Meet at Foyles Book Shop café, 107, Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0DT for coffee, possibly followed by lunch at the adjacent Wetherspoons pub, ‘The Montagu Pyke’, 105-107, Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0BP
Meet in the car park at Ad Gefrin in Wooler, Redpath’s Yard, N71 6NJ. This is a Museum of Anglo-Saxon Northumberland. There are displays and a shop.
Meet with the AOUG Chairman in the Tea Room at Mount Stewart, Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 2AD before exploring this family house, home to the Marquesses of Londonderry for over two hundred and fifty years. Then if the weather is kind, wander the gardens with the unique Shamrock Garden and many intriguing sculptures. This is National Trust Property which has free access to members. General admission price: £15.00. If you are using public transport, you can catch a number 10 bus from the Laganside Bus Centre, Portaferry Square in Belfast, which will bring you to Mount Stewart.
Meet at Miss Moody’s Tea Room, Church Street, Romsey, SO51 8BT, for coffee and a snack, before going to Romsey Abbey, Church Lane, SO51 8EN, at 12.45 for a free guided tour (no booking necessary). The abbey is the largest parish church in Hampshire, and dates back to the 10th Century. The abbey is renowned for its corbels (gargoyles) and stained glass. There are three pay car parks close by, and Romsey Railway Station is a ten minute walk away.
Meet for coffee in the coffee shop at St. Albans Museum and Gallery, Market Place, St. Peter’s Street, St. Albans, AL3 5DJ. There is likely to be a free, temporary exhibition but details are not available this far in advance.
Meet in ‘The Masters’ café on the ground floor of the Royal Armouries, Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT where Janet Parker will be waiting with a copy of OMEGA on the table. Then explore this museum holding the national collection of arms and armoury over five floors including a tournament gallery with demonstrations to enjoy. Even though the entry is free, it is recommended that you book online in advance as, if it is very busy, entry numbers might need to be controlled. Those who wish can take a guided tour at a cost of £10 for adults and £4 for children. Parking is available in the car park operated by CitiPark on Armouries Drive but do not park on the road as you will be fined. The Leeds Water Taxi from the Railway Station also stops at this car park. Check the availability and times before planning your journey. Alternatively, there is a regular bus service or an eighteen-minute walk.
Meet the AOUG Chairman at the Burns Coffee House, 7, Bank Street, Dumfries, DG1 2NX for coffee prior to a visit to the Robert Burns Museum, Burns Street, Dumfries, DG1 2PS. It is free entry to the museum and there is free parking on either Burns Street or Brooms Road.
Meet at the entrance to Didcot Parkway Station, Station Road, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NR. This is for a steaming day at the Didcot Railway Centre.
Meet in the Tearoom within the castle museum at Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Cyfarthfa Park, Beacon Road, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8RE. Be sure to go to the correct one as there are other tearooms in the grounds. Admission is £2.50 or £2.00 for concessions. This Museum and Art Gallery is open to the public and offers audio tours. The surrounding park houses many other attractions as well as beautifully kept gardens. The castle itself is reserved for private functions. A car is advisable as although there is a railway station and bus station in Merthyr Tydfil, a taxi would be recommended as it is a twenty-five minute walk.
Meet at Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, OL16 1AZ, for a conducted tour. Rochdale Town Hall has been called 'one of the most historically significant buildings in the country’ and has many historic rooms. You can look around at your own pace for free, or you can join a fascinating one hour guided tour at the cost of £8.00. Book in advance with the Town Hall for the guided tour. Rochdale is very well served by road, rail and tram links.
Meet at the French Restaurant, Cote Brasserie, George Street, Oxford OX1 2BE for the annual Autumn Lunch. Meet friends old and new. So why not join us for some French Fare, especially the onion soup! Please let the Executive Rep know if you are planning to attend as the table needs to be booked 6th October to avoid disappointment.
Meet at the Toby Carvery, Copnor Road, Portsmouth, PO3 5HS, for coffee and lunch. If you intend to join us, please let the Local Contact know by November 6th.