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Download the brochure
Shropshire is one of the least-known and most unspoilt and beautiful counties of England. Deep in the countryside lie wonderful and important country houses of all periods, many with inspirational gardens, and almost all rarely open to the public. Some have belonged to the same family for over 500 years, giving a wonderful sense of history and continuity. Our week’s tour will reveal in privileged private visits the hidden delights and architectural and artistic treasures of this very special county.
Romantic Pitchford Hall, one of the finest half-timbered houses in Britain, with its unique 300-year old treehouse.
Much Wenlock Priory, described as one of the most perfect examples of 15th- century domestic architecture in England, is an enchanting mediaval building. Once the Infirmary and Prior’s Lodging of Wenlock Priory, it has been recently restored by the owner, the artst-philosopler Louis de Wet and adorned with his treasures.
Benthall Hall, an unspoilt Elizabethan house, with fine plasterwork, forming with its little church, a perfect manorial group.
Beautiful Acton Round is the beau ideal of the English Baroque manor house and is rich in interesting contents. Here the owner, Thomas Kennedy, a brilliant craftsman and furniture designer, will also give a demonstration of the art of creating scagliola, a 17th–century plasterwork technique, only practised by a few artists in the world today.
Hatton Grange is a handsome Georgian house, richly decorated with Rococo plasterwork and magnificently set in its landscape park, whilst Weston Park has a wonderful collection of Old Master paintings and works of art. Important gardens and a park designed by ‘Capability’ Brown.
Attingham Park, one of the grandest of Shropshire house, built by James Stuart, a contemporary of Robert Adam, has exquisite late C18 interiors, whilst the stunning Regency Picture Gallery, designed by the architect John Nash, is one of the earliest top-lit picture galleries in Britain. Its fine park was designed by Humpfry Repton.
Nash also designed Cronkhill, a delightful Italianate villa of European importance, inspired by the 17th century Italianate landscape paintings of Claude and Poussin.
Millichope and Willey Park are both outstanding Regency Greek Revival houses with spectacular interiors. Millichope is dramatically set in a sublime landscape, whilst Willey Park brilliantly encapsulates the Georgian quest for arcadia.
Finally Wollerton Old Hall is a world-class example of a 21st - century English garden. Inspirational in design and plantsmanship, it was runner-up in Christie’s Historic Houses Garden of the Year, 2020.
Tour Leader
The tour will be led by Barbara Peacock MA FRSA, founder of Wessex Fine Art Tours. She has led numerous successful tours in Britain and overseas and lectures internationally for organisations such as the National Trust, the Art Fund and the Arts Society and is a tour lecturer for Art Pursuits.
The Full Programme
Download the brochure for full details of the daily schedule, visits, costs, how to book and terms and conditions.
Hotel
The Mercure Shrewsbury Albrighton Hotel and Spa**** will be the base for our tour. Situated in countryside about 2 miles to the NW of Shrewsbury, the core of the building is a late C17 house, with period features. Panelled rooms now form the attractive restaurant, and a splendid late 17th century staircase leads to bedrooms on the upper floors. Since becoming a hotel in 1985, the house has been extended to provide many more bedrooms and a spa. All the bedrooms are spacious and comfortable. The hotel is peaceful and set in attractive landscaped grounds.
The nearest station is Shrewsbury. Participants coming by train will be returned to the station by coach at the end of the tour, which will finish in the mid afternoon of June 20, 2025. Taxis can be arranged for the day of arrival.
Booking and Fees
The 7-day tour will cost £2695 per person in a twin-bedded or double room, £320 single supplement. This will include accommodation B/B/D for 6 nights in Mercure Albrighton Hotel****, three lunches, teas and coffees as arranged, all coach transport, entrance fees and gratuities and illustrated course booklet.
Please note: The course is limited to 20-22 participants.
A £300 deposit (per person) guarantees your place on the tour.
Terms and Conditions
Cancellation charges are as follows:
56 days or more before start of course - loss of deposit
55 - 43 days before start of course - 50% of the total
42 - 29 days before start of course - 60% of the total
28 - 22 days before start of course - 85% of the total
21 - 0 days before start of course - 100% of the total
It is a condition of booking that you arrange travel insurance to protect yourself against loss. In the unlikely event of cancellation by WFASC we undertake to refund you in full within 14 days all monies paid to us in course fees. In the case of force majeure no refunds can be made.
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