LONDON & THE COTSWOLDS

Day 1 Arrive in London

Arrive in London where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your elegant 5-star hotel in the heart of Mayfair. You'll have the rest of the day at leisure.

Time your stay for early July and you could spend the afternoon at the All England Lawn Tennis Club to enjoy one of England's best loved tournaments - Wimbledon.

Overnight: Brown's Hotel

Day 2 London

A full day sightseeing tour of London, including a stop at Westminster Abbey, the setting for all royal coronations since 1066 and the most recent Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The morning will finish with a ride on the London Eye, providing a bird's eye view of the capital. After lunch depart for a tour of Buckingham Palace, which opened its doors to visitors for the first time in 1993. A visit will be made to the splendid State Rooms including the Throne Room, the Music Room and the State Dining Room, used for entertaining statesmen and members of Royalty from overseas. There will also be an opportunity to wander through the magnificent gardens. The evening will be at leisure.

Overnight: Brown's Hotel

Day 3 Oxford and Blenheim Palace

Leave London this morning and head off on your journey westwards. First of all you'll visit the famous university city of Oxford, perhaps take a punt along the river or admire the architectural masterpieces among the college buildings before heading to the market town of Woodstock for a traditional pub lunch. Once replenished, it's time to head for Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The palace is situated in more than 2,000 acres of beautifully landscaped parks and gardens and is an absolute joy to explore.

Overnight: The Lygon Arms

Day 4 Upton Wold, Althorp House and Stratford-on-Avon

A special viewing of the beautiful garden at Upton Wold has been arranged for you this morning. This hidden private garden has an exceptional collection of trees, shrubs and unusual plants. The visit will be followed by a trip to Althorp House & Park, the stately home of the Spencer family for nearly 500 years and the resting place of Diana, Princess of Wales. There are 19 rooms in the house open to the public displaying a fine collection of furniture, pictures, ceramics and some of Lady Diana's personal artefacts, including the famous bridal gown, childhood letters, school reports, dresses and details of her charity work. Outside there are beautiful gardens where you can enjoy a picnic. Your final stop of the day is to Shakespeare's Stratford-on-Avon. Visit the transformed Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres, take a theatre tour or climb the Tower for unique views over Shakespeare's former home.

Overnight: The Lygon Arms

Day 5 Cotswolds and Highgrove

Begin the day in the pretty village of Bourton-on-the-Water, often described as the 'Little Venice' of the Cotswolds and one of the most popular tourist spots in the region. Then it's time to head for HRH The Prince of Wales' Highgrove, where an experienced guide will take you on a delightful tour of the extraordinary gardens, ending with afternoon tea and a glass of Highgrove champagne. The magnificent organic gardens and surrounding meadows are managed according to sustainable principles and are truly inspirational.

Overnight: The Lygon Arms

Day 6 Bath and Stonehenge

No trip to this area of England would be complete without seeing the famous and fascinating prehistoric monument of Stonehenge, whose ancient stones form the heart of a World Heritage Site. Afterwards, you'll head for the beautiful historic city of Bath. Visit the exceptionally well-preserved Roman Baths where you can walk among the extensive ruins and explore the many treasures in the museum. Alternatively, there are some stunning gardens, or simply take afternoon tea in one of Bath's many teashops.

Overnight: The Lygon Arms

Day 7 West Wycombe Park and London

This morning you'll visit West Wycombe Park, one of the most theatrical and Italianate of all English country houses and the Dashwood family home for over 300 years. Set in 45 acres of landscaped park, the house is frequently featured in screen adaptations of literary classics such as Cranford and in the television series Downton Abbey and Dr Thorne. After your visit, head for London, where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight: Brown's Hotel

Day 8 Depart

Bid London farewell and head to the airport to catch your flight home.