5 days from £489 Departing 20th April 2017

In conjunction with Tailored Travel Bolton DFAS is offering a five day tour to Northumberland. We stay four nights on half board basis at the 3* Best Western Plus Gibside Hotel at Whickham. Located in in the centre of this historic village 4 miles south west of Newcastle, facilities at the hotel include Paco's restaurant, and the Egyptian style Sphinx bar with its superb panoramic views over the Tyne valley. All rooms are en suite and feature television, telephone, hairdryer, and tea and coffee making facilities. Single rooms are available for a supplement of £89.

Our itinerary is as follows:

Day 1 We meet at our designated pick up points and en route to our hotel we visit the Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle. This purpose built public art gallery was created by John and Josephine Bowes between 1862 and 1875 and is home to a large collection of fine and decorative paintings from around Europe. We continue to the 3* Best Western Plus Gibside Hotel at Whickham for a four night stay on half board basis.

Day 2 Our Blue Badge guide meets us today for a guided tour of Durham in the morning followed by an afternoon visit to the Beamish Open Air Museum

Day 3 We visit Alnwick Castle this morning with our Blue Badge guide.  We continue to the National Trust's Cragside House and Gardens.

Day 4 In the morning we visit the National Trust's Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island with our Blue Badge guide and in the afternoon there is an optional boat trip to Farne Island bird sanctuary.

Day 5 After checking out of our hotel and before returning home we visit the Laing Art Gallery. After free time in Newcastle we return back to our original pick up points.

NB:- Please note we reserve the right to alter the above itinerary if required tor operational reasons. Given the historic nature of the places visited, a certain degree of walking will be involved, and this holiday may not be suitable for those with mobility problems. If you would like further details and a booking form please contact Michael Hope Tel. 01942 878163 or email michael.hope85@btinternet.com

We cordially invite members (and guests) to join us for our Winter Lunch at Nutters Restaurant, Edenfield Road, Norden, Rochdale, OL12 7TT on Thursday 26 January 2017 at 12.00 for 12.30pm. 

MENU

Prosecco on arrival 

Starters

Herb Crusted Salmon Fillet with Burrata, Roma Tomato, Shallot and Basil Salad

Creamy Parsnip Soup with Truffled Chives

Slow Roasted Dingley Dell Pork Belly with Teriyaki Dressing and Asian Slaw

Main Courses

Goosnargh Duck Leg Confit, Goose Fat Parmentiers and a Lentil and Rosemary Sauce

Roast Cod, Lemon and Fermented Black Garlic and smoked Haddock Fish Cake

Chestnut Mushroom and Spinach Tart and Griddled Courgettes and Sauce Vierge Dressing

Desserts

Pear and Almond Frangipan Tart with Amaretto Ice Cream

Classic Creme Brulee with Honey Roast Winter Fruits

Selection of Nutters Local and Regional Specialist Cheeses

Filter Coffee or Tea

The cost (including transport & gratuities) will be £35 per person

(If you do not require the coach transfer the cost will be £32 per person)

Coach transport will pick up at Stand Z - Bolton Bus Station at 11.15am

Arrival back at Stand Z - Bolton Bus Station approx 3.30 - 3.45pm

BOOKING NOW CLOSED

We cordially invite members (and guests) to join us for our Summer Lunch at Astley Bank Hotel, Bolton Road, Darwen, BB3 2QB on Thursday 23 June 2016 at 12.30 for 1.00pm. 

MENU

Drink and Canapes on arrival 

Starters

Pea, Spinach and Mint Soup with home baked bread

Roasted Pressed Chicken Terrine with mini Caesar salad

Duo of Galia and Watermelon Lemonade sorbet, mango sauce

Main Courses

Summer Pot Roast of Chicken peas, bacon, tomato and herbs, fondant potato

Roast Orange Glazed Crispy Duck smashed baby potates, peppercorn gravy

Panfried Lemon Salmon Dauphinoise potato, chunky sundried tomato sauce

Vegetable Mixed Grill Chunky chips, poached egg and onion rings

Desserts

Chocolate Brownie White chocolate ice cream, raspberry salad and sauce

Stem Ginger Lemon and Treacle Tart Coconut ice cream

Cheese Plate Buttered malt loaf, fruit chutney and crackers

Tea or Freshly Ground Coffee with assorted chocolate truffles

The cost (including gratuities) will be £29 per person

BOOKING NOW CLOSED

Wednesday 15th June 2016 at 2.00pm

We have arranged a visit to Manchester Cathedral and Chetham's Library in conjunction with New Manchester Walks and guide John Alker will begin his tour at the main door of the Cathedral  - the door on the farthest side from Victoria Station - and will then continue on to Chetham's Library.

The tour will last approximately 2 hours.

The cost of the tour will be £10 (inclusive of gratuity) per person.

This tour is  limited to a maximum number of 30 people.

BOOKING NOW CLOSED

5 days from £499 Departing 10th April 2016

In conjunction with Tailored Travel Bolton DFAS is offering a five day tour to Suffolk. We stay four nights on half board basis at the 4* Stoke by Nayland Hotel on the outskirts of Leavenheath. Located in a countryside setting and 10 miles from the centre of Colchester, facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, steam room and a Jacuzzi. All rooms are en suite and feature television, telephone, hairdryer, and tea and coffee making facilities. Single rooms are available for a supplement of £99.

Our itinerary is as follows:

Day 1 We meet at our designated pick up points and en route to our hotel we visit the National Trust's Anglesey Abbey, Garden & Lode Mill in Cambridgeshire. This Jacobean style house, built on the site of a 12th century Augustinian priory contains a priceless art collection and one of the National Trust's largest collections of clocks. We continue to the 4* Stoke by Nayland Hotel on the outskirts of Leavenheath for a four night stay on half board basis.

Day 2 The National Trust's Sutton Hoo is our destination this morning with our Blue Badge guide, an Anglo-Saxon royal burial site where the priceless Sutton Hoo treasure was discovered in a huge ship grave in 1939. We then travel to the picturesque 16th century fishing village of Aldeburgh where we have free time for lunch and to take a stroll along the unspoilt promenade. This afternoon we visit the Snape Maltings complex. Built by Newson Garrett in the mid-19th century, the Maltings at Snape was one of the largest barley maltings in East Anglia, and today is home to a shopping complex and a reputable concert hall.

Day 3 We visit Gainsborough's House at Sudbury this morning with our Blue Badge guide. The house dates back to the 16th century and was the birthplace of the famous painter, Thomas Gainsborough. The outstanding art collection is shown together with 18th century furniture and displays more of Gainsborough's work than any other gallery. We continue to the National Trust's Guildhall at Lavenham, an early 16th century timber framed building that dominates the Market Place. We continue this afternoon to the National Trust's Ickworth House, located in 70 acres of stunning gardens and 1,800 acres of idyllic 'Capability' Brown parkland. Dominated by its huge central Rotunda dating from 1795, Ickworth is home to a fine collection of Old Master paintings, silver and Regency furniture.

Day 4 We firstly visit Colchester with our Blue Badge guide today, Britain's first Roman City. Our guided tour incorporates a visit to Colchester Castle Museum, depicting 2000 years of some of the most important events in British history. Once the capital of Roman Britain, Colchester has experienced devastation through its history, including from Boadicea, invasion by the Normans and siege during the English Civil War. We continue to Constable Country, located on the Suffolk and Essex border and renowned as the birthplace of artist John Constable. Our guided tour of East Bergholt takes in sights such as John Constable's Studio and St Mary's Church, built in the 15th and 16th centuries and renowned for the absence of a tower or spire to house the bells. We continue to Dedham where our guided tour takes in sights such as Constable's School and Dedham Parish Church, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin in 1492 when the present building was begun. We finally visit the National Trust's Bridge Cottage at Flatford. Located upstream from Flatford Mill, Bridge Cottage houses an exhibition on John Constable, several of whose paintings famously feature this property. Day 5 After checking out of our hotel and before returning home we visit Christchurch Mansion, a fine Tudor building set in an ancient and beautiful park close to the centre of Ipswich. With historic room settings, outstanding paintings and furniture, and the modern Wolsey Art Gallery with changing contemporary exhibitions, it is one of the most important visitor attractions in East Anglia. We then enjoy a tour and tasting at the Wyken Vineyard at Stanton. Once occupied by Romans and recorded in Domesday, the ancient estate of Wyken is quintessential Suffolk.

NB:- Please note we reserve the right to alter the above itinerary if required tor operational reasons. Given the historic nature of the places visited, a certain degree of walking will be involved, and this holiday may not be suitable for those with mobility problems. If you would like further details and a booking form please contact Michael Hope Tel. 01942 878163 or email michael.hope85@btinternet.com

We cordially invite members (and guests) to join us for our January Lunch at Ridgmont House, Chorley Old Road, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6RF

Thursday 28 January 2016 at 12.30 for 1.00pm

Drinks on arrival 

MENU

Starters

Cream of Leek and Potato Soup

Stilton & Mushroom Pepper Pot

Fanned Melon

Main Courses

Chicken in White Wine Sauce

Roast Beef

Poached Salmon with Dugléré Sauce

Vegetarian main course available on request.

Desserts

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Apple Pie and Ice Cream

Crème Brûlée

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Tea or Freshly Ground Coffee

The cost (including gratuities) will be £27 per person.

On Tuesday 20th October 2015 Bolton DFAS will be organising a trip to the recently refurbished Whitworth Art Gallery.

We will meet in the Olympus Restaurant, Great Moor Street, Bolton, BL1 1SW from 9.15am for tea / coffee and toasted teacake.

Our coach will pick us up at 10.00am and take us to the Whitworth Art Gallery on Oxford Road, Manchester where we will have a guided tour and free time to look around the galleries and grounds.

At approximately 2.00pm we will be taken by coach to Manchester Town Hall for an Afternoon Tea in the Sculpture Room cafe.

The coach will then pick us up at approximately 4.00pm for our return to Bolton.

The cost of this trip will be £24.00 per person and full details and a booking form can be found on our About Us page under Documents.

PLEASE NOTE: This trip is now full and a wait list is operating.

At Astley Bank Hotel, Bolton Road, Darwen, BB3 2QB

We cordially invite members (and guests) to join us for our Summer Lunch Drinks on arrival - Glass of Prosecco or juice Starters Tomato and Basil Soup with flavoured home baked bread Line Caught Mackerel Garlic butter, Brie, Pancetta and new summer beans Melon, Pineapple and Kiwi Cocktail Sangria sorbet and shot, minted mango sauce (v) Main Courses Jerk Spiced Breaded Chicken Roast vegetable salad. Piper chips, fruity tomato salad Roast Ham Spring vegetables, potato dish of the day Scotch Salmon Asian vegetable and noodle broth, Devon crab claw spring roll, thai coleslaw Desserts Strawberry Jam and Amaretto Bakewell Summer pudding ice-cream, orange curd (v) Muscavado Cake Malibu and lime soak, toasted coconut ice-cream Cheese Slate Nelson Bakery biscuits, fruit cake and chutney Tea or Freshly Ground Coffee With homemade chocolate truffles The cost (including gratuities) will be £25 per person.

Booking form may be found on the About Us page under Documents

We cordially invite members (and guests) to join us for this post-Christmas lunch. Menu Starters Duck & Orange Terrine with warm toast or Homemade Soup with Crusty Bread Main Course Supreme of Chicken Chasseur or River Trout with lemon and brown butter sauce (Vegetarian Option on Request) Main course served with Seasonal Vegetables and Potatoes Desserts Tiramisu or Apple Pie with Custard or Ice Cream The cost (including gratuities) will be £22 per person BOOKING FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED

There is a maximum of 30 places on this trip so early booking is advised. The cost of the visit is £ 15 and includes:- Backstage tour of the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. THIS TRIP IS NOW FULLY BOOKED