Visit to Herstmonceux Castle and The Herstmonceux Observatory

Our third visit this year is to Herstmonceux Castle & Gardens followed by The Herstmonceux Observatory.  Herstmonceux Castle is a moated brick-built building dating from the 15^th century and was commissioned by Sir Roger Fiennes, Treasurer to Henry VI.   It is one of the oldest significant brick-built buildings still standing in England and is surrounded by 600 acres of woodland, wildflower meadows and gardens.

Leaving Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall at 8.30am we aim to arrive at the Castle between 10.00 and 10.30. On arrival, refreshments at members’ cost will be available in the Garden Cafe. At 11.00 we then have a 1-hour escorted tour of the Castle. After the Tour there will be time to explore the gardens and have lunch in the Garden Café, again at members’ cost.

We leave the Castle at 2.00 to travel down the road to The Herstmonceux Observatory. The Observatory served as The Royal Observatory from 1948-1990, having moved from Greenwich to Sussex to escape London light pollution.  In 1990 The Royal Observatory was again relocated, this time to its present home in Cambridge. Since 1995 The Herstmonceux Observatory has been a hands-on Scientific Learning Centre, showcasing its historic green domes and telescopes.

On arrival we will have a 40-minute introductory talk about the Science Centre and will leave for Ashtead at 4.30.

Tickets will be on sale at our April 21 meeting.

Depart Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall at 8.30

Refreshments on arrival (own cost)

Guided tour of the Castle

Free time to explore the gardens and have lunch (own cost)

Leave the Castle at 2.00 to visit the Observatory

Introductory talk at The Observatory

Leaving for Ashtead at 4.30

Cost £56pp

Image: Herstmonceux Castle, view  from the South East by Michael Coppin, licensed under CC S-A 4.0 international licence  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en