Join us for a fabulous holiday in Oxfordshire, staying at the Oxford Belfry Hotel & Spa. We include some wonderful days out, such as a visit to Blenheim Palace, which was given to the 1st Duke of Marlborough by Queen Anne and her grateful nation as thanks for his stunning victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. We spend another memorable day in the beautiful Royal borough of Windsor, with included entrance to Windsor Castle, the official residence of His Majesty the King.
Sure to be the highlight of the holiday, we are joined by TV Historian Dr Lucy Worsley at The Mitre Hotel Hampton Court! She will deliver a fascinating private talk on Hampton Court Palace, followed by a Q&A session. We’ll enjoy a light buffet lunch here before heading over to the palace itself for a tour and visit, accompanied by Lucy. This is sure to be a very memorable holiday indeed!
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Make your own way to the hotel, where you’ll meet our experienced Tour Manager and enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening.
After a leisurely breakfast, we journey by coach to the Royal Borough of Windsor. On arrival, we make our way to Windsor Castle, the official residence of His Majesty the King.
Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. Established in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, it has been remodelled by successive kings and queens, including Edward III, Charles II and George IV, and restored during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign after the fire in 1992. Today, the castle is used regularly for ceremonial and State occasions and has been the home of 40 monarchs.
We include entry into the castle to admire the State Apartments. You will enjoy free time to explore the castle and visit St George's Chapel (subject to opening times). Once outside the castle grounds, there will be time to take a browse around the many wonderful shops and eateries, do a spot of shopping, or take a stroll across the River Thames into Eton.
We return to the hotel and enjoy dinner this evening.
After a leisurely start to the day, we board our coach for a late morning departure to Blenheim Palace.
Grandeur on the largest of scales, Blenheim Palace was given to the 1st Duke of Marlborough by Queen Anne and her grateful nation as thanks for his stunning victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. The parkland as you see it now, looking so natural with its sweeping lake and hanging beech wood, is, in fact, man-made, constructed laboriously between 1764 and 1774 to the far-sighted plans of the master landscaper, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
At Blenheim Palace, there’s an overarching aura of history and achievement. Couple that with a grand building in a perfect setting, and there’s no wonder that UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site.
On arrival, we include entry into the palace, as well as plenty of time to explore the grounds. If you'd like, you could also enjoy a stroll into the market town of Woodstock.
We return to the hotel this evening and enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Today, on our way to Hampton Court Palace, we stop at the Mitre Hotel, just opposite the palace, and meet Dr Lucy Worsley.
Lucy will give a talk on Hampton Court Palace with a Q&A session afterwards. This is followed by a light buffet lunch, after which we head over the road to the palace itself. We enjoy a visit of the palace with Lucy and enjoy free time to explore the wonderful grounds independently.
A tale of two palaces, Hampton Court Palace is perhaps best known for being the home of England’s infamous King Henry VIII, but it also showcases stunning Baroque architecture, built for William III and Mary II. Feast your eyes on the magnificent Great Hall of Henry VIII, where the entwined initials of Henry and Anne Boleyn can still be seen today. Reflect in the breathtaking Chapel Royal where Edward VI, the long-awaited son of Henry VIII, was christened, and feel the eerie chill of the Haunted Gallery. Be transported from Tudor England to 1689 as you venture through the sumptuous Baroque apartments, evoking the age of elegance and grandeur, before exploring the 60 acres of beautiful riverside and landscaped gardens, featuring sparkling fountains and over 200,000 flowering bulbs.
After our truly wonderful day out, we return by coach to the hotel for dinner this evening.
Dr Lucy Worsley OBE is passionate about making history engaging to the widest possible audience.
Her many films have spanned the genres of History and Arts, and have included A Very British Murder, A Very British Romance, Blitz Spirit, History’s Biggest Fibs, Killing Sherlock and most recently a second series of Lucy Worsley Investigates, where she re-investigates some of the most dramatic chapters in British History. In 2023, she also turned her hand to quiz mistress and hosted Puzzling for Channel 5.
Lucy has written numerous well-received non-fiction books including Queen Victoria: Daughter, Wife, Mother, Widow, Jane Austen at Home, Cavalier: A Tale of Passion, Chivalry and Great Houses, Courtiers: A Secret History of Kensington Palace and If Walls Could Talk: An Intimate History of Your Home which accompanied the BBC 4 TV series. She has written two novels for children, and was recently announced as Agatha Christie’s official biographer.
Lucy Worsley’s podcast Lady Killers (BBC Sounds) was named one of the BBC’s most downloaded podcasts of 2022 and again in 2024. Lucy is passionate about making history engaging to the widest possible audience and balanced her career as a writer and broadcaster with her previous role at Historic Royal Palaces, which she recently stepped down from after 21 years of work. She was appointed an OBE in 2018 for services to history and heritage.
After a leisurely breakfast, it is time for you to check out of the hotel and make your own way home.
You will stay for four nights at the Oxford Belfry Hotel & Spa.
Location: London Road Milton Common, Thame, OX9 2JW
Set in 17 acres of beautiful countryside, the Oxford Belfry Hotel & Spa is a lovely countryside retreat. The hotel offers comfortable rooms, an indoor pool and spa facilities. It's the perfect location for a relaxing escape or as a base to explore Oxfordshire's famous attractions.Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
Single Room Supplement from £180.00
