Literary England: A Tailor-Made Journey from London to the Lake District

Arrive in London and transfer by train to your centrally located hotel. After time to get settled, set out on a private afternoon walking tour of Bloomsbury, London’s intellectual and literary hub. This neighborhood of Georgian façades, academic institutions, and cozy bookshops was once the haunt of Virginia Woolf and Charles Dickens. Learn about the neighborhood’s rich history and culture, and end your tour at the British Library, the second largest library in the world. Here, you are welcome to explore the exhibitions, which include gems such as Shakespeare’s First Folio, Jane Austen’s desk, sacred texts from all over the world, and the Magna Carta. (B)

Hop on the train to Canterbury in the southeastern county of Kent to meet your local guide. This medieval pilgrimage town, made famous by Chaucer’s tales, was the setting for numerous dramatic turning points in English history. On a walking tour, delve into the city’s historical significance and its architecture. During free time to explore, consider visiting Canterbury’s World Heritage-listed cathedral, whose foundations date back to the sixth century. Return to London in the afternoon and enjoy an evening to discover the city on your own. (B)

Make your way to the train station for your journey to Oxford, where literary legends like J.R.R. Tolkien, Lewis Carroll, and C.S. Lewis lived and worked. Upon arrival, meet your private guide for a lively walking tour of the town that highlights sites connected to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and the Harry Potter series. Enjoy the remainder of the day to get acquainted with this bustling university city on your own. (B)

Travel by train to Bath and explore the some of the city's many sites at your leisure.  We recommend visiting the Roman Baths and taking an evening walk through the historic town center to see its stunning architecture lit up against the night sky. (B)

Head into the countryside with a small group this morning, starting with a visit to the magnificent stones of Stonehenge, follwed by a visit to the Neolithic henge at Avebury, where a circle of some 100 massive standing stones encloses one of the largest prehistoric sites in Europe. Then step into the past in the village of Lacock, where centuries of architecture and planning have been beautifully preserved with help from the British National Trust. Stroll past 16th-century homes and gardens, and see Lacock Abbey, which has been featured in numerous film adaptations of beloved books, from the Harry Potter series to Pride and Prejudice. Arrive back in Bath in the afternoon. (B)

Your driver brings you north this morning through the lovely Cotswolds to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Here, trace the life of the legendary playwright on a private walking tour that includes the Elizabethan house where he is thought to have been born, his schoolhouse, and the charming parish church where he is buried. In the evening, attend a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. (B)

Travel by private car to the idyllic Lake District, whose enchanting landscapes have long inspired writers and artists. Settle into your traditional inn near the lakeside village of Bowness-on-Windermere. In the afternoon, meet your private guide for a visit to the home of William Wordsworth in Grasmere and explore some of the poet’s favorite viewpoints in the surrounding hills. (B)

Focus on the life and works of Beatrix Potter today with a private guide who lives in one of Potter’s former homes and is an expert on the author. Discover the stunning scenery of the southern Lake District, where Potter lived and drew inspiration for her tales of Peter Rabbit and other lovable characters. Soak up the mystique of this national park on a series of short walks tailored to your interests and pace. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport by private vehicle to catch your flight home.