2013 5 DAY TRIP WITH ULSTERBUS VISITING CHESTER, NORTH WALES & THE PEAK DISTRICT

2013 5 DAY TRIP WITH ULSTERBUS VISITING CHESTER, NORTH WALES & THE PEAK DISTRICT
DEPARTING SUNDAY 26TH MAY - £399 PER PERSON,
NO SUPPLEMENT ON FIRST 5 SINGLE ROOMS THEREAFTER ADD 20 PER NIGHT

TO BOOK PLEASE CONTACT YVONNE DAVIDSON AT ULSTERBUS TEL: 028 9033 7004 QUOTING REF NO: 55225
STILL 3 SINGLES AVAILABLE AT NO EXTRA COST AS OF 19TH NOVEMBER, 2012


The walled city of Chester on the River Dee on the Cheshire/Wales border, started life as a Roman fortress built to repel the Welsh tribes after the 20th Roman Legion’s defeat of Boadicea, the warrior queen, 2000 years ago.

Today a two mile Roman wall encircles the city, one of England’s most attractive, where a wonderful variety of buildings reflects its long history; buildings ranging from the popular black and white 'Rows' of shops, largely a Victorian restoration, back through time to the largest open amphitheatre in the UK, located beside the river. This river, the Dee, on which the city stands has its source in the nearby Welsh hills and we follow it upstream to take the canal boat trip on the aqueduct over the river to Llangollen. On another day we turn east to explore the Peak District with a memorable visit to Chatsworth House, the seat of the Dukes of Devonshire and one of England’s most visited stately homes. There is also a visit to Tatton Park Gardens* and the option of some time for shoppers at Cheshire Oaks (UK’s biggest outlet centre) while the hotel’s central location allows plenty of time to enjoy the city itself.

The Queen Hotel is a four-star, premier grade, Great Western hotel. It enjoys a marvellous location in the centre of the city and boasts ‘regal’ public areas, spectacular staircases, a courtyard garden, charming bars and lounges and over 200 fine, en-suite bedrooms.

Day 1 We leave Belfast at 9am and travel south to Dun Laoghaire where we catch the early afternoon sailing to Holyhead on Anglesey. From there we continue across North Wales to arrive in Chester around 6.00pm, in time to settle in before dinner.Hotel:Best Western Premier Queen Hotel 4* (4 nights D, B&B) D

Day 2 After a leisurely breakfast we meet our local guide for an introductory tour of the city. Then, just after lunchtime, we travel by coach to Froncysyllte where we board a narrow boat for a unique canal journey over the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to Llangollen Wharf. We visit the related Horseshoe Canal and return to Chester via the spectacular Horseshoe Pass B, D

Day 3 This morning we travel into Derbyshire and the Peak District, arriving at Bakewell around lunchtime. We spend the afternoon at the fabulous Chatsworth House, set in 1,000 acres of beautiful parkland. Here we can explore the historic house and discover over 100 acres of carefully maintained garden, including giant waterfall features. Finally we return to Chester in time for dinner. B, D

Day 4 Tatton Park Gardens (home of the famous Tatton Park Flower Show) is our first stop today. Shoppers can spend the afternoon at Cheshire Oaks, just a few miles from Chester, while others can return to the hotel to enjoy a final few hours in the charming city (coach returns to Cheshire Oaks to collect shoppers). B, D

Day 5 We take our time over breakfast before checking out of our hotel and commencing our return journey, retracing our outward route, this time via Dublin Port, to arrive back in Belfast around 7.30pm. B

B=Breakfast Included , D=Dinner Included

Day Trip - Saturday 15th June, 2013

This year our day outing will be to Benvarden Gardens, Ballyliken Garden Centre, and a private garden in Bushmills.

Coach will leave Carrick Harbour Car Park at 9.30 am prompt returning 8.30 pm approx.

Cost twenty seven pounds, this includes seat on coach, morning tea/coffee and scone, entry to two gardens and high tea.

Cheques made payable to Carrickfergus Garden Society

To book and for further information please contact:
Mrs Jean Robson, 87 Milebush Park, Carrickfergus, BT38 7PU Telephone number 028 93365120.

Evening Trip - Tuesday 30th July, 2013

This year the evening trip will be visiting Antrim Castle Gardens.

The coach will leave Carrick Harbour Car Park at 6.00 pm prompt returning 10.00 pm approx.

The cost will be twelve pounds, this includes a seat on the coach, guided tour of the gardens and light supper.

Cheques made payable to Carrickfergus Garden Society

Contact:
Mrs Jean Robson, 87 Milebush Park, Carrickfergus, BT38 7PU Telephone number 028 93365120.

Evening Garden Visit - July 2006

Society visits the walled garden at Glenarm Castle

Pictured left to right, Christine Canale, Ada McCrory, Anna Cuming, Louise McCrory and Jean Robson

4 Day Trip - June 2006 - Visiting Gardens in Scotland and Northumberland

Pictured from left to right in the formal garden are Lottie Armstrong, Helen Knox, Anna Cuming, Linda Thompson, May Madden and Debora Brown

This year our four day trip was later than usual, giving us the opportunity to see early summer shrubs and perennials. Our busy schedule covered a total of 7 gardens in four days, ranging from historic Cally Gardens & Nursery, which is Grade 2 listed and dates from 1765 to the modern Longframlington Gardens and Arboretum begun in 1998 and now growing 2,500 varieties for low maintenance gardening.

We also toured some grand country house gardens with Belsay Hall Quarry Garden being a talking point. This garden was built as a labyrinth type quarry from the stones left over from the building of the hall, and a very atmospheric and eerie place it was too.

The highlight was our visit to Alnwick Gardens opened in 2002 and transformed from a derelict plot into a 12 acre walled site with water cascades and water sculptures, colonnades, rose gardens and one of the largest tree houses in the world.

This trip was made so enjoyable by the organising skills of Linda Thompson and Helen Knox, who once again demonstrated the knack of finding interesting and varied locations to visit. Members and friends who were on the trip certainly appreciated their hard work.

Roll on next year!

Submitted by: Mrs Anna Cuming, Chairman

Society visits Rare and Special Plant Fair - May 2006

The Plant Fair was held this year at Farmleigh, Castleknock, Co. Dublin, former home of the Guinness family. It is now owned by the Irish Government and used as a place for visiting dignitries to stay.

We were blessed with fantastic weather, and an extremely comfortable coach, provided by Mr. Desi Mitchell, Comfi Coaches, Co. Down.

Front view of Farmleigh taken from the wild flower lawn.