National Museum of Wales Westonbirt and American Museumvisit, Oct 7

(This visit had originally been advertised as being to Westonbirt and Badminton House. Unfortunately because of severe restrictions to group size at Badminton this option was not viable. )

Westonbirt Arboretum is situated in Gloucestershire and was founded in 1829 by Robert Holford Stayner as an extension of the gardens and park surrounding Westonbirt House (now a girls’ school). The 15,000 labelled trees (around 2,500 different types of tree) come from Britain, China, North America, Japan, Chile and other temperate climates. Since 1956 this historic and internationally important tree and shrub collection has been managed by the Forestry Commission. Westonbirt attracts over 350,000 visits per year and is known worldwide for its spectacular autumn colour. Please remember that Westonbirt is an outdoor venue and you will need suitable clothing and shoes for walking!

The American Museum in Britain is situated in Claverton Manor, a Somerset country house, 2 miles from the centre of Bath. It opened to the public in 1961 and is the only museum of American decorative and folk art outside the United States and takes you on a journey through the history of America, from its early settlers to the twentieth century. With its remarkable collection of folk and decorative arts, the Museum shows the diverse and complex nature of American traditions. Its collection of furniture, paintings, quilts, silver, and glass is presented in a series of Period Rooms. Quilts and textiles are also showcased in the Textile Room and the American Heritage Exhibition tells the stories of the Founding Fathers, Native Americans, and the Civil War, through a series of interactive galleries. The grounds total some 125 acres, of which 35 are open to visitors.

Timetable
8.15 a.m.            Depart National Museum of Wales, Cathays Park
8.30 a.m.            Pick up passengers at Wild Gardens Road, Roath Park
10.15 a.m. approx        Arrive Westonbirt Arboretum.
12.00 noon            Depart for Bath for lunch (own arrangements)
2.00 p.m.            Leave for American Museum.
2.15 p.m.            Arrive American Museum.
5.00 p.m.            Leave for Cardiff, arriving 6.30 p.m. approx.

The total cost for the day will be £35, which includes coach travel, driver’s gratuity and entry to Westonbirt and the American Museum. To join the visit, please send a cheque payable to Friends of National Museum Wales together with a completed form to:
Janet Jones, Brayton, Creigiau, Cardiff CF15 9NN. Tel: 029 20890216 email: peter@jones3932.fsnet.co.uk Mob: 07773406937
Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope only if you have not provided an email address or you wish to receive a priority voucher should the visit be oversubscribed.

Friends of National Museum Wales
Visit to Westonbirt Arboretum and The American Museum Bath
Wednesday, 7 October 2015

Name(s) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Address…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………     Postcode…………………………………

Tel. no .………………………………   Mob. No .………………………………      Email .……………………………… .………………

Please reserve ................ places for the above visit. I enclose a cheque of £........ payable to Friends of National Museum Wales

Please include a Stamped self-addressed envelope if you have no email address.

I /We wish to join the coach at: Cathays Park   ……………………..         Wild Gardens Road, Roath Park ……………………..

I / We confirm membership of the Friends of the Museum of Wales ………………………………………………………………