London Elite; Literature Greats, Lords of the Manor & Stonehenge

With a specialist guide, spend the day looking at the city from the perspective of two of its most famous characters: Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens.

See the locations that were key to Darwin’s time in London, including the houses in which he lived, the societies where he shared some of his greatest breakthroughs, and the place where he is buried. Moving around Bloomsbury, along Piccadilly and then towards Westminster, your guide will regale you with the story of Darwin’s work and personal life.

Stop at some of the numerous Societies of which Darwin was a member, including the Linnean Society of London, the Royal Society and the Geological Society of London.

If you wish, you can finish the morning at the Darwin Centre, a state-of-the-art collections facility that is part of the Natural History Museum and your guide can give you some suggestions on somewhere suitable for lunch according to your tastes.

Enjoy a 3 course lunch including half a bottle of wine and coffee at the invitation of a member at one of London’s historic Private Members Clubs

This afternoon is dedicated to Charles Dickens. Few people know that Central London is rich with stories about this well known character in history: from the gatehouse near Chancery Lane where Dickens received a black eye, to the places that he read his work, to the locations that appeared in his books. Your tour will move through the Chancery Lane, Temple and Covent Garden areas, showing you places where Dickens lived, worked and relaxed. You will hear the story of his boyhood in Kent, through to his traumatic teenage years in London and learn how he achieved success at a relatively young age. Learn of his mid-life crisis, and discover his enigmatic final years before his death in Kent at the young age of 58. End the day with a visit to the Charles Dickens Museum in Bloomsbury, which used to be one of Charles Dickens’ homes.

Enjoy a special day exploring the mythical site of Stonehenge and the beautiful town of Bath today. Meet up with your specialised guide for your tour of Stonehenge -a professional physicist, meteorologist and archaeologist with undergraduate and doctoral degrees in physics from Oxford University and a Master’s degree in archaeology from Oxford University and who has made significant contributions to research in solid state physics (1957-1972), tornado climatology (1972-2013) and Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeology (1981-2013). (Suffice to say you will be in good hands!).

A World Heritage Site, Stonehenge is one of the most important prehistoric monuments in the world. Dating back an astonishing 5,000 years, its exact purpose has been long debated. It is made up of 2 concentric stone circles encircled by a deep trench in the earth and it is believed that construction happened in stages spanning 1,600 years. The stones include Bluestone, Sarson and Welsh Sandstone, which travelled over 240 miles to reach Wiltshire. Its original purpose is unknown yet some say it was a temple to worship the gods, while others describe it as an astronomical observatory, or prehistoric calendar, because of the way it aligns with the sun and moon. There are many theories, but one thing is certain; Stonehenge has endured millennia, and no matter what beliefs people have, most will readily admit to a feeling of there being something sacred here.

From Stonehenge, you'll make your way to Woodhenge. Dating from 2300 BC, Woodhenge is thought to have marked a particular stage in the evolution of human religious belief and community organisation. Originally believed to be the remains of a large burial mound, you will be able to identify the concrete markers that stand there today - these replace the six concentric rings of timber posts which are believed to have once supported a ring-shaped building. 

There are also two White Horse chalk hill figures in the area, which the Professor can take you to see.  These hill figures are especially a phenomenon in England, and are large visual representations created by cutting into a steep hillside and revealing the underlying geology. It is a type of geoglyph usually designed to be seen from afar rather than above.

Just after 6pm this evening, you'll be brought to Bath where you will have a private visit of the Roman baths after public closing hours. The fundamental part of the Roman Baths is the sacred spring. Hot water at a temperature of 460°C rises here at the rate of 1,170,000 liters (240,000 gallons) every day and has been doing so for thousands of years. Founded in 75AD, the ancient Roman Baths were rediscovered and excavated in the late 18th century and are now designated as a Unesco Heritage Site.

Consider stopping off for dinner at the Michelin awarded restaurant The Pony & Trap in Newtown, Chew Magna village on your return journey back to London. Please speak with your Sales Advisor if this is of interest and a reservation can be made for you.

Your guide will collect you from your accommodation to bring you on a half day discovery of the Legal side of London! Depart for Lincolns Inn where you will have a special access, private tour of Lincoln's Inn including getting access to areas that are not open to the  public such as the Old Hall, Great Hall and Chapel and get an in depth look at the history and artwork housed in this historical building.

Lincoln's Inn is the oldest of London's four remaining Inns of Court - areas where those in the legal profession have traditionally lived, studied and worked. It offers many architectural delights and surprises such as a striking gatehouse, a 17th century chapel and a lovely little garden which features a toolshed in the shape of a castle. You'll have time to also visit the wonderful library here. The 15th century Old Hall, which plays a role in Dickens' novel "Bleak House", is the most antique part of the complex. Those who have studied law at Lincoln's Inn include Oliver Cromwell, John Donne, Benjamin Disraeli and Margaret Thatcher.

Enjoy a private lunch onsite and soak in the aura of this special place.

Please note that no transportation is included in this tour.

You are in for a treat this afternoon as you visit Windosor Caslte, partake in Evensong and relax over drinks with a resident of the Castle after it is closed to the public! Your private guide and driver will collect you at your accommodation for an afternoon out to the Berkshire area. Enjoy a visit of Windsor Castle, one of three official residences of The Queen and home to the Sovereign for over 900 years. The Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation. The imposing towers and battlements of the Castle loom large from every approach to the town, creating one of the world's most spectacular skylines. No other royal residence has played such an important role in the nation's history. There will be time to see everything that interests you, which can include the State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Doll’s House and St George’s chapel.

Consider taking a walk around the State Apartments, with its extensive suites of rooms at the heart of the working palace. For part of the year, access is allowed to see the Semi State rooms, which are some of the most splendid interiors in the castle. They are furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection including paintings by Holbein, Rubens, Van Dyck and Lawrence, fine tapestries and porcelain, sculpture and armour.

Queen Mary's Doll's House designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with the aim of  raising money for a children's charity, is one of the most visited sights at Windsor.

St George’s Chapel  is one of the most beautiful chapels in the country; with a wonderful fan vaulted ceiling. The Choir has the banners and Achievements of The Knights of The Garter. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles famously had their wedding blessing in this chapel. It is also the burial place of The Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, Henry V111 and his third wife Jane Seymour (who are buried alongside the executed Charles I).

Once you have finished visiting the castle, some private residents of the castle will meet with you and escort you over to Evensong at St George's chapel. Evensong is the Anglican liturgy of Evening Prayer, especially (but not exclusively) so called when it is sung and may provide a perfect moment of reflection and calm.

After evensong enjoy a personal invitation to drinks at a private home of a resident of the castle after the castle has closed to the public and get a wonderful insight into the life and workings of the Castle in modern times.

Head out of London core today to the bucolic countryside to the west of the city. Chavenage is an Elizabethan house of mellow grey Cotswold stone that has remained virtually unchanged for 400 years. Only two families have owned Chavenage and it is still a family home. Enjoy a private tour of the house this morning. Of particular interest is the Main Hall with its stained glass windows, the Ballroom and the Oak Room with its elaborate panels. The house has been used for many films and television programmes and features in the BBC´s costume drama ´Lark Rise to Candleford´as well as having been featured in ´Bonekickers´ and 'Tess of the D´Ubervilles".

The owner of the house will take you on a tour and then lunch will be served in a private room.

This afternoon you are in for a treat! Highgrove was built between 1796 and 1798 for local land owners, the Paul family of Stroud.  Believed to have been designed by Anthony Keck, the 37-acre estate is used to promote Prince Charles’s interest in organic farming and gardening.  It is surrounded by 350 acres of land farmed by the Duchy of Cornwall, known as the Duchy Home Farm, which provides food for a variety of royal residences and for commercial outlets. The property is renowned for its extraordinary grounds and you will have a privileged opportunity to tour the gardens which were designed by Prince Charles, including the wild garden, the formal garden, and the walled-kitchen garden.  Rare plants and trees from exotic locales are to be found throughout the grounds along with heritage seeds planted to maintain Britain’s native flora. This will undoubtedly be a very special day - there is typically a 3 year waiting list to try and get to see these gardens!

At days end you will be returned to your accommodation in London (approx. 7pm).

Afternoon Tea will be served and there will be time to browse the exclusive Duchy shop.

Meet your guide and driver at your accommodation in London and sit back and relax on the drive to Blenheim Palace (approx. 1.5hrs). Upon your arrival at Blenheim Palace, Lord Charles Spencer Churchill, the younger brother of the current Duke of Marlborough, will welcome you to and coffee will be served in a private room. Spend the morning having a private tour of the palace, accompanied by Lord Charles and access parts of the palace which are not open to the public, including the private gardens, which are only accessible to the family. Sir Winston Churchill was born in the Palace in 1874 and there's a permanent exhibition about him. Churchill loved Blenheim and, as a family member and frequently visited during his long life. He is buried in a simple grave in the nearby church at Bladon.

Return to one of the smaller rooms for a wonderful lunch, before bidding your farewell to Blenheim Palace. Blenheim is in the tiny village of Woodstock and the village still has a small glove factory which is well worth a quick visit.  

The rest of the day can be tailored to your interests. Perhaps take a more scenic route through some of the old Cotswolds villages before arriving in Oxford. Some of the places you may like to explore during the day according to interest and time available include Oxford Castle, and Christ Church which is the largest college in Oxford re-founded in 1546 by King Henry VII and the only college in the world with a cathedral within its walls. Many locations in Oxford were used in various Harry Potter movies which you can visit if you are interested including Christ Church College whose dining hall was a model for the one seen throughout the movies, and Duke Humfrey's library Divinity School (Hogwart's infirmary). You may like to consider a "punt" on the river ehich can be done independently or have your chauffeur do the work for you.

A lunch reservation will be made for you at the pretty Cherwell Boathouse. Owned and run by the same family for the past 30 years, Cherwell Boathouse,  as its name suggests is right on the banks of the Isis (Oxford speak for the Thames) in a truly scenic spot. The restaurant is small and intimate with a beautiful terrace.

Other potential places of interest to visit include the Bodleian library which is made up of many buildings located throughout the city and is nowadays the second largest library in the UK (after the British Library in London), and Merton College - the oldest college in either Oxford or Cambridge and its buildings are among the oldest and most interesting in Oxford.

 Return to London by 6.00 pm after a full days excursion.

Meet your driver at your hotel and be taken to Heathrow Airport by a private transfer.

Consider availing of a VIP Heathrow service to enjoy a seamless private and personal travel service as you would bypass the main terminals and other passengers, and get to relax in your own personal lounge, in total privacy where all the check-in processes and security are taken care of. From here, you would be whisked by luxury limousine to the steps of your departing flight. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if you would like to add this to your itinerary.