Royal History, British Villages & English Country House Tour

时长: 2 nights, 3 days

位置: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire

价格: From £3000

Discover royal history, British living and English country houses in one of the most desirable parts of Great Britain. Explore on foot, boat, horse and carriage; visit a real-life Downton Abbey; and try your hand at some very British sports and activities!

This tour is ideal for those wanting to see Windsor and the surrounding area in-depth.

Day 1

You will have the chance to visit one of the oldest and most exclusive schools in Britain, have a truly British picnic on the banks of the river Thames, explore Windsor Castle, see some lesser known but beautiful parts of Windsor, and have a private cooking class in which you will learn how to make fudge, a typical English dessert.

Day 2

You can sail along the river Thames on your own private boat, visit a real life Downton Abbey, learn about its scandalous history, enjoy afternoon tea or dinner in its 2 Michelin Star restaurant and even stay the night if you like!

Day 3

Will take us to the Chilterns, where you can visit one of the prettiest villages in Britain, tour a local brewery and winery seeing how British beer and wine is made first hand, and also try some of the produce yourself! Afterwards, why not visit the gardens of the Royal Landscape and have your own private ride in a horse and carriage, the same way the Queen travels when she arrives at the Royal Ascot Races. During this trip you will pass the Guards Polo Club grounds, where the Princes themselves play polo, and may even be lucky enough to see a match in action. Or perhaps you would like to try your hand at another British sport, croquet, and have a lesson in the grounds of a stunning country house. Whatever you choose to do, your British guides will be on hand to tell you more about what you are seeing it.

Windsor, Eton and the surrounding area

AM:
- Meet at Windsor Train Station (Heathrow airport, London train stations or another UK-wide location of your choice may be available on request. Transport times will vary depending on meeting point.)
- Tour of Eton town and College (approx. 2 hours) Visit where royal princes and former prime ministers studied and lived, and hear all about the age-old school traditions that still exist today.
Lunch: Options include:
- A homemade British picnic lunch on the banks of the River Thames (included in the price, weather dependant)
- Lunch in a local restaurant of your choice (recommendations available from your guide)
PM: Options include:
- Excursion to Windsor Castle (approx. 2-3 hours): A trip around the oldest inhabited royal castle in the world and home to the Queen, try and spot her on your way round!
- Fudge making class (approx. 1.5 hours): Learn how to make this traditional British sweet with a fudge-making master, and make your own to take home with you
- The ‘Long Walk’ (Approx. 2-3 hours, 6 mile walk, moderate difficulty): Discover stunning views of Windsor, and spot the deer relaxing in Windsor Great Park on this lesser-known walk to a remarkable statue of one of Britain‘s former kings.
- Walk to the Queen’s Royal Farm Shop at Windsor (approx. 2 hours, 4 miles). A pleasant and straightforward walk to this off-beat attraction in Windsor, and a fantastic opportunity to buy local products made on the Queen‘s Estate
- Transfer to accommodation
- Time at your leisure
- Dinner at a restaurant of your choice, (local recommendations available from your guide)
Day 2: Boat trip to Cliveden and the surrounding area

AM: Breakfast in accommodation.

Private boat ride from Windsor along the River Thames to Cliveden House, a real life Downton Abbey (approx. 2-3 hours). Along the way learn about the rich and famous who live along the banks of the Thames in some of the most expensive houses in the country! See the world’s oldest working railway bridge and hear about who Queen Victoria used to meet for tea on the riverbank.

£ Option of cream tea or afternoon tea during the boat ride.

Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch in the impressive grounds of Cliveden House (included in price, weather dependant)

£ Lunch in a local café or restaurant

£ Lunch in the Cliveden House restaurant, a world class 2 Michelin Star restaurant, with the option to dine in a dining room moved from France to England by its owner because of its sheer beauty and grandeur! (Please note, this must be booked in advance and is subject to availability)

PM: Tour of Cliveden House and gardens, a real life Downton Abbey with 300 years of history and the location of a the UK’s most infamous political scandal that nearly toppled the British government. Learn about the royals and famous characters who used to stay here, including the Queen, former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Charlie Chaplin (approx. 1 hour) If choosing the Castle / Country House option you may even have the opportunity to stay in the House.

And optional:
1. £ Afternoon tea in Cliveden House. British tea with freshly baked scones and sandwiches, all made from ingredients from the local area (approx. 1 – 1.5 hours)
2. (If not staying the night at Cliveden House) Transfer to the Chilterns, a serene and beautiful part of Oxfordshire, and later to your accommodation (approx. 1 – 1.5 hours)
3. Time at your leisure
4. £ Dinner at nearby location of your choice (local recommendations available from your guide)
Day 3: The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

AM: Breakfast in accommodation

Tour of a typical village in the Chiltern Hills, voted one of the most beautiful villages in the whole of Britain (approx. 1 hour).

And choice of

£ Country walk in the Chilterns, discover the nature, peace, fresh air and charm of the countryside first hand (approx xxx miles and 2 hours).

OR

£ Trip to a local British winery and brewery. Take a guided tour of the family-run brewery, see how British beer and wine is made, taste the products and buy your friends and family some authentic British alcohol! (approx 1.5 hours)

Lunch: £ Homemade British picnic lunch in the Chiltern countryside (included in price, weather dependant) OR £ Lunch in local pub or cafe (recommendations available from your guide)

PM: A choice of:
1. £ Transfer to Virginia Water, part of the Queen’s Royal Landscape, and enjoy a guided 40-minute ride around the gardens in horse and carriage. See some of the Queen’s favourite relaxation spots and admire the beauty of the royal gardens (approx 1 hour).
2. £ Excursion around Savill Gardens, the pride and joy of the Royal Estate and home to some of the most impressive flora and fauna in the world (approx 1 hour).
3. £ Visit the royal polo grounds, and perhaps even see a match in action. Who knows, even the Princes themselves might be playing! Learn about the history of the sport and just why the British are only matched by the Argentineans. (Subject to availability, must be booked in advance, approx 15 mins without match, 1-2 hours with match. Please note that polo is a seasonal sport in Britain and match fixtures vary.)
4. £ Afternoon tea in Coworth Park, a 5-star British Country House and Spa, and part of the world-famous Dorchester Collection. Visit the grounds and marvel at the grandeur and size of this quintessentially British estate (approx. 1.5 hours).
5. £ A luxurious meal at Coworth Park’s 5-star restaurant (subject to availability, must be booked in advance)
6. £ A croquet lesson in the grounds of the Coworth Park estate with a professional croquet master. Learn how to play this typically British sport in the spectacular grounds of a country house (approx. 1-1.5 hours).
7. Evening transfer to Windsor station where your tour ends (drop-off at Heathrow airport, London train stations or another UK-wide location of your choice may be available on request. Transport times will vary depending on meeting point.)