Historic heroes, ancient sites and regal castles meet with picturesque villages and towns on this insightful introduction to southern England's most engaging people and places. This leisurely small group tour explores historical region away from the crowds. We enjoy Shakespeare's Stratford, magnificent of Oxford and the Georgian city of Bath as well as visiting some of Britain’s best know historical sites, including Stonehenge the well preserved castle at Windsor and Churchill's Blenheim Palace. There is no better introduction to England for first time or returning travellers, and Back-Roads offer a unique experience as we travel along the country lanes and stay in traditional accommodation so you can really absorb this country’s cultural heritage.

INCLUSIONS
• 3 nights in traditional & unique accommodation
• Driver/Guide companion
• All mini-coach transportation
• Full English cooked breakfast daily
• Evening meals x 2

Entrance fees as listed:
        • Christ Church, Oxford
        • Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
        • Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Stratford
        • Roman Baths Pump House, Bath
        • Lacock Abbey
        • Stonehenge, Wiltshire
        • Windsor Castle

Fri 10 Sep, 2010 - Mon 13 Sep, 2010 (3 nights) GFri 17 Sep, 2010 - Mon 20 Sep, 2010 (3 nights) GFri 24 Sep, 2010 - Mon 27 Sep, 2010 (3 nights)GFri 1 Oct, 2010 - Mon 4 Oct, 2010 (3 nights) GFri 8 Oct, 2010 - Mon 11 Oct, 2010 (3 nights) G

Itinerary:

Day 1 Cotswolds
Relax as we travel through beautiful English countryside to the most famous university city in the world, Oxford, where we enjoy a walk among the golden-stone buildings and ‘dreaming spires’ to Christ Church, one of Oxford’s grandest colleges whose famous students include the philosopher John Locke, the comedy writer Richard Curtis, Albert Einstein and C.S Lewis (this is where he wrote Alice in Wonderland). Christ Church’s Great Hall and cloisters were also recently used in the Harry Potter films. We travel through yet more picturesque countryside, and find a local pub for lunch before we visit Blenheim Palace, home to the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. We then traverse the gentle, timeless hills of the Cotswolds, stopping at some of the exquisite gems on our way to tonight’s accommodation in a local Cotswold village.
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Day 2 Cotswolds
This morning is a feast for literary enthusiasts and history buffs as we visit Shakespeare’s Stratford-Upon-Avon to discover Ye Olde England of the Bard’s birth and his final resting place, Holy Trinity College. After a short drive to his wife, Anne Hathaway’s, cottage we meander through country lanes that take us to more honey-coloured villages and towns, littered with atmospheric churches and traditional country inns, before returning to our delightful Cotswolds base.
(B)

Day 3 Bath
This morning we visit first the picture-perfect village of Lacock. Both the timeless village and its abbey have been used in countless television and movie productions including Pride and Prejudice, The Other Boleyn Girl and Harry Potter. And then we reach the splendid Georgian city of Bath.

 

Listed as a World Heritage Site, Bath is truly one of Europe’s most attractive cities, boasting the highest concentration of listed buildings anywhere in the British Isles. Spend the morning exploring this city where you can learn more about Roman life at the restored Roman Baths, the towering 15th century Abbey and Georgian Royal Crescent. Literary enthusiasts may visit the Jane Austen Centre which offers a snapshot of life during Regency times and explores how living in this magnificent city affected her life and writing. 
(B/D)

Day 4 Stonehenge / Windsor Castle
Leaving Bath behind we look forward to yet more spectacular sights as we travel across Salisbury Plain to visit the great mystical construction at Stonehenge. Dating back to 3100 BC there are many lively debates as how this stone circle was built and why. Learn more about these theories and make up your own as we enjoy the walking commentary tour. Then onwards to the glorious city of Salisbury to admire the tallest cathedral spire in Britain and view the original Magna Carta in its Chapter House. Our final destination for today before returning to London is a regal discovery as we visit the world’s largest occupied and oldest garrisoned fortress, Windsor Castle –official residence of the Queen. Windsor Castle dates back to William the Conqueror and has been expanded and fortified under each successive monarch to the grand construction you see today. Wander through the magnificent State Apartments and St George’s Chapel, the burial place of ten monarchs, and admire the rooms that were recently restored to their former glory.
(B)

Price

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

 

0830 pick up from

The Park Inn Hyde Park

66 Lancaster Gate

London W2 3NZ