Heart of England Tour

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Cotswolds

Relax as we travel through beautiful English countryside to the most famous university city in the world, Oxford, where we enjoy a walk among the golden-stone buildings and 'dreaming spires' to Christ Church, one of Oxford's grandest colleges whose famous students include the philosopher John Locke, the comedy writer Richard Curtis, Albert Einstein and Lewis Carroll (this is where he wrote Alice in Wonderland). Christ Church's Great Hall and cloisters were also recently used in the Harry Potter films. We travel through yet more picturesque countryside, and find a local pub for lunch before we visit Blenheim Palace, home to the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. We then traverse the gentle, timeless hills of the Cotswolds, stopping at some of the exquisite gems on our way to tonight's accommodation in a beautiful Cotswold town.

(D)
Overnight accommodation: Noel Arms, Chipping Campden or similar

Day 2 - Cotswolds

This morning is a feast for literary enthusiasts and history buffs as we visit Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon to discover Ye Olde England of the Bard's birth and his final resting place, Holy Trinity Church. After a short drive to his wife, Anne Hathaway's cottage we meander through country lanes that take us to more honey-coloured villages and towns, littered with atmospheric churches and traditional country inns, before returning to our delightful Cotswold base.

(B)
Overnight accommodation: Noel Arms, Chipping Campden or similar

Day 3 - Bath

This morning we visit first the picture-perfect village of Lacock. Both the timeless village and its abbey have been used in countless television and movie productions including Pride and Prejudice, The Other Boleyn Girl and Harry Potter. And then we reach the splendid Georgian city of Bath. Listed as a World Heritage Site, Bath is truly one of Europe's most attractive cities, boasting the highest concentration of listed buildings anywhere in the British Isles. Spend the afternoon exploring this city where you can learn more about Roman life at the restored Roman Baths, the towering 15th century Abbey and Georgian Royal Crescent. Literary enthusiasts may visit the Jane Austen Centre which offers a snapshot of life during Regency times and explores how living in this magnificent city affected her life and writing.

(B/D)
Overnight accommodation: The Abbey Hotel, Bath or similar

Day 4 - Stonehenge / Windsor Castle

Leaving Bath behind we look forward to yet more spectacular sights as we travel across Salisbury Plain to visit the great mystical construction at Stonehenge. Dating back to 3100 BC there are many lively debates as how this stone circle was built and why. Learn more about these theories and make up your own as we enjoy the walking commentary tour. Then onwards to the glorious city of Salisbury to admire the tallest cathedral spire in Britain and view the original Magna Carta in its Chapter House. Our final destination for today before returning to London is a regal discovery as we visit the world's largest occupied and oldest garrisoned fortress, Windsor Castle "“official residence of the Queen. Windsor Castle dates back to William the Conqueror and has been expanded and fortified under each successive monarch to the grand construction you see today. Wander through the magnificent State Apartments and St George's Chapel, the burial place of ten monarchs, and admire the rooms that were recently restored to their former glory.

(B)

Optional Extras

• Pre or post tour accommodation.
• Private or rail airport transfers.
• Make your mini-tour part of an extended London city break.