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To secure or book your space/single room on any of our trips/holidays, or if you have any queries, please contact Jan at jan@prestonsociety.co.uk or on 07743893711. During the Winter season, Jan will be near the reception desk by the main door!
Coach Minibreak to the “World Famous” Birdfair at Rutland Water, stopping at the National Arboretum on the way there and RSPB Frampton Marsh on the way back….
Friday 21 August – Sunday 23 August 2020
Cost: £198 pp DBB in a twin room. £205 pp in a single room (limited availability)
Cancelled due to the Covid-19 Outbreak!
The BirdFair is an annual event that takes place each August over 3 days at Rutland Water in Leicestershire. It is the largest wildlife event in the world and there is plenty to do, to suit all tastes. There are numerous large marquees that cover every possible interest in wildlife. Whether you want to try out the full range of optics from all of the major manufacturers on purpose built towers, which look out over the adjacent nature reserve; attend a huge variety of talks, with a wide choice at any time of the day, visit large numbers of holiday providers from across the world, sample local produce, seek out a collectible piece of artwork from the many that are on offer, treat yourself to some new outdoor clothing and much, much more….. You would expect to see and listen to celebrities like Mike Dilger, Simon King, Chris Packham….etc. It is the place to see and be seen, finding out what is going on in the field of conservation. It is easy to spend the full three days there (as some of our members already do!) but we are only dipping our toes into what is on offer, with a full day on site.
The 2019 entry price for an adult is £13.50. The 2020 price is not available as we go to print. Once the entry price is known, there will be the possibility of getting a group rate. I will contact all those who have booked at that stage. This site is open from 9am-5.30pm.
https://birdfair.org.uk/
Should anyone wish to visit the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust site of Rutland Water, it is immediately adjacent to the exhibition site. In 2019 it cost £6 for adults and £5 for concessions.
https://www.rutlandwater.org.uk/
We will be staying at the 4* Urban Hotel in Grantham, ideally situated for Rutland Water and RSPB Frampton Marsh. It has a pool, spa and gym, for those of you who are interested, if you can fit that in to the actioned packed minibreak! We will spend 2 nights in the hotel, with dinner and breakfast included in the price.
https://www.urbanhotelgrantham.co.uk/
On the way to Grantham, we will be stopping at the National Arboretum at Burton-on-Trent, in Staffordshire, which is a popular Society destination and has plenty to occupy everyone. The Arboretum is an evolving, maturing woodland landscape featuring 30,000 trees and with over 350 memorials. The 150-acre site is a living, growing tribute to those who have served and continue to serve our country.
Entry is free and there is plenty to interest everyone around the site, which can be visited on the Land Train (additional cost) or you can choose which area you wish to walk around. There is a large café/restaurant, for anyone wishing to take refreshments there. We will maximise our time on the site, heading for Grantham in the late afternoon.
https://www.thenma.org.uk/
On the final day, we will visit RSPB Frampton Marsh, in Lincolnshire. Frampton Marsh is a coastal reserve on shores of The Wash. It is primarily made up of wetlands, reedbeds, large freshwater scrapes and wet grassland. It is the UK’s most important estuary for wildlife. The reserve is an internationally important place for wintering wildfowl and a crucial place for both migrating and breeding waders.
You could expect to see a whole variety of birds, including Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Spoonbill, Bar Tailed Godwit, Knot plus much more….. Other species recorded include Black-tailed Skimmer, Ruddy Darter and Common Darter. You can easily spend a full day here… and we will make our departure as late as possible before heading home.
Facilities include a visitor centre, with a small refreshment facility, rather than a café and three hides - two with 360-degree views.
Entry is free to RSPB members. Otherwise a charge, currently £2 per adult, is payable.
Have a look on their website:
https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/frampton-marsh/
The trip price includes return coach travel from Bamber Bridge to Grantham via the National Arboretum, Rutland Water & Frampton Marsh, plus 2 nights’ accommodation Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at the Urban Hotel in Grantham. All drinks and items of a personal nature, are excluded. All entry fees are also excluded.
You may wish to take out your own travel insurance.
The trip requires a minimum of 25 people to book, in order for it to be viable. Should any more than 35 people wish to book, I would need to check availability.
A £50 deposit will secure your place, (plus the single room supplement, if applicable). This deposit will only be returned if insufficient people book and the trip does not run. You will also be asked to complete a booking form. The final payment will be due in March 2020 before the end of the indoor season, assuming the trip is going ahead.
Final joining instructions will be emailed to those booked on the trip, nearer the time.