Events which have taken place in the past can be found on the Archive page.
Village of Piccadilly Walk - 11th September 2025
On 11th September, despite the tube strikes, we had 32 walkers take the Village in Piccadilly guided walk. Just as we arrived at Piccadilly Circus the heavens opened to an almighty downpour which delayed the start of the second group as a few had had to take shelter before arrival, as did guide Claire. The rest of the afternoon was dry and we visited several places around the area. The group was split into 2 with guides Karen and Claire. Both guides were excellent and received good reports from the walkers but took slightly different routes.
Piccadilly was originally a small village outside the City of London which was mainly built in early 1700’s and is attributed to Henry Jermyn who acquired land there in the late 1600’s. It was also known as ‘West End’ due to it’s position near London.
Before leaving Piccadilly we were shown 3 golden diving ladies atop one of the building, most people don’t look up to see them.
We all visited St James Park with Nancy Astor's home as well as the site of the murder of Yvonne Fletcher in 1984.
This was followed by a visit inside St James Church designed by Christopher Wren which was heavily bombed in WW2 but the fantastic wooden reredos carved by Grinling Gibbons was saved.
We proceeded down Jermyn Street and visited Floris, a royal warranted perfumery, where my group were asked to identify the famous names behind a few perfumes.
We also heard about where King Charles buys his made to measure boxers (Emma Willis if anyone wishes to know and upwards of £80 a pair). We passed by Prestat Chocolates in Prince’s Arcade, one of several arcade’s off Piccadilly, but sadly it was closed so we didn’t get a chocolate sample. Group 1 visited Burlington Arcade too. We then went to Burlington House which now is the Royal Academy of Arts but has several society buildings in the square and finally Albany House which is now a prestigious Apartment block with rents of upwards of £500000 a year and no social media allowed. We ended by Fortnam and Masons for some and Piccadilly Circus for others.
Christine Cunliffe
Events Organiser for WAu3a
Highclere Castle on 15th July 2025
On 15th July 2025 WAu3a had 50 people take a coach to Highclere Castle just outside Newbury. The day was overcast but luckily the forecast rain didn’t arrive. Highclere Castle was built in 1689 but largely renovated in the 1840’s. Its grounds were designed by Capability Brown.
Highclere Castle is the home of Lord & Lady Carnarvon. The 8th Earl is a direct descendent of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon who, with Howard Carter, discovered Tutankhamum's tomb in Egypt in November 1922. Pre the discovery the Lord had done various other digs over 16 years and had many artefacts transported back to the Castle, many remained hidden and were found in 1987 while others were sold to the New York Metropolitan Museum to clear death duties after the 5th Earl died in 1923.
The present Lord has created a museum in the castle cellars where some of these are on show. In addition he has been allowed replicas of some of the findings in Tutankhamun's tomb. It was an interesting museum and well worth the visit.
The castle is also well known as the film location for Downton Abbey so much of the castle tour has information and boards with scenes from the TV series and films.
The gardens were full of colour with a Secret garden and Monks Garden. The Monks Garden was due to its heritage as originally in 749 the land was given to the Bishops of Winchester.
The outing was greatly enjoyed by those who went and I even heard one lady say ‘it was one of the best places she had ever been’. Despite the cloudier weather several enjoyed ice creams on the lawns of the Castle.
Denbies Land-train and tea on 3rd June 2025
It was a drizzly day on 3rd June when 48 members of Woking U3A travelled to Denbies Vineyard for a tour by land-train.
We were taken to the top of the vineyard which has great views towards Boxhill and Dorking. We even saw a deer amongst the vines.
The weather didn’t improve and the views were slightly misty but the tour was still very enjoyable. The guides were informative with plenty of time for questions. We had 2 land-trains, actually small carriages pulled by land-rovers. People found they had plenty of space to sit and the sides were covered so only a little rain got in.
Denbies first vines were planted in 1986 and the property covers over 1 square mile. Only two-thirds is used for the vineyard and the rest is left to woodland with the North Downs Way passing through the property. It is now the biggest vineyard in England and it’s chalky soil is perfect for many grapes. 1 million bottles of wine can be produced in its wine production plant and they handle the wine for 14 other vineyards who are too small to have their own production facility. The main wine is a sparkling white which rivals the best champagnes.
Afterwards we returned to the main building where an area of The Conservatory Café was reserved for us with tea, coffee or soft drinks and cakes. The cakes were superb….lemon with blueberry, coconut with raspberry and apple with sultana…and the portions huge.
Despite the weather we all enjoyed the ambience and explored the building which housed a shop, a restaurant, the conservatory café, the wine cellar and various exhibitions. The current exhibition is on photography and several members visited it and said it was superb. Outside is a small farm shop and plant centre as well as a small boutique hotel.
