Based in Bury St. Edmunds, and visiting Aldeburgh, Great Livermere, Lavenham, Orford Castle, and the Priories at Thetford and Castle Acre.

Bury St. Edmunds

Friday 25th May:

We make our own travel arrangements to the charming, historic market town of Bury St. Edmunds for a three night stay in centrally located guest house accommodation, within walking distance of the railway station. We shall meet in the evening for dinner at a local restaurant (price not included).

Saturday 26th May:

After breakfast, depart from the hotel at 9am and drive to the beautiful medieval market town of Lavenham (12 miles), with its Tudor style buildings. As well as featuring in Michael Reeves’ film, Witchfinder General, Lavenham was one of the stomping grounds of the real Matthew Hopkins.

Lavenham Town Hall

We continue southwards to Aldeburgh (49 miles) - renamed Seaburgh in M. R. James’ A Warning to the Curious, and there we shall have lunch at The White Lion (called The Bear in A Warning to the Curious). After lunch we visit the church where James worshipped with his grandmother as a child. Following in the footsteps of the protagonists of A Warning.... we shall take the path through the churchyard to the beach, and visit the Martello tower also mentioned in the story. Finally we drive south to Orford Castle, scene of the grisly climax to the film, Witchfinder General. Return to Bury St. Edmunds for evening at leisure.

Aldeburgh

Sunday 27th May:

Leaving Bury St. Edmunds we drive to Great Livermere (7 miles), where M. R. James lived at the rectory during his childhood years from 1865 to 1873. This location provided the inspiration for his story A Vignette. We then continue our journey to visit the 14th century church and parsonage of St. John the Evangelist at Rushford (12 miles). This church doubled as Brandeston Church, home of John and Sarah Lowes in Witchfinder General. Next we visit the remains of the 12th Century Thetford Priory, continuing on to Thompson for a lunch stop at the Chequers Inn. Finally we visit another splendidly romantic location, the ruined Castle Acre Priory, featured in Roger Corman’s The Tomb of Ligeia. Return to Bury St. Edmunds for dinner at a local restaurant (not included).

Castle Acre Priory

Monday 28th May:

Depart Bury St. Edmunds at your own leisure or take the chance to explore the sights of this historic town, such as the Cathedral and Abbey Gardens.

The cost of this trip, which includes three nights bed and breakfast at one or two centrally located guesthouses, plus coach transportation on Saturday and Sunday, will be around £140 - £150 per person for those sharing double or twin rooms, and £170 - £180 for those requiring a single room. Final figures will depend on numbers and the size of our coach.

Please note that the cost of entrance fees is not included.

To secure our accommodation, members please book your place on our Ghosts and Witchfinders trip ASAP, and no later than 29th February 2012!

Non-members should e-mail us if you wish to join.