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Tudor and Henry VIII Tours

The Tudors Castles and Palaces.

Touring through the glorious English countryside seeing the castles, palaces and country homes associated with Henry VIII and the Tudors.

Example Ten Day Tudor Tour

TOWER OF LONDON - WESTMINSTER ABBEY

TOWER OF LONDON is an incredible complex of ancient buildings dating back 1000 years. Inside the White Tower is the imposing Henry VIII suit of armour. Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were executed and Elizabeth was imprisoned by her half sister, Mary I here. Burial place of many of the Tudor kings and queens, WESTMINSTER ABBEY includes the funeral mask of Henry VIII.

GREENWICH - MARITIME MUSEUM - ST JAMES'S

Taking a boat on the River Thames you will see this glorious city from a different perspective. GREENWICH was the birthplace of Henry VIII, Mary I and Elizabeth I. Henry set up two royal docks nearby. The MARITIME MUSEM has a Tudor room exploring Henry’s love of the navy. ST JAMES’S PALACE is impressively Tudor brick building set close to the other modern Royal palaces.

KNOLE HOUSE - HEVER CASTLE

One of the largest houses in England, KNOLE HOUSE was built in 1454 by the Church of England. Henry liked it so much, Thomas Cranmer gave it to him in 1538. HEVER is an idyllic castle, once home of the Boleyn family and childhood home of Anne Boleyn. It dates from 1270 and Henry VIII later passed the castle to Anne of Cleves. The church has the tomb of Sir Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne.

LEEDS CASTLE - CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL

LEEDS CASTLE is the most beautiful in the world. It is a C12th building which replaced an earlier manor house. As a royal dowry, it was given to Catherine of Aragon and later, Elizabeth I was imprisoned here. CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL is the home of the Anglican Church. Began as a monastery, Henry VIII closed it and destroyed Thomas Becket’s shrine. We have a special tour of the church.

DOVER CASTLE - WHITE CLIFFS - ANNE OF CLEVES

Nestling within the WHITE CLIFFS, DOVER was one of the most important ports. The town is dominated by the castle and Henry did much to improve it. Then as we drive through the beautiful Sussex Weald, we will arrive in the lovely market town of Lewes to see ANNE OF CLEVES HOUSE. It is believed this small house was given to Henry’s forth wife after they divorced in 1541.

MARY ROSE - ROUND TABLE - WOLF HALL

The historic docks in PORTSMOUTH has many ships to visit. Henry VIII’s flagship, the MARY ROSE is the oldest battleship in the world, fighting until she sank in 1545. WINCHESTER was the ancient capital of England. In the Great Hall, the Arthurian round table was remodelled by Henry and he sits in the middle. GREAT CHALFIELD featured in BBC’s Wolf Hall as Thomas Cromwell’s house.

SUDELEY CASTLE - COTSWOLDS - STRATFORD

Set in 10 magnificent gardens, SUDELEY CASTLE was property of Henry and his last wife, Catherine Parr is buried in the church. The COTSWOLDS has some of the best English scenery with lovely villages and vistas. STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, has many Tudor buildings. ANNE HATHAWAY’S COTTAGE – Shakespeare’s wife’s home is a classic black and white cottage in a wonderful cottage garden.

WARWICK - BOSWORTH - RICHARD III

The best preserved medieval castle in England, WARWICK CASTLE was owned by the Tudor monarchs. With many attractions including re-enactments. The BATTLE OF BOSWORTH, the last battle of the War of the Roses, put the Tudors on the throne. A battlefield walk relives the conflict. RICHARD III died at Bosworth and is now buried in Leicester Cathedral. A museum close-by showcases his life.

PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL - CAMBRIDGE

One of the finest cathedrals, PETERBOROUGH has a long history. Henry’s first wife Katharine of Aragon is buried here. CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY has 31 colleges. Trinity college founded in 1546 has Henry’s coat of arms on the main entrance. St John’s College is where Henry VII is celebrated. Also, KINGS COLLEGE CHAPEL, regarded as the finest and purest late gothic architecture in England.

HAMPTON COURT - WINDSOR CASTLE

HAMPTON COURT PALACE is the most famous Tudor building. Built by Cardinal Wolsey, it was confiscated in 1529 by Henry. In 60 acres, the gardens are a rare example of Tudor horticulture. WINDSOR CASTLE is the World’s largest inhabited castle and the Queen’s weekend home. Built over the centuries with exquisite interiors. St George’s Chapel is the  burial place of Jane Seymour and Henry.

ADDITIONS TO THE ITINERARY

This tour is an example of what can be seen. There are many more places associated with the Tudors and we can adjust this tour to any places you would like to add. We can add some castles or add few extra days exploring countryside of the LAKE DISTRICT, NORTHUMBERLAND, the KENT or THE COTSWOLDS.

Please ask for ideas.

What People are Saying

“Thank you for arranging a superb vacation for us. Everything was lovely but the best part was our guide. She was so able to identify what we were looking for within the first hour and adapted the itinerary accordingly. "

Tours, Events & Virtual Summits

Do you love a personal touch my in-person tours and events provide tudor time travellers like you with the most immersive experiences possible., tour with ‘the tudor travel guide’., simply tudor tours is now live.

. I am delighted to announce that, responding to regular requests from followers to run tours, our new tour company, ‘Simply Tudor Tours’, is now launched after many months of planning!

We will run our inaugural tour in September (2024) entitled, ‘ The Rise & Fall of Anne Boleyn ‘. Although this tour is now full, we are planning three tours in 2025 and possibly a shorter weekend Christmas event.

To see all our current and up-and-coming tours, click here . If you are interested in touring with me and want to hear more about future tours, click the button below to register your interest. This will add your name to the Simply Tudor Tours VIP list.

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Tudor England - Monarchs & subjects, bridging mediaeval & modern

Tudor England studied through a variety of architecture, artefacts and artworks.

Dynastic houses and rustic cottages, seats of learning and merchants’ mansions, artisan plasterwork and world-beating stained glass. 

Accompanied by a leading Tudor specialist, historian and art historian Professor Maurice Howard.

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The defeat of Richard III by Henry Tudor in a Leicestershire field on August 22, 1485, heralded a glorious age over which the Tudor monarchs would preside for the next 118 years. Out of the turmoil of the Wars of the Roses a new social and economic order emerged: an age of discovery, trade and commerce, in which the old mediaeval aristocracy was joined by a prosperous new class of bureaucrats at court and a wealthy merchant class in towns and cities. This tour explores the legacy and interests of the Tudor gentry and nobility through the prism of some of their finest surviving monuments in the south-eastern counties. Many of them owe their existence to the flourishing wool trade.

Under Henry VIII vast estates of the monasteries passed into new hands; house-building was now dominant rather than lavish spending on churches. The ambition to demonstrate wealth through these buildings is clear from all levels of society down to even the lesser gentry. Gainsborough Old Hall is one of the largest and most complete brick and timber-framed manor houses in England; Ellys Manor House contains rare survivals of sixteenth-century interior decoration; the immense gatehouse at Layer Marney has delicate Renaissance ornament in the form of its windows. The list goes on.

The visual arts were complemented by a great flourishing of the musical and literary arts that have made some of the great works of the late-sixteenth century stand out as the quintessential products of the Elizabethan age. The achievements of John Caius at Cambridge,  manifest in a series of gateways to his college, mark the absorption of new approaches to classical learning into English education, while the great house at Burghley, completed by William Cecil, uses tradition and innovation in design and ornament fit for Elizabeth’s first minister and ready to receive the Queen herself.

Hatfield. Leave London at 10.15am. Henry VIII’s three children spent much of their childhoods at Hatfield, and of the palace the great hall survives. A collection of Tudor portraits reveals the creation of a dynasty. First of three nights in Rutland.

Kirby Hall, Burghley House. In taste and ambition these great houses, owned by two of Elizabeth I’s closest and most powerful courtiers, epitomise the standing achieved by the Queen’s favourites. Magnificent Burghley House, perhaps the finest Elizabethan house in England, was built by William Cecil in a palatial compound of mediaeval, classical and pseudo-classical styles. Kirby was completed with precocious classicism by Sir Christopher Hatton; though now partly ruined, it remains extraordinarily impressive. The handsome Cecil funerary monuments are in St Martin’s Church, Stamford. Overnight Rutland.

Gainsborough Old Hall, Ellys Manor. Dating from the mid-15th century, Gainsborough Old Hall played host to Richard III in 1483 before the owner, Sir Thomas Burgh, switched allegiance to Henry Tudor. Sources suggest that Henry VIII may also have spent a night here. In addition to the formal rooms a remarkably intact suite of service interiors has survived. Built by an international wool merchant in the late-15th century, Ellys Manor has continental influences throughout and exceptional 16th-century wall paintings, ‘a rare English interpretation of French verdure tapestries’ (Pevsner). Overnight Rutland.

Cambridge. Though begun in 1446 by Henry VI, King’s College Chapel acquired its present form during the reign of Henry VIII. Combining the very best of Tudor era architecture, stained glass, sculpture and furnishings, this is one of the world’s greatest buildings. The three splendid gateways created in the 1550s–70s at Gonville & Caius College are remarkable for their Renaissance design and symbolism. Trinity was founded by Henry VIII in 1546; the university’s largest and wealthiest college was endowed with land from dissolved monasteries. (Visits on this day are subject to change as Cambridge colleges may close to the public at short notice). First of two nights in Lavenham.

Coggeshall, Paycocke’s House, Layer Marney. The village of Coggeshall, Essex, has many fine Tudor buildings of which Paycocke’s House (1509–10) is the most impressive; fine beam-work, panelling and other rare survivals. The abbey was granted to Sir Thomas Seymour, brother to Jane, by Henry VIII, and the 16th-century manor house incorporates elements of the monastic complex. Had it been completed, Layer Marney would have rivalled Hampton Court in splendour. The spectacular Tudor gatehouse with its Italianate decoration is the tallest in England. Henry VIII and Elizabeth both visited. Overnight Lavenham.

Otley Hall. Beautiful, moated Otley Hall was the seat of Bartholomew Gosnold, who rallied support to plant an English colony in north Virginia; in 1602 he landed on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, named after his deceased daughter. Set in 10 acres of gardens, Otley’s exterior has splendid chimneys, brickwork and vine leaf pargetting. Inside, wall paintings commemorate a marriage of 1559, and the Great Hall and Linenfold Parlour are unequalled in Suffolk. The tour finishes at Ipswich Railway Station by 1.00pm.

Price per person

Two sharing: £1,810. Single occupancy: £2,100.

Hotel accommodation; private coach throughout; breakfasts, five dinners with wine; all admissions; all tips; the services of the lecturer and tour manager. 

Accommodation

Barnsdale Lodge Hotel , Rutland, housed in an extended old farmhouse close to Rutland Water. Public rooms and bedrooms are arranged around a courtyard and have a traditional, country décor. The Swan , Lavenham: dating from the 15th century, The Swan has been an inn since 1667; rooms have been recently renovated yet retain their historical character; excellent restaurant.  Single rooms are doubles for sole use throughout.

How strenuous?

Unavoidably, there is quite a lot of walking on this tour and it would not be suitable for anyone who has difficulties with everyday walking and stair-climbing. Coaches can rarely park near the houses, many of the parks and gardens are extensive and the houses visited don’t have lifts. Average distance by coach per day: c. 77 miles.

Are you fit enough to join the tour?

Between 10 and 22 participants.

Tour combinations

Combine with our London Day  The Tudors ,  7 May 2019.

The Tudors Hampton Court, tombs & portraits

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Home Tours England: The Tudor Experience

England: The Tudor Experience

This immersive tour of Tudor England brings to life the story of one of the country’s most notorious kings. Accompanied by a knowledgeable private guide, you’ll explore key moments in the reign of King Henry VIII from his coronation in Westminster Abbey to his burial in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Witness his ‘pleasure palace’ in Hampton Court, visit the Tower of London where two of his wives were beheaded, and explore private houses, hunting lodges and the homes of some of his infamous six wives.

Trip Highlights

Stay in magnificent hotels, including two castle hotels associated with the Tudors and a boutique hotel on the banks of the River Thames

Visit Tudor properties in Kent including private houses, hunting lodges, and homes belonging to King Henry VIII’s wives

Enjoy a guided tour of the city and cathedral of Canterbury, and discover its role in the English Reformation

Admire the architectural splendour and countless treasures of four important monuments in Tudor London: Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London

Discover colourful tales about the personal and political exploits of King Henry VIII, as your knowledgeable private guide brings to life the stories of Tudor England

This is a guide price based on 2 people travelling together and sharing a room.

Trip details

Your private driver will greet you at the airport and transport you to Tunbridge Wells, a historic spa town surrounded by idyllic Kent countryside.

Check into your hotel, set in a Grade II listed mansion in the heart of town, and unwind after your journey. Why not get your English adventure off to an extra-special start with afternoon tea at The Ivy, located a short walk from your hotel (at additional cost).

Following breakfast at your hotel, your private driver will collect you for a full-day tour of two properties associated with King Henry VIII.

Admire the magnificent 14 th century manor house and gardens at Penhurst Place on a private guided tour. Discover how Henry VIII used this property as a hunting lodge and a base for visiting his soon-to-be-wife, Anne Boleyn, who lived in nearby Hever Castle.

Set within 125 acres of glorious grounds, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn is your second stop. Built in 1383, this impressive moated castle houses one of the best collections of Tudor portraits in the UK. After exploring the house and gardens, check into Hever Castle for a truly unique stay.

After a breakfast fit for a king, your exploration of Tudor properties in Kent continues. Located in the grounds of Kent’s last medieval deer park, Knole has a colourful past as an archbishop’s palace, former royal residence and hunting lodge of Henry VIII. After visiting the impressive collection of art and antiques, you’ll continue to Igthham Mote, a beautifully preserved medieval moated house, to admire its architecture and collections, and amble around the tranquil gardens.

Today’s journey concludes at Leeds Castle, said to be the ‘loveliest castle in the world’. Set on two islands amid a great lake, it’s been the private property of six kings and queens, most notably Henry VIII who transformed it for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Check into your castle accommodation, then take advantage of out-of-hours access to explore the grounds at your leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at Leeds Castle before your private driver whisks you away to the cathedral city of Canterbury, inextricably linked with King Henry VIII. Walk through 1,400 years of history as you learn about Henry’s schism with the Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England, on a private guided tour of the city and cathedral.

Continue to London and check into a characterful boutique hotel on the banks of the River Thames, opposite Hampton Court Palace. We can make dinner reservations at one of London’s numerous restaurants (dinner not included).

After a leisurely breakfast, delve into the public dramas and private lives of Henry VIII, his wives and children, with a private guided tour of Hampton Court Palace.

Uncover Tudor treasures in the lavishly decorated State Rooms and Apartments, walk the infamous Haunted Gallery, see superb tapestries in the Great Hall, and be awed by the sprawling kitchens that once produced more than 800 meals per day. You’ll have time to amble through the exquisite gardens and see if you can find your way out of the iconic maze before returning to your hotel.

With over 1,000 years of royal history, today is all about Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Prepare to be awed as you explore golden State Apartments, see world-renowned paintings from the Royal Collection and be delighted by a doll’s house, as your guide regales you with the fascinating history of this historic castle.

Completed during the reign of King Henry VIII, St George’s Chapel also marks his final resting place. Admire this elegant building and learn more about its history, before continuing to London to check into your luxurious hotel in the heart of the West End.

Following breakfast at your hotel, your private guide will meet you for a whistle-stop tour of London highlights, before specialist tours of two iconic places associated with Tudor London.

See classic sites including Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, before walking in the footsteps of kings and queens in Westminster Abbey. The setting of every royal coronation since 1066, discover how this magnificent abbey survived the Reformation, the story of the lost tomb of Henry VIII, and more, as you tour this magnificent church.

After lunch in an atmospheric Tudor pub, delve into the fascinating and gruesome history of the Tower of London. Your private guide will bring the stories of this iconic castle to life as you see the Crown Jewels, Beefeater guards, resident ravens, and discover the bloody history of this fortress, including the execution of two of Henry VIII’s wives.

Enjoy an evening of leisure at your hotel; we can make dinner reservations at a restaurant of your choice (not included).

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and one final wander along the banks of the River Thames, before your private driver transports you back to the airport for your onward journey. Want to visit more of England? SmoothRed is happy to help you extend your visit, and visit other areas like the Cotswolds . Please ask for more details.

All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you

This sample itinerary is intended to give you a flavour of what we can do.

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Fully Escorted Tours 

Resident tour historian: gareth russell, small groups as standard, financial failure protection cover on all tour bookings, all breakfasts and dinners included, saturday 21st - friday 27th september 2024, tour details.

'The Rise of the Tudors’   Tour is a 6 night/ 7 day, luxury, fully escorted, tour exploring the rise of one of the most famous royal dynasties of all time, The Tudors.

As part of a small group you will visit Castles and Cathedrals in Wales and the border counties, returning each evening to our luxury hotel in comfort and style on our luxury air-conditioned coach.

Gareth Russell, best-selling author and historian accompanies Philippa Brewell, your dedicated Tour Manager, as resident tour historian. We are joined along the way by historians Dr Nicola Tallis and Nathen Amin for fascinating talks, at which you will be able to ask questions, and have books signed. Julian Humphrys will escort us on an engrossing day in Winchester.

The tour will begin by meeting at our convenient pick-up point in London before heading to beautiful Wales, where we will stay for two nights. Using our luxury hotel as a base, the tour will visit Pembroke Castle and Raglan Castle, both closely associated with the early life of Henry VII.

We then come back over the border, into England, to visit more Cathedrals and Castles associated with the early Tudors. Winchester, the birthplace of Arthur Tudor, Gloucester Cathedral which saw huge change with each Tudor monarch, Ludlow Castle where Arthur Tudor died and Worcester Cathedral where he is buried.

If this is the one for you, don't delay, click the 'Book Now' button, below.

Tour Highlights

Best-selling author and historian gareth russell, is our dedicated tour historian, visit castles and cathedrals in wales and the border counties, talks from dr nicola tallis, nathen amin and julian humphrys, expert guided tours, visit 8 historical locations: pembroke castle, raglan castle, gloucester cathedral, winchester great hall and cathedral, ludlow castle, st laurence's church, and worcester cathedral.

The Itinerary

Welcome reception. talk from gareth russell.

We will meet at our designated, convenient, pick-up point in London, where you will board our private coach, bound for our first hotel, in Wales. After checking in to your room, you will have time to relax before we meet for a Welcome Drinks Reception.

The evening continues with a talk from our Historian for the Tour, Gareth Russell followed by a three-course meal. 

Pembroke Castle.

Enjoy a lovely breakfast before we head off for a day at Pembroke Castle. Explore the birthplace of Henry VII, and see the room in which he is supposed to have been born. 

This evening we will enjoy a three-course meal together before free time to relax and pack. 

Raglan Castle. Gloucester Cathedral

After breakfast and check out, we board our private coach for a morning at Raglan Castle, where Henry VII spent his early years.

The afternoon is spent at Gloucester Cathedral, where we will enjoy a guided tour of the cathedral and you will see, amongst other things, some of the best preserved cloisters anywhere in England and the tomb of a deposed King of England.

Our talk this evening 'Henry Tudor: Rise to the Throne' is given by historian and author, Nathen Amin. Nathen's talk will be followed by a 3-course dinner.

Winchester, the ancient capital of Wessex, was the choice of location for Henry VII's Queen, Elizabeth of York, to give birth to their first child. The child was a boy and he was christened Arthur. 

We will visit the Cathedral, which years after Arthur's birth, saw the marriage of Mary I to Philip of Spain. 

(More activities to be announced)

Ludlow Castle. St Laurences Church

Worcester cathedral.

On our final evening together, we will meet for pre-dinner drinks before a sit down meal. After this, you will have free time to enjoy your surroundings and pack.

Final Farewells

What's included.

6 Nights Luxury Accommodation

Resident historian for the tour - gareth russell, expert history talks from eminent historians, dedicated and experienced tour manager - philippa brewell, all evening meals and breakfasts, drinks allowance with evening meals, luxury coach travel from pick up to drop off, all admissions as stated in the itinerary, private guided tours as stated in the itinerary, an experience of a lifetime, historian talks.

Gareth Russell

Nathen Amin

Julian Humphrys

Nicola Tallis

We apologise for any disappointment caused. our groups are kept to a limited number to enable us to offer unbeatable service, so tours often sell out quickly. , not for you this time that's ok, we have more tours being added so, keep in touch and get news about new tours straight to your inbox by subscribing, for free, to philippa's substack -   click here, photo gallery.

Raglan Castle

Private Dining

Gareth Russell - Resident Historian providing talks throughout the tour

Pembroke Castle

Luxury Coach

Spa Facilities at Tewkesbury Park Hotel

Gloucester Cathedral Cloisters

Arthur Tudor's Chantry, Worcester Cathedral

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In accordance with the UK Package Travel & Linked Travel Regulations 2018 all passengers booking with History Holidays Ltd t/a British History Tours are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies received by us, including repatriation costs and arrangements, arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of History Holidays Ltd t/a British History Tours .

There is no requirement for Financial Protection of day trips or single elements, and none is provided. 

History Holidays Ltd t/a British History Tours has taken out an insurance provided by International Passenger Protection Ltd (IPP) with Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE (LMIE) trading as Liberty Specialty Markets, a member of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Group. LMIE's registered office: 5-7 rue Leon Laval, L-3372, Leudelange, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Registered Number B232280 (Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés).  LMIE is a European public limited liability company and is supervised by the Commissariat aux Assurances and licensed by the Luxembourg Minister of Finance as an insurance and reinsurance company. This insurance is only valid for passengers who book and pay directly with/to History Holidays Ltd t/a British History Tours . 

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FULL ITINERARY

Thursday, 9th june guests gather at 5.30pm for welcome drinks and introductions at the 4* bloomsbury hotel, one of the finest hotels in london (www.doylecollection.com). situated near covent garden, and not far from the west end, the bloomsbury hotel is a magnificent neo-georgian listed building designed by the renowned british architect, sir edwin lutyens. lavishly refurbished, and recently restored to its original glory and grandeur, it blends the high end of contemporary design with traditional elegance. this is a classic location from which to explore the myriad of treasures of bloomsbury, whether it's the british museum which is literally around the corner, the shopping haven of oxford street, the west end theatres and night life, the bustle of covent garden or the magnificent georgian terraces and tree-lined squares which makes the bloomsbury hotel the perfect london hotel. the welcome reception will be followed by a short presentation by alison weir: an introduction to the tudors . afterwards, we gather for an included private welcome dinner at the hotel. overnight: the bloomsbury hotel friday, 10th june we travel by coach to penshurst place ( www.penshurstplace.com ). on the coach, alison weir will speak about the six wives of henry viii. penshurst place is one of england's finest historic houses, set in the weald of kent's peaceful rural landscape. the medieval house with its magnificent baron's hall dates from 1341 and is one of the finest examples of 14th century architecture. later additions have seen penshurst place grow into an imposing fortified manor house containing state-rooms filled with a remarkable collection of tapestries, paintings, furniture, porcelain and armour. penshurst has been the ancestral home of the sidney family since 1552 and successive generations have shaped its development. penshurst's most famous son, sir philip sidney, the chivalrous soldier poet, was a symbol of loyalty and bravery in the elizabethan era. we will enjoy a private guided tour of the house, and there will be time to visit the lovely gardens and toy museum. we then take the coach to romantic thirteenth-century hever castle (www.hevercastle.co.uk), the family home of anne boleyn, later restored by william waldorf astor, where there will be time for an independent lunch. in the afternoon, we will visit this lovely castle with its magnificent interiors, its fascinating collection of tudor royal portraits and its beautiful italianate award-winning gardens. audio guides will be provided, and alison weir will accompany the group through the castle. guests will stay overnight at hever castle, where they will be accommodated in individually furnished, newly refurbished luxury rooms in the `tudor village` (below), the astor wing built in the early twentieth century as service quarters. in the evening, there will be an elegant group dinner in the tudor suite dining hall. after dinner, alison weir will give a talk on the lady in the tower: the fall of anne boleyn saturday, 11th june we leave hever after breakfast and return to london, where, after an independent lunch, we visit the tower of london (www.hrp.org.uk). on the way, alison weir will speak about traitors of the tower . at the tower, we will be joined by guest historian, dr kate williams, author of the best-selling england’s mistress , a biography of lady hamilton, and becoming queen , about queen victoria. her majesty`s palace and fortress of the tower of london is britain`s leading historic visitor attraction. this ancient fortress was founded by william the conqueror and almost a thousand years of british history have been played out within its walls. standing guard by the river thames, the tower is an impressive london landmark. its stones are steeped in history, and its walls house many secrets, as well as the world-famous crown jewels. several people lost their heads in the tower, which held such famous prisoners as anne boleyn, edward v, guy fawkes and sir thomas more. there is so much to see at the tower including the yeomen of the guard (or `beefeaters`), the ravens, henry viii's armour, instruments of torture and the traitors` gate. on arrival at the tower of london, alison weir will give an orientation talk and an overview of the tower`s often grim history. we are planning some privileged access to parts of the tower not normally open to visitors, and there will be an opportunity to see the real scaffold site – not the supposed one on tower green – where three tudor queens were beheaded, the royal chapel of st peter ad vincula, where they are buried, the massive white tower, built in the eleventh century, and much more. alison weir and siobhan clarke will guide you, and there will be free time to explore on your own. on the way back to the hotel, kate williams will speak about england’s mistress: emma, lady hamilton . (a little off-period, but very entertaining) dinner is independent tonight. overnight: the bloomsbury hotel. sunday, 12th june we depart after breakfast by coach to bradgate park in leicestershire. sarah gristwood, author of the best-selling books arbella: england`s lost queen and elizabeth and leicester , will accompany the tour from today until friday on the way, our historians will give a series of talks on rivals for the throne: lady jane grey: the nine-days queen (alison weir); : margaret douglas, countess of lennox (siobhan clarke); arbella, england`s lost queen (sarah gristwood) set in a beautiful, scenic, 840-acre country park, the ruins of bradgate park (below), former home of the grey family, evoke haunting memories of the tragic lady jane grey, who was born and grew up here. here too once lived elizabeth wydeville, future queen of edward iv, and the mother of the princes in the tower and of elizabeth of york, who married henry vii, first sovereign of the house of tudor. after visiting the ruins, we will explore the visitor centre, which has information and displays on lady jane grey and bradgate's history. after an independent lunch in the cafe, we drive north to hardwick hall (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-hardwickhall) in derbyshire, a region of england renowned for its beautiful scenery and the spectacular peak district. on the bus, alison will speak about the monstrous regiment of women: tudor queens and commoners. hardwick hall is one of the most splendid houses in england. it was built by bess of hardwick in the 1590s, and unaltered since, yet its huge windows and high ceilings make it feel strikingly modern. outside, stone gleams and glass glitters in the light. its six towers make a dramatic skyline. climbing up through the house, from one spectacular floor to the next, is a thrilling architectural experience. rich tapestries, plaster friezes and alabaster fireplaces colour the rooms, culminating in the hauntingly atmospheric long gallery. guests can also visit the nearby ruins of hardwick old hall (www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/hardwick-old-hall). our hotel for the next two nights will be the marriott breadsall priory hotel and spa at morley, near the city of derby the allure of history meets modern comfort most elegantly than at breadsall priory. this is a magnificent stately residence dating back to 1260 and adorned by 300 acres of idyllic landscape and two golf courses. you can swim in the indoor pool, exercise in the three fitness areas or luxuriate in the newly refurbished health spa. as the oldest of all marriott hotels, near derby on the edge of the spectacular peak district, breadsall priory offers authentic charm and the finest amenities, including the award-winning priory restaurant, set in an ancient wine cellar. tonight we will enjoy an included dinner at the hotel. overnight: breadsall priory hotel monday, 13th june in the morning, we visit nearby chatsworth house (www.chatsworth.org), the magnificent home of the duke of devonshire. on the coach, sarah gristwood will speak about that redoubtable tudor builder, bess of hardwick . built originally by the legendary bess of hardwick, magnificent chatsworth house offers visitors a treasure trove of modern and historic artefacts. wandering around the three floors, the visitor can see magnificent displays of art, furniture, sculptures and paintings housed in ornately decorated rooms, from the grandeur of the first duke's painted hall and state apartments with their rich decoration and painted ceilings, to the 19th century library, great dining room and sculpture gallery. there is just as much to see outside with 1000 acres of gardens that have been described 'one of the best and most vibrant gardens in britain'. at chatsworth, we will enjoy a 90-minute private tour, followed by an included buffet lunch with wine in the impressive 18th century stables. in the afternoon, we drive to romantic haddon hall (www.haddonhall.co.uk) for a private guided tour. haddon hall, the derbyshire home of the manners family, is one of the finest medieval and tudor houses in england. steeped in history and romance, the battlemented house is trapped in time - it has hardly changed for over 400 years. set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the river wye, the hall was the setting for dorothy vernon's elopement with john manners, the son of the earl of rutland, in 1558, and today the door through which she escaped is still named after her. the house was eventually left to dorothy on her father's death and has been in the manners family ever since. dr tracy borman will join us for the visit, and will tell the romantic story of dorothy vernon. dinner is independent tonight. there is a wide range of local options available. overnight: breadsall priory hotel. tuesday, 14th june in the morning we drive south to harvington hall (www.harvingtonhall.com) for coffee and a private tour. on the way, siobhan clarke will speak about the elizabethan recusants. harvington hall (below) is a charming moated medieval and elizabethan manor-house south-east of kidderminster. many of the rooms still have their original elizabethan wall-paintings and the hall contains the finest series of priest-holes anywhere in the country. afterwards, the coach will take us to stratford-upon-avon (www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk). on the way, sarah gristwood will give us an introduction to shakespeare`s stratford. stratford-upon-avon, the birthplace of william shakespeare, is steeped in culture and history. set in the beautiful rural warwickshire countryside, on the banks of the river avon, it is one of the most important tourist destinations in the uk, a market town with more than 800 years of history containing many ancient buildings that would have been familiar to shakespeare himself. after an independent lunch, there will be free time in stratford, after which there will be free time to visit the various historic shakespeare properties in the town (ticket included). later in the afternoon, we will drive to anne hathaway`s cottage (below, right), the home of shakespeare`s wife, for a guided tour. after leaving stratford, we drive to luxurious, historic coombe abbey (www.coombeabbey.com), where we will stay for two nights. originally a twelfth-century cistercian abbey nestling in england's historic heartland in warwickshire, coombe abbey has also been a moated tudor prodigy house and a gothick fantasy. it has now been restored to its former glory, and is set in glorious gardens within 500 acres of breathtaking parkland. at coombe abbey, guests will be accommodated in individually styled feature rooms. in the evening, there will be an included group dinner at the hotel, after which alison weir, siobhan clarke and sarah gristwood will host a debate: the tudors in film and fiction . overnight: coombe abbey. wednesday, 15th june after breakfast, we visit sudeley castle (www.sudeleycastle.co.uk) in gloucestershire. on the journey, alison weir will speak about the lady elizabeth: elizabeth i`s perilous path to the throne. sudeley castle was the home of katherine parr, who died there in 1548, and whose tomb may be seen in the chapel. henry viii stayed here with anne boleyn in 1535. set against the backdrop of the beautiful cotswold hills, sudeley castle is steeped in history. with royal connections spanning a thousand years, it has played an important role in the turbulent and changing times of england's past. henry viii, anne boleyn, lady jane grey, queen elizabeth i and richard iii have all played a part in sudeley’s story. on arrival, you will join an exclusive connoisseur tour of the castle, where you will see masterpieces by rubens, van dyck and claude lorraine, as well as tudor portraits and treasures, and relics of katherine parr. there will also be time to see the fascinating exhibitions exploring the castle`s history, the award-winning gardens, the soaring medieval ruins, and st mary’s church, where katherine parr lies buried (below). there will be time for an independent lunch in the coffee shop in the banqueting hall of the castle, which offers a wide selection of refreshments. after lunch, we drive to baddesley clinton ( www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-baddesleyclinton ). on the coach, alison weir will speak about the virgin queen . baddesley clinton is a medieval moated manor house with hidden secrets. here, you will see priest holes that bear witness to the religious conflicts of the tudor age. the house is much as its elizabethan owner left it, and is set in pretty gardens and meadows. we then drive to stratford-upon-avon, where there will be free time for an independent dinner before we gather for a private, candle-lit, guided tour of shakespeare's birthplace (below). overnight: coombe abbey thursday, 16th june after breakfast, we driveinto northamptonshire for a visit to kirby hall (www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/kirby-hall). on the way, alison weir will talk about mary, queen of scots and the murder of lord darnley . on arrival at kirby hall, we will again be joined by dr tracy borman, who will give us an introduction to the hall and a brief talk on its former owner, sir christopher hatton, the `dancing chancellor`, and the world of the elizabethan court. kirby hall is one of england’s greatest elizabethan and 17th century houses, and was the home of sir christopher hatton, lord chancellor to queen elizabeth i. although this vast mansion is partly roofless, the walls show the exceptionally rich decoration that shows how successive owners were always in the forefront of new ideas about architecture and design. the great hall and state rooms remain intact, refitted and redecorated to authentic 17th and 18th century specifications. there will be time to wander around the recently restored great gardens with their elaborate ‘cutwork’ design complete with statues and urns. we then leave kirby hall for hatfield house (www.hatfield-house.co.uk), for an independent lunch and guided tour. on the coach, sarah gristwood will speak about elizabeth and leicester . hatfield house in hertfordshire is a fine jacobean mansion in a spectacular countryside setting. built by robert cecil, 1st earl of salisbury and chief minister to king james i from 1607 to 1611, it boasts a marvellous collection of pictures, furnishings and historic armour. the estate has been owned by the cecils, one of england’s foremost political families, for 400 years. in the park, an oak tree marks the place where the young princess elizabeth first heard of her accession to the throne in 1558. the garden at hatfield house dates from the early 17th century when robert cecil employed john tradescant the elder to collect plants for his new home. the west garden includes a scented garden, herb garden and knot garden. those who appreciate modern art will be interested to know that, in 2011, there will be an exhibition of sculptures by henry moore in the gardens at hatfield. your ticket will include admission to this exhibition. visitors will also see the royal palace of hatfield (built c. 1485) in the west garden (below). here, elizabeth i spent much of her childhood. as we return to london, alison weir will preview her forthcoming biography, the great and infamous whore: the truth about mary boleyn. dinner is independent tonight. overnight: london hotel friday, 17th june after breakfast, we drive to hampton court palace (www.hrp.org.uk), where we will spend the day. on the coach alison weir will speak about henry viii: king and court hampton court is one of the finest palaces in the world. over 500 years of history can be explored through this magnificent complex of state apartments, whose previous owners include cardinal wolsey, henry viii and elizabeth i. one of the most impressive sights is the great hall, england`s last and greatest medieval royal hall, decorated with priceless tapestries. henry viii’s chapel royal boasts a superb blue and gold ceiling. hampton court palace also contains many important paintings and portraits from the royal collection. the palace is surrounded by sixty acres of glorious formal gardens. in the gardens, where you will find the world`s most famous maze, where whispers of the past haunt every step, and william iii`s privy garden (below, left), now restored to its 1702 glory. in the morning, alison weir will guide us around the tudor kitchens, then siobhan clarke will lead a tour of the beautiful gardens, the great vine and the royal tennis court. this will be followed by free time for an independent lunch, for which there are many options locally, and perhaps a horse-drawn carriage ride around the palace gardens. after lunch, siobhan, wearing authentic tudor costume, will guide the group around henry viii`s state apartments. this will be followed by more free time to enable guests to explore other parts of the palace. on the drive back to the hotel, alison weir will speak about katherine of aragon. in the evening, there will be an included farewell dinner at shakespeare`s globe theatre in london, followed by a light-hearted quiz, with prizes – and surprises overnight: london hotel.  .

Alison Weir Tours Ltd. Company Registration No. 07276807. Registered Office: 2nd Floor, 16-17 Wardour Mews, London, W1F 8AT

Henry VIII Tour

Tour Dates: September 20 to 24, 2024

A thrilling tour for any Tudor fan, exploring the life of one of England's most notorious Kings. Visit Hampton Court Palace (his 'pleasure palace' where he indulged his love of feasting, jousting and hunting), the Tower of London where two of his Queens were beheaded, his birthplace, Westminster Abbey where he was crowned, Windsor Castle (the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world) and picturesque Hever Castle, Penshurst Place and Ightham Mote in the Kent countryside.

Depart central London with guide and begin with a panoramic tour including sites associated with Henry VIII and Tudor England. Visit to Westminster Abbey, where Henry was crowned and where his children are buried. Afternoon visit to the Tower of London, where Anne Boleyn, Sir Thomas Moore, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey were executed. See Henry VIII’s armour and the Crown Jewels. Transfer to hotel for overnight.

Depart London for a full day in Kent, affectionately known as the ‘Garden of England’. Visit Ightham Mote, a medieval moated manor house featuring typical Tudor décor. Continue to Penshurst Place, which Henry took from the Duke of Buckingham. Afternoon visit to the fairytale Hever Castle, with its moat, lake, maze and stunning gardens. It was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and home to Anne of Cleves after her divorce. Return to London for overnight.

Morning visit to Windsor Castle, and an Official Royal Residence. It is here that both Henry VIII and Jane Seymour are buried. Afternoon transfer to Hampton Court Palace, once owned by Cardinal Wolsey but acquired by Henry VIII. See Henry’s State Apartments, the Chapel Royal, Great Hall, Privy Garden and the Royal Tennis Courts – tennis was a favourite game of Henry’s. Return to hotel for overnight.

Eltham Palace was the childhood home of Henry VIII – tour the medieval palace and see how it has been transformed into a striking Art Deco mansion, whilst still incorporating original features from when it was a Tudor Royal residence. Explore the acres of award-winning gardens. Afternoon will be spent in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, where Henry was born in 1491, and where his first child was born in 1516. He is well known for having established the Royal Navy. See the site where Palace of Palentia once was and visit the National Maritime Museum and the Cutty Sark. Return to hotel for overnight.

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What Our Clients Say

I was very fortunate to be on their 70th and 75th D-Day celebration tours. The service and attention to details was exceptional. It was very moving to go back.

As a Jane Austen enthusiast, this tour was perfect - and the Jane Austen Festival in Bath was just fabulous to see!

Words fail me...The Downton Abbey was a perfectly wonderful travel experience! We did not know we would be the ONLY guests at the Abbey. When we realised how truly exclusive our tour was we were speechless! Surreal being there and actually meeting Lady Carnarvon.

What is the difference between a twin and a double room?

A twin room has two separate beds, and a double room has one bed for two people to share. 

Is lunch and dinner included?

No, only breakfast is included. Your guide will suggest locations for lunch and there are restaurants within walking distance of the hotel for dinner.

Where is the meeting place for the tour?

The exact meeting location will be confirmed closer to the tour start date, but it will be in central London.

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Tudor England

• Educational
• Fully Guided
• Personalized

Places You’ll See

• Introduction
• Day 1 Arrival
• Day 2 Yorkshire Museum & King's Manor
• Day 3 Shambles of York & Guildhall
• Day 4 Nunnington Hall
• Day 5 Train to Birmingham
• Day 6 Stratford-Upon-Avon
• Day 7 Free Day in Birmingham
• Day 8 Blakesley Hall & Selly Manor
• Day 9 Baddesley Clinton
• Day 10 Train to London & St. Olave's Church
• Day 11 National Gallery & Hampton Court Palace
• Day 12 Westminster Abbey & Globe Theatre
• Day 13 National Portrait Gallery & Free Afternoon
• Day 14 Departure

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What's Included

• Accommodation
• Optional Extras

Where You'll Stay

Adventure type.

• Group of 10 travelers max.
• Fast booking confirmation
• Carefully planned itineraries
• Travel with like-minded people
• Travel with your own group of min. 3 travelers
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• September 2024
• October 2024
• Get Instant Confirmation Monday 9 Sep, 2024 Sunday 22 Sep, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,334 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates
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Footsteps of a Queen, Tudor England

Tudor Heritage, English Gardens, Stately Homes & Castles

8 days from London

Follow in the Footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I

Before radio, TV or internet, how was an English Monarch to stay in touch with the people?

Queen Elizabeth I went on tour each summer. During this Golden Age of England, Elizabeth’s reign brought wealth and stability to the nation and she enjoyed a special relationship of adoration and respect from her subjects. Each summer, Elizabeth went on her tours, or ‘progresses,’ to stay in tune with the needs and wants of the people. One of her more famous trips took place in 1575 and we will loosely follow in the “footsteps of the Queen” to discover some of the rich heritage of Tudor England.

Our explorations will feature the quaint villages, beautiful stately homes/castles and gardens throughout the Heart of England and around the capital, all stunningly beautiful in their own right and many of which have Tudor connections. See Stratford-Upon-Avon, Hampton Court Palace, Oxford, Windsor Castle and charming villages around the Heart of England. The Highlights of Tudor England. This is an itinerary we hope is a fun twist to the usual ‘homes and gardens’ tour!

This is a suggested tour itinerary for private departures, adjustable to best suit your specific wishes. Price based on how many travelers, your chosen package inclusions and your chosen level of accommodation.

This tour begins and ends in London.

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

pre/post tour London

There are heaps of iconic London sites with a Tudor connection. Elizabeth I is buried along with her grandfather Henry VII, half sister ‘Bloody’ Mary and a host of other British monarchs and historical figures in Westminster Abbey . You can also explore the sinister history, hearing the terrible, fated tales of Elizabeth’s mother Anne Boleyn, step-mother Katherine Howard, cousin Lady Jane Grey and many others in The Tower of London .

Also on the Tudor theme, the Palace of Lambeth, called “the only place in London where, right from the road, you are confronted by Tudor London.” Though the palace itself is not opened to the public, Lambeth Palace Gardens , among the oldest and largest gardens in London, are open year round. Further along the river, there’s Eltham Palace in Greenwich . The medieval Great Hall here is where a young future Henry VIII spent many of his formative years. Alternatively, London has a wide array of public parks and gardens of all shapes and sizes. The Royal Gardens at Kew is a popular choice. Spoilt for choice in and around the capital!

Departing London at about 10am, our first destination is Hatfield , one of the Treasure Houses of England and where Queen Elizabeth I spent most of her childhood. The deer park here was then owned by Henry VIII, who used it as a home for each of his legitimate children, Mary, Elizabeth and Edward. This parkland once held the lavish Theobolds Palace, now destroyed, the initial stop on Elizabeth’s 1575 summer progress. We are beginning our very own ‘summer progress’ with the place where Queen Elizabeth I began her reign, it was in Hatfield that Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne in 1558. Explore Hatfield West Gardens featuring a scented garden, herb garden and the famous knot garden.

Later today enjoy Kirby Hall , another of England’s great Elizabethan and 17th-century houses. Begun by Sir Humphrey Stafford in about 1570, it was purchased six years later by Sir Christopher Hatton, one of Queen Elizabeth’s ‘comely young men’ and later her Lord Chancellor. Kirby Hall’s richly decorated Great Hall and state rooms remain intact. In the 17th century, the 4th Sir Christopher Hatton added the gardens, then described as ‘ye finest garden in England.’ These gardens are now partly restored and laid out in an elaborate cutwork design.

OVERNIGHT: Oakham area

As we’re near, we’ll have a visit this morning to the perfectly preserved town of Stamford . Many who have enjoyed English costume dramas will find the streets somewhat familiar as the BBC and others have used the town extensively for location shoots recreating the 18th century for films of Jane Austen works and others.

The day's first jewel house, Burghley is the largest and grandest house of the first Elizabethan Age. Built by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Elizabeth I, this gem is still a family home for his descendants to this day. Eighteen State Rooms contain unique and important collections of porcelain, art, furniture and textiles. This stop is guaranteed to bring gasps of amazement to even the most travelled amongst us! Jane Austen fans may recognize Burghley as “Rosings” from the 2005 film version of Pride and Prejudice .

Bosworth is a Tudor place of interest which marks the demise of the House of York and the ascendancy of the Tudors to the British throne. It was on this battlefield back in 1485 that Henry Tudor (Elizabeth’s grandfather) slew Richard III, an event brilliantly retold by Shakespeare on stage, Richard’s pleas of ‘my kingdom for a horse’ not being quite enough. If there’s interest among the group, we will have a guided walk of the battlefield.

Dependent upon our route to our nightstop location, we may pass through charming Harlaston village, the often time winner of “Best Kept Small Village in Staffordshire.” The winding main street offers several Elizabethan buildings including the timber framed Manor House built around 1540.

OVERNIGHT: Lichfield area

Today, we’ve a leisurely day to explore greater Staffordshire , where Elizabeth spent approximately 3 weeks enjoying hunting and country pursuits in 1575. There are several lovely stately homes or castles in the area. You can decide priorities in consultation with your guide and visit accordingly.

Begin the day with time in the market town of Lichfield , which offers a lovely cathedral, the birthplace of Dr Johnson (writer of the very first dictionary) and St John’s Hospital and Chapel, called one of the finest 15th century brick buildings in the country featuring wonderful stained glass. There are some lovely Tudor buildings to admire as well as a charming high street to meander. Tamworth offers a Norman castle with a Tudor Great Hall, so well worth some time.

Imagine you’re a noble or wealthy land owner in 1575 and the Queen is traveling through your area. The Queen’s visit to your home could mean much prestige, further wealth and perhaps even a title so surely dozens of invitations were received by Elizabeth…but how many did she actually visit? Researchers of Middleton Hall near Tamworth have been arguing the evidence that the Queen stayed here for 2 nights between well documented stays in Kenilworth and Lichfield. Did she or didn’t she visit? Middleton Hall has a rich and interesting history and, just like our Virgin Queen, their schedule permitting perhaps we will be able to have visit by special appointment (subject to availability.)

Mosley Old Hall is an Elizabethan farmhouse with connections to King Charles II. The garden here has several varieties of plants and a striking knot garden following a 17th-century design. Nearby is David Austin Roses, displaying a national collection of English roses. This may be a good detour if you are a rose lover, since there are over 800 varieties to see!

Kenilworth Castle was the most important stop on Elizabeth’s 1575 progress and she is reported to have been entertained here for 19 days, an almost never-ending series of lavish feasts, music, hunting and plays. Rumor has it that one William Shakespeare was a participant and that the events he witnessed that July inspired his Midsummer Night’s Dream. This was Queen Elizabeth’s 4th visit to Kenilworth, home to her favorite Robert Dudley. Today, Kenilworth is a magnificent ruin with immaculately re-constructed Elizabethan gardens, as originally designed by Dudley for the Queen’s 1575 visit. Imagine yourself ‘Royal’ as we walk in Elizabeth’s footsteps through these gardens!

Stratford-upon-Avon is our next destination today, the home town of the Bard will be our base for the next few nights. Subject to theatre schedules, staying in this charming town gives the option of attending the RSC in the evenings.

OVERNIGHT: Stratford-Upon-Avon

Our whole day will be spent in Stratford-Upon-Avon  itself, so you have ample time to discover the charming town and Shakespeare connections. These Shakespeare houses are iconic sites to visit but also a wonderful opportunity to learn a bit about daily life during the late Tudor period. You’re spoilt for choice here – visit the local church, burial place for the Bard, his mother Mary Arden’s home with its bird of prey centre as well as the well known iconic sites such as his Birthplace. You will have free time to wander the cobbled streets, shopping, theatre and relaxing as you wish. Your guide will be on hand for a possible walking tour, advice and assistance but the day is yours to spend as you decide.

The Cotswolds region is a top spot for modern visitors due to the charming, honey-thatched cottage villages and wide range of lovely gardens. This was an important source of wealth throughout the Tudor period as a sheep farming region. We will have a bit of a meander through the area, in true off the beaten track style, discovering a few local treasures that those on big coaches miss.

Nearby Stratford is Coughton Court , home of the Throckmorton family since 1409. Framed by an Elizabethan half timbered courtyard are the gardens, described as “breathtaking” by the Royal Horticultural Society. Surely a place very worthy of our time!

Sudley Castle has connections running through the Tudor Dynasty and court circle. It was home to three queens, houses the marble tomb of Katherine Parr (the wife of Henry VIII who survived him) and a place where scandal left its impression on the young mind of the future Queen Elizabeth I. She later re-visited the residence during more than one of her progresses, including in 1575. Here we’ll find seven enchanting gardens including a Tudor Knot garden with water features and a delightful mosaic.

We’ve yet another fantastic day to enjoy even more beautiful homes and gardens – you won’t believe we are so close to the sprawling metropolis of London! Elizabeth I spent a night or two in the charming village of Woodstock in 1575. Nearby is the stunning Blenheim Palace , a fitting inclusion on our homes and gardens theme despite its lack of a Tudor connection. This incredible treasure house was given to Winston Churchill's ancestor John, 1st Duke of Marlborough and the gardens were designed in part by Capability Brown.

Oxford is a destination on almost any English itinerary, with good reason! This is the jewel in the literary crown (Lewis Carroll, Tolkien and connections to modern creations Inspector Morse & Harry Potter) but it is the ‘dreaming spires’ which is the main draw. Many of the colleges here were endowed during the Tudor period by Cardinal Wolsey and Henry VIII. During a walking tour, we will see Christchurch, originally known as ‘Cardinal College’ then ‘King Henry VIII’s college’ among other highlights.

In Windsor, our base tonight, perhaps meet some “merry wives?”

OVERNIGHT: Windsor

A full day out and about on our finale day!

Windsor Castle is over 900 years old, having begun construction under William the Conqueror, and is still the main Royal residence for the Monarchy. This was Henry VIII’s favorite residence, especially for hunting. He is buried on the grounds in St George’s Chapel alongside his 3rd wife, Jane Seymour, the mother of his only male heir. Elizabeth spent much time here too, regarding it as a safe haven "knowing it could stand a siege if need be." Merry Wives of Windsor is said to have been commissioned especially by the Virgin Queen, who enjoyed the plays of Shakespeare and wanted to see more of the character Falstaff.

Hampton Court Palace is set in over 60 acres of gardens and parklands along the scenic River Thames. You won’t want to miss the Great Vine (planted by Capability Brown,) the rose gardens, Privy Gardens inspired by William of Orange, the Tiltyard and the famous Yew tree hedge Maze. There is one of the few ‘real’ tennis courts to be seen here too. In the palace itself, the Tudor Kitchens and Henry VIII's State Apartments are the among the most popular sections. The Great Hall is the palace's largest and most impressive room, with an ornate carved-wood ceiling and a collection of Flemish tapestries that date back over 500 years.

Your tour concludes this evening, you can stay tonight in your choice of Windsor, London Heathrow or central London.

Please note: All attraction opening times are correct at time of printing this website. While we will do our utmost to include all of the properties mentioned as central visits, we reserve the right to change an attraction should it become impossible to deliver a planned visit due to changes in opening days or times beyond our control.

Please note that your final day to day itinerary may fluctuate to accommodate variable opening times/days for listed attractions, special events and places of interest. Please discuss your needs with us for an individual itinerary with rate quote.

Oft imitated, never duplicated! This is an original SGT itinerary, property of Special Group Tours and to be used only with express permission/in conjunction with SGT.

What Your Tour Package Includes

This is a suggested tour itinerary and can be modified to best you your individual wishes.

Suggested tour package includes: # of touring days with vehicle & exclusive services of your driver/guide/companion, your accommodation for # nights while on the tour including full breakfasts, all taxes and tips other than those you may wish to give your guide. Your price also can include dinners and/or entrance fees to attractions or these items can be left out of the up front package/to be paid directly for maximum flexibility. Airport transfers, accommodation pre and post tour, scheduled city day tours/attraction passes/transport passes or theatre/event tickets can be added to your package as you wish, subject to availability.

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The Special Group Tours Advantage is our unique and intimate understanding of what you expect traveling in the UK and Europe. We have not only visited but have spent many years living in and loving the cultures you will experience down the ‘B’ Roads and off the beaten track. We have worked with local suppliers and our guide/companion team for over a decade, creating unique special interest itineraries. Special Group Tours offers our “insider” knowledge to you.

The SGT Small Group Touring Concept is traveling with just 4 - 14 guests per departure. It is our aim to introduce you to the 'real' country and its people, not just ticking the boxes of a standardized route and treating you as an individual and not a number. Our concept allows for a leisurely touring pace and flexibility to get off the beaten track to discover hidden gems. Of course you'll see the major sites but so much more too!

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TOUR WITH US

The rise and fall of anne boleyn.

TOUR DATES: THIS TOUR IS NOW FULLY BOOKED

2 – 8 SEPTEMBER 2024

WHO WAS ANNE BOLEYN?

Lover religious reformer icon traitor.

‘On 19 May 1536, a French sword stilled the beating heart of an English queen. Her name was Anne Boleyn, and she would become one of the most controversial and iconic queens in English history. In her lifetime, Anne was a force of nature; she captivated the heart and soul of a king, divided a court and ignited the Reformation on English soil, beginning a process that would transform the religious and social landscape of the country.’ Extract from In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn , by Sarah Morris and Natalie Grueninger. Over the centuries, countless people have had their say about Anne Boleyn; some have loved her, others hated her. Now it’s time for you to follow in her footsteps and make up your own mind…

ARE YOU READY?

For more details of the itinerary and pricing, or to book your place, click the button below:

MEET YOUR HOSTS

Your tour co-hosts.

Founder of ‘On the Tudor Trail’ and ‘Talking Tudors’ podcast. Author of In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn’, ‘In the Footsteps of the Six Wives’ and ‘The Final Year of Anne Boleyn’.

Founder of ‘The Tudor Travel Guide’ and ‘The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Tudor England’. Author of ‘In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn’ and ‘In the Footsteps of the Six Wives of Henry VIII’ .

Founder of ‘The Tudor Chest’ blog and podcast, historian and author of ‘Henry VIII and the Plantagenet Poles – The Rise and Fall of a Dynasty’, coming summer 2024.

YOUR ITINERARY

Here is what you can look forward to during the tour….

DAY ONE: The Courting Years

Pick up in central london and transfer to windsor.

Early pick up from a central London location and transfer to Windsor. After dropping our luggage off at the Castle Hotel , we will head across the road to tour St George’s Chapel and see the burial sites of Henry VIII, Jane Seymour and Charles Brandon. In the afternoon, there will be a couple of free hours to explore Windsor or rest as we settle into our four-star boutique hotel. The Castle Hotel is situated directly across the street from the entrance to the Castle. Steeped in history, with regal connections and more than a touch of luxury and elegance, it is the perfect base to explore Anne Boleyn’s early relationship with Henry and her rise to power at the Tudor court. In the late afternoon, we will gather for afternoon tea while your hosts set the scene for the rest of the week ahead, including a talk from author and historian Sarah Morris on ‘Anne Boleyn at Windsor Castle’. In the evening, we will enjoy a private tour of Windsor Castle, with a complimentary glass of Prosecco on hand, before returning to the hotel for our evening meal in a private room of the hotel’s restaurant, ‘The Windsor Grill’.

Day Two: Anne the Queen

Anne boleyn at hampton court palace.

On day two, we visit the only surviving Tudor palace: Hampton Court. Built by Wolsey in 1515, in its day, Hampton Court was one of the most splendid Renaissance residences in England, and its courtyards, corridors and chambers echo with the ghostly voices of its Tudor past. While you may have visited Hampton Court before, you will see the palace afresh on this tour as your hosts recreate the layout of the lost State and Privy Apartments of Henry VIII, exploring behind the scenes with our expert guide, Dan Jackson, Head of Historic Buildings at Historic Royal Palaces . We will see parts of the palace generally off the usual visitor route.

Along the way, we will hear stories of triumph and tragedy, including the rarely discussed and heart-breaking loss of Anne’s second pregnancy in the summer of 1534.

Day Three: A Slice of Tudor Life

Hever castle & penshurst place.

After breakfast on day three, we will make our way to Hever Castle , renowned as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. After dropping our bags, there will be plenty of free time in the morning and over lunch to explore the castle and grounds at your leisure, soaking up the vibe of a place held so dear by many fans of Anne Boleyn. In the afternoon, we will travel to Penshurst Place, where we will enjoy a guided tour of the house before experiencing a slice of everyday life at the Tudor Court. Led by one of your co-hosts, you will see and have the opportunity to learn some Tudor dances accompanied by live musicians before Brigitte Webster, author of ‘Eating with the Tudors’ delights us with her talk on Tudor food, accompanied by samples of Tudor food for us to taste. Afterwards, we will transfer to Hever Castle, Anne Boleyn’s childhood home. As the sun begins to set, we will (weather permitting) enjoy a BBQ on the lawn overlooking the castle. Idyllic!

Day Four: Reformation, Religion and Cultural Catalyst

Hever castle.

We start day five with a private tour of Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Saved from likely ruin in the early twentieth century by the powerful Lord Astor, the Hever we see today has evolved from the house the Boleyns would have known. Once again, we delve into the details to help you reimagine the Boleyn family home of the sixteenth century. Along the way, we will explore how Anne’s early influences, both in England and abroad, shaped the woman and queen she later became. Central to understanding this is to understand Anne’s religious beliefs, how these were shaped and how, in turn, those beliefs changed the course of English history. Kate McCaffrey, an expert on Anne’s religious life, will join us before dinner to talk to us about this crucial aspect of Anne’s life and her lasting legacy. In the evening, we will gather to enjoy dinner amidst the unique atmosphere of Hever’s Great Hall, presided over by Henry VIII himself. Finally, over dessert and coffee, we will hear from our historian-in-residence, Natalie Gruneninger, who will talk to us about the final year of Anne Boleyn’s life in preparation for our visit to the Tower the following day.

Day Five: The Fall of Anne Boleyn

The tower of london.

There are few places more foreboding than the Tower of London. It is here that Anne was held for 17 days following her dramatic arrest at Greenwich Palace on May 2, 1536. We have secured a fantastic opportunity to arrive at the Tower before it opens to the public. Led by Alfred Hawkins, Assistant Curator of Historic Buildings at Historic Royal Palaces, we will first visit the site of Anne Boleyn’s burial in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula before exploring pre of the hidden nooks and crannies of this most historic of buildings. We will retrace the route taken by Anne as she was escorted to the royal lodgings following her arrival at the Tower, as well as seeing all the key sites associated with her imprisonment and execution. After lunch, you will have the option to continue to explore the Tower at your leisure or accompany your tour hosts to the site of Tower Hill, where the men condemned alongside Anne met their deaths. In the late afternoon, we will check into our London hotel for a leisurely dinner in the evening before preparing for our final day.

Day Six: The Falcon Takes Flight

Westminster abbey.

Twenty-five years would pass before Anne’s white falcon would once more take flight. This time, it was in the shape of her daughter, Elizabeth. On this final day of our immersive tour, we return to London. We spend the day celebrating Anne’s life and possibly her most outstanding legacy, her daughter, who, against all odds, survived to be crowned Elizabeth I at Westminster Abbey on 15 January 1559. Your tour guides will recreate the splendour of coronation by taking you to all the key places associated with this most ancient of ceremonies. Along the way, you will hear how Elizabeth incorporated the memory of her mother into her coronation, and you can stand agog in front of the chair in which both Anne and Elizabeth were crowned. Of course, no visit to Westminster Abbey would be complete without a tour of the Lady Chapel, constructed by Henry VII in 1502 as a majestic mausoleum to the Tudor dynasty, where your guides will recount the extraordinary tale of the rediscovery of Elizabeth I’s tomb during the 1800s. We will round off our adventure by climbing to the heights of the abbey’s triforium to visit the Jubilee Galleries, celebrated for its spectacular views over the world-famous Cosmati pavement and Edward the Confessor’s tomb. Finally, we will head back to our five-star hotel, The Doubletree by Hilton , to raise a glass of bubbly to the woman who changed English history and still holds us in her thrall over 500 years later!

Day Seven: Final Farewells

Central london.

After a leisurely breakfast at The Doubletree Hilton , there will be final farewells as we say goodbye for now, taking fabulous memories of an incredible week with us. Until next time!

Anne Boleyn was not a Catalyst in the English Reformation; she was a Key element in the Equation… Eric Ives.

Ten Days, Six Wives: The Henry VIII England Tour

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• Trip Overview

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Countries Visited

Places visited, suggested duration.

Explore his lavish and flamboyant world on this unique 10-day England tour, a journey into exquisite castles, Tudor opulence, and the regal character of yesteryear. Immerse yourself in the 16th-century world of Henry VIII; the monarch made legendary for his six wives and insatiable extravagance. Atmospheric and evocative, this itinerary captures the essence of the monarch's exuberant excess. Allow yourself to settle into the royal opulence of Henry VIII's time.

Customizable Itinerary

London – introductions to tudor splendor.

Eltham Palace takes you on a Tudor trail, the 14th-century royal residence a place of lavish feasts and vast regal parties. Behind the moat, enclosed within the exquisite stone, you wander through the childhood home of Henry VIII. The would-be King grew up in an environment of entertaining, the stunning Great Hall an indication of just how excessive those times were. After landing at London Gatwick, you'll be picked up and transferred to your hotel in southwest London, a five-star residence along the River Thames. Freshen up and then get introduced to Tudor times with the visit to nearby Eltham. The landscaped gardens, the domineering turrets, the royal lodgings; it's all an intriguing indication of what's to come on this itinerary.

Journeying back towards the Thames, you garner a sense of the turbulence and change during Henry VIII's reign. This was a monarch that did as he pleased, confiscating property, accusing wives of treason, and splitting with the Catholic church because they wouldn't grant a divorce. Syon House touches on many of these narratives. An early 15th-century abbey was commandeered by Henry VIII and became famous as where Catherine Howard, the fifth wife, was sent after her arrest. As it appears through the woodland, you quickly see why it was so revered, the stately house standing resplendent against the backdrop of green. Touring the property enables your specialist guide to introduce the era and the style of the Tudors.

What's Included:

London – Henry VIII's Flamboyant Palace

What do you do when the cardinal is refusing to grant you a divorce? Split from the church and confiscate his palace, of course, that's the style of Henry VIII. And he didn't merely take it away as a punishment. After taking it from Cardinal Wolsey, Hampton Court Palace became the monarch's joy, his living residence that was elaborately decorated with the opulence of the world's finest. A 500-year old grapevine still produces grapes that once created Henry's wine, vast entertaining rooms are decked out in gold leaf and towering oil portraits, a Tudor tennis court is unchanged since the 15th century, and the Royal Chapel is adorned with a staggering sense of excess. During his reign, Henry swapped Eltham for Hampton Court, gradually adding more rooms and more decoration to his regal home. You'll see the room where Jane Seymour died, the third wife of Henry and supposedly the only one he truly loved. The same room is where his heir Edward VI had been born just a few days earlier. Spend the whole morning taking in the splendor, then enjoy lunch and tea with a view of the gardens. In the afternoon, the vast green maze is always entertaining.

London – Exploring Windsor

Windsor Castle dominates its landscape, monumental turrets and unconquered stone rising far above the green English countryside. Start your visit early and explore the staterooms as everyone else is watching the Changing of the Guard. This is Queen Elizabeth II's residence, and the corridors are liberally adorned with the monarchy's excess. Rembrandts hang on corridors, oil paintings fill entire walls, and the ceiling is filled with wonderful paintbrush twirls. This is the world's largest occupied castle and the scale quickly impresses; it's hard to find an angle where you can fit it all into a single photo. But head inside and it's the exquisite detail that's most memorable. Every room, every carpet, every ornamental piece; it takes you on a journey through the luxury of regal tastes.

In the State Apartments, you admire various original portraits of the Tudors, a chance for your guide to elaborate on the family tree of this itinerary's icon. Although some of the colors have slowly faded, the scale of these portraits reveals costume, style, and emotion from the 16th century. Check in to your five-star hotel and enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the cute town of Eton, filled with antique shops and tiny boutiques. When evening arrives, choral voices cascade from St. George's Chapel, inviting you into the atmospheric burial place of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour. An additional nine monarchs rest beneath the chapel and the resonant evensong makes for a blissful hour amongst history.

Cambridge – Exclusive Access to Tudor Homes

Head north, into a landscape packed with historical treasures. You enter Cambridge in timeless style, punting along the river with a bundle of strawberries and a bottle of champagne. Glide past the university's ancient colleges and take in the enormity of its history. Dependent on your energy levels, you can explore various old college buildings over the next two hours. But the main attraction on this itinerary is Kings College Chapel, where a captivating image of Catherine Howard is revealed in stained glass. Anne Boleyn's initials are also carved into the provost stall, and it's hard not to stare as you take in the world's largest fan-vaulted roof.

After lunch in Cambridge, you visit Buckden Towers and the Bishop's Palace, where Catherine of Aragon lived after her divorce. However, the rhyme of divorced, beheaded, died, etc., holds a few subtle twists. Catherine of Aragon was forcibly taken to Kimbolton Castle. It's currently in private hands, but you enjoy exclusive access to the vast state rooms and sublime interiors of this beguiling part of the story. After her kidnapping, Henry VIII's first wife would die here, essentially murdered as the monarch slowly began to unravel in his later years. Enjoy relaxed afternoon tea in the gardens before retiring to your five-star hotel just outside Cambridge.

Hardwick – The Castles and Cathedrals

Follow the route of the funeral procession to Peterborough Cathedral, where Catherine of Aragon is buried, and a simple marble slab is always adorned with fresh flowers. The cathedral's elegant facade offers iconic photos, and you'll be surprised why this huge Christian monument isn't on the tourist map. Continue to Kenilworth Castle for a relaxed afternoon of tea drinking, exploring manicured gardens, and the opulence of the Earl of Leicester. Back in the 16th century, the Earl wooed Anne Boleyn's daughter in a daring romance, another beguiling narrative that helps your guide unwrap the complexities of Tudor life. Completing the immersion in history is your overnight accommodation, a stunning manor house nestled amongst the tranquility of England's green landscapes.

Gloucestershire – Glorious Manor Houses

Gloucestershire's undulating hills are always a postcard-worthy snapshot; cottages are standing lonely on the horizon, oak trees hang over rural roads, and there's a blur in the distinction between the cultivated and primitive. Scenic driving around this area is one of England's highlights, taking you on a journey between manor houses and old castles. Today you visit Coughton Court, a glamorous home with 600 years of history, including the tales of Catherine of Aragon's ladies. Then splendid Sudeley Castle, the family home of Catherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII's wives. Her resting place is found in a small church that's hidden within the vast grounds. Visiting Sudeley helps imbue the type of women that Henry would go for. All came from prestigious homes with regal connections; not that it helped prevent them from having their heads chopped off. Your hotel is neatly, nestled amongst the Gloucestershire countryside and offers an on-site spa for a salubrious evening.

Amberley – The Tudor Opulence of Hampshire

Glorious countryside images continue today as you drive south towards the coast and the history of Hampshire. Quaint and idyllic, Great Bedwyn is the village where Jane Seymour was brought up, and you'll see the faded inscriptions that accompany her father's tomb in the local parish church. The 16th-century Vyne was the home of Lord Sandys, one of Henry's trusted courtiers. You'll find a stained glass window of the king with his first wife, beautifully resonant and packed with detail despite spending many years hidden in a pond. During the English civil war, royal images like this had to kept far from the sight of Oliver Cromwell's forces. Enjoy afternoon tea in the fabulous Upper Oak Gallery, an elaborate building where emblems of Henry and Catherine are carved into the oak panels.

Amberley Castle then continues the immersion in royal living. You'll spend the next two nights at this luxuriant residence, surrounded by landscaped gardens and an unrivaled sense of decadence. The exterior showcases 900 years of history, while the interior offers four-poster beds, 60-ft adorned ceilings and spa bathrooms of Victorian grandeur. For living out the life of royalty, this castle is one of the finest in the country. And just a handful of guests shares its huge grounds and galleries.

Amberley – Tudor Reenactments

Spend a relaxed morning in Lewes, unwrapping some of the stories Henry VIII left during his later years. Stop at the house of Anne of Cleves, the least favored of all Henry's wives but only the second that didn't perish before the king's death. Following Jane Seymour's death, Anne and Henry's story wasn't one of love, but at least it had an amicable ending. Close by are the ruins of the Priory, evidence of how Henry VIII destroyed countless monasteries across the country. Heading further into the Sussex countryside, you spend the afternoon at Michelham Priory, another fabulous Tudor house given to Anne of Cleves in her divorce settlement. History comes alive here, with hands-on demonstrations of the weapons, clothes, and armors of the time. Dressing up in chain links and 16-century helmets isn't just for children. Wearing it all gives you an indication of just how intense it must have been for foot soldiers of the era.

Hever – Jousting, Tudor Drama, and Anne Boleyn's Story

Now Anne Boleyn, a woman of seduction and beauty that became Henry's second wife and changed the course of the English church forever. First, stop at Penshurst Place, the Tudor home that's used in televised costume dramas and movies. Then check into Hever Castle. Various portraits hang around this childhood home of Anne Boleyn, revealing the vivacious looks that enthralled many. You don't need to glimpse them. You'll be spending the night in the castle, so the charms of her story will continue into the evening and then accompany you at breakfast. Expect a style and luxury that befits the wife that knew how to get what she wanted.

Anne Boleyn refused to be Henry's mistress. She would only be his wife. Was it love or was she always thinking about power? Nobody is too sure. Henry was besotted and broke from the Catholic church when his demands for divorce weren't granted. It was the catalyst for Reformation and the Protestant church in England. But Anne Boleyn quickly fell out of favor. Could Henry divorce another wife so soon after Catherine of Aragon? Especially with the costs of giving away so many regal estates? No. So he acted upon the whispers from the streets and had Anne Boleyn beheaded on charges of witchcraft, adultery, and treason. Hever Castle was later given to Anne of Cleves, so the place you're staying at reveals the tales of two famous wives. A sumptuous dinner at the castle is included tonight.

London – Westminster Abbey and Tower of London

On your final day, you return to London and two of its most iconic attractions. Your specialist historical guide continues to accompany you through it all, taking you across the city in a luxury saloon and ensuring that the heritage comes alive. First Westminster Abbey, the coronation site of English monarchs, and the place where various kings and queens are entombed. Anne of Cleves outlived all the other main characters on this Henry VIII itinerary, but her difficult-to-find tomb suggests she was never particularly popular.

Now cruise along the River Thames to Traitors Gate, evoking the most spine-tingling of the Henry VIII tales. This was where Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard came to be beheaded, beneath the imperious stone of the Tower of London. You'll see where they were executed as well as their final burial place. So to lighten the mood on this final day, you're treated to a closed-door tour of the Crown Jewels. Over ten thousand precious stones glimmer and glisten as a Beefeater guard opens the door. Incidentally, these guards were instigated by Henry VIII's father and still wear the same Tudor uniform from the mid-1500s. Marvel at the gems and the jewels and then travel back out along the Thames, to a fabulous medieval banquet dinner in an ambient crypt.

London – Departure

After a leisurely breakfast, you're transferred to the airport for your international departure.

Trip Highlights

• Trace the history of Tudor England and intimately explore the life and times of Henry VIII and his six wives
• Spend the night in magnificent castles that offer a timeless ode to the 16th century, including the childhood home of Anne Boleyn
• Discover some of England's evocative and remote attractions, like sublime stained glass in charming cathedrals and preserved Tudor villages
• Immerse yourself in the flamboyance of Henry VIII with expertly guided visits to attractions like Hampton Court Palace and Eltham Palace
• Enjoy closed-door access to  privately-owned attractions like Kimbolton Castle
• Learn the stories behind the legend with a specialist Henry VIII guide
• Settle into the opulence and enjoy royal treatment; think afternoon tea at stately homes, lavish four-poster beds, and atmospheric medieval banquets

Detailed Description

A monarch of myth and fame, Henry VIII provides the stories that help English schoolchildren delve into history. Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived: so goes the rhyme of his six wives. Each has a story to tell, an evocative piece of legend hidden amidst a treasure map of the English countryside. Palaces were confiscated because cardinals refused to grant a divorce, domineering castles held wives on witchcraft charges, and stunning stained glass portrays more romantic times. With this unique luxury England tour, you effortlessly step into the Tudor era, finding yourself exploring early 16th-century England. From staying in Anne Boleyn's childhood castle to afternoon tea at glorious stately homes, this journey invites you to relive history and separate Tudor fact from fiction.

A specialist guide takes you on this private tour, unraveling the truth behind the narratives that have filled hundreds of history books. Start in London, where Henry VIII's childhood home offers an insight into the excess that would follow. Marvel at the opulence and extravagance of Hampton Court, the monarch's stunning residence in West London. Then, you're in Windsor, exploring the home of Queen Elizabeth II and the final resting place of Henry VIII. You then head north, through attractions that are mostly off the tourist trail. History comes alive as you connect the tales of Henry's wives, from grand manor houses to windows hidden in ponds, fabulous private castles to medieval villages.

This isn't just a historical sightseeing tour. Over these ten days, you're invited to live out the grandeur of the Tudor era. Stay in two historic castles, complete with regal four-poster beds, afternoon tea, and a strong sense of Henry VIII's excess. Bathe in the splendor of the English countryside and its sublime landscaped gardens. Watch jousters battle outside turreted walls and sit down to vast medieval banquets. You sleep in castles before returning to London on your final day to explore Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. A private access visit to the Crown Jewels is reflective of the style of this itinerary. Expect to be away from the tourist crowds, even when you're admiring England's most famous attractions. This is the world of Henry VIII, with the enchanting accompaniment of Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr.

Consider learning more about the England tour operators whom we partner with, and see how you can customize your dream England vacation of a lifetime.

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Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

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Collyweston DISPATCH

Amateur Historians Heard Tales of a Lost Tudor Palace. Then, They Dug It Up.

In a small English village, a group of dedicated locals has unearthed the remains of a long-vanished palace that had been home to Henry VIII’s grandmother.

By Megan Specia

Megan Specia reported this article from an archaeological dig in Collyweston, England.

For generations, residents of Collyweston — a village in central England snuggled up against the River Welland — passed down stories of a grand Tudor palace, of royal processions through the valley below, of the mother of a king who had called it home.

Over hundreds of years, the stories persisted, even as memory of the palace’s whereabouts faded. But the lore suddenly came to life when a handful of amateur historians unearthed portions of the long-lost palace , buried under a few feet of soil. Historians from the University of York have verified their findings.

“We are a small village with a small group of enthusiasts, and what we’ve basically achieved here is nothing short of a miracle,” said Chris Close, 49, the chairman of the Collyweston Historical and Preservation Society . “You know, it’s not every day you get to dig up a part of your country’s past.”

Mr. Close, soft-spoken and warm with a dimpled smile, was raised in Collyweston, with family roots that go back 400 years here. He remembers hearing stories of the palace as a young boy. It belonged to Lady Margaret Beaufort, who played a major role in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars for the English throne. She acquired it in 1487, two years after her son was crowned king as Henry VII. He, his son Henry VIII, and Elizabeth I all walked the palace halls.

After the Tudor era, which ended in 1603, the palace fell into disrepair. Its contents were sold, portions knocked down or repurposed, and new buildings went up. The palace slowly faded into history, disappearing into the dirt. Almost.

Fast forward to 2017, when Mr. Close became chairman of the historical society — somewhat by chance. History had never been his passion, but he had promised his great-uncle, who once led the group, to help keep it going. A year after his great-uncle’s death, he made good on his promise.

Mr. Close — who, by day, works for a British company that builds new homes — took over the top job at the society at a precarious time. The group’s membership, then mostly retirees, had dwindled, and it had just 500 pounds, about $635, in the bank. Meetings were spent poring over old Collyweston records with little mission, and the few members were considering wrapping things up. Mr. Close knew he needed to inject some energy into the proceedings.

He shifted the society’s newsletter to email, from print. He set up social media accounts. And crucially, he asked members what they really wanted to focus on. The response was clear: They wanted to find the Tudor palace.

The villagers suspected that remnants were hidden under the soil, but with limited expertise and even less money, they did not have much to go on.

“It was our naiveté that’s kind of got us through this, really,” Mr. Close said with a chuckle.

First, they relied on what little they did know about the palace’s history — including local lore that had percolated for years.

Nowadays, Collyweston, population 564, is little more than a few pretty stone houses with picturesque views over sprawling fields. But glimpses of the royal history were visible to anyone who looked carefully, said Sandra Johnson, 68, a retired real estate agent who now does research full time for the historical society — as well as helping take care of her grandchildren.

She noted that local residents had long referred to a walled garden in the area as the “palace gardens,” and that some terraces and fish ponds could still be seen carved into the landscape.

“We knew it was here,” she said, a broad smile growing on her face. “It was just a question of getting the evidence to prove it.”

Over several months, the group trawled through old maps and records. That took them only so far.

Around that time, the group connected with Rachel Delman , now a historian at the University of Oxford who was then doing research on the palace. Her work provided detailed descriptions of palace buildings that she had found in various historical archives.

The research was “a little bit of a light that got shone into the project,” Mr. Close said.

But the amateur historians soon realized that archaeology had become a high-tech pursuit and that they needed to embrace technology, too. They applied for grants and got enough money to hire a company to do a drone survey and geophysical scan of the village. The growing buzz in Collyweston around their activities helped attract new members.

The real breakthrough came from ground-penetrating radar scans in 2021 and 2022 that revealed human-made material under the soil. This guided them on where to dig.

Last May, they found the first evidence of the palace walls: portions of the clearly defined base of a thick wall and a foundation that experts later verified.

The goal is to eventually find enough artifacts to analyze and date. The group hopes to create a digital model of the palace to be displayed in a tiny museum that Ms. Johnson curates in the nave of the village church.

While finds from this era are not particularly unusual in Britain, historians have hailed the discovery because of the significant role the palace played in its time — and because it was found by an amateur group.

Prof. Kate Giles, a historian at the University of York, pointed out that Britain has a wealth of local history societies but that in the case of Collyweston, “the fact that it has a Tudor palace on the doorstep makes its work particularly interesting and exciting.”

Dr. Delman, whose research helped kick-start the hunt, said the discovery had the potential to enrich public knowledge about a onetime royal power base, commissioned by a Tudor woman, “making it a site that is nationally and internationally significant.”

In early February, volunteers took out their shovels for a two-day dig, one of several planned this year, to better understand what the palace looked like.

Down a lane on a small patch of grass, a dozen residents — including young professionals, parents, a former prison guard and several retirees — dug in four small roped-off trenches under the watchful eye of Jennifer Browning, 50, an archaeologist from the University of Leicester Archaeological Services who was hired to lead the dig that day.

In one trench, dirt was carefully brushed from what appeared to be a flagstone floor and foundation stones. In another, part of a wall had begun to emerge.

“We just don’t know exactly what it is, but they are meant to be there,” Ms. Browning said, standing over a 3-foot-by-5-foot trench and pointing at three large stones in a neat line about two feet down. “The problem is, in a small trench like this, you only ever get a little snapshot.”

The excavations so far have been on private land, and although the site is considered a historical monument , under English law that doesn’t give the public a right to gain access to it. The group had permission from the property owners to explore with trenches and then refill, but they had a tight weekend-long window because the owners planned to soon pave over this grassy stretch.

“It’s just interesting to see how this will all piece together,” said James Mabbitt, 42, a volunteer who has lived in Collyweston for the past decade, as he stood in a trench, measuring stones possibly from Tudor times.

His wife, Melissa, 43, and their young daughter wandered by, along with other villagers curious about the work. “For a tiny place, it’s got this amazing history,” Ms. Mabbitt said, excitement in her voice. She noted that ancient Roman ruins had also recently been found nearby. “I think it has captured the local community spirit.”

By late afternoon, the volunteers paused for snacks and cups of tea as they chatted about their finds. Mr. Close congratulated them on uncovering the “clearest evidence to date” of palace buildings.

“I’ve been asked, ‘Why do you get involved in something like this?’” he said. “Look, one day, when everybody departs this world, you can say that you helped to find a Tudor palace.”

Megan Specia reports on Britain, Ireland and the Ukraine war for The Times. She is based in London. More about Megan Specia