Companions & friends visit to Sheepscombe Meadow & Sapperton

We are delighted to be offering a guided Guild visit to our beautiful, wildflower-rich meadow at the time of year when it should be looking its very best. We anticipate gathering at the National Trust Ebworth Centre near Sheepscombe (directions below) from 10.30am (hot and cold drinks available) for an 11am start, and after our guided walk to the meadow, with Charlotte Targett (who is the Senior Reserve Manager, Gloucestershire National Nature Reserves, for Natural England, who manage the meadow on our behalf) we suggest heading to the Daneway Inn near the beautiful village of Sapperton, where lunch can be purchased, or you can eat your own lunch in an adjacent field, before we set off for a guided walk with Companion Mary Greensted, taking in the church and the village hall, and a visit to Upper Dorval House by Ernest Barnsley. It’s a domestic building, privately owned, built by the architect for himself, with rather fine Arts and Crafts plasterwork. We anticipate the programme will end by around 3.30pm.

From Sapperton, you would still then have the time, under your own steam, to head to nearby Rodmarton Manor, a supreme Arts & Crafts house and garden, for which last entry to the house is 4.15pm.

BOOKING INFORMATION
Pre-booking is essential, and there will be a charge of £5 per person to cover Guild costs (payable on the day via cash or cheque please). If you would like to come, please email Simon Seligman HERE, with the name(s) of everyone who will be attending, and letting us know:

a)  Will you bring your own lunch or want to buy from the pub? We want to let the pub know in advance if a sizeable group plans to order lunch on the day.

b)  Do you have any additional/special access needs? In terms of physical access, it may be possible to transport a handful of people up to the Meadow by vehicle, but the day's walking will be across uneven terrain, and we cannot guarantee that there will not be steps and other physical obstacles during the day. We plan to run the day in all weathers (within reason!). Please bring appropriate clothing and footwear.

DIRECTIONS:
Travelling by car, the Ebworth Centre is located on the B4070 road between Birdlip and Stroud, and is signposted from this road near the Foston's Ash pub. The postcode to use is GL6 7ES. When turning off the B4070 be aware that the Ebworth drive is around a mile long before you reach the buildings and car park. There is plenty of car-parking on arrival and lavatories are also available.