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UK TOURS
Gems of
Olde England
Monday 7 – Friday 11 May 2012
Itinerary
Day 1: Following your home pickup
we travel to Burghley House where we
have a guided tour. This is a real
treasure house dating back to the
time of Queen Elizabeth I and the tour
offers a great insight into life in a
stately home over the centuries.
Afterwards we drive to the
Rockingham Forest Hotel for our stay.
Day 2: We head along the edge of
Rutland Water to the little village of
Exton. Here we visit the famous
Barnsdale Gardens, familiar to many
TV viewers as home of the late Geoff
Hamilton, and Gardeners World. Later
we leave for Oakham, county town of
Rutland. Rutland is England’s smallest
county and Oakham’s stylish
boutiques and exclusive little gift
shops are a delight. To end the tour
we visit the superb 900 years old
Rockingham Castle. Previously it was
a Royal Castle and home to many
generations of the Watson family. The
interior has a strong Tudor flavour,
including the Great Hall and Long
Gallery. It stands on an escarpment
giving dramatic views over the
Welland Valley and five counties.
Day 3: This morning we drive to the
historic Stamford. Take a walk around
the historic town there is much to
admire, from the beautiful architecture
to the delightful shops, with an
abundance of coffee shop and pubs
where you can obtain lunch. In the
afternoon we drive to Grimsthorpe
Castle. Here we enjoy a guided tour of
the castle and the park. The castle is
the magnificent centrepiece of the
estate. A large quadrangular house,
with a central courtyard, each section
has a different appearance, reflecting
the changing styles of architecture
since building began in the 13th
century.
Day 4: This morning we make for the
little village of Foxton. Here we board
‘Vagabond’, an elegant vintage motor
launch, for a trip on the Grand Union
Canal, through the Foxton flight of 10
locks and peaceful countryside. At
Foxton there is a canalside pub where
refreshments are available. We head
for Rugby for our lunch break. This
afternoon we visit Coton Manor
Wildlife Garden. This peaceful ten acre
garden occupies a hillside position
extending from the 17th century
manor house.
Day 5: After checking out of our hotel
we head to Cambridge, where we
enjoy a river punt with strawberries
and cream. Explore the famous
colleges and the ‘Backs’ as well as
the contrasting city centre with its
modern day shops. Later we leave for
home where our door to door service
will be waiting to take you home.
bW RoCkINGHaM foRESt HotEL ★★★ Rockingham
The Rockingham Forest Hotel is on the edge of the village, with the
magnificent Rockingham Castle nearby. An excellent standard of
accommodation is offered and all bedrooms are en suite and have
television, telephone, hairdryer and tea & coffee facilities. The hotel
does not have a lift but rooms are ground and first floor only.
PRICE INCLUDES
• Luxury executive coach travel • Excursions as specified
• Dinner, bed & breakfast • Door to door service
REF: INSURANCE SINGLE SUP
AWE 2039 £21 £Nil (Ltd Availability)
5 DAYS
£399
Wiltshire
Wanderer
Monday 7 – Friday 11 May 2012
Itinerary
Day 1: Following your home pickup,
we make our way to the Madison
Hotel.
Day 2: Today we enjoy a day in the
Cotswolds. We stop in Burford, a small
town with an attractive high street
flanked by ancient buildings, inns and
little shops and tea rooms. We then
make our way to Moreton-in-the-
Marsh, before continuing on to
Bourton-on-the-Water. This popular
village straddles the River Windrush,
and is crossed by many pretty little
stone bridges.
Day 3: This morning we make our
way to Avebury where you can marvel
at the famous stone circle. We then
head to the National Trust village of
Lacock with its 17th and 18th century
appearance. Blink twice and you are
back in the England of centuries ago.
This afternoon we make the short
journey to Bowood House, Wiltshire’s
‘hidden treasure’. This stately home is
28 www.eastonsholidays.co.uk
also a family residence with a mixture
of historical treasures in well loved
surroundings. The gardens feature
rolling lawns, magnificent trees and a
tranquil lake, as well as flower filled
terraces. The Lansdowne family have
spend over 250 years collecting art
and treasures including Queen
Victoria’s wedding chair, the Keith
Jewellery Collection and Napoleon’s
death mask.
Day 4: Our excursion today takes us
along Pewsey Vale to the Wiltshire
town of Devizes for morning coffee.
From here from here we continue
across Salisbury Plain, past historic
Stonehenge, to the Cathedral City of
Salisbury. Here we have time for lunch
and to explore the city before we
leave and make our way back to our
hotel via Marlborough.
Day 5: After breakfast sadly we must
leave to begin our homeward journey,
where our door to door service will be
waiting to take you home.
MaDISoN HotEL ★★★ Stratton St Margaret
The 3 Star rated Madison Hotel is situated at Stratton St Margaret, on
the outskirts of Swindon. Bedrooms are large and well appointed, and
hotel facilities include Olio Bar and restaurant. All bedrooms are en
suite, and have television, telephone and tea & coffee making
facilities.
PRICE INCLUDES
• Luxury executive coach travel • Excursions as specified
• Dinner, bed & breakfast • Door to door service
REF: INSURANCE SINGLE SUP
AWE 2040 £21 £Nil (Ltd Availability)
5 DAYS
£315