This immersive tour of Tudor England brings to life the story of one of the country’s most notorious kings. Accompanied by a knowledgeable private guide, you’ll explore key moments in the reign of King Henry VIII from his coronation in Westminster Abbey to his burial in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Witness his ‘pleasure palace’ in Hampton Court, visit the Tower of London where two of his wives were beheaded, and explore private houses, hunting lodges and the homes of some of his infamous six wives.
Stay in magnificent hotels, including two castle hotels associated with the Tudors and a boutique hotel on the banks of the River Thames
Visit Tudor properties in Kent including private houses, hunting lodges, and homes belonging to King Henry VIII’s wives
Enjoy a guided tour of the city and cathedral of Canterbury, and discover its role in the English Reformation
Admire the architectural splendour and countless treasures of four important monuments in Tudor London: Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London
Discover colourful tales about the personal and political exploits of King Henry VIII, as your knowledgeable private guide brings to life the stories of Tudor England
This is a guide price based on 2 people travelling together and sharing a room.
Your private driver will greet you at the airport and transport you to Tunbridge Wells, a historic spa town surrounded by idyllic Kent countryside.
Check into your hotel, set in a Grade II listed mansion in the heart of town, and unwind after your journey. Why not get your English adventure off to an extra-special start with afternoon tea at The Ivy, located a short walk from your hotel (at additional cost).
Following breakfast at your hotel, your private driver will collect you for a full-day tour of two properties associated with King Henry VIII.
Admire the magnificent 14th century manor house and gardens at Penhurst Place on a private guided tour. Discover how Henry VIII used this property as a hunting lodge and a base for visiting his soon-to-be-wife, Anne Boleyn, who lived in nearby Hever Castle.
Set within 125 acres of glorious grounds, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn is your second stop. Built in 1383, this impressive moated castle houses one of the best collections of Tudor portraits in the UK. After exploring the house and gardens, check into Hever Castle for a truly unique stay.
After a breakfast fit for a king, your exploration of Tudor properties in Kent continues. Located in the grounds of Kent’s last medieval deer park, Knole has a colourful past as an archbishop’s palace, former royal residence and hunting lodge of Henry VIII. After visiting the impressive collection of art and antiques, you’ll continue to Igthham Mote, a beautifully preserved medieval moated house, to admire its architecture and collections, and amble around the tranquil gardens.
Today’s journey concludes at Leeds Castle, said to be the ‘loveliest castle in the world’. Set on two islands amid a great lake, it’s been the private property of six kings and queens, most notably Henry VIII who transformed it for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Check into your castle accommodation, then take advantage of out-of-hours access to explore the grounds at your leisure.
Enjoy breakfast at Leeds Castle before your private driver whisks you away to the cathedral city of Canterbury, inextricably linked with King Henry VIII. Walk through 1,400 years of history as you learn about Henry’s schism with the Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England, on a private guided tour of the city and cathedral.
Continue to London and check into a characterful boutique hotel on the banks of the River Thames, opposite Hampton Court Palace. We can make dinner reservations at one of London’s numerous restaurants (dinner not included).
After a leisurely breakfast, delve into the public dramas and private lives of Henry VIII, his wives and children, with a private guided tour of Hampton Court Palace.
Uncover Tudor treasures in the lavishly decorated State Rooms and Apartments, walk the infamous Haunted Gallery, see superb tapestries in the Great Hall, and be awed by the sprawling kitchens that once produced more than 800 meals per day. You’ll have time to amble through the exquisite gardens and see if you can find your way out of the iconic maze before returning to your hotel.
With over 1,000 years of royal history, today is all about Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Prepare to be awed as you explore golden State Apartments, see world-renowned paintings from the Royal Collection and be delighted by a doll’s house, as your guide regales you with the fascinating history of this historic castle.
Completed during the reign of King Henry VIII, St George’s Chapel also marks his final resting place. Admire this elegant building and learn more about its history, before continuing to London to check into your luxurious hotel in the heart of the West End.
Following breakfast at your hotel, your private guide will meet you for a whistle-stop tour of London highlights, before specialist tours of two iconic places associated with Tudor London.
See classic sites including Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, before walking in the footsteps of kings and queens in Westminster Abbey. The setting of every royal coronation since 1066, discover how this magnificent abbey survived the Reformation, the story of the lost tomb of Henry VIII, and more, as you tour this magnificent church.
After lunch in an atmospheric Tudor pub, delve into the fascinating and gruesome history of the Tower of London. Your private guide will bring the stories of this iconic castle to life as you see the Crown Jewels, Beefeater guards, resident ravens, and discover the bloody history of this fortress, including the execution of two of Henry VIII’s wives.
Enjoy an evening of leisure at your hotel; we can make dinner reservations at a restaurant of your choice (not included).
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and one final wander along the banks of the River Thames, before your private driver transports you back to the airport for your onward journey. Want to visit more of England? SmoothRed is happy to help you extend your visit, and visit other areas like the Cotswolds. Please ask for more details.
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
This sample itinerary is intended to give you a flavour of what we can do.
Enquire Now +44 (0) 20 8877 4940“Thanks for taking the time and trouble to call. You really have set the standard by which we compare all other companies!! Thank you so much for organising a fantastic itinerary with such an interesting and varied range of stop-overs. We are already starting to think about next year’s trip to France so would welcome any suggestions.”
Hilary Alder
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