2019 Guaranteed Departures 2020 Preview Jacobite Steam Train, Glenfinnan Viaduct
Castle Howard Kipling © Mike 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 It’s the little extras that set Albion tours apart from the rest partnership with Albion. These exclusive group tours offer Royal Oak members the unique opportunity to discover the vast cultural and natural heritage of Britain Carefully chosen itineraries including many of the impressive places owned by the National Trust of England, We work closely with our partner heritage organizations to create unique and insightful Wales and Northern Ireland. itineraries that truly unlock Britain’s history and culture. Our itineraries are carefully Along with our 2019 program, we have included some of our 2020 tours within the researched to ensure that they provide a valuable and enriching experience. Our in-house Hartwell House Dobson © NTHP/James brochure, to give you a taste of what’s to come. Join us and take the opportunity planners are always on hand should you have any questions before you travel with us. to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Britain’s hidden gems with HighclereHawkshead Castle behind-the-scenes tours, after dinner lectures and insights from the owners of the Caring staff Hand-picked hotels properties themselves. If you have booked an Albion tour before you will already be on first name terms with our Your journey through Britain’s The Royal Oak Foundation is proud to be partners of the National Trust, helping to customer service team! They will look after you from your first enquiry through to your colorful past won’t end after a day support the Trust’s vital conservation work. We recently presented the National arrival in the UK, and work hard to ensure that any special requests or arrangements you of excursions. We’ve chosen your Trust with a grant of $1,525,000 raised from our 2016-2017 appeal Keep Churchill may need are carried out. Our team work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure your principal hotels for their character at Chartwell. The appeal enabled the Trust to purchase important personal objects tour runs as smoothly as possible. and history and descriptions can once belonging to Sir Winston and keep them in his beloved home at Chartwell. Tailored reading lists be found on the tour pages within You can visit Chartwell on the 2019 Fairytale Castles of Kent tour featured on this brochure. These hotels are
page 10. Chartwell © NTPL/David Sellman If you want to understand more about the themes of your tour, we provide a full reading list complemented by conveniently that should enable you to fully engage with the subject before your tour begins. We ensure Looking a little further ahead to 2020, we have some exciting and captivating located overnight hotels at the that our reading lists are entertaining as well as informative, and they often include a mix of new tours available. Find out more about the renowned Bloomsbury Group on beginning and end of your stay. fiction as well as factual tomes. It is up to you how much you want to use the reading list, The Bloomsbury Group in the South East trip (page 26) or follow A Tour Around the Two hotels featured on these tours but you can be sure that it will help spark lively conversation! Treasure Houses of England (page 24), which showcases a collection of the most that are of particular interest are magnificent palaces, houses and castles. Special guided tours Historic House Hotels of the National Trust, with all profits supporting the I encourage you to join one or more of these tours and experience first-hand the On an Albion journey we arrange tours by the house owners themselves wherever possible, charity’s conservation work. Hartwell history and beauty of the United Kingdom. Every tour helps raise funds for The to really bring historic houses alive. We also offer behind the scenes tours or private tours House’s most famous resident was Royal Oak Foundation too and we are sure that you will have a truly wonderful with special access, and even talks by curators at historic houses, to make sure you get the Louis XVIII, exiled King of France, time sharing these journeys with other members and friends from across the full story and the most out of your visit. United States. who lived there with his Court for
Knole House Einsiedel von © NTPL/Andreas Exclusive themed talks by experts five years. The hotel also welcomed Thanks for your participation and your membership. Bill Clinton during his Presidency. The majority of our tours include an after-dinner talk by an expert in their field that Bodysgallen Hall is believed to have promises to be both informative and engaging. Whether it is a leading historian, fascinating begun life as a watchtower for Conwy writer or learned expert, we arrange guest speakers who will enhance the themes of your Castle in the 13th century but it wasn’t David Nathans tour and provide some captivating background or intriguing insight. With the opportunity until late in the Elizabethan era that it Executive Director and CEO, The Royal Oak Foundation for you to ask questions at the end of the talk, these interactive experiences are an became a house. opportunity not to be missed.
2 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak or email [email protected] Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 3 Your Tour Your Way Create your We are happy to book any room upgrades or extras you might require to make your A Wonderful stay extra special. For everything from extra nights at your hotel to additional transfers perfect tour – or even supplementary hotels, excursions or theater trips, contact the Albion office to Opportunity discuss prices and availability. room upgrades, extra Travel in 2019 with your favorite Tour Directors to Explore & nights, excursions, Scotland Here at Albion we are aware that as well as an excellent itinerary and quality hotels, I exceptional Tour Directors help make your tour special, so we’d like to introduce you to Experience... theater trips... some of our team members… A Edinburgh David Robertson E David left the world of commerce seven years ago to become a A tour manager so that he could share his love for travel and flex his J organizing skills. David is very welcoming and simply loves sharing his passion for the UK with his clients. David is originally from the England Midlands but now bases himself in the North of England. G York "Extraordinary, professional, caring and informative." Manchester D E Stourhead David will be joining these tours: J Edinburgh, Northumberland & the Scottish Borders, May 5 to 15, 2019 Birmingham Glorious Gardens & Grandeur of North Wales, June 23 to July 2, 2019 Wales H J Aristocrats, Manor Houses & A Grand Tour to the North, July 21 to 30, 2019 London J K E Carolyn Russell L B C
Knole © NTHP/John Hammond © NTHP/John Knole F K Carolyn has travelled extensively all over the world with tour L groups, previously spending a lot of time in Cuba and North L America. She now prefers to travel with groups in the UK, sharing Contents
Hever Castle Book of Hours Castle Hever her love of the country's history with her clients. Carolyn is also our resident expert on the Royal Family; we challenge you to find something that she doesn't know about them. When not managing Map Ref Tour Description Page tours Carolyn lives in central London. Edinburgh, Northumberland & the Scottish Borders A 6-7 May 5 to 15, 2019 "Carolyn was spectacular – so well organized, knowledgeable, and
Blenheim Palace Blenheim Chapel Rosslyn Jane Austen & Georgian Treasures of the South B 8-9 professional. She made this tour work perfectly and flawlessly." June 2 to 11, 2019 Carolyn will be joining these tours: Fairytale Castles of Kent C 10-11 Fairytale Castles of Kent, June 9 to 17, 2019 June 9 to 17, 2019 Also
Hever Castle Long Gallery Castle Hever Butler © NTPL/Andrew Garden Sissinghurst Glamour of the South East: Georgian Grandeur to Art Deco Elegance, July 28 to Glorious Gardens & Grandeur of North Wales available D in 2020 12-13 August 4, 2019 June 23 to July 2, 2019 Also Aristocrats & Manor Houses & a Grand Tour to the North available Melodie Robson E in 2020 14-15 New July 21 to 30, 2019 & August 11 to 20, 2019 Melodie is our Heritage Product Manager for Albion and has the Glamour of the South East: Georgian Grandeur to Art Deco Elegance for 2019! very important role of researching and planning our itineraries. This F 16-17 role puts Melodie in the perfect position to manage our tours and Einsiedel von © NTHP/Andreas Vyne The July 28 to August 4, 2019 share her wealth of knowledge with our travellers. With a degree Stunning Stately Homes of Yorkshire & the Brontës G 18-19 in English Literature and Film, she also has a master's in British September 1 to 9, 2019 Cinema History and has regularly written about British film history In the Footsteps of Shakespeare for online publications and undertaken research projects. She also H 20-21 September 15 to 25, 2019 has a passion for art and has researched British Arts and Crafts and Bonnie Prince Charlie & the Jacobite Rebellion Pre-Raphaelite movements in the UK. Melodie currently lives in the Cotswolds but she I 22-23 has lived in various locations across the country in the past. May 10 to 20, 2020 A Tour Around the Treasure Houses of England
"Melodie was wonderful in every way! Very knowledgeable, friendly, Einsiedel von © NTHP/Andreas Park Charlecote Heritage © English Park Wrest J 24-25 June 21 to July 2, 2020 We can book weekend helpful. Lovely person and fabulous Tour Director!" The Bloomsbury Group in the South East Melodie will be joining this tour: K 26-27 theater or sightseeing July 14 to 22, 2020 Jane Austen & Georgian Treasures of the South, June 2 to 11, 2019 breaks in central London Mayflower 400 Melodie will also be lecturing on this tour: L 28-29 September 10 to 20, 2020 as an add-on to your Glamour of the South East: Georgian Grandeur to Art Deco Elegance, July 28 to main tour. August 4, 2019 LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY Queen Victoria 200: Regal Splendor & an Island Getaway Contact us for more details! March 31 to April 9, 2019 – please call for further details Wilton House Wilton Edinburgh, Northumberland What’s Included Airport transfers from Edinburgh* in urgh 5 nights at the Norton House Hotel & the Scottish Borders osslyn hapel hirlestane astle Mellerstain House ots or loors astle 5 nights at the Macdonald Linden ra uair House May 5 to 15, 2019 from $5,490 per person lnwick astle 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 Ha rian s all ewcastle aworth astle Full English breakfast each day and England has resulted in a region that is exceptionally rich in cultural heritage; with urha a y astle 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 8 nights a host of defensive forts, ruined abbeys, ancient castles and picturesque stately homes oke y ark 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 center 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
6 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak or email [email protected] Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 7 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 ainswick June 2 to 11, 2019 from $5,250 per person erkeley astle Welcome drink Lacock ey L ristol owoo House ath Longleat House he Vyne Full English breakfast each day ells English novelist Jane Austen is famous the world over for her entertaining novels that alis ury hawton House ilton House Bowood House Hinton pner 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 7 nights gently satirise the dating game in Georgian society. She is forever associated with the Montacute 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 Einsiedel von © NTPL/Andreas *supplement applies for transfers from all other airports Guided tour of Berkeley Castle We continue to explore with our guided Jane Bowood was also used as a filming location Guided tour of Salisbury Cathedral Austen themed walking tour to view the for the 2007 TV film, Northanger Abbey. highlights of the city that features so much in Here we enjoy a guided tour followed by an Guided tour and lunch at Wilton House Your Hotels her writing as well as her former homes. included lunch. Talk at No.1 Royal Crescent Afterwards, we head to the Assembly Rooms We then head to the village of Lacock with its Nights One and Nine Jane Austen guided walking tour – once the hub of the Georgian social calendar picturesque streets of timber-framed cottages. – Macdonald Windsor Hotel of Bath and an important location for Jane Austen’s Lacock Abbey sits at the heart of the village with The Macdonald Windsor Hotel is situated in Early bird private guided tour and lunch novels set here; Persuasion and Northanger golden stone cloisters and a Great Hall. Once a the heart of the historic town of Windsor, at Longleat House Abbey. Within the Assembly Rooms we visit medieval nunnery, the abbey was turned into a opposite the famous Windsor Castle. The the Fashion Museum Bath. Founded in 1963, it family home by William Henry Fox Talbot who classic interiors, with a contemporary edge, fit Guided tour and lunch at houses a world-class collection of contemporary invented the first photographic negative. perfectly with the Georgian elegance of this Bowood House and historic dress, from the 18th century townhouse hotel. The luxury bedrooms are Tonight you have some free time to make your Literary-themed guided tour of through to modern day. individually-designed and the hotel also offers Winchester Cathedral own arrangements for dinner. a stylish bar and restaurant. After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to Sunday: Montacute House and Wells Themed evening talk by a a fascinating themed talk by a guest speaker. Nights Two to Eight guest speaker This morning we visit Elizabethan Montacute Wilton House Inc © 1996-98 AccuSoft – Bailbrook House Hotel Friday: Longleat House House. This splendid mansion of golden stone and Stourhead with its oak-panelled rooms and the longest Dating back to the early 1790s, Bailbrook Ten Day Itinerary This evening we check into our hotel for the Wednesday: Salisbury, Salisbury House Hotel is a country house hotel situated We begin the day with a visit to Longleat House gallery in England is crammed with treasures next seven nights, the Bailbrook House Hotel. Cathedral and Wilton House just a few minutes from Bath. Set within 20 Sunday: Arrival Tonight we enjoy dinner together at the hotel. which is widely regarded as one of the best including the Tudor and Elizabethan portraits on Today we head to Salisbury where we take a acres of private grounds, the hotel offers On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private examples of high Elizabethan architecture in loan from the National Portrait Gallery. Several guided tour of the city’s fine medieval cathedral classically-decorated bedrooms located in a transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, Tuesday: Painswick Rococo Garden Britain. Substantially completed by 1580 and scenes of the 1995 film version of Sense and which boasts the tallest spire in Britain. Discover new wing as well as the original house, two the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening and Berkeley Castle now home to the 7th Marquess of Bath, Longleat Sensibility were filmed at Montacute, including over 750 years of history here including the scene where Marianne was rejected restaurants, three elegant lounges and a you are invited to join the group for a welcome Rococo describes a period of art that was House is set within 900 acres of stunning the best preserved original 1215 Magna by Willoughby. conservatory bar. drink, followed by dinner. fashionable in the 1700s in Europe and today ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland. We Carta document. No single supplement – limited availability we begin by visiting the Painswick Rococo take a private guided tour around the house, Afterwards we continue on for a short stop in Monday: Chawton House Library, Garden. Initially designed in the 1740s as an We then visit Wilton House, an excellent visiting some of the most exquisite rooms Wells, located at the foot of the Mendip Hills. Jane Austen House Museum and English country gentleman’s venue for hosting example of Palladian architecture. Here we before the property opens to the public for the England’s smallest city boasts a magnificent From here we travel back to the Macdonald Hinton Ampner intimate garden parties, this is now the only enjoy lunch and a guided tour. This impressive day, and later enjoy an included lunch. cathedral and unique moated Bishop’s Palace Windsor Hotel where we enjoy a farewell property has foremost been a family home We travel first to Chawton House, an complete Rococo garden in England. Afterwards we head to Stourhead. The estate while the eclectic mix of buildings and narrow dinner together. for over 450 years and is set in 21 acres of Elizabethan manor house that once belonged is renowned for its 18th-century landscaped streets adds to the atmosphere here. Next we visit Berkeley Castle where we enjoy landscaped parkland. The house has regularly Tuesday: Departure to Jane Austen’s brother, Edward Austen Knight. garden, featured in the 2005 film Pride and a guided tour. Still home to the Berkeley family been used as a filming location too including for Later we have dinner at the hotel. It now accommodates a unique library of titles Prejudice, and a delight of classical temples, A private transfer will take you back to today, construction began in the early part of the 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride focusing on women’s writing in English from th exotic trees, hidden grottos and a magnificent Monday: Winchester Cathedral Heathrow airport for your return flight home. the 12 century. It is best known as the scene and Prejudice starring Kiera Knightly. 1600 to 1830. of the brutal murder of Edward ll in 1327. The lake. The grand Palladian house is no less of a and The Vyne draw, with its Chippendale furniture and one of Continuing our Jane Austen theme, we visit castle has also been used for filming including Later we enjoy dinner together at our hotel. Today we explore the medieval city of Poldark the finest Regency libraries left in existence. Jane Austen’s House Museum, the charming for popular TV drama . The state Thursday: Bath – No.1 Royal Winchester with a literary-themed guided tour house in Chawton where she spent the last apartments showcase beautiful collections of of the cathedral. The awe-inspiring cathedral Crescent, Jane Austen Walking Tour This evening we enjoy dinner together at eight years of her life. This is where she did the furniture and rare paintings. our hotel. is just one of the historic highlights here; its majority of her mature writing and now tells the and Fashion Museum hidden treasures include the tomb of Jane Tonight is left free for you to make your own Saturday: Bowood House story of the author and her family. dinner arrangements. Once home to Jane Austen, Bath has remained Austen and the Winchester Bible, one of the faithful to its Regency roots. We begin at No.1 and Lacock Abbey finest 12th-century bibles to have survived. Our last stop of the day is Hinton Ampner, Royal Crescent, a Georgian town house that an elegant country house with particularly Family home of the Marquis and Marchioness We continue on to The Vyne, a splendid Tudor creates a wonderful picture of life for both the impressive gardens. The property was rebuilt in of Lansdowne, Bowood houses a unique red-brick mansion set in 13 acres of attractive wealthy and their servants in Georgian Bath. 1960 by the then owner, Ralph Dutton, after a collection of historical artifacts and family gardens. It was built for King Henry VIII’s Lord Here we enjoy a fascinating talk upon arrival. devastating fire. Today we can wander through heirlooms built up over 250 years; from Queen Chamberlain before becoming the Chute family the house and take in the fine collection of Victoria’s wedding chair to Napoleon’s death home for over 300 years. ceramics and art. Make sure to admire the mask. Outside are 100 acres of beautiful Hinton Ampner Winchester Cathedral meticulous garden too. Butler © NTPL/Andrew parkland, designed by ‘Capability’ Brown.
8 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak or email [email protected] Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 9 Fairytale Castles of Kent What’s Included Airport transfers from London Heathrow*
June 9 to 17, 2019 from $5,250 per person lenhei alace 4 nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel L in sor astle Ha pton ourt alace own House 4 nights at the Chilston Park Hotel hartwell anter ury We explore the romantic county of Kent on this fascinating tour as we learn about its role He er astle Lee s astle issinghurst astle ar en Welcome drink and canapés shaping English history, and discover some of its famous residents such as Ann Boleyn, hi ingstone astle o ia astle 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 Later, we travel south east to Kent where we Wednesday: Hever Castle and was murdered in the cathedral and ever since, Nine Day Itinerary Saturday: Blenheim Palace a stylish bar and restaurant. pay a visit to Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s Chiddingstone Castle it has been a site of Christian pilgrimage. The 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 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 the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening statesman’s personal and political mementos, th late 13 century, this double-moated castle palace is synonymous with the Churchill family Kent, the Chilston Park Hotel is an elegant you are invited to join the group for a welcome including an amazing collection of gifts he Our next stop is Godinton House, a delightful is home to various historic artifacts including and is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. A 17th-century manor house. Once home drink, followed by dinner. received from other world leaders and his Jacobean house incorporating a medieval hall Tudor portraits and fine furniture, as well as permanent exhibition commemorates the life to eminent politicians, writers, Lords and personal painting studio hidden away in the and ornate carvings. Godinton is a comfortable, Monday: Windsor Castle, Windsor two prayer books inscribed by Anne Boleyn. The of this famous wartime Prime Minister, while Viscounts, the hotel is filled with antiques colorful grounds. much-loved home where each room reflects castle was lavishly restored and extended by the magnificent State Rooms reveal a superb dating from as far back as the 17th century and Chartwell the tastes of those who have lived here over After our visit, we travel on to the Chilston Park American millionaire, William Waldorf Astor, in collection of tapestries, paintings, porcelain and offers the classic comforts of a British We enjoy an audio guided tour of Windsor th Hotel where we stay for the next four nights. the early 20 century. The spectacular gardens the centuries with an excellent collection of Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle and furniture. country house hotel. 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 discover on our guided tour. We also have time The evening is left free for you to make your No single supplement – limited availability th renowned for having their own Hever residences. Established in the 11 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 used for ceremonial and State occasions. The a guided tour. Set in 35 acres of beautiful We enjoy dinner together back at the Our destination today is Hampton Court Palace, Garden where we enjoy an exclusive ‘early bird’ magnificent State Apartments are furnished grounds, the castle has undergone a number of hotel tonight. former royal residence of Henry VIII. Here garden tour. Created in the 1930s by novelist with some of the finest works of art from the architectural changes; from its beginnings as an we discover the State Rooms, the Great Hall Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Friday: Down House Royal Collection while St George’s Chapel is one early timber-framed Tudor dwelling to a rebuild (England’s last and greatest medieval hall), Nicolson around the picturesque ruins of an th of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in to resemble a medieval castle in the early 19 and Leeds Castle the vast Tudor kitchens and the Chapel Royal Elizabethan manor house, these world-famous England and was the recent venue for the Duke century. Today it houses the collections of the Our first stop today is Down House, home of with its sumptuous ceiling decoration. Outside, gardens are laid out as a series of enchanting, and Duchess of Sussex’s marriage. late antiquarian Denys Eyre Bower including scientist Charles Darwin and his family for 40 the formal gardens cover over 60 acres and individually-planted ‘rooms’ including a fragrant Japanese lacquer, Ancient Egyptian treasures, years. Several rooms have been recreated as highlights include the Great Vine planted by 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 ‘Capability’ Brown, and the Hampton Court of Windsor. Lying on the south bank of the We then discover Bodiam Castle, one of Victorian kitchen and servants’ hall give a taste study where he wrote 'On the Origin of Species'. Palace Maze which consists of half a mile of River Thames, this ancient royal town, which Britain’s most picturesque and romantic ancient of the former 'upstairs downstairs' life of The house is surrounded by extensive gardens; winding paths surrounded by towering yew grew up around the castle, has a rich mix of monuments. This archetypal 14th-century the house. Darwin's 'outdoor laboratory'. tree walls. culture and history. The Old Town retains its moated castle with a ruined interior gives us picturesque medieval appearance with cobbled After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to Before leaving Kent we visit Leeds Castle, a Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner together at a glimpse of medieval splendor and boasts an streets, winding alleyways and lovely half- a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. quintessential moated castle set in 500 acres our hotel. original wooden portcullis, spiral staircases, timbered houses. of glorious parkland, where we enjoy an audio tower rooms and battlements. guided tour. Dating back to the 12th century, it Monday: Departure In the evening, we head to a traditional local was once home to Henry VIII and Catherine of A private transfer will take you back to pub where we enjoy dinner together. Aragon. The castle’s last private owner was Lady Heathrow airport for your return flight home. Baillie, an Anglo-American heiress who lovingly
10 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak or email [email protected] Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 Chartwell 11© NTPL/David Sellman 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 Also 6 nights at Bodysgallen Hall & Spa available Plas Tan y Bwlch Portmeirion from per person in 2020 – June 23 to July 2, 2019 $5,140 register your 1 night at the Mercure Shakespeare Hotel, interest now! Stratford-upon-Avon North Wales, a land blessed with rugged mountains, beautiful beaches and Stratford-upon-Avon Welcome drink and canapés picturesque villages also has some of the most striking gardens in the UK, many attached Full English breakfast each day to magnificent houses with centuries of history to uncover. From world-renowned Stratford-upon-Avon gardens to hidden gems, we encounter a remarkable array of sweeping landscapes, Oxford Waterperry Gardens 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 6 nights Plas Newydd woodlands, valleys, walled gardens and displays of abundant flowers and shrubs which © NTPL/Nick Meers at the hotels (with after dinner tea and coffee) thrive in the unique climate of this region. We round off our tour with a visit to Tatton Oxford Waterperry Gardens Park, one of Britain’s most complete estates, and the historic and inspirational Waterperry 2 dinners at local restaurants (including Gardens 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 Estuary. Classified as a UNESCO World camera many times, most famously in the iconic Nights Two to Seven – Bodysgallen Conwy Castle Heritage Site, this imposing castle was built by 1960s British TV series The Prisoner. Hall & Spa Edward I during his conquest of Wales in the We then visit Plas Brondanw Gardens, situated One of the three Historic House Hotels of the Tuesday: Penrhyn Castle and tender exotics and Mediterranean plants. There late 13th century and is considered to be among Ten Day Itinerary in the heart of Snowdonia. The house and National Trust, Bodysgallen Hall & Spa is a Bodnant Garden is also an atmospheric Australasian arboretum. the finest surviving medieval fortifications in Sunday: Arrival gardens were given to Sir Clough Williams-Ellis luxury hotel just two miles from the seaside th Britain with soaring curtain walls, round towers Built in the 19 century in a neo-Norman style, We continue on to Plas Cadnant Hidden by his father in 1902 and the gardens, although resort of Llandudno in North Wales. This On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private and fortified gateways. the magnificent Penrhyn Castle was built on Gardens. Described as one of North Wales’ not as famous as Portmeirion, are regarded th transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, sympathetically restored, 17 -century country a massive scale over a period of 13 years and best kept secrets, these historic gardens are by some as his finest creation. Inspired by the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening Tonight, we enjoy dinner together at a house stands in over 200 acres of wooded offers superb views of Snowdonia. There is gradually being restored to their former glory. the gardens of renaissance Italy, he created a you are invited to join the group for a welcome local restaurant. parkland and beautiful formal walled gardens so much to see here, from the outstanding Three different gardens have been discovered, unique and characteristic garden landscape drink, followed by dinner. affording lovely views of the Snowdonia collection of paintings, restored Victorian including an unusual walled garden with Friday: Erddig with stone walls, topiary and avenues of trees mountain range and Conwy Castle. The kitchens and a railway museum. curving walls, a secret valley garden with three and Brynbella Garden leading the eye to the dramatic backdrop of individually-decorated bedrooms are divided waterfalls and a river, and an upper woodland th mountains beyond. Next stop is Bodnant Garden, nestled in Erddig is an atmospheric early 18 -century between the main hall and several cottages garden with the remains of a 19th-century folly. the Snowdonian foothills. Created over 150 house that reflects the ‘upstairs, downstairs’ This evening, we enjoy dinner together at in the grounds and leisure facilities include a We discover more about the gardens and their years, this world-famous garden is home to life of a gentry family and we’re provided with the hotel. swimming pool, steam room, sauna, solarium restoration on our guided tour. National Collections and Champion Trees and a fascinating insight into the lives of the family and gym. boasts sweeping lawns, grand terraces and After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to and their servants on our private guided tour. Sunday: Tatton Park Night Eight – Mercure Shakespeare verdant woodland. a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. The downstairs rooms are home to a unique Leaving Wales we journey east to Tatton Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon collection of servants’ portraits, whilst upstairs Park. Built by Samuel Wyatt, Tatton Park is Bodnant Garden The evening is free for you to make your own Thursday: Plas Tan y Bwlch, there is a wealth of important furniture, textiles one of Britain’s most complete estates, with No single rooms available dinner arrangements. Betws-y-Coed and Conwy Castle and wallpaper. Our tour extends to the superb a landscaped deer park and exquisite formal Monday: Stratford-upon-Avon walled garden, now restored to its former Wednesday: Isle of Anglesey, Home to the Snowdonia National Park gardens. The opulent interior is crammed followed by a guided tour. Made famous by We head to Stratford-upon-Avon, situated 18th-century formal design with rare fruit trees Environmental Studies Centre, Plas Tan y Bwlch with collections of silver, china, glass and fine Beatrix Havergal who established her School on the banks of the River Avon and forever Plas Newydd House & Gardens and a national collection of ivies. is a 17th-century country house which was furniture made by Gillows. This grandeur also of Horticulture for Ladies here from 1932 to associated with England’s greatest poet and and Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens once home to wealthy slate quarry owners We then travel to Brynbella Garden, nine acres extends outside to the garden, where year- 1971, the 8 acres of beautifully landscaped playwright, William Shakespeare. Fans of th Today we cross the 19 -century Menai Bridge the Oakeley family. The house occupies a round color is provided by the Rose, Italian and ornamental gardens now include a rose and Shakespeare can visit the house in which he of beautiful garden and woodland set below a to spend the day on the Isle of Anglesey. Our superb position overlooking the valley of the Japanese gardens. We enjoy lunch here after formal knot garden, water-lily canal, riverside was born, and there’s a chance to wander Palladian villa. The current owners have created first visit is to Plas Newydd, a fine country River Dwyryd in the heart of the Snowdonia our visit. walk, and one of the finest purely herbaceous the riverside gardens or discover the town’s a modern garden while retaining as many of the house built on the banks of the Menai Strait National Park and the 100 acre estate boasts a th borders in the country. theaters including the Swan Theatre, home of original 18 -century features as possible. The From here we travel south to the Mercure with stunning views towards the mountains of spectacular Victorian garden, native and exotic garden is laid out as a series of rooms including the Royal Shakespeare Company. Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Hotel, where Afterwards, we return to the Macdonald Snowdonia. Its most famous past resident is plants, rare trees and shrubs. We enjoy a guided a woodland garden, walled garden, three st we stay overnight with dinner included. Windsor Hotel, where we enjoy a farewell Later, we continue our journey to Wales, the 1 Marquess of Anglesey, who commanded tour with the Head Gardener followed by water gardens, a gravel garden plus formal and dinner together. checking in to Bodysgallen Hall & Spa close the cavalry at Waterloo in 1815. The elegant refreshments (please note there is no access to informal garden areas with focal points such as Monday: Waterperry Gardens interior owes more to the 1930s, thanks to its to the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno, the house itself). statuary and sculptures. We start the morning with some time at leisure Tuesday: Departure associations with the artist, socialite and fallen where we spend the next six nights. Tonight we in Stratford-upon-Avon, before travelling to WWII soldier Rex Whistler. The garden’s climate We then make a short stop in the picturesque Tonight we are treated to a traditional fish and A private transfer will take you back to enjoy dinner together at the hotel. Waterperry Gardens where we enjoy lunch allows extraordinary plants to flourish including village of Betws-y-Coed in the Snowdonia chip supper. Heathrow airport for your return flight home.
12 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak or email [email protected] Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 13 lnwick astle ragsi e