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The Great West Way® – England's Icons and Scenic Countryside

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Windsor, Bath, Salisbury, Oxford, Lacock, Stonehenge, Avebury, Castle Coombe and Malmesbury

3 days/2 nights from London

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Classic Icons of Britain!

Overviewicon Itineraryicon

This tour begins and ends in London.

 

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

Day 1

Depart London at 09:00 and go to the gem Windsor. Windsor Castle is over 900 years old, having begun construction under William the Conqueror, and is still the main Royal residence for the Monarchy. This was Henry VIII’s favorite residence, especially for hunting. He is buried on the grounds in St George’s Chapel alongside his 3rd wife, Jane Seymour, the mother of his only male heir. Queen Elizabeth I spent much time here too, regarding it as a safe haven "knowing it could stand a siege if need be."

 

Later, via the olde coaching road, we make our way to Bath. See Stonehenge’s “cousin” Avebury, a stone monument so large that an entire town was built around it.

 

Also some time in medieval village of Lacock, which has hardly changed in the past 200 years. With its magnificent abbey, half timbered cottages and greystone houses, it provides a perfect setting. This lovely place has been used as a film set for many popular films such as the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle production of Pride and Prejudice, the BBC series of Cranford and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

 

As our night stop location, we will have ample time to explore Bath, the city of Georgian splendor and Roman antiquity over these few days!

 

OVERNIGHT: Bath

PROPERTY: The Kennard, Edgar Townhouse or similar, http://www.kennard.co.uk/ https://www.edgar-townhouse.co.uk/

 

Day 2

A day simply filled with classical British places! In Bath, your guide will take you on an orientation tour of Jane Austen’s city. This place was enjoyed by the social set of the 18th and 19th centuries, a setting for many writers. Austen fans will immediately recognize several streets and squares from her novels such as Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. If you haven’t been before, we recommend time in the Roman Baths and Pump Rooms or you could visit the Jane Austen Centre or simply wander the lovely tea rooms and antique shops – the choice is yours!

 

Salisbury is another port of call, where we can pay our respects inside the stunning gothic cathedral and see one of the greatest pieces of writing, the Magna Carta.

 

Our pre-historic ancestors left behind them some of the most enigmatic and mysterious monuments to be found anywhere in the world. What was the great Stonehenge designed for? Is it a temple? A market place? A calendar? Or maybe a signal to outer space visitors? You can decide for yourself on a visit to the new stunning interactive visitor centre and the stones themselves.

 

OVERNIGHT: Bath, same property as above

Day 3

Traveling via one of “the prettiest villages of England” Castle Combe, visit the charming town of Malmesbury. Here we can see Abbey House, the labor of love created by ‘the naked gardeners’ Ian and Barbara Pollard. The 5 acre grounds of the town’s 16th century abbey has been transformed in recent years, a popular retreat bursting with a variety of colour – both flowers and the personalities of the designers.

 

Spend time in the ‘city of the dreaming spires’ Oxford. This is the jewel in the literary crown. The Dean of Mathematics at Christchurch College was one Charles Dodgson, better known as ‘Lewis Carroll’ and one finds ‘Alice’ everywhere here. See the ancient pub in the town centre where the Inklings (CS Lewis, Tolkien…) met to talk and drink. And, of course, contemporary literature is represented by Colin Dexter’s detective ‘Morse’ and there is Harry’s ‘Hogwarts’ to discover too. A walking tour of the city will introduce you to these highlights and to many others.

 

Return to London by this evening.

 

 

 

Please note: All attraction opening times are correct at time of printing this website. While we will do our utmost to include all of the properties mentioned as central visits, we reserve the right to change an attraction should it become impossible to deliver a planned visit due to changes in opening days or times beyond our control.

 

Oft imitated, never duplicated! This is an original SGT itinerary, property of Special Group Tours and to be used only with express permission/in conjunction with SGT.

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What Your Tour Package Includes

3 touring days with driver/guide companion, accommodation for 2 nights while on the tour including breakfast daily, entrance fees to listed attractions, transportation and all taxes and tips other than those you may wish to give your guide.

 

Dinners, beverages and any items of a personal nature are not included in the package price.

 

Airport transfers, accommodation pre and post tour, London city tours, London attraction passes and London transport passes are not included but can be added to your package for the appropriate supplemental cost. Ask us for details.

 

SGT is at your service!

Mapicon Why SGT?icon

The Special Group Tours Advantage is our unique and intimate understanding of what you expect traveling in the UK and Europe. We have not only visited but have spent many years living in and loving the cultures you will experience down the ‘B’ Roads and off the beaten track. We have worked with local suppliers and our guide/companion team for over a decade, creating unique special interest itineraries. Special Group Tours offers our “insider” knowledge to you.

 

The SGT Small Group Touring Concept is traveling with just 4 - 14 guests per departure. It is our aim to introduce you to the 'real' country and its people, not just ticking the boxes of a standardized route and treating you as an individual and not a number. Our concept allows for a leisurely touring pace and flexibility to get off the beaten track to discover hidden gems. Of course you'll see the major sites but so much more too!

 

At Special Group Tours, it is our priority that you have the most enjoyable holiday possible. You deserve it!