Back to Back-Roads Touring Home Page   SHAKESPEARE'S LAND - Heart of England Mini-Tour - Four days / Three nights This four-day tour is an ideal tour to combine with a few nights in London - some might even call it a suitable antidote! After the bustle and excitement of one of the world's most dynamic cities, we'll introduce you to the tranquillity and tradition that is England. Our itinerary provides a host of snapshots of the cultural, historic and scenic wealth of this 'sceptred isle'. Countryside, literary sites, history and tradition. All in the company of a first class guide / companion.                                                                                                               William Shakespeare DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES FOR YEAR 2005 Tour Code Depart London Return London HOE Saturday Tuesday   Every Saturday from 19 Mar 05 to the end of October   Prices: £425 adult in twin share / £445 adult single / £299 child sharing adult room   Click here to work out prices in other currencies http://www.xe.com/ucc/ For what is included/excluded in your tour price, see Tour Inclusion This tour can be combined with our Wales, Red Dragon tour to make an 8-day, 7-night tour. We can also operate the tour for private groups departing on any day of the week throughout the year. Please, contact us for details info@backroadstouring.co.uk This tour departs EVERY SATURDAY from central London hotels below. It is your responsibility to be there in plenty of time.   The Chiswick Hotel, Chiswick The Holiday Inn Forum The Grosvenor Thistle, Victoria Station The Corus Hotel, Hyde Park The Royal National, Bedford Way   08.00 (underground Turnham Green) 08.20 (underground Gloucester Road) 08.30 (underground Victoria Station) 08.35 (underground Lancaster Gate) 08.45 (underground Russell Square) Clients should wait by the concierge desk. We can collect you from your individual hotel if you are not at one above but this attracts a supplementary cost of £10 (per party) for a central London hotel. Please, ask for prices for collection from non centrally located hotels. info@backroadstouring.co.uk Return drop-off are to any central London hotel.   TENTATIVE ITINERARY NIGHTSTOP Day One - Saturday   We leave London, with our first port of call being the ancient village of Amersham. Although only a short drive from London, you'll think you've entered another world and time. Unsuprisingly, the village of often used as a film setting by the many production companies based in this area. We'll potter around the pretty Chiltern Hills for a while before continuing to the fabulous Waddeston Manor. This was the Rothchild's 'pile' and the description 'magnificent' hardly does it justice. Later we head north and drive to the mediaeval Oxford where you'll enjoy a guided walk amidst the 'dreaming spires' of this famed university city before going to our base for the next three nights. Central Oxfordshire or Warwickshire  Day Two - Sunday   A full leisurely day in the wonderful Cotswolds. We'll explore the honey coloured villages, which are so much a part of this picturesque countryside, see ancient parish churches unchanged over the centuries and visit market towns like Chipping Camden, Burford, Broadway and Stow-on-the-Wold. The day would not be complete without seeking out a traditional country pub in which to have a spot of lunch. Central Oxfordshire or Warwickshire  Day Three - Monday   Stratford-upon-Avon with its Shakespearean sites is first on today's visits. Stratford can be busy, being England's most popular tourist destination outside of London, but as we're staying close by, we'll arrive early and leave before the large tour coaches arrive! There'll be free time to explore this interesting town before we visit the lesser known house of Shakespeare's mother and take a most informative tour learning about life in the 1500's. This afternoon sees us at the incredible Warwick Castle where there will be ample time to explore both the castle and the mediaeval town itself. Central Oxfordshire or Warwickshire  Day Four - Tuesday   The prehistoric Rollright Stones are on this morning's agenda. Later we'll visit the magnificent Blenheim Palace, the Churchill family's treasure house. This is a must-see for the garden enthusiast! We will also see Winston Churchill's tomb at the nearby village.  www.blenheimpalace.com Later we'll follow the river Thames back to London with stops at Dorchester, with its ancient abbey, and Henley-on-Thames or Marlow, homes of the famous society regattas. You will be returned to the London hotel of your choice. Please note: on departures between November and March alternative sites are visited where National Trust properties are closed. London – not included Back to Back-Roads Touring Home Page