Rutland Riches and Elizabethan Grandeur

Day 1

Depart from your home in the morning and travel to Barnsdale Gardens, home to 38 individually designed gardens created by the much-loved, late BBC Gardeners' World presenter, Geoff Hamilton. We continue to our hotel in Grantham arriving late afternoon with tea/coffee and biscuits being served on arrival

Day 2

After breakfast we visit the old English town of Melton Mowbray. We have the morning to explore and maybe enjoy one of the famous pork pies from 'Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe, as well as the local cheeses. This afternoon we continue to the traditional market town of Oakham, with many book and antique shops together with the towns heritage attractions including the Butter Cross, 14th century church, Rutland County Museum and Norman Castle.

Day 3

This morning we travel to Stamford, best known for its 17th and 18th century stone buildings and timber framed houses. It has become a popular location for many period dramas such as Pride and Prejudice. After lunch we visit Burghley House, a grand 16th century Tudor Mansion, designed by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I. Home to generations of the Cecil family, the house has over 100 rooms and is set in 18th century parkland and gardens with a fallow deer park.

Day 4

A full day excursion to Norfolk and Royal Sandringham, much loved country retreat for Her Majesty the Queen and has been the private home to four generations of British Monarchs and set in an 8000 acre estate. The house was built in 1870 for King Edward VII and many of the rooms, which are still regularly used by the current Royal Family, are open to the public.

Day 5

After breakfast we leave and visit Downtown before continuing our homeward journey.

B=Breakfast Included, D=Evening Meal Included