Thirty nine SoFA members enjoyed time together on our latest holiday in Cambridgeshire. Carl, our driver, took us through rural Staffordshire to our first stop on the outward journey, the Mill Hotel. Then on to Becketts Farm Shop in the Midlands for our lunch before arriving at the Marriott Hotel in Huntingdon. This quiet modern hotel provided a good standard of comfort and food during our five day stay.
Day one was full of options for the group. Some enjoyed a planned, guided College tour. Others chose a more leisurely opportunity to see the historical and tourist attractions including the impressive University Botanical Gardens. Prior to the city stop, Carl arranged a visit to the nearby American War Memorial and Cemetery. On day two members had the opportunity to explore Ely, with its historic buildings, river location and its unique Cathedral. The next stop was to Anglesey Abbey (NT) to enjoy the woodland walk, herbaceous and rose gardens and the magnificent country home. Anglesey Abbey was transformed from its religious beginning into a sumptuous collection of art, sculpture and tapestries by the wealthy patron, Lord Fairhaven.
On the third day our group visited the Wimpole Estate (NT). This was a different house experience with more herbaceous flowers and a splendid walled garden filled with springtime colours and fragrance. A historic church and working farm completed the experience. The afternoon was a look around the working Victorian Mill at Houghton (NT). The mill was in a chocolate box setting with meadow and riverside walks. Our journey home offered a complete contrast to the treasures of the National Trust. Carl took us to the Richard 111 Visitor Centre in Leicester. Members enjoyed a range of high quality visual presentations about Richard’s ascendancy to the throne. There was also the history of warfare surrounding his death and the details of the impressive discovery of Richard’s body under a nearby car park! We lunched together at the Visitor Centre, allowing time to visit the Medieval Guildhall and Richard’s tomb in the Cathedral. As usual, Carl kept us informed and managed a relaxing timetable. Another enjoyable and valued five days of SoFA companionship.
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Many thanks to Frank Hyland for the article and Charlie Craig for the photographs.
