Popular family attraction, Weston Park is opening its gates from Saturday 7th April launching the beginning of its 2007 Public Open Season.

Located on the Staffordshire and Shropshire border the 17th century stately home is unveiling a host of new events and house attractions which are suitable for all the family.

The 2007 Open Season begins with the Children’s Easter Trail where a series of clues will be located around the Park and Gardens. All proceeds of the trail will help raise valuable funds for children’s charity, Barnardo’s. Every child who enters the trail will receive a chocolate egg courtesy of Sainsbury’s in Telford plus the chance to win “Barney”, a cuddly Barnardo’s teddy bear.

On Wednesday 11th & Thursday 12th April, visitors may enjoy the ‘Access to Collection Days’ and admire some of the more personal artefacts of the present 7th Earl of Bradford, which are not normally on public display. Presently these Life Trust treasures are held in storage and include such items as the ceiling paintings which depict the four seasons.

Some of the bedrooms on the first floor, which are currently only available to overnight guests, will also be opened allowing visitors to explore the various rooms and corridors at their leisure.

The Tapestry Room which is embellished with the rare sets of Gobelin tapestries, one of only four sets in England, has received a Spring revamp restoring the collections of Morel and Hughes furniture to their original location in the House.

Due to popular demand, Weston Park has increased its Dining Occasions by combining award winning cuisine with garden walks and historical lectures. Head Gardeners’ Handy Hints and Lunch in the Stables takes place on Saturday 21st April with award winning Head Gardener, Martin Gee. Visitors can learn helpful gardening tips understanding how techniques used at Weston Park can be translated for use at home.

New outdoor performances will be held in the Park as Kate Thomas, Weston Park Marketing Manager, explained: “This season we will be presenting Robin Hood for the children whilst adults can enjoy the Sherlock Holmes classic, ‘Hound of the Baskervilles’.

“Visitors can continue to enjoy all our usual park attractions including the Woodland Adventure Playground, Miniature Railway and the developing Yew Tree Maze whilst taking time to explore the House and Formal Gardens at their leisure.”

For further information on any of the 2007 events and opening times of the House and Gardens visit www.weston-park.com or telephone 01952 852100.

ENDS

For further information

Sue Foster/Mark Hand
Connect PR

01902 714957
suefoster@connect-group.com

Gemma Cotterill
Weston Park

01952 852100

gemmaC@weston-park.com

www.weston-park.com

Notes to editors:

Weston hosts a number of events throughout the year. A summary of which is given below:

Saturday 7th April - Easter Trail
Easter Week - ‘Access to Collections’ Day
Sunday 8th - Monday 9th April - Midlands Festival of Transport
Friday 13th - Sunday 15th - April Spring Horse Trials
Saturday 21st April - Head Gardener’s ‘Handy Hints’ and lunch in the Stables
Sunday 29th April - Jazz Sunday Roast Lunch in the Stable
Saturdays throughout May - ‘Behind closed Doors’ Leaflets available in the House
Sunday 6th May - Bluebells Walks and Lunch in the Stables
Saturday 12th May - Dawn Chorus and Breakfast in the Stables
Saturday 12th May - Watercolour Painting ‘Taster’ Workshop
Saturday 19th May - ‘Parkland Landscape’ Watercolour Painting Workshop
Sunday 20th May - Jazz Sunday Roast Lunch in the Stables
Sunday 27th - Monday 28th May - The Midlands Pets and People Show
Weekends throughout June and first week in July - ‘Gardening – the inside story’ leaflets available in the House
Friday 1st June - ‘Making a face’ Lecture and Lunch in the Stables
Sunday 10th June - Weston Park National Cycling Day
Saturday 16th June - Watercolour Painting Taster Workshop
Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th June - International Model Air Show
Sunday 17th June - Father’s Day Sunday Roast Lunch in the Stables
Wednesday 20th June - ‘Flowers’ Watercolour Painting workshop
Sunday 24th June - Staffordshire Healthy Living Walk
Sunday 24th June - Jazz Sunday Roast Lunch in the Stables
Wednesday 27th June - ‘Buildings’ Watercolour Painting Workshops
Tuesday 3rd – Wednesday 4th July - ‘Tress and Water’ two day Watercolour Painting Workshop
Wednesday 4th July - National Garden Scheme Open Day
Friday 6th July - ‘Weston and Grand Tour’ lecture and Lunch in the Stables
Saturday 7th- Sunday 8th July - Midlands Gardeners Weekend
Sunday 8th July - Cycling Fun Day – ie Tour de Weston ‘London’
Monday 9th July - ‘Travel with Tea’ leaflets available in the house (weekdays only until 27th July)
Wednesday 11th July - Evening Gardens Tour with Wine
Thursday 12th July - Watercolour Painting ‘taster’ Workshop
Saturday 14th July - ‘Buildings’ Pen and Ink Drawing Workshop
Thursday 19th July - RDA Sponsored Horse Ride
Saturday 28th - July Proms Spectacular
Sunday 29th July - Cycling Fun Day – le Tour de Weston ‘Paris’
Sunday 29th July - Jazz Sunday Roast Lunch in the Stables

Weston Park reserves the right to alter opening dates, times, details, events, artists and prices without prior notice.

Weston Park provides the following facilities:

• Unlimited free and disabled coach and car parking facilities

• Private house or gardens group tours (organised by prior arrangement)

• Comprehensive facilities for disabled visitors (ramps, wheelchair with stair climber, toilet facilities, accessible walkways, ground floor house tour and complimentary entry for carers)

• Specialist group tours, school tours, lunches or teas (organised by prior arrangement)

• Privilege Passes providing unlimited access to the House, Park & Gardens during the 2006 season and entry or discounts to certain public events

• Historic Houses Association members - free entry to the house and gardens throughout the Open Season.

• First aid room and baby changing facilities are available in the Visitors Centre

• Leaflet text is available in large print

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