Castles, Gardens & Palaces of the United Kingdom

Day 1 - Monday 20 May 2019

Melbourne-London (Meals in Flight)

Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel.  Your tour hostess and fellow travellers will meet you at the designated departure point at Melbourne Airport for your flight to London. Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight.

Day 2 -Tuesday 21 May 2019

Welcome to London (D)

An early morning arrival.  We will be met and transferred to our hotel where the remainder of the day will be at leisure. Later this evening we enjoy a welcome drink followed by a 3 course dinner.

4 Nights Accommodation - Tower Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 - Wednesday 22 May 2019

London Sightseeing (B,AT)

This morning we will be setting off with our Tour Manager for a full day of sightseeing. We will view Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. We also enjoy an afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason or similar. Then return to our hotel for an evening at our leisure.

Overnight - Tower Hotel (or similar)

Day 4 - Thursday 23 May 2019

Chelsea Flower Show (B,D)

After breakfast we will head to the famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the most prestigious flower show in the world showcasing the most up to date and innovative garden designs. Later we enjoy some evening sightseeing and a ride on the iconic London Eye to admire breathtaking views of London whilst enjoying a glass of Champagne followed by dinner at a local restaurant. 

Overnight - Tower Hotel (or similar)

Day 5 - Friday 24 May 2019

London Sightseeing (B)

Today we visit Wisley Gardens historic home of the RHS and undoubtedly one of the finest gardens in the world. Continue on to Hampton Court Palace where we will discover the magnificence of Henry VIII's favourite royal residence. Later we will take a sightseeing cruise on the river Thames to Richmond where we will enjoy a unique view of London.  This evening is at leisure. 

Overnight - Tower Hotel (or similar)

Day 6 - Saturday 25 May 2019

London - Chartwell - Poundbury (B,D)

Today we head to Chartwell where we will visit Chartwell House once the principal residence of Winston Churchill.  Later we will get the opportunity to visit Hever Castle the childhood home of Anne Boleyn before continuing on to Poundbury where we will spend the night at the Duchess of Cornwall hotel and enjoy a 2 course meal.

Overnight - Duchess of Cornwall Country House (or similar)

Day 7 - Sunday 26 May 2019

Poole - Poundbury (B,D)

After breakfast today we'll head to Poole to visit Compton Acres Gardens.  This will be followed by a visit to mystical Stonehenge. 

Returning to our hotel for dinner.

Overnight - Duchess of Cornwall Country House (or similar)

Day 8 - Monday 27 May 2019

Port Isaac - Saint Austell (B,D)

This morning we will enjoy a walk around Port Isaac, the picturesque village where Doc Martin was filmed. Port Isaac has been an attractive fishing village since the early fourteenth century. Its narrow, winding streets are lined with old white-washed cottages and traditional granite, slate-fronted Cornish houses, many of which are listed as of architectural or historic importance.  With time to enjoy lunch in Port Isaac before heading to the Eden Project for the afternoon.  The Eden Project is an impressive set of biodomes housing plants from all over the world.  Afterwards we'll continue on to our hotel with check in late afternoon at the beautiful Llawnroc Hotel a stunning bespoke property with spacious rooms and stunning seaviews.

Dinner tonight at our hotel

Overnight - The Llawnroc Hotel, St Austel (or similar)

Day 9 - Tuesday 28 May 2019

St Austell - Bath - Hereford (B,D)

Today we'll visit Bath for a tour of the ancient Roman baths before continuing on through Bristol to view the impressive Clifton Suspension Bridge spanning the picturesque Avon Gorge. We'll continue onto to Hereford where tonight we'll be staying in a Georgian Manor set between Hereford and the picturesque Ross on Wye.    Dinner Tonight is included.  

Overnight - Brooks Country House (or similar)

Day 10 - Wednesday 29 May 2019

Ruthin Castle Hotel & Spa, Clywydian Range (B,D)

This morning we travel to Hereford to enjoy a guided tour of Hereford Cathedral. We'll then continue through the Shropshire Hills and make a stop in Llangollen with free time to explore this pretty little town.  We'll then travel over the picturesque Horseshoe Pass before arriving at our destination - Ruthin. Ruthin is a delightful village where the locals embrace their visitors.  Tonight a real treat we'll be staying in a 'real' castle!

Overnight - Ruthin Castle & Spa (or similar) is a beautiful retreat, steeped in history and nestled in acres of parkland beside the Clwydian Range in North Wales. Dinner tonight is included.

Day 11 - Thursday 30 May 2019

Chester - Lake District (B,D)

After breakfast, there will be time to visit the small array of shops in the village of Ruthin before continuing on our journey to Chester for a panoramic sightseeing tour.  Later we'll continue onto Penrith, located in the Lake District. The spectacularly scenic Lake District is a popular holiday destination in Cumbria, North West England, attracting countless visitors with its exquisite lakes and its lush, forest-clad mountains. The area is protected by the nation’s largest national park and is a hiker’s dream with many excellent hiking trails available. History enthusiasts will be equally well sated with more than 200 ancient monuments. There are numerous charming towns and villages to explore, discover local castles and historic houses, cruise by wooded islands on the magnificent lake Derwentwater, ascending the thrilling fell walk of Striding Edge, or catching a glimpse of the life of Wordsworth at Dove Cottage on the outskirts of the picturesque village of Grasmere.  Arriving at our property with time for check in and dinner.

3 Nights Accommodation - The George Hotel (or similar) - Something of a local treasure, situated in the pretty market town of Penrith, perfectly located to explore Eden and Ullswater and the Lake District.  This 300 year old property is one of the finest hotels in Penrith.
 

Day 12 - Friday 31 May 2019

Lake District - Sightseeing (B,L)

This morning we'll be visiting Holker Hall and Gardens where lunch is also included. Holker Hall is the home of the Cavendish family who happily welcome their visitors to one of the best-loved stately homes in Britain. Magnificently situated only a short distance from Grange-over-Sands and the expanse of Morecambe Bay, Holker Hall is set in exceptionally beautiful countryside with gardens that merge into Parkland framed by the Lakeland Hills.  This afternoon we'll have at leisure including dinner.  

Overnight - The George Hotel (or similar)

Day 13 - Saturday 1 June 2019

Lake District - Sightseeing (B,D)

Today we will visit Hill Top – Beatrix Potter farmhouse before continuing on to Hawkshead where you will have some free time to explore the town.  The prettiest village set in the magnificent vale of Esthwaite, In the heart of the English Lake District, Hawkshead is a truly historic and wonderfully picturesque village characterised by its cluster of whitewashed houses, archways and alleyways, courtyards and squares. Hawkshead has flourished since its beginnings as a medieval market town. Today, with its car-free village centre, it's the perfect place for the visitor to experience the 'real' Lake District. The cobbled streets, squares and courtyards and the beautiful whitewashed cottages, topped with local Lakeland slate, give this little place a magical feel.  The village is steeped in history and heritage, from the ruins of Hawkshead Hall (built by medieval monks) and the 15th-century St Michael's parish church and court house, to later buildings such as the grammar school (1855) which the poet William Wordsworth attended. Take a walk in William Wordworth’s path and then transfer to Bowness on Windermere where we will enjoy a lovely lake cruise. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Dinner included at our hotel tonight.  

Overnight - The George Hotel (or similar)

Day 14 - Sunday 2 June 2019

Lake District - Edinburgh (B,D)

Today we farewell the gorgeous Lake District and head north to the famous town of Gretna Green, where we will stop enroute to Edinburgh. Gretna Green is one of the world's most popular wedding destinations due to its romantic wedding traditions dating back over centuries, which originated from cross-border elopements stemming from differences between Scottish marriage laws and those in neighbouring countries. From here we'll continue on through the Low Lands to Edinburgh where we enjoy a vist to the Botanical Gardens before transfering to our hotel. Tonight a Taste of Scotland Dinner and Show at Prestonfield House.

2 Nights Accommodation - Novotel Edinburgh Centre (or similar)

Day 15 - Monday 3 June 2019

Edinburgh Sightseeing (B)

Today we'll enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Edinburgh. Edinburgh is an architectural treasure trove with enough neoclassical terraces, Georgian grandeur, and late-medieval monuments to thrill even the most avid architecture enthusiast. On our tour we'll view the Victorian Gothic Monument to Sir Walter Scott, The New Town and The Old Town. Entrance to Edinburgh Castle is also included. We'll walk the Royal Mile and visit Drummond Castle Gardens. Dinner at leisure tonight with an array of excellent pubs to choose from.  

Overnight at Novotel Edinburgh Centre

Day 16 - Tuesday 4 June 2019

Edinburgh - Harrogate (B,D)

Heading south today after breakfast we'll will make a stop at Rosslyn Chapel (Da Vinci Code Film) to enjoy a guided tour. One of Scotland’s most remarkable buildings, Rosslyn Chapel has been in the ownership of the Earl & Countess of Rosslyn since its foundation in 1446 and is still used today as a place of worship. We then continue on to Melrose where we have arranged a guided tour of Abbotsford House home of Sir Walter Scott. We'll explore the historic house and discover a treasure trove of intriguing objects and unusual artefacts which inspired Scott’s greatest poems and novels.
Later we'll stop to view Hadrian’s Wall before visiting Housesteads Roman Fort – UNESCO heritage site. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant tonight.  

2 Nights Accommodation - White Hart Hotel (or similar)

Day 17 - Wednesday 5 June 2019

Harrogate (B,D)

After breakfast we will drive to York where we will visit York Minster and the Shambles.   York’s world-class cathedral with its medieval stained glass and stone masterpieces and foundations rooted in the nation's earliest history. York Minster’s vast spaces come alive with the sanctity and tradition of worship and heavenly music, but you can also find quiet corners revealing great treasures, unexpected stories and human inspiration.  ‘The Shambles’ is sometimes used as a general term for the maze of twisting, narrow lanes which make York so charming.  At its heart is the lane actually called the Shambles, arguably the best preserved medieval street in the world.  It was mentioned in the Doomsday Book of William the Conqueror in 1086.  Many of the buildings on the street today date back to the late fourteenth and fifteenth century (around 1350-1475).  This afternoon we will also visit Castle Howard including the beautiful house and gardens. With 1,000 acres to explore, Castle Howard is a haven of peace and tranquility with extensive woodland walks, temples, lakes and fountains.  The monumental landscape offers breathtaking views at every turn, taking in the countryside of the Howardian Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Dinner tonight will be served at our hotel.  

Overnight - White Hart Hotel (or similar)

Day 18 - Thursday 6 June 2019

Harrogate - Oxford (B)

Today we depart Harrogate and head south to Stratford Upon Avon where we'll view the main sights of this gorgeous hamlet town.  Stratford-upon-Avon is steeped in the history of its most famous resident, William Shakespeare. This Warwickshire country town contains the home where Shakespeare was born, the cottage where Anne Hathaway resided before their marriage and the church where the couple is buried. Entrance to Shakespeare’s birthplace is included. We'll continue on to Woodstock where entrance to Blenheim Palace and Gardens is included. The palace, one of England's largest houses, was built between 1705 and circa 1722 and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

We'll arrive into Oxford our last stop for the day with dinner at leisure.

Overnight - De Vere Thames (or similar)

Day 19 - Friday 7 June 2019

Oxford - London (B)

This morning after breakfest we travel to Bicester where we will enjoy some shopping time in the village which is home to more than 130 fashion and lifestyle boutiques . Continuing on to Windsor where we will visit the Iconic Windsor Castle, where we'll be able to see Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding outfits!  Later on we'll continue on to London and enjoy an evening at leisure.

2 Nights Accommodation - London - Tower Hotel (or similar)

Day 20 - Saturday 8 June 2019

London (B,D)

Today a free day!  Or if you're interested you might like to visit Kew Gardens (oprtional), home to the largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world . . Tonight we bid farewell to London with a dinner cruise on the Thames where we will be entertained with jazz music and a enjoy a welcome drink.

Overnight - Tower Hotel London (or similar)

Day 21 - Sunday 9 June 2019

London - Melbourne (B)

Today is a day of leisure for last minute packing and shopping.  Late this evening we'll transfer to London Heathrow for our evening flight to Australia via Singapore. Sit back, relax and reminise about great times shared with new friends.  

Day 22 - Monday 10 June 2019

In Flight (Meals Inflight)

Enjoy the inflight entertainment and hospitality of our Airlinesa as we head towards home.

Day 23 -Tuesday 11 June 2019

Welcome Home!

Welcome Home from an amazing adventure!  Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure.