A warm welcome ..
Welcome to the Upper Thames and Ridgeway National Trust Association (UTRNTA).
The UTRNTA is the local Supporter Group for the National Trust, covering parts of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire not catered for by surrounding Associations.
We attract members from a wide area centred on Cirencester, Lechlade and Highworth.
In addition to your existing membership of the National Trust we offer events such as:
Local talks on a wide variety of topics
Day-trips to NT Properties and other places of interest
An annual spring holiday
The talks take place in the winter months and are held in Cirencester, Lechlade and Highworth. The outings are in the warmer months, and are typically day-trips by coach to NT sites which are further away. Our 5-day holidays are specially arranged by coach visiting various interesting venues.
Some of our funds are donated to the National Trust to help in their work locally.
Our upcoming Events
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NEXT MEETING
2026
Thursday 16th April
Highworth
Jennifer Cowling
The Extraordinary Things We Say
Are you the kind of person who happily uses phrases such as a turn up for the book, cupboard love, being taken to the cleaners, sod’s law, having a whale of a time or tickled pink in your everyday conversation oblivious to the fact that many of your listeners have no idea what you’re talking about? Why is our language so strange and difficult to analyse at times? What are its origins? A light-hearted look at English figures of speech and how we use them.
FUTURE TALKS
2026
Wendesday 7th October
Cirencester
Philip Garrahan
The Paradox of Swindon
Saturday 21st November
Lechlade
Dr Gillian White
Henry VIII and the Field of Cloth of Gold
AGM to follow the talk
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OUTINGS
2026
Wednesday 20th May
CANONS ASHBY
Nr. Daventry
This is an ancient and peaceful National Trust property near Daventry in Northamptonshire, far removed from today’s bustling lifestyle. The house has a blend of architectural and decorative styles and outside there is a large terraced garden, parkland and paddock
HOLIDAY
7th – 11th June 2026
Shropshire
The Holiday for June 2026 is based at the Albrighton Hall Hotel and Spa, Shrewsbury. This 4 star hotel, set within the walls of a stunning 18th-century manor house, is in 15 acres of landscaped grounds, including ornamental lake. Located just four miles from the historic town of Shrewsbury.
Monday 1st June
AMAZON FULFITMENT CENTRE
Robotics Centre, Swindon
Cost £5
Have you ever wondered what happens between you putting an order in to Amazon and it being delivered to you? Now is your chance to find out. There are 20 places and you need to be able to climb stairs and walk The tour is restricted by Amazon to 20 places and must be pre-booked.
We meet at 9:40 am at Unit 2, Symmetry Park, Laines Way, Swindon, SN3 4DB. Symmetry Park is off the A 420 near Sainsburys. Please wear flat shoes and bring ID.
Thursday 2nd July
BEAULIEU
The estate owned by the Montague family includes the beautiful Palace House, the National Motor Museum and a Secret Army Exhibition as well as Gardens and views across the Beaulieu River
Tuesday 4th August
CORSHAM COURT
Tudor Mansion built in 1582 plus
extensive gardens
Includes lunch
Tuesday 8th September
WIGHTWICK MANOR
Victorian mock Tudor house
furnished in the Arts and Crafts style
with a lot of William Morris and
pre-Raphaelite art
Wednesday 23rd September
HAM HOUSE
17th Century house in Richmond on
the banks of the Thames
Includes garden history tour