Small-group tours from London

Transcription

1 Small-group tours from London 2019 Tour Information +44 (0)

2 CORNWALL & THE COTSWOLDS TOUR (FIVE-DAYS) Join us on a five-day tour of Cornwall and the Cotswolds where we ll see some of Britain s most beautiful coastline and visit some of its most charming villages. Our small-group tour to Cornwall will take you on a journey of spectacular scenery, winding country lanes, unique history and authentic local flavours... This tour includes: Four nights accommodation Guided by local Tour Leader Full minibus transportation Breakfast each morning This tour starts & finishes at the Mercure Kensington Hotel. The tour is fully-guided by our knowledgable local Tour Leaders & includes full minibus transportation and fournights accommodation (choose B&B or Hotel) Small-groups mean you will get a more personalised tour with more time off the minibus to explore Options to leave the tour in Bath or at Heathrow Airport Visit famous destinations like Stonehenge and Bath plus seek hidden gems in two of England s most beautiful areas; Cornwall and the Cotswolds Find the best places to sample authentic local foods; like Fish & Chips, Devonshire Cream Teas and Cornish Pasties See the places that feature in the books of Rosamunde Pilcher and visit the filming locations of popular TV series Poldark and Doc Martin

3 DAY ONE - Stonehenge, Salisbury and the Jurassic Coast Our tour of Cornwall & the Cotswolds begins by departing London and heading west towards the iconic pre-historic monument of Stonehenge; the first stop of our tour. The world s most famous stone circle is thought to be 4,500 years old, yet we still don t understand its true meaning. After attempting to unravel the mysteries of the stones we will make the short journey to the medieval city of Salisbury. The city s cathedral is visible for miles around and possesses the tallest spire in the UK. It s also home to one of only four surviving copies of the world s oldest constitution: the Magna Carta. Here we ll have time to visit the cathedral, wander the city s charming streets and have some lunch. This afternoon we will head to the south coast and the county of Dorset, where we will visit Durdle Door. This limestone arch is one of the most recognisable features of the Jurassic coast; a part of England s coastline that is world-renowned and has a geological history dating back 185 million years. Then it will be time for us to continue west, to the Roman city of Exeter, which is where we will spend the first night of our tour. DAY TWO - Dartmoor, Polperro and Charlestown This morning we leave Exeter, but it won t be long before we are crossing into the higher grounds of Dartmoor National Park; known for its Sherlock Holmes connection and home to the legendary Dartmoor Beast. As we travel we ll take in the beautiful scenery, negotiate narrow country lanes and perhaps spot a native Dartmoor pony or two. Our route will take us past Princetown, where we will see the notorious Dartmoor prison, and via a number of Dartmoor s Tors; rocky hills that dominate this landscape. Next we ll descend into the town of Tavistock, famously the birthplace of naval leader and explorer Sir Francis Drake. This will be a chance to grab some lunch or perhaps try a traditional Devonshire Cream Tea. This afternoon it s time to cross the border and enter Cornwall; a county with a unique culture based on its Celtic heritage. Here they have their own language, their own flag, and of course their Cornish pasties! Our adventure in Cornwall begins by heading for the south coast, and our first stop will be the quaint fishing village of Polperro. Follow the narrow streets into the harbour to see an active fishing community where smuggling once thrived. A short trip along the coast will bring us to our next stop, Charlestown, known popularly as a filming location in the TV series Poldark. The village centres on its port and has remained largely unchanged since the late 18th century. Now its time to travel to Falmouth; our base in Cornwall and where we will spend the next two nights. DAY THREE - St Michaels Mount, Minack Theatre and Lands End Today our journey will take us to some of the most beautiful and isolated parts of Cornwall s coastline. We will begin by travelling to see the famous island of St Michael s Mount. This iconic place has been home to a monastery since at least the 8th centry, and takes its name from the Archangel Michael, who according to local legend protects the local fishermen. Next we ll have to beware of pirates as we negotiate the town of Penzance and make our way to the Minack Theatre, our next stop. An inspiring story of dedication and English eccentricity, the Minack Theatre is in a spectacular location that would rival any theatre in the world. From here, there s only one place in mainland Britain that s further west and that s our next stop; Lands End. Here we can gaze out over the Atlantic and on a clear day we ll be able to see the Isles of Scilly. Next we ll continue to follow the coastline and take the scenic route as we head back to Falmouth where you ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore this historic harbour town. You may wish to visit the historic Pendennis castle, which was constructed by King Henry VIII, discover Falmouth s renowned National Marimitime Museum or perhaps spend time in a traditional local pub. Tonight is our second night in Falmouth. DAY FOUR - St Ives, Port Isaac and Tintagel This morning it s time to leave Falmouth, but our Cornish adventure isn t over yet. We begin by travelling to Cornwall s north coast, and we ll arrive at St Ives, one of Britain s most popular seaside towns. The town was once a big player in Cornwall s fishing industry, but is now known more as a destination for artists. Stroll along the cobbled lanes, pop your head into an art shop or take a walk along the front of one of the beaches. Next we ll meander around the Camel Estuary to reach the pretty fishing village of Port Isaac. For some the village may be more familiar by its fictional name Portwenn ; as this is the main filming location in the hit TV series Doc Martin. Starring Martin Clunes, the series follows the life of Doc Martin, a London surgeon who becomes the local GP in a quiet Cornish village. His unique personality and blunt nature leads to a clash of cultures with locals that has humorous results! Here we ll have time to explore the village and have some lunch. This afternoon we ll continue further along the coast to Tintagel; once home to an ancient castle which legend says was the birthplace of King Arthur. The island on which the castle would have stood is shrouded in history, and the views of the surrounding coastline are spectacular. After this we will head back to Exeter where we ll spend the final night of the tour. DAY FIVE - Bath and the Cotswolds The final day of you tour to Cornwall & the Cotswolds begins by departing Exeter and visiting possibly the most beautiful city in Britain; Bath. Founded by the Romans as a spa town, the legend of the city suggests that the water here possesses healing powers. Whilst here be sure to visit the Roman Baths, as well as take in some of the beautiful regency architecture like the Royal Crescent and the Circus. After ample time to explore Bath and have some lunch we will make the short journey into The Cotswolds; a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. This area is home to Britain s most famous countryside, which is famed for it s beautiful scenery and historic association with sheep farming. We ll travel through the rolling hills, passing a number of charming villages along the way. We ll stop in at Castle Combe, arguably the most picture-perfect village in the Cotswolds. Here you can wander around the quiet streets and admire the villages idyllic river setting. At this point it is time to make our way back towards London, where our tour of Cornwall & the Cotswolds concludes. This tour ends at the Mercure Kensington Hotel at approximately 6.30pm. If traffic conditions allow it may be possible to do an additional stop on Bath Road, Heathrow, for those staying in the Heathrow Airport area. Departs weekly on Mondays Prices from 550 pp

4 YORK & THE LAKE DISTRICT TOUR (FIVE-DAYS) Join us on our five-day York and the Lake District tour where you ll travel through the heart of Britain, and take in some of England s highlights along the way, including Stratford-upon-Avon and Cambridge. This small-group tour to the Lake District will take you on a journey of spectacular scenery, literary legends and historic cities... This tour includes: Four nights accommodation Guided by local Tour Leader Full minibus transportation Breakfast each morning This tour starts & finishes at the Mercure Kensington Hotel. The tour is fully-guided by our knowledgable local Tour Leaders & includes full minibus transportation and fournights accommodation (choose B&B or Hotel) Small-groups mean you will get a more personalised tour with more time off the minibus to explore Option to leave the tour in York or at Heathrow Airport Enjoy the stunning and varied landscapes of the Lake District, the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales See the homes of some of England s most iconic literary figures William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter Take in some of England s best loved and most historic cities including York, Lincoln and Cambridge Visit Chatsworth House; one of England s grandest stately homes, famous for its connection topride & Prejudice See the Magna Carta in Lincoln Castle, view the imposing York Minster and visit King s College Chapel in Cambridge

5 DAY ONE - Cambridge and Lincoln Our York & the Lake District tour begins by departing London and travelling north to the city of Cambridge, home to one of the world s best universities that possesses an alumni which includes Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin and Sir Isaac Newton. Whilst here you can visit King College Chapel, Cambridge s most iconic building or one of the many historic college buildings. You can also partake in a local tradition; punting. Punts are shallow boats that negogiate the canals and provide the best way to really absorb the beauty of this city. After lunch we ll continue north to the historic city of Lincoln. The main landmark of Lincoln is its imposing medieval Cathedral which sits at top of a hill and is visible for many miles around. It is one of the greatest Cathedrals in England, and was actually the tallest building in the world for several hundred years. Lincoln s Roman quarter is fascinating, and the Norman castle here is home to one of the only surviving copies of the world s oldest constitution; the Magna Carta. After Lincoln we will continue north and head towards York, where we will spend the first night of our tour. DAY TWO - The Yorkshire Dales and the Lakes This morning we leave York but it won t be long before we enter the Yorkshire Dales, a National Park known for its beautiful green valleys, called Dales. First we ll stop in the Victorian spa town of Harrogate, where you can visit the Pump room, sample great architecture or stroll through beautiful gardens. Next we journey into the Dales and as we travel we ll take in beautiful scenery along the narrow country roads. Our route will take us to Aysgrath Falls; a beautiful triple flight of waterfalls that featured in the film Robin Hood; a Prince of Thieves, and then Hawes; a thriving market that is home to Yorkshires most famous cheese; Wensleydale. Next it s time to start our Lake District adventure, and our first stop will be Grasmere, home of the Lakes most famous son; William Wordsworth. In Grasmere you can visit his former home Dove Cottage, or explore this typical Lakeland village which is famous for gingerbread. Next it s time to head to Lake Windermere; our base in the Lake District and where we will spend the next two nights. DAY THREE - The Highlights of the Lake District Today our travels take us around the highlights of the Lake District; England s largest National Park which is famous for its beautiful scenery, fantastic wildlife and literary connections. We ll start by passing Hill Top, a quaint cottage and the former home of Beatrix Potter, author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Beatrix Potter loved animals and was inspired by the unspoilt landscape of the Lake District where she lived for much of her life. Next we ll enjoy a leisurely drive along the Honister Pass, one of England s most scenic roads. For lunch we ll stop in Keswick, a pleasant market town where you can relax by the lake, or wander through the town centre. Close by is our next stop, the dramatic Castlerigg Stone Circle; one of England s most atmospheric neolithic sites and thought to be at least 4,000 years old. This afternoon we will loop around Ullswater Lake, regarded by many as the most beautiful of all Lakes which inspiried Wordsworth s iconic poem Daffolfils. We ll visit Aira Force, a spectacular waterfall set amongst beautiful woodland where you may even spot a native red squirrel if you keep your eyes peeled. Now it s time to head back to Lake Windermere, where you may want to take a short cruise around England s largest lake. DAY FOUR - Explore York This morning it s time to depart the Lake District and continue our Yorkshire adventure by heading back to York. This city is truly one of the greatest in Britian and has a complex and fascinating history. Occupied by the Romans, Vikings and Saxons, the history of York is extremely varied, and its said that York is the most haunted city in England. There s so much to do here including: visit the majestic York Minster, explore the renowned National Railway Museum, take a walk atop the ancient city wall, wander through the historic central streets known as The Shambles, try a traditional Yorkshire pudding or join one of the many fantastic ghost tours. You ll have the afternoon free to explore York and take in as much of the history as possible. DAY FIVE - Chatsworth House & Stratford-upon-Avon The final day of our York and the Lake District tour begins by departing York and statring the journey south. We ll travel through some beautiful scenery in the Peak District on our way to our first stop, the magnificent Chatsworth House. Built in the mid-16th century, Chatsworth House is possibly the grandest of all stately homes in England and remains the seat of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Set in a picturesque 1,000 acre park, Chatsworth was originally home to Sir William Cavendish and Bess of Hardwick, but is now equally famous for acting as a filming location for Jane Austen s Pride and Prejudice. Whilst here you ll have time to wander through the incredible house, explore the grounds, see the beautiful gardens and have some lunch. This afternoon, our journey continues as we make our way to Stratford-upon-Avon; the final stop of our tour. Stratford the home of the world s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare; this is where Shakespeare was born and where he lived before becoming famous for works such as Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth. You ll have ample time to visit his birthplace and former home, see the school where he studied, Trinity Church where he was laid to rest, and wander the towns charming streets. After this it will be time to make our way back to London where our York & the Lake District tour concludes. This tour ends at the Mercure Kensington Hotel at approximately 6.30pm. If traffic conditions allow it may be possible to do an additional stop on Bath Road, Heathrow, for those staying in the Heathrow Airport area. Variable weekly departures Prices from 520 pp

6 THE HIGHLIGHTS OF WALES TOUR (FIVE-DAYS) Join us on a five-day tour of Wales where we ll explore the history and beauty of the land of song. During this small-group tour to Wales you ll absorb stunning scenery in National Parks, see historic castles, visit the cities of Cardiff & St Davids plus much more... This tour includes: Four nights accommodation Guided by local Tour Leader Full minibus transportation Breakfast each morning This tour starts & finishes at the Mercure Kensington Hotel The tour is fully-guided by our knowledgable local Tour Leaders & includes full minibus transportation and fournights accommodation (choose B&B or Hotel) Small-groups mean you will get a more personalised tour with more time off of the minibus to explore Option to leave the tour in Cardiff or at Heathrow Airport Visit the Welsh captial city Cardiff, and also the country s smallest city St Davids; the home of the Wales patron saint Absorb breathtaking scenery in Wales three national parks: Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire Coast Marvel at the history of some magnificent Welsh castles including Harlech Castle, Pembroke Castle and Carreg Cennon Discover Wales industrial past, with visits to a traditional Welsh woollen mill and the Big Pit National Coal Museum

7 DAY ONE - The Cotswolds, Raglan Castle & the Big Pit Coal Museum Our Highlights of Wales tour begins by departing London and travelling west towards the Cotswolds; a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty famed for its rolling hills and sheep farming scenes. As we meander through the countryside we ll stop in at Burford, a quaint market town that typifies the Cotswolds with its charming buildings and history of wool trading. Next, it s time head into the Welsh borderlands, known as the marches, before crossing over into Wales. Our first stop in the land of song is the imposing Raglan Castle, which dates back to the fourteenth century. Built as a statment of power by Sir William ap Thomas, construction began in 1430, making it one of the last castles to be built in Wales. Ascend the iconic Great Tower for some panoramic views in a castle that was a childhood home of King Henry VII. Next we ll make the short journey to our afternoon stop; the Big Pit National Coal Museum, one of the leading mining museums in Britain and a celebration of Coal Mining in South Wales. There s much to do and see here, including exhibitions where you can learn about the history of Wales industrial past, and the possibility to take an underground tour. As leave Big Pit we ll absorb some beautiful scenery as we cross the Brecon Beacons and travel towards the town of Brecon, where we ll spend the first night of the tour.. DAY TWO - Carreg Cennen, Dinefwr, Elan Valley & Devil s Bridge We begin our second day by absorbing the beautiful scenery of Brecon Beacons National Park as we travel to our first stop, Carreg Cennen. This is a castle with a spectacular location atop a limestone cliff, and perhaps you ll find the secret underground passage whilst exploring the grounds. Next we travel to our main stop of the day; Dinefwr, a magnificent estate with both a Welsh Castle and Country House; perhaps the Downton Abbey of Wales. Here you can wander through the extensive parklands, see wild deer and have a traditional Welsh lunch of Cawl & Bara Brith. This afternoon we ll head north through the heart of Wales towards the Elan Valley, an area of stunning landscapes and Victorian engineering. This terrain is defined by magnificent dams and beautiful wilderness which shows off Wales at its best. Traversing through the Cambrian hills, we ll arrive at our next stop, Devil s Bridge, where, if legend is to be believed, on his first visit to Wales the devil was outwitted by an old Welsh lady. Now it s time to descend into the picturesque seaside town of Aberystwyth; the capital of Welsh-speaking Wales, where we will spend the next two nights. DAY THREE - Snowdonia, Harlech Castle & Aberystwyth This morning we continue our journey towards North Wales, promptly crossing into Snowdonia National Park, where we ll travel through more beautiful scenery. In the foothills of Mount Snowdon, Wales highest peak, we ll stop at the picturesque village of Beddgelert, with its riverside craft and tea shops, not to mention the grave of the legendary hound Gelert after which the village is named. Next we ll make the short journey to the coast, where we ll visit Harlech Castle, one of Edward I s ring of magnificent 13th Century medieval fortresses around North Wales. Whilst exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site you can have lunch, and from the castle ramparts there are breathtaking mountain and seascape views. From here we ll travel back down the coast to Aberystwyth in time for you to check out the seafront esplanade and castle, or perhaps take a journey on the Victorian Cliff Railway up Constitution Hill for some panoramic views of the town. DAY FOUR - Pembrokshire Coast, St Davids City & Pemroke Castle Today we explore the south-westernmost corner of Wales and we ll begin by departing Aberyswyth and travelling down the coast towards the tiny harbour town of New Quay. With it multi-coloured cottages and sandy beaches, the town has connections with probably Wales most famous 20th century poet, Dylan Thomas, and from the quay you can often spot pods of dolphins. Next we continue south, passing the Presili Hills, into Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, where we ll stop at Abercastle. Here you can visit visit a working Welsh woollen mill; view the chattering looms close up, wonder at the rotating waterwheel, browse high quality mill products in the shop or sample the local fare. Our next stop is Britain s smallest city; St Davids. Despite its size the city is home to a magnificent cathedral sited next to the Bishop s Palace, founded by Wales patron saint, St David. Inside the cathedral are the tombs of many influential medieval knights, as well as a shrine to St David himself. Our last stop today is Pembroke; a town dominated by one of the largest and most important castles in Anglo-Welsh history. Take a wander around the picturesque Castle Pond, but as you do beware of the infamous Mr Nasty swan who lives here. Now we ll travel to the charming seaside town of Tenby, where we ll spend the last night of the tour. DAY FIVE - Cardiff & Avebury The final day of our tour of Wales begins by departing Tenby and heading straight towards the capital of Wales; Cardiff where there ll be a chance to see different parts of this cosmopolitan city. The now modern Cardiff Bay area was formerly the city docklands and once the largest coal-trading port in the world. Now regenerated, it is home to the Sennedd, the Welsh parliament, the Millenium Centre, and the BBC s home of Doctor Who. In the centre of old Cardiff you ll see the National Museum, Cardiff Castle and the Principality Stadium; sporting home of Wales national game, Rugby. After time to explore and have lunch, we ll head away from Cardiff and towards the border, before crossing the immense bridge over the Severn estuary that defines the English-Welsh border. AS we travel eastwards our final stop is at the charming village of Avebury, home to the largest stone circle in the world. These stones are a designated UNSECO World Heritage Site, and much of the village is actually set within the stone circle itself, meaning you can get close to the stones and even touch them. Now it s time to return to London, where our tour of Wales concludes. This tour ends at the Mercure Kensington Hotel at approximately 6.30pm. If traffic conditions allow it may be possible to do an additional stop on Bath Road, Heathrow, for those staying in the Heathrow Airport area. Variable weekly departures Prices from 540 pp

8 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BOOK How can I see available dates & book? The best way to book a tour is through our website using our booking system. Just head to the tour page you re interested in and click Book Now! to see all the available dates. How many people are there on each tour? Our tours travel in small-groups with a maximum of 16 passengers each. Is there a single supplement charge? No. The per person price is the same for everyone. There is no single supplement cost. Can I choose my accommodation? Yes. When you book your tour you have a choice of staying in either B&B s or Hotels. In both B&B s and Hotels you will stay in an en-suite room and breakfast is included. What are the differences between accommodations? The main difference is that the Hotels have more on-site facilities that the B&B s don t, such as lifts and restaurants. The B&B s are smaller, so only have stairs but do offer a local experience. PREPARING FOR YOUR TOUR How much spending money should I bring? As a general rule, allowing an average 50 per person per day would be more than enough for meals, attractions and a few unexpected extras! Is there a luggage allowance? Each person may bring one suitcase and one carry-on item, such as a backpack. We ask that your suitcase does not exceed 20kg in weight. Do I need travel insurance? We require all our guests to have travel insurance. Do we need specific clothing? We suggest you bring comfortable footwear and clothing suitable for all varieties of British weather! Is the tour itinerary flexible? The tour itineraries are designed to make the most of each day, however, due to the nature of small group travel, no two tours are ever quite the same! What if I have dietary requirements? If you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies, we can then pass on to your accommodation. DURING THE TOUR Is there a level of fitness required? To make the most of our tours you should be comfortable walking for long periods. However, our tours are there for you to enjoy at your own preferred pace. What is a typical tour day like? A normal day is from 9am-5pm, and you will be pickedup & dropped-off directly at your accommodation. Whilst travelling in the minibus your Tour Leader will provide interesting commentary will always try and stick to the scenic country roads. TOUR MEETING POINT Our tours start and end at the Mecure Kensington Hotel, which is a five minute walk from Earl s Court Station. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your departure. On the last day of your tour, you will return to London by approximately 6:30pm. There may be an additional drop off at Heathrow if traffic conditions allow. ghjgjgjhgjggg How to find us: What is a Tour Leader? Your Tour Leader is your driver and your tour guide. They will drive you safely from place to place & will provide interesting historical commentary as you travel. During the tour if you have any problems or questions, your Tour Leader will be there to help. Are admission fees and meals included? Breakfast is included, but not other meals. Entrance to attractions are extra as we want to allow you the opportunity to choose how you spend your time in the places that we visit.