| Scottish Dream Tours Pubs, Castles, Tearooms, Gardens and Cathedrals of the Cotswolds, Devon, Cornwall and Wessex June 15th - 27th, 2009 Sold Out! Stratford-upon-Avon, Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Chipping Campden, The Cotswolds, Warwick Castle, Sudeley Castle, Malmesbury Abbey, Barnstaple, Cheddar Gorge, Cheddar Sweet Kitchen, Glastonbury Abbey, Arlington Court, Devonshire Cream Tea, Tintagel Castle, Penwith Tour, Penzance, Truro Cathedral, Plymouth, Mayflower Stone & Step, Dartmoor National Park, Stonehenge, Winchester Cathedral and much more! A small intimate tour of The Cotswolds, The West Country featuring Devon, Cornwall and Wessex, Salisbury and Winchester. Our tearoom tours are always so much more - filled with castles, historic sights and entertainment of all kinds. Tea is a way of life in Great Britain with more tearooms than any other place on earth. And you have to eat someplace anyway, so we try to incorporate as many of these tearooms into our tours as possible. Each tour is designed to accommodate only 8 - 10 people for a more personal experience and to allow you to get the most of your holiday. Keeping the tour size small gives us the opportunity to veer from the beaten path and take advantage of accommodations, restaurants and sightseeing that would not be available to larger groups. You may find yourself staying in a delightful city guesthouse, a small country house hotel, a comfortable farmhouse and an old coaching Inn all in the same visit. You will not be rushed from venue to venue and we spend as little time on the bus as possible. Tour includes all accommodation in 3 or 4 star British Tourist Board Approved accommodations. Full English breakfast each morning. All lunches and dinners as listed in itinerary. Porterage of one suitcase per person. Minibus travel including tour guide. Knowledgeable guide for all tourist venues. All sightseeing as indicated in itinerary including any entrance fees. All taxes and service charges. $2995 per person double occupancy. $695 per person single supplement. $500 per person deposit required to book your tour. Deposit by PayPal |
Day 1 - June 15th, 2009 - Depart for London, England.
Day 2 - Arrive London Heathrow. As we make our way out of the city our first stop will be Stratford-upon-Avon, the
birthplace of William Shakespeare, steeped in culture and history in the beautiful rural Warwickshire Countryside, on
the banks of the River Avon. Afternoon Tea at Benson's in Stratford. This afternoon we visit Anne Hathaway's
Cottage and Gardens. The beautiful thatched farmhouse was occupied by descendants of the Hathaway family until it's
purchase by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in 1892 and still contains many rare family items of furniture that date back to
Anne's time. Welcoming Pub Dinner at the Shakespeare Tavern. Overnight Stratford-Upon-Avon. (L,D)
Day 3 - After some free time in Stratford we will visit the beautiful Old Cotswolds Market Town of Chipping
Campden. First things first so we visit Badger's Hall for Afternoon Tea in their quintessential English Tea Room.
Chipping Campden was the centre for wool trade during the 14th and 15th centuries and has retained its feel of a place stepped
back in time. After tea we visit Broadway and the Broadway Tower. Built in 1799, it is a perfect example of an 18th
century Gothic folly. At 1024 feet above sea level you can see 13 counties! Back in Chipping Campden we will have Dinner
at The Eight Bells, a traditional 14th century Cotswolds Inn. Overnight Stratford-Upon-Avon. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - This morning we travel north to the 1,000 year old market town of Henley-in-Arden. The one mile long High
Street is classified as a conservation area and contains over 150 buildings listed as being of Special Architectural or
Historic Interest. After exploring this delightful walk we will meet up at Henley's Ice Cream Parlour and Tea Rooms
for lunch. Ice cream has been served in this 16th century building since the 1930's. After tea we head a little further north to
Warwick Castle which sits on a cliff overlooking a bend in the River Avon. Warwick Castle was built by William the
Conqueror in 1068 and was home to the Earls of Warwick from 1759 until 1978. You can fully explore the towers,
dungeon and gardens at your leisure. We then return to Stratford for dinner on your own. Overnight Stratford-
Upon-Avon. (B,L)
Day 5 - Today our journey will take us to Winchecombe and Sudeley Castle and Gardens. Set against the beautiful
backdrop of the Cotswold Hills, Sudeley Castle is steeped in history. With royal connections spanning a thousand years,
it has played an important role in the turbulent and changing times of England’s past. We will stop for lunch at the Olde
Bakery Tea Room in Winchecombe. Then we are off to Malmesbury for Malmesbury Abbey and The Abbey
House Gardens. This unique garden is set against the backdrop of the Abbey with the River Inglebourne flowing
throughout. The 800 year old Abbey is magnificent and houses a Bible from the year 1407! Pub Dinner and Overnight
Malmesbury. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - This morning we are off to Devon. On the way we will drive through Cheddar Gorge, a narrow winding ravine with
limestone rocks rising almost vertically on either side to a height of 400 feet! In the very heart of the famous Cheddar Gorge
you will find one of the most fascinating sights in Somerset, the Cheddar Sweet Kitchen. A tiny sweet factory where
visitors are invited in to watch craftsman at work. The Mizen family have been making sweets in this area for five generations.
Cheddar gives it's name to the rich cheese that was founded here. Further on we find Glastonbury and Glastonbury
Abbey. The Abbey presents itself as "traditionally the oldest above-ground Christian church in the World"
situated "in the mystical land of Avalon" and was begun in 712AD. Then on to Barnstaple for Pub Dinner at the 15th
century Chichester Arms. Overnight Devon. (B,D)
Day 7 - This morning we visit Arlington Court and Gardens, a 2700 acre estate nestling in the thickly wooded valley of
the River Yeo. The house contains model ships, tapestry, pewter and shells. The stable block houses one of the best
collections of 19th-century horse-drawn vehicles in the country and we will take a Carriage Ride around the grounds.
We'll then stop for a Traditional Devonshire Cream Tea at Sir George Newnes Tea Room. We then will take a
lovely coastal drop with stops in the lovely seaside villages of Ilfracombe and Combe Martin. Dinner at the Williams
Arms Thatched Pub. Overnight Devon. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Today we start our day journeying toward Truro in Cornwall. We'll travel the coast line to Tintagel and the
romantic and mysterious ruins of Tintagel Castle overlooking the sea. Some believe this is the birthplace of the legendary
King Arthur. We will stop at Wadebridge for Tea at Carnewas Tearoom and Garden with the most spectacular view
in Cornwall. This afternoon finds us in Truro where we will visit Truro Cathedral followed by a delightful exploration of
Truro's cobbled streets and alleys lined with craft shops. We are then off to Falmouth for a Seafood Dinner at Hunky
Dory. Overnight Falmouth, Cornwall. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Today we will take the Penwith Tour offering spectacular, remote Cornish landscape, dotted with relics of the tin
mining industry, picturesque fishing villages and prehistoric remains. Our first stop is Lanyon Quoit, a prehistoric
chambered tomb. We will stop in Penzance for lunch and some exploration. Following lunch we continue to The
Merry Maidens, a circle of 19 stones said to be girls turned to stone for dancing on Sunday. We will also stop at Lands End,
Britain's most westerly point. We then return to Falmouth for dinner on your own. Overnight Falmouth. (B,L)
Day 10 - This morning we are on our way to Plymouth which is the regional capitol for Devon and Cornwall. In Plymouth
we will visit Mayflower Stone and Steps from where the Pilgrims set forth to the New World in 1620. We will stop for
Traditional Fish & Chips Lunch before continuing to Dartmoor region of Devon. We will take a Dart River Cruise
this afternoon from Totnes to Dartmouth. We will pass Sandridge House, designed by architect John Nash and the lush
Greenway Estate, once the home of Dame Agatha Christie and now belonging to the National Trust. Pub Dinner and
Overnight near Exeter. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Today will be spent in the Dartmoor National Park which provided the eerie background for Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle's "The Hound of the Baskervilles". Our first stop will be Buckland-in-the-Moor, one of the most
picturesque thatch and granite villages in Dartmoor. We'll drive through Dartmeet at the confluence of the East and
West Dart Rivers. We will stop for a Picnic Lunch before continuing our journey. The next stop is Grimspound, an
impressive site of bronze Age huts built 4,000 years ago! We will also stop at Becky Falls with its delightful woodland walks
and a viewing platform over the 72 foot falls. Dinner on your own near Exeter. Overnight near Exeter. (B,L)
Day 12 - Up early today as we head west with our first stop at Stonehenge just outside of Salisbury. Stonehenge is
Europe's most famous prehistoric monument dating back to 3,000BC. We will spend some time exploring here before heading
further east to Winchester and Winchester Cathedral. Once in Winchester we stop for Afternoon Tea at Forte
Tearooms. Winchester Cathedral dates from 1079 with a church on this site since 648. Jane Austen is buried here and the
cathedral possesses the only diatonic ring of 14 church bells in the world, with a tenor (heaviest bell) weighing almost 2 tons.
We are then off to just outside Windsor for a Farewell Dinner. Overnight near Windsor. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - Return to London Heathrow for the journey home.(B)
Day 2 - Arrive London Heathrow. As we make our way out of the city our first stop will be Stratford-upon-Avon, the
birthplace of William Shakespeare, steeped in culture and history in the beautiful rural Warwickshire Countryside, on
the banks of the River Avon. Afternoon Tea at Benson's in Stratford. This afternoon we visit Anne Hathaway's
Cottage and Gardens. The beautiful thatched farmhouse was occupied by descendants of the Hathaway family until it's
purchase by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in 1892 and still contains many rare family items of furniture that date back to
Anne's time. Welcoming Pub Dinner at the Shakespeare Tavern. Overnight Stratford-Upon-Avon. (L,D)
Day 3 - After some free time in Stratford we will visit the beautiful Old Cotswolds Market Town of Chipping
Campden. First things first so we visit Badger's Hall for Afternoon Tea in their quintessential English Tea Room.
Chipping Campden was the centre for wool trade during the 14th and 15th centuries and has retained its feel of a place stepped
back in time. After tea we visit Broadway and the Broadway Tower. Built in 1799, it is a perfect example of an 18th
century Gothic folly. At 1024 feet above sea level you can see 13 counties! Back in Chipping Campden we will have Dinner
at The Eight Bells, a traditional 14th century Cotswolds Inn. Overnight Stratford-Upon-Avon. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - This morning we travel north to the 1,000 year old market town of Henley-in-Arden. The one mile long High
Street is classified as a conservation area and contains over 150 buildings listed as being of Special Architectural or
Historic Interest. After exploring this delightful walk we will meet up at Henley's Ice Cream Parlour and Tea Rooms
for lunch. Ice cream has been served in this 16th century building since the 1930's. After tea we head a little further north to
Warwick Castle which sits on a cliff overlooking a bend in the River Avon. Warwick Castle was built by William the
Conqueror in 1068 and was home to the Earls of Warwick from 1759 until 1978. You can fully explore the towers,
dungeon and gardens at your leisure. We then return to Stratford for dinner on your own. Overnight Stratford-
Upon-Avon. (B,L)
Day 5 - Today our journey will take us to Winchecombe and Sudeley Castle and Gardens. Set against the beautiful
backdrop of the Cotswold Hills, Sudeley Castle is steeped in history. With royal connections spanning a thousand years,
it has played an important role in the turbulent and changing times of England’s past. We will stop for lunch at the Olde
Bakery Tea Room in Winchecombe. Then we are off to Malmesbury for Malmesbury Abbey and The Abbey
House Gardens. This unique garden is set against the backdrop of the Abbey with the River Inglebourne flowing
throughout. The 800 year old Abbey is magnificent and houses a Bible from the year 1407! Pub Dinner and Overnight
Malmesbury. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - This morning we are off to Devon. On the way we will drive through Cheddar Gorge, a narrow winding ravine with
limestone rocks rising almost vertically on either side to a height of 400 feet! In the very heart of the famous Cheddar Gorge
you will find one of the most fascinating sights in Somerset, the Cheddar Sweet Kitchen. A tiny sweet factory where
visitors are invited in to watch craftsman at work. The Mizen family have been making sweets in this area for five generations.
Cheddar gives it's name to the rich cheese that was founded here. Further on we find Glastonbury and Glastonbury
Abbey. The Abbey presents itself as "traditionally the oldest above-ground Christian church in the World"
situated "in the mystical land of Avalon" and was begun in 712AD. Then on to Barnstaple for Pub Dinner at the 15th
century Chichester Arms. Overnight Devon. (B,D)
Day 7 - This morning we visit Arlington Court and Gardens, a 2700 acre estate nestling in the thickly wooded valley of
the River Yeo. The house contains model ships, tapestry, pewter and shells. The stable block houses one of the best
collections of 19th-century horse-drawn vehicles in the country and we will take a Carriage Ride around the grounds.
We'll then stop for a Traditional Devonshire Cream Tea at Sir George Newnes Tea Room. We then will take a
lovely coastal drop with stops in the lovely seaside villages of Ilfracombe and Combe Martin. Dinner at the Williams
Arms Thatched Pub. Overnight Devon. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Today we start our day journeying toward Truro in Cornwall. We'll travel the coast line to Tintagel and the
romantic and mysterious ruins of Tintagel Castle overlooking the sea. Some believe this is the birthplace of the legendary
King Arthur. We will stop at Wadebridge for Tea at Carnewas Tearoom and Garden with the most spectacular view
in Cornwall. This afternoon finds us in Truro where we will visit Truro Cathedral followed by a delightful exploration of
Truro's cobbled streets and alleys lined with craft shops. We are then off to Falmouth for a Seafood Dinner at Hunky
Dory. Overnight Falmouth, Cornwall. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Today we will take the Penwith Tour offering spectacular, remote Cornish landscape, dotted with relics of the tin
mining industry, picturesque fishing villages and prehistoric remains. Our first stop is Lanyon Quoit, a prehistoric
chambered tomb. We will stop in Penzance for lunch and some exploration. Following lunch we continue to The
Merry Maidens, a circle of 19 stones said to be girls turned to stone for dancing on Sunday. We will also stop at Lands End,
Britain's most westerly point. We then return to Falmouth for dinner on your own. Overnight Falmouth. (B,L)
Day 10 - This morning we are on our way to Plymouth which is the regional capitol for Devon and Cornwall. In Plymouth
we will visit Mayflower Stone and Steps from where the Pilgrims set forth to the New World in 1620. We will stop for
Traditional Fish & Chips Lunch before continuing to Dartmoor region of Devon. We will take a Dart River Cruise
this afternoon from Totnes to Dartmouth. We will pass Sandridge House, designed by architect John Nash and the lush
Greenway Estate, once the home of Dame Agatha Christie and now belonging to the National Trust. Pub Dinner and
Overnight near Exeter. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Today will be spent in the Dartmoor National Park which provided the eerie background for Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle's "The Hound of the Baskervilles". Our first stop will be Buckland-in-the-Moor, one of the most
picturesque thatch and granite villages in Dartmoor. We'll drive through Dartmeet at the confluence of the East and
West Dart Rivers. We will stop for a Picnic Lunch before continuing our journey. The next stop is Grimspound, an
impressive site of bronze Age huts built 4,000 years ago! We will also stop at Becky Falls with its delightful woodland walks
and a viewing platform over the 72 foot falls. Dinner on your own near Exeter. Overnight near Exeter. (B,L)
Day 12 - Up early today as we head west with our first stop at Stonehenge just outside of Salisbury. Stonehenge is
Europe's most famous prehistoric monument dating back to 3,000BC. We will spend some time exploring here before heading
further east to Winchester and Winchester Cathedral. Once in Winchester we stop for Afternoon Tea at Forte
Tearooms. Winchester Cathedral dates from 1079 with a church on this site since 648. Jane Austen is buried here and the
cathedral possesses the only diatonic ring of 14 church bells in the world, with a tenor (heaviest bell) weighing almost 2 tons.
We are then off to just outside Windsor for a Farewell Dinner. Overnight near Windsor. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - Return to London Heathrow for the journey home.(B)
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