Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival
On arrival at Heathrow Airport, a private transfer will take you to the Audleys Wood Hotel, our base for the next two nights. In the evening join the group for a welcome drink and canapés, followed by dinner.
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Highclere Castle
After breakfast, we visit the magnificent Highclere Castle, famously known as the setting of TV’s Downton Abbey. Set in stunning parkland designed by Capability Brown, the castle is the home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. We explore the opulent interiors featured in the series, including the grand staircase, library and drawing room.
We also discover the real history of Highclere, remodelled in the 19th century by Sir Charles Barry and used as a hospital during WWI. Downstairs, the fascinating Egyptian Exhibition tells the story of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon’s role in the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, with artifacts, photographs and replicas bringing the tale vividly to life.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3: Lamport Hall & Kelmarsh Hall & Gardens
Our first visit of the day is Lamport Hall and Gardens. We are treated to a guided tour of this stunning 17th-century country house. As we explore, we learn about the rich history of the Isham family, who have resided here for over 4 centuries. The tour includes a look at the exquisite collection of art and antiques, as well as the famous library and the ornate Drawing Room. The gardens, designed in the 19th century, offer a delightful stroll through carefully curated landscapes, featuring a mix of formal and informal planting styles.
After lunch at Lamport Hall, we make our way to Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens, another gem of Northamptonshire. This beautiful estate boasts a grand Georgian house set amidst stunning gardens and parkland. Inside, we find elegant rooms filled with historical treasures that provide insight into the lives of the former residents. The gardens at Kelmarsh are equally impressive, offering a variety of landscapes to enjoy, from the tranquil lake to the vibrant walled garden.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: Burghley House & Stamford
This morning we visit Burghley House, widely regarded as England’s greatest Elizabethan stately home, surrounded by magnificent parkland. On arrival, we enjoy a welcome talk and learn about the fascinating history of the property. Home to William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, Burghley offers a unique glimpse into the way great houses have been lived in from the time of Elizabeth I to the present day. Inside, we explore the stunning State Rooms, filled with one of the country’s finest collections of paintings, ceramics and decorative arts, many of which remain in their original 17th-century positions.
Following our visit, we continue to nearby Stamford, a picturesque town renowned for its honey-stone Georgian architecture.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5: Belton House & Belvoir Castle
We check out of our hotel and begin the day with a visit to the elegant Belton House, one of the finest surviving examples of Restoration architecture in England and now cared for by the National Trust. Built between 1685 and 1688 for Sir John Brownlow, this beautifully preserved Carolean mansion is often hailed as the quintessential English country house. With its perfect symmetry, classical proportions and warm, lived-in charm, Belton offers a fascinating glimpse into aristocratic life in the late 17th century.
Our second visit of the day is to the impressive Belvoir Castle, a dramatic hilltop estate and striking example of Gothic Revival architecture. Originally founded in the 11th century, it has been home to the Dukes of Rutland for over a thousand years and was largely rebuilt in the early 19th century into the romantic castle we see today. A guided tour reveals lavish interiors, fine art and historic treasures. We finish our visit with a traditional afternoon tea in these grand surroundings.
Later, we check into Eastwood Hall, where we stay for the next two nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner
DAY 6: Chatsworth House & Hardwick Hall
Today we travel to Derbyshire, where we enjoy a visit to Chatsworth House before a light lunch or afternoon tea. This magnificent treasure is home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and has witnessed 16 generations of the powerful Cavendish family, who acquired the estate in 1549. The house has evolved through the centuries to reflect the tastes, passions and interests of succeeding generations and boasts grandiose interiors and a superlative art collection, while outside, the 1,000-acre park was chiefly designed by Lancelot Capability Brown.
In the afternoon, we visit Hardwick Hall, a splendid example of Elizabethan architecture. Built in the late 16th century for Bess of Hardwick, one of the wealthiest women of her time, the hall is renowned for its unique design and impressive collection of tapestries and furnishings. The extensive gardens surrounding Hardwick Hall offer a tranquil escape, with beautiful landscapes and charming walkways to explore.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch or Afternoon Tea, Dinner
DAY 7: Harewood House & Harrogate
We check out of our hotel and, after breakfast, begin the day at Harewood House. We enjoy a guided tour of this fine house. Built in the 18th century for Edwin Lascelles to designs by architect John Carr, it is one of the greatest Treasure Houses in England with interiors designed by Robert Adam, superb Thomas Chippendale furniture and an outstanding art collection ranging from Renaissance masterpieces to 20th-century art. Set in a magnificent landscape created by Capability Brown, Harewood is still home to the Lascelles family, with the 8th Earl and Countess living here, and reflects the changing tastes and styles of the past 250 years.
After lunch at Harewood, we spend the afternoon in the elegant spa town of Harrogate, where notable sights include the Royal Pump Room and the Grade II-listed Royal Hall. Don’t miss the attractive Montpellier Quarter with its pedestrianised streets lined with 19th-century buildings and traditional tea rooms.
Later, we check into Middlethorpe Hall and Spa and in the evening, we enjoy a themed after-dinner talk from a guest speaker.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8: Treasurer’s House, York & Castle Howard
Our first stop of the day is at Treasurer’s House in the heart of York. The house has a 2,000-year-old history and was the first house given complete with its contents to the National Trust in 1930. This is thanks to Frank Green, a wealthy industrialist who not only restored this magnificent house but also used it to stage his remarkable collection of antique furniture, art and textiles.
After our visit, there is time to explore York at your leisure. The city is steeped in history and there is plenty of evidence of this fascinating past left to admire, including the Roman city walls and the surviving medieval streets known as the Shambles. A visit to the magnificent York Minster is a must, northern Europe’s largest Gothic cathedral, famous for its stunning stained glass.
In the afternoon, we enjoy a private tour of Castle Howard, home to the Howard family for over 300 years. Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, Castle Howard has twice appeared as Brideshead in film movie and TV adaptations of Evelyn Waugh’s classic novel, as well as providing the backdrop for various scenes in the hit Netflix series, Bridgerton. This magnificent 18th-century residence, surmounted with its iconic gilded dome, offers world-renowned collections and stunning architecture, all set within 1,000 acres of breathtaking scenery.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9: Nostell Priory and York
This morning we visit Nostell Priory, a grand 18th-century Palladian house set in beautiful parkland and home to the Winn family for over 300 years. Designed by James Paine and later extended by Robert Adam, the house features one of the finest collections of Chippendale furniture in the country, created specifically for the estate. The interiors also showcase fine art and intricate decorative details, offering a fascinating glimpse into Georgian life. In the evening, we return to York for a historical pub walking tour.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10: Blenheim Palace
Leaving York, we travel south through scenic countryside to Oxfordshire and the magnificent Blenheim Palace. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was designed on an awe-inspiring scale by Vanbrugh and set in beautiful parkland landscaped by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
As the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough, the palace is synonymous with the Churchill family and is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. A permanent exhibition commemorates the life of this famous wartime Prime Minister, whilst the magnificent State Rooms reveal a superb collection of tapestries, paintings, porcelain and furniture.
Afterward, we check into Hartwell House & Spa, one of the National Trust’s Historic House Hotels, our base for the last two nights. Tonight we enjoy dinner together at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11: Waddesdon Manor
For our last touring day, we travel to Waddesdon Manor in the village of Buckinghamshire. Built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the 1870s, the French-inspired château was lavishly designed to entertain guests and showcase his enthusiastic interest in art. From Dutch paintings to British portraiture, Waddesdon has one of the finest collections of French decorative arts. Nestled within 5,000 acres of beautiful parkland, the formal gardens are said to be one of the finest examples of late Victorian gardens in England and include a Rococo-style aviary, a Parterre, sculptures and more. Owned by the National Trust, this is one of their most visited properties.
We enjoy a guided house tour, followed by lunch and time at leisure to explore the manor and the gardens. This evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner together at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12: Departure
A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow Airport for your return flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Please note: the order of excursions is subject to change and guided tours are subject to restrictions.
Email us today to reserve at BKennedy@Royal-oak.org or call 212-480-2889 ext. 203
