DAY TRIPS ARE OPEN TO DEREHAM/SWAFFHAM & DISTRICT U3A MEMBERS
We ask for a £10 non-refundable deposit when booking trips so we can be certain of covering expenses if places are cancelled. We appreciate that sometimes unexpected commitments arise (eg hospital appointments) which can mean people have to cancel a booking but, as the cost of the coach is calculated on the basis of the number of people travelling, we must ensure that our expenses are covered. All trips will have a pick-up in Swaffham if requested.
We are now accepting bookings from friends or family of U3a members. It should be noted that non-members are not covered by U3a Dereham's Liability Insurance Policy and the box must be checked to acknowledge agreement.
If you experience any problems with the online forms, please email Trudy at jollydaysout@gmail.com.
Colchester Living History Festival - Monday 25th May
Feel the Thunder of Muskets & Hooves!
Step back in time this Late May Bank Holiday as 1,000 re-enactors, roaring cannons, and thundering cavalry come to Alresford Hall, near Colchester, for the largest English Civil War re-enactment Essex has ever seen!
History comes vividly to life with spectacular full-scale battles, complete with muskets, artillery, and mounted troops charging across the field in a dramatic recreation of 17th-century warfare.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast looking for a unique day out, or simply curious to see cannons fire and horses charge once more across Colchester’s fields, this is history brought to life, louder and more thrilling than ever.
Indulge in the delights of the food and drink market filled with aromas of historically influenced recipes, offering a rich tasting journey from hearty peasant fare to dishes once reserved for nobility, as well as an artisan market. Visit stalls with beautifully handcrafted goods made by independent makers from across the UK. The one-of-a-kind, handpicked sellers have everything from leatherworking to sculptures.
Cost per person: £49 - as there isn’t long to go for this trip, please pay the full cost of the outing on booking.
Expected timings:
Picking up from Cherry Tree car park Dereham at 09.00
Picking up from Swaffham Market Place bus stop by the Old Grammar School at 09.30
Journey time approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes, subject to traffic.
Expected return time to Dereham circa 18.00
Places can be booked here. After booking your place, please pay the cost of the trip - details of how to do so are on the booking form..
Victor Sailing Barge, Ipswich - Wednesday 17th June - Fully Booked
Belvoir Castle Flower and Garden Show - Saturday 11th July
Nestled in the breathtaking grounds of Belvoir Castle, the 2026 Flower and Garden Show is shaping up to be an exciting event!
Perfect for garden enthusiasts and anyone seeking a magical day out in nature, this unmissable event is packed with inspiration and beauty.
What to Expect
🌸 Incredible Displays: Marvel at the creativity of talented designers and explore stunning garden showcases that will ignite your imagination.
🌿 Expert Insights: Learn from leading horticultural and floral experts through engaging talks and demonstrations.
🍓 Delicious Food and Drink: Treat your taste buds to a wide variety of mouth watering food and drink options.
🎟️ And So Much More: Unique shopping opportunities, interactive workshops, and activities
The following gardening experts will be at the show:
David Domoney - co-presenter of Love Your Garden. Renowned for his expert gardening knowledge and infectious passion for plants, David will be sharing valuable insights, offering inspiration, and bringing his signature enthusiasm to the stage. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, you won’t want to miss this fantastic opportunity to learn from one of the nation’s favourite garden experts.
Adam Frost - award-winning garden designer and presenter on Gardeners’ World. With seven gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a wealth of horticultural expertise, Adam is one of the nation’s most beloved garden experts. He regularly features on BBC’s coverage of RHS Flower Shows and has published several inspiring books, including The Creative Gardener.
Paula Routledge - respected horticulturist, floral designer, and RHS Floral Judge. Having studied horticulture at Askham Bryan College, Paula now runs Floral Media, a beautiful flower farm in Nottinghamshire, with her husband Steven. Their gardens are open for the National Garden Scheme and private group visits, offering a stunning showcase of seasonal blooms.
Karen Gimson - experienced garden designer, horticultural speaker, and writer. With over 25 years as a travelling head gardener and designer for large private gardens, Karen brings a deep well of knowledge and a passion for wildlife-friendly gardening. Karen is a regular columnist for Garden News Magazine and a familiar voice on BBC Radio Leicester's gardening show.
Tickets include entry to the castle, as well as the flower and garden show.
Cost per person: £59 - a £10 deposit will secure your place, with the balance payable at the beginning of June (a reminder will be sent).
Expected timings:
Picking up from Cherry Tree car park Dereham at 08.00
Picking up from Swaffham Market Place bus stop by the Old Grammar School at 08.30
Journey time approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes, subject to traffic
Expected return time to Dereham circa 19.00
Places can be booked here with a £10 deposit per person.
Southwold and Bungay - Thursday 6th August
An outing to the seaside, and a visit to the historic market town of Bungay in the afternoon. Free time to explore both of these lovely towns.
Cost per person: £25 - a £10 deposit will secure your place, with the balance payable at the beginning of July (a reminder will be sent).
Sign up for your place here.
Picking up from Swaffham Market Place bus stop by the Old Grammar School at 08.30
Picking up from Cherry Tree car park Dereham at 09.00
Approximate journey time from Dereham: 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Expected return time to Dereham circa 17.30
The Historic Dockyard Chatham and Call the Midwife Tour – Wednesday 9th September
The story of Chatham Dockyard and its people can be discovered in the immersive exhibition galleries, such as Command of the Oceans and The Ropery. Explore three historic warships to learn about warship construction, refit and repair and examine important objects related to the Dockyard and the wider maritime world from the collections of Royal Museums Greenwich and Imperial War Museums.
Access to all galleries and ships is included in your admission ticket.
If you’re a fan of Call the Midwife and you’ve been wondering where the series is filmed, put yourself in the picture and explore where the real drama happens with a Call the Midwife Official Location Tour.
Walk in the footsteps of Nurse Trixie Franklin, Sister Julienne and Dr Turner and explore where the real drama happens. You will be guided through the Historic Dockyard by your very own costumed Midwife, armed with a photograph book and tales of their ‘sisters’, before being allowed to explore the sets, costumes and props in the all-new, exclusive gallery.
Included in the ticket price is a tour of the dockyard on our coach, and an option to go on the Call the Midwife official location tour.Included in the ticket price is a tour of the dockyard on our coach, and an option to go on the Call the Midwife official location tour.
Cost per person, including the Call the Midwife tour: £58.00
Cost per person, without the Call the Midwife tour: £53.50
A £10 deposit will secure your place, with the balance payable at the beginning of August (a reminder will be sent).
Sign up for your place here.
Picking up from Cherry Tree car park Dereham at 08.00
Picking up from Swaffham Market Place bus stop by the Old Grammar School at 08.30
Approximate journey time from Dereham: 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Expected return time to Dereham circa 19.30
Henry Moore Museum & Cambridge American Military Cemetery - Wednesday 7th October
With over 70 acres of gardens and rolling fields, see Moore's world famous monumental sculptures as he intended, against the landscape he shaped.
Preserved as Moore would have used them in his lifetime, six studios reveal the artist's processes of drawing, etching and model making.
In the afternoon we will visit the Cambridge American Cemetery which sits on a quiet hillside. It is the only military cemetery in the United Kingdom that commemorates American servicemembers and civilian volunteers who died in World War II and is a place of stillness and reflection.
Some three million Americans came to the British Isles to prepare, train, and fight for freedom in Europe and beyond. More than 3800 of those Americans are buried here.
Cost per person: £49 - a £10 deposit will secure your place, with the balance payable at the beginning of September (a reminder will be sent).
Sign up for your place here.
Expected timings:
Picking up from Cherry Tree car park Dereham at 08.45
Picking up from Swaffham Market Place bus stop by the Old Grammar School at 09.15
Journey time from Dereham approximately 1 hour, 50 minutes, subject to traffic
Expected return time to Dereham circa 18.15
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When sending a deposit, PLEASE USE THE BANK DETAILS BELOW
Bank: Unity Trust Bank
Account: U3a DEREHAM (if asked this is a BUSINESS account)
Sort Code: 60-83-01
Account No: 20511184
Reference: The name of the outing, and your last name(s)
Bookings are non-refundable unless the trip is cancelled by the Dereham U3a. Please see the full outings policy.
Cheque payments (payable to U3a Dereham) should be posted to:
U3a Treasurer, 6 Brook Grove, Toftwood, Dereham, NR19 1EW
Do get in touch if you have any comments or questions regarding any of these outings.
Trudy (Dereham - 07748 991522) and Jan (Swaffham)
Outings Suggestions
Outings suggestions are always welcomed from members.
Please send your ideas to: jollydaysout@gmail.com
THE LATEST JDO "IN HOUSE" BOOKING PROCEDURE CAN BE READ BY
CLICKING ON THE FOLLOWING LINK BOOKING PROCEDURE
THE LATEST DEREHAM U3A OUTINGS POLICY CAN BE READ BY
CLICKING ON THE FOLLOWING LINK : OUTINGS POLICY