Tours to the North West of London   

We visit Shakespeare’s town of Stratford-Upon-Avon and see some of the half-timbered houses connected with the playwright, including the church where he and his family are buried. We'll take a fascinating tour of either medieval Warwick Castle or Kenilworth Castle* before wandering the country lanes to the beautiful stone-built villages of the Cotswolds.

* Kenilworth is a less 'sophisticated', National Trust-owned property, the splendid former home of Queen Elizabeth I's favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and is a ruin but good for exploring, with much still intact. Warwick Castle is better preserved, however, and as part of the Madame Tussauds Group has a much more commercial approach - extra 'attractions' etc. in the theme park style. We'll discuss the merits (and entry charges!) of both castles on the drive from London and then your group can make an informed choice!

IMPORTANT! Before trying to book any tour with me please first check availability with my online diary, then email me to have your tour dates/details/prices confirmed.

DT8:     Up to 8 persons - £520

Book and pay £130 deposit securely by PAYPAL here

We enjoy a leisurely morning seeing some of the finest Cotswolds villages, with a brief look at Oxford on-route if desired.

Then you can lunch at a historic village pub or indulge in a more upscale gastronomic experience at a fine Manor House Hotel, your choice!

Mid-afternoon sees us enjoying a visit to some of the Shakespeare Trust properties - and there are five on offer!

The Bard's Birthplace, his wife's childhood home - Anne Hathaway's Cottage, his mother's pre-marital home, Mary Arden's house and farm, plus the homes of his daughter and grandaughter - all beautifully preserved and presented. If time and energy permit you can certainly visit them all - they're close enough to each other to allow a short look at each of them, plus there's a bargain priced 'all-five' ticket deal.

Alternatively, many groups find one or two properties taken more slowly is better for them. I'll offer information and advice on each of the properties during the drive, but ultimately it's your group's choice, whether to make an internal visit of them all, or to make a slower visit to just one or two which appeal the most, and do a drive-by of the rest!

EITHER:

A motorway return to London - price as shown below ..

OR: why not extend the trip and make it a really full experience by staying in Stratford for early dinner - loads of choices - then see a play at the world-famous Royal Shakespearte Company Theatre? We'll arrive back in London just after midnight. (Overall this option extends the day by around 5 hours, so there's an additional waiting-time fee of £160. If wishing to do it the play must be pre-booked as seats are rarely available 'on the night'. Either ask me about the RSC programme/ticket availability when you contact me or first check it out for yourself here).

IMPORTANT! Before trying to book any tour with me please first check availability with my online diary, then email me to have your tour dates/details/prices confirmed.

DT8A:     Up to 8 persons - £520

Book and pay £130 deposit securely by PAYPAL here