THE Land of the Fanns in partnership with DiscoverME, invites intrepid explorers, history buffs and the plain curious to board Daisy, a vintage Route Master on Saturday 3 August to take a tour of the fascinating history hiding in plain sight in the Land of the Fanns.
Daisy is a 1964 open top Route Master, meticulously maintained to offer the last word in vintage transport. The Land of the Fanns is an ancient landscape straddling the London-Essex boundary and covering Thurrock, Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Brentwood. Together, they offer a great day out for young and old alike to relive the days of the much loved Route Master and discover the history all around us just waiting to reveal its stories.
The route starts at and returns to Valence House, the 15th century moated manor house that is now a local history museum in Barking and Dagenham. Daisy’s route for the day takes in the following historic buildings: Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge, Ilford Hospital Chapel, Eastbury Manor House, where the tour stops for lunch and finally Valence House Museum.
These historical treasures are waiting to be discovered, investigated, understood and enjoyed by everyone, bus trippers included. The tour requires no special knowledge of the area, just a desire to know more about the history on the doorstep.
The hidden gems visited on the bus tour can also be found on the Discover ME website (Discover Metropolitan Essex). The site shows the fascinating sites across the area which are ideal for a day out. There is intriguing heritage, inspiring architecture and things to do for all the family across the Land of the Fanns. Visit www.discoverme.london to find out more.
Last year’s passengers said: “Brilliant!” “Riding in a wonderful way with good commentary” “Lovely fun day”
Deborah Brady, Land of the Fanns Heritage Engagement Officer , said “Riding on an open top vintage Route Master bus will be a fantastic way to tour the landscape and discover all the wonderfully interesting buildings and architecture of the Essex landscape. People will be astonished at what is on their doorstep and the incredible amount of heritage which emerges from the modern built up metropolis we now live in, when we just take time to look for it. We plan to explore right across the Land of the Fanns area one day each year during the lifetime of the project which finishes in 2022.”
The bus tour must be pre-booked via Eventbrite as spaces are limited. Please go to www.eventbrite.co.uk and search for Discover-me-heritage-bus-tour to book.
Direct link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/discover-me-heritage-bus-tour-tickets-64235654572
Children 11-15 yrs £10.
Under 10s go free but please note the tour is not suitable for babies and toddlers.
Lunch at Eastbury Manor included in ticket price.
Route:
10am – leave Valence House (RM8 3HT)
10.45am – 11.4am5 – Tour of Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge (E4 7QH)
11.45am –leave Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge
12.10pm -1pm – Tour of Ilford Hospital Chapel (IG1 2AT)
1pm Leave Ilford Hospital Chapel
1.15pm – arrive Eastbury Manor for lunch (IG11 9SN)
1.45pm – 2.45pm – Tour of Eastbury Manor House
2.45pm – Leave Eastbury Manor House
3.00pm -4.00pm Tour Valence House Museum
4.00pm end
For further information on the tour project, please contact Deborah Brady, Heritage Engagement Officer, email [email protected] or call Tel: 01708 642978
For detailed information of the Land of the Fanns Landscape Partnership project, please visit: www.landofthefanns.org
Follow us on:
Twitter – @landofthefanns
Facebook – @landofthefanns
Instagram – landofthefanns
For further information, images and interviews, please contact:
Deborah Brady, Heritage Engagement Officer
[email protected]
Tel: 01708 642978
