Hartley Wintney u3a Holiday
27th September to 1st October 2026
The story of Five Grand Days Out
Sunday
Our holiday started at 9am on Sunday, 35 of us climbed aboard our Barnes luxury Mercedes coach driven by our indomitable driver from last year Sarah. Off we smoothly drove to the late-Elizabethan Montacute House in Somerset to break the journey. Unfortunately, the house was undergoing major refurbishment, renewing staircases, which limited our access to the upstairs of the house. Still nice to stretch our legs and enjoy a casual lunch in their café.
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Now the fun really started as we all took a ride back in time on an old steam train from Bishops Lydeard, on the West Somerset Railway. That old familiar smell of steam and smoke brought back memories of times gone by for all of us. The ride took about an hour and a half, with quite a few stops at small stations beautifully decorated with flowers.
By late afternoon the coach picked us up in Minehead and we continued on our way to Ilfracombe and the Carlton Hotel. Michael, the owner greeted us warmly. We later joined together for our first delicious dinner. The hotel was inviting and comfortable, the staff were exceptional exceptionally kind and considerate.
Monday
The day started with a delicious breakfast followed by a morning visit to the lovely RHS Garden Rosemoor and lunch in the sunshine. The original part of Rosemoor was a fair walk but revealed quite a different atmosphere with the Exotic Garden, the Orchard where apple picking was going on, and the Fruit and Vegetable garden, still full of produce. Closer to the entrance the Hot and Cool gardens and Long Border were full of vibrant colours.
In the afternoon we visited Dartington Crystal and watched the skill of the glassblowers producing fabulous lead crystal glasses. Many of us took the opportunity of purchasing items from their wide range of glass items.
Back at the hotel the staff had rearranged the tables into squares of eight allowing us all to get better acquainted, enjoying the good food and fellowship. We enjoyed an excellent dinner afterwards Peter Kirk, a lively singer, entertained us with spirited renditions of our many requests — proof that the old favourites are still the best!
Tuesday
Day three included a fascinating visit to Quince Honey Farm where an entertaining guide took us through the whole process from the nurturing of the bees to the honey in the jar. Many of us couldn’t resist buying a jar or two.
The afternoon was spent wandering around Lynmouth, travelling up the famous Lynton and Lynmouth funicular Cliff Railway to Lynton. The very fit ones walked the long way down to Lynmouth and the rest of us travelled back on the funicular – bit scary! The views over Lynmouth and the bay made it all very worthwhile.
Wednesday
Day four took us to Arlington Court, an intriguing National Trust owned Regency house. It's probably one of the most original NT houses with furniture still as it had been when the Chichester family lived there until 1945, when it was donated to the Trust. The separate National Trust Carriage Museum contains an impressive collection of horse-drawn vehicles. It's claimed to be the greatest collection of original carriages in the country and we could even sit in a couple. All this set in a picturesque garden.
Some of us with enough energy left, explored Exmoor by coach in the afternoon.
Those with a different kind of energy walked to Ilfracombe Harbour and managed to get drenched by the only incidence of bad weather we had in the five days! Nothing that a cuppa in a local pub couldn’t put right though. Others had been more sensible and had taken shelter in a coffee shop earlier on already.
Another good evening included a Quiz hosted by a singer Nick, the night porter, who was a great all round entertainer. He homed in on some of us in the group and caused quite a lot of laughter. Home Tomorrow!
Thursday
Day five, our last day, and what a treat! We stopped off at Wells, the most delightful city with its magnificent cathedral church in which we enjoyed a fascinating guided tour. We could explore the city too and organise some lunch in one of the city’s attractive eating houses. Then we were on our way back to Hartley Wintney with fond farewells to friends old and new.
So how was it for us?
Very enjoyable, interesting, informative and lots of fun. This was due to the many hours Tim and Angela Southern, ably assisted by Pavel and Madeleine Kudlac, had put in expertly planning the holiday, testing it out for us earlier in the year. It made the whole holiday, both seamless and thoroughly enjoyable for all with additional consideration given to those with mobility problems, so they too could enjoy the whole experience.
And perhaps a final mention of our fantastic driver Sarah. How she negotiated the narrow twisty roads of Devon I do not know, without a scratch or bump.
Can we come again next year please?
Chris and Sylvia Tofts
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Chris and Sylvia Tofts for writing this journal and to the others who made helpful suggestions as to what to include. Also, thanks to everyone for gathering and posing for the group photos and for agreeing to appear on the website. The photographs scattered throughout were taken by Chris Tofts, Madeleine Kudlac, Paul Robinson, Pavel Kudlac and Tim Southern we’re grateful to each of them for letting us use their pictures. It really helps us relive those special moments!
Peter Johnson
October 2026