Palaces, Castles and Gardens of Southern England Tour

Your morning begins at the Tower of London, a historic fortress that has served as a palace, prison, and treasury. Here, the Crown Jewels glisten behind the glass; you will see the 530-carat Star of Africa diamond and the Imperial State Crown used by King Charles III. From the Tower, you move to Buckingham Palace. If visiting during the summer opening, you will tour the Glorious State Rooms, which personify a monarch's lifestyle of opulence. If the rooms are closed, you will witness the Changing of the Guard, a display of British pomp and circumstance that introduces the tastes and traditions of the Royal Family.

For the afternoon, you trade the bustle of the city for something more serene at Kew Gardens. Over 30,000 plant species cascade through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which blossoms with new flower displays throughout the year. Kew represents one of the most diverse and complete botanical collections in Europe. Wander through treetop walkways, check out seasonal specialties like pink cherry blossoms, and breathe in the scents of the Victorian glasshouses. Your Blue Badge guide will tailor the pace to your energy levels, unlocking the stories etched into every garden pathway.

 Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest continually occupied castle in the world and was the beloved weekend home of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The State Rooms are stuffed with masterpieces by Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and Da Vinci, turning every corridor into an art gallery. Your guide takes you to Windsor in the morning, allowing you to explore the intimate details of Queen Mary's Dolls' House and the sublime St. George's Chapel, the final resting place of many monarchs, including Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II.

Following the castle, you enjoy lunch in a boutique cafe on Eton High Street, before touring the splendor of Eton College (subject to opening times). With numerous Prime Ministers and Princes William and Harry having been educated here, it offers insight into the elite English public school system. On the return to London, stop at Hampton Court Palace. Once the home of Henry VIII, it is a symbol of Tudor flamboyance and unusual tastes. Discover the Great Hall and the famous kitchens of a King whose history the English love to recount, before returning to your city hotel.

Kent, known as the "Garden of England," fills the panoramas with green pastures and oast houses just an hour from the capital. Today is designed to be flexible, allowing you to choose a pace that suits you. The centerpiece is Canterbury Cathedral, the spiritual head of the English Church for over 1,400 years. A guided tour reveals the spot of Thomas Becket's martyrdom and the tombs of kings, offering a deep dive into English spirituality.

To complement Canterbury, you will choose one additional historic estate to visit, ensuring a relaxed experience rather than a rushed drive. You might choose Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, with its double-moated medieval charm. Alternatively, visit Sissinghurst Castle Garden, famous for its white garden and poetic history, or Leeds Castle, often called the "loveliest castle in the world." Your guide will help you select the best option based on your interests, ensuring you have ample time to enjoy the scenery before returning to London.

What's Included:

Today you leave the capital to explore England's finest stately homes. First is Highclere Castle, instantly recognizable as the setting for the television series Downton Abbey. You will enjoy a morning tour of the Jacobethan mansion, exploring the library and drawing rooms that have captivated millions of viewers. From fictional royalty, you travel to real aristocratic grandeur at Blenheim Palace, an 18th-century Baroque masterpiece and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

Blenheim is the principal residence of the Dukes of Marlborough and stands amongst pristine parkland designed by Capability Brown. Visit the gilded State Rooms and the Churchill exhibition, where the life of the "Greatest Briton" is celebrated. The visit is completed with afternoon tea, gazing out over the sculpted hedges. Later in the day, you arrive in Oxford to check into a boutique hotel, perhaps a converted townhouse or a historic property located just off the pedestrianized central streets of the university city.

After several days of travel, today is yours to explore Oxford at a leisurely pace. The city delights in its historical tones, with cobbled streets descending past second-hand bookshops and quaint pubs. As the oldest university in the English-speaking world, Oxford has almost 1,000 years of history to uncover. You might choose to visit the Bodleian Library to smell the rustic scent of old paper in a room that houses a copy of every book ever published in the UK.

Many colleges open their doors to visitors; you can see the Great Hall at Christ Church, which inspired the dining hall in Harry Potter, or wander the deer park at Magdalen College. The architecture here spans every English period since the arrival of the Saxons, including the iconic Radcliffe Camera. Take it slow, walk around, admire the "dreaming spires," and enjoy a relaxed day in the world's most famous university city before dinner at a local gastropub.

With this handcrafted itinerary, you're not merely visiting stately homes; you are moving into the heart of the countryside to stay near them. Your destination for the next three nights is a luxury country house hotel in the Cotswolds, such as Barnsley House, famous for its gardens designed by Rosemary Verey. En route, stop at Kelmscott Manor, the limestone retreat of Arts and Crafts founder William Morris. It is a place of incredible inspiration, filled with his textiles and furniture.

Once you check in, breathe in the fresh rural air and settle into the silence of the countryside. The Cotswolds is a haven for horticulture, and your afternoon can be tailored to your tastes. You might visit the famous "garden of rooms" at Hidcote Manor or see the national tree collection at Westonbirt Arboretum. In the evening, wander the cobbled lanes of Cirencester or a nearby village, stopping to warm your hands by a crackling log fire in a traditional country pub.

Today focuses on the deep connections between the Cotswolds and the Monarchy. Your primary visit is Sudeley Castle, a Grade I listed building nestled in the hills. It is the only private castle in England to have a queen buried within the grounds—Katherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII. You will explore the exhibitions and the beautiful gardens that weave around the ruins, hearing tales of the many rulers who have walked these halls.

For the second part of your day, you have a choice of royal or literary heritage. You may wish to visit Highgrove House (subject to seasonal availability and pre-booking), the private residence of King Charles III, known for its organic gardens. Alternatively, drive a short distance north to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, or explore the medieval fortress of Warwick Castle. Your driver-guide will facilitate the option that best suits your interest, ensuring a day that balances history with the beauty of the landscape.

For eight days, this itinerary has showcased the opulence of England's palaces. This final day offers a contrast, focusing on the calm traditions of rural life. The Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, famous for its honey-colored stone villages. Within a short drive of your hotel, you will find places like Bibury, Burford, and Bourton-on-the-Water, complete with thatched roofs, smoking chimneys, and gentle rivers.

This day is at your leisure to soak up the sleepy atmosphere. You might choose to take a bicycle to explore the country lanes, walk a section of the Cotswold Way, or simply browse the antique shops and tea rooms of the local market towns. It is an idealistic contrast to the busy streets of London, allowing you to settle into the gracious rhythm of rural life before your departure.

Rove down the country roads and wind past the fields of sheep as you journey back toward the capital. It is a transfer of approximately 90 minutes to two hours to London Heathrow. Here, you will formally shake hands with your guide, say goodbye to the history and heritage of Southern England, and depart on your international flight.