PRIVATE BEDS, BUCKS & HERTS TOURS | couples • families • small groups

BEDS, BUCKS & HERTS
Choose your own regional day tour from our variety of options...

● Day-tour options from London in private vehicle with accredited driver-guide.
● Tailor-made for couples, families or small private groups (up to 7 persons).
● Pick-up/drop-off at any London hotel or residence. Typical timings: 09:00-18:00.
● Subject to openings & availability. Any admission fees payable on entry.
● Price (per car): 1-2 persons=£400.00; 3-4=£440.00; 5-7=£480.00. Admissions extra.

Tour Choice A: select any 2 from the 10 options below to create your full-day tour:

Option 1: Bicester Designer Village
Fancy an afternoon of designer shopping? Bicester Village is a neat complex of outlets specialising in the very best designer brands. All the great international brands have their own store here: Aquascutum, Armani, Boss, Burberry, Choo, DKNY, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Hilfiger, Klein, Lauren, Millen, Prada, St Laurent, Versace, Westwood. And all offer discounts on their top ranges.
● Usually open daily. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 2: Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park. Coming soon.
● Usually open daily. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 3: Hatfield House
Just over the Cambridgeshire border in Hertfordshire we find Hatfield House, a magnificent stately home with royal connections: it was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth I. After she took the throne she continued to return, holding her first council here in 1558. The house features the famous ‘Rainbow Portrait’ of Elizabeth, the first to portray her in her classic image, marketed and branded as 'Gloriana - the Virgin Queen'.
● May-Sep: Wed-Sun. Entrance fee payable.

Option 4: Knebworth
Knebworth. Coming soon.
● Usually open daily. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 5: Leavesden Harry Potter Studio Tour
At Leavesden in North London is one of the most exciting attractions to open in the capital for many years: the film company Warner Brothers have built a superb Studio Tour and Exhibition called 'The Making of Harry Potter'. Visitors can explore iconic sets from the movies such as the Great Hall at Hogwarts, Dumbledore’s office and Diagon Alley. Plus the Gryffindor common room, Hagrid's hut, and the Potion classroom. View original props such as Harry's flying broomstick, Hagrid's motorcycle, and the Hogwarts Sorting Hat, and find out about special effects, animatronics and CGI. There are exclusive video pieces featuring the cast and crew, plus a studio cafe and souvenir shop. Wizard!
● Usually open daily. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 6: St Albans
St Albans was the first major town for travellers heading north out of Roman Londinium. The town has some extensive Roman remains that can be visited: a theatre, a hypocaust, city walls and city gate. Nearby, the Verulamium museum features some of the finest Roman mosaics and wall plasters outside the Mediterranean. The town was renamed after the Saint Alban, the first British Christian martyr. A Benedictine abbey was founded on his execution site. The present building dates back to 1077. It was once the most important abbey in England and the first draft of Magna Carta was written here. A mediaeval market grew up around the abbey, and history continued to have an impact on the town. The town still features a mediaeval pub, The Fighting Cocks, one of the oldest in England, which can still be visited. Today St Albans is still a thriving market town, although officially designated a city.
● Usually open daily. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 7: Stowe Gardens
Stowe was built in the 18th century by the Temple family, the richest in the UK. No expense was spared on the property. The greatest gardeners and architects of the time worked on it, including John Vanbrugh, Robert Adam, William Kent, James Gibbs and Capability Brown. They created the most influential stately home and landscape gardens in the country. In fact, it was the first garden to have its own guide book for visitors (1744). By the 19th century, thanks in part to the money spent on Stowe, they became the UK's biggest debtors. In 1848, the creditors moved in, and in what was termed the 'sale of the century' the interior was emptied. However, the National Trust preservation society took over and restored Stowe, according to them: 'Britain’s largest work of art'.
● Mar-Oct: Wed-Sun; Nov-Feb: Sat & Sun. Entrance fee payable.

Option 8: Waddesdon Manor
Waddesdon Manor. Coming soon.
● Usually open daily. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 9: Woburn Abbey
Woburn Abbey. Coming soon.
● Usually open daily. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 10: Wrest Park Gdns
Recently restored to former glory by the preservation society English Heritage, Wrest Park is one of Britain's largest and most important historical gardens. Part of a country estate located in the county of Bedfordshire, it comprises a Grade I listed French-style country mansion, parkland woodland and formal gardens. The present house was built in the 1830s and some rooms are open to the public. The landscape covers 90-acres with miles of pathways to help the visitor enjoy the features which include pavilions, canals, lakes, statues and fountains. The formal sections include Italian and rose gardens. The eastern part of the gardens contains a memorial column dedicated to Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, the great 18th century English landscape architect most responsible for the look and feel of Wrest Park.
● Opening times for 2012 not published yet. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Tour Choice B: Select any 1 from our 3 full-day tour options below:

Option 1: Hi-Definition Tour: A Day in St Albans
Our special Hi-Definition Tours are perfect for those wanting a more singular tour experience. The tour is focussed on just one town, which means less time spent in the vehicle, and more time to enjoy a fuller day. Discuss your options with your guide. For example, you might prefer more detailed tours of local attractions, or have some time alone for a spot of shopping, or relax with a leisurely lunch. Perhaps a combination of all three! It's your tour and your choice.

This particular tour brings us to St Albans, was once an ancient British tribal settlement. The Romans named it Verulamium. It was the first major town for travellers heading north out of Londinium and became the second-largest town in Roman Britain after the capital. The town has some extensive Roman remains that can be visited: a theatre, dated to around 130AD, a hypocaust (underfloor heating system), city walls and city gate. Nearby, the Verulamium museum features some of the finest Roman mosaics and wall plasters outside the Mediterranean. Highlights include the perfectly intact Shell Mosaic, bronze Venus figurine, and Roman glass jug. The town was renamed after the first British Christian martyr. Saint Alban was a local Roman soldier beheaded on the orders of the anti-Christian Roman authorities. He is said to have sheltered an injured priest and helped him to elude capture. St Alban was beheaded as a traitor. His severed head is said to have rolled down the hill from the execution site and into a sacred well.

A Benedictine abbey was founded on the execution site. The present building dates back to 1077. It was once the most important abbey in England and the first draft of Magna Carta was written here. It was made a cathedral in 1877, 800 years after its completion. One of the oldest schools in the world, St Albans School, was founded on abbey grounds in 948AD. A mediaeval market grew up around the abbey, and history continued to have an impact on the town. Two battles of the Wars of the Roses took place here in the 15th century. The town still features a mediaeval pub, The Fighting Cocks, one of the oldest in England, which can still be visited. Today St Albans is still a thriving market town, although officially designated a city.
● Usually open daily. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 2: Land of the Literary Giants
Coming soon.
● Usually open daily. Your tour starts after an initial fast-track out from London and you will be escorted personally by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 3: Roman Britain - St Albans
Click here for this Hertfordshire tour option in our British History section.

ALL ENQUIRIES CLICK HERE. FOR BOOKINGS CLICK HERE.

PRICE OPTIONS:

BEDS, BUCKS & HERTS CHOICE: PERSONALLY-GUIDED FULL DAY TOUR OPTIONS	PRICE (Full day 9 hours).
BY PRIVATE CAR (1-2 passengers)	£400.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.
BY PRIVATE CAR (3-4 passengers)	£440.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.
BY PRIVATE CAR (5-7 passengers)	£480.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.

HOW THE TOUR WORKS:

● Important note: 'Private tour' means a privately chartered guided tour. It does not entail exclusive private access. 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 friendly qualified guide (or driver-guide for car tours) providing a knowledgeable commentary, and assisting with practical issues. Where venues offer in-house guides or audio devices, your guide will still escort you.

● 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 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 or at a start time of your request. The duration of this tour is timed from pick-up to drop-off and 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:

STEP 1: Send e-mail to tours@yourlondontours.com with the following information:
● Name or brief description of tour required.
● Date service required.
● Number of adults/children, age of children.
● Full address of hotel, place of residence or venue to be picked up from or met.
● Special interests or information to help us make your tour more enjoyable.
● Lead contact name and full billing address.
● Home phone number or cell phone number.

STEP 2: On receiving this information we will e-mail a reply confirming availability, price and payment procedure. If the tour is unavailable, eg, attractions are closed or we are fully booked, we will inform you or provide details of another operator.

STEP 3: If you are happy with your tour booking please make payment as directed.
Payments can take up to 48 hrs to process. On receiving payment, we will e-mail a tour confirmation and receipt. Please check details carefully and e-mail us with any queries.

BOOKING POLICY AND NOTES:
• Bookings are dealt with on a one-to-one basis via e-mail only.
• We do not accept bookings with less than 72 hours notice.
• To secure your preferred date we recommend booking well in advance.
• All tours subject to availability. Booking will not go ahead until availability is confirmed.
• Tour is not guaranteed to go ahead until 100% of payment is received.
• Administration fees may be added for extensive itineraries or supplementary guide hire.
• We do not arrange flights, accommodation, travel tickets or tickets for events.
• We do not usually pre-book tickets for attractions. We recommended these are paid
for at the gate on the day. In circumstances where pre-booking is the only option for
attractions, tickets must be paid for in advance and are non-refundable.

FOR ENQUIRIES CLICK HERE. FOR BOOKINGS CLICK HERE.

Vehicle spec:
Silver Mercedes-Benz Viano V6, seven-passenger luxury people carrier, high-spec interior trim with leather seats, armrests, headrests, air-conditioning, climate control, sound system, front and rear electric sunroof, sliding passenger doors, luggage space.

Driver-guide info:
Our driver-guides are smartly presented, knowledgeable and friendly. They are professionally qualified and drive fully insured private hire vehicles. They carry the 'Blue Badge' accreditation allowing them to conduct tours, walks and interior visits of the major London venues and many other attractions in the UK.