Iconic England and the Great British Garden

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Friday July 17: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Saturday July 18: Chester

Please arrive to the Manchester Airport, where we’ll meet and transfer as a group to our nearby hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may not be able to check into your room right away. This afternoon, when the whole group has gathered (please make sure that you book flights that get you to Manchester by 1:00 pm), we will have an excursion to Arley Hall. This beautiful Elizabethan country house has been in the same family for over 550 years, and its gardens are renowned throughout the world. Opening days for the Hall have not been released yet for 2026, but we will have a tour of the gardens before returning to our hotel for dinner. (D)

Day 3, Sunday July 19: York

Leaving our hotel this morning, we make our way into England’s lovely and unspoiled Peak District National Park. We visit the magnificent stately home and gardens of Chatsworth House, the Duke of Devonshire’s estate. This afternoon, we drive north to the city of York, a wonderfully preserved medieval city with intact city walls. We’ll check in and have dinner at our city-centre hotel this evening. (B,D)

Day 4, Monday July 20: York

Enjoy a full day exploring the historic City of York. The day begins with a guided tour of the magnificent York Minster, followed by a private tour of the Treasurer’s House, including its intriguing cellars, said to be haunted by the ghosts of the Roman Ninth Legion (subject to availability). York boasts a wealth of fascinating museums, from the Jorvik Viking Centre, which vividly recreates the town’s Viking history, to the Castle Museum, renowned for its extraordinary collection of Victoriana. The afternoon and evening are yours to discover York at your own pace, exploring its many sights, hidden gems, and diverse dining options. (B)

Day 5, Tuesday July 21: York

This morning, we first head to beautiful Grassington in The Yorkshire Dales, where the second series of All Creatures Great and Small was filmed. This is a quintessential Yorkshire village set in beautiful scenery; a lovely place to get acquainted with James Herriot country. We’ll stop here for lunch and then continue to Hawes, in the very heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This afternoon we will have a private working sheepdog demonstration with renowned trainer, Richard Fawcett, and then visit the Wensleydale Creamery, home of the eponymous Wensleydale cheese. We return to York for a free evening. (B)

Day 6, Wednesday July 22: Norwich

Our journey this morning takes us south to the city of Lincoln, founded by the Romans shortly after the invasion of Britain in 45 AD. We’ll take a walking tour of the city center with a local guide and visit the magnificent Gothic cathedral and the castle, originally built by William the Conqueror shortly after he invaded the country! The castle houses one of the original 4 copies of the Magna Carta. After time for lunch and a little individual exploration we continue into East Anglia, to the town of Sheringham. Dinner awaits us at our country house hotel here. (B,D)

Day 7, Thursday July 23: Norwich

A full day today at nearby Sandringham House. Built in 1870 for the then Prince and Princess of Wales, Sandringham has been described as “the most comfortable of houses,” and is, of course, where the Royal Family traditionally spends Christmas. We will visit the museum, tour the state apartments and have time to wander in the gardens. An additional treat is in store this year, as the Royal Horticultural Society is, for the first time, hosting one of their garden shows on the estate. We’ll return to our hotel with time to freshen up before dinner. (B,D)

Day 8, Friday July 24: London

Continuing our journey south, our first stop today is the university town of Cambridge. A local guide will take us on a walking tour of the city center, including a visit to King’s College Chapel. There will be free time for lunch, a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum, one of the finest collections of paintings in the country, or perhaps a little shopping, before we drive down to London. After checking in to our hotel the evening is free to take in a show and/or sample a local restaurant. (B)

Day 9, Saturday July 25: London

This morning brings us to the King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace for the exhibition “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style.” This is billed as the “most comprehensive display of the Queen’s sartorial style ever assembled.” The afternoon is free for personal exploration before gathering again this evening at our hotel for a farewell dinner. (B,D)

Day 10, Sunday July 26: Departure

Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)