Full Day Tour

The historical City of Bath has such a wide variety of things to see and do that we think it’s worth spending a whole day exploring the City. First on the list are the Roman Baths , best visited as soon as you arrive to avoid the crowds later in the day. Close to the Roman Baths is Abbey and the Pump Room, a potential lunch stop where you can “take the health giving waters”. Following lunch there are so many places to visit including, The Royal Cresent and the Circus, The Assembly Rooms and the Fashion Museum, The Jane Austen Centre, Thermae Spa, Pulteney Bridge and the River Avon. Not forgetting that while you walk along the streets you are always surrounded by the most magnificent golden stonework and Georgian architecture that makes Bath one of the most unique cities in the World.

Full Day Tour

Highclere Castle is the home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and also features as Downton Abbey, the hugely successful drama series with over 11 million viewers in the UK. Enjoy the history of the castle set in beautiful countryside and spot all those familiar locations from the TV series, Downton Abbey.

Please note that Highclere Castle has restricted opening dates and pre-booking tickets is essential. If you wish to visit the castle please advise at time of booking.

Full Day Tour

First we travel across Salisbury Plain to visit the mysterious World Heritage stone circle at Stonehenge. Then along the lush valley of the river Avon to Old Sarum, the original site of Salisbury. Onto the historic city of Salisbury to visit the magnificent medieval cathedral that has the tallest spire in England at 404ft 9”!. Also housed in the Chapter House of the cathedral is one of the original versions of Magna Carta of which only 4 survive. Go behind the scenes on the spectacular Tower Tour and take in the breathtaking views.

Stone Circle Access visits are available on restricted opening dates (early mornings and late evenings) and pre-booking tickets is essential. If you wish to do a Stone Circle Access visit please advise at time of booking.

Half Day Tour

These world renowned gardens at Stourhead owned by the National Trust, are just 30 minutes drive away from Church House. The gardens were laid out by Henry Hoare II between 1741 and 1780 and present a breathtaking landscape of lakes, classical temples, follies, grottoes and an abundance of rare and beautiful trees. The historic home on the estate is also open to the public.

Full Day Tour

Through pretty countryside to the enchanting medieval house of Lytes Carey, an amazing survival from the middle ages. A stroll around a romantic garden at Tintinhull House created by Penelope Hobhouse is followed by a short drive to the perfectly preserved Elizabethan mansion of Montacute.  With its collection of portraits loaned from the National Portrait gallery in London, collections of superb furniture and wonderful gardens, Montacute is very special. Not far from Montacute is 16th century Barrington Court where you can explore the beautiful old house and lovely Gertrude Jekyll gardens.

Full Day Tour

A day spent at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offers so much to see and do! A fascinating tour of Nelson’s warship H.M.S. Victory is like stepping back into the lives of sailors in the 1700’s. Examine the amazingly well preserved remains of the Mary Rose one of Henry VIII’s warships that was raised after 400 years on the seabed. The dockyard also contains the earliest iron warship, the H.M.S. Warrior, extensive museums, exhibitions, shops and eating places. Boat cruises around Portsmouth harbour, home to the Royal Navy, are also available. Whilst on the seafront you can visit the soaring Spinnaker Tower.  Ride to the top of the 170m tower for spectacular views of Hampshire, the Channel and Isle if Wight. Dare to walk across the glass floor!

Half or Full Day Tour

We head south to the Saxon town of Wareham with one of the few remaining Saxon churches in England. Then onto the romantic ruined Corfe Castle, towering over the picturesque stone village. Lunch at a local pub overlooking the village and then over the Purbeck Hills with spectacular views of the coastline and down to the abandoned ruins of Tyneham village (when open). We complete the day by a visit to the smugglers cove at Lulworth, enclosed by rugged cliffs and caves. There will be time to walk along the cliffs or beach to collect shells and pebbles along the shore. The local coastline is a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its unique and diverse geology and scenery.

Full Day Tour

We drive you through unspoiled countryside to the charming seaside resort of Lyme Regis made famous by Jane Austen and the setting for the film version of The French Lieutenant’s Woman. For those interested in fossil hunting,  Lyme Regis is the place to visit. If a hunt along the beach is not successful, there are plenty of fossils shops to entice you. Returning, we travel to the lovely village of Abbotsbury and a visit to the extensive Sub-Tropical garden and the medieval Swannery with it’s 600 swans.

Full day tour

Across the Blackmore Vale and through the medieval abbey town of Sherborne. Into the county of Somerset and on to mystic Glastonbury to visit the magical Tor, the Chalice Well (where the Holy Grail is hidden!) and the huge ruined medieval abbey with the Holy Thorn planted by Joseph of Arimathea. The tombs of Arthur and Guinevere are also to be found at Glastonbury abbey. We then travel a few miles North to the beautiful old town of Wells with its magnificent medieval Cathedral, moated Bishops Palace and lovely natural springs from which the town takes its name.

Full Day Tour

Across Cranbourne Chase to pretty Fordingbridge set on the river Avon, then through the picturesque New Forest to the Saxon city of Winchester. Here you will find England’s longest cathedral containing the tombs of Saxon Kings and Jane Austen. There is excellent shopping in the city. We then travel a little further to Mottisfont Abbey to wander around the glorious walled rose garden at its best in mid-june.

Half Day Tour

From Church House we have only a short drive through lovely countryside to the old market town of Wimborne with its medieval Minster. We return via the magnificent 17th century National Trust property of Kingston Lacy, a historic home containing wonderful furnishings, wood carvings and a priceless collection of paintings by Titian, Rubens and Van Dyke. The house is surrounded by beautiful parkland where you can wander at your leisure.

Full or Half Day Tour

Along the Winterbourne valley, passing through typical Dorset villages of thatched cottages to the tiny church of Winterbourne Thompson, preserved as a memorial to Thomas Hardy. On to Bere Regis, with the D’Urberville tombs, then to “Wetherbury” of Far from the Madding Crowd. Across Egdon Heath the location of Return of the Native, followed by a visit to Hardy’s cottage and birthplace. Then to Stinsford (Under the Greenwood Tree) and the tomb of Hardy’s heart. On to Dorchester the setting for The Major of Casterbridge where we visit Max Gate, Hardy’s last home. We return along the beautiful valley of the river Cerne and stop to view the prehistoric Cerne Abbas Giant and visit the pretty village at its feet.

Full Day Tour

Travel over the wide open spaces of Salisbury plain dotted with burial mounds  and earthworks from the mists  of time to the huge Neolithic temple at Avebury. Walk around the huge circle of stones feeling their earth magic as you touch them! A short journey from Avebury takes you to Silbury Hill, an ancient “English Pyramid”, and West Kennett longbarrow where you can enter the prehistoric burial chamber and step back 5000 years.

Half Day Tour

One of the most interesting and prettiest historic towns in England -English heritage at its finest!. Visit the medieval Sherborne abbey with its wonderful stone vaulted roof and wood carvings. The town is also well known for its many antique and gift shops to be found among the quaint streets. We return via Sherborne Castle, the splendid house built by Sir Walter Raleigh.

Half Day Tour

Over the rolling downs to Longleat House, the magnificent historic  home of the 7th Marquess of Bath, one of the best examples of Elizabethan architecture in Britain. Largely completed in 1580 and set in 900 acres of Capability Brown landscaped parkland the house is crammed with art treasures including English and Italian masterpieces. Also of note are the ornate ceilings decorated with fine paintings and an abundance of gilt. This is truly a beautiful house and shows our English heritage at its best.

Half Day Tour

Explore the Saxon hill top town of Shaftesbury. Visit the abbey ruins and the famous Gold Hill, the quintessential English scene. We then travel to the fine English Heritage site of Old Wardour castle in its enchanting lakeside setting. We return across Cranborne Chase, once the private hunting ground of King John.