Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Saturday: Arrival
On arrival at Heathrow Airport, a private transfer will take you to the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill Hotel, our base for the first four nights of our tour. In the evening, join the group for a welcome drink and canapés, followed by dinner.
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2
Sunday: Kensington Palace & Kew Palace & Gardens
A private guided tour of the gorgeous Kensington Palace awaits this morning. The Palace, now the official residence of TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, boasts the impressively manicured Sunken Garden, perfect for photographs and a favorite of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. A statue honoring the People’s Princess was unveiled here on what would have been Diana’s 60th birthday, commissioned by her two sons 20 years after her death. During our visit, there’s also time to wander through Victoria’s re-imagined childhood rooms and take in the majestic King’s State Apartments.
Afterward we get a chance to stretch our legs during a visit to Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens, a globally-renowned institution for plant research. Exploding with color and with no less than 50,000 plants, there is a range of areas to discover including the Arboretum, the peaceful Japanese garden and the remarkable indoor rainforest climbing within the Palm House. Before leaving we also discover Kew Palace, an enchanting royal retreat nestled in the heart of the gardens, complete with an 18th-century Great Pagoda and well-preserved Georgian kitchens. This little regal residence was once home to Queen Charlotte and George III, who presided over the loss of the American Revolution during his 53-year reign.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3
Monday: Buckingham Palace, Lunch at the Goring Hotel, Tower of London & the Ceremony of the Keys
No trip to London is complete without a visit to the world-famous Buckingham Palace, our first stop today, which has served as the official London residence of the United Kingdom’s sovereigns since 1837 and provides the backdrop to the regular Changing of the Guard ceremony. We discover the stunning State Rooms; these are the public rooms where members of the Royal Family entertain their guests on ceremonial, State and official occasions.
Our Royal Day Out ticket also includes entry to The Queen’s Gallery in the palace, showcasing historic paintings, rare furniture and unique photographs. After the private chapel was destroyed by an air raid in 1940, Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh suggested it should be redeveloped into a gallery for the Royal Collection. We then continue to the Royal Mews, home to the Royal Family’s state vehicles and horse-drawn carriages.
Next, we then enjoy lunch at Belgravia’s iconic Goring Hotel, the only remaining luxury family-owned hotel in London and an enduring symbol of elegance.
To round off the day, we head to the Tower of London, the oldest building in London, for a special evening tour after the hustle and bustle of the daytime. Offering a peek into thousands of years of history, this former royal residence has also housed a famous selection of prisoners, such as the young Elizabeth I (prior to her coronation) as well as multiple wives and associates of Henry VIII. A particular highlight is the Crown Jewels, the dazzling symbols of the British monarchy, which are still used in ceremonies today. Afterward, we are treated to the time-travelling Ceremony of the Keys, in which the same exchange has been cried out every evening for 700 years at the Tower of London, forming part of the traditional locking-up process.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4
Tuesday: Eltham Palace & Hampton Court Palace
We take a guided tour of the unique Eltham Palace. Once a medieval palace, then highly popular for Christmas celebrations in Tudor times, it was leased from The Crown and transformed by millionaires into an Art Deco mansion in the 1930s. This mesh of architectural movements served as a playground for a young Henry VIII, who spent much of his childhood here in the 16th century.
Onward to Hampton Court Palace for a dive into the fascinating world of the Tudor court during our guided tour. We experience the private life (and very public dramas) of Henry VIII, while we explore one of Europe’s most sophisticated palaces. We see Henry’s Great Hall, which still houses Anne Boleyn’s falcon badge, and the Tudor kitchens, with time for a stroll around the enchanting riverside gardens – blossoming with flowers and grand Yew tree avenues. Imagine walking in the footsteps of his famous six wives, who were all brought to this opulent property.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
Wednesday: Belvoir Castle
‘Beaver’, fans of The Crown will no doubt recognise the magnificent Belvoir Castle with its fairytale towers and turrets standing in for Windsor Castle during series 1-3, as well as the State Dining Room, Elizabeth Saloon and more providing a lavish backdrop to many of the iconic interior scenes charting the highs and lows of the Royal Family. Belvoir is no stranger to the film cameras as it has also appeared in a range of blockbuster hits such as The Golden Bowl, The Da Vinci Code, The Young Victoria, A Royal Night Out, Victoria and Abdul and The Great TV series, so not only do we tread the path of Hollywood stars but also past monarchs, with James I, Charles I, Queen Victoria and Elizabeth II all leaving their footprints on the estate. This has been the ancestral home of the Duke of Rutland since the first Lord of Belvoir came to England with William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Since then, the family have lived in an unbroken line here, standing the test of vast remodelings, familial squabbles, wars and even a damaging fire in 1816 which destroyed priceless works of art by Rubens, Van Dyck and more. The current Duchess of Rutland, Emma Manners, even disguised herself as a cleaner so she could watch filming of The Crown! We find out more about Belvoir’s extensive history during a guided tour followed by lunch. There’s also time to discover the blooming grounds, which feature the rose-studded formal gardens, Japanese Woodland, the Regency-style Duchess Garden plus the remarkable Capability Brown gardens, brought to fruition after his late 18th-century plans were discovered in the castle archives in January 2013.
Later, we check into the Graduate Hotel, where we stay for the next three nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
Thursday: Holkham Hall & Sandringham
Our day begins with a private out-of-hours guided tour of Holkham Hall, a Neo-Palladian masterpiece with a grand exterior and extravagant interior. Set in lovely parkland, it was founded by one of the most famous of English jurists, Edward Coke, and is currently home to the 8th Earl of Leicester and his family. The spectacular Marble Hall, with its splendid colonnade and breathtaking 50ft domed ceiling, was inspired by the Temple of Fortuna Virilis and the Pantheon in Rome, while the magnificent state rooms boast superb collections of ancient statuary, original furniture and tapestries plus works of art from the likes of Rubens, Van Dyck and Gainsborough. Holkham is now at the center of coastal rewilding projects, as the north Norfolk coast is a famous stopover for millions of migratory birds every year.
Next, we visit the ultimate country retreat, the Sandringham Estate, loved by Elizabeth II herself and the private residence of four generations of British Monarchs since the 1860s. We learn all about its royal connections during our private out-of-hours guided tour, discover the collection of royal cars in the Transport Museum and spend some time outside, to discover the magnificent walled and water gardens. We also indulge in a delicious afternoon tea and take a peek inside St Mary Magdalene Church, where members of the Royal Family attend services when in residence at Sandringham.
Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea
DAY 7
Friday: Blickling Hall & Blue Badge Guided Tour of Cambridge
Set at the heart of a magnificent garden and historic park, our first stop is Blickling Hall, one of the country’s finest Jacobean houses and once home to the Boleyn family. In decorative terms, it’s a wonderful house to explore because of its plasterwork, superb 18th-century Long Gallery and impressive Great Hall. It is also home to one of the country’s most significant libraries; with over 12,500 volumes, it’s the National Trust’s biggest book collection.
This afternoon we enjoy a Blue Badge guided tour, beginning in historic Cambridge, renowned for its exquisite architecture, ancient colleges and the pleasant river which winds its way around this classic university city.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8
Saturday: Althorp Estate
Leaving Cambridge, we head to Althorp Estate, set in 550 acres of attractive parkland. Built at the beginning of the 16th century, it has been home to 19 generations of the Spencer family and houses one of Europe’s finest private collections of furniture, paintings and ceramics. Althorp was also the childhood home of Diana, Princess of Wales and her final resting place. In addition to exploring the beautiful interiors, we have time to wander around the magnificent park, remodeled gardens, arboretum and peaceful Round Oval Lake.
Later, we check into the delightful Ellenborough Park Hotel, where we stay for the next two nights. After dinner at the hotel, we enjoy a fascinating royal-themed talk by a guest speaker.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9
Sunday: Highgrove & Berkeley Castle
Today we are treated to a guided tour of Highgrove Gardens, the organic gardens of Their Majesties. Over 30 years in the making, Highgrove has one of the most creatively inspired and innovative gardens in the country and embodies The King’s environmental philosophy ‘it is better to work with nature than against it’. Each area has its own character and purpose and includes the Kitchen Garden, the stunning Wildflower Meadow and a National Collection of Beech trees, with Highgrove House always visible in the distance. Highgrove is also just a few miles from Gatcombe Park, the country residence of Anne, Princess Royal. We also enjoy lunch here.
Our second guided tour of the day is at Berkeley Castle, built by Robert Fitzharding in the 12th century and ordered by Henry II to defend the Severn estuary and the Welsh border. Berkeley is a real jewel, an almost complete medieval survival that allows us to imagine how it might have been to live there. Reigning monarch Edward II was sent there as a prisoner after his wife Isabella and her lover Roger Mortimer usurped his power, and we can even see the room where he is supposed to have been murdered in 1327. The castle is also the oldest building in the country to be inhabited by the same family who built it, and the Berkeley family are one of only four in England who can trace their ancestry from father to son right back to Saxon times.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
Monday: The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park & Windsor Castle
After checking out of our Cotswolds hotel, we make our way to The Savill Garden, Britain’s finest ornamental garden in the heart of Windsor Great Park. Tranquil strolls are the order of the day as we explore the oasis of designed gardens and woodland. Created in the 1930s, acres upon acres of interconnected areas include the Hidden Gardens, Spring Wood, the Summer Gardens, the New Zealand Garden, Summer Wood and The Glades. The Rose Garden is an extra special addition, opened by Elizabeth II in 2010 and perfumed with the most beautiful rose-bed scents.
We enjoy some more fresh air during our royal heritage tour of Great Windsor Park, part of the Windsor Estate. Stretching for an incredible 15,800 acres, it’s a lovely mix of enchanting forests, gardens, lakes, historic monuments, unique wildlife and Champion trees. Today we learn about the history of the estate, visiting various spots such as the Coronation Groves, the Deer Park, Royal Equestrian Statues, The Guards Polo Club (founded by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh), The Royal School (founded by Queen Victoria) and the world-famous Long Walk. Those who watched the scenes of Elizabeth II’s funeral or Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding will no doubt recognise this tree-flanked avenue which is lined with people on state occasions.
Our last stop is a private out-of-hours guided tour of Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and the final resting place of Elizabeth II. Established in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, it has been remodeled by successive kings and queens and is regularly used for ceremonial and State occasions. The magnificent State Apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art to admire during our evening tour.
Later, we check into the Castle Hotel in Windsor, where we enjoy a farewell dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11
Tuesday: Departure
A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow Airport for your return flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
