General Information

Duration:

1 Days

Location Start:

International Students House, Great Portland Street Tube Station, London W1W 5PN

Location Finish:

International Students House, Great Portland Street Tube Station, London W1W 5PN

Phone:

+44(0)1223244555

Fax:

+44(0)1223244560

Payment Types:

• Cash
• Credit Card
• Cheque
• Travellers cheque
• Paypal
• Wire Transfer

We Speak:

English

Last updated: 04/07/2008

Itinerary

Day 1

On this tour we will explore the best landscapes the west of England has to offer. The rolling limestone hills of the Cotswolds, the ancient Neolithic sites of Wessex and the Georgian splendour of the city of Bath.

This tour departs every Tuesday (During British Summer Months)

After leaving London behind we take the old coach road to Bath, through Hungerford, Marlborough, along the Kennet valley and through the Savernake Forest. Evidence of this once important route lies all around us, historic coaching inns, chalk hill figures cut into the downland, obscure monuments to long forgotten characters and a subtle change in the landscape as we head into the golden stone villages of the Cotswold and Mendip hills. Our first stop will be in Lacock, a perfectly preserved village, now owned by the National Trust and often used as a backdrop to such films as the Cranford Chronicles, Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter. After a guided walking tour there will be free time to explore and take morning coffee before we continue towards the Avon valley and the city of Bath.

Visitors have been coming to Bath for centuries, owing to the hot springs that bubble up to the surface at several locations in the city. A constant temperature of 46.5C, the only warm springs in the country, meant that it became the important Roman resort of Aqua Sulis during the time of their occupation nearly 2,000 years ago. The city was beautifully re-invented in the 18th century when it became the fashionable place to see and be seen. Elegant cresents, squares and terraces were built as the rich and famous travelled from London for 'the season' and relieve themselves of gout, rheumatic pain and stiffness of the joints. The fully guided tour of the city includes admission to the Roman Baths museum and a tour of the highlights of Georgian Bath, including the Royal Crescent, Royal Circus and the Assembly Rooms.

After lunch and free time we meet up again and travel through mysterious Wessex, taking the back roads, through villages of flintstone and thatch and onwards to Salisbury Plain and the enigmatic circle of Stonehenge. Facts and theories abound at this ancient site, where and why, who were the builders, what was it used for? During our guided tour we learn about the different periods of building stretching back 5,000 years, we learn of the people that worship there and of the various ideas of its alignments and purpose. It is here, amongst the stone age landscape of Wiltshire, that we end out tour before returning to London.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

All travel in comfortable purpose-built minibus from Central London

Extras -

Why choose this tour?

On this tour you will be travelling with no more than 15 other people - guaranteed! Our purpose-built minibuses have large windows, good air circulation and clear PA systems so that your professional guide can escort you comfortably through our wonderful country. Our itineraries are carefullly planned (with many years of experience) so that you discover as much as possible, without spending too much time on the road.

As we travel in smaller vehicles, we normally use the most scenic routes, where large coach are prohibited from travelling. Additionally, as our group sizes are smaller we are able to more time out of the vehicle. We also employ a seperate driver and not a driver/guide, on our midweek tours. This means that your guide's time is totally dedicated to ensuring that you see and learn as much as possible.

Friendly and Professional Guides - Small Groups - More Scenic Routes - More Time Sightseeing- No Time Wasted Travelling around London- Great Value for Money