Itinerary

TOUR LEADER PROFESSOR  LELAND (LEE) BELLOT

Lee Bellot is a Professor of History, Emeritus, at California State University, Fullerton where he taught British History for more than forty years.  He is the author of many books, articles and reviews dealing primarily with British politics, society and culture during the Age of the American Revolution. A frequent traveler to the British Isles, he is currently writing a biography of Earl Temple, the creator of Stowe Palace and Gardens, which will be one of the highlights of this years tour.

• MONDAY, MAY 7 – USA

  Depart from USA.

• TUESDAY, MAY 8 – MILTON KEYNES

  Transfer to your hotel in Milton Keynes. Enjoy a welcome dinner. (D)

• WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 – MILTON KEYNES

  This morning tour Woburn Abbey owned by the Dukes of Bedford and built in the mid-18th century on the foundations of a large 12th century monastery.  Visit Waddesdon Manor, Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild’s 19th century Renaissance style French chateau.
  (BL)

• THURSDAY, MAY 10 – STOKE-ON- TRENT

  On the way to Stoke-On-Trent tour the Stowe Gardens one of the most ambitious and important landscaped gardens in Britain.  Afterwards visit Sulgrave Manor home of the ancestors of George Washington. (BL)

• FRIDAY, MAY 11 – YORK

  Today, journey through the gently rolling hills of England to the Shugborough Estate, transporting you back to 19th century England to view a “Georgian Park Farm”, a working estate.  Drive to York, which retains so much of its medieval sites.  Walking into its center is like entering a living museum.  (BL)

• SATURDAY, MAY 12 – YORK

  This morning tour the location of Brideshead Revisited, Castle Howard.  It is a magnificent 18th century residence set within 1,000 acres of breathtaking landscape and gardens.  In the afternoon visit York city walls and the York cathedral, one of the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe.  (BL)

• SUNDAY, MAY 13 – NOTTINGHAM

  Traverse the English countryside with a luncheon stop and visit at Chatworth House, one of England’s greatest country houses featured in the movies Pride & Prejudice and The Duchess.   From there visit the Elizabethan era Hardwick Hall and Gardens. (BL)

• MONDAY, MAY 14 – OXFORD

  This morning enjoy the magnificent, medieval Warwick Castle, one of the country’s finest stately homes.  Then it is on to Oxford with afternoon at leisure.  (BL)

• TUESDAY, MAY 15 – OXFORD

  Today tour Oxford, the most famous university in the world, with visits to Christ Church, Merton and Magdalen Colleges, as well as a tour of the outstanding Ashmolean Museum, Britain’s oldest public museum. (BL)

• WEDNESDAY, MAY 16 – OXFORD

  In the morning visit the English baroque Blenheim Palace and Gardens, setting of the TV series the The Churchills and named a World Heritage Site, the only historic house in Britain to receive that honor.  The afternoon is at leisure. (BL)

• THURSDAY, MAY 17 – LINGFIELD

  Today explore Highclere Castle, one of England’s most beautiful Victorian Castles and the location for the filming of Downton Abbey, presently on PBS.  Then visit the Egyptian exhibition at Highclere.   After lunch discover Kew Gardens, the most complete botanic gardens in the world and the setting of the Madness of King George. (BL)

• FRIDAY, MAY 18 – LINGFIELD

  Our tour this morning includes Chartwell, for 40 years the home of World War II leader Sir Winston Churchill.  Then drive to Sissinghurst Gardens, one of the most famous gardens in the world and created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson.  In the evening, share fond memories of your tour with fellow travelers at a farewell dinner.  (BD)

• SATURDAY, MAY 19 – USA

  Depart for home.

•