7 day In Search of Arthur and Harry Potter tour by mini-coach with Back-Roads Touring Co.

TWIN CENTRE TOUR COMBINING...
IN SEARCH OF ARTHUR & HARRY POTTER TOURS
7 days / 6 nights - Saturday to Friday

TENTATIVE ITINERARY	NIGHTSTOP

DAY ONE - Saturday
Departing London, we drive through England's oldest county, Wiltshire, across the amazing Salisbury Plain where you'll see the great prehistoric temple of Stonehenge and a landscape simply littered with ancient burial sites. You'll also see the evidence of Iron Age hill forts, possible sites of where the great Celtic king, Arthur and his Round Table knights took on the Saxon invaders. Then to Winchester to see the great Round Table in the mediaeval hall. Then, we'll take time to explore Cadbury Castle, perhaps the site of Camelot, and some lovely surrounding thatched villages before arriving at our accommodation base.	Devon/Dorset border
DAY TWO - Sunday
Today, we explore the lovely, timeless country of Dorsetshire.This is real back-roads country where you'll believe time has stood still amidst the villages and harbours of the region. Jane Austen's Lyme Regis is one of the highlights of our day, as will be Thomas Hardy's cottage and monument. We'll introduce you to a few matyrs (such as the trade unionists of Tolpuddle, and those who died at the 'bloody Judge' Jefferies hand). You'll also see the famed Chesil beach and the quaint town of Dorchester. And there'll be time for shopping in the lace and antique town of Honiton. Dependent on time and group interests, we might find time to include Lawrence of Arabia's home, a carved giant and England's smallest pub! This is a day that we can really call getting down the 'back-roads'.	as above
DAY THREE - Monday
Today is a day packed with a range of memorable sights and experiences. You'll cross the beautiful and awesome landscape of the Dartmoor National Park, en route to the north Cornwall coast. Here, you'll visit Tintagel castle, the reputed birthplace of King Arthur. The castle sits on top of the wild cliffs accessible only by walking. Later, we'll visit a selection of the quaint fishing villages of the north Cornwall and Devon coasts. This is a day where photographers need to ensure a plentiful supply of film! Finally, our day in Cornwall would not be complete if we didn't stop for a famed Cornish 'pastie' somewhere on route, perhaps in a thatched-roofed country pub?	as above
DAY FOUR - Tuesday
On today's itinerary is Cheddar Gorge and the mystic town of Glastonbury, site of Arthur's burial and 'New Age' capital of England. Here you'll see the ancient abbey and the mysterious 'Tor'. Next, we'll visit Wells and its famed Norman 12th century cathedral before travelling the short distance to the stunning city of Bath. You'll have time to explore this elegant Georgian city and its Roman remains before we drive to our nightstop in the pleasant coaching town of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.	Beaconsfield
DAY FIVE - Wednesday
We leave the 'Muggles' of London behind and begin our magical journey with a visit to the newly opened Roald Dahl Museum. Here, young and old alike can discover the inspiration behind 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', 'James and the Giant Peach' and 'The BFG'. It's then a short hop to Oxford, home to Britain's oldest university. Have fun following in Harry, Ron and Hermonie's footsteps as we climb the stairs of 'Hogwarts', see where Harry met Tom Riddle and see the locations of Hogwarts infirmary and library! Let's not forget Christ Church College dining hall, used as the 'model' for Hogwarts Hall and an interesting museum with an eclectic mix of oddities, including the shrunken heads seen on the 'Knight Bus'. Oxford was also the setting for a magical book of another age but still managing to thrill today's generations. You'll see where Alice wondered through the small door into Wonderland, find a dodo, and discover where Lewis Carroll took his inspiration for the white rabbit, elongated necks and Mad Hatter tea parties on our 'Alice in Wonderland' walk. Other children's authors we can find here are C S Lewis ('The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe') and J R Tolkein ('Lord of the Rings').	Cotswold village
DAY SIX - Thursday
Another great day. This morning we'll travel through the delightful Cotswolds region of honey-coloured stone villages, Tolkein's inspiration for the 'The Shire' in the Hobbit. We'll see if the locals have hairy feet! It's then on to a magical stone circle where you'll hear about the legend of the Witch, King and Fairies who live underground. It's then time to meet some of Harry's feathered friends - at a flying demonstration of birds of prey including an owl or two. What a hoot! Next, a 'Hogwarts Express' style steam train ride takes us through the countryside to Cheltenham. Perhaps they'll sell Chocolate Frogs on board…. Our last visit of the day is to the old cathedral city of Gloucester, immortalised by Beatrix Potter in her tale 'The Tailor of Gloucester'. We'll visit the cathedral where you can follow a Harry Potter trail around the cathedral cloisters used in the films as the school corridors, location of the girls' bathroom scene and more.	Gloucester
DAY SEVEN - Friday
This morning we venture into the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley. This was an area well-known to J K Rowling, creator of our boy-wizard, and places like the 12th century Chepstow Castle and Forest must have been a source of great inspiration. We'll see her old family home and school. Weather and time permitting, we'll take a stroll in the forest looking for Fairie spirits, Unicorns and perhaps 'Firenze' the Cenatour. We'll then drive into the country of Wales, hearing stories of Dragons and Merlin the Magician before exploring the battlements of the fairytale Chepstow Castle (where you can imagine defending the castle against the forces of darkness alongside Harry and gang, or learning to fly a broomstick). Next, we'll stop at a fantastic site, the perfectly preserved mediaeval village of Lacock - used extensively as a location in the Harry Potter films, including a house where 'You Know Who' murdered Harry's parents! Our final stop of the day before returning to London is where it all began. We'll visit the real street used as 'Privet Drive' in the movies…maybe we'll see Hagrid flying by on his motorbike! You're delivered to your central London hotel for approximately 19.00