English Literary Trail

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 Trip Length
15 Days
 Trip Starts
London
 Trip Finishes
London
15 Day English Literary Trail Itinerary (Insight Vacations)
Countries Explored: England
Trip Style
Special Interest
Accommodation
4 - 4.5 Star
Max. Group Size
40
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
CF0111

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Insight Vacations 15 Day English Literary Trail. Travel in the footsteps of England’s literary giants as we journey from the London stomping grounds of Charles Dickens to the inspiration of Jane Austen’s novels in Bath. A tour of the Agatha Christie Mile in Dorset unveils the storied past of the queen of crime, with a chance to see Earl Carnarvon the fifth’s ancient Egyptian antiques. Join your Local Expert in Stratford-Upon-Avon as they guide you through the history of Shakespeare’s birthplace and bring Wuthering Heights to life in York as you walk in...read more the footsteps of the Brontë sisters. In Cambridge, experience the historic haunts of Lord Byron and be sure to pause in the Lake District for what Wordsworth described as the loveliest spot that man hath ever found.

Itinerary

Welcome to London. On arrival, you are transferred to your hotel*Terms and conditions apply. This evening, join your Travel Director for a welcome drink, followed by dinner and wine. (DW) Stay: The Clermont Victoria, London.

Join your Local Expert to see famous landmarks and discover highlights of London’s rich literary history. On your visit to Westminster Abbey, visit Poets’ Corner and see the tombs of literary luminaries such as Chaucer and Dickens. At The Charles Dickens Museum, learn about the writer’s life. See his desk and handwritten drafts from novels he wrote whilst living there. This evening visit London’s West End, home of theatreland, and enjoy a performance of Agatha Christies “The Mouse Trap”. (B)

Journey into the county of Hampshire, the birthplace of Jane Austen. This picturesque area provided inspiration for many of her novels, which reflected its people and the society in which she lived. At Chawton House discover the ‘Great House’ which is referred to in Austen’s letters. Next visit Winchester Cathedral, where she was finally laid to rest. Our hotel for the night is in the cathedral city of Salisbury, otherwise known as Melchester in Hardy’s “Jude the Obscure”. (B) Stay: Mercure Salisbury White Hart Hotel.

Travel to Dorset to visit Hardy’s Cottage. Hardy was born here in 1840, the cottage was built of cob and thatch by his great-grandfather and has been little altered since the family left. It was from here that he wrote several of his early short stories, poetry and novels including 'Under the Greenwood Tree' and 'Far from the Madding Crowd'. We tour the cottage and then take a short stroll in Thorncombe Woods next door. This is an ancient woodland and nature reserve that opens out onto heathland and the beginning of Hardy's Egdon Heath. The historic market town of Dorchester nearby was used as the fictional base for his novel “The Mayor of Casterbridge”.

Enjoy some free time before we continue to the Torquay where we stay at the hotel where Agatha Christie spent her honeymoon. (B/DW) Stay: The Grand Hotel, Torquay.

The Queen of Crime was born in Torquay in 1890, and the town has several landmarks which are associated with her. With our Local Expert we walk part of The Agatha Christie Mile, which takes in 10 landmarks - all dotted around the Torquay harbour and seafront, look out for clues which spell out the name of a character linked with Dame Agatha's books. We travel by ferry to Greenway, the beloved holiday home of Agatha Christie, we walk from the pier to the house where she would spend summers and Christmas with family and friends. During our visit we stop and see the Boathouse, scene of the crime in “Dead Mans Folly”. Upon our return to Torquay we enjoy a delicious Devonshire Tea. (B/AT)

Travel via Dartmoor National Park to Bath. Its stunning honey-coloured Georgian architecture is straight out of a Jane Austen novel. With our Local Expert we visit the Roman Baths and the Jane Austen Centre. Austen lived in Bath between 1801 and 1806 and it provided the backdrop for two of her novels – Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion. (B) Stay: Francis Hotel Bath MGallery.

We journey through the picturesque Cotswolds, stopping in the charming village of Bibury to admire the 14th century cottages of Arlington Row. Later in Stratford-upon-Avon, synonymous with William Shakespeare, a walking tour includes a visit to the Bard’s birthplace and take in the view of the beautiful riverside church of Holy Trinity, where he is buried. This evening, after dinner, attend a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company. (B/DW) Stay: DoubleTree by Hilton Stratford-upon-Avon.

A leisurely drive brings us to the medieval city of Chester. Enjoy views of the city walls and red sandstone cathedral, before we continue our journey to the enchanting Lake District, whose stunning scenery has inspired many writers and poets. (B/DW) Stay: Low Wood Bay Hotel, Windermere or similar.

Proclaimed by William Wordsworth that the Lake District is "the loveliest spot that man hath ever found". Next, visit Dove Cottage where Wordsworth and his family once lived. Later enjoy the tales of Beatrix Potter with a visit to her home of Hill Top. Potter used the surrounding countryside and house as inspiration for many of her books. Full of her favourite things, every room contains a reference to a picture in a “tale”, which you can spot during your visit. (B/DW)

Travel to Brontë Country in Haworth village, West Yorkshire where our Local Expert introduces us to the world of the Brontë sisters, including a tour of the Parsonage, where the sisters wrote in the dining room, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and Agnes Grey were all written here. Next to historic York, where we join our Local Expert for a walking tour and visit the York Minster. See the Five Sisters window, which was described by Charles Dickens in Nicholas Nickleby. (B) Stay: The Grand Hotel & Spa, York.

The university city of Cambridge has many famous literary connections. From EM Forster to modern day novelists such as Zadie Smith. Joining our Local Expert, we visit Trinity College whose alumni includes the poets Lord Byron and Lord Tennyson. During your free time maybe immerse yourself in one of the cities bookshops, or even pop into The Eagle and try a pint of its DNA beer? (B) Stay: Clayton Hotel Cambridge.

Oxford is home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world, and is the city where many literary greats have studied and worked. With our Local Expert we visit colleges connected with writers CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien who taught at Magdalen and Trinity respectively. Enjoy some free time to explore the city also featured in the Inspector Morse series by Colin Dexter, before we head Windsor where we stay the next 2 nights. (B) Stay: Macdonald Windsor Hotel.

The historic castle is a short walk from our hotel. We visit the state apartments and admire St George’s Chapel, scene of recent royal weddings, and also the burial place of King Henry VIII and more recently HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Enjoy some free time, maybe take a walk along the Long Walk for a trip over the bridge to Eton, home to the famous college. In the evening join for a Celebration Dinner with wine. (B/DW)

Enjoy a leisurely start before we arrive back into London, with time to maybe visit Foyles or Hatchards and pick up some books to remember your trip by. (B) Stay: The Clermont Victoria, London.

Our trail through England ends this morning after breakfast. Transfers to the airport are available. *Terms and conditions apply. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • London: Visit Poets Corner and see the tombs of literary luminaries such as Chaucer, Dickens, Tennyson and see the memorials to Milton, Keats, Shelley amongst others.
  • London: Discover the family life of Dickens, see the writer's desk and handwritten drafts from the novels he wrote whilst living there.
  • London: Visit London's West End, home of theatreland and we enjoy a performance of Agatha Christies “The Mouse Trap”.
  • Chawton: Discover the ‘Great House' referred to in Jane Austen's letters.
  • Winchester: Winchester hides one of the most essential Austen sites on the map – her final resting place at Winchester Cathedral.
  • Dorchester: Hardy's birthplace and from here that he wrote several of his early short stories, poetry and novels including 'Under the Greenwood Tree' and 'Far from the Madding Crowd'.
  • Torquay: Part of The Agatha Christie Mile walking tour of all dotted around the Torquay harbour and seafront, look out for clues which spell out the name of a character linked with Dame Agatha's books.
  • Bath: Visit the Jane Austen Centre and step into the world of the esteemed author. Learn about her life and work inspirations and take an opportunity to dress up in Regency clothes.
  • Stratford-upon-Avon: Learn about the life of William Shakespeare, arguably history's most famous writer, when you visit his birthplace. Then enjoy some time to explore this pretty town with its iconic Tudor houses.
  • Stratford-upon-Avon: Attend a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
  • Chester: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the Jubilee Clock, the cathedral, city walls and famous black and white Rows.
  • Grasmere: Visit the home of the poet William Wordsworth.
  • Hawkshead: Visit Hill Top in Cumbria, home of Beatrix Potter.
  • Haworth: A visit to the Brontë Parsonage Museum provides a fascinating insight into the life of the Brontë family and the inspiration behind their marvellous works of literature.
  • York: Walk with your Local Expert to visit the York Minster.
  • Cambridge: Join your Local Expert and visit Trinity College in Cambridge.
  • Oxford: Guided visit of Magdalen and Trinity Colleges.
  • Windsor: Visit the state apartments and St Georges Chapel.

  • Bath: Visit the incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths. Discover 2000 years of history and learn how this hub of culture is pioneering new educational investments to benefit the community. Its school educational programme actively supports local schools and students to learn about the cultural heritage of the region. The Roman Baths experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.

  • Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
  • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).

  • Windsor: Tonight, toast to your travels and memories made at your Celebration Dinner.
  • Dining Summary: 1 Afternoon Tea (AT), 14 Breakfast (B), and 6 Dinner with Wine (DW)

  • Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 20 or more guests).
  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
  • Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
  • We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
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Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Insight Vacations. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Insight Vacations. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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