Aldeburgh Music Festival

Aldeburgh Music Festival

4 day holiday - Friday 14th June 2024


Highlights...

1948 Festival Opening Night
Steven Osborne at Snape Maltings Concert Hall

Christchurch Mansion 




This year brings us the 75th year of The Aldeburgh Festival of Music and the Arts. Founded in 1948 by composer Benjamin Britten, singer Peter Pears and librettist Eric Crozier, the festival was originally held at Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall and the Church of St Peter and St Paul. The cessation of production of malt for brewing in 1965 gave Britten an opportunity to convert Snape Maltings into a new, much larger venue for the Aldeburgh Festival and in 1967, Snape Maltings Concert Hall was opened by Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Although it was destroyed by fire two years later, it re-opened in 1970 as a campus for Aldeburgh Music's year-round programme of musical education, performances, artistic development and the increasingly popular Aldeburgh Festival which continues annually with growing success.



This year brings us the 75th year of The Aldeburgh Festival of Music and the Arts. Founded in 1948 by composer Benjamin Britten, singer Peter Pears and librettist Eric Crozier, the festival was originally held at Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall and the Church of St Peter and St Paul. The cessation of production of malt for brewing in 1965 gave Britten an opportunity to convert Snape Maltings into a new, much larger venue for the Aldeburgh Festival and in 1967, Snape Maltings Concert Hall was opened by Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Although it was destroyed by fire two years later, it re-opened in 1970 as a campus for Aldeburgh Music's year-round programme of musical education, performances, artistic development and the increasingly popular Aldeburgh Festival which continues annually with growing success.



On our second visit to the Concert Hall we will be entertained by Steven Osborne, one of Britain’s most important musicians. Osborne will perform two masterpieces composed by Schubert in the last months of his life. The concert will also include three short pieces by Osborne’s fellow Scot Judith Weir: ‘Michael’s Strathspey’, ‘Fragile’ and ‘Chorale’. 


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Salthouse Harbour Hotel   4*


Due to its popularity with our members, we are returning to the 4-Star Salthouse Harbour Hotel situated on Ipswich’s vibrant harbour quayside with views across Neptune Marina. The modern bedrooms offer en-suite bathrooms (the Marina rooms have a separate walk-in shower), complimentary toiletries and hairdryer. All rooms have a large flat screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities and 24 hour room service. There are lifts to all floors. The comfortable and spacious bar is open all day for coffee, tea, wines and spirits. From the Salthouse Harbour’s famous waterside restaurant ‘The Eaterie’, enjoy the view whilst savouring its deliciously different and inspired menu. The three course dinner every night includes two glasses of wine or soft drinks. 

Itinerary

Day 1 – Friday 14th June


Arriving by door-to-door car at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Gerrards Cross, you will be greeted by your tour manager who will be with you throughout the holiday. Coffee or tea with pastries will be served before we board the coach. We will stop at Marygreen Manor Hotel in Brentwood, Essex for a light lunch before continuing our journey to Ipswich. On arrival in Ipswich, we visit the beautiful Tudor building, which is Christchurch Mansion. We have a guided tour of the Mansion taking in the history of the house, the story of the three families who once lived there and highlights some of the important items in the collection. There will be time after the tour to enjoy the formal and informal outside space, before we depart for the Salthouse Harbour Hotel. After check-in, we have some free time to relax, settle in and enjoy our surroundings before dinner. 


Day 2 – Saturday 15th June 


After breakfast, our professional tourist guide will meet us at the hotel for a slow paced, walking tour of Ipswich. Due to the centre of Ipswich being pedestrianised a walking tour allows us to the enjoy some of the Waterfront, and then a stroll up into the centre of town, past Wolsey's Statue and see many of the interesting buildings. The circular route will return to the hotel in time for a light lunch. There will be free time in the afternoon to relax before we then drive to Snape Maltings for an early dinner in The Plough Restaurant. After dinner, we cross to the concert hall to take our seats in the auditorium for ‘1948 Festival Opening Night’ with conductor Jessica Cottis and the Britten Sinfonia. 

Day 3 – Sunday 16th June

Today, we will again be joined by John. He will lead our scenic tour exploring a small piece of South Devon, during which we will hear about the importance of the fascinating geological story and the influence it has had over landscape and communities. We will stop at The House of Marbles, Bovey Tracey for a visit. Here, at the foot of Dartmoor, within what was once a Pottery using local clay, is a fascinating combination of a superb museum interpreting the past local pottery industry, quality glass-blowing and its products. We will then enjoy the 1,000ft rise from lowland up on to Dartmoor, where the ancient, unspoiled moorland village of Widecombe in the Moor, appears as an oasis within the moor itself. We will stop for lunch at the Moorland Hotel at Haytor Vale, on the edge of the moor overlooking moorland. Afterwards, having descended from the moor, we travel to Buckfast Abbey where John will give a guided tour. We will end our visit with some refreshments, before the drive back to Paignton. 

Day 4 – Monday 17th June


After a leisurely breakfast, your Tour Manager will assist with check-out. We will board the coach and begin our journey home, stopping for a two-course lunch at Marygreen Manor. Our journey will continue to the Crowne Plaza where light refreshments will be served before your door-to-door cars arrive. 

Total Price of the Holiday:        £1,675 per person


Deposit:         £200 



Balance due:        20th April 2024


Whats Included:

  • Door to door cars from your home to the meeting point and back
  • Coach travel throughout the holiday
  • 3 nights at the 4-Star Salthouse Harbour Hotel
  • 3-course dinner with two glasses of wine every night
  • Full English or continental breakfast every morning
  • Light lunch with coffee or tea on three days
  • 2-course lunch with coffee or tea on last day
  • Morning refreshments on the first and last days
  • Tickets for best stalls:
  • Snape Maltings Concert Hall - ‘1948 Festival Opening Night’
  • Snape Maltings Concert Hall - ‘Steven Osbourne: Judith Weir & Schubert’
  • Admission/talks/tours at all properties visited on excursions stated in the programme:
  • Christchurch Mansion
  • Guided Walking Tour in Ipswich
  • Gratuities
  • The services of your Tour manager throughout
  • V.A.T.     


Room Upgrade:   Upgrade to a Marina View Room for an extra £200


For more information or to book call 020 4568 3377


If you have any questions about our holidays, please contact us by filling out the form below and we will get in touch with you shortly. Alternatively, you can give us a call – we hope to hear from you soon!

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