Stratford, Stonehenge, Bath & The Cotswolds
Stratford, Stonehenge, Bath & The Cotswolds Includes Champagne reception at Shakespeare’s birthplace
Highlights: Entrance to Shakespeare Birthplace Museum Champagne reception served in Shakespeare’s garden Visit the Cotswolds Entrance to mysterious Stonehenge Free time to shop and explore Georgian Bath The Tour: Stonehenge First we head straight for Stonehenge the most popular prehistoric monument in the world. Come and marvel at the huge 40 ton Sarsens and the volcanic blue stones that were brought from Preseli mountains over 280 miles away.
Discover the mysteries that surround the slaughter stone and see the numerous earth barrows where the beaker people lie buried before heading through the Salisbury plains towards Bath. Bath and the Cotswolds Bath, a world heritage site, is a beautiful Georgian city with delightful crescents, terraces and architecture.
There will be plenty of time to shop and explore before we enjoy a drive through the Cotswolds. As we head north to Stratford we drive through the heart of the Cotswolds, taking in breathtaking views of open countryside criss-crossed by dry stone walls and bustling market towns with magnificent perpendicular churches.
Stratford-upon-Avon Birthplace of William Shakespeare, the greatest writer in the English language, and home to the Royal Shakespeare Company. Stratford is a charming market town set in the heart of rural England. A delightful river winds its way through the town, past the beautiful Holy Trinity church, where Shakespeare lies buried.
Our tour includes an exclusive visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace before we enjoy Champagne and Strawberry scones*, served in his picturesque garden.
| Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover & Greenwich |
Plus cruise on the River Thames with sparkling wine and scones!
Leeds Castle…private tour before the Castle opens to the public… Described as the “loveliest castle in the world”, Leeds Castle was once a Royal residence for six of Englands medieval queens, a palace of Henry VIII, and a retreat for the rich and powerful. The setting is simply idyllic. The Norman castle was built on two small islands, in the middle of a lake, and is surrounded by a vast estate. Our day begins with a private viewing prior to the castle opening to the public. We will explore the chapel, galleries, courtyards and banqueting hall before taking time to enjoy the setting and wildlife, which includes wildfowl and black swans. Dover You’ve heard of the famous white cliffs of Dover? This is your chance to see them. Following our scenic drive along the old coastal road, we take lunch* in Dover, on a clear day you can even see France. Dover itself is an historic port with a magnificent 12th century castle. *(Food and drinks not included in the price). Canterbury The ancient city of Canterbury has been the centre of Christian worship for almost 1,700 years. Its greatest treasure is the cathedral, infamous as the setting for the brutal murder of Thomas Beckett in 1170. When Henry II snapped “Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?”, four of his knights rode to the Cathedral and sliced Becketts head off. Canterbury became the centre of one of the most important medieval pilgrimages in Europe, immortalised by Geoffrey Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales. Your ticket includes entrance to the Cathedral and also allows some free time to explore the atmospheric old town. Greenwich and Thames Cruise Packed with exquisite parks, gardens, and architecture, Greenwich has strong connections with the sea, science, sovereigns and time. We will have time to take a look at the Cutty Sark, the fastest sailing ship of its time. As the early evening approaches we enjoy an exclusive reception of tea/sparkling wine and muffins, as we gently cruise back to the centre of London. We will pass by historic sights such as the Tower of London, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, before arriving at Westminster pier where our tour ends. 1st Choice Concierge – www.1stChoiceConcierge.co.uk |
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