Lincolnshire

To The Manor Born

Travel The tour starts and finishes at Milton Hill House, Abingdon. Milton Hill Steventon Abingdon OX13 6AF Tel: 0871 222 4812

Please note that transport to the hotel is not included in the price of the tour.

Transport Travelling by car From the M4 - Exit M4 at Junction 13, then take the A34 to . After 9 miles, take the A4185 to Wantage. Go straight over the first and second roundabout. Just after the Packhorse Public House, take the left turn (shared entrance with Milton Business & Technology Centre). Take the first left turn into the main drive for Milton Hill Training Centre. Follow this drive all the way to the Main House.

From the M40 - Exit M40 at Junction 9, then take the A34 to Newbury. Exit the A34 at the A4130 (Milton Interchange) Junction. Take the fourth exit and follow the A4130 for approximately one mile through one set of traffic lights. Take the right turn after the Farm Shop (shared entrance with Milton Business & Technology Centre). Take the first left turn into the main drive for Milton Hill Training Centre. Follow this drive all the way to the Main House.

Parking at Milton Hill: With 150 spots, parking is extensive and free for guests of the hotel. Travelling by rail: The nearest station is Parkway, approximately 10 minutes drive from Milton Hill, Abingdon by taxi. Didcot Parkway is served by regular Intercity trains from Paddington Station. If you require a taxi, please call Go Green Taxi’s 01235811100

Accommodation

Milton Hill, Abingdon Surrounded by 22 acres of tranquil parkland just 13 miles from Oxford, Milton Hill, Abingdon seamlessly blends a graceful Georgian manor house with modern amenities. You’ll feel the history the moment you arrive at our charming Georgian mansion house. That’s because previous residents include King William III and Peter the Great, and Sir Mortimer Signer of the Singer sewing machine family—responsible for the grand modifications to the house and estate in the early 1900s. An elegant look throughout, Milton Hill has an extensive range of accommodation along with a gym, indoor heated pool, spa, sauna, five-a-side football pitch, and croquet lawn. The contemporary rooms offer en-suite bathrooms, TV, free Wi-Fi and tea and coffee making facilities.

For more information, additional details can be found on the website: https://www.miltonoxfordshire.co.uk

Check-in and departure from the hotel You can check in from 14.00. The tour will start in the evening when the Tour Manager, Mike Stone, will meet you in the Lilac Suite at 18:30 for the welcome reception. On the last day of the tour, the tour will not finish until approximately 17.00 – 17.30 so you should check with your tour manager, or the hotel reception, where luggage should be stored until your departure.

Extra nights If you have booked to stay an extra night at the hotel, this is on a bed and breakfast basis and check out from the hotel is at 11:00. Please pre-book your table for dinner for Saturday 22nd July on arrival as the hotel is very busy.

Special requests If you haven’t already done so, please notify Travel Editions of any special requests as soon as possible to allow sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements.

Dining On the first night of your stay, a private dinner is provided. Breakfast on each day of your stay is included in the price. On the 2nd night dinner is provided with the special evening to . All other meals other than these stated are not included.

If you have booked to stay an extra night, dinner is not included on your final evening.

Places Visited

Stonor House and Garden Park is an historic country house and private deer park situated in a valley in the at Stonor, about 4 miles north of Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, England, close to the county boundary with . The house has a 12th-century private chapel. The remains of a prehistoric stone circle are in the grounds. It is the ancestral home and seat of the Stonor family, Baron Camoys. The current Lord Camoys is Ralph Stonor, 7th Baron Camoys. https://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/england/item/stonor-park-garden.html

Basildon Park Basildon Park is a country house situated 2 miles (3 kilometres) south of Goring-on-Thames and Streatley in Berkshire, between the villages of Upper Basildon and . It is owned by the National Trust and is a Grade I listed building. The house was built between 1776 and 1783 for Sir Francis Sykes and designed by in the Palladian style at a time when Palladianism was giving way to the newly fashionable . Thus, the interiors are in a neoclassical "Adamesque" style.

In the 1950’s the house was purchased by Lord and Lady Iliffe, when it was de-requisitioned after the Second World War. With extraordinary vision, the Iliffes brought Basildon Park back to life, acquiring a collection of fine furnishings and carefully selected Old Masters.

The wooded parkland offers glorious seasonal colour, with spring bluebells, summer buttercups and autumn leaves, while the landscape has been carefully restored to offer wonderful views, peaceful trails and picnic places https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park

Blenheim Palace Blenheim Palace is the principal residence of the Dukes of Marlborough, and the only non-royal non- episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace, one of England's largest houses, was built between 1705 and circa 1722. Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. www.blenheimpalace.com

Kingston Bagpuize House A cherished home for many over the last 300 years, and situated in a unique setting on the edge of The White Horse Vale, Kingston Bagpuize Hotel is surrounded by beautiful mature garden and parkland. After the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror divided the Manor, giving half to Henry de Ferrers, who leased it to Ralf de Bachepuis. The Bachepuis family lived here for 200 years and during that time, the Manor became known as Kingston Bachepuis, anglicised over time to become Kingston Bagpuize as spelt today. http://www.kbhevents.uk/

Buscot Park A late 18th century house, set in enchanting landscaped grounds, this remains a family home of Lord Faringdon, who continues to care for the property as well as the family art collection. The Faringdon Collection, remains on display in the house.

Consequently, despite the grandeur of their scale, both the house and grounds remain intimate and idiosyncratic and very much a family home. They also continue to change and develop as nothing is preserved in aspic here...

Outside enjoy a new water feature, Faux Fall, by David Harber. Inside, discover contemporary glassware by Colin Reid and Sally Fawkes. http://www.buscot-park.com/

Your Guide

Mike Stone will be your guide/lecturer throughout the tour. Mike is an archaeologist, historian and qualified London Blue Badge guide who has many years’ experience leading tours.

Mike will give the following lectures during the tour:

‘Blenheim Palace and the Duke of Marlborough’.

Practical Information

Tour manager - Your tour manager will be on hand throughout the tour to ensure that everything operates according to plan. If you have any problems or questions please see him or her immediately – it is often possible to resolve complaints or problems very quickly on the spot, and do everything to help you enjoy your holiday.

Tipping – To keep our tours affordable, we do not increase the tour price by adding in tips. However, in the tourism industry, there is a certain level of expectation that when receiving a good service, one does award with a tip. Tour Managers, Representatives, Guides and Drivers appreciate a tip at the end of their involvement with the tour, but this is entirely at your discretion. We believe in allowing you to tip according to your level of satisfaction with their services, but for your guidance about £2-3 per person per day for the tour manager is the norm. We would like to reiterate that tipping is an entirely optional payment and this information is given purely to answer any questions you may have about it.

Walking Content – This tour has been graded a 4 out of 5 for walking difficulty.

Please see the key below for an explanation of the footprint symbols:

Insurance Although this is a UK holiday please note that, should you cancel your holiday, the amount paid is non- refundable. For this reason you may wish to take out insurance just in case an unforeseen event caused you to have to cancel the tour. As well as covering cancellations, your travel insurance will also cover your baggage and personal belongings in case they are lost or stolen.

Emergencies Should an emergency arise, please call our offices on: 020 7251 0045 Outside office hours (Mon-Fri 0900-1700), telephone our emergency staff on: 07841 023807 or 020 7987 5910 or 07831 133079 or PLEASE USE THESE NUMBERS ONLY IN THE EVENT OF A GENUINE EMERGENCY.

Travel Editions 3 Young’s Buildings, London EC1 V 9DB Tel: 020 7251 0045 Email: [email protected] www.traveleditions.co.uk

PLEASE NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PRINTING. IT IS MEANT AS A GUIDE ONLY AND WE CANNOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ERRORS OR SUBSEQUENT CHANGES