Day 1 to Day 4

Day 1: Arrive independently at the Cottons Hotel from 15.00 and enjoy a cream tea at 15.30.
This evening there will be a welcome reception, dinner with wine and introductory talk from Nicholas - ‘The Country Houses of Cheshire.’

Day 2: Capesthorne Hall and Tabley House.
This morning we visit Capesthorne Hall, the much-loved home of the Bromley-Davenports and a beautiful house full of superb paintings, furniture and stained-glass windows, as well as lovely gardens, lake and parkland. Next, it’s onto Tabley House for a light lunch in the tearooms (included) followed by a visit to the House, possibly the finest Palladian mansion in Cheshire. Home to the Leicester family for 700 years, it is now owned by Manchester University and hosts a superb collection of art, a notable painting of Tabley by J MW Turner. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3: Erdigg and Chirk Castle.
After a talk at the hotel from Nicholas – ‘The Rescue of a Doomed House, Erdigg,’ we will explore two National Trust treasures today, first of all to Erdigg itself, near Wrexham. A visit here captures life above and below stairs in a unique family home. This afternoon we head to Chirk Castle, a 13th century Marcher castle, which was home to the Myddelton family for over 400 years. On our visit we will have the chance to explore the medieval towers and dungeons as well as visiting the 17th and 18th century rooms of the Myddelton family home, including the historic laundry. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 4: Rode Hall and Little Moreton Hall.

This morning we visit the exquisite and privately-owned Rode Hall, the country house home and garden of the Baker Wilbraham family for close to 350 years. We will have a guided tour of the house and free time to look around the wonderful gardens before a light lunch is served (included). After lunch we continue onto Little Moreton Hall, an iconic Tudor Manor House with wonky angles and a quirky character. The timber-framed building has defied logic for over 500 years with its tumbling architecture. The higgledy-piggledy house will show how people used to live at the hall and you will also have the chance to visit the gardens filled with herbs and vegetables that the Tudors would have used for thier cooking and medicines. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.30.

NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour managers discretion.

Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement.

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 25 passengers.

Tour Grading: This tour has been graded as moderate due to the amount of walking and standing for viewing at each attraction. For further information, please visit the mobility page on our website, or call our team.