• Henley DFAS

Day Visits

Spencer House, London - A Private Palace in the Heart of St James's, London Monday 3rd March 2025 (booking Thursday 16th January 2025). Please note that Day Visits require a good level of mobility as there is nearly always a fair degree of walking, often with steps and sometimes on uneven ground. Please ask for more information if it is a concern.
Spencer House, London - A Private Palace in the Heart of St James's, London

 

View of Spencer House, circa 1800

Ever since its creation for the First Lord and Lady Spencer between 1756 and 1766, Spencer House has been widely admired as one of the most beautiful houses in London. The main façade overlooking Green Park is faced in Portman Stone and consists of a giant Doric Portico. The pediment is topped with statues of three gods - Ceres, Bacchus and Flora - resembling a classical temple dedicated to hospitality, love and the arts. 

(Please click on the blue print above to continue reading)

Beaulieu, Home of the Montagu Family. So Many Treasures to Explore Thursday 8th May 2025 (booking 20th March 2025). Travel by coach.
Beaulieu, Home of the Montagu Family. So Many Treasures to Explore

Overlooking the Beaulieu River millpond, Palace House has been in the Montagu family since 1538 and is now a rare example of a fine Victorian country house.
 

          Lord Montagu with one of his Classic MGs in March 2007        Colombia Electric 1901, one of the first electric                                                                                                                                             vehicles in the National Motor Museum

From the earliest motor carriages to classic family saloons, the world-famous National Motor Museum has one of the finest collections of cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia in the world.
(Please click on the blue print above to continue reading)
 
Knole House, Kent Thursday 17th July 2025. Travel by coach. Booking Thursday 15th May 2025. Please note that Day Visits require a good level of mobility as there is nearly always a fair degree of walking, often with steps and sometimes on uneven ground. Please ask for more information if it is a concern.
Knole House, Kent

A stunning house, full of treasures, owned by the same family for 400 years.

One of the fifth largest properties in England, the house has seven acres of roof and 400 rooms.  In the1400s it was owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury, then a Royal Palace, and latterly the Sackville’s  family home.  From the beginning it was designed to impress, containing the rarest and most well preserved collections of Royal Stuart furniture, paintings, objects and textiles.  The conservation department is also open for us to view their activities.

(Please click on the blue print above to continue reading)

Leighton and Sambourne Houses, London Wednesday 22nd October 2025. Booking Thursday 18th September 2025. Please note that Day Visits require a good level of mobility as there is nearly always a fair degree of walking, often with steps and sometimes on uneven ground. Please ask for more information if it is a concern.
Leighton and Sambourne Houses, London

Ornate Studio Homes in London of Two Victorian Artists. Two Victorian Wonders

Leighton House

 

Step into a painter’s world in the house and studio that Frederick Leighton (1830 - 1896 ) built, lived and worked in. Gorgeously decorated and hung with many of his paintings his home embodies the Victorian idea of how a great artist should live.

(Please click on blue print above to continue reading)

Usual Booking Procedure for Day Visits
1.  Bookings are taken prior to the morning and afternoon lectures at The Henley Rugby Club, usually 2 months before the actual visit.  The exact booking dates are available on our Website and printed in the annual calendar given to all members of The Arts Society Henley on renewal of their subscriptions in November.
2.  Except when advised otherwise, bookings open at 09:30 in the morning and 13:30 in the afternoon.  Places are filled quickly for popular outings so it is advisable to arrive early.
3.  Bookings are only taken for the visit advertised that day and only accepted on receipt of payment by card or cheque (payable to TASH).
4.  Members may book for themselves and one other member, except for the Andrew Davies Tours when it is single bookings only.  You will be required to fill in a Contact Form and provide your name, email address, mobile and home telephone numbers and an emergency contact name and number.  If you are booking for someone else, it would be helpful if you had these details, otherwise they will need to be posted.
5.  Telephone and email reservations are not accepted until after the first booking date.
6.  The coach departs from The Henley Rugby Club, Marlow Road, Henley (opposite the entrance to Phyllis Court).  There is car parking on site (payment by debit/credit card only).  You will be informed of the relevant departure time when you book.  Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the departure time.  Please note that the coach is not able to wait for late arrivals.
7.  Cancellation: payment will only be refunded if the place is taken by someone on the waiting list.  Please note that places may not be taken by non-members except by prior agreement.
9.  Please do not hesitate to get in touch by email or telephone if you have any queries.  I am happy to help and want you to have an enjoyable day.
     If you wish to get in touch prior to the visit, you can email me at

      judith@wargrave.me or phone 07939 062321.  On the day of the visit please phone 07939 062321       

                                                                                                                                                                         Judith Stephenson-Hodges