Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from the USA in your overnight flight to London.
Day 2
Arrive in London and transfer on your own to the
Thistle Victoria
- located in an ideal location -- Victoria
Train Station. While this hotel is within walking distance of many of the major sights of London, it is
also perfectly situated to allow easy underground access to all parts of London. Since most flights arrive
early in the day, you'll have time after checking in at the hotel to explore London and some of the many
Regency sites it has to offer. Or, since you'll be in London at a
time when Buckingham Palace is open
to visitors, consider pre-purchasing a ticket to this grand residence. It's well worth it. However, there
are other historical treasures to visit and lists of these will be offered prior to the start of the tour.
Return to the hotel for a welcome dinner and an opportunity to meet your fellow travelers.
Day 3
After breakfast in the hotel, depart on your journey to your weekend country estate. However, on the way,
stop at Stonehenge and marvel at the structures that continue to
amaze visitors. Then on to Basildon Park,
for a guided tour of this magnificent 18th Century Palladian mansion that was used in the recent Pride and Prejudice
movie as Netherfield, the temporary home of the dashing and wealthy Mr. Bingley. You'll have an opportunity
to start transporting yourself into the Regency donning your Regency finery before you arrive at Widbrook
Grange, your country estate for the next four nights. Widbrook Grange is an
elegant 250 year old Georgian
country house peacefully located in 11 acres of grounds on the outskirts of the ancient medieval
town of Bradford-on-Avon. After being met by Jane and Peter Wragg, your hosts, you'll have an opportunity
to freshen up before you partake in your special Regency evening and welcome dinner. And take note, that
although you are now in the Regency era, you haven't left all modern conveniences behind since all rooms are ensuite.
Enjoy your tranquil surroundings for the next four days. Our group has exclusive use ot the property to properly pursue our
Regency whims.
Having now been transported to the Regency era, you can have a quiet weekend enjoying your country house or strolling through the countryside, and perhaps visiting the lovely Bradford-on-Avon. But this weekend is also intended to allow you to explore Regency life. Wearing costume is certainly one aspect, that will help in believing you are in this time, but activities will also be planned during the day to make this era seem more real -- perhaps there will be some lessons in quill writing, or discussions of preparing Regency dishes, or a few hands of cards, and of course discussing the latest fashion is always in good taste. However, this is also meant to be a time for you to partake in your own leisurely pursuits. This evening your hosts have planned a special Harvest Dinner and visitors from the community will be invited to join in. And after dinner, you and your fellow guests will enjoy some evening activities popular in the Regency period.
Day 4
Another day to do as you please or participate in some of the planned Regency activities. A lovely traditional
English Sunday lunch will be served and again members from the community will be invited to participate.
And in the late afternoon you'll be treated to afternoon tea. The evening will be spent in the company of your
fellow weekend guests perhaps enjoying a game of cards, or practicing the latest dance steps. Of course you may
just want to converse, sing a song, or recite poetry as you sip a glass of sherry.
Day 5
On your final full day's stay at your Georgian estate, continue to enjoy the peacefulness and
tranquility of the country. However, be prepared for a special mid day picnic where you'll be
transported by carriage to a corner of the estate where you'll enjoy a lovely finger buffet.
Again, you'll have a chance in the afternoon to either participate in some planned Regency
activities or spend additional leisure time on your own. This evening, your chef will
prepare a special menu for you and you'll have an opportunity to talk over the weekend's
activities with your fellow guests.
Day 6
After breakfast, say goodbye to your hosts - Jane and Peter Wragg, and head on for a guided
visit to Longleat, a beautiful grand
Elizabethan estate. Substantially completed by 1580
and now home to the 7th Marquess of Bath, Longleat House is set within 900 acres of
magnificent 'Capability' Brown' landscaped parkland with a further 8,000 acres of
woodland, lakes and farmland. Then in mid-afternoon continue your journey into Bath,
where you'll check into the Francis Hotel, situated in an
elegant Georgian building
and ideally located on Queen Square. This will be a perfectl setting for you to
enjoy the Jane Austen Festival activities.
Tonite enjoy a lovely welcome dinner in your hotel.
Day 7-11
Your stay in Bath offers you an opportunity to participate in the Jane Austen Festival activities. Although you
are on your own in determining what you'll participate in, Novel Explorations will also try to keep you
up to date on all the events the Jane Austen Festival has to offer. Many of the activities are free and
others will have a cost attached to them. Whether it is participating in the special promenade, the Regency
ball, afternoon tea, Jane Austen walks, cooking lessons, theater productions, etc., you'll find something
to enjoy. Note though that many of these events will require pre-sign up. You can check them out at
http://www.janeaustenfestival.co.uk/
On Sunday afternoon, start transporting yourself back in to the
present day as you head to the Heathrow Marriott Hotel.
Use the evening's special farewell dinner with your fellow travelers to again relive the weeks past events and sort through your shared memories of your
Regency House stay.
Day 12
Depart London for your journey back to the USA. The Marriott is on the line for transport to
the Heathrow terminals. Bus service can be purchased for any transfers to Gatwick.
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