Grand Chapitre, 8–10 October 2010

This year our Grand Chapitre will be based at the Four Seasons Hampshire Hotel. Originally an 18th-century manor house, the hotel is set in 350 acres of parkland in the village of Dogmersfield in north Hampshire, just minutes from the M3 motorway. The original house now contains major public rooms; it was then extended in the same Georgian style to accommodate 200 bedrooms to the best modern standards. The old stables have been converted to a great spa and pool facility. Guests may arrive early and take advantage of this or the many other activities on site.

The weekend starts with dinner on Friday evening in the Balmoral Room at the elegant Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, under the baton of Executive Chef Michael Wignall and his team.

Saturday options will include a Jane Austen trip which will feature her house, museum and church, led by the Vice Chairman of the Jane Austen Society; or a guided trip to Winchester, the ancient capital of England, to visit the cathedral, Peninsula Barracks and the Gurkha Museum, the Great Hall and Winchester College, with the opportunity to take lunch in one of the city’s renowned pubs, such as the Wykeham Arms. Alternatively, you can enjoy one of the outdoor activities at the Four Seasons.

The Gala Dinner will be held in the ballroom of the Four Seasons with a superb menu provided by Executive Chef Cyrille Pannier; this will be preceded by an induction ceremony in the Mandeville Room.

Sunday morning sees an exciting trip to Farnborough Airport, for a hands-on experience of flight simulators at the country’s major facility for training and checking pilots’ abilities. This will be followed by lunch in the Skyline lounge atop the high-tech Aviator Hotel.

Directions to the Four Seasons Hampshire Hotel

Heathrow Airport is 43 kilometres (27 miles) and approximately 50 minutes from the Hotel. Gatwick Airport is 80 kilometres (50 miles) and approximately 90 minutes from the Hotel. Both airports service all major airlines.

Farnborough, a private airfield, is located 10 kilometres (6 miles) northeast of the Hotel, or approximately 20 minutes away. Upon request, private jet transportation can be arranged between destinations. Transportation from Farnborough Airport to the Hotel must be arranged in advance with the Concierge, as taxis and public transportation are not readily available.

Directions and map can be found on the hotel’s website.

PROGRAMME & BOOKING FORM

Download the 2010 Programme and Booking Form (.PDF 1.2MB)

Grand Chapitre 2011

Edinburgh will be the host city for our 2011 Grand Chapitre, which will be held in mid summer from Friday 1 to Monday 4 July 2011.

For more information, please email: events@chaine.co.uk