Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Monday: Arrival
On arrival at Heathrow Airport a private transfer will take you to the Windsor Castle Hotel for our overnight stay. In the evening we enjoy a welcome drink and canapés hosted by our tour manager, followed by dinner.
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2
Tuesday: Windsor Castle & Kew Gardens
We start our day with a visit to 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, and are beautifully decorated at this time of year. We find out more about the castle’s history on our audio-guided tour.
Later, a festive treat awaits us at the world-famous Kew Gardens, where the iconic architecture and tree canopies are brought to life, enriched with Christmas color and sparkling with seasonal decorations. Discover an enchanting festive trail of lights that winds its way through the botanic gardens, before enjoying some tasty treats from one of the many enticing stalls.
From here, we travel to the Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club, where we stay for the next five nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3
Wednesday: Chartwell House & Ightham Mote
Today we first visit Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s beloved home from 1924 to the time of his death. The house is still home to many of the great statesman’s personal and political mementos, including an amazing collection of gifts he received from other world leaders. Amongst these notable possessions are magical touches of the season, such as themed trees and gorgeous garlands transforming the historic house into a cosy Christmas spectacle.
We take our leave of the historic country house and head to our second National Trust property of the day, a medieval moated manor house, once described by historian David Starkey as ‘the most beautiful and the most interesting of English country houses’. Called Ightham Mote, the name is derived from the Saxon name, Ehta, and ‘mote’ reflects the residence’s location being surrounded by an actual fairytale moat. Built nearly 700 years ago, atmospheric Ightham has been home to medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII and Victorian High Society. Inside we are treated to a Tudor Christmas scene with music, lights and seasonal scents, all inspired by the history of the property.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4
Thursday: Canterbury Cathedral & Canterbury Cathedral Lodge
We spend the day in historical Canterbury, where we start with a private guided tour of Canterbury Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in England, dating back to Norman times. The cathedral is a wonder of awe-inspiring architecture, featuring a sweeping Gothic nave and cavernous crypt. In 1170, Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in the cathedral and ever since, it has been a site of Christian pilgrimage. The cathedral contains one of England’s largest collections of early medieval stained glass and it has recently been discovered that these windows may date as far back as the mid-1100s, making them some of the oldest examples in the world. With Christmas trees and a life-size nativity scene, the cathedral offers a magical atmosphere during the festive season.
Next, we visit Cathedral Lodge, a unique hotel set within the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral, where we enjoy a delicious afternoon tea and an insightful talk about the great Charles Dickens from a guest speaker. There is no better Christmastime setting than in the lodge, sitting by an open fire, listening to tales of A Christmas Carol and other Dickens classics.
Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea
DAY 5
Friday: Penshurst Place & Hever Castle
We spend the morning at Penshurst Palace, a medieval manor house surrounded by stunning formal walled gardens and ancient parkland. Previously used as a hunting lodge by Henry VIII, it has been owned by the Sidney family since 1552 and is still a much-loved family home. We enjoy a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the house which still displays many of its original medieval and Tudor features, a magnificent Great Hall and State Rooms, beautifully decorated for the Christmas season.
In the afternoon we head to Hever Castle, the childhood home of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, where we enjoy lunch. Dating back to the late 13th century, this double-moated castle is home to various historic artifacts including Tudor portraits and furniture, as well as two prayer books inscribed by Anne Boleyn. The castle was lavishly restored by American millionaire, William Waldorf Astor, in the early 20th century. Take the time to admire the castle’s interior, beautifully decorated for the festive season with fairy lights, welcoming log fires and twinkling Christmas trees.
Later, in the evening, we enjoy an after-dinner talk by a guest speaker at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
Saturday: Bodiam Castle & Bateman’s
This morning we visit Bodiam Castle, one of Britain’s most picturesque and romantic ancient fortifications. This archetypal 14th-century moated castle with a ruined interior gives us a glimpse of medieval splendour and boasts an original wooden portcullis, spiral staircases, tower rooms and battlements. As we take in the enchanting decorations, just imagine medieval revellers enjoying a cup of Wassail, a festive delight made of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs and spices.
Afterward we head to Bateman’s, a 17th-century house which so enchanted Rudyard Kipling when he discovered it, that he made it his home in 1902. With its stone-mullioned windows and Sussex oak beams, it’s a lovely retreat that has been left virtually untouched since Kipling’s tenure here. During our visit, the ground floor is decorated for a Kipling family Christmas with a roaring fire, a traditionally decorated tree and a table set for dinner, all adding to the warming, festive feel of an Edwardian home at Christmas.
We complete our day with a journey on the Kent & Sussex Steam Train, the perfect way to relax and unwind in a first-class carriage, watching the scenic Kent countryside pass by to the sounds of Christmas carols in the background.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7
Sunday: Leeds Castle & Royal Albert Hall
After breakfast, we check out of the Ashdown Park Hotel and make our way to the magnificent Leeds Castle, a quintessential moated castle set in 500 acres of glorious parkland. Dating back to the 12th century, it has been a Norman stronghold, the royal residence of six medieval queens and was once home to Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Latterly, it became an elegant early 20th-century retreat for the influential and the famous. Our visit gives us a chance to explore the castle’s impressive state rooms which are lavishly decorated for Christmas.
Later, we enjoy a highlight of our tour, Christmas Carols at the Royal Albert Hall. This iconic venue hosts some of Britain’s most famous concerts including BBC Proms and the Royal Variety Performance. A trip to the world-famous venue is always a magical experience, but there is something extra special about this annual Christmas concert, offering the perfect chance to sing along to much-loved carols and enjoy a truly unique shared festive experience.
After the performance, we drive back to the hotel via Oxford and Regent Street to see the famous London Christmas lights. At the Windsor Castle Hotel, we toast the festive season with a farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8
Monday: Departure
A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow Airport for your return flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Please note: the order of excursions is subject to change and guided tours are subject to restrictions.
Email us today to reserve at BKennedy@Royal-oak.org or call 212-480-2889 ext. 203
