(14 hours - Please note this tour best in May, June, July and August - longer daylight)
Ideal for first timers - see a large part of England in one amazing day!
We head out of London and make a brief walking tour of OXFORD followed by a coffee stop and shopping opportunity for cards, sweat shirts, whatever. You'll see some of the famous colleges of one of the oldest universities in Europe and I'll share some stories of the "good and the great" (and the not so good!) who have passed this way, and get a chance to admire the glorious architecture of this globally famous little City.
Leaving Oxford we drive to BLENHEIM PALACE, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and the magnificent home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough. We'll enjoy a short walk of the village where Winston is laid to rest, hear about the American Brides, see the impressive grounds of the Palace, with some good photo opportunities before enjoying some free time in WOODSTOCK VILLAGE. Then it's onward continuing a northerly heading to the attractive town of WARWICK with its' famous CASTLE.
WARWICK deserves some of our attention too, it's quirky streets and amazing parish Church will delight, plus any antique hunters in the family will love having the chance to browse one of the best value antique markets in England.
Shakespeare's STRATFORD UPON AVON follows. Choose from a visit to the birthplace of The Bard, or the home connected with his mother, Mary Arden, or his wife's childhood home, Anne Hathaway's Cottage. There's also the beautiful parish church where they are all buried, whilst the shoppers in the group will enjoy the many varied gift shops and boutiques of Stratford! Learn why the authorship of William Shakespeare's legacy is so often disputed - the truth is revealed ...
It's early afternoon now, so leaving Stratford we'll drive acrosss the lovely COTSWOLD HILLS and villages and stop to enjoy a tasty picnic lunch (included) by the side of a brook in one of the charming little villages. Following lunch, we'll carry on across the Cotswold Hills, seeing some interesting old market towns, like Cirencester and Tetbury, (passing the Prince of Wales' country home), before reaching the historic city of BATH. This entire, amazing city now enjoys World Heritage Site status.
The splendid 18th century neo-classical architecture, fascinating ROMAN BATHS and some good museums will occupy us for an hour or two.
The final leg of our journey takes us past the mysterious structure which for over forty centuries has dominated Salisbury Plain. STONEHENGE is also a World Heritage Site and will be carefully preserved for future generations to see, admire, and theorise over. You'll learn why this place attracts people from all over the world - it's a truly 'magnetic' experience, and for the more inquiring types I'll show you how to find the 'Leys', with a chance for you to try it out yourselves. There are more questions than answers about this place, but we'll exchange facts and theories together before a short motorway journey returns our tired, but hopefully(!) very happy band of brothers to the comforts of your hotel.
Finally, 'Congratulations!' are in order because you'll have all "done the Big One". This experience is a day to remember for a long time to come, and just for fun you'll receive my special Certified Insanity Scroll!
N.B. Price is for the car NOT per person.* Includes : Car, driver-guide, all mileage and an excellent picnic lunchand drinks. Excludes : Entrance fees, and gratuities.
See also TOUR 11B - THE ALTERNATIVE BIG ONE ! - for an alternative route for those who have seen some or all of the above sights).
