Discover the capital's rich culture and history and well as the royal residence of the Queen

Personalised journeys from start to finish

Every trip helps support Conservation

Every detail taken care of

  • Personalised journeys from start to finish

  • Every trip helps support Conservation

  • Every detail taken care of

Suggested places to visit

What's included

  • Luxury accommodation throughout
  • Private transfers
  • Full support from your Travel Concierge before, during and after your trip
  • Expert local guides
  • Exclusive access to a private country estate
Use this itinerary to inspire your bespoke journey

At a glance

Embark on a journey through the world of Britain’s aristocracy on this unique trip that takes you from some of the finest properties in London to the beautiful countryside which doubled for villages in the television series Downton Abbey, and on to Windsor, home of one of the many residences of the Queen at the heart of Royal Berkshire.

You’ll spend three nights in London, visiting iconic sights such as Westminster Abbey with a private guide to help bring their history to life. Learn about the fascinating history of the Tower of London which has not only served as a prison but also houses the Crown Jewels. Then, a walking tour through the heart of Royal London will give you a window into the world of British pomp and ceremony as you take in sights like Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade and stroll through St James’s Park to see Buckingham Palace. You will also visit the British Royal Family’s residence Kensington Palace, where you’ll get to explore the beautiful gardens and enjoy afternoon tea in the Orangery. Speaking of which, this trip also includes afternoon tea with an etiquette expert at one of the city’s top venues during which you will learn about the history and etiquette involved in this English ritual. 

Equipped with the necessary manners, it’s off to the London of Downton Abbey. With connections to Lord and Lady Carnarvon, your guide is ideally placed to tell you all about the filming locations, as well as places in London that are connected to Downton Abbey’s era. From London, you’ll head west to Berkshire where a trip through the English countryside will lead you to Bampton, where many of the series’ village scenes were filmed.

This part of the country boasts one of the most beautiful Victorian castles in England, Highclere, the country seat of the Earl of Carnarvon. You will be welcomed into the Saloon for tea and homemade biscuits and then taken on an exclusive tour of the Main State Rooms and Castle bedrooms, as featured in Downton Abbey. Your next stop is the stately Windsor Castle, the Queen’s favourite home. Your guide will have plenty of stories to share about those who have lived there before.

The final stop on this journey is the Tudor masterpiece Hampton Court Palace where you will see Henry VIII’s vast kitchens and the beautifully manicured gardens.

Example trip itinerary

Days 1-4

London

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Airside meet and greet at London Heathrow

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel in London

Accommodation in London

Three nights in London Three nights in London

London is one of the most exhilarating and diverse cities in the world. This thriving metropolis has a rich history evident at every street corner and yet it continues to innovate, reinvent itself and lead the world.

* London panoramic tour * London panoramic tour

London's rich tapestry of history spans two millennia and yet this exciting metropolis continues to thrive. On this introductory tour of Britain's capital, your guide will show you some of the top sites, including Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, as well as some of its hidden gems. Your guide will tailor the tour to suit your interests so as to maximize your time.

Tour of Westminster Abbey Tour of Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey stands next to the magnificent Houses of Parliament and is steeped in more then 1,000 years of history. It has been the setting for every coronation since 1066, as well as 16 royal weddings. It is one of Britain's most important religious buildings, and here you'll discover a panorama of British history.

As you walk towards Trafalgar Square, you'll pass the sprawling government offices of Whitehall and 10 Downing Street, home of the British Prime Minister.

tower-of-london
Tower of London Tower of London

One of the city's most famous landmarks, the Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror in 1078, it saw several phases of expansion, mainly under Kings Richard the Lionheart, Henry III, and Edward I in the 12th and 13th centuries. Although not its primary purpose, the Tower is perhaps best known as a prison, a function it performed from 1100 right up until 1952. A highlight for many are the Crown Jewels. Still regularly used by The Queen in important national ceremonies, such as the State Opening of Parliament, they are the most powerful symbols of the British Monarchy, holding deep religious and cultural significance in the nation’s history.

st-james-park
* Royal London tour * Royal London tour

Britain is renowned for its pomp and ceremony and the British Royal Family is the most famous in the world. Today you'll join your guide for a walk through the heart of Royal London. Walk past the halls of government power in Whitehall to Horse Guards Parade, a vast ceremonial parading ground where the Queen’s troops are often found practicing their horsemanship. Here’s there’s a little museum that tells the story of the Household Cavalry. Take a walk through St. James’s Park to see Buckingham Palace, official residence of the Queen. Nearby is the Royal Mews and the guardians of the Gold State Coach. The Mews are a working stables and in addition to historic carriages, it’s also sometimes possible to see the horses.

kensington-palace-london
Kensington Palace Kensington Palace

Surrounded by beautiful gardens, Kensington Palace has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century, and has been the official London residence of many members of the Royal Family from Queen Victoria (as Princess) to Princess Diana and her two sons. Hyde Park is adjacent to Kensington Gardens and here you can stroll along the Diana Walk or visit the latest exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery.

afternoon-tea-london
* Afternoon tea etiquette experience * Afternoon tea etiquette experience

Partake of afternoon tea with our trusted etiquette expert. In an elegant and classic setting at one of London's top hotels or department stores, learn all about the history and etiquette involved in this most typically English of rituals.

* Downton Abbey Tour of London * Downton Abbey Tour of London

Discover the London of Downton Abbey and the Crawley family. Your guide has personal connections with Lord and Lady Carnarvon and will blend fact and fiction as you learn not only about the film locations of the series but real life places in London connected to the era in which Downton Abbey is set.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel outside of Windsor

Days 4-7

Berkshire

Accommodation in Berkshire

berkshire-river
Three nights in Berkshire Three nights in Berkshire

One of the Home Counties - the name given to counties that surround London - Berkshire is renowned for its connections to the Royal Family, with Windsor Castle one of its star attractions. There are pretty towns and villages to explore, beautiful stately homes and gardens that burst into colour in spring, summer and autumn. The River Thames winds its way through pretty, peaceful countryside, and you're also only never far from the bright lights of London, meaning you really do get the best of both worlds.

bamtpon-village
* Downton Abbey Bampton tour * Downton Abbey Bampton tour

Relive the magic of Downton Abbey on a trip through the English countryside. Wander around the village of Bampton, where many of the village scenes in the series were filmed.

* Highclere Castle * Highclere Castle

Built in the Jacobethan style by the architect Charles Barry, with a park designed by Capability Brown, Highclere is one of the most beautiful Victorian castles in England and remains the country seat of the Earl of Carnarvon. On arrival, be welcomed in to the Saloon for tea, coffee and homemade biscuits. The Saloon is the room at the heart of the castle with a 23m (75 foot) high glazed ceiling, a magnificent open fireplace and a gothic style minstrel gallery. A tour guide with exceptional knowledge of the building, artwork and furniture along with plenty of anecdotes will then lead you around the castle and provide a very special and exclusive tour of the Main State Rooms and Castle bedrooms, as featured in Downton Abbey. You can also visit the Egyptian Exhibition, which tells the story and contains antiquities from the tombs that were discovered in Egypt by the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter.

Windsor Castle Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is still very much a working castle, and is the favourite home of Her Majesty the Queen. The magnificent state rooms provide an overview of architectural and interior design over the centuries and there is no shortage of stories about the characters who once filled these rooms. Windsor town is also a perfect place for some souvenir shopping. Please note that the castle is a working institution and subject to last minute closures.

Hampton Court Palace Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is a Tudor masterpiece. Henry VIII's vast kitchens are unique and the palace continued to grow up until the 17th century. The result is a wonderful tapestry of English architecture, tomes of fascinating stories and some of the most beautiful gardens in London.

Flights & transfers

Transfer

Private transfer to London Heathrow

Transfer

Airside departure assistance

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Royal London and Downton Abbey

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