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

Meals: Dinner

Set timelessly in its own secluded parkland, Baddesley Clinton is a moated, medieval manor house dating back to the 13th century. Its extensive formal gardens are steeped in history, from its use as a place of hiding and refuge for Catholic priests to the story of the Victorian Quartet; four writers and artists who used Baddesley as a retreat from the modern world.

We then visit the beautiful, riverside town of Stratford-upon-Avon, forever associated with William Shakespeare. We take a guided walking tour to see some of the town’s highlights before time at leisure. Fans of Shakespeare can visit the house in which he was born or discover the local theaters including the Swan Theatre, home of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Later we check in to our overnight hotel, the New Hall Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Beginning our journey north, we make our way to Rufford Old Hall. This magnificent Tudor Great Hall, with later additions, was home to the Hesketh family for 500 years and reveals the family’s lives, loves and fortunes. Surrounded by formal Victorian and Edwardian gardens, the hall has a fantastic collection of arms, armor and tapestries.

After, we visit Sizergh Castle, associated with the Strickland family since the 13th century. The castle’s imposing grey stone walls rise up out of a beautiful garden with a pond, lake and a wonderful limestone rock garden while inside, we find portraits and fine furniture in this much-loved family home.

We then continue deeper into the Lake District, arriving at the Lakeside Hotel Newby Bridge, our base for the next five nights. This evening after dinner, we enjoy a fascinating talk by a guest speaker.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Brantwood House is the former home of John Ruskin and we visit the house just over 200 years after his birth. Filled with many fine paintings, beautiful furniture and Ruskin’s personal treasures, gain a fascinating insight into the world of the famous writer, artist and social reformer on our guided tour.

We then enjoy a scenic cruise on Coniston Water with its backdrop of spectacular scenery towards Brantwood, before continuing on by coach to Ambleside, a pretty town situated at the head of Lake Windermere, the largest natural lake in England. From here we take a picturesque cruise to Bowness-on-Windermere, a charming enclave on the eastern shores of the lake, where we have free time to enjoy the craft and gift shops, lakeside cafés and tea rooms. Tonight we enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we head to Dove Cottage, home to Wordsworth from 1799 to 1808 and his first family home. The famous poet fell in love with the cottage and Grasmere while on a walking tour of the Lake District in 1799. Little changed since Wordsworth’s tenure, the story of the house and family is vividly told here, with many of Wordsworth’s furniture and possessions on display.

Our day continues at the Wordsworth Museum, home to original letters, journals, manuscripts and artworks. We enjoy an exclusive talk from a member of the senior curatorial team here, where we have the opportunity to see items from the collection which are not ordinarily viewed by the public, including first edition books. After lunch together we will also have the chance to see a printing press in action as well as enjoy some of Wordsworth’s poetry.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch