Southern England Tours

USA –Arrive in London.
Your accommodation is The Rubens at the Palace, a majestic luxury hotel that gives you the best of both worlds. On the one hand, it recalls the magnificence and splendor of a bygone age; on the other, it gives you the latest in modern comforts and technology and is of course nearest to Buckingham Palace. Overnight The Rubens Palace Hotel, London.

Day 2
London
Today you spend on your own and you will have the choice of visiting some of the most famous landmarks of the city using the easiest form of transport around the city – the hop-on hop-off bus. See Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guards, The London Eye, The Tower of London or somewhere else that is on your wish list. Overnight The Rubens Palace Hotel, London.

London-Cotswolds
Today’s first destination is Oxford to have a chance to visit the world famous university. Most of the colleges and university buildings are located in the centre of Oxford, within easy walking distance of each other. Visit the Bodleian Library, which has its own shop, and the nearby Radcliffe Camera, which is not open to the public, but is well worth a view from the outside.

Nearby, in Broad Street, is the Sheldonian Theatre, a venue for official university functions as well as a variety of concerts, the Ashmolean Museum on Beaumont Street, Britain’s oldest public museum and if you climb the stairs you are treated to a view from Carfax Tower. You may wish to take a stroll in the Oxford Botanic Gardens or visit one of the other numerous Oxford Museums. Leaving Oxford you will travel a short distance to St Martin’s Church in Bladon near Woodstock. It is also the mother church of St Mary Magdalene at Woodstock, which was originally a chapel of ease and is best known for the grave of Sir Winston Churchill in its churchyard.

Continue north to Blenheim Palace, home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Set in 2100 acres of beautiful parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, the magnificent Palace is surrounded by sweeping lawns, award-winning formal gardens and the great Lake. Stratford-upon-Avon, small in size but large in history and interest. Architecturally stunning and famous for William Shakespeare’s significance to the town. You may wish to visit some of the historical sites or just take a stroll along the banks of the Avon before returning to your overnight accommodation. Overnight Buckland Manor, nr Broadway.

Cotswolds
Today you will have the opportunity to travel into the Cotswolds to tour the towns and villages set in some of the most beautiful English countryside.

Set against the dramatic back drop of the Cotswold Hills, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sudeley Castle & Gardens is just five miles from Broadway and the only private castle in England to have a queen buried within its grounds – Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII’s six wives. It has played an important role in the turbulent and changing times of England’s past, with royal connections stretching back 1000 years. Today it is a much loved family home and popular visitor attraction. Inside, the castle contains many fascinating treasures from ancient roman times to the present day. Outside, the Castle is surrounded by award-winning gardens and a breath-taking 1,200 acre estate.

Now for a leisurely drive through Welford upon Avon – Famous for its giant Maypole, Welford is a charming little village, with many thatched cottages, on the banks of the river Avon. Chipping Campden – A wonderful example of an historic old Cotswold wool market town relatively unspoiled by the passing of time, with an original market building dating back over 900 years.

Broadway Tower – Originally built as a Folly on an old beacon site, Broadway Tower has a colorful past! Overlooking the picturesque village of Broadway, there are magnificent views across 13 counties.

Snowshill – a secluded village where ancient pretty cottages and a 19th century church cluster around a small green. As its name implies – if there is any snow about then you will find it here first. It is renowned for its manor house, now administered by the National Trust. The first sight of the steep main street leading down to the medieval bridge over the river sets the scene for Burford. Full of lovely old stone houses, the town presents some of its best 17th and 18th century frontages to the High Street, although earlier buildings often lie hidden behind, glimpsed through narrow alleyways and courtyards. These are relics of the town’s great days as a major wool market in medieval England Overnight Buckland Manor, nr Broadway.

Cotswolds-Bath
We continue through the English countryside on your way to Bath. The Spa town of Bath is regarded as the best-preserved Georgian city in Britain built among the trees and hillsides of the Avon Valley. A UNESCO world heritage site, Bath is home to endless rows and terraces of grand Georgian architecture such as the Royal Crescent overlooking open garden squares. The impressive 13th century Abbey lies at the heart of the city’s cobbled streets and fashionable shops and arcades whilst Baths crowning glory is the must-see, marvelously preserved Roman Temple, Baths and Pump Room. Overnight Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath

Bath, Stonehenge & Salisbury-Windsor
We depart Bath and head to Stonehenge. 5,000 years ago these huge 40 ton rocks were dragged to the lonely, windy plain of Salisbury hill. You’ll get time to learn more about this iconic monument steeped in mystery and legend!

Then it’s on to Salisbury where we’ll visit the finest medieval Cathedral in Britain. In the Chapter House you will see the Magna Carta, the famous agreement made between King John and his barons in 1215.

It is then onto the city of Bath where you’ll have a panoramic tour and see the Royal Crescent, Assembly Rooms and the famous Pulteney Bridge. We also visit the Roman Baths which is the best preserved Roman Spa from the ancient world. Continue to Windsor.  Overnight Runnymeade Hotel.

Windsor and Area
Windsor is a town on the River Thames in southeast England, just west of London. Its home to Windsor Castle, a residence of the British Royal Family. Built by William The Conqueror in the 11th century, the castle was extensively remodeled by subsequent monarchs. Public tours take in the State Apartments, which contain opulent furnishings, and paintings from the royal art collection. Enjoy a morning at leisure exploring all that Windsor has to offer.

Driving through Runnymede, you will learn about King John and the Magna Carta. The route to Hampton Court Palace is through built-up areas, but there are stories to tell about the places we pass. At Hampton Court Palace you have about 2.5 hours for your independent visit.

On the way back to Windsor, we drive through Bushy Park where it is possible to see herds of deer roaming about. Overnight Runnymeade Hotel

Day 8
Transfer to LHR Airport (If Chauffeur Driven)