The deep knowledge of this territory and the personable attitude of our guide was wonderful.
May 13 - 24, 2010
$3995
- Land Only based on twin accommodation (two persons sharing)
- Including taxes
Services of McCarthy's Party Experienced Guide
- 11 nights hotel accommodation as per itinerary
- Porterage at hotels
- 11. Breakfasts
- 4 Evening dinners
- Admissions to:
- Malvern Quilt Show
- Redditch Needle Museum
- Chatsworth House
- UK Quilters Guild Presentation
- York Quilting Museum
- Lucy Boston’s House
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Guided walking tours in York and Cambridge
- Meeting with local quilters
- Transport by private coach
- Tour escort from UK
- McCarthy’s Party Escort
| Download Itinerary |
Come join us on our 12 Day journey throughout England when it is at its loveliest. We have wrapped this tour around the Malvern Quilt Show which features everything from award winning quilts to merchants markets full of fabric and “toys” for the quilter. As well we will spend a full day at the “300 Years of Quilting” exhibit showing this spring at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Along the way we will visit the Needle Forge Museum, the Cottswalds, the Lace Market area of Nottingham, Lucy Boston’s House, and a behind the scenes tour in York with the UK Quilter’s Guild. Also included will be Cambridge, Stratford on Avon, and four nights in London.
Day One
Arrive London Heathrow airport. Meet your escort and driver who will be with you throughout the tour. Driving westward into The Royal County of Berkshire we will have a good view of Windsor Castle, one of the country homes of the Queen. Travelling north, we pass the University City of Oxford and into the Cotswolds, a scenic area of rolling hills and villages where the houses are constructed from the distinctive local stone.
The gateway to the Cotswolds is the town of Burford where we can stop for a short break. This pretty little town is full of old houses, interesting shops, a coaching inn and the parish church overlooking the river Windrush.
We pass through the rolling countryside sign posted with unusual village names like Bourton on the Water, Lower Slaughter and Upper Swell. Eventually we reach Stow on the Wold, the highest point in the Cotswolds: from there it’s a steep descent into the attractive village of Broadway with its black and white timbered houses gathered round a village green.
We arrive at the village of Mickleton and the Three Ways House Hotel – our accommodation for two nights. This hotel is famous as the home of The Pudding Club where the tradition of the great English pudding is kept very much alive.
Overnight Three Ways Hotel. (D)
Day Two
A short drive westward takes us to Great Malvern in Worcestershire. Just outside the town is a permanent showground that hosts a variety of exhibitions through the year. This is the site for the Malvern Quilt Show – one of the largest of the UK exhibitions devoted to quilting. Here you will spend a full day exploring the exhibition hall and marquee viewing the display of over 200 quilts, see demonstrations or wander round exhibitor stands (there were over 150 this year)
Overnight Three Ways Hotel (B)
Day Three
We travel north today stopping at Stratford on Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare and then onto Redditch. This is the location for the Forge Mill Needle Museum that catalogues the history of the production of needles – in fact the Museum was once a needle factory.
North again and into the county of Derbyshire, we are now in the Peak District National Park, an area of high peaks, wind blown moorland and villages of sturdy house sheltering in the valleys. This area is a complete contrast to the Cotswolds: this is challenging countryside but with a wild beauty of its own.
Our destination is the spa town of Buxton where we stay for two nights. Our hotel has been looking after visitors since 1878 and has an imposing façade designed by Henry Curry who was the architect to the Duke of Devonshire of the time. Inside it is very much up to date with an indoor swimming pool and an elegant restaurant where you can enjoy the included dinner tonight.
Overnight Palace Hotel Buxton (B.D.)
Day Four
Today we explore the Peak District visiting Matlock, Bakewell (famous for its puddings) and Chatsworth House, one of Englands most famous stately homes. Here, you can take tea in the home of the Duke of Devonshire!
This evening we hope to have a meeting with quilters from the Buxton area.
Overnight Palace Hotel Buxton (B)
Day Five
North again and into the county of Yorkshire, our destination is the ancient city of York – one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK. This walled city has so many exciting things to offer including the magnificent York Minister, the Jorvik Viking Centre and the York Living Museum where you can walk around in a replica of the centre of York as it was in Victorian times. It is also the city where the headquarters of the Quilters Guild of Great Britain is based. We make a visit to the Guild and the Quilting Museum tomorrow.
Though our hotel is within the city walls and just walking distance from the main attractions, it is a modern building with a very contemporary interior design. Dinner is included tonight.
Overnight Hotel 53, York (B.D.)
Day Six
No travelling today as we take a guided walking tour around the centre of York. The old part of the town, with the Minster as the centerpiece, is full of narrow lanes, timbered houses and cobbled streets. Later we visit the Quilters Museum, headquarters of the Quilters Guild of Great Britain. The staff can provide a reception and welcome to the Museum and talk through the current exhibition.
Overnight Hotel 53, York (B.)
Day Seven
We journey south today into the county of Nottinghamshire. This is the land of the legendary Robin Hood, the outlaw who stole from the rich to give to the poor. He and his band of followers lived in Sherwood Forest, which we pass through. Our accommodation for one night is in the city centre of Nottingham
We plan another meeting with local quilters this evening.
Overnight Jurys Hotel, Nottingham (B)
Day Eight
In earlier times, Nottingham was the manufacturing centre for the lace industry and this morning we make a visit to the Lace Market area where you can hear about the history of the industry.
Later, we travel down the Great North Road into the town of Stamford that in earlier times prospered from the passing stage coach traffic.
Our next stop is in the village of Hemmingford Greys where we visit the Manor House. Built in the 1130’s the is the oldest, continuously inhabited house in England.
The house was recreated and made famous as the house of Green Knowe by Lucy Boston in her series of children's books, now regarded as classics. Her son Peter's illustrations depict many of the things in the house and garden. The attic contains toys used by the fictional children of the past; thus visitors get the feeling of 'walking into the books'. In the winter, as well as writing, Lucy Boston made many exquisite patchworks, most of which are on display. Rarely can such an important collection be seen in the house in which the exhibits were made.
After this visit we travel onward to the historic university city of Cambridge where we stay for one night. Our hotel is beautifully located overlooking the river Cam and just a short walk from the ancient colleges that make up this famous university
There is a possibility of a meeting with local quilters this evening.
Overnight Arundel House Hotel (B)
Day Nine
This morning we take a guided walking tour of Cambridge, visiting the colleges, the Chapel of Christ Church and the banks of the river Cam.
The last part of our journey takes us south and by late afternoon we will arrive in London for a three night stay. The hotel is in fashionable Kensington, close to the shopping areas of High Street Kensington and Knightsbridge. Enjoy the buzz of London as you take the included evening dinner tonight.
Overnight Copthorne Tara Hotel (B.D)
Day Ten
Just a short distance from the hotel is the museum area of Kensington. Here you can find the Natural History, Science and Geological Museum and perhaps the most prestigious – the Victoria and Albert. At the time we are in London a major exhibition of over 300 quilts will be on show at the V. and A. Apart from the exhibitions that form part of the Museum’s calendar the building also houses a permanent collection well worth seeing.
Overnight Copthorne Tara Hotel (B.)
Day Eleven
Today you are free to explore London on your own. A short journey by bus or subway brings you into the heart of the capital and a choice of things to do. A sightseeing bus will take you past Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the Tower of London and the City. Or sample a leisurely cruise on the river Thames from Westminster down to Tower Bridge. Or shop till you drop in Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly or Bond Street. And if you want to see a West End Theatre show that’s possible too.
Overnight Copthorne Tara Hotel (B.)
Day Twelve
Transfer to Heathrow Airport for homeward flight.
