A tour of the historic guildhall with an optional visit to the art gallery and Roman Amphitheatre. The guildhall is a 15th century civic building in the heart of the city of London. Tickets are £25. Do join us!

This back-stage tour will include a view of the original control desks, switchgear and synchroscopes that were used to control the generation and distribution of power in 1950.

The original Saddlers' Hall dates back to the C14 and has been rebuilt several times though there are records dating from 1160 AD. Destroyed by the Great Fire of London, and again during the Blitz, it has maintained its support of its original trade and of British Equestrianism. The Tour will include the Great Hall,  the Court Room, the Livery Room and the Tunnel Room.

The Summer Outing to Oxford will be by coach leaving from junction Longland Drive / Greenway N20, 

contact Eileen Eskenzi for further details.

Angels supplies costumes to the film,theatre and television industries as well as to the PUBLIC. Since its founding in 1840 the company has stayed in family ownership and has supplied costumes to over 37 films including Alice in Wonderland and The Grand Budapest Hotel. The Angels warehouses 5 million items on 8 miles of rails!

The Garrick Club is a private members club in London  founded in 1831 as a club for actors and men of refinement to meet on equal terms. It is one of the oldest men's clubs in the world. It holds a valuable library of theatrical events and of members personal collections. Membership is archieved via a voting process and until 2024 was limited to men only

Provisional date only

Tour of The GLOBE THEATRE 

21 New Globe Walk London SE1 9DT

The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599 in Southwark and after being destroyed by fire was rebuilt in 1614.The theatre was built by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men .The modern reconstruction was built in 1997 and it approximates to the original design of a 3 storey open air building with a stage opening into a central yard. The design was the results of years of research, studying maps and drawings.

The Library belongs to the Archbishops of Canterbury and preserves all the archives of the Church of England. It also holds over 600 Mediavel manuscripts, Greek manuscripts, and several collections of Papers including the Bacon papers, the Carew papers and the Gladstone papers.

The collections date from 1610 when 5,600 books and 500 manuscripts were bequeathed by Archbishop Bancroft.The dispersal of the monastic libraries enabled successive Archbishops and James I to amass a significant and important library.The library was transferred to the Great Hall or Banqueting Hall of Lambeth Palace, it survived bombing in World War II and was moved to a purpose built building in 2021.

Provisional date only watch this space

SUMMER OUTING    by coach 

ALTHORP HOUSE NORTHAMPTON  NN7 4HQ  

Has the home of the Spencer family for 500 years.The house has been extended  and modified many times and is a mixture of styles.Queen Mary and George V stayed there in 1913. The Spencer family have always been great art and antique collectors and the House contains amongst other treasures Anthony van Dykes War and Peace. The house is huge with a number of sitting rooms including the Marlborough Room, a huge Library,a Billiard room a China Museum and a picture Gallery and Chapel.

Of course the tour will include a visit to the Memorial, Grave and Exhibion devoted to the memory of Diana Princess of Wales.

TOUR of THE MANSION HOUSE  Wallbrook EC4N 8BH

The Mansion House was built in 1739 by George Dance the The Elder to provide an official residence for The Lord Mayor of London. It appears as a Palladian Mansion but has been extended and rebuilt several times the most recent being 1998.The tour will include the Egyptian room Ballroom and the Courts of Justice. The Mansion House has a fine collection of Dutch paintings, Sculptures and an astonishing gold and silver plate collection.

Tour of Trinity House Tower Hill London EC3N 4DH

A Royal Charter  was presented to the Master Wardens and Assitants of the Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood of the most Glorious and Undivided Trinity and of Saint Clement in 1514.

Trinity House is responsible for Lighthouses,light vessels and buoys.It also acts a charity ,caring for retired seamen and for the training of cadets. The present house was designed by Samuel Wyatt and built in 1796. In 1940 it was bombed in a severe air attack and was reopened in by. EIZABETH 11 1953

Leighton House reopened last year following refurbishment in the Hidden Gems to National Treasure project. We are lucky to walk through the historic Entrance Hall and enter the Winter Studio as it appeared during the lifetime of Lord Leighton. Lord Leighton was a famous artist and President of the Royal Academy of Arts, and is buried in St Paul’s Cathedral. He was knighted by Queen Victoria who bought one of his first major paintings. He built his house on a plot of land in Holland Park where it has since undergone many refurbishments – but the ‘Old Magic’, the Arab Hall, the Silk Room and the Studio are still there. Don’t miss this fascinating visit.

NT members free

If you are a devotee of the works of Robert Adam you will be delighted with our visit to Osterley House in Isleworth. This Tudor House, built in 1570 by Sir Thomas Gresham, was acquired by the banker Sir Frances Child and transformed by the architect Sir Robert Adam into a Grand Mansion. The furniture, friezes and decorations are designed specifically for each room. The Long Gallery, the Tapestry Room, and the State Bedchamber have featured in many films including The Crown.

This visit has been cancelled and will be re-booked at a later date to be announced. 

Elton Hall is a Grade I listed Baronial Hall in Cambridgeshire and has been the home of the Proby family since 1660. The Hall contains artefacts dating from the 15th Century. The gardens are bountiful and include a Knot Garden and a fountain and a Gothic Orangery.

The Royal Hospital was founded by King Charles I as an almshouse for 300 British Army Veterans. The building was constructed in 1682. The Great Hall and the Chapel were designed by Christopher Wren. Many additions to the original building include the Margaret Thatcher Infirmary which provides nursing care. The familiar ‘Chelsea Pensioners’ wear a distinctive blue uniform with the addition of a scarlet cloak for ceremonial occasions.

This is a great year to visit The Chelsea Physic Garden as they celebrate their 350th anniversary. The garden is home to over 5000 plants which include the UK’s oldest fruiting olive tree. In 1673 the Worshipful Company of Apothecaries chose this South-facing site near the Thames which provided mooring for their barge and promoted easy access for the arrival of new botanical specimens. Since 1982 the gardens have been run by The Chelsea Physic Garden charity.

Join us for a Guided Tour of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Wednesday 15th February 2023. The programme includes a comprehensive tour of the Theatre, including the backstage. 

Meet in the foyer at 65 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5SP at 10.45 am. The tour starts promptly at 11.00 am.

The price per person is £25. Please send your confirmation and payment to Eileen Eskenzi (eileen.eskenzi@aol.com).

The Guided Tour of this Victorian masterpiece includes the St. John's Ambulance Museum, the Priory Church, and the Crypt. The tour starts promptly at 11.00 am. 

Meet at 10.45 am by the Front Entrance to the Museum in St. John's Gate, London EC1M 4DA.

Price per person is £25. Please send confirmation and payment to Eileen Eskenzi (eileen.eskenzi@aol.com).

Join us for a FRONT OF HOUSE TOUR  of our famous ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

prompt start at 12.15pm

Please get in touch with Eileen Eskenzi     eileen.eskenzi@aol.com

cost £20

The original visit was cancelled due to the CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC but has now been rearranged for Tuesday October 26 th

In September 2019 The Royal Collection returned to Brighton from Buckingham Palace for a 2 year period . We could not miss the opportunity to see the 124 items either commissioned or bought by George1V for his  sojourn in Brighton [ostensibly to recover from Gout]  now returned to their original home. George 1V commissioned  Henry Holland to create a Marine Pavilion and then filled it with treasures from the orient. The Royal Family continued to live in the pavilion untii Queen Victoria found it too small for her family .She sold the Pavilion to Brighton  Council  and moved  all the contents to Buckingham Palace.

The original visit was cancelled due to the CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC but has now been rearranged for Tuesday October 26 th

In September 2019 The Royal Collection returned to Brighton from Buckingham Palace for a 2 year period . We could not miss the opportunity to see the 124 items either commissioned or bought by George1V for his  sojourn in Brighton [ostensibly to recover from Gout]  now returned to their original home. George 1V commissioned  Henry Holland to create a Marine Pavilion and then filled it with treasures from the orient. The Royal Family continued to live in the pavilion untii Queen Victoria found it too small for her family .She sold the Pavilion to Brighton  Council  and moved  all the contents to Buckingham Palace.

SADLY THIS VISIT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

The Museum is situated in Horse Guards  Whitehall in C18  vaulted stables. The Museum houses a collection of  ceremonial artefacts  and there is the opportunity to witness the preparation of both the horses and the Cavalry before the Changing of the Guard.

The visit will commence at the British Dental Association building at    64 Wimpole St  at 10.30am, with an introductory talk. This is followed by a visit to the museum where old instruments can be handled including a very old foot drill.

After lunch  which can be obtained  locally a visit and guided tour will take place at the nearby Royal Society of Medicine Number1 Wimpole St at 2.30pm

Our visit will be led by our Vice Chairman Professor Stanley Gelbier former Curator of the Dental Museum 

The present building designed by Colin St John Wilson, opened in 1997 and though the architexture originally divided public opinion the building has now achieved Grade 1 listed status.Our guided tour takes us behind the scenes  and we will see conservation in action.

After the tour you may wish to visit the current exhibition on Buddhism  which is open until February 23rd . Rare treasures from the Library will be on display

The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries was founded by Royal Charter in 1617 and has remained active in the medical world eversince. The original building is largely unchanged and contains a Great Hall in common with other livery companies,a courtroom and parlour. It holds a famous drug jar collection.

Spencer House is London's most magnificent Eighteenth Century surviving aristocratic palace.Designed by John Vardy and James Stanton it was built in 1756.The state rooms are amonst the finest neoclassical interiors in Europe.The House is now owned by RIT Capital partners and has been restored to its original splendour. Many original features were removed to Althorp during the Blitz. These have been carefull copied and replaced. The Spencer family last lived here in 1926

A guided tour of this Tudor Mansion , built in 1555 and home to the Cecil family will include the 17 state rooms furnished with objets d'art from the Grand Tour, the Old Kitchen, Queen Elizabeth's bedroom and the Chapel.

The house is surrounded by beautiful parkland and garderns and is home to the Burghley Horse Trials each September.

A guided tour will uncover the history of the Bank of England from 1694 and include a visit to the " Gold Corridor" . We will see documents relating to many famous customers

It will also be possible to visit Current Exhibition  on National War Bonds .

Guided tour of the Coliseum to include backstage and wardrobe.

The London Coliseum, now Grade 2 listed, was opened in St Martins Lane on December 24th 1904.It is the largest theatre in London having 2359 seats. it was the first theatre to have a revolving stage and the first to provide a lift. It has been home to the ENO since1974

An optional visit to a matinee performance of La Boheme , seats in the Upper Circle ,  has been arranged.

The Mitsubishi Corporation Japanese Gallery opened on September 27 th this year.Meri Ariche will lead a guided tour.

Westminster Abbey is one of the most important Gothic buildings in the country and includes the mediaeval tomb of St Edward the confessor. it has been the setting for every coronation since 1066 and is the final resting place of 17 monarchs.

Our tour will be led by a Blue Badge guide and will include the Shrine, Royal Tombs, Poets Corner, the Cloisters and the Nave.

Warning,tours can be cancelled at short notice and this one was changed from November 6th to October 30 th

Bevis Marks Synagogue is  a Grade 1 listed building and is the oldest and most splendid synagogue in Great Britain. It was built for the Sephardic community in1701 in the City of London. The layout of the synagogue is similar to the Amsterdam synagogue of 1677.

The renaissance style ark containing the Torah resembles the reredos of churches of the period.The roof was destryed by fire in 1738  and the synagogue suffered minor damge in the Blitz and further damge during the IRA bombs inflicted on nearby buildings in 1992 and again in 1993

it is the only synagogue in Europe to have held regular services for 300 years

Visit to Palace House:National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and the Sporting Life . The visit will  include a Tour and a visit to the Exhibition on The Sport of Kings.

We will also see retired racehorses and there will be time to take a walk through Newmarket.

Places are now availed on this Tour which were previously reserved for members attending the AGM at Westminster.

The Tour will commence at 3.30 pm

Places are  now available on this Tour which was previously only available for those members attending the 50th  Anniversary AGM at Westminster.

Not only do we have a guided tour of the contents of the NEW Postal Museum-posters, stamps, scales,  letter boxes, vans and bikes  but we will also enjoy a ride on the mail train.We will descend into the former engineering depot of Mail Rail and board a specially built miniature train for a 20 minute ride under Mount Pleasant.

This tour will take place at Kenwood at 12 noon and will follow the morning Lecture.

Numbers are limited

Handel came to London and rented the house at 25 Brook St in 1723. He ate, slept , composed and died here.The house passed through several hands before being rescued by the Handel House Trust in 2000  and the house was officially opened to visitors on November 8th 2001

 A guided tour will take place at 9.30am , this does include a visit to Jimi Hendrix House  next door  and will be followed by a short recital by

    Mr NATHANIEL MANDER

in Handel’s Music Room at 10.30 am

The Royal Albert Hall is well known to all of us. The building was openend in 1872 by Queen Victoria and named after her late husband Prince Albert. It can seat over 5000 people  and hosts the popular Prom concerts each summer.

The Grade 1 listed building has a glass and iron dome and a frieze encicling the exterior.

Our Tour will be a combination of the Grand and the Secret History Tours.

Coach leaves Longland Drive at 9.30 am

Coffee on arrival at Perry Green

Small group guided tour of Hoglands ,Henry Moore's home , and his two studios    followed after lunch by tour of the new Exhibition Centre, the Aisled Barns and the sculpture garden

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States lived in this building for 16 years from 1757-1775. It was built  around 1730 and its central staircase, wood panelling and many other features are still intact.

It was the first de facto American Embassy and holds a special place in American history

This C17 House sits by the river Thames and is said by the National Trust to be the best example of c17 fashion and power.

The National Trust acquired the house in 1945 and it was first opened to the public in 1950.The house is in the Baroque style with a great staircase and a long gallery for walking,a round gallery and one of th eoldest purpose built bathrooms.

The garden will be of great interest as it hosts  the oldest orangery in Britain,an ice house and a dairy . Amongst the trees is the oldest Christ's Thornbush in the country and walnut and chestnut trees.

Fishmongers Hall belongs to  one of the great twelve livery companies of the city and has been in existence for 700 years .The first charter was granted in 1272. The company originally  had a complete monoply on the sale of fish .The grade one listed hall is on the north side of the Thames. The company of Watermen and Lightermen stage the Doggers Coat and Badger Wager, an annual sculling race, from London Bridge   to Chelsea Bridge

The company runs the Fisheries Charitable Trust and is involved in may educational projects.

Visit to the opening day of this popular Fair  including entry to morning lecture at 11.30 am given by David Boyd Hancock on The Birth of the Avant Garde:British Art goes Modern,1908-1918

The Cartoon Museum was opened in 2006 by the Duke of Edinburgh. It Has a library of of more than 5000 books and 4000 comics extending from Georgian and Victorian Times to the present day

 The exhibition Pictures from Punch will still be  current at the time of our visit

contact Eileen Eskenzi

Charterhouse was originally a Carthusian Monastery built on a burial site for the victims of the Black Death. It is an Almshouse and its members are called the Brothers. The building has had various functions over the centuries.In 1558 Elizabeth 1st stayed for 5 days on the way to her Coronation at Westminster Abbey.

contact Christine Riley

The River and Rowing Museum sits on the banks of the river Thames just outside Henley on Thames. It has three galleries devoted to the Rivers, Rowing and the History of Henley. The Museum holds 20,000 objects including Archives of John Piper, Poster collections of Transport and Rowing and has a special Exhibition on The Wind in the Willows. The Museum was placed in the TOP 50 Museums of Britain in 2013 by The Tlmes.  A trip down the river by boat is planned for the afternoon.

contact Eileen Eskenzi

The Temple Church was built by the Knights Templar, the round church being consecrated in 1285 and was modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The two Inns of Court, Inner and Middle, were granted their land on condition they maintain the church and its services.

5 day tour by executive coach with 4 star hotel accommodation and Blue Badge Guide, and an optional cruise on Loch Lomond. For more information contact Claire Bannister or Christine Riley.

Our long journey North will be broken by a visit to Tatton Park and our return journey South will include a visit to Little Moreton Hall. Our time in Scotland will include visits to the Burrell Collection ,Kelvingrove Museum and the Willow Tea Rooms in Glasgow, The Scottish National Gallery and Britannia in Edinburgh and a drive out to Tarbet, Hill House and Loch Lomond.

Anglesey Abbey is a former Jacobean style house with a working water mill. it was originally an Augustine Priory. It is famous for its collection of English and French clocks, its decorative features and for its beautiful gardens.

A coach will leave Longland Drive at 9 am 

                                     Hampton Court at 3.15pm

A guided tour of          HenryV111's apartments and

                                             William111 and Mary11's State apartments

will be given by Linda ~Collins

                                                   cost £36

                                                  contact Christine Riley

Broadcasting House is a grade 2 Listed building with a facing of Portland stone built in the Art Deco style and was originally opened in 1932.It has been extensively refurbished and a new wing,now called the John Peel wing, added in 2005

Meet in the Clore Education Foyer at 10.30 am. for coffee and biscuits. The Curator will give a lecture from 11.00 to 12.00 giving the background to the exhibition. After a lunch break (lunch not included) there will be timed entry to the exhibition in the early afternoon. Cost £ 30. Contact Christine Riley.

Eltham Palace is the site of one of the three major Royal Palaces in Tudor times and where Henry VIII spent much of his childhood. It still boasts a Tudoe Great Hall, a Moat and the oldest wooden bridge in London as well as 19 acres of gardens. It was turned into an Art Deco Mansion by the Courtaulds in the 1930s and has just been restored to its former glory with a £ 1.7 million refurbishment grant. Cost £28 Coach leaves from Longland Drive at 9.30 sharp. Contact Christine Riley.

The original building was designed by George Gilbert Scott and built in 1868.It was threatened with demolition in 1960 and saved by public outcry A visit is normally only possible on OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND We will see The Locarno Suite,The State Stair and the Durbar Court Cost £20 Contact Eileen Eskenzi

We will visit The Mauritshius-newly re-opened Delft Rijksmuseum-guided tour Royal Palace of Het Loo Kroller-Muller museum-guided tour Panorama Mesdag Ghent and enjoy an Amsterdam Canal Cruise Cost £498 ( single room supplement) For further information contact Claire Bannister or Christine Riley

We will need to make an early start for this visit 8.00am Coach will leave Longland Drive Totteridge London N20 10.30 guided tour Charleston 1.00am lunch at 2-00pm Visit to Farley Farm 7.oopm ETA Totteridge.

Coach will leave Longland Drive N20 8EE at 9.30am. Guided tour of Highlights of the Gallery at 11am 12 noon free time to view Ravilious Exhibition/lunch Coach leaves at 2.30pm Cost £28 Contact Christine Riley

This major exhibition will explore a golden age in China's history. Many of the objects displayed will not have been seen outside China before. The day will start with a lecture given by a curator, a break for lunch (not provided), and timed entry to the Exhibition in the early afternoon. Cost £ 28 Contact Christine 0208445 5687.

Cost £15 Contact Eileen Eskenzi.

The College of Arms or Herald's College is a royal corporation consisting of professional officers of arms, with jurisdiction over England, Wales, Northern Ireland and some Commonwealth realms. The heralds are appointed by the British Sovereign and are delegated authority to act on her behalf in all matters of heraldry, the granting of new coats of arms, genealogical research and the recording of pedigrees. The College is also the official body responsible for matters relating to the flying of flags on land, and it maintains the official registers of flags and other national symbols. Though a part of the Royal Household of the United Kingdom the College is self-financed, unsupported by any public funds. Founded by royal charter in 1484 by King Richard III, the College is one of the few remaining official heraldic authorities in Europe. Within the United Kingdom, there are two such authorities, the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland and the College for the rest of the United Kingdom. The College has had its home in the City of London since its foundation, and has been at its present location on Queen Victoria Street since 1555. The College of Arms also undertakes and consults on the planning of many ceremonial occasions such as coronations, state funerals, the annual Garter Service and the State Opening of Parliament. Heralds of the College accompany the sovereign on many of these occasions.

A Guided Tour will take place at 2 pm. The museum was founded in 1816 by the 7th Viscount Fitzwilliam and is considered to be one of the finest museums in Great Britain. The Art collection is outstanding and includes many paintings by Turner, Ruskin, and also includes many by the Impressionists and Pre-Raphaelites. Amongst its other treasures, it also has a large collection of 16th century music manuscripts, Egyptian artefacts, Manuscripts, Majolica and Japanese Woodcuts. Cost £35 Contact Christine Riley.

The tour of the House commences at 11am. Cost £20 Contact Eileen Eskenzi.

We stay in Derwent Manor Hotel at Allensford which is in twenty acres of countryside, overlooking the Derwent Valley, 10 miles outside Durham. Cost £469 on a half board basis, £99 single room supplement Contact: Claire Bannister, Christine Riley.

A coach will leave from Longland Drive, Totteridge, London N20 at 10 am. Cost £45 to include Admission,guided tour and light lunch. Contact Claire Bannister

The Worshipful Company of Drapers is one of the 109 livery companies of the City of London; it has the formal name of The Master and Wardens and Brethren and Sisters of the Guild or Fraternity of the Blessed Mary the Virgin of the Mystery of Drapers of the City of London, more usually known simply as the Drapers' Company. One of the historic Great Twelve Livery Companies, it ranks third in the order of precedence of the companies. The company's motto is "Unto God Only Be Honour and Glory".