Special Themed Tours
Harry Potter
Spend time in London seeing various sites used in filming Harry Potter, then drive out to Oxford to see Hogwarts dining hall and the infirmary. There may be a chance to see the Dursleys' house. More...
Da Vinci Code
Visit the London sites from Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code". This includes Westminster Abbey, Temple Church and St James's Park. Use public transport and follow in the footsteps of Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu. More...
London
Time to explore London. There is too much to see in one day. For the first time visitor the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and Big Ben will be high on their list. Others may have been to London some time ago, so would be more interested in the newer places like Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the London Eye. Some prefer to visit the off-beat such as Highgate Cemetery or the Old Operating Theatre in Southwark. Children can visit puppet theatres, watch street performers at Covent Garden or feed the ducks in one of the parks. Museums and galleries galore - there is something for everyone in London.
Carriage rides, Windsor |
Windsor Castle and Hampton Court
Windsor Castle. Originally built by King William the Conqueror. Today the castle is an official residence of Her Majesty the Queen. Visit the magnificent State Apartments.
Hampton Court Palace. The Palace was started by Cardinal Wolsey in 16thc. King Henry VIII brought his wives here. Later King William III and Queen Mary II commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to rebuild it. Vast Tudor kitchens and gardens with the world-famous maze.
Kew Gardens and Syon Park
Kew Gardens. Home of the Royal Botanic Gardens with a world-wide reputation. 300 acres of plants from many countries. A centre of study and plant conservation.
Syon Park. The London home of the Duke of Northumberland since 16thc. with some fine Robert Adam interiors.
Knole and Sissinghurst
Knole. The largest private home in England and birthplace of the writer Vita Sackville-West. Important collection of paintings and furniture.
Sissinghurst. A 6 acre garden created by Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville-West.
Windsor Castle and Wisley
Windsor Castle. Originally built by King William the Conqueror. Today the castle is an official residence of Her Majesty the Queen. Visit the magnificent State Apartments.
Wisley. The 240 acre gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society. Planting ideas, glasshouses and Model Gardens.
Oxford and Waddesdon Manor
Oxford. Famous for its ancient university. Visit the college buildings and go punting on the River Cherwell.
Waddesdon Manor. A French Renaissance-style chateau built for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, where he could entertain his friends and display his large collection of art and furniture.
Canterbury and Leeds Castle.
Canterbury. The town where St. Augustine founded English Christianity in 560 AD and Thomas Becket was killed in 1170. The cathedral is the mother church of the Anglican religion, seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Leeds Castle. The "loveliest castle in the world", set in the middle of a lake, surrounded by 500 acres of parkland and gardens. Aviary and maze.
Brighton and Arundel
Brighton. A seaside resort with the exotic Royal Pavilion built for King George IV. Interiors decorated in the Chinese style. Visit the Lanes, narrow alleys with antique shops.
Arundel. A Norman castle rebuilt in 19thc. Home of the Duke of Norfolk. The town has many antique shops.
Hever Castle and Chartwell
Hever Castle. Anne Boleyn's family home with parts dating from 1270. Visited by King Henry VIII. The estate was bought in 1903 by the American William Waldorf Astor, who restored the house and grounds.
Chartwell. Family home of Sir Winston Churchill from 1924 until his death. See many of his paintings in his garden studio.
Rochester and Leeds Castle
Rochester. The town associated with Charles Dickens. Visit the Dickens Centre, the Norman castle and the Cathedral, which was founded in 604AD.
Leeds Castle. The "loveliest castle in the world", set in the middle of a lake, surrounded by 500 acres of parkland and gardens. Aviary and maze.
Rhododendrons
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Gardens of Kent
Sissinghurst. A 6 acre garden created by Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville-West.
Scotney Castle. A romantic garden in the picturesque style. Vistas to the ruined 14thc. moated castle.
Great Comp. Ruins, terraces, woodland walks and sweeping lawns.
Yalding Organic Gardens. 14 newly created gardens, all organic.
Emmetts. A 19thc. informal garden influenced by William Robinson.
Gardens of Sussex
Great Dixter. A 15thc. manor house, birthplace and home of the gardening writer, Christopher Lloyd.
Pashley Manor. Award winning garden. A sumptuous blend of romantic landscaping, imaginative planting and fine old trees. A quintessential English garden.
Merriments. A naturalistic garden with richly planted, colour themed borders.
Sheffield Park. 120 acre garden laid out by 'Capability' Brown in 18thc. Spectacular autumn colour.
Wakehurst Place. Run by the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. A superb collection of trees, shrubs and other plants. Water garden, winter garden and rock walk.
High Beeches. 20 acres of woodland and water gardens. Wildflower meadow.
Nymans. A great garden with rare and beautiful plants, shrubs and trees. Wall garden, hidden sunken garden, laurel walk and romantic ruins.
Leonardslee. One of the largest and most spectacular woodland gardens of England. 240 acre valley set around 7 lakes. Laid out by Sir Edmund Loder since 1889. Rock garden, Bonsai in the walled courtyard, Alpine House.
Borde Hill. Award winning garden created in 19thc. 'Linked' gardens, each with a unique style.
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