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On this Discovery Tour we stay for
seven nights at the pretty Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water.
During this holiday we visit historic towns, great houses and
picturesque villages, all built with the beautiful honey-coloured
Cotswold stone and set amongst the backdrop of the gentle green
rolling countryside (wolds) of this ‘quintessentially English’
region. The Cotswolds is known for its spectacular gardens.
Highlights:
- The
picturesque village of Snowshill
- The
Roman city of Cirencester
- The wool
church at Northleach
- The wool
town of Chipping Campden, the small
Cotswold town with a 17th century market
hall
-
Beautiful rural countryside with lush
valleys and woodlands offering easy
walks
- Lovely
gardens of Sudeley Castle, the famous
country estate where Catherine Parr
lived and was buried in the castle
chapel
2017 Dates: One week
tours start Fridays 26 May, 20 Oct
Price in British pounds: 855.00 GBP based on double occupancy.
(805 in October)
A few single rooms have no supplement,
Non-member associate fee is 10 GBP per person
Accommodation:
Dating from the Tudor period, and of considerable historic interest,
Harrington House mirrors the mellow architectural
style of the Cotswolds. Its peaceful atmosphere and proximity to the
charming centre of Bourton-on-the-Water make it ideal for exploring
the village.. 26 rooms have private ensuite bathroom, TV,
hairdryer. All guests are participating in an HF Holiday so the
atmosphere is that of a private club.
Meals: All meals are included. Breakfast is a hot and cold
buffet. Lunch is a packed lunch. Dinner is a three course meal with
a choice of four main courses including one vegetarian. Special
diets can be catered to.
Itinerary:
Friday:
Arrival day
Check in
from 2.30pm onwards. Afternoon tea at
4pm.
Saturday: An abbey, a castle and a town
We view
the delightful villages of Stanway and
Stanton, both often used as film
locations, before visiting the
atmospheric ruins of the abbey at Hailes.
We then visit Sudeley Castle, with its
links to Tudor history and extensive
gardens. Our final destination is the
historic town of Winchcombe, a major
centre in medieval times.
Sunday: Wool churches, glass and
weaving
We visit the famous wool church at
Northleach before exploring Cirencester,
one of the Cotswolds’ most popular
towns, with a chance to see its
award-winning Roman museum. In the
afternoon, we view the famous stained
glass at Fairford and then stop for tea
at the Filkins Woollen Weavers centre.
The day ends with a short stroll in the
East Leach valley
Monday: Free day to explore the
local area or to relax in the Country
House. There are never too many
Cotswolds villages to explore, along
with a wide range of venues to suit
different interests, such as the
Cotswolds Falconry Centre or the
Cotswold Farm Park. Why not relax in the
village and discover its charms.
Tuesday:
A villa, a town and three enchanting
villages
The day
begins at Chedworth, where we explore a
well-preserved Roman villa set in a
peaceful valley. Then we move on to
Bibury (the village that William Morris
described as the most beautiful in
England) before a lunch- stop in Burford,
with its magnificent church and
excellent shops. In the afternoon, we
view the haunting ruins of Minster
Lovell Hall, and end our day in the
village of Swinbrook, home to the
notorious Mitford family in the 1930s.
Wednesday: Gardens, villages and a tower
Our first visit is to Batsford, home to
a famous Arboretum and an excellent
Garden Centre. This is followed by a
visit to Broadway Tower, perched high on
the Cotswold escarpment and housing a
fascinating exhibition on the life and
work of the designer, William Morris.
Our lunch stop is in the village of
Broadway before an afternoon spent
exploring the spectacular gardens of
Kiftsgate Court.
Thursday: Two Cotswold towns and a
Jacobean home|.
We drive
via the village of Adlestrop, with its
fascinating literary connections, to the
charming market town of Stow, before
moving on to Chipping Campden, to
explore its famous wool church, shops
and galleries. Our afternoon is spent at
Chastleton House, an unspoilt Jacobean
treasure, where the rules of croquet
were invented.
Friday: Depart
after a leisurely breakfast
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