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Day 1
DEPART USA
Overnight flight to London.
Day 2
ARRIVE LONDON (3 NIGHTS)
After checking in at your hotel, why not explore the city of London? Whether you stroll through one of the Royal Parks, shop in the vibrant West End or visit one of the world famous historical attractions, London has plenty to keep you entertained. Later, meet with your Travel Director and fellow companions for a traditional English pub Welcome Reception.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 3
LONDON SIGHTSEEING AND EXCURSION TO HAMPTON COURT PALACE
See Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace on your half day introductory sightseeing tour with your Local Guide. This afternoon visit Hampton Court Palace, the most modern, sophisticated and magnificent palace of its age. See the vast Tudor kitchens, and the tapestries in the Great Hall with a Local Expert in Tudor costume. Discover the grand interior of the Chapel. Lose yourself in the most famous Maze and visit the Privy Garden, restored to its former glory. Tonight, consider joining your Travel Director for dinner at a lively restaurant or perhaps take in a West End show.
Day 4
LONDON EXCURSION TO WISLEY GARDENS
This morning travel to the memorable gardens of Wisley. Renowned as the flagship garden of the Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley captures the imagination with richly planted borders, luscious rose gardens and the state-of-the-art glasshouse. Gifted to the Society in 1903, Wisley has evolved over time into a world-class garden. Here you will enjoy a Small Group Sightseeing experience around parts of the garden. You will then have free time to have lunch in one of the restaurants in the grounds. Later, return to London when you will have the option to sightsee further or take an optional trip on the London Eye with a cruise on the Thames before returning to your hotel.
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Day 5
LONDON - KEW GARDENS - SHEFFIELD PARK AND GARDEN - BLUEBELL RAILWAY - EASTBOURNE (2 NIGHTS)
This morning enjoy an included visit to Kew Gardens. This botanical garden is known as the world’s most famous – a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising centuries of royal history. Explore inside the vast Victorian glasshouses and see the indoor galleries. Here you will take an included 40 minute bus tour around part of the garden. You will then have free time to lunch in one of the restaurants in the grounds. Later travel south and visit Sheffield Park and Gardens. The National Trust acquired this property in 1954 and the garden is comprised of four large lakes and a variety of rare trees and shrubs. The magnificent landscaping of the garden was laid out in the 18th Century by Capability Brown. From Sheffield Park enjoy a ride on one of England’s most famous steam trains – the Bluebell Railway. The Bluebell Railway is a heritage line running along the border between East and West Sussex and is managed and run largely by volunteers. It has the largest collection (over 30) of steam locomotives in the UK after the National Railway Museum. The train journey will end at East Grinstead. Later arrive at your beautiful hotel in Eastbourne for a two night stay.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 6
EASTBOURNE - EXCURSION TO BRIGHTON
This morning after a leisurely start, enjoy a drive along the coast to Brighton. Thanks to the Prince Regent, the town has always enjoyed a reputation for elegance, fun and architecture. Brighton has many fine Regency buildings, most notably Lewes Crescent and Brunswick Square. You may decide to visit the impressive Brighton Pavilion or shop for interesting items in The Lanes. “The Lanes” form a retail, leisure and residential area near the seafront, characterised by narrow alleyways following the street pattern of the original fishing village and contain clothing stores, jewellers, antique shops, restaurants and pubs. Perhaps enjoy fish and chips for lunch before returning to Eastbourne. This afternoon you might like to consider an optional excursion to Leeds Castle. Built 900 years ago, Henry Vlll transformed the castle for Catherine of Aragon, and extensive refurbishment in the last century has made it truly spectacular. This evening is free to dine at one of the local restaurants.
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Day 7
EASTBOURNE - DOVER - CANTERBURY - MOUNT EPHRAIM COUNTRY HOUSE - ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS (2 NIGHTS)
This morning travel to Dover for a Unique Insight into the White Cliffs of Dover. A member of the National Trust will provide a talk on the significance of the cliffs and the conservation thereof. Later visit Canterbury which is a historic English cathedral city. Parts of the city have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thomas Becket’s murder at Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 led to the cathedral becoming a place of pilgrimage for Christians worldwide and this pilgrimage later provided the theme for Geoffrey Chaucer’s 14th-century literary classic The Canterbury Tales. You will have free time to explore the city before enjoying a delicious Be My Guest Cream Tea at Mount Ephraim Country House later this afternoon. Then it is on to Royal Tunbridge Wells for a two night stay. Dinner will be served at your hotel this evening.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 8
ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS - EXCURSION TO SISSINGHURST GARDENS AND BIDDENDEN VINEYARDS
This morning visit the beautiful gardens at Sissinghurst. This garden was created in the 1930s by Vita Sackville-West, poet and gardening writer, and her husband Harold Nicolson, author and diplomat. Sissinghurst’s garden is one of the best-loved in the whole of the United Kingdom, drawing visitors from all over the world. The garden itself is designed as a series of “rooms”, each with a different character of colour and/or theme, divided by high clipped hedges and pink brick walls. You will have free time to enjoy morning tea in the Old Dairy Coffee Shop or lunch in the Granary Restaurant. This afternoon travel to Biddenden Vineyard - Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard. Established by the Barnes family in 1969 to produce wines and ciders, this vineyard is set in 22 acres on a gentle south facing slope in a shallow sheltered valley. Ten varieties of grapes are grown to produce White, Red, Rosé and Quality Sparkling wines. Traditional Kentish ciders have also been made here for over 20 years together with farm pressed apple juices. The visit includes a vineyard walk, winery talk and tasting including a complimentary glass of wine. There will be time to visit their well-stocked shop and a chance to sample the full range of products. Later return to your hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells.
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Day 9
ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS - HEVER CASTLE - CHARTWELL - LONDON
Enjoy a visit to Hever Castle for a Small Group Sightseeing experience with the gardeners to see these award-winning formal gardens. Each garden has its own style and character, from the giant topiary chess set and herb collection of the Tudor Garden to the magnificent Pompeiian Wall and collection of classical statuary in the Italian Garden. The celebrated Rose Garden contains over 4,000 roses within its walls, and there’s an impressive herbaceous border stretching over 100 metres. You will also have an included ticket to see inside of the castle itself at your own pace. The oldest part of the castle dates to 1270 and it has become well known as the childhood home of its most famous inhabitant, Anne Boleyn – wife of Henry VIII. It later passed into the ownership of Henry’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. Later travel a short distance to visit Chartwell. This is where Sir Winston Churchill lived with his wife until his death in 1965. Now owned by the National Trust, the house and gardens have been beautifully preserved. Return to London this evening where you will enjoy a dinner at your hotel.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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Day 10
LONDON - USA
Say goodbye to your fellow travelers at the end of this wonderful
English Country Gardens experience. Airport transfers are available.
Conditions apply.