CAMBRIDGE & SUFFOLK TOURS - private driving tour options from London

EAST OF ENGLAND CHOICE
Sleepy villages, painted countryside, historic houses plus the 'Other Place'.

● Personally-guided full-day driving tour from London.
● For couples, families or private groups. Duration: 9 hours.
● Prices and practical details listed below. Bookings: tours@yourlondontours.com.

ITINERARY - CHOOSE ANY TWO OPTIONS TO MAKE UP A FULL-DAY TOUR

Option 1: Cambridge University
Cambridge is a centre of academic excellence, or the 'Other Place' as arch-rivals in Oxford refer to it. Cambridge University was formed by rebellious students from Oxford, and by the 15th century the change from market town to university town was complete. Unlike Oxford, however, the academic community is not so uptight, and there is a symbiotic relationship between ‘Town and Gown’, so the whole atmosphere is much more relaxed. Highlights include the Fitzwilliam Museum for 18th & 19th century art and classical antiquities, punting on a section of the River Cam, known as the 'Backs' as it flows to the rear of the colleges, and visiting the colleges themselves, in all their gothic glory: among the most famous, Magdalen, Corpus Christi, King’s, Queens’, Jesus, Trinity and Gonville & Caius.
● Entrances payable - family/group rate available. Not included in tour price.
● Best combinations with this option: (2) Cambridgeshire countryside, or (3) Duxford.

Option 2: Cambridgeshire country drive
A tour drive through the Cambrigeshire countryside stopping for A visit to the charming and picturesque village of Grantchester. Here, we follow the timeless tradition of English afternoon tea, famously longed-for here by the home-sick war poet Rupert Brooke.
● Entrances payable - family/group rate available. Not included in tour price.
● Best combinations with this option: (1) Cambridge University, or (3) Duxford.

Option 3: Duxford Imperial War Museum (recommended for families)
Visit this impressive Royal Air Force museum which also features many United States Air Force planes too, including the awesome B52 bomber.
● Entrances payable - family/group rate available. Not included in tour price.
● Best combinations with this option: (1) Cambridge University, or (2) Cambridgeshire.

Option 4: Audley End
Just over the Cambridgeshire border you will find Audley End, a magnificent stately home with a royal connection. Inherited by Thomas Howard, Admiral of the Royal Navy during the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, Audley End passed through various owners including King charles II who bought it in 1666 to be near his stables at Newmarket. In the 18th century the greatest designers worked on it including Robert Adam, John Vanbrugh and 'Capability' Brown, and the architecture spans late Tudor, Jacobean, Gothick, Georgian and Victorian. It is now preserved by English Heritage.
● Entrances payable - family/group rate available. Not included in tour price.
● Best combinations with this option: (1) Cambridge University, or (3) Duxford.

Option 5: Ely Cathedral
At Ely (literally Eel Island) we find the stunning cathedral known locally as 'the ship', because of its prominent towers above the surrounding flat landscape. The last Anglo-Saxon leader Hereward the Wake hid in the Cathedral before being hunted down by Normans. The present cathedral was begun in 1083 with stone bought at a cost of 8000 eels a year! It contains the longest nave in Britain. Is has featured as movie location for Elizabeth: The Golden Age and The Other Boleyn Girl. It also appears on the cover of Pink Floyd's album The Division Bell.
● Entrances payable - family/group rate available. Not included in tour price.
● Best combinations with this option: (2) Cambridgeshire countryside or (6) Newmarket.

Option 6: Newmarket (recommended for families)
If you like horses, you'll love Newmarket, the headquarters of British horse-racing for some 400 years (in fact, the first ever recorded horse-race was held here). View the famous Tattersalls auction house, National Stud, Horseracing Museum and Newmarket racecourse itself, famous for the annual running of the 1000 and 2000 Guineas races. Some of the best riding wear and accessories that money can buy is available locally.
● Entrances payable - family/group rate available. Not included in tour price.
● Best combinations with this option: (2) Cambridgeshire countryside or (5) Ely Cathedral.

Option 7: Colchester
Just over the Suffolk border you will find Colchester, the oldest recorded town in Britain. It was once the ancient Roman capital of Britannia and many Roman structures remain. Colchester Castle features the largest Norman keep in the country, a medieval prison, and a museum. The 16th century Dutch Quarter is noted for its steep streets and narrow houses. If you like history, Colchester is packed with it.
● Entrances payable - family/group rate available. Not included in tour price.
● Best combinations with this option: (8) Suffolk countryside, or (9) Painted Countryside.

Option 8: Suffolk country drive
Drive around quiet country lanes and get wonderfully lost amongst the sleepy villages, and maybe discover something that not even your guide knew existed. Discover the medieval town of Lavenham, rich in wool history and famous for its 15th century church and half-timbered cottages.
● Entrances payable - family/group rate available. Not included in tour price.
● Best combinations with this option: (7) Colchester, or (10) Sutton Hoo.

Option 9: The Painted Countryside
In Suffolk we find the inspiration for and two of Britain’s greatest artists and paintings. The area around Dedham Vale, on the borders with Essex, is known as Constable Country. John Constable was born in Suffolk son of wealthy landowner. He was mainly an open-air painter, who created gentle pictures of the visible world – with a long lasting influence. He was happiest with the vivid, dewy greens of water meadows and mills, under fresh windy skies, his deep knowledge of which he owed to his early life in the local Suffolk countryside. We will seek out the location for his famous ‘Haywain’. In Sudbury lies Thomas Gainsborough’s house. In 1750, when this famous artist was in his early 20s when he painted Mr and Mrs Andrews, a canvas which combines the two genres in which he specialized – portraiture and landscape. The Andrew’s estate is sited in Bulmer Tye, just a few miles across the county border from Gainsborough’s native county of Suffolk.
● Entrances payable - family/group rate available. Not included in tour price.
● Best combinations with this option: (7) Colchester, or (10) Sutton Hoo.

Option 10: Sutton Hoo
Near the Suffolk coast we seek out the mysteries of Anglo-Saxon buried treasure. In 1939 Sutton Hoo landowner Edith Pretty had a number of ancient burial mounds excavated by local amateurs. They discovered the indentation of an Anglo-Saxon ship burial, the biggest of this time found anywhere. Much jewellery was found too, including 11 lbs of gold and rubies from India. Also a warrior's helmet found in 300 pieces which was subsequently puzzled together. The site was re-excavated in the 1960s and items from this burial are now on display. Go on a guided walk of the site then visit the museum. Simply fascinating.
● Entrances payable - family/group rate available. Not included in tour price.
● Best combinations with this option: (8) Suffolk countryside, or (9) Painted Countryside.

PRICE OPTIONS
EAST OF ENGLAND CHOICE: PERSONALLY-GUIDED FULL DAY TOUR OPTIONS	PRICE (Full day 9 hours).
BY PRIVATE CAR (1-4 passengers)	£400.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.
BY PRIVATE CAR (5-7 passengers)	£430.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.
RENT-A-GUIDE (transport provided and arranged by client)	£240.00 (per group) + any entrance fees.

HOW THE TOUR WORKS

● Important note: 'Private tour' means a privately chartered guided tour by luxury car, mini-coach or public transport. We do not offer tours to individuals wishing to join a larger group (for this you require a scheduled coach tour operator).

● The guide: Your tour will be conducted by a fully accredited & qualified guide who will confirm your itinerary at the start of the tour and provide a friendly and knowledgeable commentary throughout. For private car tours the guide will also drive the vehicle.

● Pick-up/drop-off: You can be picked-up for your tour anywhere in the London area, whether at your hotel, place of residence, or any venue of your request. The same applies as a dropping-off point after the tour.

● Timings: The guide will meet you at the recommended start time of 09.00 or any time of your request. The duration of this tour is 9 hours from pick-up to drop-off, which includes built-in stops for photo opportunities, facilities, and a 1-hour lunch break.

● Lunch: An appropriate restaurant, traditional pub, or sandwich stop can be arranged for lunch (note: tour price does not include food or refreshments). Alternatively, you may want to bring a pre-packed lunch. The guide usually takes a rest during this period.

● Clothing: Clients should dress appropriately making allowances for the changeable British weather, outdoor activities or visiting churches, etc. Our main tip is to dress comfortably. For more tips to help make your tour even more enjoyable click here.

● Format: The tour has been specially researched and designed by our staff (copyright applies) and is exclusive to Your London Tours & associates. Selected elements of different tours can be combined to create even more options. See our Pick & Mix page.

● General: Rest assured with Your London Tours: All our tours are tailored to YOUR requirements. The guide will be exclusively dedicated to your family or group during the tour itself, so you will be able to relax and enjoy your day.

HOW TO BOOK YOUR TOUR IN 3 EASY STEPS

Note: To avoid disappointment, we recommend early booking. Most of our clients book their tours with us weeks or months in advance to secure their preferred date. We do not take bookings with less than 48 hours notice.

STEP 1: Make a tour enquiry. Send an e-mail to:tours@yourlondontours.com with the following information: 1) Name of tour. 2) Date of service. 3) Number of adults. 4) Number and age of children. 5) Address of hotel or place of residence to be picked up from.

● If the tour is available, we will e-mail you confirming your request, tour price and methods of payment. We will also e-mail you if the tour is NOT available, for example, because we are fully booked, or attractions are not open on the date requested.

STEP 2: To book the tour, e-mail us with the following information: 1) Contact name. 2) Billing address. 3) Cell phone number. 4) Method of payment. 5) Special requirements, interests or information that may help us to make your tour more enjoyable.

● On receiving this information we will provisionally secure the tour date for you. We will then e-mail a booking confirmation form to you outlining your itinerary. This form also doubles as an invoice requesting payment.

STEP 3: Please send payment using preferred method. Please note price does NOT include entrance fees (we recommend they are paid on the day) lunch or refreshments. Privacy, cancellation and refund policies are listed on our Prices & Bookings page.

● Payments can take up to 48 hours to process. On receiving payment, we will send a receipt. Please note tour is not guaranteed to go ahead until 100% of payment has been received. For your peace of mind, we will reconfirm your booking 7 days before the tour.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE BOOKING INFORMATION AND TERMS & CONDITIONS