Hi Everyone,
I have now closed out this event for any further members wishing to attend, until Highclere confirm our group numbers.
Best Regards
Mal
That sounds great, I would love to come.
Kim
Hi Everyone,
First of all, a big thank you, for all your responses and expressions of interest for the Solent and IOW Areas, Highclere Castle visit next Spring (2026)
Highclere Castle only opens its doors at certain times in the year and Jeff (AC on the small “island”) has been working hard, talking with Highclere and has a good number of IOW Area members coming over and we in Solent Area also have 22 members that have expressed an interest to see the home of the Downton Abbey TV series, so it should be a great visit.
Jeff has been liaising with Lucy at Highclere and has managed to get the group booking at Highclere confirmed for Sunday 12th April 2026 and our allocated time slot is; 12:00 noon.***
NB: We will release more info on where we will meet up with IOW Group nearer the time 
Highclere Castle need us to pay our admission monies, at the discounted group rate of £22, instead of the normal £25/person, by 31st October 2025.
To this end, please could those who have expressed an interest via this forum post, and listed in Post#1, now finally commit to this visit and pay their monies via PayPal to; solent@mx5oc.co.uk soonest, remembering to state “Highclere Monies” and also to tick the “paying friends or family” option to avoid any unnecessary charges
Also, if any members listed in Post #1’s attendees list decide not to join us, please let me know, so I can allocate your place(s) to others, as we have a fixed allocation of 53 tickets in total, for both IOW & Solent Areas and we will give preference for tickets on a first come first served basis!
Finally, on Saturday 11th April 2026, IOW Group are booking a hotel that has a Spa and Jeff has negotiated a good discounted rate at a hotel about 20 minutes travel time from Highclere and Serena and I will be joining them there also, so if you would like to join in the fun, for this “weekender”, which will include an evening meal at a local hostelry, please let us know in your forum reply.
Best Regards
Team Solent
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Hi Mal,
Will you please include us in the hotel arrangements as we would like to join everyone for the Saturday as well as the Sunday visit.
Thanks and best wishes,
Sally & Colin
Hi Everyone,
This event is now closed out to further members jooning this event, for the time being, as we have reached our maximum numbers (26) for our allocated tickets.
Any further requests to join the visit are welcome but your names will be added to a reserves list until more tickets become available.
Best Regards
Team Solent
Hi Everyone,
This event is now closed out to any further members being added to the list, as we have reached our maximum numbers, for the time being.
Your name(s) will be added to a “reserves list” and should some of those listed in Post#1 not take up the offer of tickets and pay their admission monies via PayPal, by 31st October, as stated in Post #23, we will allocate tickets to those on the list on a “first come first served basis” .
Jeff is still working on getting a hotel for us near Highclere at a gorup discount rate, so as soon as we know more, we will update you all on this thread 
Best Regards
Mal
Hi Mal
Just to confirm Patricia & I will be coming and pay in October
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Mal
Highclear money paid by PayPal Ash & Pat
Hi Mal,
Somehow we have missed seeing this event, but can you put Angela and myself on the reserve list please.
Cheers ,
Ron and Angela
Absolutely, Consider it done and it will be good to have you both join us for Highclere Castle.
Best Regards
Mal
Re Proposed staying over at Hotel for Highclere Castle visit,
Yes Mal please we are interested.
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Hi Mal
Highclere entry fees paid via PayPal today
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Mal
paid money via PayPal for Highclere, we would like so stay at hotel prior to visit
regards Stuart & Pat
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Hi Stuart,
Great stuff,
Jeff has supplied more details on payments and hotel, which I will post shortly.
Best Regards
Mal
Afternoon Mal,
Just paid Highclere monies into PayPal, and we are definitely interested in the hotel on the Saturday 
Cheers
Ron & Angela
1 Like
Hi Ron & Angela,
Safely received and noted
Best Regards
Mal
Hi Everyone,
First of all, many thanks to all those Solent Members, who have signed up for this Highclere Castle visit, with the IOW Group, in April 2026….its shaping up very nicely 
Jeff has now managed to secure the Hotel Booking for us all at The Regency Park Hotel and Spa , Thatcham at a very good rate. Link given below for info;
Regency Park Hotel | Hotels In Berkshire | Healthclub | Regency Park Hotel Health Club & Spa
The discounted price for this excellent high standard hotel is £95 for a double, or twin room with Breakfast included.
Payment: 29 days rpior to arrival
Cancellation: 15 Days prior to arrival
Parking: Free
All guest will have complimentary accesss to the Leisure & Spa Facilities (Swimming Pool, Sauna, Steam Room, Jacuzzi & Gym). NB: Spa Procedure (Massages etc ) are payable seperately.
If guests want to make a reservation, they need to email:
Valentina Petrova at reservations@regencyparkhotel.co.uk with their details and quote “MX-5 Club” in order to obtain the discounted/special rate.
Once you have requested to stay at Highclere, please reply to this post confirming you have vbooked a room, so I can track numbers for Jeff & Gavin on the Isle of Wight.
Best Regards
Team Solent
Hi. I think I am on the list to go to Highclere. Can I please pay you on the 15th as I don’t have PayPal. I won’t require the hotel. Thanks. Kim
Hi Mal & Jeff
I assume we book for the Saturday night 11th April
Regards
John & Patricia
Hi John,
Yes, the message from Jeff on the island, who has arranged the hotel is;
Checking in Saturday 11th April 2026 , checking out Sunday morning 12th April 2026
Best Regards
Mal
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