Relive Arthur's reign with a tour so magical even Merlin would be proud. Step inside centuries-old settings of romance, intrigue and honour and see legends come alive as we travel to the West Country through its windy roads to discover ancient tales and delicious local cuisine. Highlights of this tour include Arthur's Tintagel Castle, the mystical Stonehenge and Jane Austen's Lyme Regis.

Tour Inclusions

• 3 nights in unique, traditional accommodation
• Driver/Guide companion
• All mini-coach transportation
• Full English cooked breakfast daily
• Three-course evening meals x 2
• Entrance fees as listed

Entrance Fees Included

• Stonehenge
• Glastonbury Abbey
• Tintagel Castle, Cornwall
• Avebury Stone Circle

Mon 6 Sep, 2010 - Thurs 9 Sep, 2010 (3 nights) GMon 13 Sep, 2010 - Thurs 16 Sep, 2010 (3 nights)GMon 20 Sep, 2010 - Thurs 23 Sep, 2010 (3 nights)GMon 27 Sep, 2010 - Thurs 30 Sep, 2010 (3 nights)GMon 4 Oct, 2010 - Thurs 7 Oct, 2010 (3 nights)GMon 11 Oct, 2010 - Thurs 14 Oct, 2010 (3 nights) GG - Guaranteed Departure

Itinerary:

Day 1 Dorset
Departing London, we drive south-west through Hampshire and the ancient kingdom of Wessex to its capital Winchester, where we see Arthur’s Round Table in the medieval hall and then its nearby spectacular cathedral as we take a stroll through the city. From here head to the lovely, timeless county of Dorsetshire. This is real back-roads country where time has stood still amidst the little villages and towns. We visit the Cerne Abbas Giant before heading to the heart of Thomas Hardy’s world, Dorchester. From here we travel along the ‘Jurassic coast’, awarded World Heritage Site Status and famous for its geology and fossil finds, and onto our traditional accommodation for a welcome meal.
(D)

Day 2 Devon
Jane Austen’s Lyme Regis is a highlight to start our day. We will take some time to wander along its 18th century promenade and ancient harbour before making our way along the south Devon coast with its picturesque seaside towns and fishing villages. Then we head for the awesome landscape of the Dartmoor National Park. You will want your camera here as we make stops to look at an ancient bridge, wild ponies and strange rocky hills that were once high mountains, before we meander towards our cosy hotel nearby.
(B)

Day 3 Devon
Our destination today is the rocky north Cornish coast where we visit Tintagel Castle, the reputed birthplace of King Arthur. The castle sits on top of the wild cliffs and is accessible only by walking. Later we visit one or two Cornish fishing villages for a famed “Cornish Pasty”. We finish our day with a visit to Cornwall’s ancient capital Launceston, with its legendary castle and narrow bustling streets, before returning to our accommodation for a delicious evening meal.
(B/D)

Day 4 Somerset
As we head westward, our first highlight of the day is the mystical town of Glastonbury and its Abbey, the reputed site of Arthur and Guinevere’s burial and the “new age” capital of England with its esoteric collection of shops. We then have an opportunity to visit the tiny city of Wells, where you may enjoy a coffee or admire its great cathedral. From here we make our way to the amazing Salisbury Plain, littered with ancient burial sites and the remains of Iron Age hill forts, to the great prehistoric temple of Stonehenge. We have time to explore this unique monument before returning, tired but happy, to London, where all that we’ve seen over the last few days will seem like a dream.
(B)

Price

 

Pick-up/Drop-off Information:
Tour departs from and returns at 5.30pm (approx) :

0830 am pick up
The Park Inn Hyde Park
66 Lancaster Gate
London W2 3NZ