Today we head south to explore two remarkable Tudor treasures that offer contrasting glimpses into life in 16th-century England. Our first stop is Ingatestone Hall, a handsome red-brick manor nestled in the Essex countryside. Built in the 1530s by Sir William Petre, Secretary of State to four Tudor monarchs, the house has remained in the same family ever since. We begin with an introductory talk, followed by a guided tour through the Great Hall, Long Gallery, chapel and family rooms, each one rich with original furnishings, portraits and heirlooms. The atmosphere is one of quiet continuity, with every room offering a personal connection to the lives lived here over nearly five centuries. After our tour, we enjoy lunch in the courtyard tearoom before continuing on.
In the afternoon, we visit Layer Marney Tower, the tallest Tudor gatehouse in England. Built in the early 1520s by Lord Henry Marney, a trusted courtier of Henry VIII, the tower is a bold statement of Tudor power and prestige. With its dramatic brickwork, Italianate detail and late medieval features, it offers a striking contrast to Ingatestone’s intimacy. We enjoy an introductory talk before we explore the tower’s panelled interiors, climb for sweeping views across the Essex landscape and stroll through the surrounding gardens, beautifully laid out with topiary, wildflower meadows and a sense of quiet grandeur. After a day steeped in Tudor splendour, we return to the hotel for our final evening together.