The Romantic Sights of the South

Day 1             London – Winchester

Collect the hire car and leave London towards the South coast, before reaching Winchester. Winchester, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Wessex, is famous for its links to the legendary King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The city is also well known for being the birthplace of Jane Austen, the famous author of novels such as ‘Emma’, ‘Pride and Prejudice’, and ‘Sense and Sensibility’. Her house, Chawton Cottage, can be visited, as can her grave at Winchester Cathedral, the 900-year-old Saxon building which is the main attraction of the city. Worth visiting as well are the grounds of the famous school, Winchester College. Dinner & hotel in either Winchester or Southampton.

Day 2             Winchester – Salisbury – Stonehenge – Bristol

Head to the west to Salisbury. Visit the striking 13^th century Salisbury Cathedral, a landmark for miles around, before investigating this fascinating city. Afterwards visit Wilton House just west of the city and then move onto the world-famous circle of mysterious monoliths at Stonehenge. From here continue west to Somerset passing through the typical English villages of Lacock and Castle Combe. Dinner & hotel in Bristol.

Day 3             Bristol – Bath – Somerset – Bristol

Spend the day in Bath and Bristol. Bristol is a city that manages to combine modernity and history to create a very interesting experience. The city is filled with bars, pubs, and restaurants in both the trendy new Harborside area and also in the old port. You can also see two works by the famous British engineer Isambard Brunel, the Clifton Suspension Bridge with its breathtaking views over the Avon Gorge and also the SS Great Britain, the world’s first iron steamship. On the other hand, Bath was a popular spa town for the English aristocracy in the 18^th century and it contains a vast range of exceptional Georgian architecture. You can visit the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge. Alternatively head out into the countryside to Shaftesbury, where you can visit the ruins of the town’s ancient abbey, and then head up to the spectacular Stourhead Gardens, dating back all the way to the 18^th century, near Stourton. From there continue westwards to Glastonbury Abbey, where it is said that King Arthur was buried alongside his Queen, Guinevere, and then go north to the tranquil town of Wells where you can visit the cathedral. Dinner & hotel in Bristol.

Day 4             Bristol – Cotswolds – Stratford-upon-Avon

Drive north into Gloucestershire and the innate splendor of the Cotswolds. To begin with, head up to Gloucesterstopping off to sample the timeless beauty of the village of Painswick on the way. Once in Gloucester visit its superb cathedral before continuing eastwards to Bourton-on-the Water, on the banks of the Windrush River, the towns of Upper and Lower Slaughter, and Stow-on-the-Wold, with its lovely town square. From here carry on north to what is said to be one of the most beautiful villages in England, Broadway. Saunter down its beautiful High Street and enjoy the striking houses and gardens on show. After this continue north to Stratford-upon-Avon. Dinner & hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Day 5             Stratford-upon-Avon – Warwick – Oxford

Spend the morning in Stratford-upon-Avon, native town of the illustrious William Shakespeare. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and also the old thatched cottage of his wife Anne Hathaway. Then head to Warwick Castle, where you can visit one of the finest medieval castles in England. After this head south to Oxford, maybe stopping off at the magnificent Blenheim Palace on the way. Dinner & hotel in Oxford.

Day 6             Oxford – Woburn – Cambridge

Spend the morning in the university town of Oxford. Visit the famous Oxford colleges such as Magdalen, Merton, and New College, where part of the old city wall remains. Also take time to see the world-famous Bodleian Library and to take a stroll down the city’s numerous distinctive streets filled with many interesting shops. After lunch head east to the market town of Aylesbury before going on to Woburn, where you can visit the 18^th century home of the Dukes of Bedford at Woburn Abbey. After this make your way to Cambridge, our final destination for the day. Dinner & hotel in Cambridge.

Day 7             Cambridge – London

Spend the morning contrasting the university town of Oxford with that of Cambridge. Visit the famous colleges such as King’s, with its breathtaking chapel, Peterhouse, the oldest Cambridge college, St. John’s, including the famous Bridge of Sighs, Trinity, where distinguished scholars such as Sir Isaac Newton and Lord Byron amongst others once studied, as well as other lesser known but equally beautiful colleges such as Magdelene, Corpus Christi, Christ’s, Emmanuel, Pembroke, and Downing. To get a different perspective of the university hire a punt down the River Cam to see the ‘Backs’ of the colleges facing onto the river with their splendid gardens and students lounging on the riverside. And make time to wander through the winding streets filled with small bookshops and typical English pubs. After this drive back down to London.

(Tourist prices are based on accommodation in 3* hotels & First in 4* hotels. All prices and hotels are subject to availability at the time of reservation)