The ancient city of Hereford awaits today, which sits in a loop of the River Wye and was long fought over by Welsh and Anglo Saxon princes. We are visiting the city partly for its streets of half-timbered houses, but mainly for its magnificent cathedral. There has been a church at Hereford since 696AD, but the church we see today dates from the 12th century, with all its magnificent architecture and stained glass. It contains one of England’s great wonders, the Mappa Mundi, a map which has survived since the 13th century, and gives a unique insight into how the people of the time understood the world around them. Our tour here also features the Chained Library, the largest surviving of its kind in the world, where the books are kept under lock and key in their original chains. Just one of the highlights here is the 8th-century Hereford Gospels.

On the way to our next destination, we visit Kilpeck Church, described by Professor Nicholas Pevsner (who could be rather brutal when he wanted to be) as ‘one of the most perfect Norman churches in England’. It’s tiny, on a completely different scale to Hereford Cathedral, but with lovely surviving carvings and a real sense of a local church that bears the marks of 10 centuries of parish life. We are then treated to lunch at the Kilpeck Inn, a traditional country pub.

The day finishes at Tretower Court. The beauty of Tretower is that we can trace within it the transition from a castle to a gentry house. Building dates from the 13th century, and at the time of Owain Glyndwr, 15th-century rebellion was still a key strongpoint. It then began to put away its military purpose as the danger of violence receded and became a gentry house at the heart of a country community. We walk round the house from the medieval kitchen, buttery and pantry to Sir Roger Vaughan’s Great Hall, designed to host the family and display their status to visitors and tenants alike. Time permitting, we may make a brief stop at Hay-on-Wye on our way back, an idyllic small town on Offa’s Dyke and home to more second hand and antiquarian bookshops than seem possible.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we are joined by history expert Dr Richard Grove for our tour of three medieval masterpieces. We first visit Goodrich Castle, a Norman Marcher stronghold against the Welsh, with a keep, curtain walls and gatehouse, built and owned by Richard Strongbow of the de Clare family, and later by William Marshal.

Next is Tintern Abbey, a national icon and a romantic Gothic masterpiece. It is the very template of the vast medieval Cistercian abbeys and religious communities, set in the remote hills.

Both men mentioned above also held another Norman castle in Chepstow, from where Marshal gained his name Lord of Striguil (derived from the Welsh for ‘bend in the river’) when he married Isabel de Clare in 1189. Beautifully set high above the banks of the River Wye, it is a powerful reminder of Norman brute force and border warfare.

This evening we enjoy a Q&A session with David Crowther and Dr Richard Grove; the perfect chance to ask anything about what we’ve seen on the way or the podcast.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We are in for a treat on our last day with a visit to Avebury Circle, a majestic set of high stones at the heart of a Neolithic ceremonial complex. We can walk through and around the magical stones, and Richard talks us through the complex as a whole, including Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Burrow.

Next, we head to the welcoming Angel Hotel in the market town of Royal Wootton Bassett for lunch.

For our final excursion, we meander along to the exquisite early Tudor manor house of Dorney Court, a living home more than 500 years old. The rooms are all wonderful and arranged in the original layout from the Great Hall, kitchens and courtyard to the wood-panelled parlour and Great Chamber. It also happens to be where the first pineapple was cultivated in England and we find out more on our fascinating connoisseur tour.

Later, we check back in to the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel, where we enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow airport for your return flight home.

Meals: Breakfast