Hear about our ancient past, visit the ancient monoliths at Stonehenge, visit the Neolithic village and museum with grave goods and skeletons from burial mounds, see the mysterious Heel stone, see some of the many burial mounds in the area both long and round. Visit the mysterious Woodhenge with its 6 concentric circles discovered in 1925 from an aerial photograph, see where the original site of the builders of Stonehenge lived at Durrington Walls. Enter a burial site at Kennet long burrow then visit the beautiful medieval village of Avebury which is enclosed by a massive stone henge of over 100 stones many believe to be fertility Stones.
Enjoy a late lunch in Avebury or nearby before returning to London.
Stonehenge and Salisbury. (8-9 hours)
Visit the ancient Monoliths at Stonehenge, visit the small museum with grave goods from the local burial mounds, see the Neolithic village, try to drag a 45 ton stone and visit the mysterious Woodhenge.
We then visit the beautiful Medieval City of Salisbury for lunch or a cream tea, then a walk around the beautiful Cathedral quarter , oak timered medieval houses and visit the stunning Gothic Cathedral built in the 13 c in just 38 years. Inside the Cathedral enjoy the stunning Gothic interior with surprisingly modern font by William Pye, the Amnesty International candle and Prisoners of Conscience chapel and a chance to see one of the original copies of the Magna Carta signed by King John I in 1215 set inside the stunning chapter house with its original biblical carvings from the book of Genesis. The Cathedral was the inspiration for Ken Follet’s best sellar ‘Pillars of the Earth’.
Bath and Stonehenge. (10-11 hours)
Visit the beautiful City of Bath with its beautiful Georgian terraces, we visit the Royal Crescent and the Circus, see the oldest bakery Sally Lunn’s, then see the house where Jane Austin lived, visit the World Heritage site of the Roman baths and remains of the Temple dedicated to the Godess Sulis- Minerva.
Time for lunch or an afternoon tea in the magnificent Georgian Pump House or other venue in this lovely Georgian City before a scenic drive to visit Stonehenge.
Visit the ancient Monoliths at Stonehenge, visit the small museum with grave goods from the local burial mounds, see the Neolithic village, try to drag a 45 ton stone , enjoy a break before heading back to London.
Oxford and the Cotswolds. (8-9 hours)
Visit the City of dreaming Spires, enjoy a walk through this beautiful University City and visit one of the working Colleges. Our walk will include some of the most famous buildings including the Sheldonian Theatre, Bodlean Library, Radcliff Camera, indor markets, St Mary’s the Virgin University church and the Examinations Hall. When open we can visit one of the 38 colleges, including Christchurch College made famous in the Harry Potter films, but I also like some of the others like Brasenose, Trinity or New College. Time for lunch or a cream tea in Oxford or in the delightful village of Woodstock.
A short drive to see Churchill’s grave at Bladon, a stunning view of Blenheim Palace and time to explore Woodstock with its quaint pubs and antique shops.
Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle. (8-9 hours)
Visit the amazing Palace of Henry VIII and the stunning Chapel Royal and the working Tudor kitchens, the Palace of William of Orange and the Georgian Royal state apartments, beautiful formal 17 th c and 18th c gardens and maze. Pub lunch in Royal Windsor the Queens favourite home with its beautiful formal State Apartments and St Georges Chapel, the Royal families favourite chapel, wedding venue for Prince Harry and Megan and many other Royal occaisions. In my opinion the chapel is absolutly stunning with its fan vaulted stone ceilings, Royal tombs of the Queen’s parents, George VI and the Queen Mother and then off course Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, wife number 3.
The town of Windsor itself is delightful, I will show you the long walk and much more.
This tour day can be done as two half days
Windsor and Salisbury. (10 hours)
Visit the wonderful medieval Salisbury with its lovely oak timbered houses and Gothic Cathedral, Inside the Cathedral enjoy the stunning Gothic interior with surprising modern font by William Pye, Amnesty’s candle and the Prisoners of Conscience chapel. A chance to see one of the original copies of the Magna Carta signed by King John I in 1215 situated in the stunning chapter house with it’s original biblical carvings from the book of Genesis. Time for lunch or a traditional Cream tea in one of the many medieval pubs/hostelries in the town before we proceed to Royal Windsor.
Windsor Castle is the Queen’s favourite home with its beautiful formal State Apartments and St George’s Chapel , the Royal families favourite chapel, wedding venue for Prince Charles and Camilla and off course Prince Harry and Megan. The chapel is absolutly stunning with its fan vaulted stone ceilings, Royal tombs of George VI and the Queen mother and off course Henry VIII and wife numer 3 Jane Seymour.
The town of Windsor itself is delightful, We will see the Long Walk used for state visits and weddings and much more.
Salisbury and Winchester. (9-10 hours)
Visit two beautiful English medieval Market Towns with oak timbered buildings, great histories and ancient remains. The two cities are just 45 mins apart, time for lunch or afternoon tea in one of the ancient hostelries/pubs in either city.
We will visit Salisbury’s magnificent Gothic Cathedral built in 1220, see King John’s Magna Carta, a short drive to the ancient Wessex capital City of Winchester with its King Alfred connections, we can visit the beautiful Cathedral consecrated in 1093, associated with St Swithin, we see the grave of Jane Austin, flooding crypt, many tombs and frescoed ceilings, a short walk takes us to the Medieval Great Hall and round Arthurian table, probably made by Henry VIII and a with a stroll through this lovely town before heading back to London.
Canterbury and Dover Castle. (10 hours)
Beautiful Roman and Medieval City with its beautiful Cathedral and association with the Martyred St Thomas A Becket in 1170. A city rich in history and culture with city walls and tales of pilgrims , like Chaucer’s pilgrims to many modern ones. World war II bombing destroyed parts of the city but thankfully not the most historic city centre and Cathedral. After lunch or a delicious cream tea we drive to the White Cliffs of Dover, and visit the stunning Dover Castle, palace of many of our Kings from Henry II onwards, now beautifully recreated with medieval fixtures and fittings. We then visit the warren of underground tunnels and spaces utilised during World War 2 in the fight against Hitler. This was the hub during the D Day landings and it makes for a great visit to actually visit these war time areas.
Stratford Upon Avon and Shakespeare Full Day (9-10 hours)
We drive North West out of London through Oxfordshire country side passing several Cotswold Villages to Stratford upon Avon in Warwickshire.
Here we visit the house where William was born in 1564, a short short walk to the Guildhall where plays were performer and chapel where his father John worked as the Mayor of the town. We then visit the Edward VI Grammar school where we visit the original schoolroom, used by Shakespeare and still used by the boys today. We have a short Latin lesson by the resident Elizabethan teacher and experience a 16 c lesson. A short walk takes us past Halls Croft home to Shakespeares daughter Susanna and we visit the beautiful Holy Trinity Church where William worshiped, went to services and was buried with Anne Hathaway and his two daughters.
Time to stroll in the town, have lunch or maybe enjoy a traditional cream tea then drive past Anne Hathaway’s cottage where the young William courted his wife.
The Birthplace, Guildhall and school and Holy Trinity Church all have entrance fees.
GENERAL INFO