Coolings Events & Excursions 2017 (Issue 1)

EVENTS & EXCURSIONS 2017 The Gardener’s Garden Centre

A must see for Downton Fans Highclere Castle

Relax in Arthurs Garden with five theatre shows to enjoy

NEW for 2017 – Antiques & Collectables Fair

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Pages 5, 6, 8, 9, 10

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THE EXPERIENCE IS GROWING

The Gardener’s Garden Centre

Get in Touch with Coolings Visit Us...

Opening Times

Coolings Garden Centre Rushmore Hill Knockholt Sevenoaks Kent TN14 7NN T: 01959 532269 E: rushmorehill@coolings.co.uk W: www.coolings.co.uk

Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm (5.30pm April - July) Sunday 9am - 4.30pm

Follow Us...

Facebook /coolingsnurseries

Twitter @CoolingsGC

Don’t forget to use your Coolings Family card to get 10% OFF selected events & excursions where you see this symbol.

For more information on any of our events at Coolings or to book any of our excursions see www.coolings.co.uk/events

Coolings in the Community Age UK Tunbridge Wells Wins a Garden Makeover The aim of the competition was for a community group to win a £7,000 makeover of their garden. We were delighted when Age UK Tunbridge Wells won.

Joy Lawrence from Age UK was very excited to have won, thinking they would not stand a chance. The benefits of the garden extend Bef ore far beyond aesthetic reasons: “We have clients who don’t have gardens anymore because they are in sheltered accommodation. This is good for their wellbeing.”

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Coolings started redeveloping the outdoor space in November and Age UK are very much looking forward to using the space more with their new furniture this spring.

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Events & Excursions with Coolings

Our Special Excursions For those of you who haven’t been for days out with us before, you’ll find we love to spoil you by visiting the best gardens and other exciting places, all to thrill you in different ways.

For the smooth running of our trips and your comfort, all excursions are escorted by a member of Coolings staff, and we have carefully chosen a quality operator who provides first class coaches with facilities on board.

“ Coolings always seems to find exciting places to visit that are different each year!”

Mr K. from Swanley

We all like to stretch our legs, so there will be regular stops where possible on our various travels.

Please note some of these trips may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. If you would like more detailed access information relating to the venues, please contact us on 01959 532269.

All of our excursions include entry to venues, but not meals unless otherwise specified, and we always stay overnight at 4 star hotels unless specified otherwise.

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New for 2017

Experience a Different Day Out at Coolings Coolings is so much more than just a paradise for plant lovers.This year, once again, we are proud to be supporting Hospice in the Weald by hosting Cinema in the Garden.This event has continued to grow in popularity, and all profits raised will help to support the vital work that they do.

Following on from the success of the Antiques Valuation day in 2016 with celebrity experts Catherine Southon & Mark Stacey, this event will be back in October, plus you can look forward to the new Antiques and Collectables Fair.

Many customers have also been asking for more theatre in the garden so, not wanting to disappoint, you can relax in Arthurs garden with five shows this summer. Our special days out have also grown in 2017; we have four holidays and more days out than ever before.

So make sure you look out for our next events and excursions brochure in August.

“ Great excursions, well organised and full of interest.”

Mr B. from Swanley

We always strive to create a special experience at Coolings, so please take a look at what 2017 has to offer!

Great Value from Coolings

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Buy our NEW multipass to all 5 Theatre in the Garden performances for Adult £50 | Child £17.99 (15 & Under) | Family £119.99 (2 Adults & 2 Children)

To buy visit www.coolings.co.uk/events or call 01959 532269 3

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Royal Hospital Chelsea & Chelsea P hysic Garden

We combine two remarkable attractions on one day!

We depart Coolings around 8am and travel into Central London for our first stop of the day, a guided tour of The Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Did you realise the hospital was founded 325 years ago by Charles II and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren!

The remarkable building houses some 300 former soldiers in a Grade I listed building, which continues to be preserved for the many generations who will follow.

After the tour you will have the opportunity to purchase a light lunch in the café at the hospital before we walk to our second Fri 12th May

£79 Per Person Depart 8am from Coolings

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venue for the day, the Chelsea Physic Garden, where we will enjoy a guided tour of this secret garden!

The Chelsea Physic Garden was founded in 1673 as the Apothecaries’ Garden, with the purpose of training apprentices in the identification and use of medicinal plants. The location was chosen for its proximity to the River Thames. This allowed the Apothecaries to moor their barges, collect plants in the surrounding areas, and take advantage of the river’s warm air currents, which contribute to the Garden’s unique microclimate.

Departing around 4.30pm we aim to return to Coolings between 6pm and 6.30pm, depending on traffic.

To book call 01959 532269 or visit www.coolings.co.uk/events

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Theatre in the Garden

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Illyria’s Pride & Prejudice It’s back! Illyria’s production of Jane Austen’s glorious social comedy attracted sell-out audiences for 4 consecutive years.

It toured throughout the UK and Europe, attracted nationwide critical acclaim and at its run at the 2003 Edinburgh Fringe, the queue for returns stretched around the block.

In a social whirlwind of balls, dinners and very eligible officers, Lizzie Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy stand alone as the only sane people – and they hate each other! Or do they?

Can she see beyond his pride, and can he Sat 27th May – 7pm

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If your idea of Jane Austen is costumedrama, empire-lines and tea-parties, then this sparkling adaptation, based entirely on the original novel, is something to make you change your mind. Bring a picnic and have a ball as the irrepressible Illyria sharpen their claws to bring you Jane Austen at her vibrant, pacy, forthright, bitchy best!

Running Time 2hrs - 20min Interval

Suitable for Adults / Children 5+

Location Arthurs Garden at Coolings

To book call 01959 532269 or visit www.coolings.co.uk/events

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overcome her prejudice, in order to achieve their mutual happiness?

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Buy our NEW multipass to all 5 Theatre in the Garden performances for Adult £50 | Child £17.99 (15 & Under) | Family £119.99 (2 Adults & 2 Children)

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Theatre in the Garden

Illyria’s A Comedy of Errors

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In the bard’s shortest, funniest and most rumbustious comedy, two sets of identical twins, separated at birth, unknowingly end up in the same city.

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To cap it all, this year Illyria’s Shakespeare production is re-located to the town of Ephesus, Mexico, and is performed by our very own 5-piece Mariachi band, resplendent in ponchos and sombreros.

Ay caramba!

Sun 18th June - 7pm Adult £16.99 Child £5.99 (15 & Under) Family £39.99 (2 Adults & 2 Children)

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More and more people are sucked into a vortex of mistaken identity including an officer who is paid per arrest, a goldsmith who hasn’t been paid at all, a delayed merchant, an irate courtesan and a mad exorcist. To say nothing of a wife who sometimes feels her husband has two different personalities, and a poor immigrant who is arrested for being the wrong nationality.

What exactly is the Abbess of Ephesus’s dark secret? Will anything ever make sense again?

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See page 3 for details

To book call 01959 532269 or visit www.coolings.co.uk/events

The Railway Children

Coolings Summer Flower Exhibition This year we are bringing Edith Nesbit’s classic novel The Railway Children to life through our spectacular display of home grown plants.

The Railway Children was first published over 100 years ago, in 1906, and tells the story of three children whose lives are changed forever by the mysterious disappearance of their father. The story has been adapted for screen several times, but now we’re planning to adapt the story so we can tell it with flowers!

Did You Know?

Nesbit was born in Kennington, Surrey but travelled around for most of her childhood, before settling for three years at nearby Halstead Hall in Halstead, Kent. The setting of The Railway Children is thought to be inspired

by Edith’s walks to Chelsfield railway station close to where she lived, and her observance of the construction of the railway cutting and tunnel between Chelsfield and Knockholt.

We look forward to taking you on a journey of vigilance, courage, kindness and mystery solving around our 10,000ft2 exhibit of more than 300 home grown flowers.

Fri 30th June - Sun 30th July

Free Entry Open every day in July

Our own three hard working bears taking a rest while building the 2016 show!

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Theatre in the Garden

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Oddsock’s Macbeth It’s Shakespeare but not as you know it!

Oddsocks bring a departure from our normal theatre experience as they remorselessly satirise the great bard’s work in this ‘steam punk’ version of the play.

The production will seem ‘odd’ at first, but as you settle in you’ll recognise the familiar Macbeth plot being slowly murdered under an endless tide of humour as the actors take substantive and hilarious advantage of the traditional plot.

There will be a number of well-known songs, all relevant to the circumstances of the scene before you, plus the usual tally

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Adult £16.99 Child £5.99 (15 & Under) Family £39.99 (2 Adults & 2 Children)

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Thu 6th July - 7pm

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of murders and deaths for Macbeth!

Shakespeare, the great soap writer of his time, would no doubt approve of these twists or be spinning in his grave: you decide!

Running Time 2hrs - 20min Interval

Suitable for Adults / Children 5+

Location Arthurs Garden at Coolings

To book call 01959 532269 or visit www.coolings.co.uk/events

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Theatre in the Garden

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Illyria’s The Lost World Storytellers since before Homer have spun yarns about adventurers’ travels to strange lands and the monsters they meet there.

But Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s version of the story transcends all previous versions because his adventurers were the first to bring the monsters back! He inspired the likes of King Kong, Godzilla, Alien and a host of other classic monster movies!

Four intrepid explorers, led by the redoubtable Professor Challenger, travel to an uncharted plateau in South America following a few scant directions scribbled in a sketch book.They find flora and fauna beyond their wildest dreams, become involved in tribal warfare between apemen and indigenous humans, and E AV

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Fri 14th July - 7pm

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encounter terrifying dinosaurs previously believed to be extinct. But when their camera is destroyed in an accident, what evidence can they produce to prove that these creatures actually exist? Unless, of course, they bring live specimens back to London in “unbreakable” crates to reveal to an astounded public. What could possibly go wrong?

Illyria has an unmatched reputation for innovation in the open-air touring theatre sector, where they are the first company to tackle a show in this genre and of this scope. Prehistoric thrills, monster laughs abound in the must-see show of the summer!

Running Time 1hr 50min 20min Interval

Suitable for Adults / Children 5+

Location Arthurs Garden at Coolings

To book call 01959 532269 or visit www.coolings.co.uk/events 9

Theatre in the Garden

Illyria’s The Mikado In 2011 Illyria raised the bar for the major UK open-air touring theatre companies by becoming the first and only one to add operetta to its regular season.

In the town of Titipu flirting has been made illegal. The penalty, by order of The Mikado, is death.Too bad then that the main culprit is the Lord High Executioner Ko-Ko, who wishes to marry his beautiful young ward Yum-Yum, and who has no intention of executing himself.

Can the itinerant musician Nanki-Poo be persuaded to be executed in his place? Can Pooh-Bah, the one man who occupies every role in public office in Titipu, be persuaded to take advantage of his influential access to himself to bend his own ear? And what would

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Sat 26th August - 7pm

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happen if anyone should dare to tell the Mikado that an execution had taken place when in fact it hadn’t…?

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Gilbert & Sullivan’s wry comic opera, set in Japan but with satire clearly aimed at the British political classes, gets the complete Illyria treatment. It is performed by a cast of 6 actor/singers accompanied by a musical director on keyboards, and is produced on a stage boasting a strikingly large (and authentic) Japanese torii gate. Despite the reduction in scale, not a single word from WS Gilbert’s libretto is cut, nor a single note or harmony from Sir Arthur Sullivan’s score unsung.

Running Time 2hrs - 20min Interval

Suitable for Adults / Children 5+

Location Arthurs Garden at Coolings

To book call 01959 532269 or visit www.coolings.co.uk/events

1 Day Excursion

Highclere Castle/Downton Abbey For fans of the popular TV show Downton Abbey, this is a must see.

Believe it or not there is a 2 year waiting list to visit Highclere, and we have been very lucky to sneak to the front of the queue by taking up an unexpected cancellation by another company.

Departing around 4.30pm we aim to return to Coolings between 6pm and 6.30pm, depending on traffic.

Departing Coolings around 8.30am we will arrive at the Castle for our timed entry slot of 11am, and then we have the run of the Castle, the gardens and the Egyptian Exhibition.

The joy of the Castle being used in the TV series is that we’ve already had a glimpse inside the property, but now we can see the State Rooms and Grounds in all their finery and glimpse the respective lives of those Upstairs and Downstairs!

Wed 30th August

ÂŁ79 Per Person Depart 8.30am from Coolings

To book call 01959 532269 or visit www.coolings.co.uk/events Discount

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Highclere Castle

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Sat 22nd Apr 10am - 4pm Thur 27th Apr Tour at 11.30am Sun 7 May 11am - 11.40am or 2pm - 2.40pm Sat 27th May 10am - 4pm Mon 12th - Sun 25th June 9am - 5pm Fri 16th - Sun 18th June 10am - 4.30pm Sat 17th June 1pm - 4pm

Sat 17th June 10am - 4pm Sat 24th June 10am - 4pm Fri 30th June – Sun 30th July 9am - 5.30pm

A treat for all foodies!

Coolings’ very own onsite nursery will be open for a public tour. No need to book, meet outside Arthurs.

How to look after your orchids, repot them and make them reflower.

A treat for all foodies!

Is it the thorns, the scent, the colour that makes roses so special.You decide?

Come, peruse and buy the best in local craft products.

Coolings runs a wide range of gardening related courses, some practical, some academic and some just for fun. They’re all richly rewarding, both socially and in learning. Why not come along and meet our lecturers to see what it’s all about?

Find out how you too can help the bee population, and with homemade honey!

A treat for all foodies!

Our amazing summer showcase returns to draw you into new worlds. This year’s theme ‘The Railway Children’.

Keep it Local Food & Produce Market

Guided Tour of Coolings Nursery

Orchid Care for Beginners – with Dr Manos Kanellos

Keep it Local Food & Produce Market

Coolings Rose Festival

Keep it Local Craft Show

Meet the lecturers

Orpington Bee Keepers & Friends of the Earth

Keep it Local Food & Produce Market

Coolings Summer Flower Exhibition

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Sat 8th/Sun 9th Apr 10am - 4pm

Can you spot the next great master? We are always amazed at the talent on display from this group.

Knockholt Art Club

All of these events are free to attend unless otherwise stated.

Events at Coolings Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill

at The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill

Events & Excursions

Sun 19th Nov 10am - 4pm Sat 25th Nov 10am - 4pm Sun 26th Nov 10am - 4pm

Exhibition of wildlife in watercolour.

A treat for all foodies!

Exhibition of wildlife in watercolour.

Ian Bowles Artist Exhibition Keep it Local Food & Produce Market

Sun 3rd Dec 10am - 4pm

Osborne House & the Isle of Wight See www.coolings.co.uk or last edition

Scotland Holiday See www.coolings.co.uk or last edition

Royal Hospital Chelsea & Chelsea Physic Garden See Page 4

Tue 8th - Thur 10th Aug

Mon 12th - Fri 16th June

Fri 12th May

£575 per person

£999 per person

£79 per person

All of these events must be pre booked at www.coolings.co.uk/events or telephone 01959 532269

Exhibition of wildlife in watercolour.

Ian Bowles Artist Exhibition

Excursions with Coolings

Make your Christmas shopping easy, with a relaxed atmosphere and something local and loved. Gifts for everyone at the largest craft show of the year.

Keep it Local Christmas Craft Show & Food Market

Fri 1st - Sun 3rd Dec 10am - 4.30pm

Sat 28th Oct 10am - 4pm

A treat for all foodies!

Keep it Local Food & Produce Market

Ian Bowles Artist Exhibition

Sat 21st - Sun 22nd Oct 10am - 4.30pm

Get something new or old with a wonderful selection to choose from.

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NEW Antiques & Collectables Fair

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Sat 15 /Sun 16 July 10am - 4pm Sat 22nd July 10am - 4pm Sat 12th Aug 10am - 4pm

Sat 19th/Sun 20th Aug 10am - 4pm Mon 21st Aug

Sat 26 Aug 10am - 4pm Thur 7th Sept 1pm - 4pm

Sat 9th Sept 3pm

Fri 15th - Sun 17th Sept 10am - 4.30pm Sat 23rd Sept 10am - 4pm Sat 30 Sept 12noon - 4pm (restricted viewing from 10am)

Sun 8th Oct 10am - 3pm

More fabulous art from this local group.

A treat for all foodies!

Do you like your vintage cars? Come and get a bit nostalgic with a range of cars on display (this is a pre arranged display, so unfortunately you cannot turn up with your car on the day).

Remarkable floral creations to make you question how did they do that?

Our autumn edition of our in-house magazine will be popping through your door or available in store.

A treat for all foodies!

Coolings runs a wide range of gardening related courses, some practical, some academic and some just for fun. They’re all richly rewarding, both socially and in learning. Why not come along and meet our lecturers to see what it’s all about?

The Biggin Hill Spitfire will be making a special flypast and mini display only for Coolings, with other events on the day. Free entry (please get to Coolings early as this is a popular event)

Come, peruse and buy the best in local craft products.

A treat for all foodies!

The Horticultural Associations and Societies of Kent compete in a fun competition to see who really is the best. Come along and see what ‘Growing Your Own’ is all about. With special guest Rob Smith, winner ‘The Big Allotment Challenge 2016’.

Celebrity TV antiques experts Catherine Southon and Mark Stacey.

Chislehurst Art Club

Keep it Local Food & Produce Market

Car Rally

Orpington Floral Art Society

Autumn Cuttings magazine available

Keep it Local Food & Produce Market

Meet the lecturers

Spitfire Air Display

Keep it Local Craft Show

Keep it Local Food & Produce Market

Horticultural Show of Shows

Antiques Valuation Day

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£65 per person £65 per person £65 per person £65 per person £69 per person

Fri 6th Oct Thur 19th Oct Thur 2nd Nov Fri 1st Dec Thur 7th Dec

Brighton & Fly on the new i360 See Page 17 RAF Duxford See Page 18 Bombay Sapphire Distillery See Page 20 Portsmouth – A Victorian Christmas See Page 22 Christmas Lights at Kew See Page 21

Adults £16.99, Children £5.99, Family Ticket £39.99

Sat 26th Aug 7pm Theatre in the Garden – The Mikado See Page 10

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Sat 9th Sept 7.30pm

For ticket information please see below This is a charity event being run by Hospice in the Weald. £13 of each adult ticket, and £8 of each child ticket goes to Hospice in the Weald.To book see www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk/fundraise/event-grid

Cinema in the Garden - Grease This is set to be the perfect night out and you’ll be supporting your local Hospice too.

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Buy our NEW multipass to all 5 Theatre in the Garden performances for £50 Per Adult | £17.99 Per Child (15 & Under) | £119.99 Family Ticket

Adults £16.99, Children £5.99, Family Ticket £39.99

Fri 14th July 7pm

Theatre in the Garden – The Lost World See Page 9

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Adults £16.99, Children £5.99, Family Ticket £39.99

Thur 6th July 7pm

Theatre in the Garden – Macbeth See Page 8

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Adults £16.99, Children £5.99, Family Ticket £39.99

Sun 18th June 7pm

Theatre in the Garden – A Comedy of Errors See Page 6

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Adults £16.99, Children £5.99, Family Ticket £39.99

Sat 27th May 7pm

Theatre in the Garden – Pride & Prejudice See Page 5

All of these events must be pre booked at www.coolings.co.uk/events or telephone 01959 532269

£899 per person

Thur 14th - Mon 18th Sept

Spectacular French Gardens See Page 14 (Early Bird Booking rate applies)

Cinema and Theatre in the Garden

£79 per person

Wed 30th Aug

Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) See Page 11

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Sat 1st/Sun 2nd July 10am - 4pm

Another group of local artists with an abundance of talent.

Orpington Art Club

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Palace of Versailles

5 Day Excursion

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Spectacular French Gardens Day 1: Travelling on a luxury coach with toilet and regular stops we head off at 10am and wind our way to the Channel Tunnel, arriving around 11.30 for the 12.20pm shuttle.

Day 2: Being well located to access all the gardens we are visiting, we will travel to the Garden at Giverny which once belonged to the world-famous Claude Monet.

After our smooth crossing, we will make our way directly to the hotel with a couple of comfort stops to keep ourselves as fresh as possible.

Here you can spend as much time as you like exploring the site and then perhaps visit the town itself. Lunch is not included but there are many opportunities for refreshments.

We should arrive at our four-star Hotel in Versailles, the Pullman Château De Versailles, at around 6pm where we will enjoy a buffet evening meal, bed and breakfast on our first night.

We will return in the late afternoon to the hotel to enjoy bed and breakfast, so you are free to choose your own evening meal in the hotel or elsewhere whilst exploring the lovely town.

Day 3: Today, we visit the less well known but remarkable Champ du Bataille. Millions of Euros have been spent restoring this site to its former glory, which was and is quite spectacular!

Hotel Pullman Château De Versailles

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We will be arriving on an unusual day when they will be hosting ‘Les Journées du Patrimoine’, which is a kind of open day

t un co W is O D N d ir ok B Bo ly u ar o E if y Giverny Gardens

when far more of the site is available to visit than normal, and we will be free to wander the open parts of the site at will!

We will return to the hotel in the late afternoon where we will enjoy bed and breakfast accommodation.

Day 4: For some, today will be the highlight of our tour as we visit the Palace of Versailles and the formal gardens which are world renowned.

Our hotel is within walking distance of the gates, so our journey time each way will be very brief!

Versailles was the seat of power for the French Monarchy under Louis XIV, known as ‘The Sun King’ and was designed to be the ‘must see,

must be palace’ and an expression of the power of the greatest absolute monarch in Europe.

Later, during the French revolution,Versailles became the focus of hatred for the Monarchy and the Royal Family was forced to flee to Paris.

After spending the day at this place of great history, we will return for one more night at the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 5: Sadly, all good things must come to an end and today we will wind our way homewards towards Calais, stopping at any interesting places we can find time for as we head to the Tunnel.

Depending on travel, we should return to Coolings in the early evening.

Thur 14th - Mon 18th Sept (5 Days, 4 nights)

From £899 Per Person

(including Early Bird Booking Discount + 10% Coolings Family Discount) Early bird discount valid until 31/05/2017. Price after Early Bird from £1099.

Depart 10am from Coolings

Château Champ du Bataille

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Coolings Horticultural Show of Shows Our Horticultural ‘Show of Shows’ is now in its 5th year and is always a very popular day.

It is your opportunity to see the best that Kent’s Horticultural Societies have to offer in categories ranging from flowers, fruit and vegetables, to cakes.You may even want to enter something for yourself. Maybe you make a mean cake, have grown a prize winning marrow, are creative with flowers, have a keen eye for photography, or you are crafty/enjoy painting – then enter your creations into the appropriate category. We’d love to see them and you may even earn yourself a prize!

This year’s show is on Saturday 30th September 2017 and will be open to the public from 10.00am (restricted viewing until midday), so if you have a love of Sat 30th September Free Entry

Restricted viewing from 10am - 12 noon Fully open to public from 12 noon - 4pm

gardening and want to peruse some of the best produce Kent has to offer, this is the perfect opportunity.

If you are inspired to enter something for yourself then visit www.coolings.co.uk and download the show schedule.

Categories include: Flowers Vegetables Fruit Produce Baking Craft Painting Flower Arrangement Photography There are also categories for our Junior entries (all children’s classes are split into two age groups: 5-10 years & 11-16 years). Lots of opportunity over the summer holidays to perfect their entries (and keep them busy!!).

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Come and chat to The winner of the BBC The Big Allotment Challenge 2016 Rob Smith who will be here for the day

1 Day Excursion

Brighton & fly on the new i360 Leaving Coolings at 9am we will take a leisurely journey to Brighton to see the latest thrill seeking attraction!

In the wake of the success of the London Eye, Brighton has realised the dream of an ambitious rival, the British Airways i360.

This column stands 162m (531feet) and the designers expect it to appear in the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest slender tower in the world.

For those of you who haven’t seen the pictures, we will board the observation deck at ground level and then slowly ascend to the top of the tower before descending

back down to earth once more, the whole ‘flight’ lasting around 20 minutes.

For those of you who are nervous, there is a bar on board!

After the flight, we will be free to enjoy the rest of the day in the town so there will be time if you wish to see the pier or Pavilion or many other attractions the town holds.

We will leave at around 4.30pm to return to Coolings around 6pm, traffic permitting.

Fri 6th October £65 Per Person

Depart 9am from Coolings

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1 Day Excursion

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RAF Duxford Now part of the Imperial War Museum (IWM), Duxford has a really interesting range of displays and exhibitions.

In September 1918 RAF Duxford opened as a flying school, and after the war ended the airfield was used as a base for the disbandment of squadrons from the Continent. In 1924, under re-organised Home Defence arrangements, RAF Duxford became a fighter station, a role it was to carry out with distinction for 37 years.

Following the end of the Second World War, the station entered its last operational phase.

The defence needs which had called RAF Duxford into being as a fighter station no longer applied; it was too far south and too far inland, and the costly improvements required Thurs 19th October ÂŁ65 Per Person

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for supersonic fighters could not be justified. In July 1961 the last operational flight was made from RAF Duxford, and for some 15 years the future of the airfield remained in the balance.

IWM had been looking for a suitable site for the storage, restoration and eventual display of exhibits too large for its headquarters in London, and obtained permission to use the airfield for this purpose. Cambridgeshire County Council joined with IWM and the Duxford Aviation Society, and in 1977 bought the runway to give the abandoned aerodrome a new lease of life.

Today the historic site, outstanding collections of exhibits and regular world-renowned air shows combine to create a unique museum where history really is in the air.

To book call 01959 532269 or visit www.coolings.co.uk/events

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Antiques Valuation Day

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Back again in 2017 after a successful first event, why not come and see if you have some treasures at home!

Celebrity TV antiques experts Catherine Southon and Mark Stacey come to Coolings.

Catherine Southon has worked for 19 years in the antiques world, initially working for Sotheby’s, New Bond Street for 9 years as an auctioneer specialising in Scientific Instruments and Maritime Works of Art, and subsequently as an expert for 10 years on four BBC Antiques programmes.

Mark Stacey has worked for some prestigious auction houses including Bonham’s and Sotheby’s. When he is not busy on the BBC’s ‘Flogit’ or ‘Antiques Road Trip’, Mark works as an independent valuer and auctioneer.

Sun 8th October (10am - 3pm)

Antiques & Collectables Fair

oct 20-22

We are delighted to announce that, following the interest in our antiques valuation day last year, Coolings is also hosting an autumn Antiques & Collectables Fair.

The organisers of this free-entry fair will present you with the opportunity to browse a wide variety of quality antiques and collectables brought along by hand-selected, reputable dealers.

We’ll keep you posted with more details, but in the meantime, mark 20th - 22nd October in your diary!

Sat 21st - Sun 22nd October

(10am – 4.30pm)

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1 Day Excursion

Bombay Sapphire Distillery Leaving Coolings at 9am we will take a leisurely journey to visit the Bombay Sapphire Distillery on the Hampshire borders.

With the renewed interest in gin as a drink, what better way to spend a November day than visiting the place some of ‘the best stuff ’ is made!

After enjoying a tour of the distillery and seeing how it’s made in what is quite a fascinating process, we will be given a

complimentary drink and no doubt encouraged to visit the giftshop afterwards.

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There will be an opportunity to buy a light lunch in the café onsite before we embark for the journey home.

As it will be getting dark early at that time of the year, we will aim to be back in time for you to get home in the light.

Thur 2nd November £65 Per Person Depart 9am from Coolings

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To book call 01959 532269 or visit www.coolings.co.uk/events

1 Day Excursion

Christmas Lights at Kew Kew Gardens are a pleasure to visit at any time but is even more amazing for a few weeks at Christmas when they host their Christmas spectacle of over 60,000 lights mounted in a number of installations over a one mile walkway!

Along the way, there will be an illuminated walkway and around the exit you’ll find stalls selling food and drink, including hot chocolate to keep your strength up.

With rave reviews in recent years we think this will be one of the best visits of the year and a superb start to the festive season.

We aim to return by 9pm (approx.).

Thur 7th December ÂŁ69 Per Person

Depart 3.30pm from Coolings

To book call 01959 532269 or visit www.coolings.co.uk/events dec

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1 Day Excursion

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Portsmouth - A Victorian Christmas Coolings is once again able to offer this favourite trip to a fantastic Christmas experience at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard which in itself is a world class visitor attraction.

We will be visiting the Victorian Christmas Fair on Friday 1st December where we will experience the many terrific Victorian attractions this event has become known for.

The event is also host to the south coast’s biggest Christmas market, so there will be plenty of opportunity to make those special purchases.

This excursion is excellent value and is sure to sell out quickly so book early to avoid disappointment.

Lunch is not included but there is a wide choice of onsite facilities, and we will make stops during the journey for refreshments.

Fri 1st December ÂŁ65 Per Person

Depart 9am from Coolings

To book call 01959 532269 or visit www.coolings.co.uk/events 22

Booking now!

for September 2017

• RHS Level Qualifications • Garden Design • Beginner or more advanced • Daytime and evening options With gardening and horticultural courses covering a broad range of topics and abilities,

Come and find out more..

interests and time commitments.

Meet our lecturers on 17th June or 7th September Please see events calendar in centre fold for details

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Spring Clean summer tidy

£360

Winter can take its toll on our gardens, and we know better than most that they need a little TLC, to get them set for summer. Luckily our garden maintenance team have their spades and wellies on standby, ready to pay your garden a visit.

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For a flat fee, two members of our team visit your garden for a day and perform all those gardening tasks and chores that you can’t quite find the time to start.

£25 P ER

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Garden maintenance

& lawn care We know that a perfect lawn takes a lot of hard work, but if you don’t know where to begin, Coolings can help.We can give one-off treatments to your lawn to give it the boost it needs, or we can provide ongoing, regular maintenance to keep it looking its absolute best.

Garden Design A tailor made garden can be truly inspirational – use our design service to help turn your garden dreams into reality

Find Out More...

If you would like to know more about our gardening services or would like to make a booking, please contact Lesley or Neil at The Gardener’s Garden Centre on 01959 532269.