Quintessential England calls to mind afternoon tea, the dreaming spires of Oxford and an afternoon stroll down the Strand. All of those boxes will be ticked on this tour of the major historic centres of Southern England. You’ll take a trip around an Oxford college with a graduate, and then you can judge how lifelike Brideshead Revisited really is.
In Canterbury you’ll visit the famous cathedral. Passing the White Cliffs Of Dover, your Quintessential England tour will end in the scenic town of Rye.
Itinerary In Detail
Day 1: Oxford
You’ll be driven from Heathrow airport to Oxford. Once you’ve checked into your hotel you’ll be taken for a private tour of Winston Churchill’s ancestral home, Blenheim Palace.
Perhaps one of Britain’s most famous prime ministers, he’s also buried in a tiny little village churchyard nearby in Bladon.
You’ll then go for a walking tour of the city and visit some of the city’s famous colleges.
Day 2: Oxford
This morning you’ll take a train to the Cotswolds and visit some of the most scenic villages. Visit beautiful Bibury and Bourton on the Water before heading to historic Cirencester – a Roman town.
You’ll sample a traditional afternoon tea in this beautiful market town. All in all, a very English day out. You’ll then get the train back to Oxford.
Day 3: London
Take the train to London and check into your hotel. Your driver will then meet you and take you for an orientation tour of the UK’s vast capital city.
Day 4: London
Your tour guide will invite you to their home where you’ll learn about the origins of afternoon tea. You’ll also get the chance to make classic afternoon tea staples such as scones and finger sandwiches.
Day 5: Canterbury
In the morning you’ll take a train east to Canterbury, a scenic cathedral city where you can see the ruins of a 6th-century church. Your hotel will be within the cathedral precinct. Your private guide will take you for a tour of the city and teach you about its long and at times brutal history.
Day 6: Dover and Rye
This morning you’ll be taking a train south to Dover. Your private driver will meet you and take you for a tour of the famous White Cliffs Of Dover. You’ll explore Dover Castle and venture into its military tunnels that were used during WW2.
You’ll then be driven to the quaint town of Rye in East Sussex.
Day 7: Departure
In the morning you’re free to explore Rye. You can visit the former home of Henry James and the dunes of Camber Sands.
Your driver will then take you to the airport for your return flight.