Gastronomic Pub Tour of England

Depending on the length of your flight and personal preferences, you may like to add an extra day to relax before we start the tour. 

Freshen up at a Heathrow lounge before meeting your driver-guide.

The Windsor Castle is a 20-minute drive from Heathrow, the weekend home of His Majesty the King and the last resting place of Her Majesty the Queen. Your driver-guide will take you inside St George's chapel and tour the castle's precincts. St George's is a special place housing the tombs of many Kings and Queens, along with the choir stalls of the Knights of Garta. Her Majesty the Queen was greatly admired around the world. The funeral on the 19th of September 2022 attracted a huge amount of media attention; the final ceremony involved the lowering of the queen's coffin into the Royal Vault. 

Tour the State Apartments before heading into the Thames Valley for lunch at Hinds Head pub. This ancient hunting lodge has been serving customers for 400 years. Acquired by Heston Blumenthal in 2004, the menu is a selection of fantastic British classics, upgraded for the 21st century. 

Late afternoon and evening

Take a stroll through the Cliveden House estate. In the evening, head to The Hand and Flowers pub for dinner. The "Flowers" is the only two Michelin-starred pub in the UK. Tom Kerridge has taken pub classics and raised the dishes to gastronomic pub pinnacles. 

Overnight: Cliveden House Hotel.

Hampton Court Palace will always be connected to King Henry 8th and his six wives. The old Royal Palace has more to offer; the breathtaking gardens demonstrate horticultural designs and gardening techniques over 500 years. The plans for the baroque privy gardens were not discovered until the late 1980s, and work covering the elaborate gates with gold leaf continues today.

Your guide will manage your time and ensure you see the highlights of the Tudor Palace and Baroque apartments. 

Head into Old Windsor for lunch at The Loch and The Tyne. We are in top Gastro pub territory, therefore, choose between Pub Classics, such as Venison Sausages and Mash and end with Rhubarb Trifle or try the tasting menu with wine pairing. 

Late afternoon and evening

Relax at the Cliveden Spa and stroll the magnificent grounds before heading to dinner. The beautiful Dining Room at Cliveden House overlooks the parterre and Thames Valley. The menu ranges from lamb saddle to textures of carrots, something for everyone with stunning views to match. 

Overnight: Cliveden House Hotel.

Salisbury is rightly famous for its cathedral, built at break-neck speed in the early 13th century in the early English style of architecture. Cathedrals of this magnitude usually take centuries to build. Still, Salisbury Cathedral was built within one generation, which means it has maintained its simple but beautiful style without architectural details being stuck on randomly. 

See the Magna Carta in the chapter house, a document that limited the crown's power. The document was the first step on the long road to democracy and is generally regarded as important to see and understand. 

Stop for tea in the Cathedral cafe before heading to Stonehenge. The stones are arranged in a series of circles with astronomical alignments. Most agree the henge is a giant timepiece, an ancient calendar and a temple to the sun, moon and stars. Your guide will share the tales of the henge before heading off to the Red Lion Pub.

The Red Lion is a fabulous hidden gem, tucked away in the Vale of Pewsey. This wonderful family owned and run pub is Wiltshire's only three AA Rosette traditional pub and it has a Michelin Star. The strawberry cheesecake is the best in the world.

Late afternoon and evening

Drive over the rolling Salisbury plains before arriving in the famous spa city of Bath. Take a short stroll to The Marlborough Tavern for dinner. Conveniently, the menu is split into "pub classics" and "mains". The Tavern is a much loved local pub, so you are likely going to make friends. Alternatively, eat at The Royal Crescent's newly refurbished Montague Mews Restaurant. 

Overnight: The Royal Crescent Hotel.

After breakfast, your driver-guide will whisk you back into the countryside and stop at Stourhead Gardens.

Britain's most significant contribution to culture (apart from the pub and football) is probably the landscaped garden. Wealthy aristocrats would better themselves by touring Europe, a trip of discovery and learning. All manner of souvenirs were acquired to fill their enormous homes; these conversation starters were often romantic paintings of imaginary countryside scenes with temples, columns, bridges, rivers and lakes.

Henry Hoare II, the Magnificent (1705-1785) took a leap of faith and tore up his estate to create a living painting. A scene of Europe that didn't exist on the continent at all, apart from in pictures. The masterpiece that is Stourhead Gardens was born and has grown into a giant work of art. The great trees have matured; some are "champion trees", meaning the largest examples in the country. Stroll around the lake with your driver-guide, and build your appetite before stopping for lunch in Bradford-upon-Avon.

The Long Arms at South Wraxall has an exquisite menu with a wide variety of fish and meat dishes and a "pub grub" selection, another word for pub classics.

Late afternoon and evening

Head back to Bath for a relaxed tour of the world-famous Roman Baths. Founded in the 1st century as a high-end spa for Roman citizens. The baths are probably the best preserved in the whole of Europe.  
Walk over to The Olive Tree restaurant, one of the oldest independent establishments in Bath.

This Michelin Starred restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients with vegan, vegetarian, and meat dishes. The Olive Tree is the sort of place you would never find unless your guide or concierge directed you. It's tucked away, but we will make sure you find it. 

Overnight: The Royal Crescent Hotel.

After breakfast, head southwest into a fascinating landscape of tors and gorge's.

Visit Wells, one of England's smallest cities, is a historical delight with a moated bishop's palace, gardens, springs and a magnificent cathedral. See the figures carved on the capitals, telling tales of morality and superb west front, a biblical layer cake in stone. William Penn stayed at The Crown Inn in Wells before his epic journey to America.

Stop at the lovely Pony Pub for lunch. Once known as The Pony and Trap, and re-booted as The Pony Chew Valley; the building has been beautifully refurbished. Most of the produce comes from the garden and surrounding farms. The Pony is a proper country pub with top-notch pub food.

Afternoon and evening

Swing past Glastonbury, the mysterious town with an ancient ruined abbey and strange cone-shaped hill, Glastonbury Tor. The Tor is certainly unusual and is, without doubt, the reason for many local legends, from the tales of King Arthur, fairies and gates to the underworld. End the day with a drive through the famous Cheddar Gorge before returning to Whatly Manor.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at Whatly Manor. The Dining Room offers the full Michelin Star-style menu. The Dining Room also has a Green Michelin Star for sustainable food.

Overnight: Whatley Manor Hotel.

Spend the morning at the Spa or head off to the Cotswolds Hills; visit historic hill-top towns such as Tetbury and Malmesbury with its old abbey with ancient bibles and the tomb of the first King of England. For garden lovers, visit Hidcote Manor Gardens or enjoy a stop at a farmers market.

Stop for lunch in picture-perfect Castle Combe, the village with the most film credits and Instagram images. Have a lovely lunch at The Castle Inn, and expect hearty seasonal fare.

Afternoon and evening

Head to the hotel for a spa time or explore Westonbirt, the National Arboretum. Another option could be a short drive to the picturesque village of Lacock, another dream settlement with an old abbey and well-preserved houses dating back to the middle ages.

Relax and enjoy dinner at the casual Grey's Brasserie at Whatley Manor.

Overnight: Whatley Manor Hotel.

After breakfast, head east along the ancient Roman Road of Portway, the A4. Stop at the neolithic site of Avebury, a mega pre-historic site dwarfing the site of Stonehenge. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the largest in Britain. Many believe it is a temple to life, death and fertility.

Afternoon and evening

Stop for a casual pub lunch in the beautiful town of Marlborough before arriving at Coworth Park in the early afternoon. Check-in and take advantage of the facilities; Horse-drawn carriage rides. Country pursuits or horse riding, or you wish to relax at the Spa.

Our final suggested indulgence is dinner at Woven by Adam Smith. It celebrates Britain's best produce and the climax of a wonderful week of the Best of British food.

Overnight: Coworth Park Hotel.