Day 1: Early start as we head to Leicester. The day is at leisure to do as you wish, visit the newly opened King Richard III Visitor Centre (admission extra) which depicts the controversial life of the King and the even more fascinating story of how his remains were uncovered. Depart late afternoon for our hotel, where there will be time to relax before a set 3 course dinner this evening.
Day 2: After breakfast we travel to the historic city of Cambridge. Cambridge is best known for its university, the 31 colleges dominate the city centre with beautiful, cobbled courts, chapels, gardens and bridges. Take the opportunity to go behind the gates of some of the colleges, visit the renowned Fitzwilliam Museum or take a punt on the picturesque River Cam.
Day 3: Today we take one of the classic English tours around the villages and small market towns of the Gloucestershire Cotswolds. The area, which is centred on the Cotswold Hills, is best known for the famous Cotswold stone. Our tour will include Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold and the ‘Little Venice’ of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water.
Day 4: An excursion to the historic city of Lincoln where you can admire the beauty of Lincoln Cathedral, a fine example of English Gothic architecture. Enjoy some time at leisure before we return to the hotel by late-afternoon.
Day 5: We say goodbye to our hotel and follow in the footsteps of the Bard with a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon. Enjoy a few hours at leisure to explore the town, discover more about Shakespeare’s life with a visit to his birthplace in the centre of town which provides an insight into what shaped the great man (admission extra). We depart mid-afternoon for our return journey home.