Itinerary

DAY 1

Sunday: Arrival

On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private transfer will take you to the Macdonald Windsor Hotel, where we stay overnight. In the evening, join the group for a welcome drink, followed by dinner.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2

Monday: Buckingham Palace

No trip to London is complete without a visit to the world-famous Buckingham Palace, 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 King Charles III and members of the Royal Family entertain their guests on ceremonial, State and official occasions.

Our regal day out also includes entry to the Royal Mews, home to the Royal Family’s state vehicles and horse-drawn carriages. Just one of the highlights is the beautiful Gold State Coach, a dazzling icon of British history and used for coronations since 1821. We also take a look at The Queen’s Gallery in the palace, showcasing historic paintings, rare furniture, unique photographs and more. 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.

Later we indulge in the quintessentially British tradition of afternoon tea at the historic Goring Hotel, a royal favourite, before checking into the Kimpton Fitzroy London Hotel, our base for the next three nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea

DAY 3

Tuesday: Kensington Palace, Kew Gardens and Place and River Thames Dinner Cruise

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.

Afterwards 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 are 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.

This evening we enjoy a special dinner cruise on the River Thames, admiring the twinkling skyline along the way.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4

Wednesday: Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace

Wednesday: Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace
We start the day with a visit to the Tower of London, the oldest building in London, where we are met by a Yeoman Warder before exploring at our leisure. Offering a glimpse 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. Don’t miss the Crown Jewels, the dazzling symbols of British monarchy which are still used in ceremonies today.

Onwards 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

Thursday: Althorp

After checking out of our hotel, we head to Althorp, 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, the mother of the future king, as well as her final resting place. In addition to exploring the beautiful interiors, we have time to wander round the magnificent park, remodelled gardens, arboretum and peaceful Round Oval Lake during our visit here.

Later we check into the Orton Hall Hotel & Spa, where we stay for the next two nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6

Friday: Sandringham and Castle Rising

This morning we are treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the ultimate country retreat, Sandringham. Loved by Elizabeth II, it has been the private residence of four generations of British Monarchs since the 1860s. We learn all about its royal connections, discover the collection of cars in the Transport Museum and spend some time outside to discover the magnificent walled and water gardens. We also take a peek inside St Mary Magdalene Church, where members of the Royal Family attend services when in residence at Sandringham.

We continue to the ruined medieval fortress of Castle Rising, another of Norfolk’s highlights. This historic gem dates back to the 12th century and boasts one of the finest surviving stone keeps in the country (circa 1140AD). The most notable period of its history was when it fell into the hands of Queen Isabella, the mother of Edward III, following her role in the demise of her husband, Edward II (more on him later)! As we stand before this imposing fortification, recall the words of historian William Taylor as he imagined ‘the royal standard; the banner of D’Albini, the pennon of Montalt, proudly floating on the battlements, prancing steeds in the courtyard and the hall (ringing) with the sound of festive revelry.’ So much has happened throughout Rising’s history and yet since 1544 it has remained in the same family, the Howards, with the current owner a descendant of William D’Albini II, the nobleman who founded the castle.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7

Saturday: Richard III Visitor Center, Leicester Cathedral and Battle of Bosworth Heritage Center

Leaving Cambridgeshire, we make for the award-winning Richard III Visitor Center. Here, the fascinating story of Richard III’s life and death is told through riveting displays and state-of-the-art technology. We learn how the medieval king was killed in 1485 at the Battle of Bosworth, buried by the Grey Friars and, fast forward to 2012, found buried underneath a modern city centre car park in Leicester. Drawing on meticulous detective work, his remains were to be one of the most remarkable finds of the century, as we find out during a fascinating talk entitled ‘The King Under the Carpark’ at the mighty Leicester Cathedral, where the monarch’s tomb is housed.

For our final stop today, we visit the Battle of Bosworth Heritage Center to examine the national importance of this medieval conflict. In August 1485, figurehead of the Lancastrians Henry Tudor raised a rebel army to attack the royal army of the Yorkist Richard III. The monarch was killed during the battle, thus conceding the throne to King Henry VII, a changing of the guard which ended the 300-year-long Plantagenet rule, established the Tudor dynasty and dramatically altered the course of British history thereafter.

Later we check into the New Hall Hotel, where we stay overnight.

After dinner at the hotel, we enjoy a fascinating talk by a guest speaker.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8

Sunday: Highgrove Gardens and Berkeley Castle

A royal treat is in store for us as we head to the private residence of The King to discover 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 embody the sovereign’s environmental philosophy ‘it is better to work with nature than against it’. Each area has its own character and includes the Kitchen Garden, the stunning Wildflower Meadow and a National Collection of Beech trees, with Highgrove House always visible in the distance. After an expert-led guided tour we enjoy a delicious afternoon tea to round off our visit. Highgrove is also just a few miles from Gatcombe Park, the country residence of Anne, Princess Royal.

Berkeley Castle is our second visit of the day, 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.

This evening we journey back in time with our overnight stay at Thornbury Castle, the only Tudor Castle to be opened as a hotel. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn spent ten nights here in 1535 and the beautiful Tudor castle was once owned by Henry. We are treated to a fascinating talk about their visit before retiring to our lavish bedchambers, boasting distinctive castle features and traditional décor.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9

Monday: Long Walk Horse-drawn Carriage and Windsor Castle

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 Windsor’s Long Walk, a tree-flanked avenue which is lined with people on state occasions. Today we follow in the footsteps of royalty and enjoy a special horse-drawn carriage ride along the 2.5-mile boulevard, created by Charles II in 1682-85.

Upon reaching Windsor Castle, we take a Blue Badge guided tour of this ancient fortress, which stands proudly as the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. 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. There’s plenty to examine in the magnificent State Apartments, including some fine works of art.

There’s also time to explore St George’s Chapel, the site of many significant weddings in British history and the final resting place of a host of famous royals, including Elizabeth II.

Later we check back into our overnight hotel, the Macdonald Windsor, and enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10

Tuesday: Departure

A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow Airport for your return flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

Email us today to reserve at BKennedy@Royal-oak.org or call 212-480-2889 ext. 203