Cathedral, Castle and Stately Home Tour of England

Join us on a Cathedral Tour of England to include Westminster Abbey, Salisbury Cathedral, St Paul's Cathedral, Wells Cathedral and many other Cathedrals.

Our first suggested itinerary may catch your eye! However we are happy to offer free alternations in order to meet your exact requirements for a Cathedral Tour...

Cathedral Tour - Sample Inclusions

Tour dates can be based around a major event for example "Three Choirs Festival".
Guided tours by the head guide at the Cathedrals in order to make the visits more memorable.
Opportunity to view the different types of Cathedral archiecture to include Gothic etc.
We can arrange private services at the Cathedrals if you are accompanied on the tour by your own priest.
For Choirs we can arrange performances at the Cathedrals.
Perhaps combine the Cathedral Tour with some general sightseeing so that we can include some Medieval Castles and Stately Mansions/Houses in England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

During your tour a 24 hour emergency telephone number will be issued, to ensure that your Cathedral Tour runs smoothly.

Sample Itinerary - Cathedral Tour of England

Day One - Depart for your flight to England.

Day Two- Arrive into London Heathrow Airport, where you will be met by your driver/guide for the transfer into central London for a sightseeing tour of the city to include the major sights. A visit will be included to St Paul’s Cathedral, the fourth cathedral to occupy this site and was designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Its architectural and artistic importance reflect the determination of the five monarchs who oversaw its building that London’s leading church should be as beautiful and imposing as their private palaces. Continue to your centrally located hotel, which will be your base for the next 3 nights. This will be followed by the rest of the day at leisure to relax after your long journey.

Day Three- After breakfast enjoy a morning visit to Lambeth Palace, the last survivor of the great London seats of the Bishops along the south bank of the Thames. The Archbishop of Canterbury has owned it since about 1200. This will be followed by an afternoon visit to Westminster Abbey, one of Britain's finest Gothic buildings, founded by Edward the Confessor in the eleventh century. Coronations, marriages and funerals of British monarchs have taken place there ever since, including the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. Visitors can see the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, Royal Tombs, the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor, the Coronation Chair, the Lady Chapel and Poets' Corner as well as the Royal Chapels. Finally enjoy a chance of pace with a cruise on the River Thames. Dinner at leisure to sample some of the fine restaurants that London has to offer.

Day Four- Early departure to Canterbury for a visit to the Cathedral, which since the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in the Cathedral in 1170 it has attracted thousands of pilgrims. This will be followed by a visit to Leeds Castle, the loveliest castle in the world, surrounded by 500 acres of magnificent parkland and gardens and set in the middle of a natural lake. Return to London late afternoon.

Day Five - Depart London for the journey to Cambridge for a visit to its colleges to include Christ’s College, entered through an imposing 16th century Gatehouse, still boasting its original oak doors. This will be followed by a visit to Magdalene College, which in 1428 King Henry VI approved the establishment of a hostel on the site for Benedictine monks coming from their abbey monasteries in the Fenland to study Canon Law at the University. Continue to Peterborough for a visit to its Cathedral, an undiscovered gem with magnificent Norman architecture and a unique 13th century nave ceiling. After your visit enjoy Evensong before continuing to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day Six - Depart Peterborough for the journey to Coventry for a visit to the remains of the medieval Cathedral, bombed in 1940 and stands besides the new Cathedral by Basil Spence, consecrated in 1962. A visit will also be included to the new cathedral before taking a tour of the lovely honey stone coloured Cotswolds villages to include time for browsing in the quaint villages and to include a traditional English afternoon tea. Finally continue to Oxford to check-in at your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day Seven - Join your guide for a walking tour of Oxford to include a visit to Magdalen College (pronounced 'Maudlin') and has a reputation as one of Oxford's most beautiful colleges. The famous Great Tower (by William Reynolds) stands sentinel beside Magdalen Bridge and inside the college you will find peaceful cloister gardens, riverside walks and a deer park where a herd of fallow deer has been kept for over 300 years. A visit will also be included to Christ Church College, the largest and wealthiest Oxford College and home to the smallest cathedral in Britain. With Henry VIII as a founder, the college has always had a Royal heritage and played host to court and parliament during the Great Plagues and Civil War of the 17th century. Continue to Bath for a walking tour to include a visit to the Roman Baths & Pump Room, the best preserved Roman religious Spa from the ancient world. Check-in at your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day Eight - Depart Bath for the journey to Wells, began as a holy place, taking its name from the springs in what are now the Bishop’s Palace grounds. On arrival visit the Cathedral and the first church was built near the wells in 705 and the present cathedral buildings was begun in 1180. It is one of the most impressive of the English cathedrals and has survived eight centuries and dominates the attractive small city of Wells. Enjoy some free time for lunch before continuing to Salisbury for a walking tour of the city to include a visit to the Cathedral, with its tallest spire in England.

Day Nine - Enjoy some free time in Salisbury for some last minute shopping or independent sightseeing before continuing to Windsor for a late afternoon visit to the castle, set high above the River Thames it has been home to the Royal Family for 900 years. You will have an opportunity to explore the magnificent State Apartments, still used on State occasions and for royal receptions; St George’s Chapel, the burial place of many Kings and Queens, and the home of our senior order of chivalry, the Order of the Garter. Continue to your airport hotel for a Farewell dinner and overnight.

Day Ten - Take the short journey to the airport for your return flight home.

Tours of Excellence
Telephone - 0151 339 0640
Email - paula@toursofexcellence.com
Web address - www.toursofexcellence.com