The Heart of England to Paris via the Channel Islands

Welcome to London: the illustrious opening act of our ‘Heart of England' adventure, naturally! As evening settles over the Thames, we'll gather to meet the small group of travellers sharing the journey – and our Tour Leader who knows every turn in the road ahead. Then, we'll sit down for our first meal together. Between the laughter and the local fare, the anticipation will be palpable... Let the discovery begin!

Oxford's ‘dreaming spires' are fully awake and calling this morning! Leaving the London skyline behind, we'll make our way towards the hallowed halls of the world's most famous university city. First up, stories of poets and professors await on a walking tour with our expert Tour Leader – including a visit to the hushed cloisters of a medieval university college.

Afterwards, we'll delve into the scholarly secrets of the Bodleian Library – one of Europe's oldest – where the weight of wisdom and scent of centuries-old parchment invites you to linger for a little while. You might even recognise the setting from a certain Harry Potter franchise.

This afternoon's yours to follow the aroma of artisan sourdough and local ales through the Covered Market, or perhaps explore the city's storied castle or esteemed Ashmolean Museum. Tonight, we're staying somewhere truly arresting... a converted Victorian prison! This plush hotel has traded iron bars for velvet cushions and comfy armchairs. Wander the converted wings where ‘doing time' has been replaced by fine wine and atmospheric dining, or head out into the honey-hued city as the sun sets over the steeples.

Finish off those last few bites of scrambled egg – this morning we'll let our luxury minicoach take the lead as we weave through quintessential English countryside towards the Cotswolds. A patchwork of sage hills and farmland peppered with old-world villages and caramel-coloured cottages, our Tour Leader will choose their personal favourite route through this charm-filled region.

We'll also pause to stroll the elegant, terraced high street of Chipping Campden, where the 17th-century Market Hall still stands proudly. Whether it's a hidden ford or a sun-dappled village green, today is about those lesser-known turns that only the back roads can uncover.

Later, we'll set our sights on the half-timbered heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Here, the ghost of the Bard clings to every overhanging gable and cobblestone alley. As the evening shadows start to stretch, we'll dine together as a group. In the words of Shakespeare himself, ‘small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast'.

‘All the world's a stage', but today, the spotlight is firmly on Stratford! This morning we're stepping directly into the 16th century to trace the life and times of Shakespeare. From the creaking floorboards of his childhood home, his final resting place, and the romantic, thatched eaves of his wife Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Tudor life feels just that bit closer to us here. Be sure to meander through the blooming cottage gardens – a time capsule of English flora that looks as though it's been plucked straight from a sonnet.

Back in the present day, this afternoon's plot is up to you! Find a quiet corner for a hearty pub lunch, browse the boutiques, or follow the gentle curve of the River Avon at your own pace. For dinner, you could sample a piece of literary history with a dish featuring the famous Tewkesbury mustard. Whether it's glazing a tender joint of ham or a rich cut of beef, this pungent, historic condiment was famously noted by Shakespeare himself in Henry IV for its ‘thick' wit. It's the perfect, sharp-flavoured tribute to a day spent in the heart of England's most poetic town.

The kettle's boiled and the tablecloth's laid – we've an indulgent start to our day as we join a local family for a traditional afternoon tea. Dainty finger sandwiches, decadent cakes, and warm fruit scones slathered in jam and clotted cream... As you settle in with a steaming pot of tea or a fresh coffee, our hostess will share the history of the village and the surrounding 'wolds'. It's a delicious, slow-paced start to the day that feels more like visiting old friends than a scheduled stop.

After discussing the pros and cons of jam- or cream-first on scones, we'll move on to the showstopping village of Lacock. You might recognise its storybook streets from Downton Abbey or Pride and Prejudice. After imagining ourselves as the protagonists in a Jane Austen novel (without the corsets, thankfully), we'll step inside its magnificent 13th-century abbey. These peaceful, vaulted hallways took a starring turn as Hogwarts, and the movie magic here still feels alive.

Finally, the grandeur of Bath will appear on the horizon. After checking into our carefully selected hotel for the next two nights, the evening is yours to wander the lamp-lit crescents or find a cosy bistro to take in the sophisticated atmosphere.

Ready for a 2,000-year-old invitation to take a dip? This morning we'll dive into the sensory heart of ancient Britain at the Roman Baths, where natural hot springs still radiate from deep green waters. Next, we'll fast-forward into the elegant, ‘bonnet and breeches' world of Regency England at the Jane Austen Centre. One must always be au fait with the proper etiquette, you see...

Once we finally know which spoon to use with which course (or nodded anyway), the rest of the day is yet to be written. Follow the Roman example at the Thermae Bath Spa, where the very same thermal waters that fed the ancient baths now fill a spectacular rooftop pool. Sit back, relax, and soak up the golden-lit skyline as the steam curls into the Somerset air. Afterwards, seek out a legendary Sally Lunn Bun in the city's oldest eating house; its secret, brioche-like recipe is a local treasure that has survived since the 1680s.

Tonight, we'll gather for our farewell dinner and toast to a journey that has spanned centuries of culture, cuisine and charming revelations. It's been an English chapter for the ages – cheers to the roads discovered and yet-to-be discovered!

Our morning begins at the gates of Longleat House, the high-Elizabethan seat of the Marquess of Bath. This isn't a stuffy museum of the past, but a place where classic architecture meets a riot of creative, eclectic interiors. We'll have plenty of time to amble through its gilded halls and storied galleries with our local guide, uncovering the layers of a family legacy that has shaped this corner of the West Country for centuries.

From stately splendour, next our minicoach will turn towards the ancient, enigmatic landscape of Avebury. While the world queues for a distant glimpse of Stonehenge, we're heading for a prehistoric stone circle where the history can literally be felt with our fingertips. Here, among the standing stones that have kept watch over this valley for five millennia, the modern world feels incredibly distant.

Back in the buzz of London, it's time to say our ‘see-you-laters' to the fellow travellers by our side before we meet our next group of travellers for the start of the second leg of our incredible journey. Tonight, we'll get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner.

After breakfast, we'll travel to our first stop: the collegiate city of Winchester. Here, we'll take some time to tour the magnificent Gothic cathedral before exploring the city's old-worldly centre at our own pace. En route to our hotel, we'll visit the sublime Corfe Castle – a site with over 1,000 years of diverse history. Then, a delicious meal awaits us at our Poole hotel.

This morning it's all aboard the ferry from Dorset for the journey to Guernsey. Depending on our departure time, we may have the opportunity to visit Sausmarez Manor – a beautiful historic house set within stunning gardens. When we arrive at St Peter Port, there will be free time to wander its charming, cobbled streets and marina, and earmark your favourite spots for when we dine at leisure this evening.

The famous ‘Dark Sky Island', Sark, will be our next stop – and here the day will be yours to spend as you please. No cars are allowed on the island, giving it a unique ‘olde worlde' charm. Enjoy a leisurely walk to the various viewpoints around the island including the lighthouse and Pilcher Monument. Or embark on the strikingly beautiful walk along La Coupée to Little Sark. There's even the option to admire the island's captivating landscapes from aboard a horse-drawn carriage, if you'd prefer. After returning to Guernsey on the ferry, take the leisurely walk into town for dinner at a local restaurant or enjoy a relaxing evening at the hotel.

Today we'll explore more of what makes Guernsey so distinctive. Our first stop is the Little Chapel – one of the smallest chapels in the world, built in 1914 and encrusted with seashells, pebbles and fragments of broken china. Up close, the detail is extraordinary. This afternoon, we'll visit the German Occupation Museum, which tells the story of the island's five years under German occupation during the Second World War through an impressive collection of wartime artefacts, documents and personal accounts.

A gentle morning in Guernsey to pack up and say goodbye before we make the short crossing to Jersey. On arrival, our Tour Leader will take us on a welcome walk of St Aubin – one of the island's most charming coastal villages – taking in the Bulwarks, the quaint backstreets and harbourside pubs. This evening, we come together over an included dinner to trade tales from the day.

Today we'll uncover one of Western Europe's best-preserved Neolithic sites: La Hougue Bie. Stand inside the chamber of the passage grave and feel the heart of this centuries-old place of worship, before discovering more at the geology and archaeology museum. Then, we'll press on to the imposing Mont Orgueil Castle – a medieval fortress that has overlooked the beautiful fishing port of Gorey for more than 800 years. This afternoon you'll be free to relax before we move on again. Saint-Malo is coming up tomorrow!

Elizabeth Castle has played a huge role in Jersey's history for more than 400 years. Choose to take the Castle Ferry or walk out along the causeway at low tide. Then, enjoy some free time to explore the grounds at your leisure – uncover wartime bunkers, marvel at the hermitage where Saint Helier is thought to have lived, and take part in living history demonstrations. Later this afternoon, we'll swap Britain for France as we sail into the dramatic port town of St-Malo. Be tempted by an array of restaurants in the town centre and savour some downtime relaxing in the fresh coastal air.

Saint-Malo's labyrinthine streets are best explored on foot, so we'll begin today with an orientation walk with our expert Tour Leader. Then, the rest of the afternoon is yours to wander the medieval ramparts surrounding the town, visit the cathedral or enjoy a walk in the sunshine along Bon-Secours Beach. This evening, take the opportunity to indulge in some classic French cuisine. Bon appétit!

Today we journey to Dinan, a quaint town nestled upon a hilltop overlooking the Rance Valley. After spending some time exploring its medieval walls, cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses, we'll wind our way along the coast of Normandy to magical Mont Saint-Michel – a rocky islet topped with a medieval monastery. Here we'll have some free time to explore the abbey and Logis Tiphaine Museum before finding lunch in the island village. This afternoon, we'll return to Saint-Malo for an evening of leisure.

Our morning begins with a visit to the Château de Fougères, the largest medieval castle in Europe. It features 13 majestic towers, beautiful gardens and is surrounded by the River Nançon. Following a stop for lunch in the Old Town, we then journey to Maintenon. Tonight, we'll regroup at the hotel and enjoy one final dinner together.

We'll end our tour with a trip to the Cathedral of Chartres – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and beautifully preserved example of Gothic architecture. Our final stop will be Paris, where we'll say ‘au revoir'.