EXPERIENCE DAYS
MEMORABLE DAYS OUT WITH EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES
EXPERIENCE DAYS I
n a new venture for Brightwater Holidays, we are delighted to unveil our collection of Experience Days. While a full-length tour is always a treat, sometimes an immersive day out is enough to give us that sense of escapism a holiday offers. With this in mind, we are excited to announce that we have created a brand new range of Experience Days, many of which offer activities not normally available to the public. Others cater to the recent trend of people taking up new hobbies such as painting and gardening, which allows them to get closer to nature while improving their mental health and general well-being. We have a fabulous collection and they are all UK-based, meaning you won’t have to travel too far in order to enjoy them. For the artistically inclined among us (or simply the creative!), there are three hands-on Experience Days available that include tutoring at the hands of professional painter, Mike Turpie. These events offer a chance for beginners to learn new skills and for more experienced painters to brush up on their watercolor technique in fabulous company! If you’re a bit of a history buff, why not join an exclusive private tour of Broomhall House personally led by Lord Bruce, a lineal descendant of King Robert the Bruce, who was crowned at Scone Palace - the venue for our series of seasonal days out in the company of Head Gardener and Beechgrove Garden presenter Brian Cunningham.
Kelvingrove Museum
Scone Palace
You can discover more about Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the enduringly popular designer, artist and architect; learn all about British Art at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the company of museum curators; or spend a day immersed in the history of Scottish shipbuilding, railway locomotives and trams at the Riverside Museum of Transport. Prefer a bit of horticulture? How about an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh with Alpine Supervisor John Mitchell; a choice of three seasonal days out with Colin Crosbie in Dumfries and Galloway or a visit to Batsford Arboretum with tree expert Tony Russell, with a tree planting demonstration included.
We are also offering an exciting day at Kent’s Lullingstone Castle, led by none other than horticulturist Tom Hart Dyke, who will personally lead us round his amazing World Garden of Plants. A once in a lifetime experience awaits as we have exclusive access to the remarkable Berkeley Castle, while at Chiddingstone Castle we uncover a treasure trove of Ancient Egyptian artifacts. All that’s left to do is decide what tickles your fancy and book your place. Please note that travel to and from the venues is not included, with the exception of the Broomhall House event, which includes return coach transfers from Edinburgh.
1-833-6170-639 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com
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Lullingstone Castle Gardens
LULLINGSTONE CASTLE
& THE WORLD GARDEN OF PLANTS WITH TOM HART DYKE
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$140
e meet at one of England’s oldest family estates, Lullingstone Castle, where we are joined in the Norman Church by Tom Hart Dyke, the 20th generation to live at the castle, for a brief presentation on what life at the castle is like and his adventures while plant hunting overseas. In charming surroundings, we enjoy a delicious lunch before Tom escorts us through The World Garden of Plants, which is a tribute to the incredible achievements of the Victorian and Edwardian plant hunters who sought out and brought back many of the plants we love and grow in our gardens to this day.
Tom Hart Dyke Tom was plant hunting in Colombia in 2000 when he was kidnapped by guerillas. During his nine-month ordeal the idea for ‘The World Garden’ was born in exceptional circumstances and on his return to Lullingstone Tom began turning his jungle vision into reality, creating his dream garden. We are privileged to have him as our guide.
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Brightwater Holidays | 2022 - Experience Days
Tom Hart Dyke
Highlights » Presentation from Tom Hart Dyke on life at Lullingstone Castle and plant hunting overseas » Guided tour with Tom through The World Garden of Plants » Two-course lunch at Lullingstone Castle
Dates & Prices April 11 July 5 September 13
$140pp $140pp $140pp
Egyptian figures
EGYPTIAN DISCOVERY
AT CHIDDINGSTONE CASTLE WITH CURATOR NAOMI COLLICK
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$105
oin us at Chiddingstone Castle in Kent, where we step back in time to Ancient Egypt. We are hosted by the curator for a short introductory talk on the extensive Ancient Egyptian Collection housed at the castle before heading to the Victorian Kitchen for a light lunch. In the afternoon we join the curator and explore the many artifacts of the collection, which is a hidden treasure and a well kept secret amongst the most avid Egyptologists. It is home to some extremely rare and unique objects including a red porphyry head of a queen from the Ptolemaic Period, an impressive collection of shabti figures and a 5,000-year-old funerary boat.
Naomi Collick Naomi has a BA in Oriental Studies from Oxford University and an MA in the History of Art and Archaeology of East Asia from SOAS. She has been the curator at Chiddingstone since 2018 and enjoys working with the huge range of Artifacts in Denys Eyre Bower’s collection. A particular favorite is the beautifully preserved polychrome wood shabti figure of ‘Tamit’.
Wooden Funerary Boat - approx 5,000 years old
Highlights » Introductory talk from curator Naomi Collick about the Egyptian Collection at Chiddingstone Castle » Tour with Naomi through the Egyptian Collection » Two-course light lunch with tea and coffee
Dates & Prices May 16 July 11 October 5
$105pp $105pp $105pp
1-833-6170-639 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com
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Berkeley Castle
BERKELEY CASTLE
PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR WITH CHARLES BERKELEY AND DINNER
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$350
once in a lifetime experience awaits as we are privileged to have exclusive access to the remarkable Berkeley Castle. The Berkeley family are one of the only remaining families that can trace their ancestry directly back to Saxon times and have lived through history from within the walls of the castle, which are full of stories to share. There are archives at the castle dating back to 1154 and home to 25,000 documents all relating to the estate including title deeds and manorial accounts. We are welcomed by the current head of the family Charles Berkeley, who will give us a private tour of the castle followed by a three course dinner with wine in a truly unique setting.
Charles Berkeley Charles represents the 27th generation of his family, one of only three in England that can trace its patrilineal descent back to Anglo-Saxon times. A former High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, Charles inherited Berkeley on the death of his father in 2017.
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Charles Berkeley
Highlights » Introductory talk from Charles Berkeley and a private guided tour of his castle » Time to explore the garden » Three-course dinner in the Long Drawing Room at Berkeley Castle including wine
Dates & Prices May 12
$350pp
Batsford Arboretum
BATSFORD ARBORETUM
WITH TREE EXPERT TONY RUSSELL
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$190
eet us at Batsford Arboretum in the Cotswolds for a ‘tree-mendous’ day out in the company of author and broadcaster Tony Russell, widely regarded as one of Britain’s leading authorities on trees and shrubs in the temperate world. The collections at Batsford cover a wide range of plants from around the world, with an emphasis on the Far East. There are over 2,850 labelled specimens including about 1,300 different trees, shrubs and bamboo. Tony will give a demonstration on practical tree identification followed by a guided tour of the collection. After lunch we are joined by the Head Gardener for a tree planting demonstration.
Tony Russell Tony’s career with plants and gardens began in 1978 when he joined the Forestry Commission in Snowdonia, and in 1989 he was appointed Head Forester of Westonbirt Arboretum. Since leaving in 2003 he has presented many horticultural and countryside programmes for both TV and radio, and regularly writes for several magazines.
Tony Russell
Highlights » Tree identification session, guided tour of Batsford and presentation on Ideal Trees for the Garden with Tony Russell » Tree Planting demonstration with Batsford Head Gardener and Tony » Lunch and refreshments » Gift of a young maple tree and the book ‘What’s That Tree’ by Tony Russell
Dates & Prices April 26 July 19 October 11
$190pp $190pp $190pp
1-833-6170-639 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com
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Threave Gardens
GARDENS OF
DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY
THROUGH THE SEASONS WITH COLIN CROSBIE FROM
$140
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ake your pick from spring, summer and fall, or experience all three, as we visit carefully selected gardens in Dumfries & Galloway in the distinguished company of Colin Crosbie, one-time Head Gardener to HM The Queen Mother at Windsor and former Curator of RHS Garden Wisley. As well as visiting Colin’s own garden we will also visit other notable gardens and nurseries in the area, chosen to show off the season to its best advantage.
We begin in the spring with ‘The Woodland Garden in all its Glory’. The day begins at Colin’s own garden at Dalswinton Mill, near Dumfries, with tea, coffee and home baking, after which Colin will talk about his experiences creating and tending the garden before leading us on
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Brightwater Holidays | 2022 - Experience Days
Threave Gardens
a personal guided tour. You will then drive to Threave Gardens near Castle Douglas, the only Scottish garden dedicated to the training of horticulturists. After lunch here Colin will lead a tour of the garden as we enjoy the fresh spring greens of the trees and shrubs. We conclude at the gardens of Corsock House, whose richly planted woodland are particularly special at this time of year. In July our theme is ‘Summer Borders’ and we begin in Kirkcudbright, at the garden of Elizabeth McGregor, one of Scotland’s finest perennial plant nurseries many of which are displayed in the walled garden. You then drive to Threave Gardens near Castle Douglas, where after lunch Colin will again lead a tour of the garden, this time on their glorious summer beds and borders. After this we visit the beautiful cottage-style garden of Seabank, for a tour with the owner. Then it’s all back to Colin’s at Dalswinton Mill, where after a tour of the garden we will enjoy a light supper. Come October and the theme is ‘The Autumn Garden’. The day begins once again at Colin’s own garden with refreshments and a guided tour. You then drive to Threave Gardens which at this time of year will be clothed in reds, yellows and golds, as Colin guides us to the most colourful corners after lunch. A similar autumnal scene awaits at Corsock House.
Colin Crosbie
Colin Crosbie Colin was the Head Gardener to Her Majesty The Queen Mother in Windsor prior to taking up the position of Curator at RHS Garden Wisley. His extensive horticultural knowledge and experience coupled with his good humor have established him as one of Brightwater’s most popular guides.
Highlights » Personal guided tour of Colin Crosbie’s own garden with refreshments (and a light supper in July) » Tour of Threave Garden including lunch » Visit to the gardens of Corsock House (June & October); Seabank and Elizabeth McGregor Nursery (July only)
Dates & Prices June 1 July 20 October 13
$140pp $170pp $140pp
1-833-6170-639 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com
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Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
ALPINE PLANTS AT RBGE
IN THE COMPANY OF JOHN MITCHELL
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$135
endezvous at the world-renowned Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, one of the finest botanic gardens in the world, where we are joined by Alpine Supervisor and modern-day plant hunter John Mitchell. Here we are privileged to have an exclusive ‘Behind the Wall’ tour of the Alpine Section, an area not normally open to the public. John will also give us a talk on Alpine plants and his expeditions around the world in search of new specimens, as well as a guided tour of the rest of the garden. Lunch is included, served in the David Douglas Room, with further time to enjoy some of the many trees and plants from around the globe in this leafy and much-loved corner of Edinburgh.
John Mitchell John Mitchell has worked at RBGE for 30 years, the last 19 as Alpine Supervisor, responsible for managing the Alpine Department, which includes the Rock Garden, Woodland Garden, Alpine Area and most recently the New Alpine House. John has been on expeditions to Yunnan, Sichuan, Tibet, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Alaska and Altai.
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John Mitchell
Highlights » Lecture on Alpine Plants with John Mitchell » Personal guided tour of RBGE and Behind-the-wall tour of the Alpine Area » Lunch in the David Douglas Room
Dates & Prices March 6 March 13 March 20
$135pp $135pp $135pp
Travel to/from Edinburgh can be arranged at a supplement. If you would like to spend more time in Edinburgh, hotel accommodation can also be arranged as required.
Watercolor Painting
AN ARTIST’S AWAKENING
IN THE COMPANY OF MIKE TURPIE
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FROM
oin professional artist Mike Turpie D.A. for a masterclass in the wonderful world of watercolor painting. On each day you will have the opportunity to indulge in two, two-hour painting sessions under Mike’s expert tutelage, sandwiched around a delightful two-course lunch accompanied by a glass of wine, tea and coffee. At the end of the day there will be a short review session where you can share your accomplishments with your peers before you head home. Our events in Montrose (23 March) and Glasgow (5 April) are aimed at beginners while the class in Edinburgh (13 April) is more suited to those at an intermediate level. Please note you will need to bring your own paints and brushes.
$135
Mike Turpie Mike Turpie D. A. is a professional artist and teacher currently painting landscape and figure compositions who trained at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee. His style varies from sensitive atmospheric watercolors to bold broad colorful oils. He is also influenced by artists from the past including the French Impressionists.
Mike Turpie
Highlights » Four hours of expert tutelage by Mike Turpie, an introduction to watercolor painting (intermediate level April 13) » Delightful two-course lunch with wine, tea and coffee » Dust sheet and Watercolor Gummed Paper Block provided
Dates & Prices March 23 April 5 April 13
$135pp $135pp $145pp
1-833-6170-639 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com
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Kelvingrove Museum
KELVINGROVE MUSEUM
FEATURING CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH AND BRITISH ART
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$135
e gather in Glasgow at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum for an unforgettable day of discovery. We are joined by one of the curators for an introductory talk to learn about the history of Kelvingrove as well as a brief overview of Scottish history before enjoying a delightful lunch in the restaurant. In the afternoon our curator will then guide us through the museum, providing an in-depth insight and answering any questions there may be. In April we will focus on the Charles Rennie Mackintosh material while in September we will explore the British Art collection. There will » Introductory talk from a curator about also be time to explore the other wide-ranging the history of Kelvingrove and Scottish exhibits of this world-class museum.
Highlights
history » One hour tour with a curator through the Charles Rennie Mackintosh (April) or British Art collection (September) » Two-course lunch with tea and coffee » Arrival refreshments
Dates & Prices April 26 September 13
Kelvingrove Museum
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$135pp $135pp
Overnight accommodation can be arranged in Glasgow at a supplement. You may wish to combine either of these events with the Riverside Museum experience - see facing page.
Glasgow Riverside Museum
GLASGOW RIVERSIDE MUSEUM FEATURING THE SS ATHENIA
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$135
ravel to the Riverside Museum for a memorable day discovering the history of shipbuilding, trains and trams in Glasgow. We are joined by one of the curators for a talk on the Riverside Museum, a brief overview of the history of shipbuilding in Glasgow as well as the story of the SS Athenia that was attacked by a German submarine in 1939. In the afternoon our curator will then guide us through the museum on an exclusive tour of the transport collection providing an in-depth insight. We will also have exclusive access to objects that are normally hidden from visitors, after which you are then free to explore the rest of the museum at your leisure.
Riverside Museum
Highlights » Introductory talk from a curator about the Riverside Museum, Glasgow’s ship building history and the SS Athenia » One-hour tour with a curator through the transport collection including access to objects normally not seen by visitors » Two-course lunch with tea and coffee plus refreshments on arrival
Dates & Prices Riverside Museum
April 27 September 14
$135pp $135pp
1-833-6170-639 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com
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Scone Palace
THE GARDENS OF SCONE PALACE IN THE COMPANY OF BRIAN CUNNINGHAM
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$140
ead to the beautiful Perthshire countryside where we find Scone Palace, the crowning place of the Kings of Scots. We are joined by the head gardener Brian Cunningham as he introduces us to the grounds and garden that he has worked on for the past nine years. Depending on the date you join us he will also enlighten us on a seasonal topic such as early summer blooms, the Kitchen Garden or trees and shrubs. We are treated to a delectable lunch followed by a private guided tour of the gardens with Brian, after which there will be some free time to explore before departing.
Brian Cunningham Brian first became interested in gardening at the age of nine when he began helping a Greenkeeper at a local bowling club. He began his life as a professional gardener at the RBGE and later enjoyed roles at St Andrews Botanic Gardens and Backhouse Rossie Estate. Brian will also be familiar as a presenter of BBC TV’s ‘The Beechgrove Garden’.
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Brian Cunningham
Highlights » Presentation from Brian Cunningham on the gardens at Scone Palace and seasonal topic » Guided tour and practical workshop with Brian Cunningham » Lunch at Scone Palace » Arrival refreshments
Dates & Prices May 26 August 9 September 20
$140pp $140pp $140pp
Broomhall House
BROOMHALL HOUSE
IN THE COMPANY OF LORD BRUCE
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$400
njoy an exclusive private tour of Broomhall House in the company of Lord Bruce, a lineal descendant of King Robert the Bruce. The unique historical contents of Broomhall include Robert the Bruce’s sword, several unopened letters from Queen Victoria to the Emperor of China and an estate ledger showing an outstanding debt incurred by the family of Andrew Carnegie. Lord Bruce’s entertaining conversation is filled with anecdotes about his illustrious ancestors and the roles many have played through time. We also visit Culross, which has close connections to the Bruce family and Dunfermline Abbey, where Robert the Bruce’s bones are interred.
Lord Bruce Charles Bruce is heir to the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, Chief of the Name of Bruce and a lineal descendant of King Robert the Bruce. The Bruce family arrived in Scotland in the 12th century and acquired the lands of Broomhall in the 1580s. The present house was built in 1702 and has been occupied by the same family for 13 generations.
Lord Bruce
Highlights » Personal tour of Broomhall House with Lord Bruce » Coach transfers from Edinburgh » Two-course private lunch with wine » Visits to Culross Palace and Abbey » Tour of Dunfermline Abbey
Dates & Prices March 29
$400pp
1-833-6170-639 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com
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How to book your Experience Day Call today: 1-833-6170-639 Travel Advisor - Press 1
or visit our website:
brightwaterholidays.com/experience-days
Our 3rd edition 2022 brochure is here We are delighted to reveal our brand new 3rd edition brochure for 2022. Within its pages, alongside our tried and tested favourites, you will find a host of new tours. These include an expanded range of fascinating Castles and Houses holidays and a new collection of Premium tours, offering an unparalleled selection of special access and behind-the-scenes tours, private dining experiences and personal encounters.
To order your copy today, call:
1-833-6170-639 Travel Advisor - Press 1
Visit our website: brightwaterholidays.com/brochure-request