10-Nights England, & The West Country - Land Journey from $8,790

Itinerary Details

Tauck World Discovery: England, & The West Country

Day 1
Welcome to England

Tour Begins: 12:00 PM Estelle Manor. A transfer is included from Heathrow airport, London Stansted airport or London Gatwick airport to Estelle Manor in Eynsham, United Kingdom. This afternoon, visit the Highgrove House (subject to availability) or Sudeley Castle for a guided tour and a visit to the gardens. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at your hotel.

The Cotswold's – with its grand manor houses and quaint village homes, country estates and historic towns, stretching across the counties of Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Somerset, the Cotswold's is truly a fairytale region. After breakfast, you'll have the entire day to discover these limestone villages with your local guide. Discover medieval weavers' houses and learn about the wool trade, visit stone cottages and see the most picturesque streets along the tour. It wouldn't be a trip to the Cotswold's without a taste of Lardy cakes which is a traditional bread with currants and raisins. Lunch today is at a traditional English country pub and after enjoy free time to explore as you wish. It will surely be a day pulled from a storybook. Dinner this evening is at your leisure back at your hotel.

Morgan Motor Company is one of the world's pre-eminent coachbuilders of Morgan Sports Cars. Each car is handcrafted with artisanal skills that have been passed down through generations and honed over decades. Today, you'll have a visit to factory, the only place in the world where Morgan sports cars are built. Learn about the three core elements – ash, aluminum and leather – that make these remarkable automobiles and have the chance to drive or ride in one for yourself with a cruise through the Malvern Hills. Lunch is at the Morgan Factory before heading out for a guided tour by the family of Chavenage House – featured in the BBC TV show Poldark. Discover this 400-year-old Cotswold manor house that is untouched. This evening, you'll head to your two-night stay at a spa-hotel in the town of Bath. Dinner is at your leisure tonight.

The city of Bath is in South West England, founded in the 1st century AD. It got its name by the Romans who used the natural hot springs as their thermal spa. Today, after a guided walking tour to help get your bearings and discover its Georgian architecture, you'll have the remainder of the day to explore as you please and enjoy this wellness retreat town on your own.

This morning, it's off to Wells for a walking tour with a local guide. This small medieval city was featured in a host of TV and Hollywood films such as Dungeons and Dragons, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and Wolf Hall. You'll see The Bishop's Palace and Garden, home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years, St. Cuthbert's Church, and more with your local guide. Depart for Glastonbury and where our lunch is known to have the best fish and chips in all of Glastonbury. En route to your hotel in Cornwall this afternoon, enjoy landmark sights and scenic stops along the way before arrival at your hotel. Join us this evening for a Cornish themed dinner at the hotel with a performance by local Shanty singers.

After breakfast, you're off for a cooking class and lunch at Philleigh Cookery School with chef Rupert and his staff. Learn how to make local Cornish pastries and enjoy homemade scones and pastries, paired with a traditional Cornish cream tea. After filling up on Cornwall delights, you have the option to visit The Eden Project, an educational charity that helps explore the interconnections between all living things and was been named the "Eight Wonder of the World" by locals, The Eden Project Biomes are as it's the largest indoor rainforest in England. Alternatively, if you wish to return to Fowey, the remainder of the evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Visit the ancient tidal island of St. Michael's Mount to explore the village and harbor, and the legendary castle and gardens. You have the option to take the path which wraps around the island which is a steep, cobbled and uneven climb. Enjoy the views from the top, or stay at the base and explore the island. Lunch is in the main town of Marazion before departing for The Minack Theatre for a tour with our local guide. This impressive open-air theatre is perched on the Cornish cliffs and overlooks the Atlantic Sea, learn all about architect Rowena Cade and her amazing story of designing The Minack Theatre. Drive back to your hotel in Fowey and enjoy the remainder of the evening at your leisure.

You may recognize Cornwall's famous fishing village, Port Isaac as it is home to the TV series Doc Martin starring Martin Clunes and the Fisherman's Friends shanty singers. On your guided tour here this morning, you'll walk through the tiny harbor village and walk past locations from the film set. Lunch is in town then you're off to discover the parish village of Tintagel along the rugged north coast, linked with legends of King Arthur aspiring artists, writers and many others who visit this site every year. Drive into Devon, home of Dartmoor National Park which is known for its open moorlands, deep river valleys myths and legends. Dinner this evening is at your hotel.

Your stay at Bovey Castle, set within 275 acres of beautiful countryside is filled with adventure. You have the option of choosing both a morning and an afternoon activity. Try archery, falconry, bee keeping, a cider and sloe gin making class, clay pigeon shooting, or a deer park tour. The day is spent how you wish, enjoying the amenities of your hotel. Dinner is at Bovey Castle this evening.

The Stonehenge World Heritage Site is one of the most famous prehistoric landmarks in the world. There is no definite evidence as to the purpose The Stonehenge but its unique circle set presumes it was aligned on the sun and used to observe the sun and moon aligning the farming calendar. Other legends believe it was a site dedicated to the world of ancestors, separated from the living. You have free time to explore here and enjoy lunch. Drive to Windsor early afternoon for free time at your hotel before a final farewell reception and dinner.

Tour Ends: Anytime: Fairmont Windsor Park, Windsor. Fly home anytime. A transfer from Fairmont Windsor Park to Heathrow airport, London Stansted airport or London Gatwick airport is included. Please allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport.