The Duke of Wellington Tour
Presented by Number One London
September 4th to 14th, 2014
ITINERARY
Join Kristine Hughes and Victoria Hinshaw - authors, bloggers, and Wellington aficionados - as they travel through the English countryside on a one-of-a-kind tour visiting locations connected to Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, including London, Walmer, Brighton, Hampshire, and Windsor.
Thursday, 9/4: Depart from your USA airport on
an overnight flight to London before joining the group at your London
hotel. Air transportation is not
included in the price of the tour.
Friday, 9/5: Arrive in London and transfer
on your own to the Grosvenor Hotel,
housed in a Grade II listed building attached to Victoria Station. Meet Kristine and Victoria, as well as your
fellow travelers, at late afternoon tea in the hotel, when you’ll be given an
overview of your London itinerary. Spend the remainder of the evening at your
leisure or join Kristine and Victoria on a jaunt to their favorite London
spots. Be prepared to raise a few toasts to the Duke along the way.
Saturday, 9/6: Travel via
private motor coach for an exclusive guided tour of Apsley House, the Duke of Wellington’s London home, also
known as Number One London. Afterwards visit the nearby Wellington Arch, built to commemorate the Duke of
Wellington’s victory over Napoleon.
Transfer by motor coach to the Tower of London for the special exhibition on Wellington's influence and the changes he made to the Tower as both Constable of the Tower and Prime Minister.
You’ll have time for a light lunch on your own before motoring to Horse Guards for the 4pm
Dismounting Inspection of the troops.
Visit the Household Cavalry Museum before returning to the hotel to freshen up before heading to
the Grenadier Pub, once used
by the Duke’s own regiment, for an included three course dinner.
Sunday, 9/7: Join Kristine
and Victoria for a special walking tour of London. Spend the day
strolling through Regency and early Victorian London and listen to tales of the
people, places, and things that shaped Wellington’s life and times. The walk
through the neighborhoods of St. James and Mayfair will include landmarks that
are either famous or infamous, with some located in plain sight and others
hidden from view. There will be stops for eating, drinking, and shopping along
the way. If you prefer not to join the walking tour, you may spend the day at
your leisure. Dinner this evening is on
your own. This may be a perfect time to
take in a distinctive pub or a show in the West End.
Monday, 9/8: Check out of the hotel and
journey through the Kent countryside to Walmer Castle, where Wellington lived as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and
where your visit includes a guided tour and talk on the Duke of
Wellington. Afterwards, enjoy some free
time in Deal. Explore the
market town, have lunch and stroll the beach before travelling on to Ashford where you’ll
check into the Ashford InternationalHotel for a one night stay.
Dinner is in the hotel.
Tuesday, 9/9: Drive two hours to Brighton for a self-guided tour
of the Brighton Pavilion, one
of the most decadent Regency buildings in England. Built by George IV,
Wellington was a frequent visitor to the Pavilion and was known to participate
in blanket races along its corridors. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the
Museum, located in the
refurbished stables, and free time to explore nearby shops and have lunch on
your own, or you may want to stay at the Pavilion and visit their tea room.
This afternoon take a private tour with the curator, Nick Tyson of the Regency Town House, a period
town house meticulously restored to reflect daily life in the Georgian era,
both upstairs and down. Later, travel to Reading
to the Mercure George Hotel for
the next three nights. Dinner at the hotel.
Wednesday, 9/10: Spend a special day at Stratfield Saye, the Duke of
Wellington’s country estate, where you’ll be given a guided tour before
visiting the adjacent museum and walking the grounds to the final resting place
of Copenhagen, the horse ridden by the Duke throughout the Battle of
Waterloo. A two course lunch will be
provided in the tea room. Visit the
on-site Farm Shop before leaving the estate.
Dinner at your hotel.
Thursday, 9/11: Visit Highclere Castle, home of the Earl of Carnarvon, who sat in
the House of Lords with the Duke of Wellington. Enjoy a guided tour of the
Castle, better known today as Downton Abbey, with free time afterwards to visit the grounds and the gift
shop. There will be free time to have
lunch at the estate. Afterwards travel
to Basildon Park, for a tour
and talk about the impressive Georgian mansion that served as Netherfield Park
in the Keira Knightley version of Pride
and Prejudice. Dinner in the hotel.
Friday, 9/12: Travel to Windsor, a Royal site with many Wellington connections. After checking into the Mercure Windsor Castle Hotel, take a guided tour of Windsor Castle, including the
Waterloo Chamber; learn more about the Duke’s connections to the Royal Family.
Afterwards, we’ll visit the nearby Windsor
and Royal Borough Museum,
which is conveniently located across the street from the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to
explore the quaint town, do a bit of shopping in Peascod Street and have lunch
on your own. Return to the hotel for dinner .
Saturday, 9/13: After breakfast, visit Frogmore House and Gardens for a guided tour of this property that is rarely
open to the public. Afterwards, enjoy
the surrounding countryside during a forty minute, round trip Thames River cruise. The rest of the day is at
leisure to finish exploring Windsor and Eton, a perfect opportunity pick up
last minute gifts and also to begin packing for the return trip home. Farewell dinner in the hotel.
Sunday, 9/14: Your motor coach will transfer
you to Heathrow airport for your return flight home.
Land Only Tour Pricing $2,689/£1615.00
Reservation Deadline is July 4th!
Porterage
of 1 bag in and out of hotels Nine Nights Hotel Accommodations
Full
English breakfast each Morning Six
dinners in hotels as noted
Apsley
House Guided Tour Dinner
at the Grenadier Pub
Wellington
Arch Admission Full
Afternoon Tea at Grosvenor Hotel
Tower of London Admission Royal
Horseguards Inspection
Household
Cavalry Museum Admission Basildon
Park Talk and Tour
London walking
tour with Kristine & Victoria Walmer
Castle Guided Tour
Walmer
Parish Church Tour and Talk Brighton
Pavilion and Museum Admission
Regency
Town House (Hove) Guided Tour Stratfield
Saye Guided Tour
Two Course
Lunch at Stratfield Saye Highclere
Castle Guided Tour
Windsor
Castle & Museum Admission Thames Cruise
Frogmore
House Guided Tour Transfer
to Heathrow Airport at end of Tour
Motor Coach Services for duration of tour
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