Previous Visits
Wed, 29 May 2024
DESCRIPTION
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DAY
Meet at Henley on Thames station car and coach park.
Fri, 26 May 2023
DESCRIPTION
This is a day trip by coach or private car.
At the Chiltern Open Air Museum 45 acres of grounds are now open to explore. Woodland, Village Green, and “Dig for Victory’ allotments .
Step back in time and explore over 30 reconstructed historical buildings including an Iron Age roundhouse, 1940s prefab, blacksmith’s forge, Victorian toll house, tin chapel, WWl and WW2 Nissen huts, earthen cottage and working historic farm that is home to goats, sheep, chickens, cows and farm cats.
There are several catering venues and picnics can be taken throughout the grounds.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DAY
Coach departure time 9:30 am
Start of guided tour: 9:30 approx
Coach leaving time 4:30 pm
Return to Henley time 5:30 pm estimate
Thu, 9 Feb 2023
DESCRIPTION
Details to be confirmed.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DAY
…
Wed, 5 Oct 2022
DESCRIPTION
This is a guided tour led by John Painter.
John is an accredited guide, who has been much involved with research and the setting up of ‘The Friends of Reading Abbey’ and a campaign of repairs.
It is just over 900 years since Reading Abbey was built by Henry I as his final resting place. The enormous Abbey complex, around which the town of Reading grew up, included water mills and wharfs on the River Kennet which flows into the Thames just below Reading. After the dissolution of the monasteries in the sixteenth century, the site was largely robbed out and built over during the growth of the early modern Reading. The east end of the monastic church is under Reading Gaol. But a substantial portion of the impressive remains was protected by incorporation into the Victorian park in the centre of the city.
Since 2009, the ruins were closed due to the dangers of collapse. Coinciding with the nine hundredth anniversary, extensive repairs were undertaken involving archaeology, to make the ruins safe again and also to ensure that the story of the Abbey was properly told for today’s audiences. It was hoped to discover the tomb of Henry I. Work is ongoing, although no trace of it has so far been found. A fascinating exhibit in Reading Museum grew out of the works, and the ruins themselves were reopened to the public in June 2018.
To join the visit the cost is £5 per member and for friends.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DAY
Our outing begins in Reading Museum. We meet in the Town Hall/Museum Foyer, by the reception desk in front of the shop, at 11 am.
After visiting the Abbey Exhibition in the museum, we will go out to see the nearby ruins. The tour will conclude by 1 pm.
Participants are asked to find their own way to Reading.
The 800/850 buses run every 30 minutes from Henley and stop in Friar Street – 2 mins walk away.
Travel by train is possible from Henley station – changing at Twyford.
If you wish to drive, a pay & display car park at Hills Meadow, just across Reading Bridge, is suggested as the closest, just ten minutes walk or so from the Town Hall.
Fri, 13 May 2022
DESCRIPTION
There will be a talk and tour of the Coleshill National Trust Heritage Skills Centre plus
a visit in the afternoon to Buscot Park.
Buscot Park is owned by the National Trust but lived in and administered by Lord Farringdon, who is the custodian of the Faringdon Collection – ceramics, fine furniture and British art.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DAY
- Depart by coach promptly at 9.00 am from Henley Railway Station car park.
- On arrival at Coleshill, we will be offered coffee, followed by a talk and a tour of the estate and workshops.
- Lunch can be ordered when we arrive or picnics can be taken in the park.
- Buscot Park is free for National Trust members. Non-members £10 for seniors.
- There is a tea room at Buscot Park.
- We leave there at 5 pm.
Journey time each way 1 hour 40 min approx.
Total cost: coach journeys and Coleshill visit: £32.00 each.
Entry to Buscot Park is £10 for seniors and £12 for younger adults. Free to N.T. members.
Payment to be made with booking by bank transfer online to:
Henley Archaeology, sort code 60-10-35, Account 13153692, reference: your surname and initial OR by cheque made out to Henley Archaeological Group.
Please email Liz Toms at: elizabethtoms@hotmail.co.uk if booking/paying by bank transfer, or send to her at 31 Hewgate Court, Meadow Road, Henley on Thames RG9 1BD, the completed booking form below showing confirmation of whether you have paid by bank transfer or cheque:
Wed, 15 Dec 2021
DESCRIPTION
Walk to celebrate the life and achievements of Charles Clements, Henley’s Victorian hero
Michael Redley will conduct a guided walk of the town exploring buildings and places in Henley associated with the local builder and councillor, Charles Clements.
Numbers will need to be confined to about 15 or so, first come first served.
If you would like to take part, please contact Michael directly at michael.redley@appleinter.net
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DAY
Those participating are asked to assemble at 11.15 am in front of the Town Hall. The walk will last a couple of hours. It will follow the route described in the Group’s Journal for this year – No 34 of June 2021 (If you wanted a copy, they are on sale for £3.50 at the Bell Book shop in Bell Street and at Richard Way Books in Friday Street.)
For those who want to join in, the walk will end with lunch at 1.15 for 1.30 at the Watercolour Café (formerly the Victoria Pub behind the Town Hall). This was Charles Clements’ last building in the town. There will be no cost, although bring money if you want to buy yourself lunch.
The photo is of the home and business of Charles Clemence, three times mayor of Henley.
Note the unusual array of ridge tiles on the roof – samplers for his clients.
Tue, 16 Nov 2021
DESCRIPTION
Details to follow
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DAY
To be updated
Thu, 14 Oct 2021
DESCRIPTION
A conducted tour of the Bodleian Library in Oxford
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DAY
We will make our own way to Oxford and meet at the Library.
Wed, 22 Sep 2021
DESCRIPTION
September 22, Weald & Downland Museum, Chichester. Depart 9 am
A coach trip to the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton, near Chichester.
We will be able to visit a great variety of historical rural buildings in a beautiful landscape.
There is a cafe on the site and picnics may be taken. A booking form will be circulated nearer the time, but do let me know whether you are interested in this outing so that we can plan numbers.
Cost to include entrance and coach will be £28.
Contact Liz Toms
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DAY
Travel will be by coach from the Catholic Church, Vicarage Road, Henley, leaving at 9 am.
Return will be at 4 pm from the Museum car park.
Thu, 1 Jul 2021
DESCRIPTION
Return visit to the archaeological excavations at the Roman Baths at Calleva.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DAY
Regrettably cancelled because the site was not up to ‘social distancing’ ethos and Reading University will not allow visitors on the site anymore.
Thu, 24 Jun 2021
DESCRIPTION
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DAY
Thursday, June 24 meeting up at 2.00 in the Town Square.
The cost is £6.00 per head payable to Wallingford Museum, payable on the day.
In the unlikely event of inclement weather please bring a brolly and suitable footwear as the Castle grounds can be muddy.