This new tour explores Northern England and Wales. Our itinerary includes several stunning World Heritage Sites including Conwy and Caernarfon Castles in Wales; Lakes District National Park and a portion of Hadrian's Wall in Cumbria; and the magnificent cathedral of York Minster.  Other sites include Windsor Castle; Stratford-Upon-Avon; Oxford and Cambridge University towns; and the Yorkshire Dales, home of the world's most famous veterinarian, James Herriot.

We hope you can join us next autumn!

ITINERARY

Day 1: Thursday, September  18

Individual departures from the U.S. for London.

Day 2: Friday, September 19        Individual Arrivals to London     (D)

Individual arrivals in London. Transfer to our hotel in Windsor, 10 miles west of Heathrow International Airport. Join staff and fellow travelers at this evening’s welcome dinner. Overnight Royal Adelaide Hotel, Windsor

Day 3: Saturday, September 20       Windsor     (B) 

This morning, we will tour Windsor Castle. Windsor is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Established in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, it has been the home of 40 monarchs. Today the Castle is regularly used for ceremonial and State occasions. The afternoon is free for you to explore Windsor town on your own. Overnight Royal Adelaide Hotel, Windsor

Day 4: Sunday, September 21      Oxford     (B)

Depart Windsor for the town of Oxford, the "city of dreaming spires.”  A local expert will take us on a walking tour of architectural and historic highlights including the Bodleian Library, the Divinity School and The Bridge of Sighs. We will learn about Oxford’s connections with Tolkien, CS Lewis, Alice in Wonderland, and Harry Potter.

Following lunch, we plan to tour one of Oxford’s most famous college’s, Christ Church. Founded in the era of Henry VIII, on the site where a princess and saint founded a priory before the Norman Conquest. We’ll see the Christchurch Cathedral, the famous water meadows, and Wolsey’s Tudor Kitchen. From Oxford we will then continue to Stratford-upon-Avon, and check in to our hotel upon arrival.

Overnight Hotel du Vin, Stratford-Upon-Avon

Day 5: Monday, September 22       Stratford-upon-Avon     (B,D)

Today is free for you to explore Stratford on your own at your own pace.  The tour manager will provide you with a city sightseeing pass. The pass at provides admission to numerous sites associated with William Shakespeare just blocks from our hotel including: Shakespeare’s birthplace, the home where he died, the Royal Shakespeare Theater, and the dock for a boat trip on the Avon River. Later this afternoon we depart Stratford for Wales. Overnight The Royal Oak Hotel, Betws-y-Coed, Wales 

Day 6: Tuesday, September 23             Caernafon Castle  - Conwy Castle, Wales    (B)

Local expert Carole Statin will be our guide during our stay in Wales. We begin our exploration of Wales with a tours of two UNESCO Heritage Sites - Caernafon Castle and Conwy Castle. Originally built by Edward I in an attempt to contain the rebellious Welsh, Conwy Castle dominates the skyline with its imposing fortifications that stretch over three quarters of a mile and feature 22 towers. We will have the afternoon free for independent exploration.  Overnight The Royal Oak Hotel, Betws-y-Coed, Wales

Day 7: Wednesday, September 24             Snowdonia National Park, Wales  (B)

We’ll board our motorcoach for a full day field trip to Snowdonia National Park, one of three National Parks in Wales. We will visit a slate quarry then continue to Blaenau Ffestiniog to begin a journey on the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railway, originally used to transport slate from the quarries to the coast, in carriages drawn by a historic steam locomotive. Overnight The Royal Oak Hotel, Betws-y-Coed, Wales

Day 8: Thursday, September 25              Chester  -  Lake District    (B,D)

Depart Wales for the ancient, picturesque city of Chester, known for its extensive Roman walls made of local red sandstone and numerous Tudor-style half-timber buildings. A Roman amphitheater, with ongoing excavations, lies just outside the old city's walls.  We will complete our tour with a visit to the spectacular Chester Cathedral. Continue to our hotel on the shores of Lake Windemere in the Lake District.

Overnight Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa, Windemere

Day 9: Friday, September 26       Lake District National Park     (B,D)

Local Blue Badge guide Jenny Willson will spend two days with us in the Lakes District. Jenny lives just ten minutes from our hotel so this corner of the Lakes District is her backyard!  Jenny will design a tour of this region that best showcases this beautiful region. Beatrix Potter grew up in a town not far from our hotel and nearby Grasmere, was the home of poet William Wordsworth. 

Overnight Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa, Windemere

Day 10: Saturday, September 27       Hadrian’s Wall  - Roman Army Museum   (B,L,D)

Jenny will discuss the Roman occupation of Britain from 85-350 AD as we visit two award-winning museums along the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hadrian’s Wall.  We will tour the Roman Army Museum and take a brief walk to a superb section of Hadrian’s Wall at Walltown Crags. Following lunch at the museum’s café, we will continue to the nearby Roman Vindolana Fort is one of Europe’s most important Roman archaeological sites.

Proceed to York and check into our hotel for 3 nights. Overnight The Grand Hotel, York

Day 11: Sunday, September 28         York Minster   -   The Shambles    (B)

We'll begin our day marveling at York Minster's stained-glass windows on our tour of the largest Gothic church north of the Alps. we'll take a walking tour beneath the leaning, half-timbered houses of The Shambles in the city's marvelous medieval center. You'll have the rest of the day free to explore more of this enchanting city. Overnight The Grand Hotel, York

Day 12: Monday, September 29      Yorkshire, setting "All Creatures Great and Small." (B)

Today we will enjoy a full day tour of the glorious Yorkshire Dales, setting "All Creatures Great and Small." We will stop in Grassington, the village used to portray Darrowby, home of veterinarian James Herriot on the most recent TV series."  Overnight The Grand Hotel, York

Day 13: Tuesday, September 30    (B,L)

En route to London we will stop in the University town of Cambridge where we will enjoy a punt ride on the River Cam, gliding by the "College Backs."  We will toast our grand adventure at our farewell luncheon. We will proceed to Heathrow International Airport and drop off participants who are flying home tomorrow  The coach will continue to downtown London to drop off participants who plan to extend their stay in London. Overnight Holiday Inn, Heathrow Airport

or, for an additional cost, stay at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel where we have blocked a few rooms for the nights of September 30, October 1 and 2.

Day 14: Wednesday, October 1     (B)

Individual departures from London Heathrow for the USA.

BLUE BADGE GUIDES:

Blue Badge Tourist Guides are trained under the auspices of The Institute of Tourist Guiding which accredits training courses; each region requires up to two years study and examinations before successful candidates are awarded the coveted Blue Badge.

TOUR INCLUDES (14 days/12 nights):

* An expert Blue Badge Guide will accompany us in Wales, Lakes District, and York

* Services of a professional tour director: Marty Gane is scheduled for this tour

* Private guided tours of sites

* 12 nights hotel accommodations

* Private, air-conditioned, motor coach for all sightseeing

* 2 wine/beer receptions, daily breakfasts, 2 lunches and 5 dinners

* All admissions, tours and excursions as described in the itinerary

* All taxes, baggage handling (one bag per person), & gratuities

* Pre-trip notes, reading list and map book

What is Not Included:

Airfare; transfers between airport and hotel; trip insurance; personal items such as wines, liquors, a la carte orders, room service, laundry charges; and meals and other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Prices do not include airfare, however, we are happy to assist you with flight arrangements. We will post staff flight details shortly in case you would like to book seats on the same flights as Tour Manager Marty Gane.

COST: 14 DAYS/12 NIGHTS
Double Occupancy: $6195 per person

Single Occupancy:  $7395

NOTE: Prices are based on a minimum of 20 participants.

To enroll on this tour, print & complete the registration form and mail it with a $500 per person deposit check to: South Mountain Expeditions, P.O. Box 204, Keedysville, MD, 21756. Or call us at (301) 491-0225 . We accept VISA, Mastercard and American Express.