Day 1: Travel and Coventry Cathedral
Morning departure from North Wales and travel to the ancient city of Coventry, known for the medieval Coventry Cathedral, which was left in ruins after a WWII bombing. A 20th-century replacement, with abstract stained glass, stands beside it. After some time at leisure, we continue to our hotel, the Delta by Marriott Milton Keynes for a 3-night stay.
Day 2: Imperial War Museum Duxford
Today we travel to Imperial War Museum Duxford, near Cambridge. Duxford was an important airfield in WWI and played a vital role in WWII. Today, the site is home to Britain’s largest aviation museum, housing the Imperial War Museum’s large exhibits, including nearly 200 aircraft The site accommodates several British Army regimental museums, including those of the Parachute Regiment (named Airborne Assault) and the Royal Anglian Regiment.
Day 3: Uncover the secrets at Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park, near Milton Keynes, was the central site for Britain’s codebreakers during WWII and the birthplace of the modern computer. The Bletchley Park team regularly penetrated the secret communications of the German High Command. A modern visitor centre leads out to various restored ‘huts’, each of which had a specific role in the codebreaking effort, and a museum housing an original ‘Enigma’ machine. As you walk around, listen out for the highly atmospheric soundscapes playing snatches of conversation, music and laughter, as well as the noises of bicycle bells and steam trains to conjure up how the site would have sounded during WWII.
Day 4: National Memorial Arboretum then Home
After breakfast, we depart our hotel and travel to the National Memorial Arboretum, near Litchfield in Staffordshire. A beautiful and inspiring place, the 150-acres of the Arboretum form a living landscape, a home for more than 400 memorials waiting to be discovered.
Tales of bravery shown in the most extraordinary of times, selfless service and sacrifice, camaraderie and care are represented by the memorials. From the Armed Forces and Emergency Services to civilian organisations that supported our Nation in times of need, people from all walks of life are represented by the memorials, with designs that are rich in symbolism reflecting those they remember.
Afterwards, we complete our journey home to North Wales.