Try Something Different In The New Year....

Try something new in 2014!

If you are looking for something special and a new experience, how about taking part in our Singing Weekend: Gospel Spirituals course at Farncombe Estate.

Taking place on the 10th -12th January, this course is an up-lifting experience, where not only will you learn new skills, but meet new people and have fun!

Explore the richness of the gospel choral sound and learn something about the music's historical context at the same time. Born out of the struggle and hardship of the slave trade in the Deep South of America, spirituals are work songs, protest and celebration songs of hope springing from despair.
During your time on the course, you will sing traditional and contemporary arrangements of popular spirituals, as well as some lesser-known songs. No previous singing experience or ability to read music notation is necessary.

For more information and to book, visit our website: http://farncombecourses.co.uk/our-course/singing-weekend-gospel-spirituals/#.UsLKYU2Ya70

Farncombe Awarded Silver for Business Tourism

Cotswold Tourism Awards 2014


We are very excited to announce that Farncombe has been honoured by Cotswold Tourism as winner of the "Silver Business Tourism Award" 2014.

The Cotswold Tourism awards recognise the huge commitment that companies have shown to the industry across various categories including; Access for All Tourism Award, Large Visitor Attraction and Tourism Experience of the Year.

Dormy House Hotel, also part of the Farncombe family of businesses, picked up the Silver award for Small Hotel of the Year.  

For the second year running the awards are in alignment with the VisitEngland National Awards. The gold and silver winners for each category will automatically go through to the VisitEngland National Awards and will be in for a chance of picking up an award nationally.

Sarah Tyler of Cotswold Tourism and GFirst LEP said: "This year we have seen a record number of applicants across all categories and the competition has been steep. The judges had a difficult job but feel they have rewarded our biggest achievers and highlight what is great about our area."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Year at Farncombe

Kick off the New Year at Farncombe! 

Throughout January we have a fabulous selection of different courses for all tastes, from singing your heart out to studying a painting - there is something for everyone!

So if you're feeling a bit low after the festive period, come to Farncombe Estate. Set in the heart of the Cotswolds near the picturesque village of Broadway, our 400 acre estate has stunning countryside views that are even more magical in the winter.

Here are a list of some of our courses throughout January. For more information or to book your place, please call the team on 0333 456 8580


Singing Weekend: Gospel Spirituals 10th - 12th 
Explore the richness of the gospel choral sound and learn something about the music's historical context at the same time.

Life and Travels of Florence Nightingale 17 - 19th 
Learn all about the woman herself and the different experiences which shaped who she was.

How to Read a Painting 18th 
"Every picture tells a story" - become a picture detective and unlock the meaning!

Everyone can sing 24 - 26th 
There's no need to be an established singer - this course will bring out your voice and you'll have fun at the same time! You will be shown how to sing in tune and make new friends along the way.

They're Coming Home!

This Saturday we welcome the return of William Reddaway and his horse Strider back to Farncombe. 

On 11th May, the pair set off from Farncombe for their mammoth journey around England to raise awareness for charities, the Family Holiday Association and the Wormwood Scrubs Pony. They so far have raised £45,000 for both charities.  

Join us in welcoming them back at 2 pm on Saturday 7th December. We will be hosting a party here at Farncombe to celebrate where it all began. We will be offering light refreshments throughout the afternoon with a chance to speak to William about his experience. The event is free of charge, however all donations are welcome to the chosen charities. For more information about this event and to confirm your place please call 0333 456 8580. 

Finding That Perfect Gift....

If you're looking for an unusual gift this Christmas, why not consider a Farncombe gift voucher? It makes an unique present that will never be forgotten. 

So if you're stuck finding the perfect present for that fussy someone then look no further! The gift for someone who has everything! 

You can spend any amount, from £5 to the cost of a complete residential course. 

So whether it's a cupcake decorating day course or a painting weekend, there are plenty of different faculties to choose from. 

Our gift vouchers make a lovely surprise and allow the recipient to browse the brochure - or internet - to choose a suitable topic or leisure activity. 

Teacher of the Year Awards

We are delighted to announce that Tricia and Trona, tutors that teach at Farncombe, were highly commended runners-up in the "Private Music Teacher" category of Classic FM's Music Teacher of the Year Awards 2013, announced earlier this month.  

Celebrating it's 15th year, the prestigious awards recognize and reward those inspirational teachers who have made a real difference to the musical life of young people. 

Tricia and Trona Melville-Mason are a mother-and-daughter team whose performing experience encompasses everything from opera to oompah, Tricia and Trona have over 60 years of woodwind teaching experience between them. 

Their next course at Farncombe is "Introductory Woodwind Ensemble", taking place on the 8th August 2014. This course offers an opportunity for relative beginners on flute, oboe, clarinet or bassoon to enjoy playing together in a small group. 

For more information about their upcoming course or to book, please call us on 0333 4568580 or visit our website: http://farncombecourses.co.uk/our-course/introductory-woodwind-ensemble/#.UpOC4sTIZu4

Group Booking Special Offer

At Farncombe we welcome a number of retreats and groups throughout the year and we are currently offering a special weekend winter rate of £200 inc VAT. On top of that for every 6 guests in your group an extra guest will be complimentary!

At Farncombe we are dedicated to listening to your needs, the package price includes everything listed below, but if there anything else we can do to make your event extra special just let us know;

Fridays

Arrive at your leisure from 4pm

Use of studio for whole of the weekend  - no time restrictions

Private dinner – a wide range of menu options including bespoke healthy options

Overnight accommodation in one of our superior bedrooms

Saturdays

Breakfast – flexible menu options available

Use of the studio all day (no time restrictions)

2 course hot and cold fork buffet lunch served in the dining room – flexible menu options available

Unlimited refreshments throughout the day including a range of tea & coffees

Private dinner with flexible menu options, including bespoke healthy options

Overnight accommodation in one of our superior bedrooms

Sundays

Breakfast – flexible menu options available

Use of the studio all day (no time restrictions)

2 course hot and cold buffet lunch served in the dining room

Unlimited refreshments throughout the day including a rangeof tea & coffees

Depart at your leisure

Optional extras:

Use of the Estate grounds for outdoor activities

Use of our two nature trails

Exclusive access to our private Japanese garden

This offer will expire on Monday 25^th November and only applies to retreats booked to take place during December 2013 or January 2014.

If this is something that would be of interest to you please get in touch with Vicki Jewitt on 01386 854567.

Ride Round England

5 November 2013 – William Reddaway and his horse Strider are heading for home on the final leg of their mammoth journey to the four corners of England.  They have travelled around England via 30 Cathedrals to raise awareness for two charities, the Family Holiday Association and the Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre.  He has so far raised £45,000 for both charities, towards his fundraising target of £250,000.

Last week they left Land’s End the final corner and have started to work their way back through Cornwall and Devon.  So far they have travelled over 2,100 miles, visited 27 cathedrals and slept in too many different beds to count!  William walked 1,000 miles when Strider developed a saddle sore and was unable to carry him.

William and Strider are travelling alone, relying on friends and contacts to put them up throughout England. Using bridleways and roads William’s first priority for every night is good, safe grazing for Strider and after that a bed for himself.

The 400-acre Farncombe Estate, above the village of Broadway in the Cotswolds, where William worked for 28 years was the venue for the start and finish of this 2,500 mile journey.

Find Your Inner Chi!

Find your inner chi here at Farncombe! 

Farncombe is the perfect venue for yoga groups looking for a quiet country retreat. 

Set within 400 acres and placed high above the Cotswold escarpment with long beautiful views across the Vale of Evesham, Farncombe provides the perfect outdoor setting to your Yoga retreat. 

Our 89 bedrooms are arranged village-style across the Estate, providing seclusion and privacy for groups who want to relax in their own space. You can simply relax and enjoy your tranquil environment 

As a venue we pride ourselves on flexibility, we'll meet your specific requirements from room layout to different dining options - we will meet your groups' needs. 

For more information about bringing your group to Farncombe, visit our website: 

http://farncombecourses.co.uk/leisure-groups/event/retreats/ 

 

Get inspired!

Get inspired with our new 2014 courses brochure. 

Our 2014 brochure is out now! Full of all your favorite courses and new ones at Farncombe! 

Here at Farncombe Estate, we  cater for a range of tastes, from the practical to the theoretical, active summer schools to academic talks. 

Adult students come to us from all over the UK and abroad, to meet like-minded people, learn new skills and enrich their lives. Browse our brochure to find a residential or day course that interests you. 

For example ditch all the stress and leave your worries behind with our Meditation and Stress Management course, set in the perfect backdrop of our 400 acres of glorious parkland. 

Alternatively, get inspired and creative and give your home a make-over with our Room Style Interior Design Workshop. 

Click Here to find the right course for you! 

Learn in Luxury at Dormy House

This month Farncombe saw the re-opening of the Dormy House Hotel, located on the top of the 400 acre estate and part of the Farncombe family of businesses. 
After a multi-million pound refurbishment of the entire hotel and the creation of a stunning new spa due to open early 2014, Dormy House remains one of the Cotswold's best loved luxury hotels. 

High above the picturesque village of broadway with a stunning rural setting on the edge of the Cotswolds Escarpment and jaw-dropping views over the Vale of Evesham to the Welsh Hills. 

Built around a 17th century farmhouse, Dormy House is the perfect rural retreat. Think intimate lounges and cosy corners where contempory design meets Farmhouse chic in the Cotswolds. 

Dormy House guests are welcome to book on a Farncombe Course – which range from painting and singing to cupcake decoration and music appreciation. 


So make your leisure course here at Farncombe just that little bit more special with a stay at the fabulous new Dormy. 

Lets Get Quilting

The Festival of Quilts 

Join Farncombe at the Festival of Quilts this week! 

One of the largest exhibitions of its kind, displaying around 1,000 competition quilts and offering the largest range of patchwork and quilting supplies, this is one festival not to be missed! 

Taking place from Thursday 8th August until Sunday 11th August at the NEC, Birmingham. 

Farncombe, located in the heart of the Cotswolds offers a wide range of fully catered, residential craft and textile weekends.

So why not bring your group for a crafty retreat? We welcome sewers, quilters, lace-makers and craft-lovers of every kind.

For more information about the courses we offer then come along and visit us at stand F40 or visit our website for a full list of courses. 

www.farncombecourses.co.uk  

Dormy House re-opens its doors tomorrow!

Dormy House Hotel near Broadway re-opens to guests tomorrow  (2 August) as the first phase of its transformation is successfully completed. The popular Cotswolds hotel will open from midday, ready for lunch.

A £10 million refurbishment programme by Cotswold architect Tony d’Alton and construction company Zenith has been underway since March. It will also see the creation of a brand new House Spa, due to open in January 2014.

In time for Friday’s re-opening, guests will be able to enjoy a new restaurant, the Garden Room, with seating for up to 70 and a new bar, The Potting Shed, which will serve traditional rustic British fare with the best of local ingredients. 

Twenty-three of 40 new bedrooms have been specially designed by key partner, the acclaimed interior designer Emily Todhunter of Todhunter Earle.

Emily has created bespoke fabric designs and one-off pieces of furniture with a hint of retro and a touch of Scandinavian chic throughout the hotel.

Her designs include three large lounges to welcome guests, The Red, The Blue and The Yellow, which feature wood burning stoves, wood panelling and antique mirrors.

The Garden Room restaurant, meanwhile, will look onto a new flower garden being created for the Dormy by the award-winning gardener and TV presenter Chris Beardshaw. The restaurant’s à la carte menu will provide a choice of starters, mains and desserts from a set price of £40, along with a `Trust Me` menu with wines to match. 

A Right Royal Knees Up!

Farncombe Courses celebrates its 10^th anniversary this September with an event fit for Kings and Queens.

The centre for leisure courses has spent a decade teaching visitors everything from bee-keeping and belly dancing to cupcake decorating and British history – all on a 400-acre estate between Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon.

The celebration on September 15^th features talks from prominent royal historians as well as a selection of royal artefacts on display.

Historian and television presenter Kate Williams will lead the day with her talk ‘A Baby in the Palace: the Infancy of Princess Victoria’ focusing on the early years of Queen Victoria. Kate, a specialist in royal history, was a key commentator for both the 2011 Royal Wedding and the recent birth of Prince George Alexander Louis and works regularly on programmes with the BBC.

The afternoon will also feature a special presentation from Victoria McGuinness, historian and Projects Manager for the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology in Oxford. The museum is soon to open a new wing in Broadway and Victoria will feature a selection of royal items from its collection.  

Says Mandy Morrison, Programme Manager at Farncombe Courses, “We’re thrilled to welcome Kate and Victoria to lead our 10^th anniversary celebrations! With the arrival of the Prince of Cambridge and 60 years since the Queen’s Coronation, 2013 is very much a celebration of the Royal Family as well as Farncombe Courses. We’re looking forward to the day itself and another 10 years dedicated to providing interesting leisure courses in the Cotswolds.”

Guests can choose from two tickets options for the day, Talk and Tea for £25 including both talks plus afternoon tea and cake from 3pm or The Full Works for £40 with the added Great British lunch from 1.30pm.

For more information or to book your place call 0333 456 8580.

It's competition time at Farncombe...

To mark the re-opening of the Dormy House Hotel, one of Cotswolds' best loved boutique hotels, we are offering a chance to win an all-inclusive stay by entering our Facebook competition. 

Dormy House Hotel is set within Farncombe Estate's 400 acres and is part of the Farncombe family of businesses. 

The Dormy House Hotel is now set to re-open on the 2nd August after a £multi-million luxury renovation. 

As we countdown the exciting new opening, we are offering one lucky person the chance to win an all-inclusive stay to sample the new Dormy delights! 

The Prize will include the following: 
-DB&B stay in one our comfy rooms with in-room complimentary champagne. 
-Three-course dinner with a bottle of house wine in The Garden Room followed by a private kitchen tour, with a chance to meet head chef Paul Napper. 
-A hearty two-course lunch in The Potting Shed, our rustic dining bar. 

All you have to do to be in with the chance to win is to enter our Facebook competition

Farncombe's 10th Anniversary

As we wait with baited breath for the arrival of the newest addition to the royals, Farncombe is getting ready to host a royal celebration to celebrate its 10^th anniversary of study breaks in the Cotswolds.

To celebrate a decade of life-time learning and new friends made at our 400 acre Cotswold Estate, Farncombe will host an afternoon of talks and teas.

Taking place on September 15^th, Farncombe will welcome royal historians as guest speakers to share their insights into the royals.

Tickets start from £25, to book your place, please call us on 0333 456 8580

Visit Farncombe at Olympia

Farncombe Courses is very excited to announce that we will be an exhibitor at this year’s 50 plus show.

Taking place on 11^th – 13^th July at London Olympia, the show is Britain's biggest show for the active over 50's. 

The 50 plus show is all about making the most out of life: Positivity, Activity and Creativity! 

Here at Farncombe we uphold these values.

Positivity: Our regulars know that we work hard to give you the warmest welcome and a memorable stay.

Activity: Our learning spaces and 89 bedrooms are brought alive by the tutors and students who visit us at weekends and on our summer schools

Creativity: Type and variety of courses on offer whether it’s getting your hips swaying to our dance classes or peaceful reflection with our painting classes, we’re certain to have a course to get your creative juices flowing!

This makes us a perfect exhibitor for the show, be sure to visit us at stand A23a and enter our competition.

Our exhibition will be offering a chance to win a weekend break for 2 people at Farncombe Estate to include a course of your choice, accommodation for 2 nights in a shared en-suite room and all meals during your stay

See you there! 

A Royal Celebration!

Farncombe Courses celebrates its 10^th anniversary with a right royal knees-up

on   

Sunday 15^th September 2013

Join us for a fabulous celebration of a decade of lifelong learning, wonderful weekends and study breaks in the Cotswolds!

On Sunday September 15^th, we welcome one of the country’s foremost Royal historians, Kate Williams, to talk on the topic of “A Baby in the Palace: the Infancy of Princess Victoria.”

Kate specialises in royal history and was a key commentator for the 2011 Royal Wedding.  Also speaking is another young historian, Victoria McGuinness, Projects Manager for the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology in Oxford.  Her presentation features items from the museum, which is soon to open a new wing in Broadway.

There are two ticket options:

Talks and Tea     £25 to include both talks, with tea, cake and sing-song to finish 

From 3pm

The Full Works  £40 as above, but starting with a Great British lunch: roast beef,

                                Yorkshires, apple pie…  From 1.30pm

To book your place, please call us on 0333 456 8580

Busy Bees At Farncombe

Farncombe will be buzzing this July as it welcomes amateur bee keepers to a new course on the Estate.

The one-day Introduction to Beekeeping course is perfect for those new to beekeeping covering topics like the life of the honeybee, how to set up an apiary and products of the hive. 

Students will get to open a hive and handle bees on the day and all bee suits will be provided.

Chris Wells, experienced beekeeper, author and owner of Cotswold Bees Ltd. is leading the day. Said Chris, “This course is open to anyone with an interest in beekeeping but perhaps doesn’t know where to start. Bees are very important insects that we depend on for pollinating food plants but they have been in rapid decline over recent years. Keeping honey bees at home is one way to help preserve the population.”

Added Mandy Morrison, Programme Manager at Farncombe courses, “We like to offer an eclectic mix of courses throughout the year and have had a lot of interest in beekeeping with Chris. By the end of the day I’m hoping everyone will leave feeling ready to start keeping bees and enjoying their own honey!”

Farncombe is based in the heart of the Cotswolds, between Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon, just five minutes from Broadway.

For more information about Farncombe Courses or to book your place visit www.farncombecourses.co.uk  

A sharing event with a difference......

Here at Farncombe Estate we are hosting a leaflet exchange event on the 1st July from 4 pm - 6 pm. 

Guests will include those from popular tourist and leisure attractions in the surrounding areas for an opportunity to share leaflets with the venues and to network with other businesses. 

However its not all work! Guests can enjoy our beautiful 400-acre Estate in a location in the heart of the Cotswolds, whilst enjoying quint afternoon tea and cakes. The perfect afternoon in the country!

Our Farncombe courses attract hundreds of visitors and are considered a widely popular leisure activity in the Cotswolds. This event will therefore enable us to affiliate with other leisure venues by providing a mutually-beneficial way for us to get to know each other. 

Who's your Mr Darcy?

In concurrence with the 200th year anniversary of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, here at Farncombe we are feeling nostalgic as we remember some of our favorite literature classic heroes and how they inspired us.

From the Bronte sisters’ brooding Heathcliff and defiant and strong willed Jane Eye to Dickens' sweet Pip, we all have a soft spot for one of those 19th Century characters, especially Austens’ own iconic Mr Darcy.

Although we will forever remember Colin Firth as the delectable Darcy in the film adaptation, Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and its characters, in their own right can never be forgotten.

Here at Farncombe we are still hosting two events this autumn to celebrate and to capture the essence of Austen as a writer and what inspired her to write the classic and beloved Pride and Prejudice.

Jane Austen’s Library- Reading 18th Century course taking place 6th September until 8th September looks at some of the novels that provided inspiration behind her work to give an insightful look at her as a writer.

“You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.” 

Alternatively delve into the life of this great classic author with our; “Who was Jane Austen?” course taking place from 18th October to 20th October to find out who really was Jane Austen?

Dambusters raid remembered at Farncombe Estate

The 70^th anniversary of the Dambusters raid to destroy the Ruhr dams has been marked with a special memorial event at Farncombe Estate near Broadway.

 

Farncombe has a special link with the Dambusters as one of the RAF pilots who took part lived at the Estate’s Grade 11 listed Foxhill Manor.

 

Henry Maudslay DFC was B Flight Commander of the 617 Squadron which took part in the raid but tragically he was killed on his return home from the daring mission, on 17^th May 1943. At Farncombe – an award-winning conference centre and leisure venue - a new courtyard development bears his name and one of the bedrooms is even numbered 617.

 

More than 60 people, many with RAF connections, gathered at a short church service in Willersey before making their way to Farncombe’s Maudslay Court. Here they viewed a commemorative picture of Henry before he set off on the raids and a plaque in the entrance hall dedicated to Henry and his fellow RAF pilots. They then went onto Foxhill Manor, the home of the Maudslay family between 1937 and 1954.

 

Among those paying their respects were three members of the Maudslay family: Jamie Maudslay, a second cousin, his wife Arabella and their 17-year-old son Henry. Henry, who attends Eton College like his famous forebear, is second cousin twice removed from the Dambusters hero. 

 

Jamie Maudslay said: "As soon as we walked into Maudslay Court and I saw the portrait, I said he's the spitting image of my father."

 

Farncombe Estate’s Operations Manager Richard Howdle said of the remembrance event:

 

“It was a real pleasure to have members of the Maudslay family turn out to remember Henry, a true British hero.  We are proud of our association with the Maudslay family name. In 2011 Henry’s niece, Victoria Trevelyan, officially opened Maudslay Court, while room 617 was opened by Wing Commander Keith Taylor of OC 617 Squadron on the same day.”

Farncombe celebrates anniversary of Jane Austen’s masterpiece

Fans of Jane Austen can celebrate the 200^th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice in style thanks to a popular Cotswold venue.

Farncombe Courses, based on the 400-acre Farncombe Estate near Broadway, is hosting three courses in honour of the ever-popular author: Celebrating ‘Pride and Prejudice’ in May, Jane Austen’s Library – Reading 18th Century Novels inSeptember and October’s Who Was JaneAusten?

Mandy Morrison, Programme Manager for Farncombe Courses, said: “Jane Austen is one of our most important novelists and has a hugely loyal following.  Her stories are still relevant today and many people want to explore her life and works.

“We’ve also had great interest in our writing courses this year so who knows, maybe we’ll find the next Jane Austen at Farncombe!”

Farncombe is based in the heart of the Cotswolds, between Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon, just five minutes from Broadway.

To book please visit our website www.farncombecourses.co.uk or call us on 0333 456 8580