England’s Icons – 6 Days

From London, travel north, possibly stopping at Jacobean Audley End House and Duxford Imperial War Museum on route to the glorious university city of Cambridge where you can explore labyrinthine cobbled parades and squares and marvel at the intricate architecture of world-renowned colleges including Kings College, Trinity College and Christ’s College. Take a stroll along the Backs, extensive parklands behind the university or take a punt on the river with one of the resident students.

• Accommodation: overnight in Cambridge.
• Distance: 75 miles / 120 km, 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.), if starting at Heathrow Airport*.
• Highlights: Cambridge Colleges.

DAY TWO – York and York Minster

Continuing north arrive in the stunning medieval city of York with a wealth of historic and cultural sites to explore from the cobbled streets such as the famous Shambles, Britain’s first shopping street, the Viking Jorvik Center, the medieval city walls, gates and towers, the opulent Georgian Era Fairfax House and the National Railway Museum current home of the Flying Scotsman. The highlight of course will be exploring the iconic York Minster.

• Accommodation: overnight in York.
• Distance: 155 miles / 250 km, 2 hours 40 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights: York and York Minster.

DAY THREE – Warwick Castle and Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon

Passing south in to the Heart of England, make a stop at Kenilworth Castle before visiting England’s most visually imposing fortresses at the stunning Warwick Castle. Arriving in Stratford-upon-Avon discover the abundant Shakespeare Heritage in this picturesque, market town of Tudor timberwork buildings. Explore the town including Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Hall’s Croft.

• Accommodation: overnight in Stratford-upon-Avon or the Cotswolds.
• Distance: 150 miles / 240 km, 2 hours 40 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Warwick Castle and Shakespeare’s Stratford.

DAY FOUR – The Cotswolds and Regency Bath

Today explore the beauty of quintessential English countryside in the Cotswolds’ rolling hills and eccentrically named villages such as Stow on the Wold and Moreton in Marsh. Arriving in Bath, experience a UNESCO world heritage city which oozes Georgian opulence and is home to architectural highlights including the Elizabethan Abbey, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent not to mention the spectacular iconic Roman Baths and Pump Room.

• Accommodation: overnight in Bath.
• Distance:  85 miles / 135 km, 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights:  Roman Baths.

DAY FIVE – Stonehenge, Salisbury and Downton Abbey

Returning East towards London, you may choose to stop at Lacock Abbey, used in TV and film productions of Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter before passing on to the eerie Salisbury Plain to see England’s most iconic site at the mysterious standing stones of Stonehenge before arriving in Salisbury to explore the cobbled streets and England’s tallest cathedral spire. A final stop will be at Highclere Castle featured on television as Downton Abbey before arriving in Windsor.

• Accommodation: overnight in Salisbury or Windsor.
• Distance: 40 miles / 65 km, 1 hour 5 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Stonehenge and Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey).

DAY SIX – Windsor and Windsor Castle

Spend today exploring the magnificent town of Windsor home to cobbled squares, timber fronted houses, and the world’s largest inhabited castle at Windsor Castle, the Queen’s favoured residence.

• Distance: 70 miles / 115 km, 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.), based on a route to Heathrow Airport*.
• Highlights: Windsor Castle.

Return your vehicle.

*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.