The highlight of this 3-day tour is to visit Glyndebourne and join the audience for a performance of Mozart’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’, part of the Autumn season at the world-leading opera house in the heart of the Sussex countryside.
Please read the Booking Notice at the foot of this page
Day 1
Depart by coach from Ram Meadow car park, Bury St Edmunds, for the Hydro Hotel Eastbourne, for a 2-night stay. En route a guided tour of Farley Farm House, formerly occupied by the photographer Lee Miller, and Roland Penrose, the painter and biographer of Picasso. The house became a meeting place for leading figures in the world of Modern Art, including
Picasso, Max Ernst and Joan Miro. Works by a number of these artists are on display.
A choice 3-course dinner at the Hydro, without drinks, is included this evening.
Day 2
With a Blue Badge guide, a morning visit to Charleston House, the home of the artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell (sister of Virginia Woolf) that became the country meeting place for the group of writers, artists and intellectuals known as the Bloomsbury Group.
This afternoon, a visit to Glyndebourne for the Opera.
After the performance, a set 2-course dinner, without drinks, at a restaurant in the opera complex, is included.
Day 3
A morning visit to the church of St Michael and All Angels, Berwick for a guided introductory talk. The church is best known for the extensive 20th century murals, commissioned by Bishop Bell of Chichester during the Second World War and painted by Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell and Quentin Bell. “Critically, the only example in the country of the complete decoration of the interior of an ancient rural parish church by twentieth century artists of repute" (Sir Nicholas Serota).
Afterwards, a visit to Chartwell in Kent. Now a National Trust property, it was the family home of Sir Winston Churchill from 1924 until the end of his life, in 1965. The rooms and gardens remain much as they were when he lived there and contain personal memorabilia, books and family photographs.
The tour ends with the evening return to Bury St Edmunds.
For further information and a booking form, click here
Booking Notice
Booking is now closed for this tour. However, to enquire whether there are any late-availability tickets, please contact Rosie Varley whose details are on the Booking Form.
Priority is given to members. Members may be accompanied by their partner or a friend, as a guest, if sharing a double/twin room.
Non-members travelling independently are expected to apply for membership of The Arts Society Bury St Edmunds.
Picture: The Glyndebourne Opera House