Lecture lunches

Find out more about the history, art and wildlife of your local Trust property at one of our lecture lunches.

         
All images © NTPL

Each event is led by a guest speaker and promises a winning combination of humour, intrigue and of course really tasty food. A chance to meet others with similar interests and find out more about a particular subject, these events give yet more reason to visit your local property.

The lunches are part of our Discovery Programme learning scheme, sponsored by Sky. The whole family can benefit from the informal style of learning, a highlight of Sky’s Discovery Programme,which encourages people of all ages to join in.

Here are just a handful of highlights from around 200 of the events on offer:

The Day it Rained Crabs and Frogs!

Uppark House & Garden, 17 November 10.30am-12.30pm

Not a figment of a vivid imagination but an example of real life weather. Ian Currie's talk covers this and more seemingly bizarre phenomena concerning our favourite topic of conversation. Includes coffee on arrival and a two course lunch in the Restaurant.

• Booking Essential 01730 825 415. Tickets £20.

Chatterbroth

Petworth House & Park 20 November 11am - 1.30pm

By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, tea drinking had become a firmly established and an immensely popular habit with all levels of society. As well as being a breakfast drink, the taking of tea became a popular past time, particularly with ladies. Mr Adams, the Butler, recounts the manner in which tea, as well as coffee and chocolate, were taken by those in polite society during the Regency period.

• Booking Essential 0844 249 1895.
• Price to include coffee on arrival, lecture and two course lunch. Tickets £22.50

Housekeepers Tour

Calke Abbey 24 November 10.45am - 2pm

A tour of the house will be led by our housekeepers as they begin the winter cleaning and conservation work. Peep behind the closed doors of the mansion and have an insight to the work that goes on. Lunch will be served in the restaurant after the tour.

• Booking essential, tickets £19.

Queens and Prisoners at the Tower Lecture

Killerton 25 November 11am - 12.30am

Meet John Maher, former Yeoman at the Tower of London, who will be illuminating the rich history of the Tower of London and its many famous and infamous inhabitants over the centuries. Followed by a delicious hot lunch.

• Booking Essential 01392 881345, all tickets £17.50

Jane Austen's Christmas
Belton House, 27 November 10am - 1pm

Step back in time to a Regency Christmas with the History Wardrobe This seasonal costumed presentation brings the Age of Elegance to life. Discover how to dress for a Christmas Party, decipher Jane's own charades and party puzzles, play Regency pass-the-parcel and enjoy an old time Christmas ghost story! Followed by a 2 course hot lunch in the Stables Restaurant

• Booking Essential 01475 566116, all tickets £24.50

Full details of these events and others:
Search our online events directory under the special theme Lecture Lunches.

Sky is supporting the National Trust’s Discovery Programme, helping to create a programme of formal and informal learning opportunities for everyone at National Trust properties.

• Find out more about Sky and the National Trust