Stately Homes of England

A short drive from London stands the finest remaining Tudor Palace in England, Hampton Court. Explore the authentic Tudor kitchens, the Great Hall and an extraordinary ancient clock. Discover the architectural legacy of the Stuart royal dynasty with a tour of the Royal Apartments, ancient tennis court and the magnificent gardens.  

Next stop is Runnymede, known for the signing location of the Magna Carta in 1215 by King John and his Barons. The Magna Carta is widely accepted as the first constitutional document that formed the basis of modern democracy.

After free time for lunch in the village, continue to Windsor Castle, the oldest continually inhabited castle in the world. Built in 1080 and surrounded by a vast parkland, Windsor was once described as the most romantic of castles. Currently it is the Queen’s home. One of the most interesting attractions there is The Doll’s House. The Changing of the Guard ceremony is not to be missed.

Overnight at 5-star luxury country estate in Berkshire county.

Make your way to charming Woburn Abbey. Originally a monastery, the property was given by Edward VI to the Russell family in 1547. Over the centuries, Russell family members have included Prime Ministers, Ambassadors, Lord High Admirals and philosophers. The Abbey has been at the center of English history which includes tales of political reform, Royal state visits, imprisonment, beheading, love affairs. The 22 rooms house one of the most significant private art collections in the world, as well as 18th century French and English furniture, silver and gold collections, and a range of porcelain items.

The Gardens at Woburn are a must! Explore over 28 acres inspired by the designs of landscape gardener, Humphry Repton. With everything from flower beds blooming with color around neat lawns through to the ponds and woodland areas, there’s something new to discover around every corner.

Overnight at 5-star luxury country estate in Berkshire county.

Your adventure continues with a visit to Highclere Castle, which has achieved global recognition for its alter-ego as Downton Abbey, the fictitious home of Lord and Lady Grantham. Built on an ancient site and recorded in the Domesday Book, the Castle and estate provide a fascinating insight into England’s landscape and building heritage. The present-day Castle was designed in 1842 by Sir Charles Barry, the architect also responsible for building the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. 

Arrive at the opulent Blenheim Palace, built over 300 years ago to commemorate a great military victory. This stately home is an example of the excesses of baroque architecture. Fascinating stories abound throughout its history and your guide will fill you in with the details as you wander the rooms and the grounds. 

On your way to the next destination, you may want to stop in the Cotswolds village of Bladon to see the simple grave where Winston Churchill is buried. Finally, arrive in Oxford, a city famous throughout the world as a university center. Learn about the mysterious traditions of this ancient town, its college system and architecture, including the famous ‘dreaming spires’, that sets it apart from other centers of academia, and the real world!

Overnight at 5-star luxury country estate in Berkshire county.

Less than 30 miles from the suburbs of London lie unspoiled picturesque villages and royal woodlands wrapped by breathtaking scenery. Discover a romantic medieval England that still exists today much as it did in times of ‘single lane’ horse-drawn transport. 

Waddesdon Manor with its impeccably manicured gardens, wine cellars with thousands of bottles of fine wine spanning 150 years, and home to arguably the greatest collection of art in Europe, is the achievement of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild who bought the original farmland in 1874 and transformed it into a startling estate. 

In the nearby picturesque villages discover a cave-dwelling hermit, a 1000-year-old pub and a burial site dating back to 3700 BC. End the day with a tour of Rutland, England’s smallest and prettiest county. This rural escape is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors, picture perfect cottages and traditional country pubs. 

Overnight at an elegant 4-star country house hotel in Rutland county.

Stamford is widely regarded as one of the finest stone towns in England, full of charm, character and outstanding shopping and restaurants. The pretty facades of the town are favorites with film producers. Take a stroll on the banks of the River Welland, which winds its way through Stamford en route to The Wash. Explore the narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards home to a variety of specialty shops, fine jewelers and designer boutiques.

Visit the Burghley House, a breathtaking 16th century, Elizabethan stately home. You may recognize Burghley House from its appearances on the big screen, including The Da Vinci Code and Pride & Prejudice. The historic parkland is home to a herd of fallow deer and the internationally renowned Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

Overnight at an elegant 4-star country house hotel in Rutland county.

Head to the heart of The Peak District National Park to discover Chatsworth House, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned at Chatsworth in 1570. The house is remarkable for the quality of its art spanning 4000 years, landscape and hospitality, and it has evolved through the centuries to reflect the tastes, passions and interests of succeeding generations. There are over 30 rooms to explore, from the magnificent Painted Hall, regal State Rooms, restored Sketch Galleries and beautiful Sculpture Gallery.

Spend the rest of the day exploring the historic Peak District, the first of Britain’s 15 national parks. Beneath the cliffs you’ll see piles of old millstones and grindstones, some intact, some incomplete. They are the abandoned relics of an industry that supplied the flourishing steelworks of Sheffield and local corn mills. 

Overnight at a 5-star historic hotel in York.

Discover York, the elegant city with Roman roots and a Viking past, where ancient walls surround contemporary independent shops and vibrant eateries. York Minster is one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, a vision of heaven on earth crafted in stained glass and stone. Its story stretches back 2000 years to the birth of modern-day Christianity.

Visit the Harewood House renowned for its magnificent Robert Adam interiors. It is also home to superb Thomas Chippendale furniture and a world class collection of paintings by Turner, Reynolds, Titian and El Greco. Outside, an Italianate terrace stretches along the southern side of the home and provides stunning views over Yorkshire’s most beautiful landscape.  Away from the formal gardens, Harewood also boasts the naturalistic Himalayan Garden. A far cry from the formality of the Terrace, this space includes rare and exotic plants from Himalayan region.

Overnight at a 5-star hotel a short drive from London Heathrow airport.

Private transfer to the airport. Depart for home.