BADA Antiques and Fine Art Fair

This two night tour from the centrally located Cavendish Hotel is a feast of the best that the arts and antiques world can offer, collections, talks and advice from the experts plus the an insight into the lives that those famous Scarlet Coated Gentlemen lead behind the beautiful buildings of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Followed by a visit to the superb Wallace Collection.

Sunday 09 March: Arrive and check into the hotel before a welcome drink and dinner if you have chosen this option.

Monday 10 March: A coach will take you for an early entry to the BADA Antiques & Fine Art Fair held annually in the Duke of York Square, Chelsea. This is the major showcase for around 100 members of the British Antique Dealers' Association, displaying a fascinating array of art and antiques, including English furniture, wonderful paintings, textiles, clocks, glass and ceramics, silver and jewellery. Your visit will start with coffee and an introduction to the antiques world. This is followed by some of the country's leading experts accompanying you around the fair highlighting pieces of particular interest or answering the many questions that you may have on items that attract your attention. There will be time to browse on your own, perhaps find an early lunch in the excellent restaurant or enjoy lighter refreshments in the Champagne Bar.

After lunch a short walk across to the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Founded in 1692 by King Charles 11, intended for the succour and "relief of veterans broken by age and war". The Royal Hospital, with its distinctive red brick exterior and beautiful interiors, was designed by Sir Christopher Wren still serves its original purpose. Home to some 300 Veteran Soldiers - the Chelsea Pensioners - whose scarlet uniforms are recognised the world over. This is a chance to see inside their world with a guided tour to include the Great Hall, Octagon and Chapel and with the possibility to chat and hear the stories told by these grand old gentlemen, You are then free to either return to the Antiques Fair or perhaps visit the National Army Museum next door before returning independently to the hotel.

Tuesday 11 March: This morning the coach will take you for a private guided visit to another of London's hidden secrets. The Wallace Collection, a national museum in an historic London town house. wonderful works of art collected in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the first four Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, the son of the 4th Marquess - the family moved to Manchester Square close to Oxford Street in 1797 because of the excellent duck shooting in the fields behind! The sumptious collection has unsurpassed displays of French 18th century painting, furniture and porcelain with superb Old Master paintings and world class armoury. Paintings by Titian, Rembrandt, Hals (The Laughing Cavalier) and Valazques, porcelain, furniture and gold boxes, probably the best to be found outside France. Your guided visit will take in the highlights of the collections and then you are free to find refreshments in the glamorous surroundings of a delightful french style restaurant before returning by coach to the hotel.

Price per person £369 (includes Sunday dinner)
£339 (excludes dinner): Single Supplement £100: Non refundable deposit £100:
We will assume you want dinner unless you let us know to the contrary.
Includes:

• 2 nights accommodation with breakfast
• Welcome reception
• Sunday night dinner (if this option is chosen)
• All entries, Fair Catalogue and coffee.
• Professional guide and executive coaching to venues as stated.