England’s Castles and Manors – 7 Days

Collect your vehicle at London Heathrow Airport and make your way in to central England and the Cotswolds countryside. First stop can be historic Oxford home to a unique academic ambience amidst the lawns, quads and spires of the historic University buildings which once inspired the likes of Tolkien and Oscar Wilde. Perhaps visit nearby Churchill’s Blenheim Palace on route to Stratford-upon-Avon a picturesque, Tudor market town of timberwork buildings, open greens and boats bobbing on the river Avon. Explore the town’s wealth of Shakespeare heritage sites and landmarks before discovering the quintessential countryside of the Cotswolds including chocolate-box villages such as Broadway, Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold. Stunning sites you can visit include Snowshill Manor and Garden, the 13th century cistercian Hailes Abbey and the medieval manor at Sudely Castle, linked to King Henry VIII and 2 of his wives.

• Accommodation: overnight inWalton Hall Hotel or Alveston Manor Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon (2 nights).
• Distance: 95 miles / 145 km, 2 hours (approx.), if starting at Heathrow Airport*.
• Highlights: Oxford City, Oxford University, Blenheim Palace, The Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Stow-on-the-Wold.

DAY THREE – York City, York Minster and the Yorkshire Dales

Today continue your journey north, you may choose to stop at one of England’s hidden gems at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Gardens. Then on to the city of York; York is home to a wealth of historic and cultural sites from the cobbled Shambles, Britain’s first shopping street, to Viking heritage at the Jorvik Center. Stroll along the medieval city walls, gates and towers or visit the National Railway Museum, current home of the Flying Scotsman, visit the Mansion House or the Tudor exhibition at Micklegate Bar, before enjoying York’s undoubted highlight at the iconic York Minster. Outside of the city the outstanding natural beauty with the Yorkshire Dales and the North Yorkshire Moors on your doorstep as are the historic attractions at Fountains Abbey and Gardens and the majestic Castle Howard.

• Accommodation: overnight in Hazlewood Castle Hotel or Middlethorpe Hall, near York City.
• Distance: 145 miles / 235 km, 2 hours 40 minutes (approx.), if starting at Heathrow Airport*.
• Highlights: York City, York Minster, Harrogate, Bronte Parsonage and The Yorkshire Dales.

DAYS FOUR AND FIVE – The English Lake District and Hadrian’s Wall

Departing York head West and explore the quaint Yorkshire towns of Harrogate and Skipton on route to the Lake District to enjoy some of England’s most spectacular and inspiring natural beauty. Take time to explore the lakes, their surrounding fells, woodlands, stone walls and quaint lake-land villages such as Windermere and Grasmere. This region is a haven for walkers, writers, budding artists and photographers or those simply looking for a tranquil boat trip or lazy drives soaking up the scenery. Possible cultural visits include Wordsworth’s Rydal Mount and Dove Cottage along with Beatrix Potter’s Hilltop Farm as well as a wealth of stunning historic houses including Hutton in the Forest, Lowther Castle and Levens Hall. A short drive North brings you Birdoswald Fort part of the magnificent Hadrian’s Wall which once stood on the most northern frontier of the Roman Empire.

• Accommodation: overnight in Augill Castle Hotel or Lakeside Hotel, Lake District (2 nights).
• Distance: 75 miles / 120 km, 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights: English Lake District, Lake Windermere, Grasmere Village and Hadrian’s Wall.

DAY SIX – The Beatles Liverpool and Historic Chester

Today begin your return journey southbound. From the Lakes make your way to the bustling heritage city of Liverpool which received the accolade of European City of Culture in 2008. The city is home to not one but two impressive cathedrals, dozens of historic-listed buildings, the UNESCO heritage site Albert Docks and a wealth of Beatles Heritage sites including Matthews Street, the Cavern Club, Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields and the Beatles Story Exhibition. A short onward drive brings you to the Roman city of Chester, home to Roman City walls and gate towers, the stunning excavated Roman Amphitheatre, an impressive cathedral and the unique Tudor Facaded “Rows”.

• Accommodation: overnight in Crabwall Manor near Liverpool and Chester.
• Distance: 120 miles / 195 km, 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Liverpool City, Albert Docks, The Beatles Experience, Chester City and The Rows.

DAYS SEVEN AND EIGHT – Shrewsbury, Ironbridge, Bath and the Roman Baths

Continuing the journey South from Chester pass through the quaint market town of Shrewsbury, home to elegant timberwork buildings, before visiting the nearby World Heritage site at Ironbridge; here you can see the bridge, a symbol of the Industrial Revolution, span the gorge and visit the adjacent museums and exhibitions exploring life in Victorian England. Arriving in the Bath area is a city which oozes Georgian opulence and is home to so many sites of historic importance that the entire city has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Visit architectural highlights including the Elizabethan Abbey, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent, a wealth of quality museums such as the Jane Austen exhibition and of course the spectacular Roman Baths and Pump Room which date back to the 1st century AD.

• Accommodation: overnight in Thornbury Castle Hotel, Thornbury or Homewood Park, near Bath (2 nights).
• Distance: 165 miles / 265 km, 3 hours 20 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Shrewsbury, Ironbridge and Thornbury Village.

DAY NINE – Bath City, Stonehenge and Windsor

A short drive from your hotel will take you in to the charming city of Bath; Bath oozes Georgian opulence and is home to so many sites of historic importance that the entire city has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Visit architectural highlights including the Elizabethan Abbey, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent and a wealth of quality museums such as the Jane Austen exhibition and the spectacular Roman Baths and Pump Room which date back to the 1st century AD. Then make your way west on to the Salisbury Plain to see the famous standing stones at Stonehenge or lesser known but equally enchanting Avebury Stone Circle. By evening visit historic Windsor to explore its cobbled squares and narrow streets in the shadow of the world’s largest inhabited castle and Queen’s favoured residence at Windsor Castle.

• Accommodation: overnight in Beaumont Estate near Windsor or M-Gallery Castle Hotel, Windsor.
• Distance: 130 miles / 210 km, 3 hours (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Bath City, Roman Baths, Stonehenge, Avebury, Salisbury and Windsor.

DAY TEN – Return home

This morning, enjoy a final breakfast in your hotel before checking out. Make your way to nearby London Heathrow Airport to check-in for your onward flight or make your way in to central London to explore the renowned English Capital city.

*Journey times and distances are estimates and are based on the direct route between the start location and end location for each day of the itinerary, where applicable. They do not include detours or stops for sightseeing.