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HF Holidays
Rover Tours
Sussex
and the South Downs
2008 Dates: May 30 Sept 5
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HF Rover Tours include
accommodation staying at the same hotel for seven nights. Groups
are small - usually 12 - 15 participants. Breakfast and
dinner plus a picnic lunch are included each day.
Transportation is by minibus with an expert guide. |
Our Sussex tour is based in the South Downs
at Abingworth. The Romans settled here; the Normans invaded and were met at
the Battle of Hastings. In Sussex noblemen established great estates and
royalty made the coastal resorts fashionable.
From our base, we tour England's south-east to visit many great houses and
historic ports as well as the wonderful countryside of the Downs..
Friday: Arrive by train. Afternoon tea and social
evening.
Saturday:
We start with a stroll along the historic South Downs Way. We
then visit Steyning, an old market town with over 60 buildings
listed as of historical or architectural interest. Our coach
takes us to the Downs for lunch at Devils Dyke where we
enjoy marvelous views. In the afternoon we travel via the
village of Bramber before returning to Abingworth Hall in time
for afternoon tea.
Sunday: We start with a visit to Petworth House where we can walk in the glorious park and visit the
magnificent house with its collection of paintings including
masterpieces by Turner and Van Dyck. The town is crammed with
antique shops and we have a chance to stroll here. Our lunch
stop will be Lurgashall, a very "typical" English
village where cricket is played on the village green. We then
wend our way through more delightful villages before reaching
the town of Midhurst. This town is home to the magnificent ruin
of the Tudor Cowdry House and the stately Victorian Cowdry
Park. It is an attractive town with 17th and
18th century buildings and not far away is Uppark, an
elegant Georgian estate whose servants quarters make an
interesting visit.
Monday: This morning we enjoy a stroll along the
seafront at Littlehampton. The unique gardens at Highdown
provide a peaceful setting for a picnic lunch. On our way
to Arundel we stop at a church notable for having the only known
reproduction of the awesome Sistine Chapel ceiling in the world.
We then continue to Arundel. Set by the River
Arun, construction of Arundel Castle began in the 11th century.
Today it is home of the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal, who is
officially in charge of all state occasions such as coronations.
The castle has wonderful collections of art and furniture some
of which date back to former monarchs.
Tuesday: Free day - perhaps a visit to the famous
Sissinghurst gardens or the train to
Brighton to visit the Royal Pavilion.
Wednesday: First we pay a visit to
Amberley, known as the pearl of Sussex with many houses of stone
or flint and some half-timbered. After a picnic lunch on the
edge of the RSPB reserve (bird sanctuary) at Wiggonholt we
continue to Parham
House, an Elizabethan manor house with a great hall, long
gallery and an 18th century pleasure garden.
Thursday: Our final day starts with a visit to the
tranquil waterside surroundings of Bosham, an ancient port whose
church was depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry (1066). Then, after
stopping off to admire the views of the South Downs and beyond,
we visit the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum where original
buildings from the past six centuries can be seen. The museum
also has seven historic gardens from medieval to Victorian
times, a working Tudor kitchen and traditional workshops.
Friday: Tour ends after breakfast.Cost
per person: (based on double occupancy) 694 UK pounds
Single Supplement: 252 UK pounds
A few small single rooms are sometimes available with no
supplement.
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Abingworth Hall occupies a
country estate that dates back some seven centuries and stands
beside its own lake in seven acres of parkland within the
tranquil Weald. Just three miles south, the crest of the South
Downs rises abruptly above the small town of Storrington.
Facilities include laundry
facilities, mini-shop, croquet, and heated outdoor pool. All
meals are included. All HF hotels are non smoking, |
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