The Treasure Houses of Southern England

Depart U.S./ Arrive Heathrow Airport

On arrival at Heathrow Airport, a private transfer will take you to the Audleys Wood Hotel, our base for the next three nights. In the evening, join the group for a welcome drink, followed by dinner.

Highclere Castle & Winchester

On our exclusive access day, Highclere Castle opens its doors solely for guests of Albion and our sister companies, a rare privilege at one of England’s most celebrated country houses. Known worldwide as the setting for Downton Abbey, Highclere is first and foremost a living family home, seat of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.

We explore the opulent interiors featured in the series, including the grand staircase, library and drawing room, discovering the real history of Highclere, remodelled in the 19th century by Sir Charles Barry and used as a hospital during WWI. Downstairs, the fascinating Egyptian Exhibition tells the story of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon’s role in the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, with artifacts, photographs and replicas bringing the tale vividly to life.

Later, time in Winchester invites independent discovery in England’s ancient former capital. You may choose to visit the magnificent Winchester Cathedral, one of Europe’s longest medieval cathedrals, or step inside The Great Hall to see the legendary Round Table of King Arthur.

 

Beaulieu & the National Motor Museum

In the heart of the New Forest, the Beaulieu Estate offers an engaging look at aristocratic life, past and present. Here we enjoy a guided tour of Palace House, once the gatehouse of the medieval Beaulieu Abbey, and the ancestral home of the Montagu family since 1538. Remodeled and extended in the 1800s, it is now a fine example of a Victorian Gothic style country house adorned with family treasures, portraits and memorabilia, including Lord Montagu’s library. Palace House was also one of the first historic houses to open to the public in 1952, thanks to the innovative character of Edward, Lord Montagu.

A light sandwich lunch is included before time to explore the wider estate at leisure. Highlights include the fascinating National Motor Museum, housing an extraordinary collection of historic vehicles, as well as the ruins of Beaulieu Abbey. On departure, a scenic drive through the New Forest showcases ancient woodland, open heath and free-roaming ponies, a quintessentially English landscape.

Blenheim Palace

One of the greatest Treasure Houses of England, Blenheim Palace is monumental in both scale and history. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of Winston Churchill, this masterpiece by Sir John Vanbrugh sits within sweeping parkland designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. 

A guided tour and included lunch enhance the experience, with access to the magnificent State Rooms, rich in tapestries, portraits and French porcelain, alongside exhibitions dedicated to Churchill’s life and legacy. As the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough, Blenheim remains one of Britain’s most powerful aristocratic symbols. Afterward, free time in the charming market town of Woodstock allows for a relaxed stroll or coffee beneath honey-colored stone façades.

Waddesdon Manor & Oxford

Built in the 1870s by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, Waddesdon Manor resembles a Loire Valley château set amid the Buckinghamshire countryside. Lavishly designed for entertaining, it houses one of the finest collections of French decorative arts in Britain, alongside Dutch Old Masters and English portraiture. Nestled within 5,000 acres of beautiful parkland, the formal gardens are said to be one of the finest examples of late Victorian gardens in England and include a Rococo-style aviary, a Parterre, sculptures and more. Owned by the National Trust, this is one of their most visited properties.

A guided house tour is followed by time to explore the formal gardens, from the Parterre to the Rococo-style aviary, before departing for Oxford. The afternoon is free to discover the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ at leisure. You may wish to wander among the colleges of the University of Oxford, browse independent shops or simply enjoy the atmosphere of this iconic university city.

Sulgrave Manor & Broughton Castle

American history is brought to life this morning as we visit Sulgrave Manor, a Tudor manor house built in the mid 1500s by Lawrence Washington, the great-great-great-great-great grandfather of George Washington, first President of the United States. Here we learn about the remarkable history of the Washington family on our guided tour. Restored and opened to the public in 1921, Sulgrave was presented to the people of Britain and the USA as a memorial of their common inheritance.

Later, a guided tour of Broughton Castle reveals a moated medieval manor that has remained in the Fiennes family since the 14th century. Historic portraits line the galleries, while centuries of royal and political intrigue echo through its Great Hall, a remarkably preserved example of England’s fortified manor houses. The manor has been a hive for political exchanges and royal stays throughout the centuries, serving as a meeting place for leading parliamentary opponents of Charles I. James I occupied the king’s chamber in the early 15th century, whilst recent residents include today’s monarch King Charles.

 

 

Hatfield House & Hughenden

Hatfield House stands as one of England’s finest Jacobean mansions, built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, chief advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. Still home to the Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury, the house showcases exceptional craftsmanship, from the carved Grand Staircase to richly furnished State Rooms. Admission includes the House, Gardens and Park, allowing time to appreciate both the formal interiors and expansive grounds. Hatfield’s cinematic credentials are equally impressive, having appeared in productions from The Crown to Bridgerton. 

Our visit today is Hughenden Manor, beloved home of Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, offers a more intimate glimpse into political life in 19th-century Britain, set within peaceful Chiltern Hills scenery. Tonight’s dinner is served at the historic Grade II listed Five Arrows Inn.

 

Woburn Abbey and Gardens & Bletchley Park

Another of the great Treasure Houses, Woburn Abbey has been home to the Dukes of Bedford for nearly 400 years. The Abbey’s remarkable art collection includes works by Reynolds, Gainsborough and Canaletto, displayed in elegant State Rooms overlooking beautifully landscaped gardens. 

The afternoon shifts from aristocratic splendor to wartime secrecy at Bletchley Park. Here, the brilliant mathematician Alan Turing and his fellow codebreakers worked in utmost secrecy to decipher German Enigma codes during World War II, an achievement widely credited with shortening the war. Interactive exhibits and preserved huts bring this extraordinary story to life, adding a compelling modern chapter to our exploration of England’s historic houses.

Departure

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