On arrival at Heathrow airport, a private transfer will take you to our overnight hotel, the Macdonald Windsor Hotel. In the evening, join the group for a welcome drink, followed by dinner.

Meals: Dinner

We head to Stratford-upon-Avon and enjoy a guided walking tour of the town, which is forever associated with England’s greatest poet and playwright, William Shakespeare. We also visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, where we discover the extraordinary story of Shakespeare in the house where he was born and grew up.

Later, we continue our journey to Wales, checking in to Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, one of the National Trust’s Historic House Hotels, where we spend the next six nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we first visit Bodnant Garden, nestled in the Snowdonian foothills. Created over 150 years, this world-famous garden is home to National Collections and Champion Trees and boasts sweeping lawns, grand terraces and verdant woodland.

Our next stop is the magnificent Penrhyn Castle. Built in the 19th century in a Neo-Norman style, Penrhyn was constructed on a massive scale over a period of 13 years and offers superb views of Snowdonia. There is so much to see here, from the outstanding collection of paintings, restored Victorian kitchens and a railway museum.

Meals: Breakfast

Today we cross the 19th-century Menai Bridge to spend the day on the Isle of Anglesey, where our first visit is to the fine country house of Plas Newydd. Its most famous past resident is the 1st Marquess of Anglesey, who commanded the cavalry at Waterloo in 1815. The elegant interior reflects the 1930s, thanks to its associations with the artist, socialite and fallen WWII soldier Rex Whistler. The garden’s climate allows extraordinary plants to flourish, including tender exotics and Mediterranean plants.

We continue on to Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens, a series of historic gardens which are gradually being restored to their former glory, where we enjoy a guided tour and lunch. Three different gardens have been discovered, including an unusual walled garden with curving walls, a secret valley garden with three waterfalls and a river, and an upper woodland garden with the remains of a 19th-century folly.

After dinner back at the hotel this evening, we are treated to a fascinating talk by a guest speaker.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Home to the Snowdonia National Park Environmental Studies Centre, Plas Tan y Bwlch is a 17th-century country house which was once home to slate quarry owners; the Oakeley family. The 100-acre estate boasts a spectacular Victorian garden, native and exotic plants, rare trees and shrubs. We enjoy refreshments and a guided tour (please note there is no access to the house itself).

We then make a short stop in the picturesque village of Betws-y-Coed in the Snowdonia National Park. The backdrop of coniferous forests has earned this area the name ‘Little Switzerland’.

From here we head to the medieval walled town of Conwy to visit the imposing Conwy Castle. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this imposing castle was built by Edward I during his conquest of Wales in the late 13th century and is considered to be among the finest surviving medieval fortifications in Britain with soaring curtain walls, round towers and fortified gateways.

Our next stop is Conwy’s Plas Mawr, one of the finest surviving town houses of the Elizabethan era to be found anywhere in Britain. The house was built between 1576 and 1585 for Robert Wynn, an influential Welsh merchant (look out for the many R.W initials in its crests and coats of arms around the house). The authentic period atmosphere is enhanced by the many furnishings original to the house, skilled friezes and ornamental plasterwork, fully restored to its former glory.

This evening we enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner