The group aims to bring together gay people who enjoy visiting stately homes, historic houses, and fine country gardens, or who may be interested in architecture or antiques. It has been operating for about six years. In spring, summer and autumn the visits are mainly to stately homes, historic properties, and gardens. In autumn and winter most of these properties are closed, so instead there is a programme mainly of walks through the more historic districts of London.
There is no membership fee, and the emphasis is on informality. If visiting a property, just turn up and pay your entrance fee (though if you are a member of the National Trust, the Historic Houses Association, or the Royal Horticultural Society, you may get in free, depending on the property).
The walks are based on established routes extracted from a variety of sources, ending when possible with a drink in a local pub or coffee shop. There is no charge for the walks, unless we are involved in a walk organised by another organisation.
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME FOR 2008
Sunday 6 July 2008 – Bloomsbury to King’s Cross/St Pancras Walk. Click here for details.
Sunday 3 August 2008 – Lullingstone Castle (HHA) – Home to the World Garden
Sunday 7 September 2008 – Wimbledon Walk
Sunday 12 October 2008 – Sheffield Park (NT)
Sunday 2 November 2008 – Harrow Walk
Sunday 7 December 2008 – Millennium Bridge Walk – St Paul’s, Bankside and Southwark
Bloomsbury to Kings Cross/St Pancras – Sunday 6 July 2008
Bloomsbury was developed by the
Russell family in the 17th and 18th centuries into a fashionable residential
area. It is notable for its array of
gardened squares, its literary connections (exemplified by the Bloomsbury
Group), and its numerous hospitals and academic institutions.
The King’s Cross area on the
other hand once had a reputation for being a red light district and
run-down. However, rapid regeneration
since the mid 1990s has rendered this reputation largely out-of-date. Since November 2007 the area has been the
terminus of the international rail service at St. Pancras International station
where Eurostar trains now arrive and depart to and from France and
Belgium. Regeneration continues under
the auspices of King's Cross Central which is a very major redevelopment in the
north of the area.
Today, Kings Cross most famous
export is children’s favourite Harry Potter. Harry’s train to Hogwarts left
from platform nine and three quarters.
Please meet outside Holborn Tube station (Central and
Piccadilly lines) at 2.0 p.m.
020 8989 5295 or 07785 773917
Email: graham@outandabout.fslife.co.uk
Updated: June 2008