Wizards and Magic Tour
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Wizards and Magic Tour
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Wizards and Magic TourPrice
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8 days,
7 nights
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An excellent 8 day itinerary for fans of J K Rowling’s famous young wizard with this tour of the locations that have inspired the books and featured in the films, taking you to England, Scotland and Wales, through stunning landscapes, to iconic historic landmarks and to places you may never have heard of but will instantly recognise.
The TourDay 1
Land in London and head straight out in the old English countryside where magic and myths await. Begin your tour with a stop in the ancient city of Winchester, which once stood as England’s Capital under the reign of King Alfred. Winchester was the centre point for the ancient land of Wessex, a region pre-dating the English state itself. From here journey on to Salisbury and explore the city’s impressive cathedral, winding cobbled streets and traditional market square before heading out on to the eerie Salisbury Plains where you will find the iconic standing stones of Stonehenge. To hear about history and myths of these giant monoliths and to watch them fade as the sun sets is an experience you will not forget in a hurry. Return to Salisbury for a nightcap before bed. Overnight Salisbury. Day 2An early start will see you drive north of the ancient Stonehenge to a lesser know but equally magical stone circle at Avebury. Here you are able walk amongst and even reach out and touch the ancient stones which make for a haunting picture dotted across the landscape. From here visit Silbury Hill, a huge prehistoric earthwork swelling out of the Wiltshire countryside and surrounded by myth. The quaint medieval village of Lacock is a “must” today. You may recognize some areas of the village whose little streets and cottages have appeared as the homes of both magician’s and muggles alike, whilst Lacock Abbey and its lawned courtyard provided some of the set pieces of Hogwarts itself! Close by is the historic city of Bath where you can experience glorious Regency architecture and the fabulously preserved Roman Baths. Overnight Bath. Day 3Today you explore some beautiful areas of inspiration for the Harry Potter books. Pop in to the city of Bristol one of the areas where J.K. Rowling grew up, and visit the late 19th century Cabot tower on Brandon Hill offering excellent views over the city. From Bristol travel across the Severn Bridge to Wales to visit Chepstow where the famous author went to school. The town’s impressive medieval fortress no doubt offered inspiration. From here follow the beautiful Wye Valley northwards taking time to stop at the village of Tintern and its huge medieval Abbey. Passing through the Forest of Dean you will arrive in Gloucester. Here is the 11th century Gothic Cathedral and its stunningly vaulted Great Cloister act as the corridors of the young wizard's School. Round off your day with a meal in one of the classy restaurants in nearby regency spa town of Cheltenham. Overnight Cheltenham. Day 4From Cheltenham you are perfectly located to explore the Cotswold countryside and its tiny villages brimming with traditional inns and thatch cottages. If you head north you can stop at Stratford-upon-Avon the birth place of our most famous playwright, William Shakespeare. After a ride boat ride on the river Avon continue through Cotswolds villages towards Banbury and Oxford. The famous academies of this college city have produced many literary greats from Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, to Oscar Wilde, not to mention a great many eccentrics! Amble around the college quads and see if you recognise Bodleian Library and New College Hall from the Harry Potter movies. Overnight Oxford. Day 5Make an early start this morning; from Oxford journey north through the quaint town of Banbury before heading in to Robin Hood country passing Nottingham and Sherwood Forest. Finally arrive in England’s north country and the county of Yorkshire. Head straight for the small village of Pickering where you will take a ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway as it takes you on a magical journey through the rugged scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors to the now famous Goathland Station which you may just recognize as Hogsmeade Station from the Harry Potter movies. This village is so beautiful it is also a setting for one of our great loved British television series, Heartbeat. You could amble around this quaint village and even take a hike through the moors to the next village of Grosmount, before getting back to Pickering. Return to to York in the evening for your meal and an excellent night’s after all the fresh air of the moors. Overnight York or Harrogate. Day 6Take the morning to explore York, a magnificent city which mixes Roman, Viking and medieval history with a great many surviving structures (including much of the Roman City Wall) and museums outlining its ancient past. A visit to the fabulous York Minster and a stroll down the cobbles of the Shambles (Britain’s oldest shopping street) is a must. From York also visit the quaint Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate, home to the quintessentially English “Betty’s Tea Rooms” offering the best in morning teas and English baking. From here head further north to Alnwick Castle on the Northumberland Coast. This magnificent medieval castle is the nearest thing you will get to Hogwarts with many exterior shots used in the first and second Harry Potter movies. This was also the scene of the wizard's nail biting matches of Quidditch. After relaxing walks of the castle’s beautiful grounds head on to the famous Hadrian’s Wall which was the physical fonrtier of the Roman Empire preventing raids of northern England from the Pictish peoples and clans of Scotland. Overnight Hexham. Day 7Cross the border in to Scotland today with a beautiful journey through the lowlands. Make a brief stop the Rosslyn Chapel famed by Dan Brown’s the Da Vinci Code before continuing in to the heart of the Scottish Capital. Edinburgh is where J.K. Rowling lived while writing her early manuscripts in local cafes. While in Edinburgh take some time to explore the nooks and crannies of this great city and its famous sights such as Princes Street, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. Round off the day with a traditional Scottish meal of Haggis and a tot of Whisky before heading to bed. Overnight Edinburgh Day 8Return to the US from Edinburgh. Whats Included?
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