fascinating history with various royal connections. Unfortunately the weather was not very good but that didn't put a dampener on the day. Everyone agreed that it was an excellent day out.
Sudeley Castle
Sudeley Castle is the only private castle in England to have a queen buried within its grounds - Queen Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII.
Sudeley lay in ruins for nearly 200 years following the English Civil War, until in 1837 the castle was bought by the Worcester glove makers, brothers John and William Dent. The brothers started the restoration of the castle which was continued by their nephew and his wife when he inherited the castle in 1855.
Sudeley Castle is now the home of Elizabeth, Lady Ashcombe and her family.
Previous trips
Here is a list of just a few of the places we have visited over the past few years. If you have any suggestions for future trips, please contact the Group Facilitators via the link above. We would love to hear from you.
- Trentham Gardens and the Wedgwood factory
- Oxford - free day
- The Houses of Parliament
- Waddeston Manor
- Highclere Castle
- Bletchley Park
- Belton House, Lincolnshire (National Trust)
- The National Memorial Arboretum
- The Workhouse, Southwell (National Trust)
- Bath - free day
- Christmas Market, Worcester
- The Royal Mint, Llantrisant
- Buckingham Palace
- St Fagan's Museum of the History of Wales
