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Your tour starts with an in depth look at Cambridge where your guide will show you the historic colleges, well manicured gardens, chapels, courtyards and dining halls. Then on to Stamford, a beautiful town developed by the Romans, the Saxons, the Danes and Normans and
dramatic Burghley House one of England's greatest Elizabethan houses on your way to York where you will spend two nights. Circled by imposing Medieval walls York has preserved so much Medieval structure that its centre is like entering a living museum: wander down the "Shambles" a perfectly preserved medieval street, see the largest Gothic Cathedral in England with exquisite stained glass windows, and walk along the high walls offering magnificent views. If time permits, visit Castle Howard designed by Vanbrugh some 300 years ago, and still lived in by the Howard family. Explore the magnificent Peak District, a landscape of moorland, deep green valleys and rough stone crags, where almost every hilltop is marked with prehistoric huts, stone monuments and burial mounds. See one or two of the fine Derbyshire houses: Chatsworth, magnificent 17th century home of the Duke of Devonshire, Haddon Hall, one of Britain's few remaining 12th century Manor Houses, or Hardwick Hall, 16th century home of the much married "Bess of Hardwick",
who became richer and richer as each of her husbands died. Visit 15th century Little Moreton Hall, a perfect example of a timber framed manor house on your way to Chester for the night. Built by the Romans 2000 years ago Chester has more archaeological and architectural treasures than any other city in Britain. See the well preserved Roman city walls, the fine red sandstone Cathedral, the Roman amphitheatre and the galleried half-timbered tiers of shops known as "The Rows". Drive via Stratford-Upon-Avon, immortalised by William Shakespeare and the beautiful Cotswolds to Bath a lively and beautiful city in which to spend the night. See the well preserved Roman Baths and Pump Room, fine Abbey, Robert Adam's Pulteney Bridge and Royal Crescent. Return to London via the pretty village of Lacock, prehistoric Stonehenge and the fine cathedral cities of Salisbury and Winchester.
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