What a fabulous area to visit! Our group of 25 had THE most fabulous bespoke holiday in Puglia recently. We could not have packed more into such an itinerary if we had tried- not indeed eaten or drank more of superb foods!!
 Of course Puglia “speaks” cave dwellings and Trulli houses and though these are truly awesome, there is so very much more to enjoy! In addition to those “tourist honeypot attraction” we all especially loved the opportunity to go to several “Agrotourismo” places. Witnessing the production of Mozzarella “from farm to fork” captured us all totally- and then  followed by delicious lunch! Say no more!  Architecture, History, Pottery Coastal vistas, wine, and Olive orchards… just yet another of our truly amazing group holidays so thoroughly choreographed by our Champion company Simply Groups.

Our group from The Arts Society Cranleigh enjoyed literally an amazing 5 days on our Belfast tour! The itinerary was truly action packed squeezing in so many visits which distilled the many things the destination could possibly offer. Of course the Titanic museum’s impact cannot be underestimated in its enormity and First Class presentation!
Nor can the Natural Wonder of the Giant’s Causeway. Other visits which were exquisite were both Hillsborough and Stormont . At the other end of the beauty scale was the Crumlin Road jail which gave a realistic perspective of how far the City has “risen from the ashes”!
Our revered guide was excellent and our crowning glory was to enjoy a lavish “Victorian Tea” in the member”s  Dining Room at Stormont! Talk about “icing on the cake” after a hugely successful tour, so well instrumented by Simply Groups.

Gwen Wright -Visits

A stunning day was enjoyed by almost 50 of us ! Totally immersed into the Cecil family and the lives of Queen Elizabeth I who spent much of her childhood here with her half siblings.

The house is Palatial with all furnishings original since 13 generations have continued to live there. 

A faultless day with beautiful sunshine.

Group visit to Farleys House and Charleston Farmhouse

Over 40 members of our Arts Society enjoyed a wonderful day visit to two very contrasting Arts based venues in the depths of East Sussex.

The stories of Lee Miller’s life continue to resonate with us, and when visiting her former home at Farleys- her spirit remains very much alive with excellent guided tours. Members may wish to follow up later this year with the forthcoming exhibition at The Tate.

https://www.tate.org.uk/press/press-releases/lee-miller

At Charleston we were immersed in the lives of “the Bloomsbury group” and their lives in the Sussex farmhouse which is part of the beautiful Firle estate.

Each venue has so much character and involvement in British Twentieth Century art. They each inspired us to follow up on the many life stories associated with these gems.

Gwen Wright- Visits for TASC

TASC visit to Highgrove House May 6th 2025

A report of the recent hoghly successful visit to the country residence of King Charles and Queen Camilla can be seen by pressing the linlk below.

Report of visit

If you wish to download a Gift Aid form please press the  link.  FORM

Our short stay in the Midlands was a total triumph of treasures! 
Ely Cathedral is a real gem, together with the stained glass museum which is a true jewel in itself.
We were bowled over by our backstage tour of the Birmingham Rep and compelled to see a production there! 

Another gem was the totally unspoiled Georgian jewel- Stamford- then later Burghley House-its scale is immense and art work awesome.

Our “Holy Grail” following King Richard III story was the “icing on the cake”. Our group “re enacted” the steps taken at the Battle of Bosworth with great hilarity! After we visited the new exhibition in Leicester which traces the whole story of the discovery of the King’s grave and onward story. Certainly a 5Star visit!!

Happily we ended our tour by visiting the birthplace of Shakespeare at Stratford on Avon followed by a delicious pub lunch to fuel us back to Cranleigh.

A day at the Towner in Eastbourne enabled us all to follow up on seeing some original works of Eric Ravilious. We also loved visiting Ditchling museum to enjoy their exhibition celebrating the work of Raymond Briggs

The Arts Society Cranleigh visit to Leighton House and Sambourne House 

Our visit to both of these amazing houses thrilled the whole group from start to finish. Both houses bore witness to the lives and work of Leighton and Sambourne that had taken place within those walls – and the many social occasions therein, during the famous Holland Park Art Society of the Victorian period. 

Our day was as if we were experiencing a lecture on our two guided tours – the difference being that instead of viewing slides – we were delighted to see the “real thing”. Our guides could not have been more informative, and the two houses could not have been more different – but each superbly presented.  A true delight for us all! 

The Arts Society Cranleigh extended visit to Spain 2024 visiting Madrid, Segovia, 

Avila, Salamanca 

Our group were thrilled to set off for “Sunny Spain” after our dreary wet Winter of 2024! 

We focused not on beaches – but the most amazing history and Art which is so deeply embedded in Central Spain! We began our tour in Madrid and enjoyed everything so “tourist loving” as the traditional Churro chocolate café and the awesome Prado Art Gallery.  However, it was the “Hidden gem” which stole everyone’s hearts – The home and Museum of Sorolla!  It was divine – as is his story! 

Having enjoyed Madrid – with riches in abundance – we headed to stay in Salamanca and visit more inspirational places from there. We increasingly met historical links with England especially connected with Katherine of Aragon at the Palace in Segovia – but not to forget the most awesome Roman aqueduct there! The dignity of Salamanca was in abundance and those most remarkable City walls of Avila could never be forgotten! 

Landscapes, history, Art, delicious food and culture were all fused into such a truly unforgettable tour – and with Spring sunshine enjoyed all the way!