counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire
Oxford – University city with Harry Potter links
Britain’s oldest university, established in the 12th century and still a centre of academic excellence. Learn about life as an undergraduate and perhaps visit one of the Colleges (subject to opening times, exams etc). Christ Church, the largest college was founded in the early 1500s; more than a dozen Christ Church graduates have gone on to become Prime Minister – more than all the three dozen other colleges combined. The Great Hall is the prototype for the Dining Hall in the Harry Potter film series. Literary connections in the University range from Roger Bacon to Dr. Samuel Johnson, Shelley Lewis Carroll, JRR Tolkein, CS Lewis, TS Eliot and the extraordinary Bodleian Library.
Combines well with: Windsor, Stonehenge, Blenheim, Cotswolds, Thames Valley & Chilterns
Stratford upon Avon – William Shakespeare’s home town
Birth and burial place of William Shakespeare. Visit Holy Trinity Church by the River Avon where the Great Bard is buried – probably. Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is the thatched family home of the woman he married and still contains family furniture. Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Henley Street contains original and replica artefacts depicting the house as he would have known it as a child.
Also: Harvard House & the Museum of British Pewter; Nash’s House & New Place, Hall’s Croft, Mary Arden’s Farm. Theatres.
Combines well with: Warwick Castle, Cotswolds, Blenheim, Oxford
Warwick Castle – a truly real castle
One of the most authentic and unspoilt castles still in existence, started over a thousand years ago. Climb the ramparts and walk the medieval walls, descend into the dark dank dungeon, watch demonstrations of medieval martial arts – archery, knights on horseback, etc. Tour the lavishly decorated State Rooms. Step back in time to walk through “A Royal Weekend Party 1898” brilliantly animated with waxwork figures by Madame Tussaud’s. Using old photographs to ensure everything is set in exactly the same place it was in 1898, it recreates the scene of an aristocratic family and their friends and guests preparing for an evening in the presence of the then Prince of Wales; three years later he would become King Edward VII. 100 miles from London. Can get very busy at weekends.
Combines well with: Stratford upon Avon, Cotswolds, Blenheim, Oxford
Blenheim Palace – Churchill ancestral home
“England’s Versailles”. Built as a gift from a grateful nation to Sir John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough to thank him for his famous victory over Louis XIV of France at the battle of Blenheim in 1704. That was the original idea; you’ll learn how it all went wrong. The collection of furniture, tapestries and paintings and sculpture are “second to none in a historic home”. Birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, who is also buried close by in the village of Bladon. The house has an exhibition devoted to Churchill’s early life and displays many of the letters he wrote as a young boy to his parents. 2000 acre park and lake, landscaped by Lancelot “Capability” Brown. UNESCO World Heritage site
Combines well with: Warwick, Stratford, Oxford, Windsor, Thames Valley & Chilterns
Cotswolds – quintessential English villages
Limestone hills (“wolds”) famous for sheep farming and beautiful sleepy honey coloured stone villages that are every visitor’s ideal of picture-postcard England. A major centre for antique-hunting. An ideal base for overnight touring – there’s loads to see and do within an hour’s drive. Simply gorgeous and not to be missed.
Combines well with: Warwick Castle, Stratford upon Avon, Blenheim, Oxford
Thames Valley & Chiltern Hills – “instant” England
Truly beautiful area, within 30 miles of London, yet relatively unknown and totally missed by the tour groups. Blessed with an abundance of unspoilt villages (often used for film-sets) and glorious countryside – beechwood forests set in chalk hills and valleys with immaculate farms and even some vineyards. Great atmospheric country pubs too, with brilliant food, all within an hour of London.
Combines well with: Warwick Castle, Stratford, Oxford, Windsor, Blenheim
Hidcote Manor Gardens – Beautiful gardens
One of the best loved gardens in England, nestled on the edge of the Cotswolds Hills, less than 10 miles from Stratford upon Avon. A series of small gardens separated by walls and hedges of different species, created in the early 20th century by the famous American horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston. National Trust.
Combines well with: Warwick Castle, Stratford upon Avon, Oxford, Cotswolds
Bath – Classical Roman & Georgian city
Elegant and refined city, founded 2000 years ago by the Romans. They were drawn by the magical mystical and therapeutic qualities of the only natural hot spring in Britain and created what is now the best preserved Roman Bath complex in the world. Bath was revived, enlarged and enhanced in the 18th century by the Georgians who created one of the greatest architectural wonders of Europe. Popular antiques hunting centre. Excellent shopping. Great base for overnight touring. UNESCO World Heritage City.
Also to visit: Museum of Costume, Number One Royal Crescent
Combines well with: Stonehenge, Salisbury, Avebury, Cotswolds, Longleat, Stourhead
Windsor Castle – Magnificence and majesty
The largest inhabited castle in the world, the walls enclose an area of 13 acres. Favoured residence of monarchs and their consorts for over 900 years. In 1917, the Royal Family adopted Windsor as their family name.
St. George’s Chapel is a masterpiece of late Gothic daring and engineering and houses the tombs of ten Kings & Queens. See the stalls (seats) of the Knights of the Garter, the oldest order of chivalry still in existence. In 2009 Prince William was installed as the 1000th Knight of the Garter.
Visit the formal State Apartments where HM The Queen receives and entertains her guests of State. Spectacularly restored after the devastating fire of 1992 and sumptuously furnished with the finest paintings, tapestries and sculpture from the Royal Collection.
Queen Mary’s Dolls House is a masterpiece of craftsmanship; every inch represents a foot in real life and everything works- water runs through the pipes, books in the library are miniature printed editions. Even the wine cellars contain real vintage wine in 1/12th normal size bottles.
The famous boys’ boarding school at Eton – where Princes William and Harry spent their teenage years - is just on the opposite bank of the river Thames.
Combines well with: Hampton Court, Stonehenge, Thames Valley & Chilterns, Oxford