Exploring Bristol, Oxford and London
Moderate pace with leisurely intermittent walks up to 2 hours on a variety of terrain, including cobblestones and moderate hills. Must be able to climb at least two flights of stairs, negotiate steps without railings and tolerate periods of standing during guided tours. Some days may include 3–5 km of walking over the course of the day.
We depart for London.
We arrive and transfer to our centrally located hotel in Bristol for a 6-night stay. Tonight is our Welcome Dinner.
Our city tour begins at the historic waterfront, where we’ll visit the SS Great Britain and see what life was like on the world’s first great luxury liner. Then we’ll experience Being Brunel, where we will learn about the ingenious engineer who changed the face of England with his bridges, tunnels, dockyards, and railways. We finish the day with a leisurely walking tour of Bristol’s historic centre.
Today we meander through the sleepy, honey-coloured villages of the Cotswolds, a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We make a stop to visit magnificent Berkeley Castle, the UK’s oldest medieval castle to be occupied by the same family from its inception (1153!) to today.
A day at leisure to explore stunning architecture, award-winning attractions, great restaurants, and stunning cityscapes.
We begin in the UNESCO City of Bath, home to stunning Georgian architecture, the iconic Royal Crescent, the majestic Circus, and Pulteney Bridge. Then it’s off to Bradford-on-Avon, where the town’s ancient, picturesque bridge still retains its original 13th-century arches. You will have some free time to explore before we head back to Bristol and dinner at a charming local pub
Lacock Abbey is considered the birthplace of photography: it was here that William Fox-Talbot took his first photograph in the early 1830s. Lacock village is wonderfully preserved, with no television aerials and few signs of the modern world. After our visit to the Abbey, we’ll explore Tetbury, known for its antique shops and proximity to King Charles’s residence at Highgrove. We will enjoy a traditional Afternoon Tea in Tetbury.
Today we visit Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill and home to one of Europe’s finest antique collections. We’ll tour the State Rooms, explore 2000 acres of landscaped parkland, and see some of the finest views in England. From here, we will drive to our hotel in the Oxford countryside for a 5-night stay.
Henley-on-Thames is one of England’s most beautiful towns and is also famous for its internationally-renowned rowing regatta. We begin with a cruise along the regatta route, then tour the Chiltern Hills, dotted with quaint villages with typical brick and flint architecture. This evening we enjoy dinner in a local pub.
On our guided walking tour of Oxford, we’ll see ancient university buildings and hidden alleyways, visit Radcliffe Square and Bodleian Libraries, and see some of the oldest colleges. We’ll learn about the city’s past and some of the famous characters who studied here. There will be free time to explore on our own.
Explore more of the fascinating city of Oxford, or take a walk through the nearby market town of Thame.
Our first stop is Aylesbury, known for its vibrant (and wonderfully browsable) antique market. Then it’s off to Waddesdon Manor, a French Renaissance manor house inspired by the chateaux in the Loire Valley. Built by the Rothschild family in the 19th century, it boasts exceptional architecture, an extensive art collection and stunning gardens.
We’ll enjoy a walking tour and a visit to Windsor Castle, one of the King’s official residences and the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. After our visit we proceed to London.
On this morning’s guided sightseeing tour we’ll see many of London’s famous sights: Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, and more. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. Tonight, it’s our Farewell Dinner—and cheers to an incredible tour!
Air Canada takes us home.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (120 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
