Glories of Georgian Britain & the Regency Lifestyle

Depart U.S./ Arrive Heathrow Airport

Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, a private transfer will take you to our hotel, the Castle Hotel, Windsor. In the evening, join the group for a welcome drink and canapés, followed by dinner.

Basildon Park & Chiswick House and Gardens

Basildon Park is a stunning Georgian mansion in Berkshire, surrounded by 400 acres of parkland and a glorious example of English 18th-century architecture. With appearances on screen in Downton Abbey and Bridgerton, it’s no wonder that a visit here feels like stepping straight into a period drama. After it was de-requisitioned following the Second World War, the estate was purchased by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the 1950s, who brought Basildon back to life and created an important collection of 17th and 18th-century European artwork. There’s also time to enjoy the grounds, with its seasonal color, peaceful trails, Lady Iliffe’s rose garden and the restored terrace balustrade. You may wish to pick up a souvenir at the second-hand bookshop, housed in the stableyard.

Our next included visit is Chiswick House and Gardens. During our guided house tour, we discover this masterpiece of the Palladian style, designed by Lord Burlington and inspired by the classical architecture of ancient Rome and the Italian Renaissance he saw during his grand tours of Italy. The opulent interiors and impressive collection of art and furnishings reflect the grandeur of the era and the changing tastes of the owners, from the William Kent designed marble-topped tables and mahogany and gilt chairs to the later Anglo-French, neoclassical touches of Burlington’s grandson. Originally designed by William Kent, the gardens are known as the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement and have recently been restored to their former glory, featuring sweeping vistas, ornate statues and serene water features.

 

 

 

Osterley Park and House & Hatchlands Park

We delve into 18th-century aristocratic life at Osterley Park and House, a magnificent estate in West London. It’s no surprise that this Georgian gem has appeared in Bridgerton, with the striking courtyard at the front of the house, framed by giant columns, appealing to location scouts as the setting for one of the grand balls. Originally built in the 1570s and later transformed by architect Robert Adam in the 1760s, the house features stunning interiors that showcase Adam’s neoclassical designs, offering one of Britain’s most complete examples of his work and elevated with richly decorated rooms and a wonderful art collection.

Surrounded by extensive parkland, restored formal gardens, lakes and walking trails, Osterley offers today what it did centuries ago: a peaceful retreat from the city.

Today also includes an introductory welcome talk followed by a self-guided audio headset tour of Hatchlands Park, a classic red-brick country house perched on the edge of the Surrey Hills. Built in the 1750s, the house is crammed with Robert Adam’s fine ceiling decorations and tenant Alec Cobbe’s superb assortment of paintings, sculptures and fine furniture as well as Europe’s largest collection of keyboard instruments associated with composers such as Bach, Beethoven and Chopin. Outside, the informal grounds include a parterre garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll.

 

Brighton Pavilion & Brighton

We visit the popular seaside resort of Brighton, renowned for its Brighton Pavilion, a Grade I listed former royal residence and a hospital during World War One. Built for George IV as a seaside palace, this architectural treasure combines Regency and Indo-Saracenic styles with its exotic domes and elegant minarets. We find out more during our in-depth private guided tour.

Afterward, enjoy some free time by the seaside to explore the iconic pier, stroll the promenade as the Georgians once did, find somewhere for classic fish and chips, explore Brighton’s unique antique and boutique shopping area in the Lanes and see the elegant Georgian townhouses and squares along the seafront toward Hove.

 

Petworth House & Salisbury Cathedral

Immortalized in Turner’s paintings, Petworth House is an impressive estate that combines a deer park landscaped by Capability Brown and Georgian gardens with a vast 17th-century mansion. Home to the National Trust’s finest collection of art and sculptures, we discover masterpieces by the likes of Van Dyck, Reynolds, Blake and Turner himself, displayed in the opulent state rooms and North Gallery. Other treasures include the earliest English globe in existence, dating back to 1592, carvings by Grinling Gibbons and collections that chart a journey through history, from the Gunpowder Plot to the Napoleonic Wars. The Servant’s Quarters provide a glimpse into the lives of people who once worked here, while fans of Bridgerton may also recognize various filming locations here too. 

We continue to Salisbury, known as the ‘City in the Countryside’, with a jumble of architectural styles ranging from medieval walls and half-timbered Tudor townhouses to Georgian mansions and Victorian villas. Its most famous building, however, is the cathedral, a masterpiece of early English Gothic architecture, boasting the tallest spire in Britain, the best-preserved version of the 1215 Magna Carta, stunning stained glass, intricate stone carvings and a remarkable medieval clock.

 

Stourhead

We’re treated to a gardener-led tour of the estate and gardens at our hotel, learning how they have embarked on a journey to restore the grounds to their former glory and their passion for creating a thriving ‘no-dig’ garden. 

Today’s visit is to Stourhead, renowned for its 18th-century landscaped garden, a delight of classical temples, exotic trees, hidden grottos and a magnificent lake. The grand Palladian house is no less of a draw, with its Chippendale furniture and one of the finest Regency libraries left in existence, reflecting the intellectual pursuits and refinement associated with the era. Constructed in the early 18th century, the house itself embodies the Georgian love for symmetry, proportion and classical design, inspired by Roman and Greek architecture. Our time here includes a guided house tour, guided tour of the walled garden and afternoon tea at the Temple of Apollo in the exquisite grounds, which mirrors the Georgian fascination with landscaped beauty and harmonious integration of nature and art. This very temple famously appeared in the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, serving as the backdrop for Mr Darcy’s first proposal to Elizabeth Bennet.

 

 

 

Bowood House & Gardens

We take a guided tour of Bowood House; family home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne. This fine Georgian house holds a unique collection of historical artifacts and family heirlooms built up over nearly 300 years, from Queen Victoria’s wedding chair to Napoleon’s death mask, among a wealth of other treasures. In 2027, the special exhibition entitled ‘Georgian Ladies of the House’ provides a glimpse into life above and below stairs for 18th-century women at Bowood, while ‘Bowood in Bloom’ offers some beautiful botanical art. There’s also time to explore the grounds, featuring lovely parkland designed by Capability Brown and a walled garden, bursting with colorful blooms.

The rest of the afternoon is spent at leisure. You may like to enjoy a trip to the spa at our hotel, with outdoor hot tubs and al fresco thermal areas available as well as the heated indoor pool and wide range of treatments.

 

 

The Roman Baths & Bath Walking Tour

The Roman Baths is one of the finest historic sites in Britain, where steaming thermal waters still flow through the remarkably preserved ancient bathing complex. An audio-guided visit brings the stories of Roman Bath to life as we explore the Great Bath, Sacred Spring and fascinating ruins of this once-important religious spa.

We continue with the historic sites on our guided walking tour of Bath itself. The city has remained faithful to its Regency roots, with an abundance of elegant terraces, honey-hued Georgian streets and squares in a picturesque valley setting. Highlights include Bath Abbey, the Pump Room, an iconic Georgian building with elegant interiors that has been a social hub since the 18th century, and Pulteney Bridge, one of only four bridges in the world to feature shops across its full span on both sides.

Bath & No. 1 Royal Crescent, Bath

Enjoy some free time to explore more of Bath. There’s plenty to choose from, including the Jane Austen Center, set in a Georgian townhouse and a celebration of the life and works of the beloved English author, the impressive collection of art at the Holburne Museum and the Thermae Bath Spa, should you be feeling inspired to ‘take the waters’ in a modern-day setting. Alternatively, simply relax at our hotel and its lovely spa.

Later, we visit an iconic address in Bath – No 1 Royal Crescent. We’re treated to an after-hours guided tour by a curator of this popular Georgian townhouse museum, which was used for the exterior of Lady Featherington’s home in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton. Each room is meticulously restored and furnished to reflect the period, from the elegant drawing room to the bustling kitchen. The stunning Georgian interiors are a fitting setting to hear how high society descended on Bath for ‘the season’, while enjoying wine and canapés.

Sezincote House & Garden, Broadway & the Cotswolds

Soak up the rolling landscapes of the Cotswolds as we meander through Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the Wold on the way to unique Sezincote, believed to be the only surviving Mogul building in Western Europe. As we head down the drive, it’s almost as if we’ve stumbled upon a majestic palace in India rather than the Cotswolds! In the early 1800s, Charles Cockerell, who had worked for the East India Company, commissioned his architect brother, Samuel, to design and build an Indian house in the Mogul style of Rajasthan. Assisted by the artist Thomas Daniell, the result is a unique combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture with a weathered-copper onion dome, elegant minarets and an exquisite, curving orangery, while outside is a romantic landscape of temples, grottoes, elephant statues and waterfalls designed by Humphry Repton. It was a visit here by the Prince Regent that led him to redesign plans for Brighton Pavilion, to build it in a similar style to Sezincote, and we learn more during our guided tour.

Afterward, enjoy some time in Broadway. Often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’, this picturesque village is known for its charming streets lined with honey-colored stone buildings, boutique shops and art galleries. It’s the perfect place to treat yourself to a cream tea if you so wish, either in a little café or luxurious hotel such as The Lygon Arms.

Painswick Rococo Gardens & Regency Cheltenham

Painswick Rococo Garden awaits, a storybook-like garden nestled in the Gloucestershire countryside. Famous for its whimsical design and vibrant displays, the garden showcases the Rococo style with its playful architecture, winding paths and colorful flowerbeds. We enjoy a guided tour to learn more about this enchanting place, focusing on its history and restoration.

The afternoon is left free to explore Cheltenham at your leisure. As a celebrated historical spa town, expect Regency-style highlights such as the grand rotunda in Montpellier, the shop-lined Promenade and the Grade I listed Pitville Pump Room, originally designed to provide access to the mineral-rich spa waters and now a cherished symbol of Cheltenham’s Regency

elegance, standing proudly in pretty Pitville Park. Elsewhere, you may wish to visit Holst’s Birthplace Museum, a wonderful Victorian-Edwardian family home lovingly restored to offer a fascinating insight into the life and work of iconic composer, Gustav Holst.

Windsor

Our tour reaches a gentle close with free time in Windsor. This ancient royal town has a rich heritage dating back over 1,000 years with many beautiful buildings and cobbled streets plus a fantastic collection of museums and galleries. You may wish to visit Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and the final resting place of Elizabeth II. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, the castle has been home to monarchs for almost 1,000 years and is regularly used for ceremonial and state occasions. A real highlight is the magnificent State Apartments, furnished with some of the finest works of art to admire from the Royal Collection.

This evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner together at the hotel.

Departure

A private transfer will take you back to Heathrow Airport for your return flight home.