Sunday: Arrival
Check in to the Webbington Hotel & Spa, Axbridge in the afternoon. Later, we enjoy a welcome drink reception hosted by our tour manager.
Monday: Forde Abbey, Glastonbury, Cheddar Gorge & Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company
We make our way to Forde Abbey, a former 12th-century Cistercian monastery with an extensive history spanning 900 years, where we enjoy a guided tour. The abbey became one of the richest institutions of its kind and flourished as a monastery for 400 years. Much later, the house played host to 19th-century philosophers and politicians and was also featured in the latest adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Far From the Madding Crowd. The award-winning gardens include an arboretum and the highest-powered fountain in the country.
We continue to the historic market town of Glastonbury, steeped in wonder and mystery. Popular with those seeking spiritual enlightenment, it’s synonymous with the largest music festival in the world but also boasts over 100 listed buildings, a fascinating museum, a holy well, atmospheric abbey ruins and a whole host of weird and wonderful shops.
We then enjoy a scenic drive through the magnificent limestone Cheddar Gorge in the heart of Somerset. Classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Britain's largest gorge features dramatic cliffs rising up 450ft and stunning stalactite caverns; it’s a true sight to behold. No visit here is complete without a trip to the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, a working dairy where we find out more about the birthplace of this delicious cheese.
Tuesday: Fairfield House & Orchard Wyndham
We begin with an out-of-hours guided tour with the current owner of Fairfield House in rural Somerset. We learn how a house has existed on this site since 1167 and most of what we see today was finished in 1589, with later additions completed in the 18th century. The Elizabethan property is fascinating to explore and we discover intriguing tales of the Acland Hood family who have called Fairfield home for 800 years. After our tour there is time to enjoy a wander through the beautiful grounds, once a medieval deer park, which features a stunning walled garden.
For lunch we head to Orchard Mill before continuing to intriguing Orchard Wyndham, nestled on the edge of Exmoor National Park and home to the Wyndhams for over 700 years. Surviving documents reveal how part of the house existed in 1287, but fascinating excavations suggest that the history of this site stretches back a lot further. Sir William Wyndham, Jacobite leader and Chancellor of the Exchequer to Queen Anne, was commanded to remain here after a spell in the Tower of London upon the orders of the new King George III. To pass the time, William decided to make some home improvements, including a Drawing Room, extensive gardens and a roof over the medieval courtyard. We can see these additions during our visit today, as well as the treasures enclosed within the varying architectural styles left by each generation.
After dinner this evening, we enjoy an interesting themed talk from a guest speaker.
Wednesday: Longleat House, Bishop’s Palace & Wells
This morning we head to Longleat House, widely regarded as one of Britain’s finest examples of Elizabethan architecture. Substantially completed by 1580, Longleat House is set within 900 acres of stunning ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland featuring a fine lawn, serpentine river, wooded hills and meandering pathways. We enjoy a guided tour of the impressive house with its ornate painted ceilings and priceless antiques acquired by generations of the Thynn family, which range from intricate Flemish tapestries and ancient manuscripts to unique paintings and rare French furniture. No visit here is complete without embarking on a drive-through safari, the first of its kind outside Africa, to admire the stunning grounds and wonderful wildlife.
Our next stop is the cathedral city of Wells, with its eclectic mix of historic buildings and quaint narrow streets. Here we discover the Bishop’s Palace, a unique medieval palace which has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for 800 years. We enjoy a guided tour of highlights such as the private chapel and the beautiful Royal Horticultural Society partner gardens.
We round off the day with some time at leisure in peaceful Wells, home to England’s first Gothic cathedral, still intact and the reason for Wells being the smallest ‘city’ in England.
Thursday: Departure
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel for our journey home.
Please note: the itinerary order is subject to change and guided tours are subject to availability.
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