Our 2027 tour will be to Suffolk and Essex and will include visits to Gainsborough's House (on the outbound journey) and, later in the tour, to Flatford Mill where John Constable created some of his most famous paintings. The tour is for 5 days / 4 nights from Tuesday 18th - Saturday 22nd May. Please note that places are only open to members of The Arts Society SW London. If spaces are available nearer the date of departure, it may be possible for non-members to book a place. BOOKING IS NOW OPEN.
The trip, as usual, has been arranged by Travel Editions and will be by coach to Ipswich with a welcome dinner on the first night. The first full day, will include a walking tour of the town plus an afternoon visit to the village of Long Melford and the Tudor manor house at Kentwell Hall. On day two, there will be a visit by coach to Sutton Hoo and the Anglo-Saxon buriels grounds (the discovery of which was dramatised in the 2021 film 'The Dig'). Lunch will be provided at the Lighthouse restaurant in Aldeburgh with time to explore the town where Benjamin Britten lived and to seek out the Maggie Hambling 'Scallop' sculpture, dedicated to him. The third full day will take in Flatford Mill after a walking tour of the beautiful village of Lavenham in the morning. In the evening there will be a farewell dinner and the return journey will include a visit (and stop for lunch) at the RHS gardens at Hyde Hall. We will stay at the 4-star Novotel in the town centre of Ipswich (within easy walking distance of the historic waterfront, shops and restaurants). Click HERE to access the website for the hotel. Please note that only 2 evening meals are included leaving participants free to choose where to eat. It is worth noting that the famous restaurant at Hintlesham Hall is only a 15 minute taxi drive from our hotel. (Booking in advance would be essential!)
Click HERE for the Brochure with full details of tour and HERE to see the booking form.
Booking should be direct with Travel Editions. To reserve a place on the trip, please call them on 020 7251 0045. A deposit of £250 per person is required to secure a place. The deadline for booking is THURSDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2026. If the tour is fully booked, Travel Editions will create a Waiting List that you could join. It is not unusual for people to drop out at the last minute. The cost per person is £ 985 (based on a maximum of 30 people) with a single occupancy supplement of £315. We have requested a number of single occupancy rooms for the tour but they are often in short supply; if you would like one, PLEASE BOOK EARLY.
Since some of the days involve walking, we respectfully ask that you only book if you are fairly sure that you can keep up with the rest of the group.
Please let our Vice-Chair, Gill Grunwald (gill.grunwald@gmail.com) know if you are going to book this trip - it allows us to keep track of how many places are left. Gill may also be able to help with any specific questions about the tour.
Image: courtesy of Travel Editions: Flatford Mill |