CASTLES AND GARDENS
A selection of tours featuring popular English castles and gardens

For more information, please click on the relevant button


SPLENDOURS OF SHROPSHIRE
5 Days/4 Nights - April to October 2026 - £424
Dates available for immediate confirmation:
20 April 2026
18 May 2026
8 June 2026
17 August 2026

Stokesay Castle (English Heritage)
River Severn Cruise (Sabrina Boats)

Step back in time in Shropshire and the Welsh Marshes to explore the fascinating history of this beautiful region, visits include the award winning attractions of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums, a medieval manor house, Stokesay Castle and a scenic river cruise.

Staying at the 4 star Mercure Telford Centre Hotel in Telford, featuring 153 double/twin bedrooms, the majority with step-in showers, spacious public areas with themed decoration of the history of Ironbridge. There’s a leisure club with indoor pool and ample coach parking on site.

Take a short drive to medieval Shrewsbury, the first home of Charles Darwin for a cruise on the River Severn followed by a light lunch or cream tea at Orchard Café. This afternoon, there is plenty of time at leisure to explore the cobbled streets and excellent shopping on offer.

A full day to explore the attractions offered at the Ironbridge Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site, commonly referred to as 'the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution' and home to the world’s first cast bridge.

Enjoy a scenic drive via the woods of Wenlock Edge to Church Stretton, set in the hills of 'Little Switzerland', before arriving at Stokesay Castle. This is one of the finest and best-preserved fortified medieval manor houses in England. Built in the 13th Century by Laurence of Ludlow, the castle has been carefully restored and has stunning views of the beautiful Shropshire countryside.

Tour includes
4 nights half board in Telford with:
Tea and coffee on arrival
Full English breakfast
Three course choice dinner with tea and coffee
Porter service; on-site coach parking
River Severn cruise and light lunch at Orchard cafe
'All sites' ticket for Ironbridge Gorge Museum
Admission to Stokesay Castle


TWO CASTLES AND A CHATEAU
5 Days/4 Nights - April to October - £415
Dates available for immediate confirmation:
4 June
16 July

13 August
3 September
Waddesdon Manor (National Trust)
Rockingham Castle

A combination of some of the most impressive with less visited gems in the region, including a little known canal boat trip and impressive Waddesdon Manor. Tours are based on Thursday departures.

Staying at the 4 star Delta by Marriott Northampton. Well located for the region with an attractive open plan reception, bar and restaurant and featuring 120 double/twin bedrooms.  There is no lift but plenty of bedrooms on the level with the majority of the rooms being shower over the bath.

Stunning Waddesdon Manor was once home to the Rothschild family. Built in the style of a French Chateau, this opulent house is an overload on all the senses. The extravagant interiors include exquisite furniture, porcelain, paintings and carpets. The gardens are extensive, ranging from woodland walks to formally laid beds. They remain in keeping with those originally set out by the Rothschild family, whom many considered at the time to be at the forefront of Victorian gardening.

To Stoke Bruerne for a short canal boat trip. Afterwards and time allowing, enjoy a walk along the canal side or for an additional cost, admission to the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum can be arranged (please ask for details). On to Castle Ashby Gardens, with parkland designed by Capability Brown, enjoy a number of wonderful gardens including formal Italian gardens, an Arboretum, and a small Animal Menagerie plus the lovely walled garden tea shop.

A leisurely start and a visit to the remarkable Rockingham Castle. Built on the instruction of William the Conqueror and frequented by Charles Dickens, the castle has been in the current owners family for 450 years. Take the afternoon at your own pace in the lovely market town of Huntingdon.

Tour includes
4 nights half board in Northampton with:
Full English breakfast
Three course choice dinner with tea and coffee
Porter service; on site coach parking
Admission to Waddesdon Manor
Canal boat cruise
Admission to Castle Ashby Gardens
Admission to Rockingham Castle


PEAKS AND PLAINS
5 Days/4 Nights - April to October 2026 - £402
Dates available for immediate confirmation:
23 April 2026

4 and 18 June 2026
3 September 2026
8 October 2026

RHS Bridgewater (RHS)
River Dee cruise, Chester (Chester Boat Fleet)

Cheshire and the Peak District is brimming with dramatic landscapes and world class attractions, encapsulating history, heritage and glorious gardens.

Staying at the 4 star Park Royal Hotel, Cheshire. Offering 146 well appointed double/twin bedrooms, the majority being shower over the bath, set in peaceful grounds and excellent leisure facilities, including an indoor pool

Travel into the Peak District National Park, to the town of Bakewell. Wander along the River Wye, pop into the independent shops and sample an original Bakewell Tart before heading to the Spa town of Buxton for a tour of the Buxton Crescent Experience. Discover the story of the renowned water and recent restoration of the Crescent building.  Alternatively, we can arrange a visit to Chatsworth House and Estate (please ask for details).

A leisurely start, beginning the day in charming Chester with a tranquil, 30 minute cruise on the scenic River Dee including commentary. The remainder of the day is at leisure to navigate Chester’s city walls, go shopping on The Rows, experience the vibrant café culture or visit the 1000 year old Cathedral, one of the city’s unique treasures.

A short hop to Wigan Pier to enjoy a friendly and informative 2 hour barge cruise experiencing an alternative view of the geography, wildlife and heritage of the Industrial Revolution and environs of Wigan, Leigh and the Douglas Valley. On then to the spectacular 154 acre RHS Garden Bridgewater. One of the largest gardening projects in Europe, this is the Royal Horticultural Societies fifth garden which has transformed the historic grounds of Worsley New Hall in Salford.

Your tour includes:
4 nights half board in Cheshire with:
Full English buffet breakfast
Three course, three choice dinner with tea and coffee.
Porter Service. On site coach parking.
Guided tour of the Buxton Crescent Experience.
2 hour barge cruise.
Admission to RHS Garden Bridgewater.
30 minute River Dee Cruise. 
  

Prices are based on a minimum of only 25 paying passengers with a free single room for the driver.
Full details of each offer will be advised in our written quotation. 
Overnight stops, alternative durations or additional inclusions can be arranged - please ask for details.
Our latest offers can be viewed on our website

We look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,
The UK and Eire Team