The group flew into London Heathrow where private transport was arranged to meet and transfer them to Alton/Chawton.
On arrival in Hampshire, a local guide welcomed the group and provided guided visits to Chawton House and Jane Austen’s House Museum. After some free time to enjoy The Old Kitchen Tearoom, the group travelled on to Steventon to visit St Nicholas Church where Jane Austen worshiped and her mother and sister are buried.
The tour continued onto Bath for two night’s bed and breakfast at a centrally located hotel. We arranged a private Welcome Dinner the hotel.
On day two, the group enjoyed a walking tour of Bath with a Jane Austen expert, highlights of which included a visit to St Swithun’s church where Jane’s parents were married and her father is buried. We also arranged a special afternoon tea for the group at the famous Pump Rooms and left time free for them to visit the Roman Baths and the city's many independent book stores.
The group travelled on to Oxford on day three where they met a local guide for a walking tour of the city's literary gems. Tailoring the tour for the specific interests of the group, we organised visits to Magdalen College, where CS Lewis taught and meetings of the Inklings were held; Exeter College where JRR Tolkein studied; University Church where CS Lewis often preached, and Bodleian Libraries.
We left free time for the group to relax over lunch and to visit the real life shop which Alice visits in Lewis Carroll's 'Alice Through The Looking Glass'.
In the afternoon visit, we arranged a guided tour of CS Lewis' home, 'The Kilns' and a to visit Holy Trinity Church where Lewis worshipped for over 30 years and is buried in the churchyard. Built in 1849 and designed by the celebrated architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, features inside the church include the Narnia Window and the pew where the Lewis brothers used to sit. The group also passed by Tolkein’s home.
The group then travelled on to Stratford-upon-Avon where we arranged two night’s bed and breakfast accommodation with independent dinner.
We organised a morning of Shakespearean visits with a local guide on day four, including Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Shakespeare’s New Holy Trinity Church where The Bard was baptised and is buried. After an afternoon at Shakespeare's wife's family home, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, we offered the group the chance to enjoy a performance of Macbeth at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
On day five, the group visited Chatsworth House where they had time to read and explore the house and garden independently, as well as see a special exhibition, before moving on for a guided walking tour of Bakewell, Derbyshire where, it is generally, believed Jane Austin wrote part of 'Pride and Prejudice' and which features in the novel as ‘Lambton.’ .
In the afternoon, the group enjoyed a journey through the magnificent scenery of the Peak District, including Hathersage, which Charlotte Bronte visited in 1845 which seems to fit descriptions in her novel 'Jane Eyre'. We also arranged a visit to the famous David Mellor Design Museum before travelling on to Haworth, home of the Bronte family.
On day seven, we organised a local guide to meet the group at the hotel for a full day of Bronte experiences, including special visits to the Bronte Parsonage Museum, where the Bronte sisters were born and where both 'Wuthering Heights' and 'Jane Eyre' were written; Haworth Parish Church, home to the Bronte memorial Chapel and where the Bronte family (with the exception of Anne) are buried, and a visit to Bronte Waterfall and Top Withens, said to be the inspiration for 'Wuthering Heights'.
As this was the final night of the programme, we arrange a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
