Heart of England

The life and times of William Shakespeare will take centre stage in riverside Stratford-upon-Avon today. Here, we’ll see the playwright’s timbered childhood home and his wife Anne Hathaway’s pretty thatched cottage (a stroll through the blooming gardens here is a must). There will even be time to explore some more Cotswold hamlets as we wind our way back to our hotel, where you can enjoy the evening at your leisure. Accommodation: Kings Hotel (or similar)

• Meals
  • Breakfast

Day three promises to be an indulgent one, with an afternoon of high tea on the agenda before we move on to Lacock, a showstopper of a village that often doubles as a film set. After imagining ourselves as costume drama heroes and heroines, we’ll step inside the magnificent abbey – whose peaceful cloisters took a starring turn as the Hogwarts hallways in the Harry Potter series. Today we’ll finish in Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city with true ‘wow’ factor, where we’ll make ourselves at home for our final two nights. Accommodation: The Abbey Hotel (or similar)

• Meals
  • Breakfast

Every beautifully preserved building we’ll see in Bath tells a story. After a morning walking tour, we’ll get a fascinating insight into Roman life with a visit to the breathtaking Roman Baths. After that, the afternoon is yours to explore the town for yourself. You could enjoy a bit of ‘me time’ at Thermae Bath Spa (Britain’s only thermal spa), where you can bathe in mineral-rich waters while scanning the skyline from the rooftop pool – or, if you’d prefer to explore on foot, you could discover Bath’s proud independent side and wander past stylish boutiques and celebrated coffee shops. At our last dinner together, we’ll swap stories and look back on our English journey with fond memories. Accommodation: The Abbey Hotel (or similar)

• Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

The perfect way to follow up a day in Bath is with a morning at Longleat. This English stately home, the current seat of the Marquess of Bath, blends classic architecture with creative interiors. After we’ve had a look around, our journey will continue to Avebury, an immense stone circle set within an ancient landscape of enigmatic monuments, tombs and roads that were first walked millennia ago. While Stonehenge attracts tourists from around the world and does not permit close access, at Avebury we’ll have the opportunity to walk freely among the standing stones. Steeped in mystery, these prehistoric stone circles are a fascinating sight – and make for a tremendous final stop. Afterwards, we’ll return to the bright lights of London, where we’ll say our goodbyes.

• Meals
  • Breakfast