Non-Rail Events & Tours
This year we are going to have an exciting programme of Non-Rail events and tours, for Convention attendee partners and those who want a break from the train!
The Cookham area is full of exciting attractions for those who want something extra to do while the Convention is happening.
Our Non-Rail Coordinator will be updating this page with news about events and tours as the weeks go on, so please check back often!
Ride-share will be available for those who have cars and are willing to drive. We will have a list up at the venue where those with cars can offer lifts and passengers can put their names down. A list of local taxi companies will also be provided.
- Cookham approx 5 mins drive to town centre
The name of Cookham today is closely associated with Sir Stanley Spencer, one of the greatest British painters of the 20th century who lived in the village until his death in 1959 and who used its scenery as the background to many of his paintings. Another famous former resident was Kenneth Grahame, author of ‘The Wind in the Willows’. He lived with his grandmother at ‘The Mount’ in Cookham Dean. - Stanley Spencer Gallery Visit (entry fee, no booking required):
The Stanley Spencer Gallery currently has an exhibition called The Cookham Brotherhood, The Art of Gilbert & Stanley Spencer. The gallery is only a few minutes walk from the Convention venue. Entry costs £7.00/pp
More information on this exhibition and the Gallery can be found here:
https://stanleyspencer.org.uk/the-cookham-brotherhood/ - Maidenhead Heritage Centre and Spitfire Simulator
Open on Friday and Saturday, 10am – 4pm.
Their ground floor has an exhibition of ‘The Story of Maidenhead’, which includes artefacts from the Stone Age right up to the modern day. This includes a Roman skeleton, a 103-year-old car built in Maidenhead (that still works!), and a 287 year old Fire Engine! There is also a model of Maidenhead’s famous railway bridge, built by Brunel in the 1800s. Accompanying it is a exhibition on Brunel’s work in Maidenhead, as well as a scale model of an Iron Duke Locomotive.
The first floor has an exhibition on the Air Transport Auxiliary, as well as the Spitfire Simulator Experience! There is a lift in the centre, ensuring easy accessibility for anyone who may need it
Entry to the exhibition is £4 per adult and £3 per concession (student, disabled, over 65). The Spitfire Simulator Experience is priced at £40.00 for a 30-minute Flight and £75.00 for a 60-minute flight. Flights can be split between multiple people, though they recommend at least 10 or 15 minutes of flying per person to get a good experience.
More details on the centre and the Spitfire simulator can be found here
https://maidenheadheritage.org.uk/
https://maidenheadheritage.org.uk/spitfire-simulator/ - National Trust – Cliveden House Gardens
The beautiful Cliveden House Gardens, site of the famous Profumo Affair, are well worth a visit.
Set high above the Thames with far-reaching views, Cliveden’s impressive gardens and majestic woodlands capture the grandeur of a bygone age. Follow in the footsteps of dukes, earls and royalty as you explore a series of gardens, each with their own special charm.
From the formality of the Parterre with its vibrant floral displays to the quirky statuary and topiary in the Long Garden, the gardens will delight you in every season.
The formal gardens give way to secluded glades, tree-lined avenues and picturesque riverside with miles of woodland walks to discover.
Unfortunately the House itself is a private luxury hotel (tours are not available on weekend), but afternoon teas are available to book (I definitely recommend this!).
Distance: 10 minute drive from venue.
Cost: Free for National Trust Members, £19/pp for non-Members
National Trust Gardens
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/cliveden
Cliveden House Hotel (afternoon tea) – £60/pp
https://www.clivedenhouse.co.uk/dine-with-us/afternoon-tea/ - National Trust – Hughenden Manor
Gorgeous National Trust house in High Wycombe. Set in an unspoiled Chiltern valley with views of ancient woodlands and rolling hills, Hughenden offers a restful retreat from the pressures of everyday life, just as it did for Victorian Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, and his wife Mary Anne.
Outside, the surrounding views of the parkland invite you to explore the estate, following picturesque walking trails that take in the historic landscape of the Chiltern beech woods. In contrast to the exotic trees on the North Lawn, the Italianate formal gardens showcase annual beds full of the bold colours the Disraelis loved.
Inside the manor, you can discover the top-secret Second World War operation codenamed ‘Hillside’.
Distance: 25 minute drive from venue.
Cost: Free for National Trust members, £15/pp for non-Members
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/hughenden - Treasure Hunt trails from Cookham available online
www.treasuretrails.co.uk – select Cookham - Jasmins tea party at Spice Merchant, Cookham
an Indian twist on afternoon tea https://spicemerchantgroup.com/afternoon-tea/ - Possible Prebooked & Paid organised trips: Further information to follow.
- Guided walk from venue including Winter Hill /Bourne End – for fabulous views. Weather permitting
- Transport only to and from venue to Windsor – self guided tour, although there are hop on hop of buses. See the changing of the guard or even book a tour of the castle, or river boat trip
- Marlow – exclusive clothing boutiques, coffee shops and peaceful riverside walks
The town of Marlow is well worth a visit. Offering exclusive clothing boutiques, quaint coffee shops, and the beautiful Higginson Park, with walks along the River Thames.
https://www.visitthames.co.uk/towns/marlow-p92421
Marlow also has the newly-renovated Everyman Cinema, showing the latest films, in luxury with at-seat dining available.
https://www.everymancinema.com/venues-list/g01rl-everyman-marlow/
Distance: 16 minute drive, or hourly train service from Cookham train station (3 min drive or 16 minute walk from venue) - A trip to Marlow – lovely river walks
- Free film night on Friday at the venue for all attendees
- Free Quiz / craft at venue
- Free ‘time out’ room available for use of all attendees
- Guided walk from venue including Winter Hill /Bourne End – for fabulous views. Weather permitting
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