London and the Heart of England

Arrive London. City tour including Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. Overnight London.

Visit two of England’s most historic and famous places: first Windsor, with its Castle and royal connections, then Oxford, characterised by its university colleges and skyline of spires and steeples. Visit one of the colleges to see how the students live. Continue to Coventry/Birmingham area in the heart of England for your overnight stay.

Today enjoy a tour around the historic heart of England. Stratford-upon-Avon is the birthplace and home of William Shakespeare and his house can still be visited, the local church contains his grave and time permitting the house of Mary Arden, his mother, is well worth viewing. The river with its pleasure boats is a colourful focal point of the town in summer. From Stratford, travel the short distance to Warwick to see perhaps  Britain’s best preserved medieval castle, Warwick Castle. The Kingmaker’s House, the dungeon, the gardens and the fascinating display of weaponry are just some of the highlights of a visit to the castle. Return to you hotel in the Coventry/Birmingham area.

Head south to visit the Roman city of Bath, famous for its Georgian architecture and the Roman Baths and Pump Room.  Continue through delightful scenery to Salisbury with its magnificent Cathedral and to Stonehenge, the ancient mystical site in the heart of rural Wiltshire before heading back towards London.

Free time in  London, perhaps to visit the British Museum, Madame Tussaud’s or Greenwich Observatory or pick up some great shopping. Departure home.