Rothay Manor has been running Antiques holidays for over 19 years in the beautiful surroundings of the Lake District, and this year is running the same holiday twice at the start of the year. The holidays are designed for people with an interest in fine art and antiques, with the emphasis being on a pleasant and relaxing time in the company of fellow enthusiasts, rather than formal teaching. Groups are limited to 25, and are well suited to anyone on their own.


Talks

Crown Jewels, Dynastic Diamonds. The mystique and splendour of some of the world’s most fabled gems. The merry twinkle of precious stones always has a compelling impact. This is particularly true when applied to Crown Jewels where their allure is compounded by the power of the dynasty which they represent.  Nicholas Merchant

Lady Anne Clifford, A Great Northern Lady. The story of this determined woman who strove to regain her inheritance against the odds. Long before Women’s Suffrage, Lady Anne fought for the right to retain her inheritance and prevent it being subsumed into that of her husbands. She succeeded triumphantly to the lasting benefit of her heirs. Nicholas Merchant


A free afternoon gives a chance to go to Abbot Hall Museum in Kendal and see the “Great Picture”, the triptych commissioned by Lady Anne Clifford to celebrate the recovery of her inheritance.

Rebecca Oaks; Coppicing, A Sustainable Form of Woodland Management  (our “craft” lecture)  
This ancient craft survives and acts as an “eco-friendly” way of utilising sapling growth to manufacture a number of products.

The Great Omar with Dominic Riley.   A return visit by one of Britain’s most celebrated Bookbinders, who will relate the fascinating story of this wondrous binding of The Omar Khayyam, studded with jewels and encrusted with gold leaf which sank with the Titanic, but that was not the end of the story……..

Visits

On Tuesday afternoon a visit the workshop of Rebecca Oaks at Yealand Redmayne, where we shall see demonstrations of the art of coppicing including the making of hurdles, and charcoal. Afternoon tea is available at Low Sizergh Barn (not included) on the way back to Ambleside.

Wednesday is an all-day expedition to Lancaster. Starting at the Ruskin Library of Lancaster University, we shall have a talk by Professor Stephen Wildman on the dramatic library building by Sir Richard MacCormac and the drawings of Ruskin. These include some when he was a 16 year old taken during his European tour in 1835, including his first visit to Venice, which will be on display. The collection of Ruskiniana at Lancaster was formed by John Howard Whitehouse, Liberal MP and educationalist and are an immense store of research material including 29 volumes of diaries and 7400 letters.

Lunch (included) to be tajen in Lancaster.

Afternoon visit the Maritime Museum, Lancaster, built in 1764 by Richard Gillow of the furniture-making company. We will have a talk on the history of Maritime Lancaster and then a chance to look round the galleries including those devoted to the trade which made Lancaster such a vibrant centre in the 18th century.

The Host

Nicholas Merchant's career has mirrored his abiding interest in antiques, and embraces architecture, particularly country houses, their Collections and Gardens. Through his work at Sothebys and Phillips, Auctioneers in London and Leeds, he has acquired a wide general knowledge of Antiques.

He is a member of the Furniture History Society, the National Trust, and the Chippendale Society. In addition to conducting travel groups, he is an accredited lecturer with the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts, and has lectured extensively including at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He divides his time between lecturing, valuation work, and his book business specialising in Reference Works on Decorative and Fine Arts. Notes will accompany each talk, and Nicholas will be present and available throughout the course. Items for discussion are welcomed from course members.

The 5-night holiday runs from Sunday evening through to Friday morning, and the price is per person and includes full English breakfast, morning coffee, 3 course dinner and VAT @ 20% for the 5 night stay.

Non-participating partners are welcome, and the cost for them is £50 less than above.