Day 1 to day 5

Excursion One – Eel Pie Island Museum & Hampton Court Palace

We begin our first excursion with a visit to Eel Pie Island Museum, which dishes up a compelling slice of Thames history. Tucked away on the banks of leafy Twickenham, the island got its name from the river traders who caught eels locally, baked them into pies and sold them up and down the waterway. In the sixties the island provided the raucous backdrop for jazz, blues and rock ‘n’ roll concerts starring the likes of Pink Floyd, The Who and The Rolling Stones, and was later home to the UK’s largest hippy commune! We find out more during our visit to the Eel Pie Island Museum. From here, we make our way along the riverbank for a walking tour to discover more about Twickenham’s history. This afternoon we make the short journey to one of Europe’s most sophisticated palaces, Hampton Court, where we enjoy a Tudor Highlights guided tour to find out all about the private life (and very public dramas) of Henry VIII. We explore Henry’s Great Hall, the Tudor kitchens and the enchanting riverside gardens.

Excursion Two – Windsor Castle & Cliveden House

Today we visit Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and favoured by Elizabeth II during her extensive reign. Established in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, it has been remodelled by successive kings and queens and is regularly used for ceremonial and State occasions. The magnificent State Apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art to admire during our self-guided tour. Our next stop is the glamourous Cliveden House, which perches on 376 acres of National Trust grounds overlooking the River Thames. We enjoy a delicious afternoon tea, and if you like your scones with a side of scandal then you’re in luck! This stately home provided the backdrop for the infamous Profumo Affair, which shook the British parliament in the early sixties. There’s time for a stroll around the beautiful grounds which are chock-full of vibrant formal gardens, peaceful glades and riverside avenues.

Excursion Three – Syon Park, Museum of Eton Life & River Thames Boat Trip

We start the day with a visit to Syon Park, the spectacular London home of the Duke of Northumberland. Built in the 16th century, it has been in the family of the present owners for more than 400 years. The Tudor mansion was remodelled by Robert Adam for the first Duke in the 1760s and we learn more about the house, gardens and the great conservatory on our self-guided tour. Afterwards, we head to Windsor, where we first visit the Museum of Eton Life, which tells the story of life at the famous Eton College over six centuries and features everything from sporting displays and costumes to manuscripts and even replicas of rooms from the Edwardian era. To complete our final excursion, we enjoy a boat trip on the River Thames, taking in the top sights from a different perspective. Cameras at the ready for Windsor Castle, Eton College and Windsor Racecourse.

Important note: For operational reasons, we may occasionally need to use feeder vehicles to fulfil our tours. Similarly for operational reasons, it may be necessary to change your pickup point from your selected pickup point, but we will always notify you of these changes before you depart. Terms & Conditions apply.