London & Downton Abbey

Overview

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA/Overnight Flight

• Board your overnight flight for London

Day 2: London

4 nights The Grange Holborn Hotel, London or similar.

• Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel
• Balance of the day at leisure

Full Day Itinerary: Upon arrival in London you'll be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy the balance of the day to relax, unwind, and enjoy the facilities of the hotel. Or, venture out for your first exploration of the city. Your hotel is conveniently located near Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben. A short ride on the underground provides easy access to Piccadilly Circus and many of London's other main attractions.

 

Day 3: London

Breakfast.

• Full day at leisure or join an optional tour

Optional Excursion: Stonehenge & Bath, with entry to the Roman Baths, $120. Today, depart for Stonehenge and Bath. One of the great enigmas of ancient engineering, Stonehenge stands alone in a vast empty tract of the Salisbury plain. Dating back nearly 5,000 years, it has been a pillar of paganism and spiritual worship, but its origin is still hotly debated among academics and Anglophiles, alike.

Who carried and carved these 40-ton rocks and what was their purpose? Perhaps an observatory, a temple to the sun, or an elaborate cemetery, Stonehenge will fascinate and confound as you weigh the facts and form your own opinion. Afterward, we head to the beautiful Georgian city of Bath in time for lunch (on your own).

With fabulous restaurants, coffee shops, and pubs, Bath has no shortage of places to eat. Following a scenic drive to the heart of the city, you will have time to explore independently. Your ticket includes entrance to the Roman Baths, built nearly 2,000 years ago on Britain's only natural hot spring. At the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can walk around the steaming water on the Roman stone paving and admire the ancient Roman statues and architecture. Be sure to see Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge overlooking the river Avon. Perhaps visit the Jane Austen Centre and the elegant Assembly Rooms built in 1771. Return to London at approximately at 7:30 pm.

Day 4: London, Oxford, Bampton & Highclere Castle

Breakfast.

• Enjoy a unique tour of Oxford
• Explore Bampton, the setting of various Downton Abbey village scenes
• Visit Highclere Castle (where Downton Abbey was filmed) for a guided tour

Full Day Itinerary: This morning, travel to Oxford, the City of Dreaming Spires. Boasting one of the world's greatest and oldest universities, as well as, some of the finest architecture in Europe, you will enjoy a unique tour journeying through ivy-clad stone walls into Oxford's chapels, halls, and libraries. Afterward, enjoy some time at leisure to explore on your own and buy souvenirs before heading to Bampton.

This quintessentially British village is one of Britain's true hidden treasures. Bampton serves as the setting of various village scenes from the Downton Abbey series. You will visit the Church, Mathew Crawley's mother's house, the hospital and more, before travelling to Downton Abbey's most recognizable setting.

Officially known as Highclere Castle, one of England's most beautiful Victorian castles, the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon will open their home, welcoming you to enjoy a tour of the setting of the hit PBS television series. Designed by architect Sir Charles Barry, who also designed the Houses of Parliament, Highclere Castle is the countryseat of the Earl of Carnarvon. You will be guided through the public rooms including the magnificent main hall, the library, sitting rooms, and state rooms in addition to other areas featured in the filming of Downton Abbey. Afterward, spend some time enjoying the parklands created by Lancelot “Capability” Brown, who also designed the grounds of Blenheim Palace. Or, simply indulge yourself with tea and cake in one of Highclere Castle's many tea rooms while reading your signed copy of Lady Carnarvon's autobiography. Return to London at approximately 7:30 pm.

Day 5: London

Breakfast.

• Enjoy a half-day Vintage London Bus Tour & Thames Cruise
• Balance of the day at leisure

Full Day Itinerary: Enjoy a hearty English breakfast then set out on a half-day Vintage London Bus Tour & Thames Cruise. Whether you've visited London before or are a first-timer, you'll be delighted by the great views of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London and the London Eye, as you drive through the city aboard your 1950's era double-decker Routemaster bus. Then, board your river boat for a cruise along the River Thames. You'll have an opportunity to view and photograph Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Cleopatra's Needle and London Bridge, before arriving at Westminster pier. Re-join the bus and head for Buckingham Palace to see the iconic Changing of the Guard. (Changing of the Guard is not daily and may not occur on the day of the tour.)

Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore the sights and sounds of London on your own or join an optional tour, purchasable directly at your hotel. Get a 360 degree view of the entire city by taking a ride on the London Eye or stay grounded for a more intimate approach to the city. View antiquities from around the world at The British Museum, one the greatest collections of art at the National Gallery, and, for modern art, visit the Tate Gallery of Modern Art. If you have a taste for London's macabre past, be sure to visit the Tower of London. Famous as a place of imprisonment and execution, it has also been used as an armory, a mint, a royal residence, a menagerie, and observatory; and is still used as a safe-deposit box for the Crown Jewels. Or, simply, take a walk in Kensington Gardens, home to Kensington Palace, the Italian Gardens, the Albert Memorial, and the Serpentine Gallery.

 

Day 6: London/USA

Breakfast.

• Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA

Reviews & Photos

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 21 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about England? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.

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