Tour Overview
Journey back through time as you explore Medieval England, visiting fascinating historical sites in and around London, Cambridge and York. The year 1066 is of enormous importance in English history because the Norman invasion in that year capped a millennium of invasions, and since then there have been no more. The conquest of England, led by William the Conqueror, replaced English aristocrats with French-speaking Normans, dominating castles were built and the feudal system was imposed. This period of history continued through the 14th century, leaving behind a rich legacy of impressive architecture as well as captivating stories. Your tour begins in London, where you stay in the heart of the City and explore medieval sites that survived the Great Fire of 1666. Next, visit Cambridge and discover the charming old towns and villages that dot the nearby countryside. Continue to York, the capital of the north for nearly 2000 years. Its city walls, built during the 13th century, are among the most impressive surviving medieval fortifications in Europe. They encompass a thriving centre with medieval streets, grand Georgian town houses, riverside pubs and modern shops. The crowning glory is York Minster, England’s largest Gothic cathedral. The Lake District is one of England’s most beautiful corners, a magical mix of dainty green dales, stark, rocky mountains and sparkling lakes.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: London, EnglandArrive London and transfer to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
Melia White House Hotel Day 02: London
Full day sightseeing tour of Medieval London. Visit the medieval heart of London in the area around the Barbican. Visit St. Bartholomew The Great Church, founded in 1123 by a monk, which has the best-preserved interior of any church in London of this age. Your guide will take you to the Museum of London, which gives an account of London life since pre-historic times, with a focus on medieval times and the Great Fire. Also visit the area round Holborn and the Inns of Court, which survived the Great Fire of London in 1666. Here you will see the Temple that encompasses two of the four inns and former home of the Knights Templar and where the crypt still holds 13th century effigies. Also see the Guildhall, which has been the administrative center for London for at least 800 years. Then head south of the river to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. The theater was re-built during the 1990’s by Sam Wannamaker on the site of Shakespeare’s original theater and is a faithful recreation of the original, built with traditional materials and skills.
Melia White House Hotel (Breakfast) Day 03: London – Cambridge
Drive into the countryside and on to Cambridge for a tour of the famous university city of Cambridge. Learn about the history of the city and see the famous University buildings including the impressive Kings College Chapel and Queens College. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Cambridge.
Garden House Moat House Hotel (Breakfast) Day 04: Cambridge – East Anglia
Full-day excursion in the area known as East Anglia. The countryside is dotted with “chocolate box” villages such as Lavenham and Sudbury. Visit the village of Long Melford, which can still be seen as a piece of medieval strip-development from the great green below the church for three miles southwards beside the river Stour. Also visit Saffron Walden, one of the finest examples of a medieval market town in the UK. Continue to the larger town of Bury St. Edmunds, built up around a great Benedictine monastery founded in 1020 AD. St. Mary's Church was built in the 15th century and it is here that Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII, is buried. Discover the area known as Constable Country, the location for many of John Constable’s paintings. This is a small area of countryside along the valley of the river Stour, which to this day would easily be recognized by Constable. At Flatford the sites of six of his major paintings can be located with precision. Return to Cambridge.
Garden House Moat House Hotel (Breakfast) Day 05: Cambridge – York
Drive (approximately three hours) to the outskirts of York. After lunch at leisure your driver-guide will meet you again and transfer you to Fountains Abbey and Estate. The Abbey, Britain's largest monastic ruin, was founded in 1132 by 13 Benedictine monks seeking a simpler life. They later became Cistercian monks. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII, the Abbey buildings and over 500 acres of land were sold. Today’s house is a fine Elizabethan Hall offering sweeping views of the landscape. Return to York from here. Middlethorpe Hall is a fine country house dating from the reign of William and Mary. It overlooks the renowned York racecourse, and is only two miles from the center the medieval city. The main house has been magnificently restored to its former glory, with the neo-classical lounge and the wood-paneled restaurant offering guests a high standard of hospitality. Some of the traditionally furnished accommodations are in the main house, with the remainder located in the annex, which is the skillfully converted stable block, a short walk away. The house is surrounded by delightful gardens, and other facilities include a health spa including a 40ft indoor swimming pool, spa bath, sauna, steam room and beauty treatment rooms.
Middlethorpe Hall (Breakfast) Day 06: York
Transfer into the center of York today for a half-day walking tour with a local guide. York’s history dates from Roman times, and it played a pivotal role in English history through the times of the Vikings and the Normans. Dominating the city is the Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Exploring the narrow, cobbled streets of the city you will come to Clifford’s Tower, which now stands on the mound where York Castle once stood. You will also be shown the city walls and the castle which date from Medieval times and The Shambles, York’s oldest street with cobbled stones and a mixture of 15th century buildings that appear to be lean precariously over into the street. Spend the afternoon in York at your leisure. During the summer months you may wish to take a public river cruise along the River Ouse (payable directly.) You will then be transferred back to your hotel where the remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
Middlethorpe Hall (Breakfast) Day 07: York – Manchester – Depart
Transfer to Manchester Airport for your onward flight, a drive of approximately 1.5 hours.
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