Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Monday: Arrival
Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, a private transfer will take you to our hotel, the Macdonald in Windsor, where we stay for the next two nights. We join the group for a welcome drink and canapés in the evening, followed by dinner.
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2
Tuesday: Mapledurham & Windsor Castle
We visit the 12th-century house and farming estate of Mapledurham, which blends traditional and sustainable farming techniques and boasts a tranquil watermill, the only one on the Thames that is still in use. The atmospheric Elizabethan manor has been passed down by marriage to different owners throughout the 13th-15th centuries. Since being sold to Richard Blount, it has been passed down through generations of the Blounts family. Our guided tour provides the perfect chance to wander the house and church and discover stories through the many artifacts on display.
Later, we explore the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle, founded in the 11th century by the first Norman King of England, William the Conqueror. With its beautiful State Apartments still used by the Royal Family today, the famous Windsor Castle has been a royal retreat for centuries. We enjoy a private tour of the castle’s decadent Ceremonial rooms, including the striking Grand Reception Room, extraordinarily decorated with real gold and prominent pieces on display, such as the urn once presented to Queen Victoria by Tsar Nicholas I in 1839. There is also the chance to see one of the world’s greatest collections of paintings, including Antony van Dyck’s portrait of King Charles I, where the former monarch is depicted as a calm and powerful ruler by his melancholy gaze into the distance. Not long after the painting was completed, civil war broke out and Charles would be declared a traitor to the nation.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3
Wednesday: Highclere Castle & Bombay Gin Distillery
After breakfast, we make our way to the world-famous Highclere Castle, home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and the filming location for the much-loved Downton Abbey TV series and movies. There is plenty to explore, from the Drawing and Dining Rooms to the Egyptian Exhibition in the cellars of the castle, celebrating the 5th Earl of Carnarvon’s discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Walk in the footsteps of your favourite Downton Abbey characters including the Dowager Countess, Lady Mary Crawley and Bates, Lord Grantham’s valet, and look closer at the rooms and vistas that formed the backdrop to this hugely popular series. Outside you can explore the beautiful gardens and 1,000 acres of spectacular parkland, designed for the 1st Earl of Carnarvon by the famous 18th-century landscape gardener Lancelot Capability Brown. The castle also has a gift shop and a tea room.
We enjoy afternoon tea at the castle and from here, we make our way to the nearby Bombay Sapphire Distillery, where we are taken on a tour to find out more about the artistry behind every drop of this iconic drink. Bombay Sapphire’s heritage began in 1761 when distiller Thomas Dakin purchased his first site in England and the popularity of a good old G&T continued to surge throughout the British Empire during Queen Victoria’s reign. We discover more about the popular brand’s heritage before we enjoy a complimentary drink in the on-site Mill Bar. This evening, we check into the Ellenborough Park Hotel, where we stay for the next five nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
DAY 4
Thursday: Waddesdon Manor & Cheeseworks
We make our way to Waddesdon Manor, built by the wealthy Rothschild family in the style of a Renaissance château. Built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the 1870s, the French-inspired château was lavishly designed to entertain guests and showcase his enthusiastic interest in art. From Dutch paintings to British portraiture, Waddesdon has one of the finest collections of French decorative arts. Nestled within 5,000 acres of beautiful parkland, the formal gardens are said to be one of the finest examples of late Victorian gardens in England and include a Rococo-style aviary, a Parterre, sculptures, and more. We have time to explore the interiors and are treated to a tour, a private Rothschild Wine Cellar experience and lunch at the house.
Next is a visit to Cheeseworks Cheltenham, one of Britain’s finest cheesemongers, for an indulgent evening sampling a spectacular selection of fine wines and speciality cheese. We return to our hotel later for our evening meal.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
Friday: 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 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 enjoy lunch at Highgrove before moving on to 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, a near complete medieval survival, allowing us to imagine how it might have been to live here. Reigning monarch Edward II was sent to the castle 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 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.
We stop at a traditional English pub to enjoy a delicious Fish and chips supper before returning to our hotel for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
Saturday: The Firs, Weston’s Cider Brewery & Eastnor Castle
We visit The Firs, a small country cottage and childhood home of one of the country’s greatest composers, Edward Elgar, and learn more about his life and work in Malvern. The quaint spa town is nestled in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it’s easy to see why walking and cycling through the beautiful surroundings inspired Elgar’s music. Spend time in the peaceful South Garden, sit next to Elgar’s statue, or wander the interior with a fascinating memorabilia collection.
Next, we visit Weston’s Cider Brewery, founded in 1880 by Henry Weston and still independently owned by the family. On our guided tour, we learn about the traditional techniques used and the passion for sustainability when producing premium homegrown cider. Afterward, we take time for a delicious sandwich and cider lunch at The Scrumpy House restaurant here.
We then make our way to Eastnor, a dramatic fairytale castle at the foot of the Malvern Hills surrounded by a beautiful deer park, arboretum and lake, boasting magnificent views of the rolling Herefordshire countryside. Situated two miles from the medieval market town of Ledbury, the princely and imposing fortress (as it was described in 1812 when it was being built to pitch the owner, the 1st Earl Somers, into the aristocracy), continues to be inhabited by the 1st Earl’s descendants; the Hervey-Bathurst family. The hills, made up of hard granite and limestone rock are known for the abundance of natural water which permeates through and escapes the springs.
On the way back to our hotel, we stop for dinner in Longhope at a traditional country pub, the Farmers Boy Inn, for one of their special pies.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
Sunday: Broughton Castle, Hook Norton & Daylesford
Predominantly built in the early 14th century, Broughton Castle is a stunning moated and fortified manor house, set in idyllic parkland. It is currently home to Martin Fiennes, having been passed down through the family since 1377, evidenced by family portraits from the 16th to 19th centuries that hang along the gallery walls. The manor has been a hive for political exchanges and royal stays throughout the centuries, serving as a meeting place for leading parliamentary opponents of Charles I. James I occupied the king’s chamber in the early 15th century, whilst recent residents include today’s monarch King Charles. We have the chance to try some delicious Banbury cakes, a traditional treat, hailing from the market town of Banbury.
We then head to the picturesque village of Hook Norton to visit its brewery, housed within a 5-storey Victorian tower. Our tour takes us through the intricate brewing process, and we finish with a tasting session at the cellar bar.
Later, we visit Daylesford farm shop in the quaint Moreton-in-Marsh, for the chance to discover its award-winning artisan cheese, specialist meats, fresh produce, and its home shop and wine stall. We have our evening meal at one of Daylesford’s restaurants and indulge in their delicious Sunday roast.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8
Monday: Chavenage & Dorney Court
After breakfast, we make our way to Chavenage House, a unique family home full of history and fascinating stories around every corner. The Elizabethan manor house has remained largely unchanged since the building’s completion in 1576, and only two families have owned Chavenage; the Stephens and the Lowsley-Williams, the current owners. With a hands-on approach to opening the doors of their wonderful home, members of the Lowsley-Williams family offer truly memorable tours of Chavenage, on the property’s history, mixed with engaging personal family stories, humorous anecdotes and myths of the Chavenage curse. We explore the lavish rooms, filled with tapestries and stunning period furniture, discover the secrets of the room where Cromwell stayed during the Civil War, escape into the peaceful surroundings of this lovely manor and spot the famous filming locations of various movies and TV series, including BBC’s Poldark.
We then journey to Dorney Court, one of England’s finest Tudor manor houses set amidst mature parkland and home of the Palmer family for more than 450 years. We are treated to a guided connoisseur tour and learn more about the family portraits and varied collections of art that tell a visual tale of the tastes and fortunes of everyone who has lived here.
Later, we check back into the Macdonald Windsor Hotel, where we enjoy a farewell dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
Tuesday: Departure
A private transfer will take you 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
