2019 Guaranteed Departures Fitzwilliam Museum Jacobite Steam Train, Glenfinnan Viaduct © Damien Vickers Dear Royal Oak Members and Friends, Delve Deeper into Britain’s Heritage I am very pleased to share with you our 2019 heritage tour program produced in Fenton House – a hidden gem in London partnership with Albion. These group tours offer Royal Oak members the unique th opportunity to discover the vast cultural and natural heritage of Britain including many of Fenton House is a 17 -century merchant’s house, bequeathed to the National Trust in the impressive places owned by the National Trust of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 1952 by its last owner and resident Lady Binning. The interior houses the Benton Fletcher collection of early keyboard instruments and collections of portraits and paintings, including With behind-the-scenes tours, after dinner lectures and insights from the owners of the the collection of Peter Barkworth, and loans of Sir William Nicholson paintings, porcelain, properties themselves, you can really immerse yourself in the locations that you visit and in 17th-century needlework pictures and Georgian furniture. This handsome brick mansion 2019, these tours will take you even further too – with a wider variety of locations on offer also has a walled garden, a working kitchen garden and a 300-year-old orchard, where than ever before. HighclereHawkshead Castle about 30 types of apple trees flourish. Both Albion and The Royal Oak Foundation are proud to be partners of the National Fenton House features on the London’s Hidden Houses tour (page 10). Trust, helping to support the Trust’s vital conservation work. These tours not only provide a financial contribution to the Trust’s conservation projects but they also allow you to Bodiam Castle – a stunning medieval castle in East Sussex Fenton House experience first-hand the important work that is being carried out. de Serra © NTHP/Arnhel This impressive 14th-century moated castle is set within a scenic historic landscape. 2019 marks the 200th anniversary since the birth of Queen Victoria, Britain’s second longest Although now in ruins, Bodiam Castle is one of Britain’s most picturesque and romantic serving monarch. We celebrate her life on the Queen Victoria 200 Regal Splendor & an ancient monuments and provides a unique glimpse into castle life of medieval times Meals Island Getaway tour which takes in some of the famous palaces, castles and country houses boasting an original wooden portcullis, spiral staircases, tower rooms and battlements. frequented by the Queen throughout her reign, offering a very real insight into her life and On every tour, breakfast is included at
Windsor Castle II 2017 Elizabeth Queen , -® Her Majesty Trust Collection - Royal Mark Fiennes the people closest to her. One such property is Hughenden. Previously home to Queen Bodiam Castle features on the Fairytale Castles of Kent tour (page 14). your hotel each day. Certain lunches Victoria’s ‘favourite Prime Minister’ Benjamin Disraeli, here you can discover more about The majority of our tours include an after-dinner talk by an expert in their and dinners are also included (details this colorful former-parliamentarian. can be found on each tour page). Some field that promises to be both informative and engaging: evenings are left free for you to make Ahead of the Mayflower 400 celebrations in 2020, we discover the history of the Pilgrim Whether it is a leading historian, fascinating writer or learned expert, we arrange guest your own dinner arrangements, giving Fathers in the heart of England on the Cambridgeshire & the Origins of the Mayflower 400 speakers who will enhance the themes of your tour and provide some captivating you the flexibility to choose your own tour. On this trip we look at the origins of the Mayflower Pilgrims and also visit Harwich restaurant as well as have time to where the Mayflower was believed to be built and started her journey. In addition we visit background or intriguing insight. With the opportunity for you to ask questions at the end explore more of the town or city you the fascinating working estate of Wimpole, boasting a beautiful hall and unique interiors. If of the talk, these interactive experiences are an opportunity not to be missed. are staying in. this tour is something that interests you, you may also like to take a look at the preview of We also provide reading lists, allowing you to do a little background
our 2020 tour Mayflower 400. Osborne House Heritage © English reading before the start of the tour: Extend Your Stay I encourage you to join one or more of these tours and experience first-hand the history If you want to understand a little more about the themes of your tour, we provide a full If you would like to arrive a few days and beauty of the United Kingdom. Every tour helps raise funds for The Royal Oak reading list that should enable you to fully engage with the subject. We ensure that our before your tour departs or leave a Foundation too and we are sure that you will have a truly wonderful time sharing these few days after the end of the tour, journeys with other members and friends from across the United States. reading lists are entertaining as well as informative, and they include a mixture of fiction as well as factual tomes. It is up to you how much you want to use the reading list, but you can we are happy to arrange extra nights’ be sure that it will help spark lively conversation! accommodation at any of the hotels that feature on your tour (a small administration charge applies). Please David Nathans call us to discuss your requirements. Executive Director and CEO, The Royal Oak Foundation Mayflower II
2 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 3 Tour Highlights... A Wonderful Edinburgh, Northumberland & the Scottish Borders The area around the Scottish borders is renowned for its rugged nature, but on our Opportunity tour we also explore many of the beautiful buildings dotted through this landscape that is so rich in cultural heritage. While Rosslyn Chapel stands out for its highly decorated to Explore & interior, Abbotsford stuns with its grand, castle-like exterior and north of the border Scotland we’ll explore Traquair House which has all the romance of a fairytale castle. Experience... London’s Hidden Houses Join us to delve deeper into this fascinating capital city, looking beyond the typical B Edinburgh touristic sights and discovering the famous faces behind some hidden London houses on this tour. From the US Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin’s House, to playwright
William Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, to Thomas Coram, the artist William Hogarth and B the composer George Frideric Handel, who all had a role in the Foundling Museum, H each property has a fascinating story to tell. Belfast England
Liverpool, Cheshire & Northern Ireland K York Taking in two countries, Northern Ireland and the north-west of England, we uncover Dublin Manchester the great houses to be found in both regions and explore the strong links between Ireland G H I Liverpool and Northern Ireland on this tour. From magnificent Tatton Park in Cheshire to noble Glenarm Castle, as well as the stunning natural wonder – Giant’s Causeway, Birmingham there is so much to discover. Wales L F M London Glamour of the South East: Georgian Grandeur C M
Eltham Palace & Garden © English Heritage © English & Garden Eltham Palace A to Art Deco Elegance D E Not only a must-see for art and design fans, we hear the stories of some of the famous J owners of these glamorous houses, from writer Rudyard Kipling’s love of his home A Bateman’s, to Lee Miller, photographer and muse of the surrealists who created an M Boston Stump Boston artistic haven at Farleys House & Gallery. We also learn the story of Gilbert White, Contents pioneering ornithologist and naturalist who created a wildlife haven in the 1700s in Selbourne. Map Ref Tour Description Page Queen Victoria 200: Regal Splendor & an Island Getaway The Brontës & Literary Classics of Yorkshire A 6-7
Fitzwilliam Museum © Martin Bond March 31 to April 9, 2019 From the romance of York Minster to the brooding mystery of Kirkstall Abbey, there is Edinburgh, Northumberland & the Scottish Borders so much in Yorkshire to inspire you. On this special tour we retrace the steps of literary B 8-9 May 5 to 15, 2019 greats, the Brontë sisters, in their hometown of Haworth exploring places associated London’s Hidden Houses with their lives alongside discovering other stories of literary heroes who were C 10-11 influenced by the beautiful landscapes and stunning scenery to be found in this part May 12 to 19, 2019 of the world. Jane Austen & Georgian Treasures of the South D 12-13 June 2 to 11, 2019 Fairytale Castles of Kent E 14-15 June 9 to 17, 2019 The Vyne © NTHP Andreas von Einsiedel von Andreas © NTHP Vyne The Cambridgeshire & the Origins of the Mayflower 400 F 16-17 June 11 to 20, 2019 Glorious Gardens & Grandeur of North Wales G 18-19 June 23 to July 2, 2019 © Phil Wilkinson Liverpool, Cheshire & Northern Ireland H 20-21 July 7 to 18, 2019 Aristocrats, Manor Houses & a Grand Tour to the North
Thirlestane Castle Thirlestane I 22-23 July 21 to 30, 2019 & August 11 to 20, 2019 Charlecote Park © NTHP Andreas von Einsiedel Andreas von © NTHP Park Charlecote Butler Hall © NTHP/Andrew Speke Glamour of the South East: Georgian Grandeur to Art Deco Elegance J 24-25 July 28 to August 4, 2019 © English Heritage © English The Brontës & Literary Classics of Yorkshire K 26-27 September 1 to 9, 2019 In the Footsteps of Shakespeare © Phil Wilkinson
L 28-29 September 15 to 25, 2019 Mayflower 400 M 31 September 10 to 20, 2020 Eltham Palace, Great Hall ceiling Eltham Palace, Fitzwilliam Museum Thirlestane Castle Thirlestane Quire Minster York Queen Victoria 200: Regal What’s Included Airport transfers from London Heathrow* Hughenden LON ON Cli eden ardens Kensington alace 5 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel Splendor & an Island Getaway indsor Castle 4 nights at the Royal Hotel, Isle of Wight from per person March 31 to April 9, 2019 $4,950 A ington ar Welcome drink and canapés th Full English breakfast each day 2019 marks the 200 anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria, Britain’s second longest Arundel Castle Cowes ortsmouth Osborne House 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 6 nights serving monarch. Victoria’s reign marked a period of great cultural, industrial and political he Needles Nunwell House change and a great expansion of the British Empire. This tour takes in some of the famous North Court ardens at the hotels (with after dinner tea palaces, castles and country houses frequented by the Queen throughout her reign and and coffee) Arundel Castle offers a very real insight into her life and the people closest to her. 1 dinner at a restaurant in Windsor Thursday: Arundel Castle Saturday: The Needles, Farringford 1 dinner at a restaurant on the Isle of Wight Special extras included Arundel Castle is one of the longest inhabited House & Gardens, Dimbola Lodge, 2 lunches in your itinerary country houses in England, having been the Mottistone Gardens and St Lawrence seat of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors Parish Church Services of a tour director throughout since 1067. Although restored and remodelled your stay Guided walking tour of Windsor in the 19th century, many of the original We take a scenic drive via The Needles with some impressive views of Alum Bay, before Travel to and from all excursions features remain such as the Norman keep and Guided tour of Dimbola Lodge heading for a brief visit to Farringford House gatehouse, while the finely preserved interiors Return ferry to the Isle of Wight Guided tour of Nunwell House are home to priceless works of art. Queen & Gardens, the home of famous poet and friend of Queen Victoria, Alfred Lord Tennyson. All entrance costs Guided tour and lunch at Avington Park Victoria and her husband Prince Albert visited Hughenden © NTPL/Andrew Butler © NTPL/Andrew the castle for several days in 1846. Tennyson lived here from 1853 until his death Porterage Themed evening talk by a in 1892. guest speaker After enjoying lunch together in Arundel, we *supplement applies for transfers from all other airports take the ferry across the Solent to the Isle of We then continue on to Dimbola Lodge, home Wight, checking in to the Royal Hotel, our base of the celebrated Victorian photographer Julia for the next four nights. This evening we enjoy Margaret Cameron where we enjoy a guided dinner at the hotel. tour. The house is now a Museum and Gallery Your Hotels dedicated to her life and work whilst also Friday: Osborne House and Cowes showcasing contemporary exhibitions from Nights One to Four, and Nine Ian Jones - Royal Collection Trust , -® Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017 Elizabeth Queen Majesty , -® Her Trust Collection - Royal Ian Jones photographers around the globe. – Macdonald Windsor Hotel Today we have the chance to explore Osborne House, purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Next we venture to Mottistone Gardens, one of The Macdonald Windsor Hotel is situated in Albert in 1845 as a seaside retreat away from the most peaceful and magical gardens on the the heart of the historic town of Windsor, London and Windsor. The Italianate palace island, surrounding an attractive Elizabethan opposite the famous Windsor Castle. The The King’s Bedchamber, Windsor Castle Westminster Abbey Dimbola Lodge boasts spectacular views across the Solent. manor house. Established in the early 20th classic interiors, with a contemporary edge, fit perfectly with the Georgian elegance of this Tuesday: Hughenden and We take an intimate glimpse of royal family life century, the garden is set in a sheltered valley Ten Day Itinerary as we wander through the magnificent Royal and is rich in colorful herbaceous borders, townhouse hotel. The luxury bedrooms are Cliveden Gardens individually-designed and the hotel also offers Sunday: Arrival Apartments as well as the walled gardens and shrub-filled banks and grassy terraces. Today we head first to the stunning Hughenden, grounds where we find the charming Swiss a stylish bar and restaurant. On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private Finally we visit the Victorian parish church, St previously home to an unlikely Victorian Prime Cottage, used by the royal children to learn transfer will take you to the Macdonald Windsor Lawrence, which was designed by the architect Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, from 1848 to 1881. household management. Nights Five to Eight Hotel where we stay for the next four nights. In Palaces Royal © Historic th This impressive manor provides a fascinating Sir George Gilbert Scott in the 19 century. – The Royal Hotel, Isle of Wight the evening you are invited to join the group for insight into the world of this colorful former- Founded in 1832, the Royal Hotel is one of a welcome drink, followed by dinner. This evening we enjoy dinner together at a parliamentarian, who is described as Queen local restaurant. the oldest hotels on the Isle of Wight. Set in Monday: Windsor and Victoria’s ‘favourite Prime Minister’. subtropical gardens overlooking Ventnor Bay, the hotel offers a bar, restaurant and outdoor Windsor Castle Next we visit Cliveden Gardens, which have Kensington Palace Sunday: Nunwell House, North swimming pool. We begin our day with a guided walking tour uniquely captured the grandeur of a bygone Court Gardens and Godshill of Windsor, a Royal Borough situated on the era. In 1837, Cliveden was purchased by Harriet, London residence of The Duke and Duchess of This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Nunwell Single supplement $750 River Thames. A statue of Queen Victoria was Duchess of Sutherland, to be used as a home Cambridge. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle House, a beautiful family home since 1522, set away from London, near to her friend Queen (now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) live in in five acres of tranquil gardens with stunning erected here in 1887 to celebrate her Golden Monday: Avington Park Jubilee, with the Queen herself in attendance at Victoria. Victoria frequented Cliveden on at Nottingham Cottage on the grounds. views across the Solent. The parlor chamber After breakfast we leave the Isle of Wight the unveiling. least eight occasions and with expansive views, of this historic house is where the ill-fated Next we venture to Westminster Abbey, which behind as we take the ferry back to the these gardens set elevated above the River th Charles I spent his last night of freedom. since the 11 century has been the coronation mainland and then journey to Avington Park for We then visit Windsor Castle, the oldest and Thames have a special charm. largest inhabited castle in the world which is still church of the British monarchy. Queen Victoria’s We then head on to the North Court Gardens, a private guided tour and lunch. This stunning one of the official residences of Queen Elizabeth After dinner back at the hotel this evening, coronation took place here on 28 June 1838 which boasts 15 acres of beautiful gardens, with Georgian manor was once the property of II today. Established in the 11th century by we enjoy a fascinating themed talk from a when she was just 19 years of age; the event a large variety of plants and exotic palms that Winchester Cathedral and sits in an idyllic
Osborne House Heritage © English William the Conqueror, it has been remodelled guest speaker. lasted five hours. There are around 3,300 enjoy the special varying microclimates of location beside the River Itchen. by successive kings and queens and is regularly people buried or commemorated at this iconic the grounds. Afterwards we have some time at leisure in Afterwards, we return to the Macdonald used for ceremonial and state occasions. During Wednesday: Kensington Palace, Abbey, many of whom are hugely significant Cowes, home to the world-famous regatta We also spend a short while in the pretty inland Windsor Hotel, where we enjoy a farewell Queen Victoria’s reign, Windsor Castle was figures in history. Westminster Abbey and St James’ that swells the local population each August. village of Godshill with its charming thatched- dinner together at the hotel. the primary palace for the British monarchy, Palace Chapel We then head to St James’ Palace Chapel. Also Many of the town’s ornate buildings date from roofed cottages, delightful medieval church, and the Queen spent the larger part of every Kensington Palace has been a home to the royal described as the Chapel Royal and originally Queen Victoria’s time, in the style popularised tearooms and gift shops. Tuesday: Departure year residing here. The magnificent State family since the 17th century, and today we are constructed by King Henry VIII, this was the by her consort Prince Albert. As well as some Apartments are furnished with some of the Tonight we enjoy dinner together at the hotel. After breakfast, a private transfer will take you able to explore this stunning Jacobean building. venue of the marriage of Queen Victoria to upmarket shops, Cowes also has numerous finest works of art for you to admire. back to Heathrow airport for your return Built in 1605, Princess Victoria was later born Prince Albert in 1840. art galleries. flight home. Tonight we enjoy dinner together at a here on 24 May 1819. The Palace was Queen The evening is free for you to make your own We dine together back at the hotel this evening. restaurant in Windsor. Victoria’s childhood home and is now the dinner arrangements.
6 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 7 Edinburgh, Northumberland What’s Included Airport transfers from Edinburgh* dinburgh 5 nights at the Norton House Hotel & the Scottish Borders osslyn Cha el hirlestane Castle ellerstain House Abbotsford Floors Castle 5 nights at the Macdonald Linden raquair House May 5 to 15, 2019 from $5,490 per person Alnwic Castle Hall Hotel allington Thirlestane Castle Welcome drink and canapés © Phil Wilkinson The compelling and often turbulent history of the border country that separates Scotland Lanercost riory Hadrian’s all Newcastle Naworth Castle Full English breakfast each day and England has resulted in a region that is exceptionally rich in cultural heritage; with urham aby Castle 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 8 nights a host of defensive forts, ruined abbeys, ancient castles and picturesque stately homes o eby ar scattered through the scenic and romantic landscape. On this engaging tour, we discover at the hotels (with after dinner tea and coffee) the fascinating stories behind some of these iconic places, from Hadrian’s Wall with its tales of Roman Britain to the lives of Christian Monks in the 14th century, with the area 2 dinners at local restaurants immortalised in the work of Sir Walter Scott, whose home we also visit. Services of a tour director throughout Wallington Mellerstain House © NTPL/Andreas von Einsiedel von © NTPL/Andreas your stay
Special extras included Close by stands the Augustinian Lanercost Adam and completed by his more famous son, Travel to and from all excursions in your itinerary Priory, founded in 1166. The tranquil setting Robert, in 1778, the exterior of Mellerstain is All entrance costs of the priory belies an often troubled history. a good example of Adam’s ‘castle style’. It is Porterage Standing close to Hadrian’s Wall, it suffered the interiors however that showcase Adam’s Guided tour of Abbotsford frequent attacks during the long Anglo-Scottish work at its best with exquisitely proportioned *supplement applies for transfers from all other airports Guided tour of Newcastle wars. Although the chancel and transepts are in rooms embellished with classical plasterwork, ruins, the cloisters are beautifully preserved and some fine art as well as period furniture and Guided tour of Rokeby Park the 13th-century nave lives on as the embroidery collections. Private guided tour of Naworth Castle parish church. Your Hotels We then return to the Norton House Hotel, with the owner Abbotsford The Romans built Hadrian’s Wall as a our base for the last four nights of our stay. We Night One and Nights Seven to Ten Guided tour of Alnwick Castle fortification across Britain some two thousand enjoy dinner together at the hotel tonight. – Norton House Hotel Guided tour of Floors Castle years ago. We’ll explore part of this fascinating Originally a traditional country retreat built archaeological site before visiting Housesteads Sunday: Edinburgh Guided walking tour of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle in 1840, the Norton House Hotel is a fine Roman Fort, Britain’s most complete country house hotel set in 55 acres of leafy Private guided tour of Roman fort. This morning we enjoy a guided walking tour of grounds to the west of Edinburgh. This luxury Thirelstane Castle Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh. Most of the This evening, we enjoy dinner together at a hotel offers boutique rooms and a health club city’s sights can be found within the medieval Private guided tour of Traquair House local restaurant. and spa with a swimming pool, sauna, steam with the owner (subject to availability) Old Town and the elegant Georgian buildings room and hydrotherapy pool plus a fully Friday: Alnwick Castle of the New Town, all overlooked by the iconic equipped gym. Guided tour and afternoon tea aboard castle perched high above the city. the Royal Yacht Britannia and Wallington Alnwick Castle is still home to the Duke of As one of the most important strongholds in Nights Two to Six Themed evening talk by a Northumberland and his family. On our guided the Kingdom of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle – Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel guest speaker Rosslyn Chapel Alnwick Castle tour, we explore the history of the Percy has witnessed many of the defining events of Nestling in 450 acres of Northumberland family through the eclectic array of furniture Scottish history. Highlights include the Crown parkland close to Newcastle, the Linden th Eleven Day Itinerary Tuesday: Newcastle, Newcastle a magnificent backdrop for the stunning and art they collected in the impressive State Jewels of Scotland, the Royal Palace and the Hall Hotel is a beautiful 18 -century manor Cathedral and Durham Cathedral art collection. Rooms. Alnwick also featured in the popular TV 16th-century Great Hall. We then enjoy a little house. The hotel boasts classically furnished Sunday: Arrival series Downton Abbey. We also visit Alnwick free time to explore the city. bedrooms, a luxury spa with indoor pool, We enjoy a guided tour of Newcastle. In the Afterwards, we head to Rokeby Park where we On arrival at Edinburgh airport, a private Garden, set around a cascading fountain, and sauna and gym plus a tennis court and golf historical centre of the city stands the Castle enjoy a guided tour. Completed in 1735 by its Later, we dine together at a local restaurant. transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, surrounding ‘Capability’ Brown landscape. course. A cosy pub, lounge bar and restaurant Keep, one of the finest Norman stone castle owner, Sir Thomas Robinson, this architectural the Norton House Hotel. In the evening you are complete the amenities here. keeps surviving in Britain today. Although treasure represents the heyday of the Palladian- We continue on to Wallington, the much-loved Monday: Thirlestane Castle invited to join the group for a welcome drink, founded in 1091, Newcastle Cathedral is mainly style country house. Much of the present home to generations of the unconventional and Traquair House No single supplement – limited availability followed by dinner. 14th century and is notable for its unusual interior was designed by John Carr and a unique Trevelyan family. Fans of the Pre-Raphaelites We start the day at Thirlestane Castle where th Monday: Rosslyn Chapel 15 -century lantern spire. collection of 18th-century needlework pictures will love Wallington’s Central Hall. Built towards we enjoy a private guided tour. As the seat of Tuesday: Royal Yacht Britannia by Anne Morritt are on display. the close of the 17th century, the rather plain the Earls and Duke of Lauderdale and the home and Abbotsford Next is Durham Cathedral, a World Heritage After enjoying a morning at leisure in Palladian exterior hides an interior brimming of the Maitland family, this defensive fort with This morning we head to Rosslyn Chapel, home Site, sitting on a rocky promontory high Tonight, we enjoy dinner together back at Edinburgh, this afternoon we step aboard the with wonderful collections of ceramics, rose pink sandstone and fairy tale turrets, dates to some of the most exquisite carvings and above the River Wear. Originally built in 1093 the hotel. Royal Yacht Britannia, the Queen's floating paintings and needlework. back to the 13th century. The interiors are a mix portrait scenes in Europe. Dating back to 1445, as a monastic cathedral for a community of Royal residence for over 44 years, used not only of 19th century and early Baroque and highlights the chapel gained worldwide fame thanks to Benedictine monks, the cathedral boasts some Thursday: Naworth Castle, After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to for state visits and official receptions but also include the Duke’s bedroom with its exquisite the increasing interest in Freemasonry and of the most intact surviving monastic buildings Lanercost Priory and Hadrian’s Wall a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. for family holidays. Our fascinating guided tour plasterwork ceilings and the extensive the Knights Templar (it was one of the filming in England. includes the Bridge, the State Apartments, Royal This morning we visit Naworth Castle, the family portraits. locations for Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code). Saturday: Floors Castle Bedrooms, Crew's Quarters and the Engine We dine together at the hotel tonight. private ancestral home of the Howard family. We enjoy an exclusive private guided tour by and Mellerstain House Next is Traquair House where the 21st Lady Room. After our tour, we enjoy afternoon tea We continue to Abbotsford, the home of Sir the current owner, Philip Howard. A border We return north, stopping first at Floors Castle, of Traquair* will show us around the house. on board. Walter Scott, one of the great romanticists Wednesday: Raby Castle stronghold dating back to 1335, the castle was lying on the River Tweed. Scotland’s largest This 12th-century former hunting lodge, which and the foremost literary figure of his day. and Rokeby Park Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner together at almost destroyed by a devastating fire in 1844. inhabited castle has been home to the Dukes of hosted 27 Scottish monarchs, has a fascinating Created by the writer himself in the Scottish We make our way to Raby Castle. King Cnut our hotel. Restoration began in 1850 but the interiors Roxburghe since it was built in 1721 to designs history spanning nearly a thousand years. Trace Baronial style, the house contains an impressive owned the estate in the early 11th century but were the work of the 9th Earl of Carlisle who by William Adam. Here we can admire the the footsteps of the Kings of Scotland as you Wednesday: Departure collection of historic relics and an extensive it was the Nevills who built the 14th-century counted many of the eminent Pre-Raphaelites collections of fine art, furniture, porcelain and climb the turnpike staircase and uncover how library and we discover more on our guided tour. castle we see today, now home to Lord Barnard, A private transfer will take you back to among his friends. Naworth is not usually open tapestries on our guided tour. priests escaped in times of danger. a direct descendant of the Nevills. The exterior Edinburgh airport for your return flight home. Later we check in to the Macdonald Linden Hall to the public and we will enjoy a special of medieval towers and turrets contrasts Mellerstain House is seen by many as Robert We dine together back at the hotel this evening. Hotel where we stay for the next five nights. visit here. with the sumptuous interiors which provide Adam’s finest work. Begun in 1725 by William Tonight we enjoy dinner at the hotel. *subject to availability
8 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 9 Kenwood House London’s Hidden Houses Fenton House
he Foundling useum The Wallace Collection uildhall May 12 to 19, 2019 from $4,990 per person Benjamin Fran lin s House ower of London A sley House he lobe heatre encer House Im erial ar useum Behind the popular tourist hotspots, London has a rich hidden history and a wealth Chiswic House of charming houses to discover. We delve into the fascinating history at the Foundling Foundling Museum arble Hill House Foundling Museum © GG Archer Museum, tour the outstanding Kenwood House and explore the Roman ruins at Guildhall Ham House © GG Archer amongst other hidden gems of this famous city. Ham House
Special extras included in your itinerary Spencer House © NTPL/John Hammond © NTPL/John Private tour of the Churchill © Richard Bryant/Arcaid War Rooms Backstage tour of the Globe Theatre Private tour of the Wallace Collection Guildhall Guided tour of Ham House Themed evening talk by a guest speaker Wallace Collection Kenwood House
Thursday: Chiswick House and Our second visit is Kenwood House, built What’s Included Wallace Collection during the 17th century and originally known as Caen Wood House. Situated in peaceful and Airport transfers from London Heathrow* We head to west London this morning to begin impressively landscaped gardens, the property our day at one of the most stunning examples 6 nights at the Grange City Hotel Chiswick House Fenton House showcases spectacular interiors which we © NTHP/Arnhel de Serra © NTHP/Arnhel of 18th-century British architecture, Chiswick explore alongside a world-class art collection. 1 night at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel House. The Roman-style Palladian villa was Later we make our way to the heart of fascinating backstage tour to learn more Eight Day Itinerary designed by the third Earl of Burlington and Later we enjoy dinner back at our hotel. Welcome drink Westminster for our visit to the Churchill War about this iconic theatre and its most famous architect and designer William Kent. Make sure Full English breakfast each day Sunday: Arrival Rooms including a private tour. Set underneath playwright; from colorful stories of the original to take a look at the stunning ceilings of the Saturday: Ham House and Marble On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private the Treasury building, the museum is comprised 1599 Globe to the faithful reconstruction 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 4 nights upstairs rooms as well as the beautiful Hill House transfer will take you to the Grange City Hotel, of the Cabinet War Rooms, used as a base process of the 1990s. at the hotels (with after dinner tea velvet wallpaper. our hotel for the next six nights. In the evening of British Government command during the We take a scenic drive to Ham House and and coffee) Back at the hotel this evening, we enjoy dinner th you are invited to join the group for a welcome Second World War, as well as the Churchill Gardens, one of Europe’s greatest 17 -century together before a fascinating talk by a 1 dinner at a restaurant in London drink, followed by dinner. Museum, which displays many exhibits that give houses nestling on the banks of the River guest speaker. an insight into the life of Britain’s wartime Thames. This atmospheric mansion with fine Services of a tour director throughout Monday: Tower of London Prime Minister. interiors and historic gardens has remained your stay Globe Theatre virtually unchanged for 400 years. We find out Ceremony of the Keys, Benjamin Travel to and from all excursions Tonight is left free for you to make your own Franklin’s House and Churchill more about the family who lived at Ham on our arrangements for dinner. guided house tour. All excursion costs War Rooms Porterage We begin our day at the Tower of London to Tuesday: Foundling Museum, The day finishes just across the Thames at witness one of the oldest and most colorful Guildhall and Globe Theatre Marble Hill House set in 66 acres of beautiful *supplement applies for transfers from all other riverside parkland. Built for the mistress of King airports surviving enactments of its kind; the Ceremony Today we visit the Foundling Museum St George ll when he was the Prince of Wales, the of the Keys. Set amidst the mighty battlements Pancras which explores the fascinating history Chiswick House property’s grand interiors have been recreated of this ancient fortress, this hugely popular of the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first and boast a fine collection of early Georgian ceremony forms part of the traditional children’s charity and first public art gallery. Your Hotels Wednesday: Apsley House and This afternoon we are treated to a private tour ‘unlocking’ of the Tower of London and dates paintings. Be sure to see the hand painted Founded in 1739, the hospital aimed to care for of the Wallace Collection, a national museum Nights One to Six back some 700 years. Spencer House Chinese wallpaper in the dining parlor. babies at risk of abandonment. The museum in a historic London town house. The galleries Today takes us to Apsley House. Adjacent to – Grange City Hotel was more recently established in 2004, to contain unsurpassed displays of French 18th- Tower of London Hyde Park, this spectacular former home of the The Grange City Hotel is a luxury hotel in preserve and display the Foundling Hospital century paintings, furniture and porcelain with first Duke of Wellington is famously known as London near the River Thames, commanding Collection, and gives us the chance to explore superb Old Master paintings and a world ‘Number One London’. This beautiful Georgian sweeping views over the Tower of London the lives of the children who grew up at the class armory. hospital from 1741-1954. building has changed very little since the Duke’s and the iconic Tower Bridge. Popular local victory at Waterloo in 1815. As well as taking Tonight we enjoy dinner together at a attractions include the Tower of London, Our next point of call today is Guildhall, a in the lavish interiors we’ll also find a fine art local restaurant. Petticoat Lane market, the Shard and th powerhouse since the 12 century. Experience collection with paintings by Rubens St Katharine Docks. Rooms feature twin or the Gothic grandeur of the Great Hall as well and Velazquez. Friday: Fenton House queen-sized beds, LCD flat-screen TVs with as the largest surviving medieval crypts in and Kenwood House Marble Hill House satellite channels, individual climate controls Our final visit of the day is to Spencer House.
© Historic Royal Palaces Royal © Historic London. We also explore the impressive ruins We start the day to the north of the city in the and Bose music systems, hairdryer and an of London’s Roman Amphitheatre which is Built between 1756-1766 for John, first Earl leafy suburb of Hampstead, at Fenton House, a We then travel to our overnight hotel, the iron. Facilities include four restaurants and Our next stop takes us to Benjamin Franklin’s situated beneath Guildhall Yard. Rediscovered Spencer (an ancestor of Diana, Princess of handsome 17th-century merchant’s house set in Macdonald Windsor Hotel, where we have a bars, state-of-the-art Health and Fitness Club House. Situated in the heart of London and by archaeologists in 1988, the amphitheatre is Wales), the house is London’s most magnificent with private gym, virtual golf simulator, 25m th a beautiful walled garden and one of London’s farewell dinner together. built in around 1730, this is the only remaining over 2,000 years old. Crowds would once have 18 -century aristocratic palace. Designed by hidden gems. The house is filled with highly swimming pool and Ajala Spa. Franklin home in the world. Still boasting many come here to watch gladiatorial combats and John Vardy and James ‘Athenian’ Stuart, the decorative collections of porcelain, Georgian Sunday: Departure of its original features, the Founding Father of public executions. State Rooms were amongst the first neo- furniture, early musical instruments and 17th- A private transfer will take you back to Night Seven – Macdonald Windsor the United States lived at this property between classical interiors in Europe. Crossing the Thames, we then visit century needlework. The balcony of the house Heathrow airport for your return flight home. Hotel, Windsor 1757 and 1775 at a time when he was involved The rest of the day is free for you to explore the Shakespeare's Globe where we enjoy a offers panoramic views of the city on fine days. No single supplement – limited availability in the mediation between Britain and America. local area and find a restaurant for dinner.
10 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 11 Jane Austen & Georgian What’s Included Airport transfers from London Heathrow* Treasures of the South 2 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel 7 nights at the Bailbrook House Hotel ainswic June 2 to 11, 2019 from $5,250 per person Ber eley Castle Welcome drink Lacoc Abbey LON ON Bristol Bowood House Bath Longleat House he yne Full English breakfast each day ells English novelist Jane Austen is famous the world over for her entertaining novels that alisbury Chawton House ilton House Bowood House Hinton Am ner 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 7 nights gently satirise the dating game in Georgian society. She is forever associated with the ontacute House inchester Stourhead © NTPL/Dennis Gilbert south of England, from her home in Chawton, Hampshire to Regency Bath where she at the hotels (with after dinner tea lived for a time. We travel to many other places associated with her life and work, and and coffee) uncover other Georgian gems along the way, such as Bowood and Longleat House and Services of a tour director throughout also visit the country’s only surviving Rococo Garden. your stay Travel to and from all excursions Special extras included All excursion costs in your itinerary Porterage Longleat House The Vyne *supplement applies for transfers from all other © NTPL/Andreas von Einsiedel von © NTPL/Andreas airports Guided tour of Berkeley Castle Here we enjoy a fascinating talk upon arrival. mask. Outside are 100 acres of beautiful Guided tour of Salisbury Cathedral parkland, designed by ‘Capability’ Brown. We continue to explore with our guided Jane Bowood was also used as a filming location Guided tour and lunch at Wilton House Austen themed walking tour to view the Your Hotels for the 2007 TV film, Northanger Abbey. highlights of the city that features so much in Talk at No.1 Royal Crescent Here we enjoy a guided tour followed by an her writing as well as her former homes. Nights One and Nine Jane Austen guided walking tour included lunch. – Macdonald Windsor Hotel Afterwards, we head to the Assembly Rooms of Bath We then head to the village of Lacock with its The Macdonald Windsor Hotel is situated in – once the hub of the Georgian social calendar Early bird private guided tour and lunch picturesque streets of timber-framed cottages. the heart of the historic town of Windsor, and an important location for Jane Austen’s at Longleat House Lacock Abbey sits at the heart of the village with opposite the famous Windsor Castle. The novels set here; Persuasion and Northanger golden stone cloisters and a Great Hall. Once a classic interiors, with a contemporary edge, fit Guided tour and lunch at Abbey. Within the Assembly Rooms we visit medieval nunnery, the abbey was turned into a perfectly with the Georgian elegance of this Bowood House the Fashion Museum Bath. Founded in 1963, it family home by William Henry Fox Talbot who townhouse hotel. The luxury bedrooms are Literary-themed guided tour of houses a world-class collection of contemporary individually-designed and the hotel also offers th invented the first photographic negative. Winchester Cathedral and historic dress, from the 18 century a stylish bar and restaurant. through to modern day. Tonight you have some free time to make your Themed evening talk by a own arrangements for dinner. Nights Two to Eight guest speaker After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to Wilton House – Bailbrook House Hotel a fascinating themed talk by a guest speaker. Sunday: Montacute House and Wells Dating back to the early 1790s, Bailbrook This evening we check into our hotel for the over 750 years of history here including Friday: Longleat House This morning we visit Elizabethan Montacute Ten Day Itinerary House. This splendid mansion of golden stone House Hotel is a country house hotel situated next seven nights, the Bailbrook House Hotel. the best preserved original 1215 Magna and Stourhead just a few minutes from Bath. Set within 20 Sunday: Arrival with its oak-panelled rooms and the longest Tonight we enjoy dinner together at the hotel. Carta document. We begin the day with a visit to Longleat House acres of private grounds, the hotel offers On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private gallery in England is crammed with treasures Located within Cathedral Close is Mompesson which is widely regarded as one of the best classically-decorated bedrooms located in a transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, Tuesday: Painswick Rococo Garden including the Tudor and Elizabethan portraits on House, a perfect example of a Queen Anne style examples of high Elizabethan architecture in new wing as well as the original house, two the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening loan from the National Portrait Gallery. Several and Berkeley Castle town house. Its most notable features include Britain. Substantially completed by 1580 and restaurants, three elegant lounges and a you are invited to join the group for a welcome scenes of the 1995 film version of Sense and Rococo describes a period of art that was magnificent plaster work, an elegant carved now home to the 7th Marquess of Bath, Longleat conservatory bar. drink, followed by dinner. Sensibility were filmed at Montacute, including fashionable in the 1700s in Europe and today oak staircase and fine period furniture. Outside, House is set within 900 acres of stunning the scene where Marianne was rejected No single supplement – limited availability Monday: Chawton House Library, we begin by visiting the Painswick Rococo the charming walled garden has traditionally ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland. We by Willoughby. Jane Austen House Museum and Garden. Initially designed in the 1740s as an planted herbaceous borders. The house also take a private guided tour around the house, English country gentleman’s venue for hosting featured in the award-winning film Sense and visiting some of the most exquisite rooms Afterwards we continue on for a short stop in From here we travel back to the Macdonald Hinton Ampner intimate garden parties, this is now the only Sensibility based on Jane Austen’s novel. before the property opens to the public for the Wells, located at the foot of the Mendip Hills. Windsor Hotel where we enjoy a farewell We travel first to Chawton House, an complete Rococo garden in England. day, and later enjoy an included lunch. England’s smallest city boasts a magnificent dinner together. Elizabethan manor house that once belonged We then visit Wilton House, an excellent cathedral and unique moated Bishop’s Palace to Jane Austen’s brother, Edward Austen Knight. Next we visit Berkeley Castle where we enjoy example of Palladian architecture. Here we Afterwards we head to Stourhead. The estate while the eclectic mix of buildings and narrow Tuesday: Departure th It now accommodates a unique library of titles a guided tour. Still home to the Berkeley family enjoy lunch and a guided tour. This impressive is renowned for its 18 -century landscaped streets adds to the atmosphere here. A private transfer will take you back to focusing on women’s writing in English from today, construction began in the early part of property has foremost been a family home garden, featured in the 2005 film Pride and Heathrow airport for your return flight home. th Later we have dinner at the hotel. 1600 to 1830. the 12 century. It is best known as the scene for over 450 years and is set in 21 acres of Prejudice, and a delight of classical temples, of the brutal murder of Edward ll in 1327. The exotic trees, hidden grottos and a magnificent landscaped parkland. The house has regularly Monday: Winchester Cathedral Continuing our Jane Austen theme, we visit castle has also been used for filming including been used as a filming location too including for lake. The grand Palladian house is no less of a Jane Austen’s House Museum, the charming for popular TV drama Poldark. The state the 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride draw, with its Chippendale furniture and one of and The Vyne house in Chawton where she spent the last apartments showcase beautiful collections of and Prejudice starring Kiera Knightly. the finest Regency libraries left in existence. Today we explore the medieval city of eight years of her life. This is where she did the furniture and rare paintings. Winchester with a literary-themed guided tour majority of her mature writing and now tells the Later we enjoy dinner together at our hotel. This evening we enjoy dinner together at of the cathedral. The awe-inspiring cathedral story of the author and her family. Tonight is left free for you to make your own our hotel. is just one of the historic highlights here; its dinner arrangements. Thursday: Bath – No.1 Royal hidden treasures include the tomb of Jane Our last stop of the day is Hinton Ampner, Crescent, Jane Austen Walking Tour Saturday: Bowood House Austen and the Winchester Bible, one of the an elegant country house with particularly Wednesday: Salisbury, Salisbury and Lacock Abbey finest 12th-century bibles to have survived. impressive gardens. The property was rebuilt in Cathedral, Mompesson House and and Fashion Museum Family home of the Marquis and Marchioness 1960 by the then owner, Ralph Dutton, after a Once home to Jane Austen, Bath has remained We continue on to The Vyne, a splendid Tudor Wilton House of Lansdowne, Bowood houses a unique devastating fire. Today we can wander through faithful to its Regency roots. We begin at No.1 red-brick mansion set in 13 acres of attractive Today we head to Salisbury where we take a collection of historical artifacts and family the house and take in the fine collection of Royal Crescent, a Georgian town house that gardens. It was built for King Henry VIII’s Lord guided tour of the city’s fine medieval cathedral heirlooms built up over 250 years; from Queen ceramics and art. Make sure to admire the creates a wonderful picture of life for both the Chamberlain before becoming the Chute family which boasts the tallest spire in Britain. Discover Victoria’s wedding chair to Napoleon’s death Winchester Cathedral meticulous garden too. wealthy and their servants in Georgian Bath. home for over 300 years.
12 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 13 Fairytale Castles of Kent What’s Included Airport transfers from London Heathrow*
June 9 to 17, 2019 from $5,250 per person Blenheim alace 4 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel LON ON indsor Castle Ham ton Court alace own House 4 nights at the Chilston Park Hotel Chartwell Canterbury We explore the romantic county of Kent on this fascinating tour as we learn about its role He er Castle Leeds Castle issinghurst Castle arden Welcome drink and canapés shaping English history, and discover some of its famous residents such as Ann Boleyn, Chiddingstone Castle Bodiam Castle Charles Dickens and Winston Churchill, in his former home of Chartwell. In a county Full English breakfast each day famed for its castles, we also explore historic Hever Castle, impressive Leeds Castle and 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 6 nights the treasure house of Chiddingstone Castle. at the hotels (with after dinner tea Hampton Court Palace and coffee) Special extras included 1 dinner at a traditional local pub Services of a tour director throughout in your itinerary your stay
Audio guided tour of Windsor Castle Travel to and from all excursions Guided walking tour of Windsor All entrance costs
Porterage Canterbury Cathedral Exclusive ‘early bird’ garden tour of Sissinghurst Castle Garden *supplement applies for transfers from all other airports Guided tour of Hever Castle Guided tour of Chiddingstone Castle
Down House Blenheim Palace Guided walking tour of Canterbury Heritage © English Your Hotels Guided tour of Canterbury Cathedral Thursday: Canterbury, Canterbury restored the castle to its former glory. We Night One and Nights Six to Eight Guided tour of Godinton House Cathedral and Godinton House discover more of the castle’s fascinating history – Macdonald Windsor Hotel as well as its wealth of furnishings, paintings, Audio guided tour of Leeds Castle We start the day in Canterbury. The city has The Macdonald Windsor Hotel is situated in tapestries and antiques on display. the heart of the historic town of Windsor, Audio guided tour at Blenheim Palace a fascinating history which we learn about on our guided walking tour. We also enjoy a We then return to the Macdonald Windsor opposite the famous Windsor Castle. The Themed evening talk by a guided tour of Canterbury Cathedral, the oldest Hotel, our base for the last three nights of our classic interiors, with a contemporary edge, fit guest speaker cathedral in England, dating back to Norman stay. Later, we enjoy dinner together at perfectly with the Georgian elegance of this
Sissinghurst Castle Garden © Jonathan Buckley Hever Castle Castle © Hever times. In 1170, Archbishop Thomas Becket the hotel. townhouse hotel. The luxury bedrooms are individually-designed and the hotel also offers Nine Day Itinerary Later, we travel south east to Kent where we Wednesday: Hever Castle and was murdered in the cathedral and ever since, it has been a site of Christian pilgrimage. The Blenheim Palace a stylish bar and restaurant. pay a visit to Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s Chiddingstone Castle Saturday: Sunday: Arrival beloved home from 1924 to the time of his cathedral contains one of England’s largest We spend the day at Blenheim Palace, set in We head to Hever Castle, the childhood home Nights Two to Five On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private death. The house is set in a stunning location collections of early medieval stained glass beautiful parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, where – Chilston Park Hotel transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, and is still home to many of the great while its awe-inspiring architecture includes a Brown, where we enjoy an audio guided tour. we enjoy a guided tour. Dating back to the the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening statesman’s personal and political mementos, sweeping Gothic nave and cavernous crypt. As the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough, the Set in 22 acres of parkland in the heart of late 13th century, this double-moated castle you are invited to join the group for a welcome including an amazing collection of gifts he palace is synonymous with the Churchill family Kent, the Chilston Park Hotel is an elegant is home to various historic artifacts including Our next stop is Godinton House, a delightful th drink, followed by dinner. received from other world leaders and his and is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. A 17 -century manor house. Once home Tudor portraits and fine furniture, as well as Jacobean house incorporating a medieval hall personal painting studio hidden away in the permanent exhibition commemorates the life to eminent politicians, writers, Lords and two prayer books inscribed by Anne Boleyn. The and ornate carvings. Godinton is a comfortable, Monday: Windsor Castle, Windsor colorful grounds. of this famous wartime Prime Minister, whilst Viscounts, the hotel is filled with antiques castle was lavishly restored and extended by much-loved home where each room reflects th the magnificent State Rooms reveal a superb dating from as far back as the 17 century and Chartwell American millionaire, William Waldorf Astor, in the tastes of those who have lived here over After our visit, we travel on to the Chilston Park collection of tapestries, paintings, porcelain and offers the classic comforts of a British We enjoy an audio guided tour of Windsor the early 20th century. The spectacular gardens the centuries with an excellent collection of Hotel where we stay for the next four nights. and furniture. country house hotel. Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle Tonight we enjoy dinner together at the hotel. feature peaceful walks, two mazes and are furniture, art, porcelain and curios which we in the world and one of the Queen’s official renowned for having their own Hever discover on our guided tour. We also have time The evening is left free for you to make your No single supplement – limited availability residences. Established in the 11th century by Tuesday: Sissinghurst Castle Garden Castle Rose. to explore the 12 acres of tranquil gardens, own dinner arrangements. William the Conqueror, it has been remodelled and Bodiam Castle surrounded by ancient parkland. by successive kings and queens and is regularly Next is Chiddingstone Castle where we enjoy Sunday: Hampton Court Palace This morning we head to Sissinghurst Castle We enjoy dinner together back at the used for ceremonial and State occasions. The a guided tour. Set in 35 acres of beautiful Garden where we enjoy an exclusive ‘early bird’ hotel tonight. Our destination today is Hampton Court Palace, magnificent State Apartments are furnished grounds, the castle has undergone a number of garden tour. Created in the 1930s by novelist former royal residence of Henry VIII. Here with some of the finest works of art from the architectural changes; from its beginnings as an Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Friday: Down House we discover the State Rooms, the Great Hall Royal Collection while St George’s Chapel is one early timber-framed Tudor dwelling to a rebuild Nicolson around the picturesque ruins of an th and Leeds Castle (England’s last and greatest medieval hall), of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in to resemble a medieval castle in the early 19 Elizabethan manor house, these world-famous Our first stop today is Down House, home of the vast Tudor kitchens and the Chapel Royal England and was the recent venue for the Duke century. Today it houses the collections of the gardens are laid out as a series of enchanting, scientist Charles Darwin and his family for 40 with its sumptuous ceiling decoration. Outside, and Duchess of Sussex’s marriage. late antiquarian Denys Eyre Bower including individually-planted ‘rooms’ including a fragrant Japanese lacquer, Ancient Egyptian treasures, years. Several rooms have been recreated as the formal gardens cover over 60 acres and Afterwards, we enjoy a guided walking tour Herb Garden and Rose Garden. Stuart paintings and Jacobite manuscripts. The they appeared when he lived here including the highlights include the Great Vine planted by of Windsor. Lying on the south bank of the Victorian kitchen and servants’ hall give a taste study where he wrote 'On the Origin of Species'. ‘Capability’ Brown, and the Hampton Court We then discover Bodiam Castle, one of River Thames, this ancient royal town, which of the former 'upstairs downstairs' life of The house is surrounded by extensive gardens; Palace Maze which consists of half a mile of Britain’s most picturesque and romantic ancient grew up around the castle, has a rich mix of the house. Darwin's 'outdoor laboratory'. winding paths surrounded by towering yew monuments. This archetypal 14th-century culture and history. The Old Town retains its tree walls. moated castle with a ruined interior gives us Before leaving Kent we visit Leeds Castle, a picturesque medieval appearance with cobbled After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to a glimpse of medieval splendor and boasts an quintessential moated castle set in 500 acres Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner together at streets, winding alleyways and lovely half- a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. original wooden portcullis, spiral staircases, of glorious parkland, where we enjoy an audio our hotel. timbered houses. tower rooms and battlements. guided tour. Dating back to the 12th century, it was once home to Henry VIII and Catherine of Monday: Departure In the evening, we head to a traditional local Aragon. The castle’s last private owner was Lady A private transfer will take you back to pub where we enjoy dinner together. Baillie, an Anglo-American heiress who lovingly Heathrow airport for your return flight home.
14 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 Chartwell 15© NTPL/David Sellman What’s Included Cambridgeshire & the Austerfield Scrooby Gainsborough Old Hall Airport transfers from London Heathrow* 2 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel Nottingham Boston Guidhall Origins of the Mayflower 400 Fitzwilliam Museum © The Fitzwilliam Museum 3 nights at the Stapleford Park Country Stamford Lavenham House Hotel June 11 to 20, 2019 from $5,250 per person Ely Cathedral Mayflower II Cambridge Anglesey Abbey Wimpole Estate Lavenham 4 nights at the Ickworth Hotel Ahead of 2020’s Mayflower 400 celebrations, we discover the origins of the Pilgrim Woburn Abbey Saffron Walden Harwich Welcome drink and canapés Fathers in the heart of England. From a congregation of disgruntled English Protestants LONDON Full English breakfast each day from the village of Scrooby, Nottinghamshire through to a voyage into the unknown in Windsor the New World, we look at the origins of the Mayflower Pilgrims as we travel north to 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 8 nights Boston and Gainsborough, taking in landmarks around Scrooby itself before we head to at the hotels (with after dinner tea Cambridge and Essex to explore their role in the story. We also visit Harwich where the and coffee) Mayflower was believed to be built and started her journey. Services of a tour director throughout your stay Peterhouse College Special extras included Travel to and from all excursions We travel on to the stunning Ickworth Hotel on Tuesday: Ely Cathedral and All entrance costs in your itinerary the Ickworth Estate – a magnificent National Anglesey Abbey Trust property and our base for the next four Porterage We visit magnificent Ely Cathedral. Founded Guided tour of Woburn Abbey nights. Later, we enjoy dinner together at *supplement applies for transfers from all other as a monastery in 673, work on the present the hotel. airports Guided walking tour of Nottingham building dates from the early 1080s. A remarkable example of both Romanesque Guided walking tour of Cambridge Sunday: Fitzwilliam Museum and and Norman architecture, its most famous Your Hotels Talk at Lavenham Guildhall Peterhouse College feature is the central Octagon Tower which, Themed evening talk by a We head back into Cambridge where we visit along with the West Tower, gives a unique Nights One and Nine – Macdonald the Fitzwilliam Museum. The art and antiquities guest speaker exterior landmark that dominates the Windsor Hotel Woburn Abbey museum of the University of Cambridge surrounding landscape. contains a vast collection of treasures from The Macdonald Windsor Hotel is situated in Ten Day Itinerary We then make the short journey to the village Next, we visit St Botolph’s Church, otherwise paintings and armour to ceramics, furniture, We then make our way to Anglesey Abbey, the heart of the historic town of Windsor, of Austerfield, home of William Bradford who known as Boston Stump. The church is most textiles, sculptures and manuscripts. Gardens and Lode Mill. Don’t be fooled by opposite the famous Windsor Castle. The Tuesday: Arrival joined the Separatist cause and rose to become notable for its magnificent tower which, at the name; the house’s interior is a vestige of classic interiors, with a contemporary edge, fit On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private one of the principal figures in 17th-century New 272ft high, is one of the tallest medieval towers In the afternoon we visit Peterhouse, the oldest 1930s luxury, complete with rich furnishings, perfectly with the Georgian elegance of this transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, England. Both William Bradford and William in England. The church is particularly well college of the University of Cambridge, founded silver, paintings, books and rare clocks. Outside, townhouse hotel. The luxury bedrooms are the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening Brewster led the foundation of Plymouth known for its close ties to the Pilgrim Fathers. in 1284 by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely. discover an exceptional array of sculptures in individually-designed and the hotel also offers you are invited to join the group for a welcome Colony, the first settlement of New England. The Rev. John Cotton urged members of his Highlights include the Chapel, the Libraries the landscape gardens. a stylish bar and restaurant. drink, followed by dinner. local congregation to join the Massachusetts and the Hall, where the communal life of the Our final visit is to Gainsborough Old Hall. Built After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to Bay Company in an attempt to establish an student is centred. Nights Two to Four – Stapleford Park by the noble Burgh family around 1460, it is one a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. Wednesday: Woburn Abbey English settlement for religious Puritans in New Country House Hotel of the best-preserved, timber-framed medieval This evening, we enjoy dinner together at We head northwards, where we step back to England. In the 1630's he helped to found the Stapleford Park Country House Hotel is a manor houses in the country. The house boasts the hotel. Wednesday: Wimpole Estate the time of the Pilgrim Fathers, stopping to visit city of Boston, Massachusetts. beautiful country house hotel and golf course an impressive Great Hall, an original medieval and Windsor Woburn Abbey, family home of the Duke and surrounded by 500 acres of Capability Brown kitchen and original brick built tower. Famous Monday: Lavenham, Harwich Duchess of Bedford. Originally a monastery, We end the day in Nottingham where we enjoy This morning we head to the unique working grounds. The mansion bears the imprint of visitors include Richard III, Henry VIII and the and Saffron Walden Woburn Abbey was given by Edward VI to a guided walking tour to explore the city’s rich estate of Wimpole, still a hive of activity with architectural styles, from Tudor to Victorian Mayflower Pilgrims. We pay a visit to picturesque Lavenham, a the Russell family in 1547. Since then, several history. One-time lace capital of the world, a beautiful hall at its heart. The largest house with all of the 21st-century amenities you remarkably well-preserved Tudor village in leading architects of their day have helped Nottingham is renowned for its landmark in Cambridgeshire boasts some unique interior would expect in a luxury hotel. Each room is Boston Stump Suffolk. The woollen-cloth industry turned the create the stunning historic house we see today. buildings, each which tells of its own chapter in flourishes, including the graceful Yellow individually decorated and many have been We explore nearly 500 years of one family’s Nottingham’s history, including the Lace Market town into one of the richest in the country Drawing Room and Bath House. The wonderful th designed by famous names. history on our guided tour as well as discover with its stunning architecture. during the 15 century, with the church of St library was specially built to house an enormous a unique art collection, a treasury of silver, Peter and Paul built from the proceeds of local collection of books that went on to form the Nights Five to Eight – Ickworth Hotel Saturday: Stamford and Cambridge industry. We enjoy a talk at the National Trust’s porcelain and fine English and French furniture. core of the early British Library. Outside there is Set in the East Wing of the National Trust’s Guildhall of Corpus Christi – a potent reminder Our first stop today is the picturesque market a landscape park, colourful parterre garden, a historic Ickworth House, the Ickworth Hotel Afterwards, we make our way to the Stapleford of Lavenham’s former prosperity. town of Stamford, described as the finest stone walled kitchen garden and herbaceous borders is a luxury country house hotel that enjoys Park Country House Hotel where we stay for the to enjoy. town in England. The town prospered from the We continue on to the port of Harwich on some spectacular views across the grounds of next three nights. Dinner is included on every wool trade and boasts a variety of 17th and the North Sea coast. Harwich has a long and Later, we return to Windsor where we have the estate. Each room is uniquely decorated, evening of our stay here. 18th-century stone buildings, older timber- fascinating seafaring history – it is believed some time at leisure. Lying on the south bank while the hotel features a spa with an indoor framed buildings and no fewer than five swimming pool to relax in. During our stay, we Thursday: Scrooby, Austerfield and Friday: Boston Guildhall, Boston that the Pilgrim Fathers built and launched the of the River Thames, this ancient royal town, medieval parish churches. also enjoy exclusive after-hours access to the Gainsborough Old Hall Stump* and Nottingham Mayflower here and it is also the birthplace of which grew up around the castle, has a rich mix We then make our way to the historic city of its captain, Christopher Jones. The Mayflower of culture and history. The Old Town retains its Italianate Gardens until dusk. Today we enjoy a drive through the scenic The market town and historic port of Boston Cambridge. Renowned for its world-famous Project is underway at the yard with the picturesque medieval appearance with cobbled countryside, taking us first to the village of has many links to the Pilgrim Fathers. Our No single supplement – limited availability university, its prestigious list of alumni includes building of a replica of the famous ship with the streets, winding alleyways and lovely half- Scrooby. There are few rural villages with first visit is to the magnificent 14th-century William Brewster. The city is home to many plan to sail to America in 2020 for the timbered houses. which the early history of the colonisation of medieval Guildhall. Part of the building’s th architectural wonders and landmarks that we 400 anniversary. the United States is entwined. It was here that fascinating history includes the famous trial and Afterwards, we check back in to the Macdonald have the chance to discover as part of our a group of Puritan Separatists initiated the imprisonment of the Pilgrim Fathers in 1607, En-route back to the hotel, we make a short Windsor Hotel, where we enjoy a farewell guided walking tour. From punters on the River emigration of the Pilgrim Fathers to America when they were thwarted in their first attempt stop in Saffron Walden, a charming medieval dinner together. Cam to the majestic college buildings such as in 1620 aboard the Mayflower. Scrooby is also to leave England and find religious freedom in market town with many historic buildings King’s College Chapel, we explore the many the birthplace of William Brewster, one of the Holland. Today the Guildhall houses the town’s including the half-timbered Guildhall. Thursday: Departure sights of this fascinating city. museum where displays and exhibitions bring founder Pilgrim Fathers. The evening is free for you to make your own A private transfer will take you back to many of these stories to life. Heathrow airport for your return flight home.
dinner arrangements. Wimpole Estate Butler © NTPL/Andrew * Boston Stump will be undergoing restoration in 2019 so may be closed at short notice. 16 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 17 Plas Cadnant Anglesey Conwy Castle Tatton Park What’s Included Plas Newydd House Bodnant Garden Glorious Gardens Penrhyn Castle Betws-y-Coed Erddig Hall Airport transfers from London Heathrow* Plas Cadnant Plas Tan y Bwlch Anglesey Conwy Castle Tatton Park Portmeirion Plas Newydd House Bodnant Garden 2 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel & Grandeur of North Wales Penrhyn Castle Betws-y-Coed Erddig Hall Plas Tan y Bwlch 6 nights at Bodysgallen Hall & Spa Portmeirion June 23 to July 2, 2019 from $5,290 per person 1 night at the Mercure Shakespeare Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon North Wales, a land blessed with rugged mountains, beautiful beaches and picturesque Stratford-upon-Avon Welcome drink and canapés villages also has some of the most striking gardens in the UK, many attached to Full English breakfast each day magnificent houses with centuries of history to uncover. From world-renowned gardens Stratford-upon-Avon to hidden gems, we encounter a remarkable array of sweeping landscapes, woodlands, Oxford Waterperry Gardens 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 6 nights Plas Newydd valleys, walled gardens and displays of abundant flowers and shrubs which thrive in the © NTPL/Nick Meers at the hotels (with after dinner tea and coffee) unique climate of this region. We round off our tour with a visit to Tatton Park, one of Oxford Waterperry Gardens Britain’s most complete estates, and the historic and inspirational Waterperry Gardens 2 dinners at local restaurants (including in Oxfordshire. one traditional English fish and Erddig © NTPL/Andreas von Einsiedel von © NTPL/Andreas chip supper) Special extras included 2 lunches Services of a tour director throughout in your itinerary your stay Guided tour of Plas Cadnant Travel to and from all excursions Hidden Gardens All entrance costs Guided tour and refreshments at Porterage Plas Tan y Bwlch Tatton Park Portmeirion © Tatton Park © Tatton *supplement applies for transfers from all other Private guided tour of Erddig Hall airports and Gardens National Park. The backdrop of coniferous Saturday: Portmeirion forests has earned this area the name Lunch at Tatton Park and Plas Brondanw Gardens ‘Little Switzerland’. Your Hotels Lunch and guided tour at We start the day in Portmeirion, an Italianate Waterperry Gardens From here we head to the medieval walled village created by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, town of Conwy to visit the imposing Conwy inspired by his visits to the Mediterranean. Nights One and Nine – Macdonald Themed evening talk by a Castle, situated on a rocky outcrop above the Its unique atmosphere has been featured on Windsor Hotel, Windsor guest speaker Conwy Castle Conwy Estuary. Classified as a UNESCO World camera many times, most famously in the iconic Nights Two to Seven – Bodysgallen Heritage Site, this imposing castle was built by 1960s British TV series The Prisoner. Hall & Spa tender exotics and Mediterranean plants. There Edward I during his conquest of Wales in the Ten Day Itinerary Tuesday: Penrhyn Castle and We then visit Plas Brondanw Gardens, situated One of the three Historic House Hotels of the is also an atmospheric Australasian arboretum. late 13th century and is considered to be among Bodnant Garden in the heart of Snowdonia. The house and National Trust, Bodysgallen Hall & Spa is a Sunday: Arrival the finest surviving medieval fortifications in Built in the 19th century in a neo-Norman style, We continue on to Plas Cadnant Hidden gardens were given to Sir Clough Williams-Ellis luxury hotel just two miles from the seaside On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private Britain with soaring curtain walls, round towers the magnificent Penrhyn Castle was built on Gardens. Described as one of North Wales’ by his father in 1902 and the gardens, although resort of Llandudno in North Wales. This transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, and fortified gateways. a massive scale over a period of 13 years and best kept secrets, these historic gardens are not as famous as Portmeirion, are regarded sympathetically restored, 17th century country the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening offers superb views of Snowdonia. There is gradually being restored to their former glory. Tonight, we enjoy dinner together at a by some as his finest creation. Inspired by house stands in over 200 acres of wooded you are invited to join the group for a welcome so much to see here, from the outstanding Three different gardens have been discovered, local restaurant. the gardens of renaissance Italy, he created a parkland and beautiful formal walled gardens drink, followed by dinner. collection of paintings, restored Victorian including an unusual walled garden with unique and characteristic garden landscape affording lovely views of the Snowdonia kitchens and a railway museum. curving walls, a secret valley garden with three Friday: Erddig with stone walls, topiary and avenues of trees mountain range and Conwy Castle. The waterfalls and a river, and an upper woodland leading the eye to the dramatic backdrop of individually-decorated bedrooms are divided Next stop is Bodnant Garden, nestled in and Brynbella Garden garden with the remains of a 19th-century folly. th mountains beyond. between the main hall and several cottages the Snowdonian foothills. Created over 150 Erddig is an atmospheric early 18 -century We discover more about the gardens and their in the grounds and leisure facilities include a years, this world-famous garden is home to house that reflects the ‘upstairs, downstairs’ This evening, we enjoy dinner together at restoration on our guided tour. swimming pool, steam room, sauna, solarium National Collections and Champion Trees and life of a gentry family and we’re provided with the hotel. and gym. boasts sweeping lawns, grand terraces and After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to a fascinating insight into the lives of the family verdant woodland. a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. and their servants on our private guided tour. Sunday: Tatton Park Night Eight – Mercure Shakespeare The downstairs rooms are home to a unique Leaving Wales we journey east to Tatton Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon The evening is free for you to make your own Thursday: Plas Tan y Bwlch, collection of servants’ portraits, whilst upstairs Park. Built by Samuel Wyatt, Tatton Park is dinner arrangements. No single supplement – limited availability Bodnant Garden Betws-y-Coed and Conwy Castle there is a wealth of important furniture, textiles one of Britain’s most complete estates, with and wallpaper. Our tour extends to the superb a landscaped deer park and exquisite formal Wednesday: Isle of Anglesey, Home to the Snowdonia National Park Monday: Stratford-upon-Avon walled garden, now restored to its former gardens. The opulent interior is crammed followed by a guided tour. Made famous by Environmental Studies Centre, Plas Tan y Bwlch th We head to Stratford-upon-Avon, situated Plas Newydd House & Gardens 18 -century formal design with rare fruit trees with collections of silver, china, glass and fine Beatrix Havergal who established her School is a 17th-century country house which was on the banks of the River Avon and forever and Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens and a national collection of ivies. furniture made by Gillows. This grandeur also of Horticulture for Ladies here from 1932 to once home to wealthy slate quarry owners associated with England’s greatest poet and th extends outside to the garden, where year- 1971, the 8 acres of beautifully landscaped Today we cross the 19 -century Menai Bridge the Oakeley family. The house occupies a We then travel to Brynbella Garden, nine acres playwright, William Shakespeare. Fans of round colour is provided by the Rose, Italian ornamental gardens now include a rose and to spend the day on the Isle of Anglesey. Our superb position overlooking the valley of the of beautiful garden and woodland set below a Shakespeare can visit the house in which he and Japanese gardens. We enjoy lunch here formal knot garden, water-lily canal, riverside first visit is to Plas Newydd, a fine country River Dwyryd in the heart of the Snowdonia Palladian villa. The current owners have created was born, and there’s a chance to wander after our visit. walk, and one of the finest purely herbaceous house built on the banks of the Menai Strait National Park and the 100 acre estate boasts a a modern garden while retaining as many of the the riverside gardens or discover the town’s with stunning views towards the mountains of th borders in the country. spectacular Victorian garden, native and exotic original 18 -century features as possible. The From here we travel south to the Mercure theatres including the Swan Theatre, home of Snowdonia. Its most famous past resident is plants, rare trees and shrubs. We enjoy a guided garden is laid out as a series of rooms including Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Hotel, where Afterwards, we return to the Macdonald the Royal Shakespeare Company. the 1st Marquess of Anglesey, who commanded tour with the Head Gardener followed by a woodland garden, walled garden, three we stay overnight with dinner included. Windsor Hotel, where we enjoy a farewell Later, we continue our journey to Wales, the cavalry at Waterloo in 1815. The elegant refreshments (please note there is no access to water gardens, a gravel garden plus formal and dinner together. interior owes more to the 1930s, thanks to its checking in to Bodysgallen Hall & Spa close the house itself). informal garden areas with focal points such as Monday: Waterperry Gardens to the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno, associations with the artist, socialite and fallen statuary and sculptures. Tuesday: Departure We then make a short stop in the picturesque We start the morning with some time at leisure where we spend the next six nights. Tonight we WWII soldier Rex Whistler. The garden’s climate village of Betws-y-Coed in the Snowdonia Tonight we are treated to a traditional fish and in Stratford-upon-Avon, before travelling to A private transfer will take you back to enjoy dinner together at the hotel. allows extraordinary plants to flourish including chip supper. Waterperry Gardens where we enjoy lunch Heathrow airport for your return flight home.
18 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 19 Giant’s Causeway Benvarden House Liverpool, Cheshire Glenarm Castle What’s Included Belfast Mount Stewart Airport transfers from London Heathrow* Castle Ward Roundtrip flights between Liverpool to & Northern Ireland Belfast with airport transfers July 7 to 18, 2019 from $6,490 per person 2 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel Liverpool Knowsley Hall 2 nights at the New Hall Hotel Speke Hall Tatton Park Titanic Experience Castle Ward The port of Liverpool has strong links to Northern Ireland, from the flood of immigrants Arley Hall Muhly © Peter Little Moreton Hall th 3 nights at a selected hotel in the who came to Liverpool in the 19 century, they also share an industrial heritage in Friday: Fly to Belfast enormous basalt columns were produced by Liverpool area shipping, with the Titanic being built in Belfast but registered in Liverpool. We explore Weston Park volcanic eruptions some sixty million years ago, Today we fly to Belfast, where upon arrival we 4 nights at the Merchant Hotel further links as we travel to the north of England, taking in grand houses such as Tatton and are now a designated World Heritage Site. Kenilworth Castle transfer to the Merchant Hotel to check in for Warwick Welcome drink Park and Arley Hall, before flying into Northern Ireland to discover equally stunning our four night stay. We enjoy dinner together at Our final stop for the day is at Glenarm Castle. Mount Stewart House alongside the natural wonder the Giant’s Causeway and the the hotel tonight. Currently home to Viscount and Viscountess Full English breakfast each day Oxford industrial giant of Titanic Belfast. Dunluce and their family, the present castle has Saturday: Titanic Experience, Belfast 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 6 nights been in the McDonnell family since it was built at the hotels (with after dinner tea and The Crown Bar in 1636. and coffee) Special extras included Belfast is still home to Harland & Wolff, the This evening is left free for you to explore the 1 dinner at a restaurant in Liverpool shipbuilders that built the Titanic, so it’s fitting city and make dinner arrangements. in your itinerary that we visit the fantastic Titanic Experience 2 dinners at restaurants in Belfast that opened in 2012 to mark the centenary of Lunch at Kenilworth Castle Monday: Castle Ward Services of a tour director throughout the liner’s doomed maiden voyage. Guided tour of Arley Hall and Mount Stewart your stay We then take a guided tour of Northern Guided tour of Liverpool Castle Ward, our first point of call today, is an Travel to and from all excursions Ireland’s capital. Belfast is now a thriving, th eccentric 18 -century house that features Guided tour of Belfast All excursion costs modern city with a fascinating and sometimes a curious mixture of architectural styles Lunch at Benvarden House turbulent history. It was also a key player in the and here we enjoy a guided tour. Set in 820 Porterage Industrial Revolution, being the center for the *supplement applies for transfers from all other Guided tour of Castle Ward picturesque acres of demesne with superb Irish linen and tobacco industries. views over Strangford Lough, the estate also airports Guided walking tour of Oxford Afterwards there is the chance to enjoy a drink has a stable yard that houses a tea room and with watermill, this imposing 17th-century house Themed evening talk by a at the National Trust pub, The Crown Bar, second-hand bookshop. is also a sensory treat, while the parkland is guest speaker arguably the most famous pub in Belfast. This Giant's Causeway The magnificent Mount Stewart House and scattered with mysterious monuments. iconic bar was originally the Railway Tavern, but Garden is our next stop. The recently restored was renamed in 1885 and still features period Later we check back in to the New Hall Hotel Twelve Day Itinerary Tuesday: Weston Park and Arley Hall of the city’s impressive landmarks. We’ll also family home offers a wealth of treasures go inside one of Liverpool’s iconic cathedrals, gas lighting and cosy snugs today. The rest of while the wonderfully atmospheric garden & Spa ready for dinner. Today we venture to Weston Park, a magnificent the afternoon is free to explore Belfast at leisure Sunday: Arrival th the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, a place has a distinct Mediterranean feel thanks to 17 -century stately home set amidst 1,000 before we later enjoy dinner together at a Wednesday: Oxford On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private acres of Capability Brown parkland and of worship which is affectionately known as the exceptionally mild climate of nearby restaurant in Belfast. Historic Oxford is known as the city of dreaming transfer will take you to our overnight hotel beautiful gardens. The dining room houses one ‘Paddy’s Wigwam’. Strangford Lough. spires and is famed for its world-renowned the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening of the country’s most impressive collections of This evening we enjoy dinner at a Sunday: Benvarden House, Giant’s Tonight we again enjoy dinner at a university colleges. We enjoy a guided walking you are invited to join the group for a welcome paintings including works by renowned artists local restaurant. Causeway and Glenarm Castle local restaurant. tour here to learn more about its history, drink, followed by dinner. such as Sir Anthony van Dyck. Our day begins at Benvarden House, a historic university and famous people. Next we head to Arley Hall, the much-loved Thursday: Knowsley Hall Tuesday: Fly to Liverpool estate set in beautiful grounds. The House has We then return to the Macdonald Windsor home of Viscount Ashbrook and his forbears for and Speke Hall and Shugborough Estate been home to the Montgomery family since Hotel where we enjoy a farewell over 500 years. We enjoy a guided tour of the After breakfast we transfer to the airport for Today we begin by visiting splendid Knowsley 1798. We enjoy lunch together at the House. dinner together. Hall which provides an intimate atmosphere Hall, home to the Earl of Derby. Set in a 2,500 our flight back to Liverpool. Upon arrival we with elaborate ceilings, oak-panelling and Afterwards we join our coach for a glorious meet our coach and head to the Shugborough acre estate, the Hall dates back over 500 Thursday: Departure beautiful furniture. years and is a fascinating structure boasting scenic coastal drive, enjoying the passing Estate, a rare survival of a complete estate that views of the lush green countryside, unspoilt was returned to the care of the National Trust A private transfer will take you back to We then check in to our hotel in the Liverpool a Georgian facade and some extremely fine beaches and rolling Atlantic waves as we head in 2017. With an operational Victorian servants’ Heathrow airport for your return flight home. area where we stay for the next three nights. Jacobean, Baroque and Victorian interiors. Kenilworth Castle Heritage © English to the Giant’s Causeway. These world-famous, quarter, dairy and Georgian Park Farm complete Please note: the itinerary order is subject to change. After dinner, we are treated to a fascinating This afternoon we visit Speke Hall, a little Monday: Warwick themed talk by a guest speaker. piece of Tudor tranquillity with later Victorian and Kenilworth Castle additions to boot as well as some fine Wednesday: Tatton Park Jacobean plasterwork and a spectacular Great We begin our day in the historic town of Your Hotels Hall. Outside, admire the eye-catching black Warwick, famous for its castle. Situated on the and Liverpool and white timber exterior and the beautiful Nights One and Eleven – Macdonald Windsor Hotel Nights Three to Five – A selected hotel, Liverpool area River Avon, we’ll have some free time here to Built by Samuel Wyatt, Tatton Park is one of Britain’s most complete estates, with a restored gardens. The Macdonald Windsor Hotel is situated in the heart of the historic town explore this picturesque town. Nights Six to Nine – The Merchant Hotel landscaped deer park and exquisite formal Tonight is at leisure for you to make your own of Windsor, opposite the famous Windsor Castle. The classic interiors, We then continue on to Kenilworth Castle, one gardens. The opulent interior is crammed with arrangements for dinner. with a contemporary edge, fit perfectly with the Georgian elegance of this The Merchant Hotel is located in the heart of Belfast’s city center of England’s largest medieval fortresses and collections of silver, china and fine furniture townhouse hotel. The luxury bedrooms are individually-designed and the historic Cathedral Quarter. This grand, original, Grade A listed building most impressive castle ruins. It was here that made by Gillows. This grandeur also extends hotel also offers a stylish bar and restaurant. is complemented by the Art Deco inspired wing within. The hotel offers Robert Dudley, the great love of Elizabeth I, outside to the garden, where year-round a range of facilities including a luxury spa, rooftop gymnasium with created an ornate palace in 1575. Walk in the colour is provided by the Rose, Italian and Nights Two and Ten – New Hall Hotel & Spa panoramic views and a fabulous jazz bar. footsteps of royalty and enjoy panoramas over Japanese gardens. A beautiful example of late medieval architecture, the New Hall Hotel & No single supplement – limited availability the surrounding countryside. We also have an Spa is set in 26 acres of picturesque private grounds near Sutton Coldfield Later we enjoy a guided tour of Liverpool included lunch at the castle. in the Midlands area. Facilities include a Health Club open to residents, a learning all there is to know about its history spa, a quality restaurant and a Terrace Lounge and Bar. Later we check in to our hotel for the night, as an industrial force and, of course, its most the New Hall Hotel & Spa, and enjoy dinner famous sons. From the Liver Building to the together. renovated Albert Dock we’ll discover some Speke Hall © NTPL/Andrew Butler © NTPL/Andrew
20 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 21 Alnwic Castle Cragside
Alnwic Castle Cragside
handy Hall Fountains Abbey Castle Howard Beningbrough Hall Aristocrats & Manor Houses Fairfa House What’s Included Nostell riory Airport transfers from London Heathrow*
handy Hall ChatsworthFountains House Abbey Castle Howard 1 night at the Woodlands Park Hotel or & a Grand Tour to the North Hardwic Beningbrough Hall Hall Fairfa House the Macdonald Windsor Hotel Nottingham July 21 to 30, 2019 & August 11 to 20, 2019 Nostell riory 3 nights at the Stapleford Park Country House Hotel Chatsworth House from per person Hardwic Hall $5,250 2 nights at the Wood Hall Hotel Nottingham Our unforgettable tour explores the architectural grandeur and superb collections of Blenheim alace 2 nights at the Ramside Hall Hotel some of Britain’s finest estates, some still family homes to this day. We also discover how LON ON 1 night at the Hartwell House Hotel Highclere Castle Castle Howard these dramatic properties and their society stories have inspired literature through the Kipling © Mike Welcome drink and canapés centuries as we travel from the Home Counties up to the rugged landscapes of the north. Blenheim alace art collection; an imaginative collaboration an eclectic array of furniture, ceramics and art Full English breakfast each day LON ON between the National Trust and the National collected by the Percy family over hundreds 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 8 nights Special extras includedHighclere Castle Portrait Gallery in London. Outside are of years, which we discover on our guided at the hotels (with after dinner tea magnificent grounds including a wonderful State Rooms tour. Alnwick Castle has also been and coffee) in your itinerary Victorian Walled Garden and labyrinth. featured in Downton Abbey and Harry Potter. Services of a tour director throughout Introductory house tour and After dinner at the hotel this evening, we enjoy We enjoy a scenic coastal drive to Cragside, your stay Devonshire Cream Tea at a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. built high into the rock above the clear waters Travel to and from all excursions Chatsworth House of Debdon Burn. Once the home of Victorian Friday: Castle Howard Refreshments at Fairfax House inventor Lord Armstrong, this imposing house All excursion costs and Shandy Hall is packed to the rafters with fascinating gadgets Porterage Highclere Castle Guided tour of Fountains Abbey from the era. It was also the first house in the Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, Castle Howard *supplement applies for transfers from all other Private house tour with morning coffee has twice appeared as Brideshead in film and world to be lit by hydro-electricity and in 2014, airports and biscuits at Castle Howard television adaptations of Evelyn Waugh’s classic a fully-working Archimedes Screw was installed, once again producing enough energy to light Guided State Rooms tour at novel. Home to the Howard family for over 300 th Alnwick Castle years, this magnificent 18 -century residence the house. offers world-renowned collections and stunning Monday: Blenheim Palace Audio guided tour and afternoon tea at architecture, all set within 1,000 acres of Sunday: Nostell Priory th We travel south and visit Blenheim Palace, Blenheim Palace breathtaking scenery. We enjoy a private guided Today we visit Nostell Priory, an 18 -century undoubtedly one of Britain’s greatest houses. tour followed by coffee. architectural masterpiece which has been the Themed evening talk by a Seat of the Dukes of Marlborough and the guest speaker home of the Winn family for 300 years. Set Alnwick Castle Beningbrough Hall We then make a stop at Shandy Hall, former birthplace of Winston Churchill, Blenheim was © NTPL/John Millar © NTPL/John in landscaped parkland, Nostell is also home th home of the 18 -century novelist Laurence to England’s best documented collection of designed on an awe-inspiring scale by Vanbrugh Ten Day Itinerary Wednesday: Hardwick Hall, York Sterne. Now a museum, the rooms are filled Chippendale furniture, designed especially for and is set in over 2,000 acres of beautiful and Fairfax House with books, paintings, manuscripts, prints and the estate. parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown. Sunday: Arrival ephemera relating to the history of the house We enjoy an audio guided tour followed by Our first visit is to Hardwick Hall. Ordered in On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private and its famous inhabitant. Later, we check back in to the Stapleford Park afternoon tea. the 16th century by Bess of Hardwick, England’s transfer will take you to our overnight hotel. In Country House Hotel, where we stay overnight richest woman after her Queen, Elizabeth I, Later, we check in to the Ramside Hall Hotel, From here we travel to Hartwell House Hotel, the evening you are invited to join the group for with dinner included. Hardwick is a striking Elizabethan treasure. our base for the next two nights where dinner is one of the National Trust’s Historic Hotels, a welcome drink, followed by dinner. The lavish number of windows (at a time when included on both nights of our stay. where we enjoy a farewell dinner together. Monday: Highclere Castle glass was a luxury) inspired the neat phrase, ‘Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall’. Saturday: Alnwick Castle Tuesday: Departure After breakfast, we journey to the world- and Cragside A private transfer will take you back to famous Highclere Castle, residence of the We then travel north to the historic city of York. Heathrow airport for your return flight home. Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and filming Here we visit Fairfax House, a stunning Georgian Still home to the Duke of Northumberland location for the much loved Downton Abbey town house that has been returned to its and his family, Alnwick Castle is the second Please note: As this tour travels from the Home Chatsworth House Library largest inhabited castle in England. Inside the Counties to the north of England and back, some days television series. Entrance includes access to former glory, providing a perfect time capsule Alnwick Castle the Egyptian Exhibition in the cellars of the medieval walls are lavish State Rooms filled with will involve fairly long journeys. Tuesday: Chatsworth House and of life in Georgian times with a richly decorated castle, which explores the achievements of the interior and a fine collection of English 18th- 5th Earl of Carnarvon who discovered the tomb Nottingham century furniture. We enjoy refreshments here of Tutankhamen in 1922. We start the day at Chatsworth House where after our visit. Your Hotels we enjoy an introductory house tour. This From here, we travel to Leicestershire and the magnificent pile is home to the Duke and Afterwards, we make our way to our hotel for Night One (July 21 tour) – Woodlands Park Hotel, Nights Four and Five – Wood Hall Hotel Stapleford Park Country House Hotel where we Duchess of Devonshire and has witnessed the next two nights, the Wood Hall Hotel. We near Cobham stay for the next two nights. We enjoy dinner Originally built as a country escape in 1790, the Wood Hall Hotel is a sixteen generations of the powerful Cavendish enjoy dinner together at the hotel this evening. tonight at our hotel. Night One (August 11 tour) – Macdonald Windsor Hotel, tranquil country house hotel perched high on a hill amidst 100 acres of family and boasts grandiose interiors, wonderful rolling Yorkshire countryside. The hotel offers an elegant drawing room, Thursday: Fountains Abbey Windsor grounds and a superlative art collection. and Beningbrough Hall Georgian restaurant and a small health club and spa with swimming pool, Chatsworth also appeared as Pemberley in the Nights Two, Three and Eight – Stapleford Park Country spa pool, steam room and gym while the bedrooms blend contemporary This morning we go to the largest monastic ruin film Pride and Prejudice. We finish our visit with House Hotel comforts with traditional country house charms. a Devonshire Cream Tea. in Britain, Fountains Abbey, where we enjoy a guided tour. Nestling in the Skell Valley, the ruin Stapleford Park Country House Hotel is a beautiful country house hotel Nights Six and Seven – Ramside Hall Hotel En-route back to our hotel, we make a short is surrounded by some 800 acres of gorgeous and golf course surrounded by 500 acres of Capability Brown grounds. Located close to the city of Durham, the Ramside Hall Hotel is set within stop in Nottingham. One-time lace capital of the countryside, including the Georgian Studley The mansion bears the imprint of architectural styles, from Tudor to st a 350 acre estate and features two Championship golf courses. The hotel world, Nottingham is renowned for its landmark Royal Water Garden with its wonderful views, Victorian with all of the 21 -century amenities you would expect in a offers spacious bedrooms, each with stunning views over the beautiful buildings, each which tells of its own chapter in cascades, follies and statues, and a medieval luxury hotel. Each room is individually decorated and many have been grounds, four restaurants and lounge bars plus extensive leisure facilities Nottingham’s history, including the Lace Market deer park. designed by famous names. with its stunning architecture. including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hydrotherapy pool, fitness Our next stop is Beningbrough Hall. This suite and spa. The evening is left free to make your own imposing Georgian pile contains a famous Highclere Castle dinner arrangements. No single supplement – limited availability Night Nine – Hartwell House Hotel, near Aylesbury
22 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 23 Glamour of the South East: What’s Included Airport transfers from London Heathrow* Georgian Grandeur to Art Deco Elegance 2 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel 5 nights at the South Lodge Hotel LON ON July 28 to August 4, 2019 from $5,490 per person ltham alace Welcome drink Nymans ilbert hite’s House tanden etworth Bateman’s lynde lace Farleys House allery Full English breakfast each day Glamour has taken many forms through the centuries, from ornate gilding and prestigious e La arr a ilion Charleston th 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 4 nights portraits in Georgian interiors through to the sleek and angular decorations of 20 century Firle lace Nymans Estate Standen Art Deco, and on this tour we explore it all. We indulge in some 1930s charm at Eltham Butler © NTPL/Andrew at the hotels (with after dinner tea Palace and coastal De La Warr Pavilion, take in some Victorian Arts and Crafts at Standen and coffee) and are treated to some lavish luxury at historic Petworth and sumptuous Firle Place. 1 dinner at a local pub 1 dinner at a local restaurant Special extras included Services of a tour director throughout in your itinerary your stay Travel to and from all excursions Afternoon tea at The Dorchester All excursion costs Guided tour at Glynde Place Petworth Porterage Lunch at Firle Place Thursday: Standen Saturday: Petworth and Gilbert *supplement applies for transfers from all other airports Guided tour at Charleston and Farleys House & Gallery White’s House Private guided tour of Standen After breakfast we journey to Standen, the Immortalised in Turner's paintings, Petworth Guided tour at Farleys House & Gallery finest Arts and Crafts property in the care of House is an impressive estate that combines Your Hotels the National Trust, which combines the skills a deer park landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown Themed evening talk by a of architect Philip Webb and his friend William with a vast 17th-century mansion, which houses guest speaker Nights One and Seven Morris. Here we take a private guided tour the National Trust’s finest collection of art and – Macdonald Windsor Hotel of the house which was built in 1892-4. The sculptures. Masterpieces by the likes of Van The Macdonald Windsor Hotel is situated in light, airy rooms are decorated with Morris’ Dyck, Reynolds, Blake and Turner himself are the heart of the historic town of Windsor,
© English Heritage © English wallpapers and textiles with William de displayed in the opulent state rooms and Eltham Palace opposite the famous Windsor Castle. The Morgan pottery. North Gallery. classic interiors, with a contemporary edge, fit Afterwards we travel to Eltham Palace. This Eight Day Itinerary Wednesday: Charleston We continue on to Farleys House & Gallery, perfectly with the Georgian elegance of this stunning 1930s Art Deco mansion was built and Nymans Estate home to the photographer Lee Miller and artist townhouse hotel. The luxury bedrooms are Sunday: Arrival by the wealthy Courtauld family next to the This morning takes us to Charleston, home of Roland Penrose. The house became a meeting individually-designed and the hotel also offers On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private remains of Eltham Palace, childhood home artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell (sister of place for leading figures in the world of Modern a stylish bar and restaurant. transfer will take you to our hotel for the night, of Henry VIII. The result is a fascinating blend Virginia Woolf), and country meeting place for Art including Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro. We the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening of glamorous 20th-century interiors in ancient the writers, painters and intellectuals known take a guided tour here and see works by many Nights Two to Six you are invited to join the group for a welcome surroundings, including the magnificent as the Bloomsbury Group. The house was of the Surrealist artists that are on display in – South Lodge Hotel drink, followed by dinner. medieval Great Hall, plus 19 acres of transformed by artists who painted the walls the house, which still looks as it did during the The South Lodge Hotel is a magnificent beautiful gardens. Monday: London, The Dorchester and furniture, and filled rooms with textiles, Penrose family’s occupation. Victorian country house hotel close to We continue on to check in to our hotel for the ceramics and works of art from their collection. Horsham in West Sussex. Set amongst acres and Eltham Palace This evening is left free for you to make your next five nights, the South Lodge Hotel, where Here we will enjoy a guided tour. of woodland and parkland overlooking the This morning we head into London for own arrangements for dinner. we also enjoy dinner together tonight. South Downs, the hotel offers individually some free time to explore England’s vibrant designed bedrooms and a newly-refurbished capital city. You may like to spend your time Friday: Bateman’s Tuesday: Glynde Place gym, while the original subterranean discovering one of London’s many museums and De La Warr Pavilion and Firle Place Victorian cellar has been beautifully restored, and art galleries, or perhaps take a trip on the 17th-century Bateman’s so enchanted Jungle Our day begins at Glynde Place, situated at the Petworth creating a unique space for guests to enjoy. iconic London Eye, followed by a stroll through Book author Rudyard Kipling when he tip of the village of Glynde boasting impressive Hyde Park. discovered it, that he made it his home in 1902. No single supplement – limited availability views over the Weald and Sussex Downs. Built Afterwards we visit the property that was With its stone-mullioned windows and Sussex th We then enjoy a luxurious early afternoon tea in 1569 by William and Anne Morley, the house once home to the 18 -century pioneering oak beams, it’s a romantic retreat that has been at The Dorchester, an elegant hotel situated in is still a family home today and boasts a mix of naturalist, Gilbert White. White was only a left virtually untouched since Kipling’s tenure the upscale Mayfair area near to Hyde Park. An stunning portraits, lavish ornaments and fine child when his family moved to the house and here. The tranquil gardens include an orchard, occasion to remember, an afternoon tea here furniture which we can take in on our the rooms have since been restored following formal garden and a colourful wildflower features an exquisite range of tea and cakes in guided tour. descriptions in White’s own correspondence meadow, through which a river flows. the picturesque setting of this stunning hotel and decorated with family portraits and bed
From here, we continue on to Firle Place, seat Butler © NTPL/Andrew steeped in history. Our next stop is Bexhill-on-Sea, home to the hangings embroidered for him by his aunts. You of the Gage family for over 500 years and De La Warr Pavilion. A grade I listed building will also see on display the original manuscript nestled in the heart of the Sussex Downs. Firle located on the seafront, this Art Deco style of his book The Natural History and Antiquities Place was originally built in Tudor times but Charleston building was built in 1935 and now houses a of Selborne. transformed into the house we see today in variety of exhibitions. the 18th century, styled to resemble a French In the late 19th century, the Messel family We then return to the Macdonald Windsor château. A number of interesting architectural bought the Nymans Estate and created one of Later we have dinner in a local restaurant Hotel where we enjoy a final farewell features of the original Tudor house are the country’s great gardens, with experimental together. dinner together. exposed to view. We’ll also enjoy lunch here in designs and new plants from around the world. ©Historic Royal Palaces Royal ©Historic Sunday: Departure this picturesque setting. Partially destroyed by fire in 1947, the romantic ruins of the fairytale Gothic mansion remain. A private transfer will take you back to After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to Heathrow airport for your return flight home. a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. Tonight we venture to a local pub for dinner together. The Dorchester De La Warr Pavilion Bateman's
24 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 25 What’s Included The Brontës & Literary Norton Conyers Harrogate ast iddlesden Hall Yor Airport transfers from London Heathrow* Haworth Kir stall Abbey em le Newsam House Classics of Yorkshire altaire Nostell riory 2 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel 1 night at the Stapleford Park Country September 1 to 9, 2019 from $4,990 per person House Hotel rantham 4 nights at the Grand Hotel & Spa York The Brontës are well known as poets and novelists and their home, now the Brontë tamford 1 night at the Waterton Park Hotel Nostell Priory East Riddlesden Hall Parsonage Museum in Yorkshire, has become a place of pilgrimage for thousands of Einsiedel von © NTPL/Andreas de Serra © NTPL/Arnhel Welcome drink and canapés visitors each year. We make the journey north to York to discover places associated with rest ar their lives, alongside other historic houses with literary associations such as Knebworth Knebworth House Full English breakfast each day House, once the residence of dramatist Edward Bulwer-Lytton, and East Riddlesden Hall, 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 6 nights believed to be the inspiration for Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore. at the hotels (with after dinner tea and coffee) Services of a tour director throughout Special extras included your stay in your itinerary Travel to and from all excursions © English Heritage © English Guided walking tour of York All entrance costs Guided tour of York Minster Porterage Guided walking tour of Haworth *supplement applies for transfers from all other Knebworth House airports Guided tour of Norton Conyers Guided tour of Nostell Priory Thursday: Norton Conyers Quarter with its pedestrianised streets lined and East Riddlesden Hall with 19th-century buildings. Themed evening talk by a Your Hotels guest speaker We start the day with a guided tour of Norton The evening is left free for you to make your Conyers, a late medieval manor house with own dinner arrangements. Nights One and Eight – Macdonald Stuart and Georgian additions which has been Windsor Hotel in the Graham family since 1624. The house’s Saturday: Nostell Priory The Macdonald Windsor Hotel is situated in exterior has distinctive Dutch-style gables while After a morning at leisure in York we head the heart of the historic town of Windsor, the interior contains some fine 18th-century south, stopping to visit Nostell Priory where we opposite the famous Windsor Castle. The plaster ceilings. In 1839 Charlotte Brontë enjoy a guided tour. Set in landscaped parkland, classic interiors, with a contemporary edge, fit th visited Norton Conyers and heard the legend this 18 -century architectural masterpiece has perfectly with the Georgian elegance of this of a mad woman confined in the attics, which been the home of the Winn family for 300 years townhouse hotel. The luxury bedrooms are is said to have given her the idea for the mad and is also home to England’s best documented individually-designed and the hotel also offers Wrest Park York Minster Haworth Mrs Rochester in Jane Eyre. It is also believed collection of Chippendale furniture, designed a stylish bar and restaurant. that the house's interior gave her ideas for especially for the estate. Wednesday: Temple Newsam House, ‘Thornfield Hall’ in the novel. Night Two – Stapleford Park Country Nine Day Itinerary Tuesday: Kirkstall Abbey, York We then head to our overnight hotel, the and York Minster Haworth and Brontë Parsonage House Hotel, near Melton Mowbray Sunday: Arrival We then pay a visit to East Riddlesden Hall, Waterton Park Hotel. Later, we enjoy dinner This morning we head to Kirkstall Abbey, a Museum th together at the hotel. On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private a 17 -century manor house, which has been Nights Three to Six – The Grand ruined Cistercian monastery founded in 1152. transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, Our first visit is to Temple Newsam House, a used as a filming location for many Brontë Hotel & Spa Set in wonderful parkland along the banks of Sunday: Grantham the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening magnificent Tudor-Jacobean country mansion adaptations. The hall was built in 1642 by The Grand Hotel & Spa is situated in the the River Aire, the abbey is one of the most and Knebworth House you are invited to join the group for a welcome set in 1,500 acres of beautiful parkland. The wealthy cloth merchant, James Murgatroyd heart of the historic city of York. Housed in complete examples of a medieval Cistercian th drink, followed by dinner. house is famous as the birthplace of Lord and is home to a wonderful array of 17 - Continuing our journey south, we make a short the iconic former headquarters of the North abbey in Britain. The abbey is known to have Darnley, notorious husband of Mary Queen of century needlework, rich panelling and original stop in the market town of Grantham. Sir Isaac Eastern Railway Company, the stunning been visited by Patrick Brontë (father of the Monday: Wrest Park and Stamford Scots, and has been beautifully restored to its exquisite plasterwork ceilings. The Murgatroyd Newton was a pupil at Grantham’s Kings School Edwardian building retains many of its original Brontë sisters), and it is believed that this is We travel northwards, stopping first at Wrest former glory. Temple Newsam is celebrated family are reputed to be the inspiration for and the town is the birthplace of the British features with views of York Minster and the where he proposed to Maria Branwell. Park. Here we can explore the evolution of for its wonderful collections of fine and the Murgatroyd Baronets in the comic opera Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. city’s ancient walls. The hotel offers elegant decorative arts, one of the finest publicly Ruddigore by Gilbert and Sullivan, and WS the English garden with a stroll through three We continue on to York, where we enjoy a Our final visit is to Knebworth House. Set in guestrooms with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen owned collections of English decorative art Gilbert is reported to have often stayed at centuries of landscape design, from dazzling guided walking tour. The city is steeped in 250 acres of rolling countryside, Knebworth has TVs, while the luxury spa is located in the outside London. the hall. parterres and fragrant borders, to sweeping history, from its founding by the Romans in been home to the Lytton family since 1490, with atmospheric vaults of the building. views and woodland walks. 71AD to its wealth as a medieval wool trading Afterwards we head to Haworth, where we After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to its most famous resident being the Victorian Night Seven – Waterton Park Hotel, center and there is plenty of evidence of this enjoy a guided walking tour of this picturesque a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton. The romantic Next stop is the picturesque market town of Wakefield Stamford, described as the finest stone town fascinating past left to admire, from the Roman hilltop village with its cobbled main street, exterior with its turrets, domes and gargoyles, Friday: Saltaire and Harrogate in England. The town prospered from the wool city walls to the surviving medieval streets discovering the context of the famous Brontë conceals a red brick house dating back to No single supplement – limited availability trade and boasts a variety of 17th and 18th- known as the Shambles. sisters’ lives and work. The Brontë sisters spent The Victorian model village and textile mill of Tudor times. Every generation of the Lytton Saltaire was built in 1851 by Sir Titus Salt, a family has left its mark, making Knebworth century stone buildings, older timber-framed We also take a guided tour of York Minster, the much of their lives in the village and their leading industrialist in the Yorkshire woollen an extraordinary walk through 500 years of Monday: Departure buildings and no fewer than five medieval largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe and former home is now the Brontë Parsonage industry. Thanks to its preservation, Saltaire is British history. Stories and heirlooms reflect A private transfer will take you back to parish churches. home to some of the most stunning stained Museum, which has been lovingly preserved now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site the family’s contribution to literature, politics Heathrow airport for your return flight home. glass windows that have led to the Minster and contains the largest and most important Later, we check in to the Stapleford Park and we spend some time exploring the village and Foreign Service, plus visits from the likes of being described as ‘the Sistine Chapel Brontë collections in the world, which we Please note: As this tour travels from Windsor to Country House Hotel where we stay overnight and the impressive mill itself which is now Charles Dickens and Winston Churchill. of England’. discover after our tour. Yorkshire and back, some days will involve fairly with dinner included. home to an inspiring David Hockney gallery, a long journeys. Afterwards, we return to the Macdonald Later we check in to the Grand Hotel & Spa, our The evening is left free to make your own selection of shops, restaurants and cafés. Windsor Hotel, where we enjoy a farewell base for the next four nights. Tonight, we enjoy dinner arrangements in York. The afternoon is spent in the elegant spa town dinner together. dinner together at the hotel. of Harrogate, where notable sights include the Royal Pump Room and the Grade II listed Royal Hall. Don’t miss the attractive Montpellier
26 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 27 In the Footsteps of Shakespeare What’s Included Airport transfers from London Heathrow* September 15 to 25, 2019 from $5,490 per person 1 night at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel
Kenilworth Castle 5 nights at the Mercure A poet, playwright and actor, William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer Baddesley Clinton Stoneleigh Abbey arwic Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Hotel Coughton Court Charlecote ar in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. This tour will provide a very Anne Hathaway’s Cottage Com ton erney real insight into Shakespeare’s life and times, visiting Stratford-upon-Avon, where he was Stratford-upon-Avon 4 nights at the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel born and grew up, and exploring other historic houses in the area associated with his story, Welcome drink and canapés as we discover pretty market towns and picturesque country villages. On our return south, O ford Full English breakfast each day ower of London we recreate the fabled journeys Shakespeare is believed to have taken to Oxford, the iconic Coughton Court Einsiedel von © NTPL/Andreas Tower of London Palaces Royal © Historic LON ON 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 5 nights city and world-famous seat of learning. A highlight of the tour will be the chance to attend Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre at the hotels (with after dinner tea We continue on to stunning Coughton Court. comprises over 8 million objects spanning performances at the iconic Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre in Stratford and at the and coffee) Home to the Throckmorton family for 600 Globe Theatre in London. the history of the world's cultures, and we years, Coughton is still very much a family home discover just a small selection with our audio Services of a tour director throughout with an intimate feel. While the interior gives us guided tour. your stay Special extras included a unique insight into the history of the Catholic Travel to and from all excursions faith in this country, the spectacular gardens The rest of the day is left free for you to explore feature colorful rose displays. at your leisure and make your own dinner All entrance costs in your itinerary arrangements. Porterage Guided tour at Compton Verney We dine together back at the hotel this evening. Monday: Tower of London *supplement applies for transfers from all other Guided walking tour of Friday: Lord Leycester Hospital airports Stratford-upon-Avon Ceremony of the Keys, London and the Royal Shakespeare Compton Verney © John CLeary and Southwark Cathedral Performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre Company Theatre We begin our day at the Tower of London to Your Hotels Shakespeare's Birthplace We head to the historic town of Warwick to witness one of the oldest surviving enactments Guided walking tour of Oxford visit the Lord Leycester Hospital, a collection of of its kind; the Ceremony of the Keys. Set Night One – Macdonald Windsor Audio guided tour at the medieval timber-framed buildings that was, for amidst the battlements of this ancient fortress, Hotel, Windsor British Museum nearly 200 years, home to Warwick’s medieval this hugely popular ceremony forms part of the Guilds. It became a place of retirement for aged traditional ‘unlocking’ of the Tower of London Nights Two to Six Guided walking tour of London soldiers known as the Brethren in the reign of and dates back some 700 years. – Mercure Stratford-upon-Avon Guided tour, exhibition, live Queen Elizabeth I; a legacy that continues to Shakespeare Hotel demonstration and performance at this day. We then enjoy a guided walking tour of the oldest area of London exploring the city’s The Mercure Shakespeare Hotel is a Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre th We then head back to Stratford to attend a beautiful architectural heritage along the way. picturesque 17 -century inn situated in Themed evening talk by a performance at the iconic Royal Shakespeare We walk past the ‘Roman’ baths, past Middle Stratford-upon-Avon. The hotel retains many guest speaker Company Theatre**. and Inner Temple Gardens, Middle Temple Hall, of its original features including oak beams, Baddesley Clinton Einsiedel © Andreas von antique furnishings and open fires and offers The evening is free for you to make your own then on to the Strand, St Clement Danes, before finishing on Fleet Street and ye Old Cock Tavern. individually named, contemporary guest Eleven Day Itinerary 'Capability' Brown parkland, the world-class art in readiness for her visit in 1575, resulting in a dinner arrangements. rooms, a restaurant, bar and terrace. exhibitions include several portraits relevant to show of pageantry that was believed to be the We then head to Southwark Cathedral, a Nights Seven to Ten Sunday: Arrival Shakespeare’s age. inspiration behind Twelfth Night. The beautifully Saturday: Scenic Cotswolds place of Christian worship for more than On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private recreated Elizabethan Garden, lost to the world – Grange Tower Bridge Hotel Afterwards we check in to the Mercure and Oxford 1,000 years and the oldest Gothic church in transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, for over 400 years, is now open to visitors The Grange Tower Bridge Hotel is situated Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Hotel, our We check out of our hotel and make our way London. The cathedral has been witness to the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening once more. close to the Tower of London and Tower base for the next five nights. Tonight we enjoy towards Oxford. It is believed that Shakespeare the changing events of London’s history and you are invited to join the group for a welcome Bridge in London’s historic center. The dinner together at the hotel. Next is Stoneleigh Abbey that grew from travelled to London via Oxford, and walkers also has connections with Shakespeare's drink, followed by dinner. luxurious guest bedrooms offer all modern humble beginnings as a Cistercian monastery in have attempted to reconstruct ‘the Shakespeare theatrical contemporaries. conveniences while other hotel facilities Tuesday: Shakespeare’s 1154 into a comfortable family home following Way’, tracking the route that he would have Monday: Baddesley Clinton The evening is left free for you to make your include a contemporary grill restaurant, a Family Homes the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the taken. Our route takes us via the picturesque and Compton Verney own dinner arrangements. lounge and bar plus a health and fitness club Today we delve into the world of William 16th century. This magnificent stately home Cotswold stone villages of Stow-on-the-Wold Leaving Windsor we travel to Baddesley with swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and spa. Shakespeare on a guided walking tour as is comprised of two halves; the first is a fine and Bourton-on-the-Water. Tuesday: The Golden Hinde Clinton, an atmospheric, medieval manor we discover some of his family homes. At example of a Jacobean house in red sandstone No single supplement – limited availability house dating back to the 13th century. This Historic Oxford is known as the city of dreaming and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Shakespeare's Birthplace we explore the built from the ruins of the monastery, while moated house and its extensive formal gardens spires and is famed for its world-renowned Heading south across the Thames, we visit the extraordinary story of Shakespeare in the the second was designed by famous architect are steeped in history, including its use as a university colleges. We enjoy a guided walking Golden Hinde, a full-scale reconstruction of Sir house where he was born and grew up in. Francis Smith of Warwick in Baroque style. The Globe Theatre place of hiding and refuge for Catholic priests tour to learn more about this unique city. Francis Drake’s world-famous sailing galleon Next is Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare house has played host to many famous guests in Shakespeare’s time. which departed from Plymouth in 1577 in was baptised, worshipped, and where he is including King Charles I, Queen Victoria and We continue into London and check in pursuit of treasures and riches in the south buried. We end our tour at Anne Hathaway’s novelist Jane Austen. to the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel, where Atlantic and Pacific. Cottage and Gardens, the setting of the young we stay for the last four nights of our tour. After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated Shakespeare’s courtship with his future bride. The evening is left free to make your own We then walk the short distance to to a fascinating Shakespeare-themed talk by a Here we uncover the stories of 13 generations dinner arrangements. Shakespeare's Globe where we enjoy a guest speaker. of the Hathaway family who lived here. fascinating backstage tour to learn more Sunday: British Library and the Thursday: Charlecote Park about this iconic theatre and its most famous The evening is free for you to make your own British Museum playwright; from colorful stories of the original dinner arrangements. and Coughton Court We start the day with a visit to the British 1599 Globe to the faithful reconstruction While Stratford is synonymous with Baddesley Clinton © NTPL/Chris Lacey Library, the national library of the United process of the 1990s. We also visit the Globe Wednesday: Departure Wednesday: Kenilworth Castle Shakespeare’s theatrical success, there lurks Kingdom. The library’s collections include more Exhibition under the Theatre which further and Stoneleigh Abbey in nearby Charlecote Park’s history a far less A private transfer will take you back to We then head to Compton Verney for a guided than 150 million items, in over 400 languages. explores the life of Shakespeare, followed by a respectable connection; the famous playwright Heathrow airport for your return flight home. tour of this award-winning independent art This morning we visit Kenilworth Castle, one live demonstration and theatre performance**. is rumoured to have been caught poaching deer We then pay a visit to the British Museum, ** Please note that the itinerary is subject to change gallery. Housed in a restored Georgian mansion of England’s largest medieval fortresses and here. Home to the Lucy family for 900 years, the first national public museum in the world, Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner together to accommodate performance schedules. and surrounded by 120 acres of stunning most impressive castle ruins. Robert Dudley, Elizabeth I’s ‘favourite’, created an ornate palace this lovely Tudor manor is a real treasure. founded in 1753. The museum’s collection back at the hotel.
28 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 29 Frequently Asked Questions Terms & Conditions Mayflower 400 It is important that you read the following How do I make a booking? Are there single traveler room How much walking will there be booking conditions. These Booking Conditions 2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower from form the basis of your contract with us. Please You can book via our website, supplements? on these tours? Plymouth, UK to Plymouth, Massachusetts. Join us to commemorate the www.albionjourneys.com/royaloak or over read these sections carefully as they apply to We have a small number of rooms on each As much or as little as you like. Any included legacy of the passengers and crew who undertook the journey and to the telephone on our toll-free number tour that are sold with no single supplement; guided tours will operate at a fairly relaxed all bookings you make with us unless otherwise 1-866-834-8358. Our offices in the UK are once these are sold out we charge a pace, as with many historic houses and specified. All holidays are operated by Albion. highlight their stories and heritage, which is embedded in communities open 9:00am – 5:30pm GMT Monday to supplement for any additional single rooms gardens, you may experience some uneven 1. HOLIDAY PAYMENT: When you make a across the UK and the USA. On our tour we take in many landmarks Friday. If you have any questions or queries which varies for each tour. You can contact us flooring and steps along the way. Of course, booking you must pay a deposit for every associated with the Mayflower Pilgrims’ journey alongside other special you can also email us at to enquire about single supplement prices. you will always have the option to explore person named on the booking. Deposits per [email protected]. If you are not Please book early as single rooms sell fast. any venue by yourself at your own pace. Any places that will give you a feel for life in the time of the Pilgrims. person and the balance due date (the period a Royal Oak Member, the cost of the tour specific tour in this brochure with more than before the departure date on which your full increases by $150. Are room upgrades available? an average amount of walking will be clearly balance normally becomes due) are: What’s Included All of the hotels on these tours have When are payments due? noted in the itinerary. If you have any specific been hand-picked for their high quality of concerns, please contact us. Airport transfers from London Heathrow* 2020 Tour When you confirm your booking with us, a accommodation and service. However, in Deposit Balance due date 3 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel non-refundable deposit of $750 per person some instances room upgrades are available What are the arrangements $750 90 days before departure September is required to secure your place. The final and we would be happy to assist you to for luggage? 1 night at a selected hotel in the Southampton area balance payment must be paid to us no later arrange these should you be interested. The standard luggage allowance is one item If you cannot make a payment by card at the than 90 days prior to the tour departure date. 5 nights at the Bovey Castle Hotel, Newton Abbot 10 to 20 of hand luggage and one suitcase per person time of booking, please speak to one of our Of course, full payment can be made at the Can you arrange extra hotel nights? Call to register restricted to a maximum weight of 20kgs (44 Reservations staff to discuss other options. 1 night at the Queens Hotel, Cheltenham time of booking if you prefer and for bookings Yes, if you decide to arrive a few days before pounds). We do provide porterage at each You can make payments against your balance your interest made less than 8 weeks before the tour Welcome drink the start of the tour or leave a few days after of the hotels used on our tours, however, anytime between making the booking and the departs this will be a requirement. the end of the tour, we are happy to arrange as with all things of a personal nature, it is balance due date. If the balance is not paid on Full English breakfast each day extra nights’ accommodation. However, this your responsibility to ensure your suitcase is time we reserve the right to treat your booking How can I pay? 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 7 nights at the hotels service is only available at hotels that feature loaded onto the vehicles we use throughout as cancelled by you and apply cancellation We accept debit and credit cards (except (with after dinner tea and coffee) in the tour on which you are travelling and the tour. charges as set out in clause 3 below. For American Express), for deposits and a $35 administration fee is charged for bookings made after the balance due date, the 1 lunch at the Mayflower pub full payment. this service. What clothing should I bring? full amount is due at the time of booking. Comfortable leisurewear is recommended Services of a tour director throughout your stay What paperwork will I receive? Are meals included? 2. OUR AGREEMENT: A contract is formed for the daytime. In the evening many When your booking is confirmed, we will Travel to and from all excursions All breakfasts are included on all tours. participants prefer to wear smarter dress when we issue to you the booking confirmation email you a booking confirmation document Certain lunches and dinners are also included for dining. Whilst gentlemen may choose to document and terms and conditions. It is All excursion costs along with a copy of our full Terms and and you should study the tour itinerary in important you read through these and any wear a jacket in the restaurant in the evening, Conditions. 90 days prior to the tour, we will Porterage this brochure to determine what meals are at most hotels this is not obligatory, we will other documents you receive and advise us of prepare and send you our Travel Pack with included on your chosen tour. Meals not of course inform you if any hotel does have any inaccuracy within 14 days of the document your finalised information, reading list and mentioned are not included and all beverages a dress code. It is advisable to bring layered date. By accepting the booking is correct you tour itinerary details. are at your own expense throughout the tour. clothing and a light waterproof jacket. We agree to our terms and conditions. recommend sturdy footwear when visiting Do I need travel insurance? What do I do about any dietary We regret we cannot accept any liability if 1620-2020 gardens as the ground may be soft underfoot. Yes, this is essential; we can only accept a we are not notified of any inaccuracy in any requirements? Many historic properties request ladies booking on the basis that you have taken out document within 14 days of our sending it out. Please inform us at the time of booking, we do not wear high heels which may a full and comprehensive travel insurance This contract and all matters arising out of it will will pass your information on to the hotel damage flooring. Discover, unearth policy to cover the full duration of your trip. who will do their best to accommodate be governed by English law and will be subject We will ask you to confirm this to us. If you your requirements. Can you arrange my flights to to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of choose not to take out travel insurance, this the UK? England and Wales. is done so against our advice and at your own How many passengers will be in risk; we will ask you to sign a declination form Albion Journeys do not arrange your air travel 3. HOLIDAY CANCELLATION BY YOU: If you want & explore the Albion Journeys tour group? indemnifying us from any responsibility or for our tours; this is your responsibility and to cancel your booking after we have confirmed Typically, between 10 and 30. cost in the event of medical emergency gives you the flexibility to decide on your it with you either verbally, over the telephone or repatriation. What is the role of the Tour own routing. or by email, you can do so over the phone or in writing. The following cancellation charges BOOK EARLY Do I need a passport and Visa? Director? What should I budget for tipping? will apply: It is your responsibility to ensure you have Our friendly Tour Director will meet you for Gratuities are not included in the tour a welcome dinner at the beginning of each Limited availability a full passport and we recommend that it is cost; therefore this is entirely at your own 365 to 182 days $500 tour. Their role is to facilitate the smooth valid for 6 months after the return date of discretion. prior to departure on this special organisation of all operational aspects of the your trip. Tourist visas are not required for All tours offered subject to availability. Terms tour. If you have any queries or experience 181 to 91 days $750 anniversary tour US citizens visiting the UK for under 90 days and conditions apply. Errors and omissions any issues during the tour, they are there to prior to departure solely for the purpose of tourism. If you are excepted. not a US citizen or you are combining your assist you. 90 days or less 100% of the program visit with business, it is your responsibility Will the excursions change? before departure cost is non-refundable to check the requirements for visiting the UK, you can do this by visiting the UK Visas and Please note that we plan our tours far in If any member of your party is prevented from Immigration (UKVI) website to determine advance and the order and availability of travelling, that person may transfer their place whether you need a visa to enter the excursions may be subject to change. In the to someone else (introduced by you) providing United Kingdom. event of a property not being available to we are notified no less than two weeks visit, we will substitute with a similar visit, before departure. and you will be informed of the full details. 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.
30 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 *supplement applies for transfers from all other airports 31 OPERATED BY
Front Cover Image: The Fitzwilliam Museum © Damien Vickers