From the journal · 2016-07-29
To get you started on your planning we have put together a fascinating range of Heritage Tour destinations for you to choose from, some of which are muliple locations. We specify full and half day tours - this gives you an idea how much you can do in a day. You can mix and match destinations to create your very own Discover England Tour. Use our expertise to help you build your itinerary and make best possible use of your time in England.
Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)
Highclere Castle is the home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and also features as Downton Abbey, the hugely successful drama series with over 11 million viewers in the UK. Enjoy the history of the castle set in beautiful countryside and spot all those familiar locations from the TV series, Downton Abbey.
Please note that Highclere Castle has restricted opening dates and pre-booking tickets is essential. If you wish to visit the castle please advise at time of booking.
Stonehenge & Salisbury Cathedral
We drive you across the prehistoric landscape of Cranborne Chase, through the old Saxon town of Wilton and onto Salisbury Plain to visit the mysterious Neolithic temple of Stonehenge. Then along the lush valley of the river Avon to Old Sarum, the original site of Salisbury. Onto Salisbury to visit the magnificent cathedral that has the tallest spire in England at 404ft!. Go behind the scenes on the spectacular Tower Tour and take in the breathtaking views. Then a short drive to stately Wilton House, the home of the Earl of Pembroke, to view priceless painting and furnishings. Return home via the beautiful Chalke Valley.
Bath & the Southern Cotswolds
Arriving mid-morning in the Regency City of Bath there is plenty of time to explore the gracious streets, shops and historic buildings including the Roman Baths and the Abbey. After lunch in the Pump Room, Sally Lunn’s, or one of the many good places to eat, we take you to explore the Southern Cotswolds, an area of quaint villages and hamlets. We visit Castle Combe, “England’s prettiest village” and then onto Lacock for a stroll around this perfectly preserved village in the care of the National Trust and a visit to the stately home of Lacock Abbey.
Stourhead garden & house
These world renowned gardens at Stourhead owned by the National Trust, are just 30 minutes drive away from Church House. The gardens were laid out by Henry Hoare II between 1741 and 1780 and present a breathtaking landscape of lakes, classical temples, follies, grottoes and an abundance of rare and beautiful trees. The historic home on the estate is also open to the public.
British Naval History - Portsmouth
A day spent at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offers so much to see and do! A fascinating tour of Nelson’s warship H.M.S. Victory is like stepping back into the lives of sailors in the 1700’s. Examine the amazingly well preserved remains of the Mary Rose one of Henry VIII’s warships that was raised after 400 years on the seabed. The dockyard also contains the earliest iron warship, the H.M.S. Warrior, extensive museums, exhibitions, shops and eating places. Boat cruises around Portsmouth harbour, home to the Royal Navy, are also available. Whilst on the seafront you can visit the soaring Spinnaker Tower. Ride to the top of the 170m tower for spectacular views of Hampshire, the Channel and Isle if Wight. Dare to walk across the glass floor!
Historic Houses and Gardens
Full day tour
Through pretty countryside to the enchanting medieval house of Lytes Carey, an amazing survival from the middle ages. A stroll around a romantic garden at Tintinhull House created by Penelope Hobhouse is followed by a short drive to the perfectly preserved Elizabethan mansion of Montacute. With its collection of portraits loaned from the National Portrait gallery in London, collections of superb furniture and wonderful gardens, Montacute is very special. Not far from Montacute is 16th century Barrington Court where you can explore the beautiful old house and lovely Gertrude Jekyll gardens.
Corfe Castle & Lulworth Cove
We head south to the Saxon town of Wareham with one of the few remaining Saxon churches in England. Then onto the romantic ruined Corfe Castle, towering over the picturesque stone village. Lunch at a local pub overlooking the village and then over the Purbeck Hills with spectacular views of the coastline and down to the abandoned ruins of Tyneham village (when open). We complete the day by a visit to the smugglers cove at Lulworth, enclosed by rugged cliffs and caves. There will be time to walk along the cliffs or beach to collect shells and pebbles along the shore. The local coastline is a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its unique and diverse geology and scenery.
Wells & Glastonbury
Full day tour
Across the Blackmore Vale and through the medieval abbey town of Sherborne. Into the county of Somerset and on to mystic Glastonbury to visit the magical Tor, the Chalice Well (where the Holy Grail is hidden!) and the huge ruined medieval abbey with the Holy Thorn planted by Joseph of Arimathea. The tombs of Arthur and Guinevere are also to be found at Glastonbury abbey. We then travel a few miles North to the beautiful old town of Wells with its magnificent Cathedral, moated Bishops Palace and lovely natural springs from which the town takes its name.
Osborne House on the Isle of Wight
Full Day Tour
This is a tour full of variety in landscape, seascape and modes of transport. First you travel across the New Forest National Park to the ferry at Southampton. We put the car on the ferry which then takes about 1 hour to cross the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Once on the island we have a 2 minute drive before arriving at Osborne House, the summer residence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Travel to the front door by horse and carriage to get and idea of how the Royal Family lived in this extraordinary house surrounded by beautiful grounds. Opulent interiors, personal family photos, the Swiss cottage where the Royal children would learn domestic skills all add up to a fascinating day out.
Note: There is an extra charge (approx. £40-60 depending in time of year) for this tour to cover the cost of the ferry crossing.
Lyme Regis
Full day tour
We drive you through unspoiled countryside to the charming seaside resort of Lyme Regis made famous by Jane Austen and the setting for the film version of The French Lieutenant’s Woman. For those interested in fossil hunting, Lyme Regis is the place to visit. If a hunt along the beach is not successful, there are plenty of fossils shops to entice you. Returning, we travel to the lovely village of Abbotsbury and a visit to the extensive Sub-Tropical garden and the medieval Swannery with it’s 600 swans.
Winchester & Mottisfont Abbey
Full day tour
Across Cranbourne Chase to pretty Fordingbridge set on the river Avon, then through the picturesque New Forest to the Saxon city of Winchester. Here you will find England’s largest cathedral containing the tombs of Saxon Kings and Jane Austen. There is excellent shopping in the city. We then travel a little further to Mottisfont Abbey to wander around the glorious walled rose garden.
Thomas Hardy's Wessex
Full day tour
Along the Winterbourne valley, passing through typical Dorset villages of thatched cottages to the tiny church of Winterbourne Thompson, preserved as a memorial to Thomas Hardy. On to Bere Regis, with the D’Urberville tombs, then to “Wetherbury” of Far from the Madding Crowd. Across Egdon Heath the location of Return of the Native, followed by a visit to Hardy’s cottage and birthplace. Then to Stinsford (Under the Greenwood Tree) and the tomb of Hardy’s heart. On to Dorchester the setting for The Major of Casterbridge where we visit Max Gate, Hardy’s last home. We return along the beautiful valley of the river Cerne and stop to view the prehistoric Cerne Abbas Giant and visit the pretty village at its feet.
Avebury stone circle and neolithic landscape
Full day tour
Travel over the wide open spaces of Salisbury plain dotted with burial mounds and earthworks from the mists of time to the huge Neolithic temple at Avebury. Walk around the huge circle of stones feeling their earth magic as you touch them! A short journey from Avebury takes you to Silbury Hill, an ancient “English Pyramid”, and West Kennett longbarrow where you can enter the prehistoric burial chamber and step back 5000 years.
Longleat House
Hal f day tour
Over the rolling downs to Longleat House, the magnificent historic home of the 7th Marquess of Bath, one of the best examples of Elizabethan architecture in Britain. Largely completed in 1580 and set in 900 acres of Capability Brown landscaped parkland the house is crammed with art treasures including English and Italian masterpieces. Also of note are the ornate ceilings decorated with fine paintings and an abundance of gilt. This is truly a beautiful house and shows our English heritage at its best.
Sherborne Castle and Abbey
Half day tour
One of the most interesting and prettiest historic towns in England -English heritage at its finest!. Visit the medieval Sherborne abbey with its wonderful stone vaulted roof and wood carvings. The town is also well known for its many antique and gift shops to be found among the quaint streets. We return via Sherborne Castle, the splendid house built by Sir Walter Raleigh.
Kingston Lacy House and Wimborne
From Church House we have only a short drive through lovely countryside to the old market town of Wimborne with its medieval Minster. We return via the magnificent 17th century National Trust property of Kingston Lacy, a historic home containing wonderful furnishings, wood carvings and a priceless collection of paintings by Titian, Rubens and Van Dyke. The house is surrounded by beautiful parkland where you can wander at your leisure.
Shaftesbury and Old Wardour castle
Explore the Saxon hill top town of Shaftesbury. Visit the abbey ruins and the famous Gold Hill, the quintessential English scene. We then travel to the fine English Heritage site of Old Wardour castle in its enchanting lakeside setting. We return across Cranborne Chase, once the private hunting ground of King John.
The Cotswolds (1 overnight stay)
This tour is only available to guests staying 7 nights or longer.
Day 1 .To keep driving times reasonable this tour requires an overnight stay*.
*Guests are expected to pay for their overnight accommodation (approx. £80 for a double room) and evening meal (approx. £15-25)
Starting at the Southern edge of the Cotswolds we take you to Cirencester, the site of the Roman town of Corinium, which was second only to London in size. The Corinium museum contains a wealth of Roman artefacts and several outstanding mosaic floors. We then travel to Chedworth Roman Villa with one of the most extensive set of Roman mosaics in Britain Then if there is time, we would like to take you to Bibury to see the ancient cottages of Arlington Row, originally a monastic wool store, converted into dwellings in the 17th century. Linger a while and count how many trout you can see in the River Coln as it flows through the village. You stay overnight in or around Cirencester in a comfortable bed and breakfast or small hotel depending on your choice. For those of you wishing to visit gardens, we travel further North earlier in the day and visit the National Trust garden at Hidcote manor. It is one of the best-known and most influential Arts and Crafts gardens in Britain, with its linked "rooms" of hedges, rare trees, shrubs and herbaceous borders. Created by Lawrence Johnston in the 1920s.
Day 2
From your overnight stay near Cirencester you travel along the Fosseway, originally built by the Romans, to the village of Bourton-on-the-Water. The river Windrush cuts the village in two and is crossed by five stone bridges. From here we take you through beautiful Cotswold countryside and small roads to Temple Guiting, Snowshill and Broadway, wonderful villages where everything is built from golden stone from the garden walls to the roof tiles. From here we start to head home calling in at Chipping Camden, a beautiful town built on the wealth of the wool industry. One of the finest buildings is St James’s church, originally built by the Normans but transformed in 1450-1500.
If you would like to take the opportunity of visiting the Cotswolds while you are with us please let us know when you make your booking. There is a small added charge for this tour to cover the overnight stay away from Church House. The tour is subject to availability of suitable accommodation in the Cotswolds.