A journey through Castles, Cathedrals, Cities, Stately Homes, Stations & even Pyramids!
We know our course members enjoy travel, and after our very successful course when we covered the countries sadly no longer open to us to visit, we are now turning out attention to home! Those places you are always meaning to visit or have happy memories of..... and all by the magic of virtual travel. We start by taking an overview of the World Heritage Site, Greenwich, home to the all important Meridian Line. Followed by a day exploring the architecture, engineering design and art of our Great Railway Stations and Underground Cathedrals, the starting point for so many journeys through Great Britain. To complement these lectures we will explore the brilliance that was Isambard Kingdom Brunel. We will then work our way round the country via castles, cathedrals, cities, stately homes and pyramids! Join us to discover and enjoy our history and culture.
DAY 1 13 October 2025 GREENWICH – AN OVERVIEW Rosalind Whyte Our 3 lectures today will explore the history of the Park, Old Greenwich Palace, the Royal Hospital for Seamen, the works from The National Maritime Museum’s collection, the art of James Thornhill in the Painted Hall and James ‘Athenian’ Stuart’s Chapel
DAY 2 10 November 2025 ON THE RIGHT TRACKS & ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL Ian Swankie This morning we will have an illustrated survey of the fabulous architecture, engineering design, and art of our Great Railway Stations and Underground Cathedrals – the starting point of so many rail journeys. In the afternoon we will explore the background, the work and the legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel who changed the face of the English landscape.
DAY 3 8 December 2025 CATHEDRALS & CASTLES Jonathan Foyle This morning we will explore both Lichfield and Lincoln Cathedrals – what does the architecture of these magnificent buildings tell us of the experience and ambitions of those who shaped them. In the afternoon we will look at castles – their design and purpose over the last 1000 years, and how we view castles from fortifications to our romantic ideals
DAY 4 12 January 2026 300 YEARS OF THE HISTORY OF BLENHEIM PALACE Antonia Keaney Our two morning lectures will explore the rich and chequered history of the Palace, and the evolution of the gardens from the formality of Henry Wise to the natural landscape created by Capability Brown. The afternoon will be spent hearing about Blenheim as a film location – what actually happens when Hollywood descends.
DAY 5 2 February 2026 COVENTRY CATHEDRAL – ICON & INSPIRATION & THE ART OF JOHN PIPER Alexandra Epps Our 2 morning lectures will explore the extraordinary story of the rebuilding of Coventry Cathedral as a symbol of peace and reconciliation & its inspiring commitment to the modern. Looking at the work of Jacob Epstein, John Piper, Elisabeth Frink, Graham Sutherland & more. We will spend the afternoon looking in more detail at one of the most versatile British artists of the 20th century – John Piper.
DAY 6 23 February 2026 WHEN COTTON WAS KING – THE ARCHITECTURAL LEGACY OF 19thc MANCHESTER Brian Healey The 3 lectures today examine the extraordinary variety of commercial and civic buildings with a detailed study of their allegorical sculpture and decoration. Taking in the opening of the Ship Canal which transformed the city’s economy.
DAY 7 23 March 2026 A 21st CENTURY RENAISSANCE: CHATSWORTH & THE DEVONSHIRE COLLECTION IN THE MODERN AGE Simon Seligman The 3 lectures present paint a portrait of the Devonshire treasure house historically and in the modern age, illustrating the extensive renovations & restoration of historic interiors, stone work, gardens and works of art
DAY 8 20 April 2026 UP TO A POINT – PYRAMIDS IN BRITAIN & IRELAND David Winpenny Across Britain & Ireland are countless pyramids of great variety and historical interest. Our 3 lectures today will explore architecture, landscapes, gardening, Freemasonry, New Age ideas, scandalous family histories or just what prompts people to place triangles together to make an interesting structure! _
