Discover Britain's Glorious Heritage 2021 Tours
NO single supplement – limited availability
Deposit reduced to $500 for bookings made by Dec. 31, 2020 All vacations are protected by the Albion Peace of Mind Travel Plan (see pg 4 for more details) Leeds Castle
A Wonderful Opportunity to Explore & Experience...
Dear National Trust Travelers, We have missed you and are dreaming of the day when we will explore our world together again. We have been planning for that very special day in partnership with our friends at Albion, one of the leading heritage travel providers in Great Britain. There will be events to celebrate—an evening spent at Highclere Castle, better known as Downton Abbey and the pomp and ceremony of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo— and beauty to behold, including Yorkshire’s glorious landscapes; centuries-old castles and palaces with stories to tell; and a range of architectural styles which reflect the region’s fascinating heritage.
Highlighted by knowledgeable tour managers, behind-the-scenes tours, after-dinner Castle Howard © Andy Bulmer lectures and insights from the owners of the properties themselves, our programs are small in size and big in experience. For a limited time only Albion is offering a reduced deposit of $500 to make you feel more comfortable making a booking. The lower deposit is available on all bookings made from November 20 to December 31, 2020. As we look forward to the coming year, we will surely share a new appreciation of the places we’ve longed to visit—or revisit—and enjoy new connections to people and places that we’ve longed for. When you are ready, we’ll be here to welcome you back. Sincerely,
Carisbrooke Castle Library Photo Heritage English Source: N100272 Reference: Picture
Deposit reduced Meg Annacone-Poretz to $500 for Director, National Trust Tours bookings made © NTPL/Chris Lacey by Dec. 31, 2020
Nostell Priory
2 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday © Ed Shepherd Photography Shepherd © Ed
Delve Deeper into Britain’s Heritage It’s the little extras that set Albion tours apart from the rest Carefully chosen itineraries
We work closely with our partner heritage organizations to create unique and insightful Hartwell House Dobson © NTHP/James itineraries that truly unlock Britain’s history and culture. Our itineraries are carefully researched to ensure that they provide a valuable and enriching experience. Our in-house planners are always on hand should you have any questions before you travel with us. Hand-picked hotels Caring staff Your journey through Britain’s colorful past won’t end after a day If you have booked an Albion tour before you will already be on first name terms with our of excursions. We’ve chosen your customer service team! They will look after you from your first enquiry through to your arrival principal hotels for their character in the UK, and work hard to ensure that any special requests or arrangements you may need are and history and full descriptions carried out. Our team work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure your tour runs smoothly. can be found on our website. Tailored reading lists These hotels are complemented If you want to understand more about the themes of your tour, we provide a full reading list that by conveniently located overnight should enable you to fully engage with the subject before your tour begins. We ensure that our hotels at the beginning and end of reading lists are entertaining as well as informative, and they often include a mix of fiction as well your stay. as factual tomes. It is up to you how much you want to use the reading list, but you can be sure Three hotels featured on these tours that it will help spark lively conversation! that are of particular interest are Historic House Hotels of the National Special guided tours Trust, with all profits supporting On an Albion journey we arrange tours by the house owners themselves wherever possible, to the charity’s conservation work. really bring historic houses alive. We also offer behind-the-scenes tours or private tours with Middlethorpe Hall is a beautiful special access, and even talks by curators at historic houses, to make sure you get the full story red brick country house which was and the most out of your visit. built at the end of the 17th century, Exclusive themed talks by experts while Bodysgallen Hall is believed to have begun life as a watchtower The majority of our tours include an after-dinner talk by an expert in their field that promises to for Conwy Castle in the 13th century. be both informative and engaging. Whether it is a leading historian, fascinating writer or learned Hartwell House’s most famous expert, we arrange guest speakers who will enhance the themes of your tour and provide some resident was Louis XVIII, exiled King captivating background or intriguing insight. With the chance for you to ask questions at the end of France, who lived there with his of the talk, these interactive experiences are an opportunity not to be missed. Court for five years. email: [email protected] 3 The Albion Tour Map Peace of Mind Travel Plan
Albion promises that if your tour has to Bonnie Prince Charlie & the be cancelled due to Covid 19 restrictions Jacobite Rebellion Scotland then we allow you to transfer your Classic Scotland Featuring the booking to another tour without Edinburgh Tattoo
incurring any cancellation fees. We will Turrets, Towers & Aristocrats & Manor Houses also give you an additional bonus credit Spires of Yorkshire Edinburgh & A Grand Tour to the North of $250 to make the transition easier.
Glorious Gardens & Grandeur of Please see the full terms and conditions North Wales on our website England A Tour Around the Treasure Houses of England www.albionjourneys.com/covid19 York Manchester
Ireland Birmingham Travel Safely Wales England’s Royal Palaces London The wellbeing of our customers is our
number one priority and when you join A Romantic Journey Kent Castles & Coasts one of our holidays, you will notice to the English Riviera South East England & the some changes. Bloomsbury Group Full details of our plans to make your South West Classic English Manor Houses & the Downton Experience South of England Stately Homes holiday as safe as possible can be found & the Isle of Wight at albion.com/covid19 For a more detailed map for each tour please see the tour pages Contents Tour Description Page Bonnie Prince Charlie & the Jacobite Rebellion May 9 to 19, 2021 5-7 South of England Stately Homes & the Isle of Wight May 17 to 26, 2021 8-9 Glorious Gardens & Grandeur of North Wales June 6 to 15, 2021 10-11 Turrets, Towers & Spires of Yorkshire June 13 to 21, 2021 12-13 A Romantic Journey to the English Riviera July 27 to July 6, 2021 14-15 This symbol indicates that our business South East England & the Bloomsbury Group July 10 to 18, 2021 16-17 has followed government and industry Covid-19 guidelines as approved by Visit Aristocrats, Manor Houses & a Grand Tour to the North July 18 to 27, 2021 18-19 Britain and has a process in place to South West Classic English Manor Houses & Downton Experience August 1 to 10, 2021 20-21 maintain cleanliness and aid England’s Royal Palaces August 9 to 18, 2021 22-23 social distancing. Classic Scotland Featuring the Edinburgh Tattoo August 19 to 24, 2021 24-25 A Tour Around the Treasure Houses of England September 5 to 16, 2021 26-27 Kent Castles & Coasts September 11 to 19, 2021 28-29
©National Trust Images/Robert Morris Images/Robert Trust ©National Hardwick Hall Butler Images/Andrew Trust ©National Killerton Blenheim Palace
4 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday Bonnie Prince Charlie & the Jacobite Rebellion
May 9 to 19, 2021
$6,490 per person Follow in the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie just over 300 years on from his birth. Prince Charles Edward Stuart, born to the exiled Stuart King James II, was raised in the belief that his family were the true rulers of Britain. Supported by his fellow Jacobites, he landed in Scotland in 1745. His planned invasion of England starting promisingly but ultimately ended Linlithgow Palace in a disastrous defeat with the Prince forced to go on the run, always one step away from capture, before escaping to the Special extras included continent. We tell the fascinating story in your itinerary of the young prince’s time in Scotland, visiting the places where he sought Private out-of-hours guided tour and refuge, in a story that has shaped Scottish refreshments at the Palace history and been immortalized in books of Holyroodhouse and songs from Sir Walter Scott to the Audio guided tour of Edinburgh Castle Outlander TV series. Guided tour of the House of Dun Guided tour of Drum Castle Guided tour of Craigievar Castle Guided tour of Castle Fraser Guided tour of Brodie Castle Tour of Dallas Dhu Distillery with whisky tasting
Scenic Jacobite train journey Brodie Castle Dallas Dhu Dis�llery Inverness Culloden Ba�lefield Fyvie Castle Cruise on Loch Lomond Urquart Castle Loch Ness Castle Fraser Audio guided tour of the Royal Craigievar Castle Aberdeen Drum Castle Yacht Britannia Glenfinnan Monument Fort William House of Dun Evening tour of the Edinburgh Glencoe Underground Vaults Hun�ngtower Castle Perth Themed evening talk by a guest speaker Perth Loch Lomond Alloa Tower Linlithgow Palace Dumbarton Castle EDINBURGH Palace of Holyroodhouse
Tour Highlight We board the famous Jacobite Train which takes us across the mountainous west coast of Scotland to the bustling port of Mallaig. This iconic railway is one of the top rail journeys in the world and takes in wonderful sights such as the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Drum Castle Please turn over to view the full itinerary. email: [email protected] 5 We then check in to the Marcliffe Hotel, where Eleven Day Itinerary we stay for two nights. Tonight we enjoy dinner Sunday: Arrival at the hotel followed by a fascinating talk by a On arrival at Edinburgh airport, a private transfer guest speaker. will take you to the Principal Charlotte Square Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Hotel, our hotel for the next two nights. In the Thursday: Craigievar Castle and evening you are invited to join the group for a welcome drink and dinner followed by an Castle Fraser introductory lecture. Our day begins at Craigievar Castle, built in the th Meals: Dinner 17 century and boasting a fine collection of baroque furniture, original Jacobean woodwork Monday: Palace of Holyroodhouse, and intricately decorated plaster ceilings which National Museum of Scotland and we discover on our guided tour. Most interestingly Edinburgh Castle though is the Order of Battle for the Battle of Culloden which you will find in a manuscript This morning we visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse cabinet here. for a private guided tour followed by refreshments. Today the Queen’s official residence in Scotland, Afterwards we visit Castle Fraser. This castle was back in September 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie set one of the strongholds of the Fraser Clan, who came out for the Jacobites in the 1745 rebellion. up court at the palace, with the bed where he slept Brodie Castle still in situ today. We visit the rooms that became Much of this magnificent fortified castle survives as it was at this time including the Laird’s Lug, secret the focus of the Jacobite cause in Edinburgh From here we visit the Alloa Tower, one of staircases, a spy hole and hidden trapdoors which including the Great Gallery where the Prince once Scotland’s largest and oldest keeps. Interestingly we discover on our guided tour. held a lavish ball. the tower was once home to John Erskine, the Next, we venture to the National Museum of 6th Earl of Mar and the Jacobite who led the Meals: Breakfast Scotland, which has a significant collection of 1715 rising. Friday: Fyvie Castle, Brodie Castle and material relating to the Jacobite story, from Later we make our way to Huntingtower Castle. Dallas Dhu Distillery documents to costumes. Lord George Murray was born at Huntingtower, Known as Scotland’s pink castle, Fyvie blends We then head up to Edinburgh Castle, one of and both he and his brother Charles were involved 13th-century origins with opulent Edwardian the most important strongholds in the Kingdom in earlier Jacobite risings. As we explore the many interiors. This magnificent Scottish Baronial of Scotland, which has witnessed many of the rooms of the castle we can discover more but don’t fortress was once a Royal stronghold before being defining events of Scottish history including the miss the impressive painted ceiling from the 1500s, owned by five successive families and contains a unsuccessful Jacobite blockades during the 1715 depicting strange beasts and monsters. superb collection of arms and armor as well as a and 1745 risings. Highlights here include the Crown Afterwards, we visit the city of Perth, ‘Gateway to rich portrait collection, including works by Raeburn Jewels of Scotland, the Royal Palace and the the Highlands’, located on the banks of the River th and Gainsborough. 16 -century Great Hall which we discover on Tay. A former capital of Scotland, Perth has a rich We continue on to Brodie Castle, set in tranquil our audio guided tour. and influential history that stretches back over parkland. There are tales of government troops Meals: Breakfast 800 years. camped out in the wood behind the castle, in an We then continue to our overnight hotel, area known today as the ‘45 Wood. As well as Fonab Castle. an extensive library, today the house has a major Meals: Breakfast, Dinner collection of paintings that span the centuries plus fine antique furniture and ceramics which we Wednesday: House of Dun, Drum Castle discover on our guided tour. and Aberdeen Our day finishes with a visit to Dallas Dhu Distillery. The Georgian House of Dun was built for David Picturesque Dallas Dhu operated between 1899 Erskine, a distant cousin of John Erskine, the fervent and 1983 and originally made malt whisky for the Jacobite. On our guided tour we discover subtle popular Roderick Dhu blend. Today we can see and nuances that hint at David Erskine’s clandestine hear how whisky was made in the 1900s – and loyalties, such as the white roses (a symbol of the then sample a wee dram too. Jacobite cause) and a Poseidon on his sea chariot This evening, we check in to the Rocpool Reserve (representing the arrival of Bonnie Prince Charlie Hotel & Chez Roux Restaurant, our base for the from over the sea). next two nights. Next we visit Jacobite Drum Castle where we enjoy Meals: Breakfast, Dinner a guided tour. Alexander Irvine, 17th Laird of Drum Alloa Tower fought alongside Bonnie Prince Charlie at the Battle Castle Fraser of Culloden. After the defeat, he was listed ‘never Tuesday: Linlithgow Palace, Alloa Tower, to be pardoned’ but Alexander managed to make Huntingtower Castle and Perth his way back to Drum where his sister hid him in We begin our day at the ruins of Linlithgow Palace. a secret room to avoid capture. The secret room Built by successive Stuart kings, Linlithgow was was only rediscovered more recently in 2014 by a comfortable country retreat visited by Charles archaeologists, located within the walls of the Edward Stuart during his march south in 1745. The 14th-century Tower of Drum. courtyard fountain is said to have run with red wine Our final stop today is the cosmopolitan port and in his honour. However, in 1746, Linlithgow was ‘Granite city’ of Aberdeen. Just a short walk from ravaged by fire after British troops ransacked the the city center, you might be surprised to also find house searching for retreating Jacobites. a sandy beach, perfect for a stroll.
6 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday Saturday: Inverness, Culloden Battlefield Monday: Glencoe, Loch Lomond and and Urquart Castle Dumbarton Castle This morning we enjoy some free time in Inverness, Our day begins at Glencoe. Showcasing a dramatic the capital of the Highlands. This vibrant city is full landscape of towering peaks and sweeping of historical buildings, particularly in the Old Town, glens, Glencoe is regarded by many as a natural with Inverness Castle perched picturesquely above monument to the infamous massacre of February What’s Included the River Ness. 1692, where 38 people from the MacDonald clan, Return airport transfers from Edinburgh* who had supported the 1689 Jacobite rising, were From here we visit Culloden Battlefield, scene of 3 nights at the Principal Charlotte killed by government troops. the final battle of the 1745-46 Jacobite rising, the Square Hotel short but bloody battle which changed the course We then embark on a cruise of Loch Lomond, the 1 night at the Fonab Castle Hotel of history. We also spend time at the state-of-the- largest expanse of fresh water on mainland Britain. 2 nights at the Marcliffe Hotel & Spa art visitor center which puts this infamous period The loch is situated amidst one of Scotland’s most of Scottish history into vivid context. idyllic and unspoilt areas in the Trossachs National 2 nights at the Rocpool Reserve Hotel & Chez Roux Restaurant We then make our way to Urquart Castle for a Park and boasts a stunning mountain backdrop and 1 night at the Glenfinnan House Hotel chance to experience a glimpse of medieval life a variety of wildlife. while taking in panoramic views over Loch Ness. Our final visit of the day is to Dumbarton 1 night at the Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort One of the most famous castles in the Highlands, Castle, once a military base and prison. Aeneas Welcome drink and canapés in 1689 government troops were stationed here MacDonald – one of the ‘seven men of Moidart’ Full Scottish breakfast each day and on their departure in 1692, they blew up the who had accompanied Charles Edward Stuart 3-course table d’hôte dinner on gatehouse to ensure the location could not be used to Scotland – was imprisoned at the castle after 7 nights at the hotels (with after-dinner by the Jacobites. the Battle of Culloden. Here you can ascend tea and coffee) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner over 500 steps to stand atop one of Scotland’s Services of a tour director throughout greatest strongholds. your stay We then make our way to the Mar Hall Golf & Spa Travel to and from all excursions Resort where we stay overnight. All excursion costs Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Porterage *supplement applies for transfers from all Tuesday: Royal Yacht Britannia and other airports Edinburgh Underground Vaults We return to Edinburgh where we step aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Queen’s floating Royal residence for over 44 years, used not only for state Your Hotels visits and official receptions but also for family Nights One, Two and Ten – Principal holidays. Our fascinating tour with audio guides Charlotte Square Hotel, Edinburgh includes the Bridge, the State Apartments, Royal Night Three – Fonab Castle Hotel, Pitlochry Glenfinnan Monument Bedrooms, Crew’s Quarters and the Engine Room. Nights Four and Five – Marcliffe Hotel & Spa, Aberdeen Sunday: Loch Ness, Jacobite train journey Following this, we have some free time to enjoy Edinburgh at leisure before checking back in to the Rocpool Reserve and Glenfinnan Monument Nights Six and Seven – Principal Charlotte Square Hotel, where we enjoy a Hotel & Chez Roux Restaurant, Inverness We visit picturesque Loch Ness in Drumnadrochit farewell dinner together. Night Eight – Glenfinnan House Hotel, this morning, where a multi-media presentation in However the night is not yet over, as after our Glenfinnan the Exhibition Centre leads us through 500 million dinner, we take a trip beneath the bustle of Night Nine – Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort, years of history, natural mystery and legend. Edinburgh’s Old Town, to the dark, damp and eerie near Glasgow From here we head to Fort William, the largest Underground Vaults. Largely unchanged since the For more information on these hotels please visit town in the Highlands known for its breathtaking 18th century, we discover more about the city’s our website. location on the shores of Loch Linnhe. Here we history on our tour as we explore a world of streets, We have a limited number of single places available board the famous Jacobite Train, featured in the tunnels and vaults that were once the main streets with no supplement on this tour. These sell quickly. Harry Potter movies, which takes us across the of Edinburgh until they were built on top of. But be mountainous west coast of Scotland to the bustling warned, this tour is not for the faint hearted with Royal Yacht Britannia port of Mallaig. This iconic railway is one of the top tales of ghosts and supernatural happenings to be rail journeys in the world and takes in wonderful heard as we explore this fascinating part of the city. sights such as the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Afterwards we rejoin our coach to visit the Glenfinnan Monument – a chance to stand on the Wednesday: Departure site where Bonnie Prince Charlie came ashore on A private transfer will take you back to Edinburgh 19 August 1745 and raised the Stuart standard. airport for your return flight home. Thus began the final Jacobite rising, which would Meals: Breakfast end at Culloden. The lone kilted Highlander atop the 18 meter-high column is a tribute to the Jacobite clansmen who fought to defend the Highland way of life. We then travel to our overnight hotel, the Glenfinnan House Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner email: [email protected] 7 Osbourne House South of England Stately Homes & the Isle of Wight
May 17 to 26, 2021
$5,200 per person Renowned for its idyllic countryside and stunning coastline, the picturesque South of England is peppered with spectacular estates, where the elegance of traditional country houses is blended with the warmth of much-loved family homes. On this tour we uncover captivating stories and treasures contained within properties such as impressive Polesden Lacey and historic Petworth House, admiring fine collections of art and exploring the homes of literary greats along the way. We combine these fascinating discoveries with a trip to the Isle of Wight, a delightful holiday destination popularized in the Victorian times. Here we delve into the Special extras included history of the ‘Garden Isle’ with visits to Carisbrooke Castle and some of the in your itinerary island’s finest properties including Osborne Guided tour of Brighton Museum House, the Italianate seaside retreat of & Art Gallery Queen Victoria. Guided tour of Parham House Guided tour of Petworth House Ten Day Itinerary Guided tour of Goodwood House Monday: Arrival Guided tour of Farringford House On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private transfer Exclusive guided tour of Nunwell House will take you our overnight hotel, the Macdonald Guided tour and lunch at Osborne House Windsor Hotel. In the evening join the group for a Introductory talk at Jane Austen’s welcome drink, followed by dinner. House Museum Meals: Dinner Guided tour of Watts Chapel and refreshments at Watts Gallery Tuesday: Polesden Lacey and Standen Farringford House This morning we visit Polesden Lacey, described as a ‘delicious house’ by the Queen Mother on Petworth House Wa�s Gallery LONDON her honeymoon there. This peaceful countryside Polesden Lacy Jane Austen’s House Museum Standen retreat is most closely connected to Dame Petworth House Parham House Margaret Greville who entertained royalty and Merchant’s House Brighton Museum and Art Gallery Goodwood House the celebrities of her time with lavish parties at the manor, which remains home to her extensive collection of art and ceramics. Next we visit Standen, one of the finest Brighton Royal Pavilion examples of an Arts and Crafts property, which combines the skills of architect Philip Webb and his friend William Morris. The rooms are decorated with Morris’ wallpapers and textiles with William de Morgan pottery to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Later we check in to the South Lodge Hotel, our base for the next three nights. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
8 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday Wednesday: Brighton Museum Saturday: Farringford House and & Art Gallery Nunwell House & Gardens Today we visit the seaside resort of Brighton, where Our first visit is to Farringford House, the home of we enjoy a guided tour of Brighton Museum & famous poet Alfred Lord Tennyson. Tennyson lived Art Gallery located in the Royal Pavilion Garden. here from 1853 until his death in 1892, and the Here we discover exciting displays of history and house remained in the Tennyson family until 1945. What’s Included fine art, combining to tell the story of Brighton and More than half a century later, this dramatic Gothic Return airport transfers from the world we live in today. Afterwards we enjoy house has been meticulously restored to its London Heathrow* lunch together followed by some free time. Explore 19th-century splendor to reflect Tennyson’s tastes Return ferry crossings to the Isle of Wight Brighton’s unique antique and boutique shopping and lifestyle. We enjoy a guided tour of the house area in the Lanes or visit the Prince Regent’s lavish and explore its exciting treasures. 2 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel 3 nights at the South Lodge Hotel Royal Pavilion. We continue on to Nunwell House, a beautiful Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner family home since 1522, set in five acres of tranquil 4 nights at the Royal Hotel gardens with stunning views across the Solent. Our Welcome drink and canapés Thursday: Parham House and exclusive guided tour of this private historic house Full English breakfast each day Petworth House takes us back through time architecturally from the 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 8 nights We head to Parham House, an idyllic Elizabethan Edwardian to the Jacobean periods including the at the hotels (with after-dinner tea family home with award-winning gardens. The parlour chamber where the ill-fated Charles I spent and coffee) timeless beauty of the house has changed little his last night of freedom. 1 lunch at a local restaurant over the centuries since the foundation stone was Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Services of a tour director throughout laid in 1557. The history of the house is illuminated your stay Sunday: Carisbrooke Castle & Museum on our guided tour, and we learn how Parham Travel to and from all excursions became home to evacuee children in the Second and Isle of Wight Villages All excursion costs World War before it was requisitioned for billeting This morning we head to Carisbrooke Castle. Over Porterage Canadian officers. Outside, the gardens consist the centuries Carisbrooke has been an Elizabethan of beautiful pleasure grounds, a four-acre walled *supplement applies for transfers from all artillery fortress, a prison for a king and a royal other airports garden, an orchard and vegetable garden. summer residence. Visit the museum, walk around Immortalised in Turner’s paintings, Petworth the award-winning Edwardian-style garden and House is an impressive estate that combines a deer admire the panoramic views from the castle park landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown with a vast walls. The museum was founded by HRH Princess Your Hotels th 17 -century mansion, which houses the National Beatrice, Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter, Nights One and Nine – Macdonald Windsor Trust’s finest collection of art and sculptures. We as a memorial to her husband, Prince Henry Hotel, Windsor enjoy a guided tour of the house and discover of Battenburg, and cares for over 30,000 items Nights Two to Four – South Lodge Hotel, masterpieces by the likes of Van Dyck, Reynolds, connected to the Isle of Wight’s history. Horsham Blake and Turner himself, displayed in the opulent In the afternoon we enjoy a scenic drive through Nights Five to Eight – Royal Hotel, Ventnor state rooms and North Gallery. some of the Isle of Wight’s most picturesque (Isle of Wight) Meals: Breakfast, Dinner villages including Godshill, a quaint inland village For more information on these hotels please visit with charming thatched-roofed cottages and a our website. Friday: Goodwood House and delightful medieval church. We have a limited number of single places available Southampton Merchant’s House Meals: Breakfast with no supplement on this tour. These sell quickly. After checking out of our hotel, we make our way th Monday: Osborne House to Goodwood House, built in 1616-17 by the 9 and Prejudice. We enjoy an introductory talk here Earl of Northumberland. The family of the Duke of Today we are treated to a lovely leisurely visit before exploring the house and its treasures, Richmond and Gordon have lived here for over 300 to Osborne House with a guided tour and lunch including first editions of Austen’s books. years, dating back to the 1st Duke of Richmond – included. Osborne House was purchased by Queen We spend the rest of the day at Watts Gallery and the illegitimate son of Charles II. We enjoy a guided Victoria and Prince Albert in 1845 as a seaside Artists’ Village, a building intended to provide ‘art tour of the Old House and the State Apartments, retreat away from London and Windsor. The for all’ and finished shortly before artist George restored to their original Regency splendor. The Italianate palace reflects Queen Victoria and Prince Frederic Watts’ death. The gallery walls are hung house is not only famous for its sporting heritage, Albert’s tastes and passions, and boasts spectacular with a large selection of Watts’ prolific output. In but also provides a spectacular setting for one views across the Solent. We take an intimate addition to visiting the gallery, we enjoy a guided of the most significant private art collections in glimpse of royal family life as we wander through tour of the Arts and Crafts chapel, designed by the country. the magnificent Royal Apartments as well as the Watts’ wife Mary, and take a little time to enjoy tea walled gardens and grounds where we find the We continue to Southampton, a lovely city and cake. steeped in maritime heritage. We visit charming Swiss Cottage, used by the royal children Merchant’s House where we take in the history of to learn household management. Later, we return to the Macdonald Windsor Hotel where we enjoy a farewell dinner together. Southampton’s ‘old town’. Built around 1290 by a Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner wealthy wine merchant, the house survived many Meals: Breakfast, Dinner centuries of domestic and commercial use largely Tuesday: Jane Austen’s House Museum Wednesday: Departure intact and has now been restored to its mid-14th and Watts Gallery century appearance. This morning we catch the ferry back to the A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow airport for your return flight home. From Southampton, we then catch the ferry to the mainland and head to Jane Austen’s House Isle of Wight and check in to the Royal Hotel, where Museum, the charming house in Chawton where Meals: Breakfast we stay for the next four nights. In the evening we she spent the last eight years of her life. It was in are treated to a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. this country cottage where Austen did the majority Meals: Breakfast, Dinner of her mature writing, including the timeless Pride email: [email protected] 9 Glorious Gardens & Grandeur of North Wales
June 6 to 15, 2021
$5,750 per person North Wales, a land blessed with rugged mountains, beautiful beaches and picturesque villages also has some of the most striking gardens in the UK, many attached to magnificent houses with centuries of history to uncover. From world-renowned gardens to hidden gems, we encounter a remarkable array of sweeping landscapes, woodlands, valleys, walled gardens and displays of abundant flowers and shrubs which thrive in the Conwy Castle unique climate of this region.
Special extras included Ten Day Itinerary Sunday: Arrival in your itinerary On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private transfer Guided tour of Plas Newydd House will take you to our overnight hotel, the Macdonald & Gardens Windsor Hotel. In the evening join the group for a welcome drink, followed by dinner. Guided tour of Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens Meals: Dinner Guided tour at Plas Tan y Bwlch Monday: Stratford-upon-Avon and Private guided tour of Erddig Hall Shakespeare’s Birthplace Guided tour and lunch at Tatton Park We head to Stratford-upon-Avon, a town Guided tour and lunch at forever associated with England’s greatest poet Waterperry Gardens and playwright, William Shakespeare. We visit Themed evening talk by a guest speaker Shakespeare’s Birthplace, where we explore the extraordinary story of Shakespeare in the house Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens where he was born and grew up. Penrhyn Castle Plas Cadnant Conwy Castle Ta�on Park Later, we continue our journey to Wales, checking Anglesey Bodnant Garden in to Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, one of the National Plas Newydd House Betws-y-Coed Erddig Hall Caerau Gardens Trust’s Historic House Hotels, where we spend the Plas Tan y Bwlch Portmeirion next six nights. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Tuesday: Bodnant Garden and Penrhyn Castle Stra�ord-upon-Avon Today we first visit Bodnant Garden, nestled in the Snowdonian foothills. Created over 150 years, this world-famous garden is home to Waterperry Gardens Oxford National Collections and Champion Trees and boasts sweeping lawns, grand terraces and verdant woodland. Next stop is the magnificent Penrhyn Castle. Built in the 19th century in a neo-Norman style, Penrhyn was built on a massive scale over a period of 13 years and offers superb views of Snowdonia. There is so much to see here, from the outstanding collection of paintings, restored Victorian kitchens and a railway museum. Plas Newydd House Penrhyn Castle © NTPL/Andreas von Einsiedel von © NTPL/Andreas Meals: Breakfast
10 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday Wednesday: Isle of Anglesey, Friday: Erddig Hall and Caerau Gardens Plas Newydd House & Gardens and Erddig Hall is an atmospheric early 18th-century Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens house that reflects the ‘upstairs, downstairs’ Today we cross the 19th-century Menai Bridge to life of a gentry family, and we’re provided with spend the day on the Isle of Anglesey. Our first a fascinating insight into the lives of the family visit is to the fine country house of Plas Newydd, and their servants on our private guided tour. We What’s Included also have free time to explore the superb walled where we enjoy a guided tour of the house and Return airport transfers from st garden, now restored to its former 18th-century gardens. Its most famous past resident is the 1 London Heathrow* Marquess of Anglesey, who commanded the formal design with rare fruit trees and a national 1 night at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel cavalry at Waterloo in 1815. The elegant interior collection of ivies. 6 nights at Bodysgallen Hall & Spa owes more to the 1930s, thanks to its associations We then travel to Caerau Gardens, with their far with the artist, socialite and fallen WWII soldier Rex reaching views over the Berwyn Mountains and 1 night at the Mercure Whistler. The garden’s climate allows extraordinary Bala Lake. Situated at over 1,000ft above sea level, Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Hotel plants to flourish including tender exotics and the gardens are believed to be Wales’ highest 1 night at the Castle Hotel Mediterranean plants. gardens open to the public and were started in Windsor – MGallery We continue on to Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens, a 1994 by Toby and Stephanie Hickish. The gardens Welcome drink and canapés series of historic gardens which are gradually being now offer herbaceous borders, laburnum-covered Full English breakfast each day restored to their former glory, where we enjoy a pergolas, rose gardens, castellated yew topiary, 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 6 nights guided tour. Three different gardens have been spring gardens full of rhododendrons and azaleas, at the hotels (with after-dinner tea discovered, including an unusual walled garden an arboretum with fine Japanese maples, pleached and coffee) with curving walls, a secret valley garden with three lime walkways, courtyard gardens, woodland walks 2 dinners at local restaurants waterfalls and a river, and an upper woodland and more. (including one traditional English fish garden with the remains of a 19th-century folly. This evening we enjoy a traditional fish and chip and chip supper) After dinner back at the hotel this evening, we are supper at a local restaurant. Services of a tour director throughout treated to a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner your stay Travel to and from all excursions Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Saturday: Portmeirion and All entrance costs Plas Brondanw Gardens Porterage The day starts in Portmeirion, an Italianate village *supplement applies for transfers from all created by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, inspired by his other airports visits to the Mediterranean. Its unique atmosphere has been featured on camera many times, most famously in the iconic 1960s British TV series The Prisoner. Your Hotels We then visit Plas Brondanw Gardens. The house Night One – Macdonald Windsor and gardens were given to Sir Clough Williams-Ellis Hotel, Windsor by his father in 1902 and the gardens are regarded Nights Two to Seven – Bodysgallen Hall Bodnant Garden by some as his finest creation. Inspired by the & Spa, near Llandudno gardens of renaissance Italy, he created a unique Night Eight – Mercure Stratford-upon-Avon Thursday: Plas Tan y Bwlch, garden landscape with stone walls, topiary and Shakespeare Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon Betws-y-Coed and Conwy Castle avenues of trees leading the eye to the dramatic Night Nine – Castle Hotel Windsor Home to the Snowdonia National Park mountainous backdrop. – MGallery, Windsor Environmental Studies Centre, Plas Tan y Bwlch is a Meals: Breakfast, Dinner For more information on these hotels please visit 17th-century country house which was once home our website. to slate quarry owners the Oakeley family. The 100- Sunday: Tatton Park We have a limited number of single places available acre estate boasts a spectacular Victorian garden, Leaving Wales we journey east to Tatton Park, with no supplement on this tour. These sell quickly. native and exotic plants, rare trees and shrubs. where we enjoy a guided tour followed by lunch. We enjoy a guided tour with the Head Gardener Built by Samuel Wyatt, Tatton Park is one of who established her School of Horticulture for (please note there is no access to the house itself). Britain’s most complete estates, with a landscaped Ladies here from 1932 to 1971, the eight acres We then make a short stop in the picturesque deer park and exquisite formal gardens. The of beautifully landscaped gardens now include a village of Betws-y-Coed in the Snowdonia National opulent interior is crammed with collections of rose and formal knot garden, water-lily canal, and Park. The backdrop of coniferous forests has silver, china, glass and fine furniture made by riverside walk. Gillows. This grandeur also extends outside to the earned this area the name ‘Little Switzerland’. Afterwards, we travel to the Castle Hotel garden, where year-round color is provided by the From here we head to the medieval walled town Windsor – MGallery, where we enjoy a farewell Rose, Italian and Japanese gardens. of Conwy to visit the imposing Conwy Castle. dinner together. From here we travel south to the Mercure Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner imposing castle was built by Edward I during his Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Hotel, where we conquest of Wales in the late 13th century and stay overnight. Tuesday: Departure is considered to be among the finest surviving Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow medieval fortifications in Britain with soaring airport for your return flight home. Monday: Waterperry Gardens curtain walls, round towers and fortified gateways. Meals: Breakfast This evening we enjoy dinner together at a We start the morning with some time at leisure local restaurant. in Stratford-upon-Avon, before travelling to Waterperry Gardens. Here we enjoy lunch followed Meals: Breakfast, Dinner by a guided tour. Made famous by Beatrix Havergal email: [email protected] 11 Turrets, Towers & Spires of Yorkshire
June 13 to 21, 2021
$4,690 per person Glorious Yorkshire is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Britain as well as a wonderfully rich and diverse skyline, showcasing a range of architecture which reflects its fascinating heritage. Many of the region’s finest historic houses have been lived in by the same families for generations, including remarkable Harewood House, magnificent Castle Howard and the largest privately-owned country house in Europe, Wentworth Woodhouse, bursting with architectural splendor and filled with treasured collections. Our tour is complemented by accommodation at two
© Mike Kipling © Mike Castle Howard of the Historic House Hotels of the National Trust, country houses with their own York Minster stunning architecture that have been rescued Special extras included and carefully restored, bringing them back to in your itinerary life as luxury hotels. Guided tour of Coventry Cathedral Nine Day Itinerary Guided walking tour of York Sunday: Arrival Cruise on the River Ouse in York On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private transfer Guided tour and lunch at will take you to the Hartwell House Hotel, one of Harewood House the National Trust’s Historic House Hotels, where Guided tour of Sion Hill Hall we stay overnight. In the evening join the group for Private guided tour and lunch at a welcome drink, followed by dinner. Castle Howard Meals: Dinner Guided tour of Wentworth Woodhouse Guided tour of Renishaw Hall Monday: Coventry Cathedral and Hardwick Hall Guided tour of Sulgrave Manor Themed evening talk by a guest speaker Leaving Buckinghamshire we head north, stopping first in Coventry where we enjoy a guided tour of Coventry Cathedral. The cathedral is in fact two buildings; the ruins of the ‘old Cathedral’, a medieval parish church that was bombed during Whitby Abbey the Second World War, and the ‘new Cathedral’, Sion Hill Hall designed by architect Sir Basil Spence and Castle Howard Harrogate York containing some of the finest examples of 1950s Harewood House and 1960s Art and Architecture in the country. Cannon Hall Wentworth Woodhouse After free time for lunch in Coventry, we continue Renishaw Hall our journey, stopping to visit Hardwick Hall. Hardwick Hall Ordered in the 16th century by Bess of Hardwick, England’s richest woman after her Queen, Elizabeth I, Hardwick is a striking Elizabethan Coventry Cathedral treasure full of architectural and artistic delights. Sulgrave Manor The lavish number of windows (at a time when glass was a luxury) inspired the phrase, ‘Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall’. L ND N Later, we check in to the Middlethorpe Hall Hotel, another of the National Trust’s Historic House Hotels, and our base for the next six nights.
© Harewood House Trust © Harewood Harewood House Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
12 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday Tuesday: York, York Minster and Afterwards we travel to Sion Hill Hall, a wonderful River Ouse Cruise Arts and Crafts-inspired home. Surrounded by charming gardens and parkland, this Edwardian We spend the day in York, starting with a guided house is of outstanding architectural merit, having walking tour. The city is steeped in history, from been designed in 1913 by the renowned York its founding by the Romans in 71AD to its wealth architect Walter H. Brierley, known as the ‘Lutyens as a medieval wool trading center. There is plenty of the North’. It also houses the Mawer collection What’s Included of evidence of this fascinating past left to admire, of furniture, porcelain, paintings and clocks plus Return airport transfers from including the Roman city walls and the surviving more recent acquisitions made by the present London Heathrow* medieval streets known as the Shambles. owner and we discover more on our guided tour. 2 nights at the Hartwell House Hotel Next we take a guided tour of York Minster, the Before returning to the hotel, we stop off in York 6 nights at Middlethorpe Hall Hotel largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe and where there is free time to explore more of the Welcome drink and canapés home to some of the most stunning stained city’s highlights and find a restaurant of your choice Full English breakfast each day glass windows that have led to the Minster being for dinner. described as ‘the Sistine Chapel of England’. 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 5 nights Meals: Breakfast at the hotels (with after dinner tea A relaxing cruise along the picturesque River and coffee) Ouse follows, where we can view the city from a Hardwick Hall 1 dinner at a restaurant in York different perspective, after which we have some time to explore York at our leisure. Services of a tour director throughout your stay This evening we enjoy dinner together at a Travel to and from all excursions restaurant in York before returning to the hotel. All excursion costs Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Porterage Wednesday: Harewood House *supplement applies for transfers from all and Harrogate other airports We start the day at Harewood House where we
enjoy a guided tour followed by lunch. Built in Millar ©NTPL/John the 18th century for Edwin Lascelles to designs Your Hotels by architect John Carr, it is one of the greatest Friday: Castle Howard Night One and Night Eight – Hartwell Treasure Houses in England with interiors designed Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, Castle Howard has House Hotel by Robert Adam, superb Thomas Chippendale twice appeared as the titular house in film and Nights Two to Seven – Middlethorpe furniture and an outstanding art collection ranging television adaptations of Evelyn Waugh’s classic Hall Hotel from Renaissance masterpieces to 20th-century novel, Brideshead Revisited. This magnificent For more information on these hotels please visit art. Set in a magnificent landscape created by 18th-century residence offers world-renowned our website. ‘Capability’ Brown, Harewood is still home to the collections and stunning architecture, all set within We have a limited number of single places available th Lascelles family with the 7 Earl, cousin to the 1,000 acres of breathtaking scenery. Home to the with no supplement on this tour. These sell quickly. Queen, and Countess living here, and reflects the Howard family for over 300 years, each generation changing tastes and styles of the past 250 years. has brought different characteristics to this grand Sunday: Renishaw Hall and The afternoon is spent at leisure in the elegant house. We enjoy a private guided tour followed Sulgrave Manor Victorian spa town of Harrogate. Notable sights by lunch. Checking out of the Middlethorpe Hall Hotel, we include the Royal Pump Room and the attractive After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to a journey back south, stopping first at Renishaw Hall, Montpellier Quarter with its pedestrianised streets fascinating talk by a guest speaker. lined with 19th-century buildings that are now home to the Sitwell family for nearly 400 years. Still Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner home to galleries, boutiques and cafés. very much a family home, Renishaw reveals a real Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Saturday: Wentworth Woodhouse and sense of the history of the generations who have Cannon Hall lived there, with a stunning collection of art and Thursday: Whitby Abbey and Sion Hill Hall furniture which we discover on our guided tour. Built by the First Marquess of Rockingham between American history is brought to life this afternoon We head to the charming seaside town of Whitby 1725 and 1750, Wentworth Woodhouse consists of th as we enjoy a guided tour of Sulgrave Manor, a to visit the 13 -century ruins of Whitby Abbey, two joined houses of totally different architectural Tudor manor house built in the mid-1500s by perched high on a cliff above the town. Here styles; the Baroque style west front and the east Lawrence Washington, five times great grandfather we discover how 2,000 years of history make front in the later Palladian style. Having been of George Washington, first President of the United the abbey one of England’s most important closed to the public for over 25 years, the house States. Discover how Civil War, financial ruin, and archaeological sites. The abbey’s soaring gothic is now open and in the process of being restored a shipwreck led to Washington’s great-grandfather splendor also provided Bram Stoker with a to its former glory. We enjoy a guided tour of the seeking a fresh start in the New World. Restored dramatic location for scenes in his 1897 classic magnificent State Rooms, acknowledged to be and opened to the public in 1921, Sulgrave was horror novel Dracula. some of the finest of the Georgian era. presented to the people of Britain and the USA as a Our next stop is Cannon Hall, a stunning Georgian memorial of their common inheritance. country house museum set in 70 acres of historic Later we check back in to the Hartwell House Hotel parkland and beautiful landscaped gardens. where we enjoy a farewell dinner together. Home to the Spencer-Stanhope family for almost 300 years, the Hall was sold in 1951 and opened Meals: Breakfast, Dinner as a museum in 1957. A wonderful collection of Monday: Departure fine and decorative art is displayed in exhibition galleries throughout the Hall’s historic rooms. A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow airport for your return flight home. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner © English Heritage © English Whitby Abbey Meals: Breakfast email: [email protected] 13 A Romantic Journey to the English Riviera
June 27 to July 6, 2021
$4,590 per person South Devon is often described as the English Riviera due to its coastal location and its subtropical climate and vegetation. Once the height of fashion in the 1920s, when it was popularised by Agatha Christie, this region is still a favorite of holiday makers today. We enjoy a nostalgic journey to Devon as we travel through the ultimate British
©National Trust Images/Andreas von Einsiedel Images/Andreas Trust ©National Killerton House postcard collection including Jane Austen’s Bath, mythical Glastonbury, historic Exeter, Forde Abbey House romantic Lyme Regis and the classic seaside Special extras included town of Torquay. Along the way we uncover picturesque National Trust houses and in your itinerary gardens, soaring cathedrals and rare works Guided walking tour of Bath of art. Guided tour of The Roman Baths Afternoon tea at the Pump Room Ten Day Itinerary Restaurant, Bath Sunday: Arrival Guided tour of Bishop’s Palace On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private transfer Guided tour of Forde Abbey will take you to our overnight hotel in Windsor. In Guided tour of Exeter Cathedral the evening join the group for a welcome drink and Guided tour of Russell-Cotes Art Gallery canapés, followed by dinner. and Museum Meals: Dinner Themed evening talk by a guest speaker Monday: Bath, The Roman Baths and Pump Room Greenway This morning we head to Bath, which boasts LONDON The Pump Room Bath Wells centuries of history, imposing Georgian Glastonbury Abbey Stourhead Lytes Cary Manor architecture and royal connections. We enjoy a Knightshayes Court Forde Abbey House and Gardens walking tour of the city with its stunning streets Killerton House Exeter Cathedral A La Ronde fringed with warming honey-colored buildings – Greenway House straight out of a Jane Austen novel. Cameras at the Coleton Fishacre ready for the iconic Royal Crescent and the majestic
©National Trust Images/Andrew Butler Images/Andrew Trust ©National Circus before we enjoy lunch together in the city. Afterwards we take a guided tour of The Roman Baths, one of the world’s best-preserved ancient Roman spas. Sitting in the hot seat over the natural warm springs that Bath was founded upon, the Romans first crafted this as a religious spa before it evolved into a bathing and socialising center. Next, we enjoy a delicious afternoon tea in the majestic neo-classical salon; The Pump Room Restaurant. Later we check in to the Bailbrook House, our hotel for the next two nights. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner Tuesday: Glastonbury Abbey, Wells and The Bishop’s Palace Today we head for the ancient market town of Bath Glastonbury and pay a visit to Glastonbury Abbey.
14 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday Set in 36 acres of parkland, this ancient monastic a delight to explore with over 1,200 plant species abbey has held legendary status as the earliest unique to Knightshayes, representing one of the Christian foundation in Britain and the burial place most varied collections of the National Trust. of King Arthur. After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to a We continue on to Wells, where there is free fascinating talk by a guest speaker. time to find somewhere for lunch (not included). Meals: Breakfast, Dinner What’s Included England’s smallest city offers a magnificent Return airport transfers from medieval cathedral, an eclectic mix of historic Friday: A La Ronde and Exeter Cathedral London Heathrow* buildings and quaint narrow streets. Here we Today, we step into another world at A La Ronde, a 2 nights at a well-appointed hotel, discover the Bishop’s Palace and Gardens, a unique unique 16-sided house built at the request of two Windsor medieval palace which has been home to the spinster cousins in the 18th century. This eccentric Bishops of Bath and Wells since the 12th century. house with quirky diamond-shaped windows and 2 nights at the Bailbrook House Hotel We enjoy an expert-led tour of highlights including fascinating interior decoration is crammed full of 4 nights at the Bovey Castle Hotel the private Chapel and the beautiful Royal extraordinary artifacts, curiosities and mementoes 1 night at the Rhinefield House Hotel Horticultural Society partner gardens. from the cousins’ grand European tour. Welcome drink and canapés This evening we enjoy dinner together at a Leaving Exmouth, we head to the nearby city of Full English breakfast each day restaurant back in Bath. Exeter where we enjoy a guided tour of Exeter 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 6 nights Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Cathedral. Dating back 900 years, it is one of the at the hotels (with after-dinner tea finest examples of Gothic architecture. Notable and coffee) Wednesday: Lytes Cary Manor and features include an early set of misericords, a 2 dinners and 1 lunch in local restaurants Forde Abbey House & Gardens th 15 -century astronomical clock and the longest Services of a tour director throughout This morning we visit Lytes Cary Manor. This uninterrupted Gothic vaulted ceiling in the world. your stay intimate medieval manor was once the family We enjoy dinner together at a local pub before we Travel to and from all excursions home of Henry Lyte, who translated the unique return to the hotel. All excursion costs Niewe Herball book on herbal remedies. Restored Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Porterage in the 20th century, the garden rooms boast a vast collection of topiary and herbaceous borders. Saturday: Greenway and Coleton Fishacre *supplement applies for transfers from all other airports We explore the beautiful ‘Arts and Crafts’ garden, This morning, we board the ferry to Greenway, the interesting community allotments and take a the much-loved holiday home of the famous tranquil stroll around the estate, situated alongside author Agatha Christie and her family. Nestled on the River Cary. the side of the River Dart and surrounded by a Your Hotels We then make our way to Forde Abbey, a former picturesque woodland garden, this atmospheric Nights One and Nine – a well-appointed 12th-century Cistercian monastery with a rich house is set in the 1950s and contains many of the hotel, Windsor history spanning 900 years, where we enjoy family’s collections. Nights Two and Three – Bailbrook House a guided tour. The abbey became one of the Next, we pay a visit to Coleton Fishacre, a 1920s Hotel, Bath richest institutions of its kind and flourished as a Arts and Crafts-style house built for the D’Oyly Carte Nights Four to Seven – Bovey Castle Hotel, monastery for 400 years. Much later, the house family. The sophistication of the house’s surviving Newton Abbot played host to 19th-century philosophers and Art Deco interior contrasts with the magical 30-acre Night Eight – Rhinefield House Hotel, politicians and was also featured in the latest garden, complete with views out to sea. Brockenhurst adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Far From the Meals: Breakfast For more information on these hotels please visit Madding Crowd. The award-winning gardens our website. include an arboretum and the highest powered Sunday: Torquay, Lyme Regis and We have a limited number of single places available fountain in the country. Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum with no supplement on this tour. These sell quickly. Later we check in to the exquisite Bovey Castle After breakfast, we pay a short visit to the Hotel, our base for the next four nights. traditional seaside resort of Torquay before we its picturesque 18th-century landscaped garden, Meals: Breakfast, Dinner head to Lyme Regis, the ‘Pearl of Dorset’. Nestled a delight of classical temples, exotic trees, hidden in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the grottos and a magnificent lake. The grand Palladian Thursday: Killerton House and Jurassic Coast, we enjoy free time for lunch in this house is no less of a draw, with its Chippendale Knightshayes Court historic seaside town and fishing port. furniture and one of the finest Regency libraries left Our first visit of the day was home to the Acland This afternoon we head to Bournemouth, where in existence. th family until 1944; Killerton House is a fine 18 - we enjoy a guided tour of the Russell-Cotes Art Afterwards, we return to our hotel in Windsor century house surrounded by a glorious landscape Gallery and Museum. This historic house was once where we enjoy a farewell dinner together. garden and parkland. Here we find out more about home to Victorian collectors and travel enthusiasts; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner the history of the house as well as the captivating Sir Merton and Lady Annie Russell-Cotes. Merton story of how Sir Richard Acland’s strong political gifted his wife this dramatic cliff-top house and Tuesday: Departure beliefs led him to give the family home and they spent years filling it with fascinating curios and A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow inheritance to the National Trust. Killerton also artworks from their travels across the world. airport for your return flight home. boasts the largest fashion collection cared for by We continue to the Rhinefield House Hotel, tucked the National Trust. Meals: Breakfast away within the New Forest National Park, where Afterwards, we head to Knightshayes Court, one we stay overnight. of England’s finest Victorian Gothic houses by Meals: Breakfast, Dinner eccentric designer William Burges. Full of quirks and curiosities, the mansion boasts intricate Monday: Stourhead carvings and impressive ceilings plus a ‘medieval’ Today we make for one of the National Trust’s Great Hall with minstrels’ gallery. The garden is also most popular places, Stourhead, renowned for email: [email protected] 15 South East
© Grace Towner © Grace England & the Bloomsbury Group
July 10 to 18, 2020
$5,690 per person In the early part of the 20th century a group of writers, intellectuals, philosophers and artists who lived and worked in Bloomsbury were perhaps best known for their liberal views on politics and social conventions as well as their infamous love triangles. Luminaries including Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes, Vanessa Bell, Duncan Charleston Grant, E. M. Forster and Lytton Strachey also undertook an experimental attitude to ways they decorated their homes, resulting Special extras included in highly original and inspired designs. We uncover the finest examples of their work as in your itinerary we visit the houses where they lived
© NTPL/Andrew Butler © NTPL/Andrew Guided tour of Knole House* and loved. Private out-of-hours tour of Charleston Private guided tour at Farleys House Nine Day Itinerary & Gallery Saturday: Arrival Private out-of-hours guided tour at On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private transfer Sissinghurst Castle Garden will take you to our hotel for the night, the Castle Entrance to the Brighton Museum Hotel Windsor – MGallery. In the evening, join the & Art Gallery group for a welcome drink, followed by dinner. A Walk Through British Art exhibition Meals: Dinner at Tate Britain accompanied by an art historian Sunday: Knole House and Standen Guided Bloomsbury Group Blue Plaque After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and Walking Tour journey to visit Knole House in Kent where we Themed evening talk by a Bloomsbury enjoy a guided tour*. One of Britain’s most Group expert important and complete historic homes, the *subject to availability property is now cared for by the National Trust Bateman’s and here we can discover more about its colorful past. Knole House was home to the Sackville
The Bri�sh Museum L ND N family for 400 years, including novelist Vita Tate Britain Sackville-West who used the house as inspiration Knole House for her novel The Edwardians. Standen Sissinghurst Castle Garden Next we visit Standen, a fine Arts and Crafts
© NTPL/Caroline Arber Rye property, which combines the skills of architect Monks House Farleys House & Gallery Charleston Brighton Bateman’s Philip Webb and his friend William Morris. The Church of St Michael and All Angels The light, airy rooms are decorated with Morris’ wallpapers and textiles with William de Morgan pottery. We then continue to our hotel for the next five nights, the South Lodge Hotel in Horsham. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner *subject to availability Monday: Charleston, The Church of © NTPL/Andreas von Einsiedel von © NTPL/Andreas St Michael and All Angels, and Farleys House & Gallery This morning takes us to Charleston, home of Monks House Knole House artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell and country
16 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday meeting place for the Bloomsbury Group. The when he discovered it, that he made it his home house was transformed by the artists who in 1902. With its stone-mullioned windows and painted the walls and furniture and filled rooms Sussex oak beams, it’s a romantic retreat that has with textiles, ceramics and works of art from been left virtually untouched since Kipling’s tenure their collection. Here we enjoy a private out-of- here. The tranquil gardens include an orchard, hours tour and learn more about all that is on formal garden and a colorful wildflower meadow, display here. through which a river flows. What’s Included Return airport transfers from Afterwards we visit The Church of St Michael and Meals: Breakfast, Dinner London Heathrow** All Angels in Berwick. During the war, many of the church’s decorative stained glass windows were Thursday: Brighton and Brighton Museum 1 night at the Castle Hotel damaged and rather than replace the fragile glass, & Art Gallery Windsor – MGallery the Bishop of Chichester commissioned Duncan Today we visit Brighton, a popular seaside 5 nights at the South Lodge Hotel Grant and Vanessa Bell to cover the walls with resort that was frequented by members of the 2 nights at the Leonardo Royal pastoral scenes. We can admire these impressive Bloomsbury Group as a holiday destination, there Hotel London City murals here today. is even a bus named after Vanessa Bell here! We Welcome drink and canapés We then continue on to Farleys House & Gallery, have some free time to explore this vibrant location Full English breakfast each day home to the photographer Lee Miller and artist at our leisure and also include a visit to Brighton 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 6 nights Roland Penrose. The house became a meeting Museum & Art Gallery located in the Royal at the hotels (with after-dinner tea place for leading figures in the world of Modern Art Pavilion Garden, where we find pieces on display and coffee) created by members of the group as well as other including Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro. Roger Fry 1 dinner at a local restaurant 20th-century art. introduced Penrose to many Bloomsbury Group Services of a tour director throughout members, forging links between Bloomsbury and This evening we enjoy dinner at a restaurant in your stay the surrealists. On our guided tour we can admire Brighton before we return to our hotel. Travel to and from all excursions works by many of the Surrealist artists that are Meals: Breakfast, Dinner on display in the house and enjoy the avant-garde All excursion costs home décor, which still looks as it did during the Monday: Tate Britain and London Porterage Penrose family’s occupation. After checking out of our hotel, we travel into *supplement applies for transfers from all other airports After dinner at the hotel this evening, we enjoy a central London to visit Tate Britain to admire A fascinating talk by a guest speaker. Walk Through British Art exhibition, accompanied Meals: Breakfast, Dinner by an art historian to shed light on the paintings. The rooms of this exhibit are displayed in Your Hotels Tuesday: Sissinghurst Castle Garden and chronological order, showcasing work by some of Night One – Castle Hotel Windsor Monks House Britain’s greatest artists, including that of Duncan – MGallery, Windsor Grant and Vanessa Bell. This morning we head to Sissinghurst Castle Nights Two to Six – South Lodge Garden where we enjoy an out-of-hours guided We then continue to the Leonardo Royal Hotel Hotel, Horsham London City, where we stay for the last two nights tour. Created in the 1930s by Vita Sackville-West Nights Seven and Eight – Leonardo Royal and her husband Harold Nicolson around the of our tour. After checking in, you might choose to Hotel London City relax at the hotel or spend the rest of the afternoon picturesque ruins of an Elizabethan manor house, For more information on these hotels please visit these world-famous gardens are laid out as a exploring the capital. This evening is also free to our website. series of enchanting, individually-planted ‘rooms’ make your own dinner arrangements – a chance to We have a limited number of single places available including a fragrant Herb Garden and Rose Garden. enjoy one of London’s many restaurants. with no supplement on this tour. These sell quickly. Afterwards we head to Monks House. Situated in Meals: Breakfast the heart of rural Sussex, this 17th-century cottage Saturday: Bloomsbury Group Walking of London’s many iconic sights or take the chance was home to Leonard and Virginia Woolf from Tour and British Museum to discover a fascinating museum or art gallery of 1919 until Leonard’s death in 1969. Carefully which there are plenty. After breakfast, we enjoy a Bloomsbury Group preserved to appear as it was when they lived Back at the hotel this evening we enjoy a farewell Blue Plaque Walking Tour. On our tour, we’ll see there; learn more about this fascinating couple by dinner together and a chance to reflect on all 46 Gordon Square, along with a number of other viewing some of their most prized possessions. that we have discovered about the famous properties that were once home to members of The Woolfs initially purchased the property for ‘the Bloomsbury Group. shape and fertility and wildness of the garden’ so the group. We also discover some of their places make sure to explore the delightful cottage garden of work, for example 22 Fitzroy Square, Duncan Meals: Breakfast, Dinner here too. Grant’s former studio; and 21 Fitzroy Square, once Sunday: Departure Roger Fry’s studio. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow We then visit the British Museum. Virginia Woolf airport for your return flight home. Wednesday: Rye and Bateman’s immortalized Anthony Panizzi’s oak panelled 1857 Firstly today we visit Rye. This medieval town Reading Room at the then British Library in A Room Meals: Breakfast perched on a hill boasts enchanting streets and Of One’s Own – “the vast dome … the huge, bald architectural treasures, which is why it’s not forehead which is so splendidly encircled by a band surprising that Rye was a popular holiday haunt for of famous names”. In addition, the hero in Jacob’s the Bloomsbury Group, who reportedly shocked Room reads Marlowe in the library and watches American author Henry James with their presence other readers, including the atheist Fraser and the in the town. We enjoy free time here to explore at feminist Julia Hodge. This is our chance to see these our leisure. locations for ourselves. Next we visit 17th-century Bateman’s, that so The rest of the day is free to spend at leisure enchanted Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling exploring England’s vibrant capital city. Visit one Batemans email: [email protected] 17 Aristocrats & Manor Houses & A Grand Tour to the North
July 18 to 27, 2021
$4,990 per person Our unforgettable tour explores the architectural grandeur and superb collections of some of Britain’s finest estates, some still family homes to this day. From the world-famous Highclere Castle, television’s Downton Abbey, to Winston Churchill’s birthplace of Blenheim Palace and beyond, we discover several historic treasures and their society stories. We juxtapose these fine manor houses with the dramatic landscapes Chatsworth House of the north, providing us with the perfect opportunity to explore Britain’s rich heritage and diverse countryside. Special extras included in your itinerary Ten Day Itinerary Sunday: Arrival Introductory house tour and Devonshire Cream Tea at Chatsworth House On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, Guided house tour and refreshments at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel and Spa. In Fairfax House the evening join the group for a welcome drink, Guided tour of Fountains Abbey followed by dinner. Private house tour with morning coffee at Meals: Dinner Castle Howard Guided State Rooms tour at Alnwick Castle Monday: Highclere Castle Guided tour of The Alnwick Garden After breakfast, we journey to the world-famous Audio guided tour and afternoon tea at Highclere Castle, residence of the Earl and Countess Blenheim Palace of Carnarvon and filming location for the much Themed evening talk by a guest speaker loved Downton Abbey television series and movie.
© Andy Bulmer Castle Howard Entrance includes access to the Egyptian Exhibition in the cellars of the castle, which explores the Alnwick Castle th Cragside achievements of the 5 Earl of Carnarvon who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. From here, we travel to Leicestershire and the Durham
© NTPL/John Millar © NTPL/John Stapleford Park Country House Hotel where we stay for the next two nights. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Fountains Abbey Castle Howard Harrogate Fairfax House Tuesday: Chatsworth House Nostell Priory and Nottingham
Chatsworth House We start the day at Chatsworth House where Hardwick Hall we enjoy an introductory house tour. This Nottingham magnificent estate is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and has witnessed sixteen generations of the powerful Cavendish family and boasts grandiose interiors, wonderful grounds
Blenheim Palace and a superlative art collection. Chatsworth also appeared as Pemberley in the 2005 film adaptation LONDON of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. We finish our Highclere Castle Cragside visit with a Devonshire Cream Tea.
18 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday En-route back to our hotel, we make a short stop rocky promontory high above the River Wear, in Nottingham. One-time lace capital of the affording an imposing feature of Durham’s skyline. world, Nottingham is renowned for its landmark Later, we check in to the Lumley Castle Hotel, our buildings, each of which tells its own chapter in base for the next two nights. Nottingham’s history, including the Lace Market Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with its stunning architecture. What’s Included Meals: Breakfast Saturday: Alnwick Castle, The Alnwick Garden and Cragside Return airport transfers from Wednesday: Hardwick Hall, York and London Heathrow* Fairfax House Still home to the Duke of Northumberland and 1 night at the Runnymede on Thames his family, Alnwick Castle is the second largest Hotel and Spa Our first visit is to the National Trust’s Hardwick inhabited castle in England. Inside the medieval th 3 nights at the Stapleford Park Country Hall. Ordered in the 16 century by Bess of walls are lavish State Rooms filled with an eclectic House Hotel Hardwick, England’s richest woman after array of furniture, ceramics and art collected by her Queen, Elizabeth I, Hardwick is a striking the Percy family over hundreds of years, which we 2 nights at the Wood Hall Hotel Elizabethan treasure. The lavish number of discover on our guided State Rooms tour. Alnwick 2 nights at the Lumley Castle Hotel windows (at a time when glass was a luxury) Castle has also featured in Downton Abbey and 1 night at the Hartwell House Hotel inspired the neat phrase, ‘Hardwick Hall, more Harry Potter. We also enjoy a guided tour of the Welcome drink and canapés glass than wall’. meandering and magnificent 12 acre garden. Full English breakfast each day We then travel north to the historic city of York. 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 8 nights Here we visit Fairfax House, a stunning Georgian at the hotels (with after-dinner tea town house that has been returned to its former and coffee) glory, providing a perfect time capsule of life in Services of a tour director throughout Georgian times with a richly decorated interior and your stay a fine collection of English 18th-century furniture. Travel to and from all excursions We enjoy refreshments here after our guided house tour. All excursion costs Porterage Afterwards, we make our way to our hotel for the next two nights, the Wood Hall Hotel. *supplement applies for transfers from all Alnwick Castle other airports Meals: Breakfast, Dinner We enjoy a scenic coastal drive to Cragside, built Thursday: Fountains Abbey and Harrogate high into the rock above the clear waters of This morning we visit the largest monastic ruin Debdon Burn. Once the home of Victorian inventor Your Hotels in Britain, Fountains Abbey, where we enjoy a Lord Armstrong, this imposing house is packed to Night One – Runnymede on Thames Hotel guided tour. Nestling in the Skell Valley, the ruin the rafters with fascinating gadgets from the era. and Spa, Windsor It was also the first house in the world to be lit is surrounded by some 800 acres of gorgeous Nights Two, Three and Eight – Stapleford by hydro-electricity and in 2014, a fully-working countryside, including the Georgian Studley Royal Park Country House Hotel, near Archimedes Screw was installed, once again Water Garden with its wonderful views, cascades, Melton Mowbray follies and statues, and a medieval deer park. producing enough energy to light the house. Nights Four and Five – Wood Hall Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Our next stop is the elegant Victorian spa Hotel, Wetherby town of Harrogate, located in the heart of Sunday: Nostell Priory Nights Six and Seven – Lumley Castle Hotel, scenic Yorkshire. Notable sights include the th Chester-le-Street Royal Pump Room and the Grade II listed Royal Today we visit Nostell Priory, an 18 -century Night Nine – Hartwell House Hotel, Hall, and don’t miss the attractive Montpellier architectural masterpiece which has been the near Aylesbury Quarter with its pedestrianized streets lined with home of the Winn family for 300 years. Set 19th-century buildings. in landscaped parkland, Nostell is also home For more information on these hotels please visit to England’s best documented collection of our website. After dinner at the hotel this evening, enjoy a Chippendale furniture, designed especially for We have a limited number of single places available fascinating talk by a guest speaker. with no supplement on this tour. These sell quickly. the estate. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Later, we check back in to the Stapleford Park Friday: Castle Howard and Durham Country House Hotel, where we stay overnight. Tuesday: Departure A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, Castle Howard Meals: Breakfast, Dinner airport for your return flight home. has twice appeared as Brideshead in film and Monday: Blenheim Palace television adaptations of Evelyn Waugh’s classic Meals: Breakfast novel. Home to the Howard family for over 300 We travel south and visit Blenheim Palace, Please note: as this tour travels from the Home years, this magnificent 18th-century residence undoubtedly one of Britain’s grandest houses. Seat Counties to the north of England and back, some offers world-renowned collections and stunning of the Dukes of Marlborough and the birthplace of days will involve fairly long journeys. architecture, all set within 1,000 acres of Winston Churchill, Blenheim was designed on an breathtaking scenery. We enjoy a private guided awe-inspiring scale by Vanbrugh and is set in over Highclere Castle tour followed by refreshments. 2,000 acres of beautiful parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown. We enjoy an audio guided tour We then make a short stop in the beautiful city followed by a traditional afternoon tea. of Durham, where we find an abundance of impressive historical buildings and sights. Highlights From here we travel to Hartwell House Hotel, one include the 11th-century Durham Castle, and the of the National Trust’s Historic House Hotels, where magnificent Norman cathedral which sits on a we enjoy a farewell dinner together. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner email: [email protected] 19 South West Classic English Manor Houses & the Downton Experience
August 1 to 10, 2021
$4,990 per person The picturesque South West of England is home to a veritable treasure trove of impressive stately homes and atmospheric manors. These magnificent properties boast extraordinary interiors and often feature fascinating garden styles and parkland Highclere Castle too, many of which were created by 18th- century garden design trendsetters such as Winchester Cathedral ‘Capability’ Brown. On this tour, we uncover Special extras included some of these classic and sometimes hidden in your itinerary gems, from the Elizabethan Longleat House to the tranquil Heale House Gardens and Special visit to Highclere Castle, the setting Italianate Peto Garden. We also enjoy a of Downton Abbey wonderful Downton Abbey experience Spend a day touring some of Downton with a special visit to Highclere Castle, a Abbey’s filming locations Downton-themed evening event and a tour Guided walking tour of Bath of filming locations of this iconic television Afternoon tea at The Pump Rooms, Bath series and film. Guided tour of the Bishop’s Palace & Gardens Guided tour of The Peto Garden Ten Day Itinerary Guided tour and lunch at Bowood House Sunday: Arrival Guided tour and lunch at Longleat House On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private transfer Guided tour of Winchester Cathedral will take you to our overnight hotel, the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening, join the group for a Themed evening talk on Downton Abbey welcome drink, followed by dinner. by a special guest speaker Meals: Dinner Monday: Highclere Castle, Lacock and Swinbrook Cogges Manor Farm Bampton Lacock Abbey Georgian House Museum Castle Combe Lacock Abbey L ND N Bowood House Bath Great Chalfield Manor Today we journey to the world-famous Highclere Bradford-on-Avon Highclere Castle Wells Longleat House Stourhead Castle, residence of the Earl and Countess of Winchester Heale House Gardens Carnarvon and filming location for the Downton Abbey television series and film. Entrance includes access to the Egyptian Exhibition, which explores the achievements of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon who discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. We then head to Lacock Abbey, renowned for its golden stone cloisters and Great Hall. Once a medieval nunnery, the abbey was turned into a family home by William Henry Fox Talbot who invented the first photographic negative. We also spend time in the charming village of Lacock, which Downton viewers may recognise. Later we check in to the Bailbrook House Hotel where we stay for seven nights. Longleat House Roman Baths Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
20 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday Tuesday: Longleat House and Georgian Thursday: Wells, Bishop’s Palace & House Museum Gardens and Stourhead This morning we head to Longleat House, widely Our day starts in the cathedral city of Wells, with its regarded as one of Britain’s finest examples of eclectic mix of historic buildings and quaint narrow Elizabethan architecture. Substantially completed streets. Here we discover the Bishop’s Palace & by 1580, Longleat House is set within 900 acres of Gardens, a unique medieval palace which has been What’s Included stunning ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for 800 Return airport transfers from featuring a fine lawn, serpentine river, wooded hills years. We enjoy an expert-led tour of highlights London Heathrow* and meandering pathways. We enjoy a guided tour such as the private Chapel and the beautiful Royal 2 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel of the impressive house with its priceless antiques Horticultural Society partner gardens. 7 nights at the Bailbrook House Hotel and ornate painted ceilings, followed by lunch. We continue to Stourhead, renowned for its Welcome drink Afterwards take a step back in time at the Georgian 18th-century landscaped garden, a delight of Full English breakfast each day House Museum in Bristol. This 18th-century classical temples, exotic trees, hidden grottos and townhouse provides us with a fascinating insight a magnificent lake. The grand Palladian house is no 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 5 nights into what life would have been like for sugar less of a draw, with its Chippendale furniture and at the hotels (with after-dinner tea merchant John Pinney and his servants above and one of the finest Regency libraries left in existence. and coffee) 2 dinners and 2 lunches in local below stairs. Later, we enjoy dinner together at a local restaurants This evening we enjoy dinner together at a restaurant. Services of a tour director throughout restaurant in Bristol. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner your stay Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Friday: Bradford-on-Avon, The Peto Travel to and from all excursions Wednesday: Bath – Victoria Park, Herschel Garden and Great Chalfield Manor All excursion costs Museum of Astronomy, Roman Baths and We travel first to Bradford-on-Avon, an Porterage Pump Rooms enchanting town full of historic buildings and *supplement applies for transfers from all The day begins with a guided walking tour of quaint streets to explore. Next we enjoy a guided other airports Bath, an elegant Regency town. We enjoy a visit to tour of The Peto Garden at Ilford Manor, designed Victoria Park, first opened in 1830 by the 11-year- by the distinguished British garden designer old Princess Victoria, which is overlooked by the Harold Peto. Evoking Peto’s love of Italy, the Your Hotels iconic Royal Crescent. gardens are characterised by colonnades, pools and ancient statues. Nights One and Nine – Macdonald Windsor We continue to the Herschel Museum of Hotel, Windsor Astronomy, located in the former home of Our final visit of the day is to Great Chalfield Nights Two to Eight – Bailbrook House Hotel, astronomer William Herschel. We visit the Manor, a charming moated manor built in the 15th near Bath museum’s garden, which is a re-creation of the century for Thomas Tropenell, a modest member For more information on these hotels please visit garden as it might have appeared during Herschel’s of the landed gentry who made his fortune as our website. a clothier. Outside, the romantic gardens offer discovery of the planet Uranus, laid to recreate a We have a limited number of single places available typical planting scheme for a Georgian town house. terraces, topiary houses, colorful borders and with no supplement on this tour. These sell quickly. Next, we are transported back to Roman times delightful views. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner as we enjoy a guided tour of the town’s ancient Monday: Heale House Gardens, Roman Baths. We explore the extensive bathing Sunday: Swinbrook, Bampton, Cogges Winchester and Winchester Cathedral complex, one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world, which still flows with natural Manor Farm and Castle Combe We start the day at Heale House Gardens, a hot water before we finish with afternoon tea at We enjoy a scenic drive to some of the picturesque beautiful garden designed by Harold Peto in both the elegant Georgian Bath Pump Rooms. locations used in filming Downton Abbey. We Edwardian and Tudor styles. Set in the grounds of historic Heale House, mostly unchanged since After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to drive through Swinbrook, a beautiful Cotswold King Charles II hid there in 1651, these eight acres a fascinating talk by a special guest speaker who village where the local pub, the Swan Inn, has of beautiful gardens include a delightful mixture will be able to tell us more about the wonders of featured in the television series, before stopping of styles including a walled garden and Japanese Downton Abbey. in the traditional Cotswold village of Bampton, which doubles as the fictional village of Downton. water garden with its authentic Japanese tea house Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Many scenes, including several key events in the and red Nikko bridge. series have been filmed in and around the church We then head to the cathedral city of Winchester, in Bampton, as well as a number of local pubs, England’s ancient capital, where we enjoy lunch. shops and the post office which will be familiar to We then enjoy a guided tour of the awe-inspiring Downton viewers. We stop for lunch in a famed Winchester Cathedral where we discover its hidden local country inn that sits on the River Thames and treasures, including the tomb of Jane Austen and has a great reputation for food. the Winchester Bible, one of the finest 12th-century We continue on to Cogges Manor Farm, an bibles to have survived. important heritage site with a 13th-century manor From here we return to the Macdonald Windsor house and historic farm buildings. The farm Hotel where we enjoy a farewell dinner together. featured as Yew Tree Farm in the series and is a Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner fascinating archive of farm life through the years. En-route back to Bath we visit Castle Combe, one Tuesday: Departure of the most picture-perfect English villages you A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow could find which has also featured in Downton airport for your return flight home. Abbey, along with a host of other television series. Meals: Breakfast Lacock Abbey Bolton Images/Mark Trust ©National Meals: Breakfast, Lunch email: [email protected] 21 England’s Royal Palaces
August 9 to 18, 2021
$4,990 per person You are cordially invited on a grand tour of England’s Royal Palaces, where we learn all about life in the Tudor Court, visit a selection of famous royal country retreats, and promenade through some of the most glorious palace gardens in England. During this regal affair we discover the myriad of sovereign landmarks; starting in London before venturing further afield to Cambridge, King’s Lynn and of course Windsor, steeped in pomp and ritual. Your presence is requested as we weave our way around a splendid collection of palaces, royal residences and infamous art collections. Hampton Court Palace Ten Day Itinerary Monday: Arrival Special extras included On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private transfer in your itinerary will take you to The Royal Horseguards Hotel, where we stay for the first four nights of our tour. Guided tour of Royal London In the evening join the group for a welcome drink Guided tour of Eltham Palace and canapés, followed by dinner. Guided tours of Buckingham Palace and Meals: Dinner Clarence House Guided tours of Banqueting House and Tuesday: Royal London, Eltham Palace Kew Palace and Queen’s House Greenwich Private guided tour of Hampton We start with a guided tour of Royal London, Court Palace by coach and on foot, which includes the Guided walking tour of Cambridge unmistakable Tower of London. Offering a peek Guided tour of Burghley House into thousands of years of history, this former royal residence also served as a prison. We also explore Guided tour of Hatfield House one of London’s oldest areas where we find hidden Audio guided tour of Windsor Castle traces of royal history. Themed evening talk by a guest speaker Burghley House Next, we take a guided tour of Eltham Palace. Once a medieval palace, it was leased from the Crown and transformed by millionaires into an Art Deco Sandringham King’s Lynn mansion in the 1930s. This mesh of architectural Burghley House movements served as a playground for a young Henry VIII who spent much of his childhood here in Cambridge the 16th century. We continue to Queen’s House in Royal Greenwich, Ha�ield House this borough of London was the birthplace of Henry Windsor Castle LONDON Savill Garden Frogmore House VIII, Elizabeth I and Mary, and Henry VIII had two of his six weddings here. The House is filled with world-famous artworks, fascinating royal history and Inigo Jones’ architectural masterpiece - the first Classical building in the UK. This evening we enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Sandringham © Sandringham Estate Kew Gardens
22 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday Wednesday: Buckingham Palace and Saturday: Sandringham and King’s Lynn Clarence House Firstly today we visit the ultimate country retreat; No trip to London is complete without a visit to the the Sandringham Estate is much-loved by The famous Buckingham Palace, which has served as the Queen and has been the private residence of four official London residence of the United Kingdom’s generations of British Monarchs since the 1860s. sovereigns since 1837. We enjoy a guided tour of the Sandringham House was once described as ‘the What’s Included most comfortable house in England’ and we learn stunning State Rooms, where The Queen and other Return airport transfers from all about its Royal connections during our visit. members of the Royal Family entertain their guests London Heathrow* on ceremonial, State and official occasions. We also discover the collection of Royal cars in 4 nights at The Royal Horseguards Hotel the Transport Museum, and enjoy some time We then visit the nearby Clarence House for a 3 nights at the University Arms Hotel guided tour. Once the home of Queen Elizabeth outside to discover the magnificent walled and 2 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel The Queen Mother for almost five decades, this is water gardens. Welcome drink and canapés now the official London residence of The Prince of Afterwards we head to nearby King’s Lynn, this Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. charming market town and seaport brims with Full English breakfast each day table d’hôte Meals: Breakfast, Dinner history. Wander around the cobbled narrow 3-course dinner on 4 nights streets, flanked with old merchants’ houses, and at the hotels (with after-dinner tea Thursday: Banqueting House, Kensington soak up the story of the town’s maritime trade and and coffee) Palace, Kew Gardens and Kew Palace fishing communities. 2 dinners in local restaurants Today we start with a guided tour of the We enjoy dinner together this evening in a Services of a tour director throughout Banqueting House in Whitehall with its epic ceiling; local restaurant. your stay a masterpiece in the golden age of painting and Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Travel to and from all excursions the only surviving in-situ ceiling painting by Flemish All excursion costs Sunday: Burghley House artist, Sir Peter Paul Rubens. We also tread in the Porterage footsteps of King Charles I and stand on the spot We enjoy a guided tour of Burghley House, one of *supplement applies for transfers from all where he was executed. This imposing and elegant the grandest houses of the first Elizabethan Age, other airports venue is the only surviving part of Henry VIII’s built (and mostly designed) by William Cecil, the Whitehall Palace. Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I. Inside the We then pay a visit to Kensington Palace, which house we enjoy historical collections comprising of has been all about the young royals for the last works of art, early tapestries, impressive Japanese Your Hotels three centuries. We wander through Victoria’s ceramics and sculptures, while outside we explore Nights One to Four – The Royal Horseguards re-imagined childhood rooms and also take in the a myriad of sculpture and surprise gardens. Hotel, London majestic King’s State Apartments. The Palace – now The rest of the day is at leisure for further Nights Five to Seven – University Arms the official residence of TRH The Duke and Duchess exploration of Cambridge. Hotel, Cambridge of Cambridge and their children – boasts the Meals: Breakfast Nights Eight and Nine – Macdonald Windsor impressively manicured Sunken Garden, a favorite Hotel, Windsor of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Monday: Hatfield House and Savill Garden For more information on these hotels please visit Afterwards we visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Hatfield our website. Kew. Dating back to the early 18th century as a royal House, home of the 7th Marquess and Marchioness We have a limited number of single places available with no supplement on this tour. These sell quickly. palace, Kew Gardens is now a globally renowned of Salisbury and their family. The house was built institution for plant-based research. With no less in 1611 by Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, one than 50,000 plants, there are a range of different of Elizabeth I’s most important advisors. There are used for ceremonial and state occasions. The areas to explore including the Arboretum, the superb examples of Elizabethan craftsmanship such magnificent State Apartments are furnished with peaceful Japanese garden and the remarkable as the Grand Staircase, while the State Rooms are some of the finest works of art to admire during indoor rainforest. Before we leave we enjoy a rich in paintings, fine furniture and tapestries. our audio guided tour. guided tour of Kew Palace, this hideaway was once From here we travel to The Savill Garden, Britain’s We then head to Frogmore House, firm favorite home of George III and Queen Charlotte. finest ornamental garden. Explore the oasis of as a royal retreat for centuries. Perched on the Meals: Breakfast stunningly designed gardens and woodland. banks of the picturesque Frogmore Lake, and Created in the 1930s, acres of interconnected nestled within the Home Park of Windsor Castle, Friday: Hampton Court Palace areas include the Hidden Gardens, Spring Wood, the gardens at Frogmore House have been and Cambridge the Summer Gardens, the New Zealand Garden, popular with monarchs since the 1790s. Inside the This morning we check out of the hotel and Summer Wood and The Glades. The Rose Garden house we see the impressive Mary Moser Room, head to Hampton Court Palace for a dive into the is an extra special addition, opened by The Queen commissioned by Queen Charlotte to reflect her fascinating world of the Tudor court during our in 2010. passion for botany. The renowned flower painter, private guided tour. We experience the private life We then continue to the Macdonald Windsor Hotel, Mary Moser, was employed to decorate the room (and very public dramas) of Henry VIII, while we where we stay for the last two nights of our tour. with botanical works, some painted directly upon explore one of Europe’s most sophisticated palaces the wall. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner including the Great Hall and Tudor kitchens. Back at the hotel tonight we enjoy a farewell We continue to our hotel for the next two nights, Tuesday: Windsor Castle dinner together. the University Arms in Cambridge. After checking in and Frogmore House Meals: Breakfast, Dinner we enjoy a guided tour to find out more about the Today we visit Windsor Castle, the oldest and exquisite architecture and ancient colleges around largest inhabited castle in the world which is still Wednesday: Departure this classic university city. one of the official residences of Queen Elizabeth A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow After dinner back at the hotel, we enjoy a II today. Established in the 11th century by airport for your return flight home. fascinating talk with a guest speaker. William the Conqueror, it has been remodelled Meals: Breakfast Meals: Breakfast, Dinner by successive kings and queens and is regularly email: [email protected] 23 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Classic Scotland featuring the Edinburgh Tattoo
August 19 to 24, 2021
$3,750 per person Join us as we combine the iconic landmarks and historic attractions of the vibrant Scottish cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh with magnificent castles and palaces which have played a key role in Scotland’s history. We complement our tour with a truly remarkable experience – the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, with an exclusive dining package and prime location seats. Set against the impressive backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and a spectacle like no other, the Edinburgh Tattoo combines music, dance, lights and marching bands with daredevil displays of skill and military showmanship, featuring hundreds of performers gathered from all Special extras included corners of the UK and across the world. in your itinerary Six Day Itinerary Cruise on Loch Lomond Thursday: Arrival Guided walking tour of Glasgow On arrival at Edinburgh airport, a private transfer Guided tour of Stirling Castle will take you to the Hotel du Vin in Glasgow, our Three-course meal, wine & whisky and base for the next two nights. In the evening, join recital by members of the Edinburgh the group for a welcome drink, followed by dinner. Tattoo at the Amber Restaurant within the Meals: Dinner Scotch Whisky Experience Prime location seat for the Royal Friday: Loch Lomond Cruise, Mackintosh Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the Willow Tearooms and Glasgow Guided tour of Scone Palace walking tour Audio guided tour of the Palace This morning we head northwards to embark on of Holyroodhouse The Kelpies a cruise of Loch Lomond, the largest expanse of fresh water on mainland Britain. The loch is situated amidst one of Scotland’s most idyllic and unspoilt areas in the Trossachs National Park and boasts a stunning mountain backdrop and a variety of wildlife.
Scone Palace Perth Stirling Castle Loch Lomond Glasgow Edinburgh Castle Willow Tearooms Glasgow The Kelpies Palace of Holyroodhouse We return to Glasgow and enjoy lunch together at the famous Mackintosh at the Willow Tearooms which boast a variety of beautiful spaces, each with their own character and unique design. First opened in 1903, these are the only surviving tea Loch Lomond rooms designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
24 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday Stirling Castle Afterwards we are escorted to the Castle Esplanade to take our seats in a prime location for the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Hosted each year, the show brings together musicians and performers from every part of the world for a fabulous display of international culture. What’s Included Please note: we advise you to be prepared with Return airport transfers from Edinburgh* waterproofs etc in case of inclement weather during the Tattoo. It will go ahead whatever the 2 nights at the Hotel du Vin Glasgow weather – no performance has ever been cancelled. 3 nights at the Principal Charlotte Square Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Welcome drink and canapés Sunday: Edinburgh Castle Full Scottish breakfast each day The morning is left free for you to spend at leisure – 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 2 nights Afterwards we enjoy a guided walking tour of you may wish to relax at the hotel, explore the city at the hotels (with after-dinner tea Glasgow, including St Mungo’s, City Halls and Old further, or engage in some retail therapy in some of and coffee) Fruitmarket, Trongate Steeple and the Tenement Edinburgh’s stylish boutiques. We then enjoy lunch 3 dinners in local restaurants (including House as well as a visit to Glasgow Cathedral, one together in a local restaurant. the Amber Restaurant within the Scottish of Scotland’s most magnificent medieval buildings. Whisky Experience) The present building was consecrated in 1197 but Edinburgh Castle 2 lunches in local restaurants not everything is old! The cathedral has one of the Services of a tour director throughout finest post-war collections of stained glass windows your stay to be found in Britain. Travel to and from all excursions This evening we enjoy dinner together at a All excursion costs local restaurant. Porterage Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner *supplement applies for transfers from all Saturday: Stirling Castle, The Kelpies, Amber other airports Restaurant Scotch Whisky Experience and Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo We check out of our Glasgow hotel and head first Your Hotels to Stirling Castle where we enjoy a guided tour. Nights One and Two – Hotel du Vin Glasgow th Originally built in the 12 century, with additions Nights Three to Five – Principal Charlotte After lunch we head back up to Edinburgh Castle, and renovations undertaken over the years, the Square Hotel, Edinburgh one of the most important strongholds in the castle has played a key role in Scottish history. As For more information on these hotels please visit well as being an important outpost during the Wars Kingdom of Scotland, which has witnessed many our website. of Scottish Independence, the castle was once of the defining events of Scottish history. Highlights We have a limited number of single places available home to the doomed Mary Queen of Scots, who is include the Crown Jewels of Scotland, the Royal with no supplement on this tour. These sell quickly. said to haunt the castle to this day. Palace and the 16th-century Great Hall. From here we continue our journey, passing the Later, we enjoy dinner together back at the hotel. Tuesday: Departure famous Kelpies, the largest equine sculptures in the Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner A private transfer will take you back to Edinburgh world, before checking in to the Principal Charlotte airport for your return flight home. Square Hotel in Edinburgh, where we stay for the Monday: Scone Palace, Perth and Palace remainder of our tour. of Holyroodhouse Meals: Breakfast We head to Scone Palace, crowning place of Scottish kings including Robert the Bruce and Charles II and family home of the Earls of Mansfield. We enjoy a guided tour of the palace with its fine collections of furniture, porcelain, ivories, clocks, paintings and other objets d’art. Next we visit the city of Perth, located on the banks of the River Tay. A former capital of Scotland, Perth has a rich and influential history that stretches back over 800 years. Due to its location, it is often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’. Scone Palace In the afternoon we return to Edinburgh and visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official In the late afternoon, we transfer by black cab residence in Scotland. Here we can view the State to start our Edinburgh Tattoo experience at the Apartments as well as the Queen’s Gallery which award-winning Amber Restaurant within The hosts a program of changing exhibitions from the Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile. Royal Collection. Here we enjoy a three-course, specially selected Scottish meal with wine and a wee dram of whisky Tonight we dine together at a local restaurant and before enjoying a brief recital by members of the toast farewell to Edinburgh with a wee dram in a Edinburgh Tattoo cast. whisky bar. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Perth email: [email protected] 25 A Tour Around the Treasure Houses of England
September 5 to 16, 2021
$5,990 per person The Treasure Houses of England are a collection of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles, each with its own unique charm, stunning architecture and beautiful gardens. Most are still homes to the great families who have owned them for generations. Together, the houses display some of the most important art collections in the world, showcasing exquisite examples Burghley House of fine furniture, porcelain, china and portraiture. On this captivating tour, we explore nine of these impressive places, Special extras included alongside other historic gems, giving us a in your itinerary fascinating insight into life in England over the centuries. Guided Palace House tour at Beaulieu Introductory lecture and audio guided Twelve Day Itinerary tour at Leeds Castle Sunday: Arrival Guided tour of Hatfield House On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private transfer Private guided tour of Holkham Hall will take you to the Audleys Wood Hotel where we Exclusive guided tour of Doddington Hall stay for two nights. In the evening join the group Guided tour of Chatsworth House for a welcome drink, followed by dinner. Guided tour of Castle Howard Meals: Dinner Tailor-made guided tour and lunch at Harewood House Monday: Beaulieu Guided tour of Burghley House We make our way to Beaulieu Estate where we Audio guided tour and cream tea at enjoy a guided tour of Palace House, once the Blenheim Palace gatehouse of the medieval Beaulieu Abbey and Audio guided tour of Windsor Castle the home of the Montagu family since 1538. Themed evening talk by a guest speaker Remodelled and extended in the 1800s, it is a fine Holkham Hall example of a Victorian Gothic style country house. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Lincoln Cathedral Tuesday: RHS Garden Wisley and Castle Howard Leeds Castle Harewood House York Today we travel first to RHS Garden Wisley, the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship garden, which offers a wealth of inspirational ideas on design and Chatsworth House Lincoln Doddington Hall cultivation techniques. Holkham Hall Our next stop is Leeds Castle. Dating back to the th Burghley House 12 century, it was once home to Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. The castle’s last owner, Anglo- Ickworth House American heiress Lady Baillie, lovingly restored the castle to its former glory. We enjoy an introductory Blenheim Palace Hatfield House lecture and discover the furnishings, paintings and
Windsor Castle LONDON antiques during our audio guided tour. RHS Garden Wisley Leeds Castle From here, we travel to the Chilston Park Hotel where we stay overnight. After dinner at the Beaulieu hotel we are treated to a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
26 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday Wednesday: Hatfield House Sunday: Castle Howard and York We travel to Hatfield House, home of the Our first visit is to Castle Howard, home to the 7th Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury. The Howard family for over 300 years, where we enjoy house was built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, 1st Earl a guided tour. Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, of Salisbury, one of Elizabeth I’s most important Castle Howard has twice appeared as Brideshead in advisors. There are superb examples of Elizabethan film and television adaptations of Evelyn Waugh’s What’s Included craftsmanship, while the State Rooms are rich in classic novel. This magnificent 18th-century Return airport transfers from paintings, fine furniture and tapestries and we residence offers world-renowned collections and London Heathrow* learn more on our guided tour. stunning architecture. 2 nights at the Audleys Wood Hotel Later we check in to the Ickworth Hotel, a We then return to York. The city is steeped in 1 night at the Chilston Park Hotel magnificent National Trust property and our base history, from the Roman city walls to the surviving for the next two nights. medieval streets known as the Shambles. A must- 2 nights at the Ickworth Hotel 3 nights at the Grand Hotel & Spa York Meals: Breakfast, Dinner see is York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. 1 night at the Stapleford Park Country Thursday: Holkham Hall, Norfolk villages Meals: Breakfast, Dinner House Hotel and Ickworth House 1 night at the Hartwell House Hotel This morning we enjoy a private guided tour of Monday: Harewood House 1 night at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel Holkham Hall, an elegant 18th-century country When Edwin Lascelles started building Harewood Welcome drink and canapés mansion constructed in the Palladian style for House in 1759, he employed the finest craftsmen Full English breakfast each day st Thomas Coke, 1 Earl of Leicester. The hall is of the time: architect John Carr, interior 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 11 nights th currently home to the 8 Earl of Leicester and his designer Robert Adam, furniture maker Thomas at the hotels (with after-dinner tea family. Admire the spectacular Marble Hall with its Chippendale and landscape gardener Lancelot and coffee) ‘Capability’ Brown. Harewood has an outstanding breathtaking domed ceiling and the magnificent Services of a tour director throughout art collection and is still home to the Lascelles State Rooms. your stay family, reflecting the changing tastes and styles of We also make a short stop in the tranquil village the past 250 years and we learn more on our tailor- Travel to and from all excursions of Castle Acre, a rare and complete survival of a All excursion costs Norman planned settlement, as well as the market made tour followed by lunch. Porterage town of Swaffham, once home to a flourishing Later we check in to the Stapleford Park wool industry in the 14th and 15th centuries. Country House Hotel in Leicestershire where *supplement applies for transfers from all other airports On returning to the Ickworth Estate we explore we stay overnight. Ickworth House itself. This Neo-classical mansion Meals: Breakfast, Dinner is most notable for its enormous central Rotunda Tuesday: Burghley House commissioned by the 4th Earl of Bristol to house his Your Hotels priceless treasures. This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Burghley Nights One and Two – Audleys Wood Hotel, House, cited as England’s greatest Elizabethan Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Basingstoke house. Home to William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer Night Three – Chilston Park Hotel, Lenham Friday: Doddington Hall and Lincoln to Queen Elizabeth I, Burghley offers a unique Nights Four and Five – Ickworth Hotel, near Begun in 1595 by the great Elizabethan architect glimpse into the way great houses have been lived in from the time of Elizabeth I to the present day. Bury St Edmunds Robert Smythson, Doddington Hall was completed Nights Six to Eight – Grand Hotel & Spa, York in 1600 and has never been sold or cleared out We have time to explore the breathtaking State Night Nine – Stapleford Park Country House since. Still a much-loved family home, this fine Rooms and historic collections. Hotel, near Melton Mowbray Elizabethan mansion’s unfussy, symmetrical looking We continue on to our overnight hotel, the Hartwell exterior contrasts with an elegant Georgian interior, House Hotel, one of the National Trust’s Historic Night Ten – Hartwell House Hotel, full of captivating collections that reflect 400 years House Hotels. near Aylesbury of unbroken family occupation. We learn more on Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Night Eleven – Macdonald Windsor our exclusive guided tour. Hotel, Windsor Wednesday: Blenheim Palace and For more information on these hotels please visit After our visit, we head to Lincoln where we have Windsor Castle our website. free time to explore the city with its well-preserved We have a limited number of single places available medieval quarter, quaint cobbled streets and fine We head to the awe-inspiring Blenheim Palace, with no supplement on this tour. These sell quickly. Gothic cathedral. synonymous with the Churchill family and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The magnificent From here, we make our way to our hotel for the Thursday: Departure next three nights, the Grand Hotel & Spa in York. State Rooms reveal a superb collection of tapestries, paintings, porcelain and furniture and we learn A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow Meals: Breakfast, Dinner more on our audio guided tour followed by a airport for your return flight home. Saturday: Chatsworth House delicious cream tea. Meals: Breakfast We enjoy a guided tour of magnificent Chatsworth Our final visit is to Windsor Castle, the oldest and Please note: as this tour travels from the south House, home to the Duke and Duchess of largest inhabited castle in the world and one of to the north of England and back, some days will Devonshire and witness to 16 generations of the the Queen’s official residences. Established in the involve fairly long journeys. th powerful Cavendish family who acquired the 11 century by William the Conqueror, it has been estate in 1549. The house has evolved through remodelled by successive kings and queens and is the centuries to reflect the tastes and interests regularly used for ceremonial and State occasions. of succeeding generations and boasts grandiose We learn more on our audio guided tour. interiors and a superlative art collection. Afterwards we check in to the Macdonald Windsor Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Hotel where we enjoy a farewell dinner together. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner email: [email protected] 27 Kent Castles & Coasts
September 11 to 19, 2020
$4,990 per person The romantic county of Kent offers a multitude of historic treasures, from enchanting castles and stately homes to imaginative gardens and delightful coastal towns. On this captivating break we learn about Kent’s role in shaping English history, and discover some of its famous residents such as Ann Boleyn, Charles Dickens and Winston Churchill. In a county famed for its castles, we also explore historic Hever and impressive Leeds Castle. We combine these fascinating architectural wonders with the peacefulness of the Kentish coast, as we experience the classic seaside charm of Hever Castle Margate and Whitstable. Nine Day Itinerary Special extras included Saturday: Arrival in your itinerary On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, the Castle Private guided tour and lunch at Hotel Windsor – MGallery. In the evening, join the Hever Castle group for a welcome drink, followed by dinner. Exclusive out-of-hours garden tour of Meals: Dinner Sissinghurst Castle Garden Guided walking tour of Canterbury Sunday: Chartwell and Ightham Mote Guided tour of Canterbury Cathedral Today we first visit Chartwell, Sir Winston Guided tour and refreshments at The Churchill’s beloved home from 1924 to the time of Salutation Gardens his death. The house is still home to many of the Private guided tour of Leeds Castle great statesman’s personal and political mementos, including an amazing collection of gifts he received Guided tour and lunch at Godinton House from other world leaders and his personal painting Audio guided tour of Windsor Castle studio hidden in the grounds. Themed evening talk by a guest speaker
© Royal Collection Trust Collection © Royal Windsor Castle Next, we explore the moated manor house of Ightham Mote, once described by historian David Starkey as “the most beautiful and the most interesting of English country houses”. Built nearly Doddington Place Gardens Windsor Castle LONDON Whitstable 700 years ago, atmospheric Ightham has been Leeds Castle Down House Margate home to medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII Riverhill Himalayan Gardens Chartwell Sandwich Hever Castle Canterbury and Victorian High Society. Ightham Mote Godinton House Sissinghurst Castle Garden From here, we travel to the Chilston Park Hotel Bodiam Castle where we stay for the next five nights. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Monday: Hever Castle and Riverhill Himalayan Gardens We head to Hever Castle, the childhood home of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, where we enjoy a private guided tour and lunch. Dating back to the late 13th century, this double-moated castle is home to various historic artifacts including Tudor portraits and furniture, as well as two prayer books inscribed by Anne Boleyn. The castle was lavishly restored by American millionaire, William Waldorf
© NTPL/Andrew Butler © NTPL/Andrew Ightham Mote Butler © NTPL/Andrew Sissinghurst Castle Garden Astor, in the early 20th century.
28 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday We continue to Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, a bays, retro shops and a friendly atmosphere. As fine example of horticultural excellence, created Margate is also home to a thriving arts community, by contemporary of Charles Darwin and patron of you may like to browse the Turner Contemporary, a Victorian plant hunter, John Rogers. We discover its beautiful gallery overlooking the sea. interesting history as we enjoy the combination of We then head to the historic town of Sandwich. world-class British sculpture, secret pathways and Once a major port, there are still many original What’s Included stunning floral displays. medieval buildings dotted around this enchanting Return airport transfers from This evening we enjoy dinner together in a town, making it a delight to explore. London Heathrow* local pub. We continue to The Salutation Gardens in 3 nights at a well-appointed hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Sandwich, where we enjoy a guided tour and Windsor refreshments. Designed in 1912 by architect Sir 5 nights at the Chilston Park Hotel Tuesday: Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Edwin Lutyens, the exquisite gardens are divided Tenterden and Bodiam Castle into a sequence of symmetrical ‘rooms.’ After Welcome drink and canapés This morning we head to Sissinghurst Castle around 70 years, the gardens sadly fell into Full English breakfast each day Garden where we enjoy an exclusive out-of-hours disorder, but with a new owner and head gardener 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 6 nights garden tour. Created in the 1930s by novelist Vita at the helm, an extensive restoration project was at the hotels (with after-dinner tea Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson undertaken in 2005. and coffee) around the ruins of an Elizabethan manor house, Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 1 dinner at a traditional local pub these world-famous gardens are laid out as a series 1 dinner at a popular local of individually-planted ‘rooms’ including a fragrant seafood restaurant Herb Garden and Rose Garden. Services of a tour director throughout After lunch (not included) in the picturesque town your stay of Tenterden, we continue to Bodiam Castle. Travel to and from all excursions th This archetypal 14 -century moated castle with All entrance costs a ruined interior gives us a glimpse of medieval Porterage splendor and boasts an original wooden portcullis, spiral staircases, and battlements. *supplement applies for transfers from all other airports After dinner back at the hotel this evening, we Leeds Castle enjoy a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Friday: Leeds Castle and Godinton House Your Hotels We visit Leeds Castle, a quintessential moated Nights One, Seven and Eight – a well- castle set in 500 acres of glorious parkland, where appointed hotel, Windsor we enjoy a private guided tour. Dating back to the Nights Two to Six – Chilston Park Hotel, 12th century, it was once home to Henry VIII and Lenham Catherine of Aragon. The castle’s last private owner For more information on these hotels please visit was Lady Baillie, an Anglo-American heiress who our website. lovingly restored the castle to its former glory. We We have a limited number of single places available discover more of the castle’s fascinating history with no supplement on this tour. These sell quickly. as well as its wealth of furnishings, paintings, tapestries and antiques on display. Canterbury Cathedral the official residences of Queen Elizabeth II today. Our next stop is Godinton House, a delightful Established in the 11th century by William the Wednesday: Canterbury, Canterbury Jacobean house incorporating a medieval hall Conqueror, it has been remodelled by successive Cathedral and Whitstable and ornate carvings where we enjoy a guided kings and queens and is regularly used for We start the day in Canterbury. The city has a tour and lunch. Godinton is a much-loved home ceremonial and state occasions. The magnificent fascinating history which we learn about on our where each room reflects the tastes of those State Apartments are furnished with some of the guided walking tour. We also enjoy a guided tour who have lived here with an excellent collection finest works of art to admire during our audio of Canterbury Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in of furniture, art, and curios. We also have time guided tour. to explore the 12 acres of tranquil gardens, England, dating back to Norman times. In 1170, This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner together surrounded by ancient parkland. Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in the back at our hotel. Later, we check back in to our Windsor hotel where cathedral and ever since, it has been a site of Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Christian pilgrimage. we stay for the last two nights of our tour. Our next stop is Whitstable, a picturesque fishing Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Sunday: Departure and harbour town on the north coast of Kent, Saturday: Down House and A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow renowned for its fresh oysters and connections airport for your return flight home. Windsor Castle to Charles Dickens. You can enjoy sampling these Meals: Breakfast culinary delights during dinner in a popular local Our first stop today is Down House, home of seafood restaurant. scientist Charles Darwin and his family for 40 Meals: Breakfast, Dinner years. Several rooms have been recreated as they appeared when he lived here including the study Thursday: Margate, Sandwich and where he wrote On the Origin of Species. The The Salutation Gardens house is surrounded by extensive gardens; Darwin’s This morning we head to the coastal town of ‘outdoor laboratory’. Margate. This town epitomises the charm of a We then visit Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest classic British seaside resort, with its unspoilt sandy inhabited castle in the world which is still one of Whitstable email: [email protected] 29 Frequently Asked Questions How do I make a booking? Are room upgrades available? amount of walking will be clearly noted in the Call National Trust Tours at888-484-8785 to All of the hotels on these tours have been hand- itinerary. If you have any specific concerns, register by phone (preferred method) Monday - picked for their high quality of accommodation please contact us. Friday from 9am to 5pm (EST) or register online and service. However, in some instances room What are the arrangements at www.nationaltrusttours.com upgrades are available and we would be happy to assist you to arrange these should you for luggage? When are payments due? be interested. The standard luggage allowance is one item When you confirm your booking with us, a of hand luggage and one suitcase per person non-refundable deposit of $750 per person is Can you arrange extra hotel nights? restricted to a maximum weight of 20kgs (44 required to secure your place. The final balance Yes, if you decide to arrive a few days before pounds). We do provide porterage at each payment must be paid to us no later than the start of the tour or leave a few days after of the hotels used on our tours, however, as 90 days prior to the tour departure date. Of the end of the tour, we are happy to arrange with all things of a personal nature, it is your course, full payment can be made at the time extra nights’ accommodation. However, this responsibility to ensure your suitcase is loaded of booking if you prefer and for bookings made service is only available at hotels that feature in onto the vehicles we use throughout the tour. less than 8 weeks before the tour departs this the tour on which you are travelling and a $35 will be a requirement. administration fee is charged for this service. What clothing should I bring? Comfortable leisurewear is recommended How can I pay? Are meals included? for the daytime. In the evening many We accept debit and credit cards (except All breakfasts are included on all tours. Certain participants prefer to wear smarter dress American Express), for deposits and full payment. lunches and dinners are also included and you for dining. Whilst gentlemen may choose to should study the tour itinerary in this brochure wear a jacket in the restaurant in the evening, What paperwork will I receive? to determine what meals are included on your at most hotels this is not obligatory, we will of When your booking is confirmed, we will email chosen tour. Meals not mentioned are not course inform you if any hotel does have a dress you a booking confirmation document along with included and all beverages are at your own code. It is advisable to bring layered clothing a copy of our full Terms and Conditions. 90 days expense throughout the tour. and a light waterproof jacket. We recommend prior to the tour, we will prepare and send you sturdy footwear when visiting gardens as the our Travel Pack with your finalized information, What do I do about any dietary ground may be soft underfoot. Many historic reading list and tour itinerary details. requirements? properties request ladies do not wear high Do I need travel insurance? Please inform us at the time of booking, we heels which may damage flooring. will pass your information on to the hotel Yes, this is essential; we can only accept a who will do their best to accommodate Can you arrange my flights to booking on the basis that you have taken out a your requirements. the UK? full and comprehensive travel insurance policy Albion Journeys do not arrange your air travel to cover the full duration of your trip. We will How many passengers will be in the for our tours; this is your responsibility and ask you to confirm this to us. If you choose not Albion Journeys tour group? gives you the flexibility to decide on your to take out travel insurance, this is done so Typically, between 10 and 30. own routing. against our advice and at your own risk; we will ask you to sign a declination form indemnifying What is the role of the What should I budget for tipping? us from any responsibility or cost in the event Tour Director? While it is not compulsory, it is customary to of medical emergency or repatriation. Our friendly Tour Director will meet you for tip the coach driver and Tour Director as well as Do I need a passport and visa? a welcome dinner at the beginning of each offering a small gratuity to the transfer drivers to tour. Their role is to facilitate the smooth acknowledge the services they have provided. As It is your responsibility to ensure you have a a guideline we suggest a rate of £5 per day for full passport and we recommend that it is valid organization of all operational aspects of the tour. If you have any queries or experience your driver, £10 per day for your Tour Director for 6 months after the return date of your trip. and a couple of pounds for your transfer driver. Tourist visas are not required for US citizens any issues during the tour, they are there to assist you. Gratuities for hotel staff and the tour guides you visiting the UK for under 90 days solely for the may meet at properties on your day trips are purpose of tourism. If you are not a US citizen Will the excursions change? covered by Albion Journeys. or you are combining your visit with business, it is your responsibility to check the requirements Please note that we plan our tours far in advance and the order and availability of For more information, please telephone for visiting the UK, you can do this by visiting the Tours Program at the National Trust the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website to excursions may be subject to change. In the determine whether you need a visa to enter the event of a property not being available to visit, at (888) 484-8785 or (202) 588-6300 United Kingdom. we will substitute with a similar visit, and you will be informed of the full details. • web: www.nationaltrusttours.com Are there single traveler room • email: [email protected] How much walking will there be on supplements? these tours? All tours offered subject to availability. Terms and We have a small number of rooms on each tour conditions apply. Errors and omissions excepted. that are sold with no single supplement; once As much or as little as you like. Any included these are sold out we charge a supplement for guided tours will operate at a fairly relaxed any additional single rooms which varies for pace, as with many historic houses and gardens, each tour. You can contact us to enquire about you may experience some uneven flooring single supplement prices. Please book early as and steps along the way. Of course, you will single rooms sell fast. always have the option to explore any venue by yourself at your own pace. Any specific tour in this brochure with more than an average
30 For more information or to register, call National Trust Tours at 888-484-8785 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST), Monday - Friday Terms & Conditions It is important that you read the following booking conditions. These Booking Conditions form the basis of your contract with us. Please read these sections carefully as they apply to all bookings you make with us unless otherwise specified. All holidays are operated by Albion. 1. HOLIDAY PAYMENT: When you make a booking you must pay a deposit for every person named on the booking. Deposits per person and the balance due date (the period before the departure date on which your full balance normally becomes due) are:
Deposit Balance due date $500* 90 days before departure
If you cannot make a payment by card at the time of booking, please speak to one of our Reservations staff to discuss other options. You can make payments against your balance anytime between making the booking and the balance due date. If the balance is not paid on time we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled by you and apply cancellation charges as set out in clause 3 below. For bookings made after the balance due date, the full amount is due at the time of booking. 2. OUR AGREEMENT: A contract is formed when we issue to you the booking confirmation document and terms and conditions. It is important you read through these and any other documents you receive and advise us of any inaccuracy within 14 days of the document date. By accepting the booking is correct you agree to our terms and conditions. We regret we cannot accept any liability if we are not notified of any inaccuracy in any document within 14 days of our sending it out. This contract and all matters arising out of it will be governed by English law and will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. 3. HOLIDAY CANCELLATION BY YOU: If you want to cancel your booking after we have confirmed it with you either verbally, over the telephone or by email, you can do so over the phone or in writing. The following cancellation charges will apply: © NTPL/David Levenson 365 to 182 days prior $500 to departure 181 to 91 days prior $500* to departure 90 days or less before 100% of the program departure cost is non-refundable
If any member of your party is prevented from travelling, that person may transfer their place to someone else (introduced by you) providing we are notified no less than two weeks before departure. *On bookings made before 12/31/20. Normal deposit of $750 applies after that date. Full terms and conditions will be provided with your booking confirmation. They are also available on request or via our website: www.albionjourneys.com/terms-and-conditions. © NTPL/John Millar © NTPL/John email: [email protected] 31 1155 15th Street, NW Suite 300 Washington D.C. 20005 888-484-8785 www.nationaltrusttours.com [email protected]
Deposit reduced to $500 for bookings made by Dec. 31, 2020 All vacations are protected by the Albion Peace of Mind Travel Plan (see pg 4 for more details)
Front Cover Image: Fyvie Castle, © National Trust for Scotland