Tour Code

Depart London

Return London

AHE

Saturday

Friday

Price:   GBP £865 pp twin share  /   GBP £915 single room

NIGHTSTOP

DAY ONE - Saturday

Departing London, we drive through England's oldest county, Wiltshire, across the amazing Salisbury Plain where you'll see the great prehistoric temple of Stonehenge and a landscape simply littered with ancient burial sites. You'll also see the evidence of Iron Age hill forts, possible sites of where the great Celtic king, Arthur and his Round Table knights took on the Saxon invaders. Then to Winchester to see the great Round table in the mediaeval hall. Then, we'll take time to explore Cadbury Castle, perhaps the site of Camelot and some lovely surrounding thatched villages before arriving at our accommodation base.

Somerset or Dorset border

DAY TWO - Sunday

Today, we explore the lovely, timeless country of Dorsetshire. This is real back-roads country where you'll believe time has stood still amidst the villages and harbours of the region. Jane Austen's Lyme Regis is one of the highlights of our day, as will be Thomas Hardy's cottage and monument. We'll introduce you to a few martyrs (such as the trade unionists of Tolpuddle, and those who died at the 'bloody Judge' Jefferies hand). You'll also see the famed Chesil beach and the quaint town of Dorchester. And there'll be time for shopping in the lace and antique town of Honiton.

Dependent on time and group interests we might find time to include Lawrence of Arabia's home, a carved giant and England's smallest pub!

This is a day that we can really call getting down the 'back-roads'.

Today is a day packed with a range of memorable sights and experiences. You'll cross the beautiful and awesome landscape of the Dartmoor National Park, en route to the north Cornwall coast. Here, you'll visit Tintagel castle, the reputed birthplace of King Arthur. The castle sits on top of the wild cliffs accessible only by walking. Later, we'll visit a selection of the quaint fishing villages of the north Cornwall and Devon coasts. This is a day where photographers need to ensure a plentiful supply of film! Finally, our day in Cornwall would not be complete if we didn't stop for a famed Cornish 'pasty' somewhere on route, perhaps in a thatched-roofed country pub? Devon or Somerset borders.

On today's itinerary are Cheddar Gorge and the mystic town of Glastonbury, site of Arthur's burial and 'New Age' capital of England. Here you'll see the ancient abbey and the mysterious 'Tor'. Next, we'll visit Wells and its famed Norman 12th century cathedral before travelling the short distance to the stunning city of Bath. You'll have time to explore this elegant Georgian city and its Roman remains.

We travel along the old coaching road to our nightstop near the old town of Beaconsfield. This attractive Buckinghamshire town is quintessential England with its ancient inns, 500-year-old church and connections to literary giants such as G K Chesterton, T S Elliot and Enid Blyton. You've time here to explore a real back-roads location meeting the locals and feeling you're really getting 'inside' the country. Dinner is taken independently tonight in one of the local restaurants or inns.

We leave London, with our first port of call being the ancient town of Beconsfield and see the nearby Mayflower Barn - a Quaker Meeting House built from timbers of this historic ship. Beconsfield is Britain's richest neighbourhood and home to countless celebrities. You'll hardly believe the homes you'll see here! Less then an hour's drive through the picture post card Chiltern Hills lies mediaeval Oxford, 'city of the dreaming spires'. Here you'll enjoy a guided walk through the colleges. Literature fans will delight to see the places associated with C S Lewis, Tolkein, 'Alice in Wonderland', and even Harry Potter's 'Hogwarts'! Next on our perfect day we'll see Winston Churchill's tomb at Bladon and visit his remarkable birthplace Blenheim Palace.

Our morning see us exploring the very best of the Cotswolds. With our small vehicle we'll get where larger coaches can't and avoid the commercialised 'honey-pots'. Naturally we'll not miss seeing the most famed market towns like Chipping Camden, but we think you'll enjoy the hidden, less visited villages somewhat more! Then to the preserved village of Lacock. This lovely place, where TV aerials, telephone wires and advertising are banned, has been used as a film set in everything from 'Pride and Prejudice' to 'Harry Potter'. Fittingly, the local abbey was where George Fox Talbot pioneered photography.

Our final visit of the day, and tour, is at Avebury. This incredible World Heritage prehistoric temple site is more impressive for many than even Stonehenge. You'll also see the mysterious Silbury hill.

We return to London arriving at approximately 18.00. Your accommodation is not included tonight.