England’s Castles, Battlements, and Stately Homes

Arrive in Edinburgh. Drive south to Berwick-upon-Tweed, overlooking the mouth of the River Tweed as it empties into the North Sea. Today it is the northernmost town in England. Its strategic position on the Anglo-Scottish border, along with its immense wealth due to the export of wool and grain to Flanders and beyond, led to more than 400 years of wars between the Kingdoms of England and Scotland. In the early 14th century, Edward I built town walls following his capture of the city from the Scots. By 1560 under Elizabeth I, new defenses were erected. As a result, what still stands is one of the best-preserved examples of fortified walls in Europe. We will walk the town fortifications and view the bastions and Elizabethan ramparts.

Continue to Chathill where we will spend two nights in the timeless elegance of Doxford Hall, a 200-year-old English mansion house. (L/D)

The dramatic Norman castle of Bamburgh sits atop a towering dolerite outcrop. One of several fortresses defending the rugged Northumberland coastline, it has stood guard for over 1,400 years. In 1894, philanthropist William George Armstrong purchased Bamburgh and set about transforming it into his vision of the archetypal castle palace. While there, we will meet privately with Graeme Young, director of the Bamburgh Research Project. Since 1996 archaeologists have been working to uncover the history of the castle and its environs, and Graeme will discuss the discoveries.

Then it’s on to Lindisfarne Castle constructed as a defense against attack from the Scots and the Norsemen. Located on Holy Island, Lindisfarne looks to be the perfect medieval fortress today. However, it is a 20th-century restoration of a Tudor fort. In 1902 publishing magnate, Edward Hudson bought the property. Then he converted the Elizabethan fort into a fanciful castle as he wanted a comfortable vacation residence far from the stir of London life.

Time permitting, we will stop by Preston Pele Tower, a small, fortified keep. These defensive structures were built along the English and Scottish borders and are unique to the north of England.

NOTE: This day’s itinerary will depend upon the tides as the causeway to Holy Island is underwater at high tide. (B/L/D)

Labeled the Windsor of the North, Alnwick Castle is the second-largest inhabited castle in the country. It has been the home of the noble Percy family since 1309. In the interior, the glorious medieval architecture is combined with splendid Italianate State Rooms. In addition, the Castle’s rich history overflows with drama, conspiracy, and extraordinary people. This includes medieval England’s most celebrated knight, Harry Hotspur. In recent years this astounding castle has been featured in Downton Abbey and as the location for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Harry Potter films.

After visiting, we will continue to Langley Castle, a superbly restored tower house that is our home for the next two nights. The construction of this castle began in 1350 for Sir Thomas De Lucy, one of King Edward III’s favorite knights. Thereafter, it offered protection for his family during times of war with the Scots. We will be served traditional afternoon tea when we arrive. Afterward, we walk the battlements on a behind-the-scenes tour just for us. NOTE: Rooms confirmed here are ‘castle view,’ located in a building overlooking the castle. If you would like to upgrade to one of the limited number of stunning rooms within the castle, please call Far Horizons. These rooms are on a first-come-first-serve basis. (B/L/D)

We will have time to relax in this incredibly fortified palace before we depart in the late morning for the short drive to Durham. The city is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage Castle and Cathedral. Durham Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin, and St. Cuthbert of Durham, was built in 1093. The home of the Shrine of St. Cuthbert, the patron saint of Northumbria, the saint’s relics are enshrined behind the altar.

Durham Castle was begun in 1072, shortly after the Norman conquest of England. William the Conqueror built the fortification to house the Bishop of Durham. Since 1837, the University College, Durham has occupied the space. We will tour both the Castle and Cathedral before returning to Langley Castle for dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

The history of Norton Conyers begins in the era of the Domesday Book, 1086. Since the 17th century, it has been in the possession of the Graham family, whose descendants still reside here. A pleasing blend of historic styles, the outside presents Dutch-style gables while the inside rooms are adorned with Georgian plasterwork. Nearby is the estate’s lovely 18th-century walled garden surrounding an Orangery. Upon arrival, Sir James and Lady Graham will open their home and gardens for us for a privately arranged tour. While here, we will climb 80 steps to the attic to see the chamber where a madwoman is reputed to have been confined. She was thought to be the inspiration for Charlotte Brontë’s novel Jane Eyre.

In the afternoon, we continue to Markenfield Hall, safeguarded by a still-working moat. To enter we will pass over a bridge secured by a 16th-century Tudor gatehouse. Markenfield is the seat of the Grantley family, the family home of the widow of the 7th Lord Grantley and her second husband. We will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the house and grounds, normally closed to the public, and sit down to tea before departing.

Our home tonight is The White Hart located in the center of Harrogate’s stylish Montpellier Quarter. Dinner is on our own. (B/L)

Bess of Hardwick, wife of Sir William Cavendish (and her second husband), began the design and construction of Chatsworth House in 1553. Since then, the estate has been passed down through sixteen generations of the Cavendish family. Today, it is the residence of Peregrine Cavendish, the 12th Duke of Devonshire, and his wife, Amanda Heywood-Lonsdale. Inside, we will gaze upon the priceless works of art that have been collected over the many centuries. Additionally, we will stroll through the gardens, covering more than 100 acres. In Fukunaga’s film adaptation of the Jane Eyre movie, Chatsworth House is the setting for Jane’s first meeting with Edward Rochester.

We then move on to Hardwick Hall, the last home of Bess of Hardwick after the death of her fourth husband. Hardwick is a leading example of the Elizabethan prodigy house. These eye-catching country houses were built by courtiers of Elizabeth I and other wealthy English. Architecturally the mansion is unique, featuring huge glass windows. Inside is an exceptional collection of paintings, 16th-century furniture, and a large collection of tapestries, lace, and needlework, many fabricated by Bess herself. (B/L/D)

The imposing Peveril Castle stands high above the village of Castleton in the heart of the Peak District. The keep was erected during the reign of Henry II in 1176 and is one of the earliest Norman fortresses in England. It was recorded in the Domesday Survey of 1086 and was the main caput, or settlement, of the feudal barony of William Peverel. We will climb the hill to explore the remains.

Then we move on to Haddon Hall, a 12th-century fortified manor. William Peverel held the property in 1086, according to the Domesday Book survey. For more than 200 years, from the reign of Queen Anne to the late 19th Century, the owners closed up the house, choosing to live at their main seat, Belvoir Castle. Due to this hiatus, Haddon Hall is touted as the most complete house to survive from the Elizabethan Era. Inside, the untouched rooms display furnishings from the 14th through the 16th centuries. In 1996, Haddon Hall was the film location for Franco Zeffirelli’s Jane Eyre and most recently is featured in the latest Jane Eyre film by Fukunaga.

Dinner and overnight for two nights at the Wentbridge House, a graceful country mansion set in 20 acres of gardens. (B/L/D)

Our day begins at Bolsover, a fairy-tale 17th-century keep enclosed in an earlier fort. Originally founded in the late 11th century by William Peveril, the castle was eventually allowed to fall into ruin. Then in 1612, Sir Charles Cavendish began the construction of ‘The Little Castle’ within the picturesque remains. Later, his son completed the fanciful retreat with vibrant wall paintings and exquisitely carved fireplaces. If available, we will see the magnificent indoor Riding School dramatically brought to life as the Cavalier Horses perform the precise movements of dressage.

We move on to Newstead Abbey, founded as the Priory of St. Mary of Newstead. King Henry II of England funded the construction as one of many penances he paid following the murder of Thomas Becket. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII, it was converted to private ownership and is best known as the ancestral home of Lord Byron. Inside the Abbey, we will walk through the Victorian rooms and the poet’s private apartments.

Our home for one night is the Bedford Swan overlooking the Great River Ouse in the market town of Bedford. (B/L/D)

On the outskirts of London, we will enter Tilbury, an artillery fort on the north bank of the River Thames. King Henry VIII constructed the earliest version to protect London from the seaward approach by the French. It was reinforced during the 1588 Spanish Armada invasion scare, and Parliamentary forces used it to help secure the capital during the English Civil War of the 1640s. Later it was enlarged to form a distinctive star-shaped defensive work, with bastions, a circuit of moats, and two lines of guns facing onto the river.

We then drive into the city to the Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. William the Conqueror built this immense stone barbican at the center of his London fortress almost 1,000 years ago. Officially His Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, this historic castle now houses the Crown Jewels. While in the area, we will observe the remains of the fortification walls first built by the Romans to safeguard the port town of Londinium.

Drive to Windsor for dinner on our own and overnight. (B/L/)

Windsor Castle is the oldest and longest-occupied palace in Europe. It was originally built in the 11th century to protect Norman dominance around the outskirts of London and to safeguard a strategically important part of the River Thames. In the 13th century, Henry III built a luxurious royal palace within the castle, and since that time it has been used as a royal court by the reigning monarch. The castle is part of the Occupied Royal Palaces Estate and is owned by King Charles III.  Over the years, the royal family has used the castle as a weekend home and it is also often used for state banquets and official events. We will spend the day here. Lunch is on our own. (B//D)

Blenheim Palace, one of the largest mansions in England and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is our destination today. Built in the early 18th century, this Great House was a gift from Queen Anne to John Churchill for his decisive defeat of the French in 1704. The greatest artists and craftsmen worked on the elegant interior. The state apartments contain fine collections of paintings, tapestries, and furniture along with the Churchill family’s relics. The sixty acres of formal gardens were designed by Henry Wise and Capability Brown. Within the park, the Marlborough Maze celebrates the victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Seen from above, its ingenious design incorporates trappings of war – cannonballs, trumpets, and flags. It also includes a V sign in honor of Winston Churchill, who was born at the palace in 1874. (B/L/)

Today we explore Hampton Court. The original palace was begun by Cardinal Wolsey in the early 16th century. However, it soon attracted the attention of Henry VIII, and in 1529, the cardinal gave the palace to the king. The palace went on to become one of Henry’s most favored residences. Lunch is on our own.

Dinner and overnight at the Raddison Blu Hotel at London Heathrow. (B/ /D)

Transfer to the airport for our flights home. (B)