Rose and Rolf Holstein
13 Kennet Way, Oakley, Basingstoke, Hants RG23 7AA, e-mail: rholstein@btinternet.com
Tel 01256 781780, mobile – on 14 June only – 07808 289 464
Dear EUC Member
Exeter University Club (EUC) Annual Outing at Upton House
and Annual General Meeting of EUC at The Holt Hotel near Steeple Aston,
both on Saturday 14 June 2014
Upton House is in Warwickshire – a National Trust property near Banbury. It is the stylish home
of a 1930’s millionaire. Surrounded by the internationally important art and porcelain collection,
discover more about house parties and family life. Take in a touch of Art Deco in the red and silver
bathroom as you learn about the 1930s trend of interior decorating. Art lovers will enjoy the
wonderful art works by artists such as El Greco, Stubbs and Bosch. The stunning gardens are being
returned to their 1930’s heyday and consist of a sweeping lawn, giving way to a series of terraces
and herbaceous borders leading to a kitchen garden and tranquil water garden. Enjoy the new spring
bulb display or National Collection of Asters. There is advice for visitors with disabilities.
The address is: Upton House and Gardens, near Banbury, Warwickshire, OX15 6HT
For more information see Page 251 & 252 of 2014 National Trust Handbook, and website at
www.uptonhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk from which you can download a map of the area.
We start with our picnic, and visit the House and gardens.
In addition the Annual General Meeting of the Exeter University Club will take place at the Holt
Hotel starting at 5.15 pm.
From Anna Upton, President of the Exeter University Club :
Please come to this important event. This will be your opportunity to hear progress reports from the
central committee, and give your views on future activities and other matters. The AGM agenda
will be published under separate cover and be circulated via Branches and via our website
www.exeteruniversityclub.org
The meeting will be followed by an evening meal at The Holt Hotel.
A booking form is included with this note.
Drivers: Upton House is 7 miles NW of Banbury. From exit 11 of the M40 motorway, go 9 miles
westwards on the A422 initially through Banbury and stay on the A422, (watch out for right and
left turns) until you reach Upton House. The entrance to it is on the LHS. Look out for the brown
tourist sign on the LHS and after 200yds on the RHS opposite the entrance. Enter the car park on
the RHS and from the car park you should see our picnic place on the grassy area.
Public Transport: the nearest train stations are at Oxford and Banbury. For rail information visit
www.nationalrail.co.uk or phone 0845 7484950. There are taxi services from Oxford and Banbury.
Admission times: The House is open from 1 pm to 5 pm. and gardens, shops and restaurant are
open from 11 am to 5 pm. There is no access to the property before 11 am.
Entry Prices to House and Gardens: National Trust members get in free, if you bring your NT
membership card. Also children under 5 have free entry.
For others the group entry to the house and gardens is £8.60. To visit the gardens only: £5.45.
Entry for Children 5 to 15 years is £5.30 for house and gardens and £3.60 for gardens only.
Assistance Dogs only in the grounds – other dogs limited to the car park.
Arrival
Upton House is an extremely popular venue, and the car park gets filled very quickly, so we
recommend that you arrive by between 11 am and 12 noon to enable you to park your car near the
picnic site. Late arrivals will have to park in the overflow car park and have further to walk with
their picnic gear.
12 noon Onwards: Picnic lunch near the car park and entry to the NT property
We start with our picnic on the picnic site near the car park from 12 noon onwards, so please bring
your chairs and luncheons before exploring the gardens which open at 11 am and the house which
opens at 1 pm. To enter you need to go to the nearby ticket office. If you are a NT member, they
will want to check your card, if not the office should have your names. You must mention that you
are part of the EUC group. There are no toilets nearby so summon the buggy for transport at the
ticket office if you need them before you finish your picnic.
Once past the ticket office, you will see a carriage way to the house. Next to the house are toilets, a
shop and plant sales. The restaurant is nearby.
Tours of the house (optional)
During entry times 1 – 5 pm, there are no guided tours as this will cause congestion in the house,
but there are tours in late morning lasting 40 minutes. These tours will not cover the whole house
but give (a) a brief history and overview of Upton – who lived there and a brief look at some of the
interior, and (b) a focus on 5 paintings.
I have booked a special tour for, starting at 12.15 pm. This tour is limited to 25 people and costs a
total of £50, so if 25 people come, it is £2 per person. If demand is less than 25, I will ask you to
pay more on the day. Please state on the booking form if you wish to take part and include £2 pp in
your costs
1 - 5pm: Entry to the House.
Entrance to the ground floor of the house is fully accessible. To avoid the 5 steps to the house
entrance, follow the ramped access route. For those unable to visit the basement or first floors, a
virtual tour with sound is available in the sitting room on the ground floor
Disabled Visitors may park in front of the House, if they notify me beforehand. Alternatively they
may wish to be transported by buggy from the ticket office and for the return. Please note that the
house has 2 public floors and there are no lifts. Visitors wearing stiletto heels will be asked to wear
alternative footwear. Photography without flash is allowed in the house.
There are stewards in the majority of the rooms, who are able to provide more information.
11 am - 5 pm: Visit the gardens, attractions and restaurant
The stunning gardens are being returned to their 1930s heyday and consist of a sweeping lawn, a
kitchen garden and tranquil water garden to explore. Enjoy the new spring bulb display or National
Collection of Asters. Further on are a series of terraces and herbaceous borders leading to the mirror
pool. Here the paths are steep and have steps, so are not suitable for disabled people.
The Pavilion is a licensed restaurant. Home cooked meals are served between 12 noon and 2 pm.
Teas, cakes, scones and light snacks are available from 11 am - 5 pm.
At the Holt Hotel,
5.15 pm: AGM of the newly formed Exeter University Club
7.00 pm: Early evening meal
Address: The Holt Hotel, near Steeple Aston, Oxford Road, Oxfordshire OX25 5QQ
Tel. 01869 340259, website: www.holthotel.co.uk
The Holt Hotel is located 19 miles from Upton House. We will gather there any time from 4.45 pm
but before 5.15 pm for a drink and then attend the Annual General Meeting of the newly formed
Exeter University Club. This will be held in the Cherwell suite starting at 5.15 pm..
The evening meal will be served promptly in the same room at 7 pm. As last year we will pre-order
our meals. Options are set out below.
Starters:
Cream of Asparagus Soup with Herb Croutons
Grilled Goat’s Cheese, Strawberry and Black Pepper Compote
and Dressed Summer Leaves
Smoked Salmon, Prawns and Cucumber bound in a Dill Mayonnaise
Main Courses:
Chargrilled Rump Steak with Confit Shallots, Garlic and Red Wine Jus
Roast Breast of Chicken, Sunblushed Tomato, Black Olive and Basil
Vinaigrette
Pan Fried Trout Fillets with Lemon and Chive Beurre Blanc
Wild Mushroom Risotto with Parmesan Tuille
Desserts:
Selection of Cheese and Biscuits
Vanilla Cheesecake with Summer Berry Compote
Chocolate Truffle Torte served with Fresh Cream
£26.00 per person (including tip)
The hotel is not reducing the meal costs if you only wish to have 2 courses.
Drive to Holt Hotel:
Although the distance is only 19 miles from Upton House, allow at least 45 minutes to get to the
Holt Hotel, because of traffic and many 30 mph speed limits. From the car park at Upton House,
turn right into the A422 towards Banbury. After about 8 miles, turn right into the A361 – also
signposted to Bodicote and Adderbury. After about a mile, take the road on the left – the A4260.
After 11 miles, the Holt Hotel is on the LHS of Oxford Road just before the A4260 meets the eastwest B4030 road. Entry to the car park is on the B4030 road.
Further information and optional activities for those staying in the area
Suggestions by Louise Clunies-Ross
Saturday morning offers a tour of Upton House (details above), or a chance to look round
the old market town of Banbury, to see the famous cross and the recent statue of the ‘fine
lady with rings on her fingers and bells on her toes’ who sits on a horse near Banbury
Cross in the spirit of the well-known nursery rhyme. Keep an eye on the time and bring
plenty of change for the parking machines!
If you travel from the South via the A4260 you may like to pause for a short while in the
attractive village of Deddington with its mellow stone houses and if time permits, visit the
Deddington Antiques Centre which is near the church.
.On Sunday morning we have a tour of Sulgrave Manor booked at 11am. Built in 1539 by
the English ancestors of George Washington, this stone house is set in four acres of
delightful gardens in the ancient village of Sulgrave, a short drive north-east from the
centre of Banbury. The tour costs £7 per person and is to be booked in advance. After the
tour a hot lunch is available in the modern refectory – check with Louise for the menu and
cost.
On Sunday afternoon you may enjoy a stroll in Sulgrave village, which is beautifully kept
and has many interesting features including Elizabethan stocks, the old school, site of the
Norman Castle mound and Spinners cottages that are named after the old rope walk. A
superb Countryside walks leaflet is available from Louise to guide you round the village.
Alternatively, it is recommended that you make your way back through Banbury and on
five miles to the National Herb Centre at Warmington (not far from Upton House) on the
B4100. On a fine day there are views over three counties and you can enjoy the display
gardens, walk through the trail down the valley and have tea in the modern tearooms.
Inevitably, there is a shop for plant sales to tempt the keen gardener!
Other options include a circular walk with a recommended pub for lunch, a visit to Hook
Norton Brewery and your own exploration of Bicester Shopping Village.
Please contact Louise for further details and to book for the Sunday events.
louisecluniesross@btinternet.com or telephone 01884 242606
Other comments
This EUC event is insured by the University, so here are some extra comments.
Please wear sturdy shoes and suitable clothing for this event which is partly outdoors. Allow for
rain. If you have walking difficulties, please note the points mentioned in this report. For any
questions or problems, I am your main contact – my telephone number and on the day, my mobile
number is on top of page 1 of this report. Please contact me before 18 May (Rose and I will be on
the EUC holiday in Croatia from 18 -25 May). Also note that both Upton House and the Holt Hotel
require your information at least 2 weeks before the 14 June.
I am sure you will have an interesting and enjoyable day. I look forward to hearing from you.
Please reply, using the booking form, before Monday 26 May.
Rolf Holstein
EUC Annual Outing and AGM on Saturday 14 June 2014
Booking Form
Name(s) (please PRINT) ___________________________________________________
Address (please PRINT) ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________ Postcode __________________
Telephone ___________________
e-mail address: ____________________________
I/We will be attending the EUC Annual Outing to Upton House on 14 June 2014
I/We have a car and can offer a lift to ______person(s)
I/We would like a lift please and will offer a contribution to fuel costs. YES / NO
Are you member(s) of the National Trust
YES / NO
Adults
Children
Group Visit to Upton House and Gardens
Number
_____
_____
Group Visit to Gardens only
Number
_____
_____
Do you wish to take part in the morning tour - £2 pp Number
_____
_____
Do you wish to bring your car to the front of the house (only for the disabled) YES / NO
At The Holt Hotel,
Are you attending the EUC AGM starting at 5.15 pm:
Would you like a meal - starting at 7 pm: YES / NO
Are you staying overnight at the hotel: YES / NO
Enter meal choices – see menu
Please name who has each dish
Starter:
Soup ________ Cheese________ Salmon________
Main Course:
Steak _______ Chicken ________ Trout________
Mushroom_________
Dessert:
Cheese _______ Comp_______ Chocolate ________
YES / NO
Please return this page to:
Rolf Holstein
13 Kennet Way, Oakley,
Basingstoke Hants RG23 7AA
by Monday 26 May at the latest
with cheque payable to Rolf Holstein
for your cost of the meals: £______
If you are not a NT member,
include your entry cost
£______
Cost of morning tour
£______
Any dietary requirements not allowed for in the
Total cost £ ______
menu: _________________________________
Note: Even if you have nothing to pay, please return this page by 26 May, because we have to
notify Upton House the numbers of NT and non NT members attending, well before 14 June,.
DO KEEP A COPY OF THIS PAGE FOR YOUR OWN REFERENCE