Day 1: To Stratford-upon-Avon
Make your way to Stratford-upon-Avon today, where a taxi will be waiting to pick you up at the station and transfer you to your home for the next four nights, the 3* Charlecote Pheasant Hotel. Your Tour Manager will be waiting for you in the lobby, and after you have settled in, we all enjoy dinner together at the hotel, where you have a chance to meet your holiday companions. (D)
Day 2: Exploring Stratford-upon-Avon
This morning we are transferred into the centre of Stratford for a guided tour of the main sights. This beautiful city is world-renowned for its connection to William Shakespeare, arguably England’s greatest playwright and dramatist. The bard was born here in 1564, and we enjoy a guided tour of three properties associated with him, Shakespeare’s birthplace, Hall’s Croft and Nash’s Place. These timbered houses have all been perfectly preserved as they were hundreds of years ago, and they offer a fascinating insight into everyday lives in the 16th and 17th century. The afternoon is at leisure for you to further discover this beautiful town, before we are transferred back to our hotel. (B,D)
Day 3: A day at leisure
Today is free for you to continue your exploration of the area. Why not take the opportunity of visiting the picturesque cottage of Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife, set in beautiful gardens and situated on the outskirts of town. Alternatively, Mary Arden’s farm, the home of Shakespeare’s grandparents, is run as a working Tudor estate, with labourers, maids and animals all bringing the past to life. Also worth a visit is Charlecote Park, a superb Tudor house situated round the corner from our hotel. This ornate property has been the home of the Lucy family for over 700 years, and is surrounded by formal gardens designed by Capability Brown, opening out to a deer park on the River Avon. (B,D)
Day 4: The Severn Valley Railway
Today we travel by coach through the rolling Warwickshire countryside into Worcestershire to Kidderminster, where we pick up the historic Severn Valley Railway. This steam train winds its way through the lush Severn Valley to the picturesque town of Bridgnorth, set on the River Severn, calling at charming country stations along the route. Bridgnorth is a town of two halves, the High and Low Towns, connected by a quaint Victorian funicular railway dating from 1892. The evocative ruins of Bridgnorth Castle crown the hill, surrounded by beautiful gardens, with incredible views over the surrounding countryside and the river below. We retrace our steps to Kidderminster aboard the Severn Valley Railway, where we pick up our coach for the return journey to our hotel. (B,D)
Day 5: Homeward bound
After enjoying a leisurely breakfast this morning, your taxi will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the station in time for your train home. (B)
Your hotel
A beautiful country house hotel, the 3* Charlecote Pheasant Hotel is set in the delightful village of Charlecote, minutes from Stratford-upon-Avon. The hotel offers charm and character combined with fantastic facilities, including a newly refurbished bar, restaurant and lounge area. The en suite bedrooms all have satellite television, a hairdryer and hospitality tray.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday.
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