2019 Guaranteed Departures 2020 Preview - The Royal Oak ...
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2019 Guaranteed Departures
2020 Preview
© Mike Kipling
Jacobite Steam Train, Glenfinnan Viaduct
Castle Howard
Dear Royal Oak Members and Friends, Delve Deeper into Britain’s Heritage
I am very pleased to share with you our 2019 heritage tour program produced in It’s the little extras that set Albion tours apart from the rest
partnership with Albion. These exclusive group tours offer Royal Oak members
Carefully chosen itineraries
© NTHP/James Dobson
the unique opportunity to discover the vast cultural and natural heritage of Britain
including many of the impressive places owned by the National Trust of England, We work closely with our partner heritage organizations to create unique and insightful
Wales and Northern Ireland.
itineraries that truly unlock Britain’s history and culture. Our itineraries are carefully
Along with our 2019 program, we have included some of our 2020 tours within the researched to ensure that they provide a valuable and enriching experience. Our in-house Hartwell House
brochure, to give you a taste of what’s to come. Join us and take the opportunity planners are always on hand should you have any questions before you travel with us.
to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Britain’s hidden gems with
behind-the-scenes tours, after dinner lectures and insights from the owners of the
Highclere Castle
Hawkshead Caring staff Hand-picked hotels
properties themselves. If you have booked an Albion tour before you will already be on first name terms with our Your journey through Britain’s
The Royal Oak Foundation is proud to be partners of the National Trust, helping to customer service team! They will look after you from your first enquiry through to your colorful past won’t end after a day
support the Trust’s vital conservation work. We recently presented the National arrival in the UK, and work hard to ensure that any special requests or arrangements you of excursions. We’ve chosen your
Trust with a grant of $1,525,000 raised from our 2016-2017 appeal Keep Churchill may need are carried out. Our team work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure your principal hotels for their character
© NTPL/David Sellman
at Chartwell. The appeal enabled the Trust to purchase important personal objects tour runs as smoothly as possible. and history and descriptions can
once belonging to Sir Winston and keep them in his beloved home at Chartwell. be found on the tour pages within
Tailored reading lists
You can visit Chartwell on the 2019 Fairytale Castles of Kent tour featured on this brochure. These hotels are
page 10. Chartwell If you want to understand more about the themes of your tour, we provide a full reading list complemented by conveniently
that should enable you to fully engage with the subject before your tour begins. We ensure located overnight hotels at the
Looking a little further ahead to 2020, we have some exciting and captivating
that our reading lists are entertaining as well as informative, and they often include a mix of beginning and end of your stay.
new tours available. Find out more about the renowned Bloomsbury Group on
fiction as well as factual tomes. It is up to you how much you want to use the reading list,
The Bloomsbury Group in the South East trip (page 26) or follow A Tour Around the Two hotels featured on these tours
but you can be sure that it will help spark lively conversation!
Treasure Houses of England (page 24), which showcases a collection of the most that are of particular interest are
magnificent palaces, houses and castles. Special guided tours Historic House Hotels of the National
© NTPL/Andreas von Einsiedel
I encourage you to join one or more of these tours and experience first-hand the Trust, with all profits supporting the
On an Albion journey we arrange tours by the house owners themselves wherever possible,
history and beauty of the United Kingdom. Every tour helps raise funds for The charity’s conservation work. Hartwell
to really bring historic houses alive. We also offer behind the scenes tours or private tours
Royal Oak Foundation too and we are sure that you will have a truly wonderful House’s most famous resident was
with special access, and even talks by curators at historic houses, to make sure you get the
time sharing these journeys with other members and friends from across the Louis XVIII, exiled King of France,
full story and the most out of your visit.
United States. who lived there with his Court for
Knole House
Exclusive themed talks by experts five years. The hotel also welcomed
Thanks for your participation and your membership. Bill Clinton during his Presidency.
The majority of our tours include an after-dinner talk by an expert in their field that Bodysgallen Hall is believed to have
promises to be both informative and engaging. Whether it is a leading historian, fascinating begun life as a watchtower for Conwy
writer or learned expert, we arrange guest speakers who will enhance the themes of your Castle in the 13th century but it wasn’t
David Nathans tour and provide some captivating background or intriguing insight. With the opportunity until late in the Elizabethan era that it
Executive Director and CEO, The Royal Oak Foundation for you to ask questions at the end of the talk, these interactive experiences are an became a house.
opportunity not to be missed.
2 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak or email info@albionjourneys.com Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 3
Create your Your Tour Your Way
We are happy to book any room upgrades or extras you might require to make your
A Wonderful
stay extra special. For everything from extra nights at your hotel to additional transfers
perfect tour – or even supplementary hotels, excursions or theater trips, contact the Albion office to
discuss prices and availability.
Opportunity
room upgrades, extra
Travel in 2019 with your favorite Tour Directors to Explore & Scotland
nights, excursions,
theater trips...
Here at Albion we are aware that as well as an excellent itinerary and quality hotels,
exceptional Tour Directors help make your tour special, so we’d like to introduce you to Experience... I
some of our team members…
A Edinburgh
David Robertson
E
David left the world of commerce seven years ago to become a
A
tour manager so that he could share his love for travel and flex his
J
organizing skills. David is very welcoming and simply loves sharing
his passion for the UK with his clients. David is originally from the England
Midlands but now bases himself in the North of England. York
G
"Extraordinary, professional, caring and informative." Manchester
Stourhead
D E
David will be joining these tours: J
Knole © NTHP/John Hammond
Edinburgh, Northumberland & the Scottish Borders, May 5 to 15, 2019 Birmingham
Glorious Gardens & Grandeur of North Wales, June 23 to July 2, 2019 Wales H J
Aristocrats, Manor Houses & A Grand Tour to the North, July 21 to 30, 2019 London
J K
E
Hever Castle Book of Hours
Carolyn Russell L B C
F K
Carolyn has travelled extensively all over the world with tour L
groups, previously spending a lot of time in Cuba and North
L
America. She now prefers to travel with groups in the UK, sharing
her love of the country's history with her clients. Carolyn is also Contents
our resident expert on the Royal Family; we challenge you to find
something that she doesn't know about them. When not managing Map Ref Tour Description Page
Sissinghurst Garden © NTPL/Andrew Butler
tours Carolyn lives in central London. Edinburgh, Northumberland & the Scottish Borders
Blenheim Palace
A 6-7
Rosslyn Chapel
May 5 to 15, 2019
"Carolyn was spectacular – so well organized, knowledgeable, and
Jane Austen & Georgian Treasures of the South
Hever Castle Long Gallery
professional. She made this tour work perfectly and flawlessly." B 8-9
June 2 to 11, 2019
Carolyn will be joining these tours:
Fairytale Castles of Kent
Fairytale Castles of Kent, June 9 to 17, 2019 C 10-11
The Vyne © NTHP/Andreas von Einsiedel
June 9 to 17, 2019
Glamour of the South East: Georgian Grandeur to Art Deco Elegance, July 28 to Glorious Gardens & Grandeur of North Wales
Also
available
August 4, 2019 D in 2020 12-13
June 23 to July 2, 2019
Also
Aristocrats & Manor Houses & a Grand Tour to the North
r2 w
available
Melodie Robson
9!
E 14-15
fo Ne
in 2020
July 21 to 30, 2019 & August 11 to 20, 2019
01
Melodie is our Heritage Product Manager for Albion and has the
very important role of researching and planning our itineraries. This Glamour of the South East: Georgian Grandeur to Art Deco Elegance
F 16-17
role puts Melodie in the perfect position to manage our tours and July 28 to August 4, 2019
share her wealth of knowledge with our travellers. With a degree Stunning Stately Homes of Yorkshire & the Brontës
Charlecote Park © NTHP/Andreas von Einsiedel
G 18-19
in English Literature and Film, she also has a master's in British September 1 to 9, 2019
Cinema History and has regularly written about British film history In the Footsteps of Shakespeare
Wrest Park © English Heritage
for online publications and undertaken research projects. She also H 20-21
September 15 to 25, 2019
has a passion for art and has researched British Arts and Crafts and
Pre-Raphaelite movements in the UK. Melodie currently lives in the Cotswolds but she Bonnie Prince Charlie & the Jacobite Rebellion
I 22-23
has lived in various locations across the country in the past. May 10 to 20, 2020
"Melodie was wonderful in every way! Very knowledgeable, friendly, A Tour Around the Treasure Houses of England
J 24-25
June 21 to July 2, 2020
We can book weekend helpful. Lovely person and fabulous Tour Director!"
Melodie will be joining this tour: The Bloomsbury Group in the South East
K 26-27
theater or sightseeing July 14 to 22, 2020
Jane Austen & Georgian Treasures of the South, June 2 to 11, 2019
breaks in central London Melodie will also be lecturing on this tour: L
Mayflower 400
28-29
September 10 to 20, 2020
as an add-on to your Glamour of the South East: Georgian Grandeur to Art Deco Elegance, July 28 to
main tour. August 4, 2019 LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY
Queen Victoria 200: Regal Splendor & an Island Getaway
Wilton House
Contact us for more details! March 31 to April 9, 2019 – please call for further details
Edinburgh, Northumberland What’s Included
Airport
transfers from Edinburgh*
& the Scottish Borders Rosslyn Chapel
Edinburgh 5
nights at the Norton House Hotel
© Phil Wilkinson
Thirlestane Castle
Abbotsford
Mellerstain House
Floors Castle
5
nights at the Macdonald Linden
May 5 to 15, 2019 from $5,490 per person
Traquair House
Alnwick Castle Hall Hotel
Wallington Thirlestane Castle Welcome
drink and canapés
The compelling and often turbulent history of the border country that separates Scotland Lanercost Priory Hadrian’s Wall Newcastle
Naworth Castle
Full
English breakfast each day
and England has resulted in a region that is exceptionally rich in cultural heritage; with Durham
© NTPL/Andreas von Einsiedel
a host of defensive forts, ruined abbeys, ancient castles and picturesque stately homes
Raby Castle
Rokeby Park
3-course
table d’hôte dinner on 8 nights
at the hotels (with after dinner tea
scattered through the scenic and romantic landscape. On this engaging tour, we discover
and coffee)
the fascinating stories behind some of these iconic places, from Hadrian’s Wall with its
tales of Roman Britain to the lives of Christian Monks in the 14th century, with the area 2
dinners at local restaurants
immortalised in the work of Sir Walter Scott, whose home we also visit. Services
of a tour director throughout
Wallington Mellerstain House your stay
Travel to and from all excursions
Special extras included Close by stands the Augustinian Lanercost Adam and completed by his more famous son,
Priory, founded in 1166. The tranquil setting Robert, in 1778, the exterior of Mellerstain is All
entrance costs
in your itinerary of the priory belies an often troubled history. a good example of Adam’s ‘castle style’. It is Porterage
Standing close to Hadrian’s Wall, it suffered the interiors however that showcase Adam’s
Guided
tour of Abbotsford frequent attacks during the long Anglo-Scottish work at its best with exquisitely proportioned *supplement applies for transfers from all other
airports
Guided
tour of Newcastle wars. Although the chancel and transepts are in rooms embellished with classical plasterwork,
ruins, the cloisters are beautifully preserved and some fine art as well as period furniture and
Guided
tour of Rokeby Park the 13th-century nave lives on as the embroidery collections.
Private
guided tour of Naworth Castle parish church. Your Hotels
We then return to the Norton House Hotel,
with the owner
Abbotsford The Romans built Hadrian’s Wall as a our base for the last four nights of our stay. We Night One and Nights Seven to Ten
Guided
tour of Alnwick Castle fortification across Britain some two thousand enjoy dinner together at the hotel tonight. – Norton House Hotel
Guided
tour of Floors Castle years ago. We’ll explore part of this fascinating Originally a traditional country retreat built
archaeological site before visiting Housesteads Sunday: Edinburgh
Guided walking tour of Edinburgh in 1840, the Norton House Hotel is a fine
Roman Fort, Britain’s most complete and Edinburgh Castle country house hotel set in 55 acres of leafy
Private
guided tour of Roman fort. This morning we enjoy a guided walking tour of grounds to the west of Edinburgh. This luxury
Thirelstane Castle Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh. Most of the hotel offers boutique rooms and a health club
This evening, we enjoy dinner together at a
Private guided tour of Traquair House city’s sights can be found within the medieval and spa with a swimming pool, sauna, steam
local restaurant.
with the owner (subject to availability) Old Town and the elegant Georgian buildings room and hydrotherapy pool plus a fully
Friday: Alnwick Castle of the New Town, all overlooked by the iconic equipped gym.
Guided
tour and afternoon tea aboard castle perched high above the city.
the Royal Yacht Britannia and Wallington
Alnwick Castle is still home to the Duke of As one of the most important strongholds in Nights Two to Six
Themed
evening talk by a Northumberland and his family. On our guided the Kingdom of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle – Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel
guest speaker tour, we explore the history of the Percy has witnessed many of the defining events of Nestling in 450 acres of Northumberland
Rosslyn Chapel Alnwick Castle
family through the eclectic array of furniture Scottish history. Highlights include the Crown parkland close to Newcastle, the Linden
Eleven Day Itinerary Tuesday: Newcastle, Newcastle a magnificent backdrop for the stunning and art they collected in the impressive State Jewels of Scotland, the Royal Palace and the Hall Hotel is a beautiful 18th-century manor
art collection. Rooms. Alnwick also featured in the popular TV 16th-century Great Hall. We then enjoy a little house. The hotel boasts classically furnished
Cathedral and Durham Cathedral
Sunday: Arrival series Downton Abbey. We also visit Alnwick free time to explore the city. bedrooms, a luxury spa with indoor pool,
We enjoy a guided tour of Newcastle. In the Afterwards, we head to Rokeby Park where we sauna and gym plus a tennis court and golf
On arrival at Edinburgh airport, a private Garden, set around a cascading fountain, and
historical center of the city stands the Castle enjoy a guided tour. Completed in 1735 by its Later, we dine together at a local restaurant. course. A cosy pub, lounge bar and restaurant
transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, surrounding ‘Capability’ Brown landscape.
Keep, one of the finest Norman stone castle owner, Sir Thomas Robinson, this architectural complete the amenities here.
the Norton House Hotel. In the evening you are Monday: Thirlestane Castle
keeps surviving in Britain today. Although treasure represents the heyday of the Palladian- We continue on to Wallington, the much-loved
invited to join the group for a welcome drink,
founded in 1091, Newcastle Cathedral is mainly style country house. Much of the present home to generations of the unconventional and Traquair House No single supplement – limited availability
followed by dinner.
14th century and is notable for its unusual interior was designed by John Carr and a unique Trevelyan family. Fans of the Pre-Raphaelites We start the day at Thirlestane Castle where
Monday: Rosslyn Chapel 15th-century lantern spire. collection of 18th-century needlework pictures will love Wallington’s Central Hall. Built towards we enjoy a private guided tour. As the seat of Tuesday: Royal Yacht Britannia
by Anne Morritt are on display. the close of the 17th century, the rather plain the Earls and Duke of Lauderdale and the home
and Abbotsford Next is Durham Cathedral, a World Heritage
Palladian exterior hides an interior brimming
After enjoying a morning at leisure in
of the Maitland family, this defensive fort with Edinburgh, this afternoon we step aboard the
This morning we head to Rosslyn Chapel, home Site, sitting on a rocky promontory high Tonight, we enjoy dinner together back at with wonderful collections of ceramics, rose pink sandstone and fairy tale turrets, dates
to some of the most exquisite carvings and above the River Wear. Originally built in 1093 the hotel. Royal Yacht Britannia, the Queen's floating
paintings and needlework. back to the 13th century. The interiors are a mix
portrait scenes in Europe. Dating back to 1445, as a monastic cathedral for a community of Royal residence for over 44 years, used not only
Thursday: Naworth Castle, of 19th century and early Baroque and highlights for state visits and official receptions but also
the chapel gained worldwide fame thanks to Benedictine monks, the cathedral boasts some After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to
include the Duke’s bedroom with its exquisite
the increasing interest in Freemasonry and of the most intact surviving monastic buildings Lanercost Priory and Hadrian’s Wall a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. for family holidays. Our fascinating guided tour
plasterwork ceilings and the extensive includes the Bridge, the State Apartments, Royal
the Knights Templar (it was one of the filming in England. This morning we visit Naworth Castle, the
Saturday: Floors Castle family portraits. Bedrooms, Crew's Quarters and the Engine
locations for Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code). private ancestral home of the Howard family.
We dine together at the hotel tonight.
We enjoy an exclusive private guided tour by and Mellerstain House Next is Traquair House where the 21st Lady Room. After our tour, we enjoy afternoon tea
We continue to Abbotsford, the home of Sir on board.
Wednesday: Raby Castle the current owner, Philip Howard. A border We return north, stopping first at Floors Castle, of Traquair* will show us around the house.
Walter Scott, one of the great romanticists
and Rokeby Park stronghold dating back to 1335, the castle was lying on the River Tweed. Scotland’s largest This 12th-century former hunting lodge, which Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner together at
and the foremost literary figure of his day.
almost destroyed by a devastating fire in 1844. inhabited castle has been home to the Dukes of hosted 27 Scottish monarchs, has a fascinating our hotel.
Created by the writer himself in the Scottish We make our way to Raby Castle. King Cnut
Restoration began in 1850 but the interiors Roxburghe since it was built in 1721 to designs history spanning nearly a thousand years. Trace
Baronial style, the house contains an impressive owned the estate in the early 11th century but
were the work of the 9th Earl of Carlisle who by William Adam. Here we can admire the the footsteps of the Kings of Scotland as you Wednesday: Departure
collection of historic relics and an extensive it was the Nevills who built the 14th-century
counted many of the eminent Pre-Raphaelites collections of fine art, furniture, porcelain and climb the turnpike staircase and uncover how A private transfer will take you back to
library and we discover more on our guided tour. castle we see today, now home to Lord Barnard,
among his friends. Naworth is not usually open tapestries on our guided tour. priests escaped in times of danger. Edinburgh airport for your return flight home.
a direct descendant of the Nevills. The exterior
Later we check in to the Macdonald Linden Hall to the public and we will enjoy a special
of medieval towers and turrets contrasts Mellerstain House is seen by many as Robert We dine together back at the hotel this evening.
Hotel where we stay for the next five nights. visit here.
with the sumptuous interiors which provide Adam’s finest work. Begun in 1725 by William
Tonight we enjoy dinner at the hotel. *subject to availability
6 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak or email info@albionjourneys.com Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 7
Jane Austen & Georgian What’s Included
Airport
transfers from London Heathrow*
Treasures of the South 2
7
nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel
nights at the Bailbrook House Hotel
© NTPL/Dennis Gilbert
June 2 to 11, 2019 from $5,250 per person Painswick
Berkeley Castle
Lacock Abbey LONDON
Welcome
drink
Bristol
Bowood House
Bath
Longleat House The Vyne Full
English breakfast each day
English novelist Jane Austen is famous the world over for her entertaining novels that Wells Salisbury Chawton House Bowood House
gently satirise the dating game in Georgian society. She is forever associated with the
Wilton House
Montacute House Winchester
Hinton Ampner
Stourhead
3-course
table d’hôte dinner on 7 nights
south of England, from her home in Chawton, Hampshire to Regency Bath where she at the hotels (with after dinner tea
and coffee)
lived for a time. We travel to many other places associated with her life and work, and
uncover other Georgian gems along the way, such as Bowood and Longleat House and Services
of a tour director throughout
© NTPL/Andreas von Einsiedel
also visit the country’s only surviving Rococo Garden. your stay
Travel
to and from all excursions
Special extras included All
excursion costs
Porterage
in your itinerary
Longleat House The Vyne *supplement applies for transfers from all other
airports
Guided
tour of Berkeley Castle We continue to explore with our guided Jane Bowood was also used as a filming location
Guided
tour of Salisbury Cathedral Austen themed walking tour to view the for the 2007 TV film, Northanger Abbey.
Guided
tour and lunch at Wilton House highlights of the city that features so much in
her writing as well as her former homes.
Here we enjoy a guided tour followed by an
included lunch.
Your Hotels
Talk
at No.1 Royal Crescent Nights One and Nine
Afterwards, we head to the Assembly Rooms We then head to the village of Lacock with its
Jane
Austen guided walking tour – once the hub of the Georgian social calendar picturesque streets of timber-framed cottages. – Macdonald Windsor Hotel
of Bath and an important location for Jane Austen’s Lacock Abbey sits at the heart of the village with The Macdonald Windsor Hotel is situated in
Early
bird private guided tour and lunch novels set here; Persuasion and Northanger golden stone cloisters and a Great Hall. Once a the heart of the historic town of Windsor,
at Longleat House Abbey. Within the Assembly Rooms we visit medieval nunnery, the abbey was turned into a opposite the famous Windsor Castle. The
the Fashion Museum Bath. Founded in 1963, it family home by William Henry Fox Talbot who classic interiors, with a contemporary edge, fit
Guided
tour and lunch at
houses a world-class collection of contemporary invented the first photographic negative. perfectly with the Georgian elegance of this
Bowood House
and historic dress, from the 18th century townhouse hotel. The luxury bedrooms are
© 1996-98 AccuSoft Inc Tonight you have some free time to make your
Literary-themed
guided tour of through to modern day. individually-designed and the hotel also offers
Winchester Cathedral own arrangements for dinner. a stylish bar and restaurant.
After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to
Themed
evening talk by a a fascinating themed talk by a guest speaker. Sunday: Montacute House and Wells
guest speaker
Nights Two to Eight
Wilton House This morning we visit Elizabethan Montacute
Friday: Longleat House – Bailbrook House Hotel
House. This splendid mansion of golden stone
Dating back to the early 1790s, Bailbrook
Ten Day Itinerary This evening we check into our hotel for the Wednesday: Salisbury, Salisbury and Stourhead with its oak-panelled rooms and the longest
gallery in England is crammed with treasures House Hotel is a country house hotel situated
next seven nights, the Bailbrook House Hotel. We begin the day with a visit to Longleat House
Cathedral and Wilton House including the Tudor and Elizabethan portraits on just a few minutes from Bath. Set within 20
Sunday: Arrival Tonight we enjoy dinner together at the hotel. which is widely regarded as one of the best acres of private grounds, the hotel offers
Today we head to Salisbury where we take a loan from the National Portrait Gallery. Several
On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private examples of high Elizabethan architecture in classically-decorated bedrooms located in a
Tuesday: Painswick Rococo Garden guided tour of the city’s fine medieval cathedral scenes of the 1995 film version of Sense and
transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, Britain. Substantially completed by 1580 and new wing as well as the original house, two
which boasts the tallest spire in Britain. Discover Sensibility were filmed at Montacute, including
the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening and Berkeley Castle over 750 years of history here including
now home to the 7th Marquess of Bath, Longleat restaurants, three elegant lounges and a
you are invited to join the group for a welcome House is set within 900 acres of stunning the scene where Marianne was rejected
Rococo describes a period of art that was the best preserved original 1215 Magna conservatory bar.
drink, followed by dinner. ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland. We by Willoughby.
fashionable in the 1700s in Europe and today Carta document.
take a private guided tour around the house, No single supplement – limited availability
we begin by visiting the Painswick Rococo Afterwards we continue on for a short stop in
Monday: Chawton House Library, Garden. Initially designed in the 1740s as an We then visit Wilton House, an excellent visiting some of the most exquisite rooms Wells, located at the foot of the Mendip Hills.
Jane Austen House Museum and English country gentleman’s venue for hosting example of Palladian architecture. Here we before the property opens to the public for the England’s smallest city boasts a magnificent From here we travel back to the Macdonald
Hinton Ampner intimate garden parties, this is now the only enjoy lunch and a guided tour. This impressive day, and later enjoy an included lunch. cathedral and unique moated Bishop’s Palace Windsor Hotel where we enjoy a farewell
We travel first to Chawton House, an complete Rococo garden in England. property has foremost been a family home while the eclectic mix of buildings and narrow dinner together.
Afterwards we head to Stourhead. The estate
Elizabethan manor house that once belonged for over 450 years and is set in 21 acres of streets adds to the atmosphere here.
Next we visit Berkeley Castle where we enjoy is renowned for its 18th-century landscaped
to Jane Austen’s brother, Edward Austen Knight. landscaped parkland. The house has regularly
garden, featured in the 2005 film Pride and
Tuesday: Departure
a guided tour. Still home to the Berkeley family been used as a filming location too including for Later we have dinner at the hotel.
It now accommodates a unique library of titles Prejudice, and a delight of classical temples, A private transfer will take you back to
today, construction began in the early part of the 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride
focusing on women’s writing in English from exotic trees, hidden grottos and a magnificent Monday: Winchester Cathedral Heathrow airport for your return flight home.
the 12th century. It is best known as the scene and Prejudice starring Kiera Knightly.
1600 to 1830. of the brutal murder of Edward ll in 1327. The lake. The grand Palladian house is no less of a and The Vyne
castle has also been used for filming including Later we enjoy dinner together at our hotel. draw, with its Chippendale furniture and one of Today we explore the medieval city of
Continuing our Jane Austen theme, we visit
for popular TV drama Poldark. The state the finest Regency libraries left in existence. Winchester with a literary-themed guided tour
Jane Austen’s House Museum, the charming
apartments showcase beautiful collections of Thursday: Bath – No.1 Royal
house in Chawton where she spent the last This evening we enjoy dinner together at of the cathedral. The awe-inspiring cathedral
eight years of her life. This is where she did the furniture and rare paintings. Crescent, Jane Austen Walking Tour our hotel. is just one of the historic highlights here; its
majority of her mature writing and now tells the Tonight is left free for you to make your own
and Fashion Museum hidden treasures include the tomb of Jane
story of the author and her family. dinner arrangements. Once home to Jane Austen, Bath has remained Saturday: Bowood House Austen and the Winchester Bible, one of the
Our last stop of the day is Hinton Ampner,
faithful to its Regency roots. We begin at No.1 and Lacock Abbey finest 12th-century bibles to have survived.
Royal Crescent, a Georgian town house that Family home of the Marquis and Marchioness
an elegant country house with particularly We continue on to The Vyne, a splendid Tudor
creates a wonderful picture of life for both the of Lansdowne, Bowood houses a unique
impressive gardens. The property was rebuilt in red-brick mansion set in 13 acres of attractive
© NTPL/Andrew Butler
wealthy and their servants in Georgian Bath. collection of historical artifacts and family
1960 by the then owner, Ralph Dutton, after a gardens. It was built for King Henry VIII’s Lord
Here we enjoy a fascinating talk upon arrival. heirlooms built up over 250 years; from Queen
devastating fire. Today we can wander through Chamberlain before becoming the Chute family
the house and take in the fine collection of Victoria’s wedding chair to Napoleon’s death home for over 300 years.
ceramics and art. Make sure to admire the mask. Outside are 100 acres of beautiful
Hinton Ampner parkland, designed by ‘Capability’ Brown. Winchester Cathedral
meticulous garden too.
8 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak or email info@albionjourneys.com Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 9
Fairytale Castles of Kent What’s Included
Airport
transfers from London Heathrow*
June 9 to 17, 2019 from $5,250 per person Blenheim Palace
LONDON
4
nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel
Windsor Castle Hampton Court Palace
Down House 4
nights at the Chilston Park Hotel
We explore the romantic county of Kent on this fascinating tour as we learn about its role Chartwell
Hever Castle
Canterbury
Leeds Castle
shaping English history, and discover some of its famous residents such as Ann Boleyn, Chiddingstone Castle
Sissinghurst Castle Garden Welcome
drink and canapés
Bodiam Castle
Charles Dickens and Winston Churchill, in his former home of Chartwell. In a county Full
English breakfast each day
famed for its castles, we also explore historic Hever Castle, impressive Leeds Castle and 3-course
table d’hôte dinner on 6 nights
the treasure house of Chiddingstone Castle. at the hotels (with after dinner tea
Hampton Court Palace
and coffee)
Special extras included 1
dinner at a traditional local pub
Services of a tour director throughout
in your itinerary
your stay
Audio
guided tour of Windsor Castle Travel
to and from all excursions
Guided
walking tour of Windsor All
entrance costs
Exclusive
‘early bird’ garden tour of Porterage
Canterbury Cathedral
Sissinghurst Castle Garden *supplement applies for transfers from all other
© English Heritage
airports
Guided
tour of Hever Castle
Guided
tour of Chiddingstone Castle
Guided
walking tour of Canterbury Down House Blenheim Palace Your Hotels
Guided
tour of Canterbury Cathedral
Thursday: Canterbury, Canterbury restored the castle to its former glory. We Night One and Nights Six to Eight
Guided
tour of Godinton House Cathedral and Godinton House discover more of the castle’s fascinating history – Macdonald Windsor Hotel
as well as its wealth of furnishings, paintings, The Macdonald Windsor Hotel is situated in
Audio
guided tour of Leeds Castle We start the day in Canterbury. The city has
tapestries and antiques on display.
© Jonathan Buckley
a fascinating history which we learn about the heart of the historic town of Windsor,
Audio
guided tour at Blenheim Palace
© Hever Castle
on our guided walking tour. We also enjoy a We then return to the Macdonald Windsor opposite the famous Windsor Castle. The
Themed
evening talk by a guided tour of Canterbury Cathedral, the oldest Hotel, our base for the last three nights of our classic interiors, with a contemporary edge, fit
guest speaker cathedral in England, dating back to Norman stay. Later, we enjoy dinner together at perfectly with the Georgian elegance of this
Sissinghurst Castle Garden Hever Castle
times. In 1170, Archbishop Thomas Becket the hotel. townhouse hotel. The luxury bedrooms are
was murdered in the cathedral and ever since, individually-designed and the hotel also offers
Nine Day Itinerary Later, we travel south east to Kent where we Wednesday: Hever Castle and
it has been a site of Christian pilgrimage. The Saturday: Blenheim Palace a stylish bar and restaurant.
pay a visit to Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s Chiddingstone Castle
Sunday: Arrival beloved home from 1924 to the time of his cathedral contains one of England’s largest We spend the day at Blenheim Palace, set in
We head to Hever Castle, the childhood home collections of early medieval stained glass beautiful parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Nights Two to Five
On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private death. The house is set in a stunning location
of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, where while its awe-inspiring architecture includes a Brown, where we enjoy an audio guided tour. – Chilston Park Hotel
transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, and is still home to many of the great
we enjoy a guided tour. Dating back to the sweeping Gothic nave and cavernous crypt. As the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough, the Set in 22 acres of parkland in the heart of
the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening statesman’s personal and political mementos,
late 13th century, this double-moated castle palace is synonymous with the Churchill family Kent, the Chilston Park Hotel is an elegant
you are invited to join the group for a welcome including an amazing collection of gifts he Our next stop is Godinton House, a delightful
is home to various historic artifacts including and is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. A 17th-century manor house. Once home
drink, followed by dinner. received from other world leaders and his Jacobean house incorporating a medieval hall
Tudor portraits and fine furniture, as well as permanent exhibition commemorates the life to eminent politicians, writers, Lords and
personal painting studio hidden away in the and ornate carvings. Godinton is a comfortable,
Monday: Windsor Castle, Windsor two prayer books inscribed by Anne Boleyn. The of this famous wartime Prime Minister, while Viscounts, the hotel is filled with antiques
colorful grounds. much-loved home where each room reflects
castle was lavishly restored and extended by the magnificent State Rooms reveal a superb dating from as far back as the 17th century
and Chartwell American millionaire, William Waldorf Astor, in the tastes of those who have lived here over
After our visit, we travel on to the Chilston Park collection of tapestries, paintings, porcelain and offers the classic comforts of a British
We enjoy an audio guided tour of Windsor the early 20th century. The spectacular gardens the centuries with an excellent collection of
Hotel where we stay for the next four nights. and furniture. country house hotel.
Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle feature peaceful walks, two mazes and are furniture, art, porcelain and curios which we
Tonight we enjoy dinner together at the hotel.
in the world and one of the Queen’s official renowned for having their own Hever discover on our guided tour. We also have time The evening is left free for you to make your No single supplement – limited availability
residences. Established in the 11th century by Tuesday: Sissinghurst Castle Garden Castle Rose. to explore the 12 acres of tranquil gardens, own dinner arrangements.
William the Conqueror, it has been remodelled and Bodiam Castle surrounded by ancient parkland.
by successive kings and queens and is regularly Next is Chiddingstone Castle where we enjoy Sunday: Hampton Court Palace
This morning we head to Sissinghurst Castle a guided tour. Set in 35 acres of beautiful We enjoy dinner together back at the
used for ceremonial and State occasions. The Our destination today is Hampton Court Palace,
Garden where we enjoy an exclusive ‘early bird’ grounds, the castle has undergone a number of hotel tonight.
magnificent State Apartments are furnished former royal residence of Henry VIII. Here
garden tour. Created in the 1930s by novelist architectural changes; from its beginnings as an
with some of the finest works of art from the we discover the State Rooms, the Great Hall
Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold early timber-framed Tudor dwelling to a rebuild
Friday: Down House
Royal Collection while St George’s Chapel is one (England’s last and greatest medieval hall),
of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in
Nicolson around the picturesque ruins of an to resemble a medieval castle in the early 19th and Leeds Castle the vast Tudor kitchens and the Chapel Royal
Elizabethan manor house, these world-famous century. Today it houses the collections of the Our first stop today is Down House, home of
England and was the recent venue for the Duke with its sumptuous ceiling decoration. Outside,
gardens are laid out as a series of enchanting, late antiquarian Denys Eyre Bower including scientist Charles Darwin and his family for 40
and Duchess of Sussex’s marriage. the formal gardens cover over 60 acres and
individually-planted ‘rooms’ including a fragrant Japanese lacquer, Ancient Egyptian treasures, years. Several rooms have been recreated as highlights include the Great Vine planted by
Afterwards, we enjoy a guided walking tour Herb Garden and Rose Garden. Stuart paintings and Jacobite manuscripts. The they appeared when he lived here including the ‘Capability’ Brown, and the Hampton Court
of Windsor. Lying on the south bank of the Victorian kitchen and servants’ hall give a taste study where he wrote 'On the Origin of Species'.
We then discover Bodiam Castle, one of Palace Maze which consists of half a mile of
River Thames, this ancient royal town, which of the former 'upstairs downstairs' life of The house is surrounded by extensive gardens;
Britain’s most picturesque and romantic ancient winding paths surrounded by towering yew
grew up around the castle, has a rich mix of the house. Darwin's 'outdoor laboratory'.
monuments. This archetypal 14th-century tree walls.
culture and history. The Old Town retains its
moated castle with a ruined interior gives us After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to Before leaving Kent we visit Leeds Castle, a
picturesque medieval appearance with cobbled Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner together at
a glimpse of medieval splendor and boasts an a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. quintessential moated castle set in 500 acres
streets, winding alleyways and lovely half- our hotel.
original wooden portcullis, spiral staircases, of glorious parkland, where we enjoy an audio
timbered houses.
tower rooms and battlements. guided tour. Dating back to the 12th century, it Monday: Departure
In the evening, we head to a traditional local was once home to Henry VIII and Catherine of A private transfer will take you back to
Aragon. The castle’s last private owner was Lady
© NTPL/David Sellman
pub where we enjoy dinner together. Heathrow airport for your return flight home.
Baillie, an Anglo-American heiress who lovingly
10 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak or email info@albionjourneys.com Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 Chartwell 11
Glorious Gardens Anglesey
Plas Cadnant
Plas Newydd House
Penrhyn Castle
Conwy Castle
Bodnant Garden
Betws-y-Coed
Tatton Park
Erddig Hall
What’s Included
Airport
transfers from London Heathrow*
& Grandeur of North Wales
Plas Cadnant Conwy Castle Tatton Park
Plas Tan y Bwlch Anglesey
Portmeirion Plas Newydd House Bodnant Garden
Erddig Hall
2
nights at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel
Penrhyn Castle Betws-y-Coed
Also 6
nights at Bodysgallen Hall & Spa
availab Plas Tan y Bwlch
June 23 to July 2, 2019 from $5,140 per person in 2020 le
–
Portmeirion
1
night at the Mercure Shakespeare Hotel,
register your
interest now
!
Stratford-upon-Avon
North Wales, a land blessed with rugged mountains, beautiful beaches and Stratford-upon-Avon
Welcome drink and canapés
© NTPL/Nick Meers
picturesque villages also has some of the most striking gardens in the UK, many attached
to magnificent houses with centuries of history to uncover. From world-renowned Full
English breakfast each day
© NTPL/Andreas von Einsiedel
Stratford-upon-Avon
gardens to hidden gems, we encounter a remarkable array of sweeping landscapes, Oxford Waterperry Gardens 3-course
table d’hôte dinner on 6 nights
Plas Newydd at the hotels (with after dinner tea
woodlands, valleys, walled gardens and displays of abundant flowers and shrubs which
thrive in the unique climate of this region. We round off our tour with a visit to Tatton Oxford
and coffee)
Waterperry Gardens
Park, one of Britain’s most complete estates, and the historic and inspirational Waterperry 2
dinners at local restaurants (including
Gardens in Oxfordshire. one traditional English fish and
Erddig chip supper)
2 lunches
Special extras included
Services
of a tour director throughout
in your itinerary your stay
Guided
tour of Plas Cadnant Travel
to and from all excursions
Hidden Gardens All
entrance costs
© Tatton Park
Guided
tour and refreshments at Porterage
Plas Tan y Bwlch Tatton Park Portmeirion *supplement applies for transfers from all other
Private
guided tour of Erddig Hall airports
and Gardens National Park. The backdrop of coniferous Saturday: Portmeirion
forests has earned this area the name and Plas Brondanw Gardens
Lunch
at Tatton Park
Lunch
and guided tour at
‘Little Switzerland’.
We start the day in Portmeirion, an Italianate Your Hotels
Waterperry Gardens From here we head to the medieval walled village created by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis,
town of Conwy to visit the imposing Conwy inspired by his visits to the Mediterranean. Nights One and Nine – Macdonald
Themed
evening talk by a Castle, situated on a rocky outcrop above the Its unique atmosphere has been featured on Windsor Hotel, Windsor
guest speaker Conwy Estuary. Classified as a UNESCO World camera many times, most famously in the iconic Nights Two to Seven – Bodysgallen
Conwy Castle Heritage Site, this imposing castle was built by 1960s British TV series The Prisoner.
Hall & Spa
Edward I during his conquest of Wales in the
We then visit Plas Brondanw Gardens, situated One of the three Historic House Hotels of the
Ten Day Itinerary Tuesday: Penrhyn Castle and tender exotics and Mediterranean plants. There late 13th century and is considered to be among
in the heart of Snowdonia. The house and National Trust, Bodysgallen Hall & Spa is a
Bodnant Garden is also an atmospheric Australasian arboretum. the finest surviving medieval fortifications in
Sunday: Arrival gardens were given to Sir Clough Williams-Ellis luxury hotel just two miles from the seaside
Built in the 19th century in a neo-Norman style, Britain with soaring curtain walls, round towers
We continue on to Plas Cadnant Hidden by his father in 1902 and the gardens, although resort of Llandudno in North Wales. This
On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private and fortified gateways.
the magnificent Penrhyn Castle was built on Gardens. Described as one of North Wales’ not as famous as Portmeirion, are regarded sympathetically restored, 17th-century country
transfer will take you to our overnight hotel,
a massive scale over a period of 13 years and best kept secrets, these historic gardens are Tonight, we enjoy dinner together at a by some as his finest creation. Inspired by house stands in over 200 acres of wooded
the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening
offers superb views of Snowdonia. There is gradually being restored to their former glory. local restaurant. the gardens of renaissance Italy, he created a parkland and beautiful formal walled gardens
you are invited to join the group for a welcome
so much to see here, from the outstanding Three different gardens have been discovered, unique and characteristic garden landscape affording lovely views of the Snowdonia
drink, followed by dinner. Friday: Erddig
collection of paintings, restored Victorian including an unusual walled garden with with stone walls, topiary and avenues of trees mountain range and Conwy Castle. The
kitchens and a railway museum. curving walls, a secret valley garden with three and Brynbella Garden leading the eye to the dramatic backdrop of individually-decorated bedrooms are divided
waterfalls and a river, and an upper woodland Erddig is an atmospheric early 18th-century mountains beyond. between the main hall and several cottages
Next stop is Bodnant Garden, nestled in
garden with the remains of a 19th-century folly. house that reflects the ‘upstairs, downstairs’ in the grounds and leisure facilities include a
the Snowdonian foothills. Created over 150 This evening, we enjoy dinner together at
We discover more about the gardens and their life of a gentry family and we’re provided with swimming pool, steam room, sauna, solarium
years, this world-famous garden is home to the hotel.
restoration on our guided tour. a fascinating insight into the lives of the family and gym.
National Collections and Champion Trees and
boasts sweeping lawns, grand terraces and After dinner back at the hotel, we are treated to and their servants on our private guided tour. Sunday: Tatton Park Night Eight – Mercure Shakespeare
verdant woodland. a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. The downstairs rooms are home to a unique Leaving Wales we journey east to Tatton
collection of servants’ portraits, whilst upstairs
Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon
Park. Built by Samuel Wyatt, Tatton Park is
Bodnant Garden The evening is free for you to make your own Thursday: Plas Tan y Bwlch, there is a wealth of important furniture, textiles No single rooms available
one of Britain’s most complete estates, with
dinner arrangements. and wallpaper. Our tour extends to the superb
Monday: Stratford-upon-Avon Betws-y-Coed and Conwy Castle a landscaped deer park and exquisite formal
walled garden, now restored to its former gardens. The opulent interior is crammed
We head to Stratford-upon-Avon, situated Wednesday: Isle of Anglesey, Home to the Snowdonia National Park
18th-century formal design with rare fruit trees
followed by a guided tour. Made famous by
Environmental Studies Centre, Plas Tan y Bwlch with collections of silver, china, glass and fine Beatrix Havergal who established her School
on the banks of the River Avon and forever Plas Newydd House & Gardens and a national collection of ivies. furniture made by Gillows. This grandeur also
is a 17th-century country house which was of Horticulture for Ladies here from 1932 to
associated with England’s greatest poet and and Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens once home to wealthy slate quarry owners extends outside to the garden, where year- 1971, the 8 acres of beautifully landscaped
playwright, William Shakespeare. Fans of We then travel to Brynbella Garden, nine acres
Today we cross the 19th-century Menai Bridge the Oakeley family. The house occupies a of beautiful garden and woodland set below a round color is provided by the Rose, Italian and ornamental gardens now include a rose and
Shakespeare can visit the house in which he to spend the day on the Isle of Anglesey. Our Japanese gardens. We enjoy lunch here after
superb position overlooking the valley of the Palladian villa. The current owners have created formal knot garden, water-lily canal, riverside
was born, and there’s a chance to wander first visit is to Plas Newydd, a fine country our visit.
River Dwyryd in the heart of the Snowdonia a modern garden while retaining as many of the walk, and one of the finest purely herbaceous
the riverside gardens or discover the town’s house built on the banks of the Menai Strait National Park and the 100 acre estate boasts a original 18th-century features as possible. The From here we travel south to the Mercure borders in the country.
theaters including the Swan Theatre, home of with stunning views towards the mountains of spectacular Victorian garden, native and exotic garden is laid out as a series of rooms including Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Hotel, where
the Royal Shakespeare Company. Snowdonia. Its most famous past resident is Afterwards, we return to the Macdonald
plants, rare trees and shrubs. We enjoy a guided a woodland garden, walled garden, three we stay overnight with dinner included.
the 1st Marquess of Anglesey, who commanded Windsor Hotel, where we enjoy a farewell
Later, we continue our journey to Wales, tour with the Head Gardener followed by water gardens, a gravel garden plus formal and
the cavalry at Waterloo in 1815. The elegant dinner together.
checking in to Bodysgallen Hall & Spa close refreshments (please note there is no access to informal garden areas with focal points such as Monday: Waterperry Gardens
to the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno, interior owes more to the 1930s, thanks to its the house itself). statuary and sculptures.
associations with the artist, socialite and fallen
We start the morning with some time at leisure Tuesday: Departure
where we spend the next six nights. Tonight we in Stratford-upon-Avon, before travelling to A private transfer will take you back to
WWII soldier Rex Whistler. The garden’s climate We then make a short stop in the picturesque Tonight we are treated to a traditional fish and
enjoy dinner together at the hotel. Waterperry Gardens where we enjoy lunch Heathrow airport for your return flight home.
allows extraordinary plants to flourish including village of Betws-y-Coed in the Snowdonia chip supper.
12 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak or email info@albionjourneys.com Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 13
Alnwick Castle
Cragside
Shandy Hall
Aristocrats & Manor Houses
Castle Howard
What’s Included
Fountains Abbey
Beningbrough Hall
Fairfax House
Nostell Priory Airport
transfers from London Heathrow*
& a Grand Tour to the North Chatsworth House
Fountains
Shandy Hall
Abbey Hardwick
Fairfax House
Castle Howard
Hall
Beningbrough Hall
1
night at the Woodlands Park Hotel or
the Macdonald Windsor Hotel
Also Nottingham
availab
July 21 to 30, 2019 & August 11 to 20, 2019 in 2020 le
–
register yo
Nostell Priory 3
nights at the Stapleford Park Country
House Hotel
ur
from $5,250 per person interest now
! Chatsworth House
Hardwick Hall
2
nights at the Wood Hall Hotel
Nottingham
Our unforgettable tour explores the architectural grandeur and superb collections of 2 nights at the Ramside Hall Hotel
© Mike Kipling
Blenheim Palace
some of Britain’s finest estates, some still family homes to this day. We also discover how LONDON
1
night at the Hartwell House Hotel
these dramatic properties and their society stories have inspired literature through the Highclere Castle Castle Howard Welcome
drink and canapés
centuries as we travel from the Home Counties up to the rugged landscapes of the north.
Blenheim Palace
art collection; an imaginative collaboration an eclectic array of furniture, ceramics and art Full
English breakfast each day
LONDON
between the National Trust and the National collected by the Percy family over hundreds 3-course
table d’hôte dinner on 8 nights
Special extras included Highclere Castle Portrait Gallery in London. Outside are of years, which we discover on our guided at the hotels (with after dinner tea
magnificent grounds including a wonderful State Rooms tour. Alnwick Castle has also been and coffee)
in your itinerary Victorian Walled Garden and labyrinth. featured in Downton Abbey and Harry Potter.
Services
of a tour director throughout
Introductory
house tour and After dinner at the hotel this evening, we enjoy We enjoy a scenic coastal drive to Cragside, your stay
Devonshire Cream Tea at a fascinating talk by a guest speaker. built high into the rock above the clear waters
Chatsworth House Travel
to and from all excursions
of Debdon Burn. Once the home of Victorian
Refreshments
at Fairfax House
Friday: Castle Howard inventor Lord Armstrong, this imposing house All
excursion costs
and Shandy Hall is packed to the rafters with fascinating gadgets Porterage
Highclere Castle Guided
tour of Fountains Abbey from the era. It was also the first house in the
Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, Castle Howard *supplement applies for transfers from all other
Private
house tour with morning coffee has twice appeared as Brideshead in film and world to be lit by hydro-electricity and in 2014, airports
and biscuits at Castle Howard television adaptations of Evelyn Waugh’s classic a fully-working Archimedes Screw was installed,
Guided
State Rooms tour at novel. Home to the Howard family for over 300 once again producing enough energy to light
Alnwick Castle years, this magnificent 18th-century residence the house.
offers world-renowned collections and stunning Monday: Blenheim Palace
Audio
guided tour and afternoon tea at architecture, all set within 1,000 acres of Sunday: Nostell Priory
© NTPL/John Millar
Blenheim Palace Today we visit Nostell Priory, an 18 -century
th We travel south and visit Blenheim Palace,
breathtaking scenery. We enjoy a private guided
architectural masterpiece which has been the undoubtedly one of Britain’s greatest houses.
Themed
evening talk by a tour followed by coffee.
home of the Winn family for 300 years. Set Seat of the Dukes of Marlborough and the
guest speaker birthplace of Winston Churchill, Blenheim was
Alnwick Castle Beningbrough Hall We then make a stop at Shandy Hall, former in landscaped parkland, Nostell is also home
home of the 18th-century novelist Laurence to England’s best documented collection of designed on an awe-inspiring scale by Vanbrugh
Ten Day Itinerary Wednesday: Hardwick Hall, York Sterne. Now a museum, the rooms are filled Chippendale furniture, designed especially for and is set in over 2,000 acres of beautiful
with books, paintings, manuscripts, prints and parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown.
and Fairfax House the estate.
Sunday: Arrival ephemera relating to the history of the house We enjoy an audio guided tour followed by
Our first visit is to Hardwick Hall. Ordered in Later, we check back in to the Stapleford Park afternoon tea.
On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private and its famous inhabitant.
the 16th century by Bess of Hardwick, England’s Country House Hotel, where we stay overnight
transfer will take you to our overnight hotel. In From here we travel to Hartwell House Hotel,
richest woman after her Queen, Elizabeth I, Later, we check in to the Ramside Hall Hotel, with dinner included.
the evening you are invited to join the group for one of the National Trust’s Historic Hotels,
Hardwick is a striking Elizabethan treasure. our base for the next two nights where dinner is
a welcome drink, followed by dinner. where we enjoy a farewell dinner together.
The lavish number of windows (at a time when included on both nights of our stay.
Monday: Highclere Castle glass was a luxury) inspired the neat phrase,
‘Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall’. Saturday: Alnwick Castle Tuesday: Departure
After breakfast, we journey to the world- A private transfer will take you back to
famous Highclere Castle, residence of the
and Cragside
We then travel north to the historic city of York. Heathrow airport for your return flight home.
Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and filming Here we visit Fairfax House, a stunning Georgian Still home to the Duke of Northumberland
location for the much loved Downton Abbey town house that has been returned to its and his family, Alnwick Castle is the second Please note: As this tour travels from the Home
Chatsworth House Library largest inhabited castle in England. Inside the Counties to the north of England and back, some days
television series. Entrance includes access to former glory, providing a perfect time capsule Alnwick Castle
medieval walls are lavish State Rooms filled with will involve fairly long journeys.
the Egyptian Exhibition in the cellars of the of life in Georgian times with a richly decorated
castle, which explores the achievements of the Tuesday: Chatsworth House and interior and a fine collection of English 18th-
5th Earl of Carnarvon who discovered the tomb Nottingham century furniture. We enjoy refreshments here
of Tutankhamen in 1922. We start the day at Chatsworth House where after our visit. Your Hotels
we enjoy an introductory house tour. This
From here, we travel to Leicestershire and the Afterwards, we make our way to our hotel for
magnificent pile is home to the Duke and Night One (July 21 tour) – Woodlands Park Hotel, Nights Four and Five – Wood Hall Hotel
Stapleford Park Country House Hotel where we the next two nights, the Wood Hall Hotel. We
Duchess of Devonshire and has witnessed near Cobham Originally built as a country escape in 1790, the Wood Hall Hotel is a
stay for the next two nights. We enjoy dinner enjoy dinner together at the hotel this evening.
sixteen generations of the powerful Cavendish tranquil country house hotel perched high on a hill amidst 100 acres of
tonight at our hotel. Night One (August 11 tour) – Macdonald Windsor Hotel,
family and boasts grandiose interiors, wonderful Thursday: Fountains Abbey rolling Yorkshire countryside. The hotel offers an elegant drawing room,
grounds and a superlative art collection. Windsor Georgian restaurant and a small health club and spa with swimming pool,
Chatsworth also appeared as Pemberley in the and Beningbrough Hall
Nights Two, Three and Eight – Stapleford Park Country spa pool, steam room and gym while the bedrooms blend contemporary
film Pride and Prejudice. We finish our visit with This morning we go to the largest monastic ruin
House Hotel comforts with traditional country house charms.
a Devonshire Cream Tea. in Britain, Fountains Abbey, where we enjoy a
guided tour. Nestling in the Skell Valley, the ruin Stapleford Park Country House Hotel is a beautiful country house hotel
and golf course surrounded by 500 acres of Capability Brown grounds.
Nights Six and Seven – Ramside Hall Hotel
En-route back to our hotel, we make a short is surrounded by some 800 acres of gorgeous
stop in Nottingham. One-time lace capital of the The mansion bears the imprint of architectural styles, from Tudor to Located close to the city of Durham, the Ramside Hall Hotel is set within
countryside, including the Georgian Studley
world, Nottingham is renowned for its landmark Victorian with all of the 21st-century amenities you would expect in a a 350 acre estate and features two Championship golf courses. The hotel
Royal Water Garden with its wonderful views,
buildings, each of which tells its own chapter in luxury hotel. Each room is individually decorated and many have been offers spacious bedrooms, each with stunning views over the beautiful
cascades, follies and statues, and a medieval
Nottingham’s history, including the Lace Market designed by famous names. grounds, four restaurants and lounge bars plus extensive leisure facilities
deer park.
with its stunning architecture. including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hydrotherapy pool, fitness
Our next stop is Beningbrough Hall. This suite and spa.
The evening is left free to make your own imposing Georgian pile contains a famous
Highclere Castle
dinner arrangements. Single supplement – $1,000 Night Nine – Hartwell House Hotel, near Aylesbury
14 Enquiries and Bookings visit our website at albionjourneys.com/royaloak or email info@albionjourneys.com Call toll free: 1-866-834-8358 15
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