Grand Private Castles and Houses Tour
Grand Private Castles and Houses Tour
3 Days Starting and ending in Tewkesbury, England
Visiting: Tewkesbury, Cotswolds, Kentchurch
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 30
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the Grand Private Castles and Houses Tour in the United Kingdom, a luxurious cultural journey through history. Stay at the four-star Hilton Puckrup Hall, nestled in 140 acres of private grounds on the edge of the Cotswolds. Explore the enchanting Madresfield Court, the historic Kentchurch Court with its Grinling Gibbons carvings, and the 12th-century Berkeley Castle with its medieval deer park. Discover the beauty of Eastnor Castle, surrounded by a stunning deer park, arboretum, and lake. Enjoy guided tours, a welcome reception, and exquisite meals, including a three-course dinner with wine and a two-course lunch at Kentchurch Court. Travel in comfort with coach transfers and a dedicated tour manager throughout this unforgettable experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1:
Location: Tewkesbury
Accommodation Name: Hilton Puckrup Hall
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive independently at the Hilton Puckrup Hall from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception, dinner with wine and an introductory talk by host Mike Stone - 'The Great Families and Estates of Lygon, Scudamore, Berkeley and Hervey-Bathurst from the 11th to 20th Century'.
Day 2: Berkeley Castle And Eastnor Castle
Location: Cotswolds
Accommodation Name: Hilton Puckrup Hall
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we visit Berkeley Castle, home to the Berkeley family since their ancestor, Robert Fitzharding, completed the Keep in the late 12th Century. The contents of the castle have been chosen and collected by members of the Berkeley family throughout the centuries and reflect the history of their home. Located within 6,000 acres, the castle also has a medieval deer park. After lunch (not included) we visit Eastnor Castle at the foot of the Malvern Hills and located just on the edge of the Cotswolds. The Castle is home to the Hervey-Bathurst family and is surrounded by a beautiful deer park, arboretum and lake. The castle was commissioned by the 2nd Baron (Lord) Somers, later 1st Earl between 1810 and 1824 who employed a young Robert Smirke as architect, who was later well known for his design for the British Museum, and was built in the Norman Revival style. The Hervey-Bathurst family moved into the castle in 1949 and is still within the family today. This evening dinner will be included at the hotel restaurant.
Day 3: Kentchurch Court And Madresfield Court.
Location: Kentchurch
Accommodation Name: Hilton Puckrup Hall
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we begin our story with Ralph Scudamore, who arrived from Normandy to build a castle in Ewyas Harold in 1042, and whose family moved to a moated manor at Kentchurch in the 14th century. The Kentchurch Court you will see now was modernised by renowned architect John Nash between 1773 and 1795 and contains carvings by Grinling Gibbons and a fine collection of portraits dating back to the 16th century. Filming for Regency House Party and Country House Rescue has taken place here. As part of your visit a two-course lunch has been organised for you (included) and there will also be time to visit the gardens. This afternoon we visit Madresfield Court which began its life as a great hall in the 12th century. In 1593 the house was rebuilt and substantially remodelled in the 19th century to resemble a moated Elizabethan house. The Court chapel was decorated in the Arts & Crafts style and the Lygon family have owned the house and estate for several centuries. The novelist Evelyn Waugh visited the house and may have based the Flyte family in Brideshead Revisited on the Lygons. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.15.
What's Included
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Two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Hilton Puckrup Hall
Enjoy a comfortable stay at the Hilton Puckrup Hall, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
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Welcome reception
Join us for a welcome reception to kick off the tour.
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First night three-course dinner with wine
Savor a three-course dinner with wine on the first night.
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Second night dinner in the hotel restaurant
Enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant on the second night.
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Two-course lunch at Kentchurch Court
Relish a two-course lunch at Kentchurch Court.
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All talks, guided tours and admissions
All talks, guided tours, and admissions are included in the tour.
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Coach transfers and tour manager throughout
Coach transfers and a tour manager will be available throughout the tour to ensure a seamless and comfortable travel experience.
What's Not Included
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Transport to the hotel
Transport to the hotel is not included.
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Double for sole use supplement
A supplement applies for double rooms used for sole occupancy.
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Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis
Extra nights on a bed and breakfast basis are not included.
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Holiday insurance
Holiday insurance is not included.
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Meals other than those stated
Meals other than those specifically mentioned in the inclusions are not included.
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Items of a personal nature
Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
, are not included. -
Porterage and gratuities
Porterage and gratuities are not included.
Mode of Transport
Coach transfers and tour manager throughout the tour ensure a seamless and comfortable travel experience. Transport to the hotel is not included.
Accommodation
Hilton Puckrup Hall Located just outside of Tewkesbury within 140 acres of private grounds on the edge of the Cotswolds, the four-star Hilton Puckrup Hall offers a restaurant, bar, fitness centre, indoor swimming pool and golf course along with comfortable bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. Complimentary car parking is available at the hotel.
MORE INFO
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel. You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The accommodation provided is at the four-star Hilton Puckrup Hall, located just outside of Tewkesbury within 140 acres of private grounds on the edge of the Cotswolds. The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, fitness centre, indoor swimming pool, and golf course along with comfortable bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, hairdryer, and tea/coffee making facilities. Complimentary car parking is available at the hotel.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes two nights' bed and breakfast, a welcome reception, a three-course dinner with wine on the first night, dinner in the hotel restaurant on the second night, and a two-course lunch at Kentchurch Court.
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What is the mode of transport during the tour?
Coach transfers and a tour manager are provided throughout the tour to ensure a seamless and comfortable travel experience. However, transport to the hotel is not included.
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What activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes visits to Madresfield Court, Kentchurch Court, Berkeley Castle, and Eastnor Castle. It also includes all talks, guided tours, and admissions.
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What time should I arrive at the hotel on the first day?
You should arrive independently at the Hilton Puckrup Hall from 15:00 onwards.
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What will happen on the first evening of the tour?
On the first evening, there will be a welcome reception, dinner with wine, and an introductory talk by host Mike Stone titled 'The Great Families and Estates of Lygon, Scudamore, Berkeley and Hervey-Bathurst from the 11th to 20th Century'.
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Is lunch included during the visit to Berkeley Castle and Eastnor Castle?
No, lunch is not included during the visit to Berkeley Castle and Eastnor Castle.
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What time does the tour end on the last day?
The tour ends at approximately 17:15 on the last day.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour package?
Yes, additional costs not included in the tour package are transport to the hotel, double for sole use supplement, extra nights on a bed and breakfast basis, holiday insurance, meals other than those stated, items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, etc., and porterage and gratuities.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
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We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel editions charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 45% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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