Tudor Legacy Tour: London & Central England

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Experience the Tudor Legacy, from Henry VII and the War of the Roses to the “Golden Age” of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

The Tudors – a name synonymous with power, wealth, and intrigue – a tapestry of characters that changed history with their religious and political scandal, carrying England from the medieval into the Renaissance era.  Join Wanderlust’s expert docents on a fully guided, all-inclusive, seven night tour exploring the legacy of the 118-year Tudor dynasty from Henry VII (1485) to Elizabeth I (1603). Beginning in London, we step into the world of Henry VIII as local scholars guide us through castles, artworks, and churches, putting into context the impact of his decision-making on England’s social, religious, political, and architectural landscape. We visit sites related to his parents, Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, and all three of his children.

This Legacy tour digs deep into history and tradition, allowing us to see where heads rolled at the Tower of London; go behind the scenes at Henry’s pleasure palace at Hampton Court, and pay homage at his final resting place at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. Our journey also carries us like royals via boat along the Thames River to Greenwich, for a look at Henry VIII’s birthplace and the Queen’s House.

Explore the legacy of the short reign of Edward VI; the tumultuous return to Catholicism under “Bloody” Mary; and be swept into the Golden Age of the Virgin Queen Elizabeth. We’ll raise plenty of pints during lunch and dinner at historic pubs- both in the city and throughout the countryside- including London’s historic George Inn. Take notes as we watch a live sword fighting demonstration at the Globe Theatre and practice your “God Save the Queen!” as we see the exact spot at Hatfield House where Elizabeth I learned she became queen.

Then it is off to the land of The ‘Kingmaker to spend three nights in the heart of Warwick.  Here, we learn the pivotal role of Warwick’s powerful (and misaligned) Earls in the Tudors’ rise to power during a private tour and dinner at the marvelous medieval fortress, Warwick Castle. Wander the halls like mighty warriors admiring the world class armor while channeling your inner lord or lady during a private dinner. Up the road in the rolling hills of Warwickshire, English Heritage docents lead us through the picturesque ruins and Elizabethan Gardens of Kenilworth Castle, home to Elizabeth’s favorite, Robert Dudley.

Our final day of the Tudor Legacy Tour  in the country is spent at leisure in Stratford-Upon-Avon, home of William Shakespeare. After lunch and a guided orientation of the village, meander Stratford’s cobbled streets lined with thatched roofed homes, tour John Harvard’s Tudor townhouse or revel in the legacy of the great bard with a visit to his birthplace. After dinner on your own, we’ll attend a play at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Before returning to London, we stop for lunch in Windsor, where we have free time to explore the castle, which remains a royal residence, and to see the tomb of Henry VIII. The tour concludes with a farewell dinner in London and a bird’s eye view over the sparkling city during an evening ride on the London Eye Ferris wheel. A view fit for a king!

Call us for pricing

Single Supplement: Call us for pricing, Airfare not included, Attractions, Meals and some Wine included

Features & Attractions

  • In-depth private tour of the formidable Tower of London
  • In-depth private tour of Henry VIII’s pleasure palace at Hampton Court
  • Elizabeth I’s childhood home of Hatfield House
  • English Heritage guided tour of Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan gardens
  • Private tour and sword fight demonstration at The Globe Theatrre, London
  • Private tour and dinner at Warwick Castle
  • Behind the scenes tour of The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
  • Tour of Windsor Castle, grounds, and St. George Chapel
  • Evening ride on the London Eye
  • Pre-travel consulting services with one of our Travel Consultants
  • Full-time services of two travel guides
  • First-class accommodations of cultural or historical interest
  • All meals noted in itinerary
  • Limited wine with meals
  • Food or drink tastings
  • Tour guide book and reading list
  • Itinerary with an emphasis on history, culture, and regional cuisine
  • Luggage transfer between destinations
  • All ground transportation as noted in itinerary (taxis, private vans, trains, etc.)
  • All taxes and gratuities at hotels and restaurants

Itinerary

Settle into our London hotel with a welcome cocktail followed by a guided tour of the Museum of London, with an emphasis on the medieval and Renaissance collections. We’ll toast to the Tudors during an early pub dinner.

Explore Tudor London on intimately guided tours with scholars from our Conde Naste & National Geographic endorsed partner, Context Travel. These introductory tours help to put the Tudor dynasty into historical context with visits to the National Gallery, Westminster Abbey & other sites. See where heads rolled at the Tower of London, where you have free time to explore. Fill up on pub classics during lunch and we end the day together with a lively dinner and a few pints.

Travel like the Tudors via boat from Westminster to the town of Greenwich for a tour of Henry VIII’s birthplace with our Context historians. Return via Southwark for lunch at the George Inn, London’s oldest coach stop, and end the day with a private tour and a stage sword fighting demonstration at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Return to the hotel at leisure and enjoy free time and dinner on your own. Or join us for a bird’s eye view of the city from the London Eye, where you get a view fit for a king or queen.

Today, we go behind the scenes at Henry’s pleasure palace at Hampton Court. Dig in deep to Tudor court life with Context’s scholarly guided tours of Hampton Palace and gardens. From London, we journey into the countryside for a scenic pub lunch. Practice your “God Save the Queen!” over a few pints before visiting Hatfield House where we see the spot where Elizabeth I learned she became queen. We arrive to our hotel in Warwick in time for dinner and spend three nights in the heart of England, Land of the Kingmakers – where pivotal events took place to secure the Tudor Legacy.

English Heritage historians guide us through Kenilworth Castle and gardens, home of Elizabeth I’s favorite, Robert Dudley. After a country pub lunch, we end up at back at our home base where you pack your bags and we head off for a night of medieval revelry at Warwick Castle. Here, we take a guided tour the home of the powerful Earls who chose poorly in the War of the Roses, allowing Henry VII to come into the throne. Wander the halls like mighty warriors admiring the world class armor while channeling your inner lord or lady during a dinner banquet. Afterwards, retire to your private “tent” for a night of glamping amidst the castle’s woodlands – only a 5 minute walk from Warwick town center. The luxury camping experience is replete with proper beds, bathrooms, electricity, and WiFi.

After a leisurely morning in Warwick, voyage into the Golden Age of Elizabethan England as we spend the afternoon in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Discover the great playwright, William Shakespeare’s home town as we tour beautiful half-timbered buildings and thatched cottages along picturesque medieval streets. We visit the bard’s birthplace, school, church, and home of his wife, Anne Hathaway. After lunch, we attend a play by the Royal Shakespeare Company and return to Warwick for dinner on your own.

After a royal breakfast, our final day is spent in the London suburb of Windsor, where we lunch in the shadow of the royal palace. Wander the grounds of England’s largest and the world’s longest inhabited castle and visit the final resting place of Henry VIII and his Queen, Jane Seymour. We share a farewell dinner together in Windsor and spend the night in a hotel conveniently located to Heathrow Airport.

Our tour comes to a close in Windsor, but we are happy to help you arrange transportation from the hotel to the airport or your next destination.

Location

Our tour begins in London and journeys northwest into the Heart of England. Using the town of Warwick as a base to explore the countryside around Stratford-upon-Avon and ends in Windsor.

 

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