Members’ event: Day trip to Rugbourne Farm, home of William Smith
Fri 7 July, 2023
10:30 am - 5:00 pm BST
£30.00SORRY – this trip is SOLD OUT. If you would like to attend please email reception@brlsi.org and we will add to you to the reserve list – thank you.
Join us for a talk and a trip to Rugbourne Farm, home of geologist William Smith.
A RESTORATION DRAMA WITH A FAMOUS TENANT
Rugbourne Farm is small Renaissance (seventeenth century) manor house just outside Bath, farmed until 2002 when the current owners bought it as their home, saving it from imminent collapse. Architect Andy Paterson and his wife Zanna (a lecturer specialising in Renaissance drama) have lovingly restored it.
Andy and Zanna are only the third owner-occupiers, which to some extent explains why Rugbourne is substantially unchanged since it was first built and retains its architectural and tactile integrity. It is noted for its most famous tenant, William Smith, who began the first ever stratological map of Britain in this house, an excellent print of which is on view. He called Rugbourne “the birthplace of English geology”.
We will visit the whole house, including the rediscovered and repaired servants’ staircase and original plaster ceiling in the parlour.
Order of the day:
10.30am – Welcome at 16 Queen Square with tea, coffee and biscuits
11.00am – Talk by Matt Williams, BRLSI Collections Manager, on the topic of Famous Geologists and a chance to visit the current BRLSI exhibition, Riches of the Earth
12.30pm – Coach departs from 16 Queen Square to travel to Rugbourne Farm
1.00pm – Picnic lunch in the garden: please bring your own picnic, seating and blankets will be provided. If it is raining we will have lunch in the house
2.00pm – Full tour of the house, followed by tea and cake (provided by the owners)
4.15/4.30pm – Coach for the return journey to Bath, arriving at around 5pm (traffic permitting)
Access arrangements at Rugbourne Farm: Wheelchair access to the ground floor only. There is a step up on the front path but a ramp can be provided on request. There are disabled cloakroom facilities on the the ground floor.
Please note: No stilettos please because of the uneven floors. A friendly dog lives in the house!
This event is for BRLSI members only; if you would like to join BRLSI and enjoy this special trip (and get cheaper tickets for our talks), please go to our membership page.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]