TOUR IDEAS

Quick link index:

1) Bath – Full Day

2) Cambridge – Full Day

3) Canterbury and Leeds – Full Day

4) France (Northern) – Full Day

5) London

a) Horses for courses

 

b) Family Fun with Lewis Day!

 

c) Georgian London

 

d) Legal and Medical London

 

e) London by Night

 

f) London sightseeing – From 2 hours to Half Day

 

g) Secret tour of London

 

h) Seven Wonders Tour

 

i) The Rock Music Tour

 

j) Wartime London

6) Oxford trips

7) Winchester, Salisbury and Stonehenge – Full Day

8) Windsor Castle – Half Day

9) Windsor, Eton and lunch in a 12th century haunted Inn

10) Winston Churchill Tour

11) Important information regarding top London attractions

Combination sightseeing available at client's request

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1) Bath – Full Day

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Depart London at say 09:00 – arrive City of Bath at approx. 10:45. Bath is set among the rolling green hills of Avon valley. According to legend, the city owes its origin to the Celtic King Bladud, who discovered the curative properties of its natural hot spring in 860 BC. In the first century, the Romans built baths around the spring and a temple dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva. Open air great bath, which stands at the heart of the Roman spa complex was reopened in 1870 to the general public after the baths had fallen into ruin. Extensive excavations have revealed the Romans used the baths for 400 years before leaving it to ruin. Today, you can see where Julius Caesar bathed in water, which is the same temperature of 115 F as it was then.

Following the tour of the spa, lunch could be at the beautiful Royal Crescent Hotel, which is in the middle of 30 houses that arc over Victoria Park, the city’s largest open space. The crescent has been hailed the most majestic street in Britain. Alternatively, lunch could be at Sally Lunn’s Tea House, which as well as lunch, has been serving afternoon tea since 1482.

Following lunch, visit Bath Abbey in the heart of the city. Dating back to the 8th century, the church is perpendicular style with Norman arches and superb gothic mouldings. The west front carvings represent angels ascending and descending from heaven after the founder and bishop, Oliver King had a dream. The old town has some very interesting small shops hidden amongst the normal high street shops. After, visit the Museum of Costume, which houses a prestigious collection of fashionable dress covering the period from the 16th century to present day. Alternatively, you could visit the Jane Austen Museum.

Leave Bath for London and visit Stonehenge en-route (subject to time). This is Europe’s most famous prehistoric monument dating back to 3000 BC. Take a short walk around the 80 stones, some weighing up to 50 tonnes and feel part of the Bronze age.

Return to London for approx. 17:00.

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2) Cambridge – Full Day

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Depart London at say 09:00 – arrive City of Cambridge at approx. 10:30. This has been an important town since Roman times. In the 11th century, religious orders began to establish in the town and in 1209, a group of religious scholars broke away from Oxford, because of academic and religious disputes and set up in Cambridge instead. Today, student life still dominates the City. Visit Kings College Chapel, one of the most important examples of late medieval English architecture. There are 31 colleges that make up Cambridge University.

At approx. 12:30 have lunch at the wonderful Midsummer House, an intimate restaurant by the river just outside Cambridge, serving modern British cooking. After lunch, and on the way back to London, visit the Duxford Air Base, a former Battle of Britain American fighter station. The hangers date back to the 1st world war and the museum is now home to Europe’s largest collection of military and civilian aircraft, with 140 flying machines, ranging from 1st world war biplanes to supersonic jet fighters, as well as home to the very first Concord passenger jet.

Return to London for approx. 17:00

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3) Canterbury and Leeds Castle – Full Day

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Depart London at say 09:00. Drive to the town of Canterbury in Kent, arriving approx. 10:30. Famous for its cathedral, the site was vacated by the Romans in 400AD. On orders from the Pope, Saint Augustine was sent to England to convert Anglo-Saxons to Christianity and the town soon became the centre of the Christian Church in England. By 1070, a new cathedral was built over the site of the Anglo-Saxon one and today, it still has some of the best medieval architecture in Europe. Some of the medieval glass on show is 1000 years old. The Nave is over 328 feet long, making it Europe’s longest medieval church. Canterbury Cathedral also famous as site of The Murder in the Cathedral - The killing of Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Beckett in 1170 by knights of Henry II. At approx. 12:30, have lunch in the ivy clad, rural red brick English pub, called the ‘Dove Inn’, in Dargate. It has been serving good food since 1574. The name of the street that the pub is on should give you a good feeling for the place: ‘Plum Pudding Lane’!

After lunch, head back towards London via the 12th century Leeds Castle, often called "the most beautiful castle in the world", in Maidstone Kent, approx. 40 minutes away. A Norman castle on two islands in a lake, it was converted to a palace by King Henry VIII and he lived there to escape the plague. It has been beautifully restored with many attractions, including stunning gardens.

Return to London at approx. 17:00.

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4) Northern France – Full Day

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Depart London at 08:00 and head to Ashford International terminal near Folkestone Kent, approx. 75 minute drive. Board ‘Le Shuttle’ car train which takes 30 minutes under the English Channel, arriving Calais France at approx. 11:30 local time. (France is 1 hour ahead of time than the UK). Driving through some of the best landscapes, head to the city of Reims, situated in the champagne region. Since the 11th century, the Kings of France have come to this City of Coronations to be crowned in the world famous and remarkable gothic cathedral. 

For lunch, we suggest Boyer ‘Les Crayeres’ restaurant, a Michelin 3 star treat not to be missed!

After lunch and a short drive away, head to the heart of the champagne region and the town of Epernay. Burrow into the chalky caves and taste the champagne! The best cave to see is the Moet & Chandon cellar, which dates back to 1743 and stretches some 18 miles underground. On-site English speaking guides are available for hire to guide you through the caves, demonstrate the maturing process and also to sample the various champagnes! The Moet & Chandon Group now own famous brand names, including Mercier, Krug, Dom Perignon, Veuve Cliquot and Canard Duchene and you may like to buy some bottles at reduced prices to take back home!

Start journey back to Calais arriving at 19:00, board ‘Le Shuttle’ car train, arrive back to Folkestone approx. 18:30 (UK local time - 1 hour behind French time) and back in London by approx. 20:00.

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5) London

a) Horses for courses in London

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b) Family Fun in London with Lewis Day! 

You may not think a museum is an ideal place to take children, but over the past few years many have vastly improved their children’s attractions with interactive exhibits and fun learning.  Listed below are a number of attractions to amuse, fascinate and interest not only children but parents as well. Select some of the following places for a fun half or full day tour, with one of our sedans or vans to get you safely and quickly around London. As we only charge by the hour, you can decide on the day how many hours you need us for. 

The Science Museum:

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A real favourite located in Kensington, with five floors of interactive galleries allowing children to explore basic scientific principles. 

Current exhibition: 'The Science of Spying'

Find out if you've got what it takes to be a modern-day spy in this new interactive family exhibition. After being recruited as a trainee spy, explore the skills and abilities required by real agents and use some of the latest technologies that help spies gather and analyse information. Later, go on a secret undercover mission in a rival organisation and discover what it's like to be spied upon. Uncover a secret store of prototype gadgets that give you a glimpse into the future of spy technologies and finally use everything you've learnt to escape before qualifying as a fully fledged agent!

Useful information

Open 10.00am to 18.00 everyday apart from 24^th – 26^th December. Free entry into the museum but charges apply to the IMAX 3d cinema (£8.00 adults/£6.25 children) Simulators (£2.50 adults/£2.00 children) and some special exhibitions.

The Natural History Museum:

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Is also great for kids – they will love the Dinosaur Gallery, and the animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex who really steals the show.

The Museum of London:

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For a “kid friendly” history lesson, this venue cannot be beaten.  See what a Roman room looked like, stand in an 18^th century debtor’s prison cell, wander down a Victorian street and look into a grocer’s and pawnbroker’s shops.

Useful information

Open daily Monday – Sunday 10.00am to 17.50 last admission is 17.30.

Museum is closed on 24^th December – 26^th December.

The first Thursday of every month museum opens at 09.00am

Please note: The Museum of London has closed all of its Lower Galleries for refurbishments and will be re-opened early 2010.

The London Transport Museum:

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The new Museum opened on 22 November 2007 after a two year, £22 million refurbishment and redesign project. The Museum received a grant of £9.4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and very generous support from almost 100 corporate partners, trusts and foundations. New galleries tell the story of the development of London, its transport systems and the people who travelled and worked on them over the last 200 years. As well as exploring the past, the new Museum looks at future transport developments and how transport has shaped five other world cities - Delhi, New York, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo.

Opening times

Open Saturday – Thursday 10.00am to 18.00 last admission is 17.15

Friday 11.00am to 21.00 last admission is 20.15

The Mudchute Farm:

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Based on the ‘Isle of Dogs’ in East London next to Canary Wharf, the huge revitalised Docklands business community, it is the largest city farm in Britain and includes a working farm, wildlife area, horses, woodland and parkland. 

Opening times

Farm Yard is open 7 days a week from 09.30am to 16.30

The Battersea Park Children’s Zoo:

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Boasts a reptile house, meerkat and mongoose enclosures, monkeys, flamingos, ponies, deer, wallabies and the star attraction “Yum Yum” the pot-bellied pig.

Opening times

Open everyday from 10.00 apart from 25^th December and 26^th December.

The London Zoo:

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The most famous zoo in the capital, set in the stunning Regent’s Park. Collect a free daily events guide on your way in and plan your time carefully to enjoy feeding times and shows.

Opening times from Feb 09 10.00am to 16.00

Hyde Park:

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Another of London’s famous parks is a great place to spend a summer’s day.  The park often hosts world class concerts, including the Prince of Wales Trust charity benefit. The 340 acres of green space is complete with people rollerblading, skateboarding, cycling, as well as the Serpentine Lake, from where you can hire a rowing boat or kayak. There is even a section of the lake for swimming, for those brave enough!  The park also houses a riding school, which charges £30.00 per hour (not open Mondays) and a visit to the Serpentine Gallery is a must.

The London Dungeon:

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For gruesome fun, dreamt up by a London housewife whose children were disappointed by the lack of “blood and thunder” at the Tower of London, the vaults under London Bridge Station are full of scenes of torture, murder and execution.

Madame Tussaud’s:

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Near Baker Street on the Marylebone Road.  This building is full of waxworks and is one of London’s biggest family attractions.  It’s not really suitable for very small children, but older children will certainly enjoy recognising some familiar faces.

New show: 'The Stardome'

Madame Tussauds London has joined forces with one of the world’s top animation studios - Oscar winning Aardman Animations - to create an all new visitor experience for Madame Tussauds’ iconic landmark dome building. Aardman, the much loved British institution which gave rise to Wallace and Gromit and Creature Comforts, has just completed work on the funny and charming Aardman Presents The Wonderful World of Stars for Madame Tussauds.

Opening times

Open daily from 09.30am to 17.30 last admissions is 17.30. Extended opening hours apply in peak time and summer as follows:

09.00am to 18.00 school holidays and every weekend

Summer – 01^st August to 30^th August open until 19.00

The London Eye:

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A trip to the British Airways London Eye (also known as the ‘Millennium Wheel’), diagonally opposite Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, is one way of getting closer to the stars! At 450 feet high, the big wheel is the very best place to get a bird’s eye view of the city.

Opening Times

October – May – 10.00am to 20.00 daily.

June – 10.00am to 21.00 daily          

July – August – 10.00am to 21.30 daily

September – 10.00am to 21.00 daily 

December 24^th – 10.00am to 17.30

December 25^th – CLOSED

December 31^st – 10.00am to 15.00

YOU MUST PRE-BOOK TICKETS

The London Aquarium:

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Based a little way from the London Eye by County Hall, is a delightful place to wander through the amazing underwater world with attractions ranging from miniature tropical fish to sharks.

To round off this visit, try the ‘Frog Tour’ in a bright yellow amphibious vehicle that takes you for a 90-minute road trip of London, before splashing down into the River Thames for a 30 minute cruise. Tours leave daily from 10 am, from County Hall (opposite Big Ben!).

Opening Times

Mon – Fri – 10.00am to 18.00 last admission is 17.00

Sat – Sun – 10.00am to 19.00 last admission is 18.00

Please note: The Aquarium is open but some displays will be closed until March 2009.

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c) Georgian London

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Your tour begins with a drive through the affluent suburbs of West London to Syon House, London residence of the Dukes of Northumberland, designed by the doyenne of 18^th Century architects Robert Adam and a sublime example of the classical revival that swept Britain in the second half of that century. You then drive to Kensington Gardens for a light luncheon at the Orangery adjacent to Kensington Palace (designed by John Vanbrugh for Queen Anne in 1704 – or the Wallace Restaurant at the heart of the stunning Hertford House with its incomparable collection of 18^th century art and furnishings.

You then drive through some of the Georgian Highlights of Central London – Portland Place – the street that made living in town fashionable – and the great 18^th century set pieces of Bedford and Russell Squares, and end your day either with the late Georgian gem, The John Soane’s Museum in Lincolns Inn Fields, or to the breathtaking Enlightenment Gallery at the British Museum.

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d) Legal and Medical London

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For something very different, come with us on a fascinating guided tour of Old London discovering the history of the medical and legal professions with our very own Lewis Day expert, Dr. Ros Stanwell-Smith.  We’ll pick you up at your hotel at 9:30 for a day’s tour of the best and not so well known ancient haunts of lawyers and doctors: 6-8 hours with a break for lunch in suitably medical/legal (but not gory…) venues*.  Dr. Ros works in public health, as well as being a qualified Blue Badge London guide and will entertain you with stories & anecdotes while helping you to discover sites such as:

• The Old Bailey (criminal law court) and site of the infamous Newgate Prison
• The Temple, founded by the Knights Templar and still a workplace for London barristers, with its glorious Middle Temple Hall and Temple Church founded in 1185
• Lincoln’s Inn Fields, home of the oldest legal chambers in London, where you can visit the Sir John Soane Museum, an amazing collection in the quirky home of the great architect Sir John Soane, or the Hunterian Museum featuring the work of the pioneer 18^th century surgeon John Hunter (or why not see both?)
• Bloomsbury, where the British Museum was founded by a physician  – and take a short walk to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, a splendid Art Deco building where doctors and lawyers who reformed public health are commemorated - and it is next to the early 1930s art deco ‘skyscraper’ of the Senate House of London University, which inspired George Orwell in his novel ‘1984’
• Queen Square – a charming 18^th century square surrounded by literary and medical history – ‘mad’ King George, the plight of chimney sweeps and a hospital partly funded by the proceeds from ‘Peter Pan’
• The Foundling Museum – site of the first orphanage in Britain, supported by the composer Handel, the artist Hogarth and the writer Charles Dickens – whose home nearby is now also a museum
• Soho – where investigation of a cholera outbreak revealed it was carried by dirty water, also the site of plague and poxes – once an infamous red light area where Casanova, doctors and lawyers resided, along with writers - and drinkers
• The Wellcome Galleries – opened in 2007 in an impressive old building, with the exotic medical curio collection of Henry Wellcome and exhibitions with a medical theme.

During the tour, Dr Ros will take you to as many other hotspots of medical and legal history as you have time for:  many of these sites are still ‘haunted’ by characters from the past – and you won’t want to leave…

*Possible lunch venues:  Middle Temple Hall (advance booking essential); Knights Templar Pub (Weatherspoon); restaurant in Lincoln’s Inn Fields; Wellcome Galleries; Lanesborough Hotel (formely St George’s Hospital).

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e) London by Night

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A panoramic night time tour of central London.

See picturesque landmark buildings, both classic and modern architecture, in an alternative way. Beautifully lit, for an atmospheric and magical evening transformation.

Your itinerary:
After being collected from your hotel (approx 18.00-21.00 depending on time of year)
your chauffeur will start the tour by a drive past Buckingham Palace. On to Parliament Square, for Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament (the Palace of Westminster). Over Westminster bridge to the ‘London Eye’, for a 30 minute ride on this giant Ferris Wheel. Onwards along the Southbank of the Thames river, and over the world famous Tower Bridge. Taking in wonderful views of the Tower of London and St Katherine’s Dock marina. From here, a drive out East to ‘Canary Wharf’ – London’s new financial district.

Weather permitting, you then take a walk over the ‘Millennium Footbridge’ – your car will be waiting on the other side for you. From there, back over Blackfriar’s Bridge, and then along the Victoria Embankment heading towards Trafalgar Square. See Nelson’s column and Admiralty Arch. Up towards Piccadilly Circus, and to Leicester Square and Chinatown. Along Shaftesbury Avenue and the theatre district (London’s ‘Broadway’). Returning to your hotel via Regent Street and it’s wonderful shops.

Your itinerary is flexible and you may request that your chauffeur stops at any point for a photo opportunity or to take a closer look.

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f) London sightseeing – From 2 hours to Half Day

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See historic buildings and landmarks like the Tower of London, dating back to 1066. It served as a royal residence, armoury, treasury and most famously, as a prison of the Crown. Still houses the Crown Jewels today. View Tower Bridge, built in 1886. The bridge opens to allow tall ships and cruise ships into the Tower Pier, by the restored warship ‘HMS Belfast’ which is now a museum. See St. Paul’s Cathedral, which was rebuilt to its present day form after the Great Fire of London in 1666. With its high distinctive dome looking out over the City of London, the cathedral stood proud throughout the 2nd world war, whilst the rest of London was bombed and burning!

On to Westminster Abbey, one of the most beautiful buildings in London, where many royal weddings and coronations have taken place, as well as the burial place of Britain’s monarchs since the 13th century. Visit Downing Street off Whitehall, home of the British Prime Minister since 1732 and on to the Houses of Parliament, the seat of Government since the 10th century. Dominated by the clock tower, it houses the 14 tonne bell called ‘Big Ben’, put there in 1858. It still chimes every hour.

See Buckingham palace, the Queen’s official London home and why not be dropped off to the famous and vast department store Harrods, to spend the rest of the afternoon shopping and eating in one of its 17 eateries.

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g) Secret tour of London

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Many first time visitors to London like to see the well known sites, such as Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. Others, including the more adventurous or seasoned travelers often request to see something completely different about London, and for them, they should know about our ‘secret’ tour.

The following itinerary is based on 4 hours for a car and driver. A guide can also be requested. Depending on your client’s interest, we can easily extend the tour to show other secret locations.

The tour involves a mixture of driving and some walking to hidden places:

The London Stone is housed in a building on Cannon Street in the area known as the ‘City of London’. It can be seen from the street behind a glass case and is said to be over 2000 years old and has many mysteries about it.

Dennis Servers House House is open Every Monday night for the “Silent Night” Evening/Twilight tour from 18.00-21.00. 12.00 gbp per person. Pre booking is essential

House is open Monday lunchtimes from 12.00-14.00 on Mondays following the 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month. 5.00 gbp per person. No pre-booking needed

House is open Sunday afternoons from 12.00-16.00. 8.00 gbp per person. No pre-booking needed

The house hasn't changed at all since the 17th century and once inside, you can still smell the baking of bread and view the general life of how London used to be.

The Old Curiosity Shop – made famous for the Charles Dickens book and is London’s oldest shop, showing the date 1567 on its outside beams.

The Roman Spa located next to Somerset House, is said to be 2000 years old. The only way to see it is through a glass window in a very typical narrow Victorian alley-way. To view the spa, there is a light switch on the wall outside the building, which has to be turned on (by your client!) which then lights up the spa inside!

The 18th Century Pet Cemetery where you can see grave stones which are only 12" high, dedicated to owner’s beloved pets of the time.

Prince Henry’s Rooms built in 1610 for the then Duchy of Cornwall, now open 3 hours a day, but you see original works of Samuel Pepys.

Ten Bells Pub where Jack the Ripper picked up two of his victims. The pub is unchanged since 1888. Fancy a chilling drink?!

The Elf Oak Tree in Kensington Gardens. In the 19^th century a carpenter used to carve little elves on a tree every night so his children would see a different elf every time he took them back to the park. This beautiful and interesting tree remains unchanged since then.

The half day tour could end at Rules Restaurant in Covent Garden - London's oldest and most traditional of British restaurants.

Alternatively, stop for a pub lunch and then continue with our guide to more ‘secret’ locations….

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h) Seven Wonders Tour

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The East End World of London to be precise!

with Lewis Day Chauffeur
For something very different, come with us in one of our luxury vehicles on a 4 hour private tour to the famous East End area of London. The curious and knowledge hungry traveler will enjoy the 7 Wonders which very few venture to see:

W1: The Ten Bells Public House (Pub)
Infamous for its connection to the "Jack the Ripper" murders. Two of the Ripper victims were seen in the pub close to the times of their murders and all five victims lived in close proximity to the pub. (view the outside of the pub only).

W2: Dennis Sever’s House
An 18th century house in Spitalfields, created by the artist Dennis Sever. A step back in time to early Victorian life captured in this restored house. The food (REAL food) is still warm on the table, coals are simmering in the fireplace, and you can even hear horse drawn coaches passing on the street as the voices of peddlers are heard through the cleverly hidden speakers. (Entrance fees and special opening times apply. Only suitable for teenagers upwards).

W3: Roman Wall
About the year 200 AD a defensive wall was built around the city. For well over a millennium the shape and size of London was defined by this Roman wall. The area within the wall is now "the City", London's famous financial district. See part of London’s Roman Wall with a small garden in the area by the Tower of London. Also, there is a statue thought to be of Trajan and a copy of a tombstone to Julius Classicianus (the procurator) found nearby.
 

W4: Church of St. Mary-le-Bow
Founded in or around 1080 as the London headquarters of the archbishops of Canterbury, the medieval church of St Mary-le-Bow survived three devastating collapses before being completely destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. Rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren, it was destroyed once more in 1941 but was again rebuilt and re-consecrated in 1964.
In 1469 the first reference to Bow bells were made in relation to the building of the steeple. Bow bells are probably the most famous in the world and for many hundreds of years have been woven into the folklore of the City of London. In 1392 Dick Whittington heard Bow bells call him back to London to become Lord Mayor; to be born within the sound of Bow bells was the sign of a true Londoner or Cockney. In 1631, the poet and Minister John Donne died and left a bequest for the upkeep of the Bow bell. John Donne wrote the famous poem, "For whom the Bell Tolls".

W5: Brick Lane
So named because in the Middle Ages it was a centre for brick and tile manufacturing. It became a popular destination for Huguenot immigrants to set up their silky weaving businesses, and in 1724 Ben Truman opened the Black Eagle Brewery. Unfortunately, by the 19th century the area was massively overpopulated and squalid. In the 20th century the area became home to Bangladeshi immigrants, who arrived as seamen from the 1920s to 40s. They brought their skills in cooking, practiced on the boats and in lodging houses, so to open the first Asian restaurants and ‘curry houses’ in Britain.

W6: The Geffrye Museum
One of London’s best-loved museums. It shows the changing style of the English domestic interior in a series of period rooms from 1600 to the present day. It's collections of furniture, textiles, paintings, and decorative arts are displayed in a series of period rooms from 1600s to the present day. The museum is set in elegant 18th century almshouses with a contemporary wing surrounded by attractive gardens, which include an award-winning walled herb garden as well as a series of period gardens. (Entrance fees apply. Closed on Mondays).

W7: Burberry Factory Outlet Store
Originally an outlet for staff only, this is one of Fashions’ best kept secrets in East London. You can save up to a third on your favorite Burberry classics. A wide selection of women's wear, men's wear and children's wear, as well as British goodies like shortbread are available. Rummage through racks of classic jackets, blazers, trousers, purses, wallets, and of course trench coats.

Finish the tour with some traditional East End Fayre at a ‘Pie and Mash’ shop

After visiting the 7 Wonders, you may like to try some famous East End food in authentic surroundings! The tradition of good East End ‘grub’ (food) is still alive and kicking. Indeed, there are believed to be around 80 ‘Pie and Mash’ shops still going. With the décor in blue, green or orange tiles, wooden benches and white marble table tops, it’s a throwback to the late Victorian era. The oldest surviving Pie and Mash shop is ‘M Manze’ on Tower Bridge Road, which is just on the south side of Tower Bridge and near to The Tower of London. Established in 1902 by Michele Manze - the present owners' Grandfather, they serve traditional Pie & Mash and Eels (jellied or stewed).
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i) The Rock Music tour

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Your tour will include visits and views of great moments in rock music from a town that has contributed more than most to the history of pop music. No dedicated follower of fashion would want to miss Carnaby Street or the Kings Road and the Chelsea Drug Store where you can ‘get your fair share of the views’ – all epi-centres of 1960s swinging London. We’ll see where Jimmy Hendrix died, and where bands like The Who developed the heavy rock sound – very much the sound of London. Visit World’s End where punk took off in 1976, where Stairway to Heaven was recorded and You Really Got Me by The Kinks. We’ll hear about the glories, and the tragedies - where Mamma Cass Elliott may or may not have eaten her last ham sandwich and where the Beatles last performed live. En route you’ll experience a cross section of London, from up-scale Chelsea to working class Shepherds Bush. Maybe you’d like to round the day off with a pint in Mick Jagger’s ‘local’?

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j) Wartime London

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Your tour starts with a drive through London’s iconic Westminster district to St Pauls, the great cathedral whose vast dome came to symbolise the defiance of London against Hitler’s bombers. Inside, we visit the American Memorial Chapel to view Eisenhower’s Book Of Remembrance to the American dead. Then, a drive through London’s East End and Dockland’s, recalling the devastation of Black Saturday 7^th September 1940 when the Battle of London began as waves of Luftwaffe bombers assaulted the London docks. This is followed by lunch in the Sugar Warehouses on the West India Docks – the only Georgian dock buildings to survive the bombs - and then drive through Lambeth to the Imperial War Museum with its world beating collection of World War II memorabilia, from German rockets and Monty’s tank, to the Holocaust galleries and the Blitz Experience, a carefully researched reconstruction of a WWII air raid shelter and blitzed street.

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6) Oxford

a)  Focus on J.R.R. Tolkien – Oxford and environs – Full Day

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Depart London at say 09:00. Drive to the city of Oxford arriving approx. 10:30 and visit Exeter College, where JRR Tolkien took his degree in 1914. Visit Merton college, which is the oldest in Oxford dating back to 1264. Tolkien spent most of his adult life there and became the youngest Dean at the age of 33, during which time he grew inspiration for the Hobbit and Lords of the Rings. Visit his home just outside Oxford and his grave, upon which people still lay rings.

For lunch, we give you a choice of 3 places outside Oxford at about 12:30. Firstly, a gourmet experience at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Raymond Blanc’s legendary 2 Michelin star restaurant/hotel in Great Milton. Or, to the village of Woodstock and eat at The Feathers Hotel, an elegant 17th century gem of a building, rich in original wood panelling, low beam ceilings, antiques and serving delicious, memorable food. Third choice and a few doors along in this picturesque village, is another famous hotel/eatery called The Bear Inn, which dates back to 1232. The inn delivers sound cooking based on fresh local produce. It was also a hideaway for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton at the height of their affair.

Return to London at approx. 15:30

b) Oxford and Woodstock / Blenheim Palace – Full Day

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Depart London at say 09:00 – arrive City of Oxford at approx. 10:30 and visit the different colleges that collectively make up the University of Oxford. There are 37 such sites, the best of which include Merton College dating back to 1264, Trinity College 1296, Magdalen College which is perhaps the most beautiful and Christ Church, where students still eat at long tables and professors sit at the high tables facing the students. Whilst in the centre of Oxford, visit the Bodleian library, generally considered to be one of the world’s greatest librairies, housing some 5 million books, manuscripts and maps, many dating back to medieval times.

Leave Oxford and head to the charming Cotswold village of Woodstock, a 20 minute drive away. For lunch at say 13:00, try The Feathers Hotel, a 17th century building, with much character and charm. It has wood panelling and low beam ceilings, steep narrow stairs, antique furnishing, and roaring log fires, as well as a lush garden at the rear of the property for al fresco dining. Indoors and on street level, the restaurant is cosy and the food is excellent and described as modern British. Alternatively, and a few doors along in this picturesque village, is another famous hotel/eatery called The Bear Inn, which dates back to 1232. The inn delivers sound cooking based on fresh local produce. It was also a hideaway for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton at the height of their affair.

After lunch and a 10 minute walk, is Blenheim Palace, the current home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The palace is considered to be one of England’s masterpieces with magnificent sculptures, paintings, tapestries and fabulous staterooms that overlook 2100 acres of landscaped gardens, designed by Capability Brown.

Return to London for approx. 17:30.

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7) Winchester, Salisbury and Stonehenge – Full Day

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Depart London at say 09:30, arrive in Winchester approx. 90 minutes later. Visit the famous cathedral founded in 1079 on a site where Christian worship had already been offered for over 400 years. Among its treasures are the 12th century illuminated Winchester Bible, the font and medieval wall paintings. Visit the Great Hall, once the home of the Doomsday book. See the 600 years old round table closely associated with the legendary King Arthur. Lunch at the ‘Wykeham Arms’ pub, which is tucked away in a narrow street behind the cathedral and the Great Hall in what is the oldest part of the City. It has a wonderful atmosphere and was winner of the Best Pub Food Guide 2002.

After lunch, a short drive to Salisbury, with its famous cathedral. It is probably one of Britain’s finest examples of medieval architecture with the tallest spire in Britain, home of the original Magna Carta. If you are there at the right time, you can hear the choir singing, accompanied by Europe’s grandest church organ. The cathedral choir dates back some 750 years.

Heading back to London, we pass Stonehenge, one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world, dating back 5000 years.  Arrive back in London at approx. 17:30.

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8) Windsor Castle – Half Day

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Depart London at say 09:30. Arrive Windsor Castle at approx. 10:30, which is the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen and is the oldest continuously inhabited royal residence in Britain since 1070, as well as being the largest inhabited castle in the world. Visit Saint George’s Chapel, where 10 Monarchs are buried, and also the Queen Mother, who was recently laid to rest there. See the Doll’s House designed for Queen Mary in the 1920s.

For lunch, at say 12:30, you can opt for a gourmet affair at the 3 star Michelin rated restaurant called ‘The Fat Duck’ nearby in Bray. For a lighter (and cheaper!) lunch, we recommend an award-winning pub called ‘Ye Olde Bell’ set in the nearby idyllic village of Hurley. This Inn has been serving good traditional British food and beer since 1137.

Return to London for approximately 15:30.

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9) Windsor, Eton and lunch in a 12th century haunted Inn

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Duration: 9am to 3pm

Lewis Day suggested itinerary:

An experienced and friendly chauffeur will collect your client(s) from their central London hotel at 9am and drive to Windsor, approximately 50 minutes away.

History of Windsor Castle:
Windsor Castle is one of three official residences of The Queen and has been 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.
Visitors can walk around the State Apartments, extensive suites of rooms at the heart of the working palace; for part of the year visitors can also 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 armor.
Within the Castle complex there are many additional attractions. In the Drawings Gallery regular exhibitions of treasures from the Royal Library are mounted. Another popular feature is the Queen Mary's Dolls' House, a miniature mansion built to perfection.
We will get to see the changing of the guard at 11am with a full marching brass band, the same as Buckingham Palace but without the vast crowds!

Still at the castle, your clients resume their walk and can see St George's Chapel, one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings in England. The building was started in 1475 by Edward IV and took fifty years to construct. It is the Chapel of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Britain's highest order of chivalry founded by Edward III in 1348. Members are selected by The Sovereign and include foreign monarchs and previous Prime Ministers. Ten monarchs are buried in the Chapel, including Edward IV, Henry VIII with his favourite wife Jane Seymour, Charles I, George V and Queen Mary and George VI. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother is also buried here, along with her younger daughter Princess Margaret. Beyond St George's Chapel is the entrance to the Albert Memorial Chapel, converted by Queen Victoria as a memorial to her husband Prince Albert who died in 1861.

Back in the car for midday, we drive around Windsor and show your clients where Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles were married in 2005.

Leaving Windsor, we head for Eton, a mere 10 minute drive away for a short stop to view the colleges and their occupants.

History of Eton:

Eton College was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI to provide free education for 70 poor scholars who would then go on to further their education at King’s College, Cambridge. Life in the early days was harsh, rats ran free and the boys had to wash outside using only cold water. From these 70 scholars, the school has expanded to about 1,280 boys aged from 13 to 18 who are admitted by competitive examination, and has become one of the most exclusive schools in the world.

Eton has educated 18 former British Prime Ministers including the Duke of Wellington, Walpole, Pitt the Elder, MacMillan and Douglas-Home. The School Dress still consists of a black tailcoat and waistcoat, and pin-striped trousers which date from the 1850s.

Lunch:

From Eton, we head to the nearby village of Colnbrook for a delicious lunch at The Ostrich Inn, which dates from 1157 and is the 3rd oldest Inn in England.

The Ostrich Inn has a more macabre tale related to the unscrupulous murder of wealthy guests. During the Middle Ages a couple called the Jarmans owned the pub. When a wealthy guest arrived at the Inn they were shown to a special guest room upstairs, the bed of which stood on a trap door connected to the kitchen below. When the guest had retired for the night and was sound asleep, one of the Jarmans would pull a secret lever and the occupant of the bed would drop into a boiling vat of ale positioned under the bed in the kitchen. The body was then disposed of in a nearby river and the Jarmans murdered some 60 guests before being caught. They were hung for their murderous crimes! There have been recent reports of poltergeist activity at the inn, witnessed by the staff and customers. The haunting is said to have become more active after the street outside was disturbed by the local council installing speed restriction humps.

The Inn has a restaurant and serves fine ales and wines alongside such dishes as traditional fish and chips, pies, sea bass and even ostrich burgers! The food is very good and is great value too.

After lunch, we then head back to London for approximately 3pm.
 

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10) Winston Churchill Tour

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Enjoy a day exploring the history of one of the world’s greatest war time leaders, Sir Winston Churchill.

Itinerary:

09:30

A chauffeured Mercedes-Benz sedan will collect you from your London hotel and take you to the Cabinet War Rooms and Winston Churchill Museum in Horse Guards.

History:

Shortly after becoming Prime Minister in May 1940, Winston Churchill visited the underground cabinet war rooms to see for himself what preparations had been made to allow him and his War Cabinet to continue working throughout the expected air raids on London. It was there, in the Cabinet Room, he announced "this is the room from which I will direct the war". He spent much of his time here throughout the war. The maze of rooms were locked up in 1945 after the Allied victory and only reopened in 1972 to allow the public to see a few rooms. In 2003 newly restored areas of the Cabinet War Rooms were revealed to the public for the first time. Known as 'The Churchill Suite,' they had lain neglected and unseen since the war. In 2005 the Cabinet War Rooms opened a museum dedicated to the life of Churchill. His family and friends donated to the museum, so now the exhibition examines Churchill's many roles as a leader, statesman, politician, soldier, father, husband and son. Visitors will gain a real insight into Churchill's lesser-known qualities and traits as well as his celebrated role as one of the greatest leaders of his time.

From here, we drive nearby to two wonderful statues in memory of Churchill. One statue allows you to join him and Roosevelt sitting on a park bench (a great picture opportunity).

11:15

The tour continues, as we drive out of London into the English countryside to the picturesque village of Woodstock, near Oxford (approx 1.25 hour drive) and birthplace of Winston Churchill.

History:

Thomas Chaucer (thought to be the brother of Geoffrey Chaucer) and famous for being Speaker of the House of Commons, resided here for some years, whilst in later centuries Woodstock was noted for its glove making. Before the Norman Conquest, when the Wychwood Forest stretched from the Cotswolds to London, English Kings had lodges in Woodstock - 'a clearing in the woods' giving a possible derivation of its name. King Alfred is reputed to have stayed at Woodstock in 890. Ethelred the Unready held a council in the town suggesting its size had grown fit to accommodate a king. In 1279, Henry II established a market and by the 13th century it had grown to the status of a Borough.

12:30

Lunch:

We will drive straight to The Kings Arms Public House (pub) in Woodstock arriving at approximately 12:30. It is a listed Georgian building and the restaurant offers modern cuisine in a relaxed bistro atmosphere. The Head Chef provides an extensive a la carte and bar menu together with daily specials.

13:45

After lunch, the tour continues with a 5 minute drive to Blenheim Place, which is situated on the village borders.

History:

The palace was created a World Heritage site in 1987 and is the home of 11th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The imposing scale of the palace is beautifully balanced within by the intricate detail and delicacy of the carvings, the hand painted ceilings and the amazing porcelain collections, tapestries and paintings displayed in each room. Set in beautiful parkland of 2100 acres, which was landscaped by 'Capability' Brown in 1760, the palace is surrounded by sweeping lawns and formal gardens. Explore the exact room in the palace where Churchill was born on 30th November 1874, as part of Blenheim's permanent Churchill exhibition. The exhibition houses a fascinating collection of many of his manuscripts, paintings, personal belongings, books, photographs and letters, all on display against an audio backdrop of his most famous speeches.
Back in the car, the tour continues to the nearby village of Bladon where Churchill is buried, alongside other members of his family.

History:

Since his death, Churchill's stature has grown. Recently he was voted 'Greatest Ever Britain' in a major BBC poll, beating the likes of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Princess Diana and Charles Darwin. Churchill died on 24th January 1965, exactly seventy years to the day after his father, and the funeral service took place at St Paul's Cathedral. It was a very moving occasion, marked with all the splendid panoply of Church and State; it was attended by the Queen together with rulers from all over the world and shared by the whole nation. In contrast, the burial at Bladon was a very private matter as Lady Churchill had wished, with only close friends and family present.

16:30

We return to the car for the return drive to London, arriving back to your hotel for approximately 6pm.

11) Important information regarding top London attractions (TOP OF PAGE)

Daily Services Schedule – All welcome

Mattins – 07.30am

Holy Communion – 08.00am & 12.30

Choral Evensong - 17.00

Sunday Services Schedule – All welcome

Holy Communion – 08.00am

Mattins – 10.15am

Sing Eucharist – 11.30am

Evensong – 15.15

Evensong Service – 18.00

Westminster Abbey

Must check their website for admission as no schedule