A day trip to Bowood House and Gardens was held by the club on Friday May 10th. Bowood is situated near Calne in Wiltshire and is set in glorious countryside.
Our day started with an element of anxiety since our coach didn’t arrive at the stated time. A message was finally received saying that an accident had blocked the A3 and the designated coach was caught on the wrong side of the accident. However another coach was sent from elsewhere and the poor driver arrived in Petersfield not knowing where we were planning to go!
We were finally underway and enjoyed a beautiful drive through the spring countryside to Bowood. And Bowood proved to be spectacular. It is a very fine house set in beautiful gardens landscaped by Capability Brown. Our first port of call was, needless to say the Stable Restaurant, which opened early for us to have much needed coffee! Our later lunches were excellent and the staff were caring and welcoming. There was much to see by walking through a lovely orangery with rooms off, such as a chapel, library and even a small laboratory where Dr Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen. Outside was a very pretty terrace as long as the house and it was wonderful to simply sit and enjoy the view.
Further afield are the grounds with sadly a private walled garden, but a lake and areas for all to enjoy. The grounds are used for numerous events and with even a children’s adventure playground. The coach was allowed to take members up to the woodland garden which was full of Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Bluebells and Magnolias. It was wonderful and loved by all. We had a very happy day and said many thanks to our driver who started the day with no idea where he would be going, but seemed to enjoy the place as much as we did.