England

Half Day West End

London is the center of the United Kingdom, and was once the center of a worldwide empire, a fact very much evidenced on this 4 hour tour of the city’s West End. Perhaps nowhere else displays this global heritage as comprehensively as the British Museum, where your tour will begin. Countless historical treasures can be found within the cavernous halls. Next is Trafalgar Square, one of London’s most celebrated public areas, ornamented with Napoleonic memorials. Continuing along the River Thames leads to Westminster, the literal and figurative ticking heart of Great Britain. Here the Palace of Westminster hosts sessions of parliament, with the iconic tower holding Big Ben looking on from above. Westminster Abbey, where England’s monarchs are crowned, is nearby. The final stop on the tour will be Buckingham palace, just in time for the changing of the guard.

(Changing of the Guard weather permitting).

4 hrs

Half Day East End

Explore the historical center of London and its mix of modern and medieval on this 4 hour tour.  Known as the “City of London,” this area dates to the original Roman settlement of Londinium. Begin at Temple Bar, its traditional western boundary, and head east down Fleet Street. Long the home of Britain’s press, it has now become a hub of banking and finance. At the other end is St. Paul’s Cathedral. The 17th century Baroque masterpiece of architect Sir Christopher Wren, its dome braved the Blitz of World War II unscathed, and was London’s highest point until 1962. At the other end of central London is the Tower of London, the infamous medieval castle and prison currently home to the Crown Jewels. Finally, cross to the right bank of the Thames to explore the HMS Belfast and Imperial War Museums.

4 hrs

Half Day Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle offers the same royal grandeur as Buckingham Palace, while swapping the urban chaos for stately rural tranquility. Guarding the western outskirts of London from a hill above the Thames, the castle dates from the 11th century Norman invasion, and has been home to English monarchs ever since. On this 4 hour trip to the castle, you will witness nearly a millennium of changing royal tastes in both the architecture and decoration. The State Apartments contain rooms displaying the height of design in Classical, Gothic, and high Baroque finishes. The visit is made complete with the elaborate changing of the guard ceremony, featuring full military colors and band.Changing of the guard takes place daily at 11:00 a.m., except on Sunday. When the Queen is not present, a drum and pipe band is mustered.

4 hrs

Evening

Opt out of the worst crowds and allow for a little nightlife with our evening sightseeing. This 4 hour time frame can be filled by either of the half day city tour options, each with unique added atmosphere. On the West End trek, the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus and bustle of Soho offer a new face to the city. The East End tour is brought to dazzling life by the towering skyline of modern buildings. 8:00p.m. – midnight

4 hrs

Full Day London

London is hardly a city to be seen in one day, much less half of one. Avoid the pressure of deciding on a restrictive itinerary with this 8 package combining the full slate of both our half day city tours. Visiting the most famous sights along the River Thames, this tour offers an excellent way to establish one’s bearings and cover the essentials. Beginning in style with Buckingham Palace, and moving through Whitehall and Westminster, explore the historical center of the British Empire. Big Ben, the offices and buildings of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey are the main sights. Next, stop at Trafalgar Square before visiting the British Museum. Continue down the river to the bustling traffic of Fleet Street, and then to the iconic dome of St. Paul’s church. End the whirlwind day with the infamous Tower of London, home to the Crown Jewels. 

8 hrs

Full Day Eton, Windsor, Hampton Court

The Royal luxury of outer London makes for an exciting day trip on this 8 hour journey. After leaving the city behind, the first stop of the tour is Eton. An otherwise sleepy hamlet, Eton plays host to a prestigious boarding school of the same name, founded by King Henry VI in the 15th century. Directly across the river is Windsor castle, a royal residence in use longer than any palace in Europe. Over 9 centuries of direct Royal patronage has made the medieval fortress into a visual library of western fine arts, with the State Apartments showcasing the furnishings of styles from gothic to modern. The final stop is Hampton Court. Unlike Windsor, Hampton has seen little of the Royal family over the years, but nonetheless hosts brilliant gardens and architecture dating from the Tudor period.

8 hrs

Full Day Oxford, Blenheim Palace

Rub elbows with the brightest minds around as you visit one of the oldest and most prestigious universities worldwide on this 8 hour day trip. Made up of over 40 institutions including residential colleges and university departments, some dating to the 13th century, the university is nestled seamlessly within the small country town. Fascinating architectural works are interspersed amongst the university buildings, including the domed Radcliffe Camera, and the various “Dreaming Spires” that make up the skyline. Outside of the town is the extravagant Blenheim Palace. Created on a scale meant to rival Versailles, this baroque estate was built as a symbol of gratitude from the Crown to its owner, the Duke of Marlborough, who appropriately earned the honor by defeating the armies of Louis XIV in 1704. The Duke’s descendants, the Churchill family, continue to hold the palace, including former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who was both born and buried there.

8 hrs

Full Day Canterbury, Leeds Castle

Escape to the countryside of southeast England on this 8 hour day trip to the main sights of Kent. Upon arriving at Canterbury, the first part of the journey begins. A city with ancient roots, it has been famous since its reference in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, as the home of Canterbury Cathedral. The Archbishop who calls the church home is the head of the Church of England, and by extension, the Anglican faith worldwide. The Cathedral itself traces its history to 1070, and has been expanded significantly over time to reach its current colossal, Romanesque/Gothic appearance. Before returning to London, stop to admire Leeds Castle. An estate that has fallen in and out of Royal hands, its Tudor facade and serene moat have earned it praise as “the loveliest castle” in the world.

8 hrs

Full Day Chartwell, Hever Castle

Two estates richly steeped with popular English history are the destinations of this 8 hour day trip into the countryside of western Kent. The first is Chartwell, the longtime residence of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Churchill himself oversaw the renovation of the interior, which remains preserved today. Next is Hever Castle, family home to Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII. Inside the castle-like manor house are an array of antique decorations and items belonging to the Tudor period. The estate also features a garden in Italian Renaissance style built by William Waldorf Astor, who owned the estate for much of the 20th century. 

8 hrs

Full Day Shakespeare, Cotswolds

This 9 hour journey through the English midlands features the rolling hills and villages of the Cotswolds and Warwickshire. In addition to the abundance of green rustic scenes, the region plays host to the heritage of William Shakespeare. In Stratford-upon-Avon, the great writer’s birth home, his school, and his resting place at Trinity Church have been preserved as a collective museum of his outstanding legacy. Next is Warwick, home to a fantastic castle that houses impressive collections of medieval weaponry and artifacts.

9 hrs

Full Day Bath, Stonehenge

Ancient marvels and Georgian sensibilities highlight this 9 hour day trip to western England. In the city of Bath, the remains of the Roman complex which gives the city its name are well preserved. The natural springs that supplied the complex have since been commandeered by modern spa-goers. Most of the city’s architecture dates from the 18th century in the Georgian style, exemplified by the row houses of the Royal crescent, built out of the region’s golden sandstone. On the return to London, explore one of Britain’s most recognizable landmarks, the mysterious monoliths of Stonehenge. Built in prehistoric times and aligned precisely to certain astronomical phenomena, the engineering and purpose of the monument has puzzled scholars for centuries.

9 hrs