England Heritage Tour: Royal Residences, Downton Abbey, Stonehenge, Shakespeare… including 2 night stay in a castle!.

Arrive into London and make your way to our hotel. For those who arrive in time on the day, there will be the opportunity to drop off your bags in the hotel and meet up with your Big Journey Representative to enjoy an orientation tour of the capital (mix of coach & walking tour). You will get to see some of the famous and iconic sights that London has to offer. Afterwards you can relax and get settled at the hotel before enjoying a three course welcome dinner this evening with the rest of the group.

Following breakfast, we check out and travel to Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has since been the home of 39 monarchs. Today Queen Elizabeth II spends most of her private weekends at the castle. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes in order to be able to make the most of your visit today- there is lots to explore.
Mid-afternoon we will travel from one castle to another, to Thornbury Castle. Here a spectacular treat awaits. This magnificent 10th Century Tudor castle, once owned by Henry VIII, fell into ruin in the 1850s. It has now been fully restored as a luxurious hotel nestled in the Gloucestershire countryside. Each individual room oozes such historical charm that a stay here will never be forgotten. Tudor style meets modern excellence with comfortable four-poster beds, magnificent open fireplaces, a dungeon dining room and a grand hall for balls, feasts and parties. We have our dinner together at the castle this evening.

After breakfast, we head out for the day. First, we travel to Highclere Castle for a mansion visit which includes admission to the Castle, Gardens and Egyptian Exhibition. The Castle was the seat of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon. 100 years ago he famously discovered the Tomb of the Egyptian Boy King, Pharaoh Tutankhamun. We travel back to Thornbury and enjoy our dinner and second night in the castle

After breakfast, we say a fond farewell to Thornbury and travel on to the historic town of Bath. Here you will visit the Roman Baths and the hot springs that gave the town its name and were once believed to be the work of the Gods. These ‘healing waters’ attracted visitors from across the Roman Empire. Costumed characters, known from archaeological evidence, tell their stories daily to bring the history of the area to life.
We then travel to Stonehenge for the opportunity to explore the ancient landscape of this iconic World Heritage Site. It is unknown whether the place was built as a healing site, a temple for worship, a burial site or something else. It is a remarkable testament to human endeavour and ingenuity, to see how the huge ancient stone structures had been erected with only rudimentary tools, so successfully that they still stand today.
We dine together at the hotel in Oxford this evening.

Today we explore the University city of Oxford. We meet our local city guide outside the Ashmolean Museum on Beaumont Street to share in a real local’s knowledge of this historic city. Sitting in the heart of Oxford, Christ Church College is architecturally stunning. Christopher Wren’s Tom Tower is the college’s most famous feature and an Oxford landmark. Church was also the setting for scenes at ‘Hogwarts’ in the Harry Potter films – see if you can spot some familiar locations!
After enjoying some free time to explore Oxford we rejoin the coach to travel to Blenheim Palace and a visit to the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Designated as a World Heritage Site in 1987, the 2,100 acres of beautiful parkland were designed by the 18th century landscape architect, Capability Brown. The exquisite baroque palace is surrounded by sweeping lawns, formal gardens and a magnificent lake.
We drive through the beautiful Cotswolds countryside to tonight’s hotel for dinner together this evening.

After breakfast, we check out and will travel to the centre of Stratford upon Avon to visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Captivating costumed guides will take you to explore the house where Shakespeare was born and grew up. They will also tell you a little about the family’s colourful history.
In Stratford upon Avon you will have a little free time, where you have the chance to visit some of the other attractions directly related to Shakespeare. These include the Shakespeare museum, library and archives. Why not visit the Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is reputedly buried or the Guild Chapel and School Room where Shakespeare went to school.
In the afternoon we travel across beautiful East Anglia to Norwich for Dinner and one night stay at Dunston Hall. Built in 1859 this Victorian manor is set amidst 150 acres of parkland and boasts its own spa and health club.

Following breakfast, check out of your room and travel to Sandringham. Sandringham House has been a privately owned home of the British royal family for four generations. It is a much loved country retreat for Queen Elizabeth II and her family. The house, surrounded by 60 acres of breathtakingly beautiful gardens, has been open to the public since 1908. You will find plenty to explore here.
We depart Sandringham in the afternoon and travel south to Essex to visit Audley End House and Gardens. Owned by English Heritage, this Jacobean mansion house provides the opportunity for you to wander the impressive great hall, magnificent state apartments, intimate dressing rooms, libraries and 18th century gothic-style chapel. Look out for the royal bed, commissioned in anticipation of a royal visit in 1794 and one of the most historic beds in England.
Mid-afternoon we travel back into London to our hotel for your final three night stay. You will have an evening at leisure to explore.

There are two star locations on today’s itinerary.
Buckingham Palace is one of England's grandest buildings and is the official residence of the Queen. Buckingham Palace also serves as the administrative headquarters of the Royal Household. It is one of the few remaining working royal palaces in the world today. There will be time to stroll along the Royal Mile, picturing the pomp and ceremony of the changing of the guard and other royal events usually only seen via a TV screen.
Kensington Palace, another royal residence beautifully set in Kensington Gardens, and has belonged to the royal family since the 17th century. It is the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Highlights of your visit will include touring the Queen and King’s state Apartments, the Sunken Garden, Diana’s Fashion Story and the Victoria Revealed exhibitions, all-inclusive and accessible in your admission.
There is the opportunity to return to the hotel late afternoon for you to be able to enjoy an evening at leisure. If you prefer to stay out and about in the city, ask your Big Journey Representative for travel advice to make your own way back to the hotel.

After breakfast, we head off to the Tower of London to learn of the grim history of this 950-year-old fortress. Individual audio guides will enable you to explore the Tower at your leisure. Be sure to make time for the Crown Jewels, which include some of the most extraordinary diamonds in the world. You’ll also see the famous Ravens and of course, the Yeoman Warders or Beefeaters.
This afternoon will be spent at your leisure. Meet us back at the hotel for our farewell dinner together this evening.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you check out and depart.