ENGLISH CHURCHES TOUR | couples • families • small groups

CHURCHES OF ENGLAND
The jewels in the crown of the historic English landscape

● 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.

ITINERARY - CHOOSE ANY 3 FROM THE FOLLOWING 6 OPTIONS

Option 1) London: Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s & St Bart's*
Westminster Abbey is a national mausoleum, focus for royal events, and one of the world's greatest churches. Kings and queens have been crowned here for a thousand years. It was the venue for the 2011 royal wedding of 'Will & Kate'. Also Princess Diana’s memorable funeral in 1997. Your guide will take you through a gothic labyrinth where you’ll discover the royal tombs of the Virgin Queen, Bloody Mary and Mary Queen of Scots. See too, the famous Poets' Corner and the magnificent Henry VII Chapel ceiling.

St Paul’s is a symbol of national pride, focus of London spirituality, and a glorious architectural masterpiece: 50 years to build, 300 years of history. Many important events have happened here: the funerals of national heroes Wellington, Nelson and Churchill, and you may recall THAT wedding dress when Charles and Diana got married. The impressive interior boasts fantastic decor, wonderful monuments, and an inside view of the magnificent dome. Set in the historic area of Smithfield, St Bartholomew the Great is the oldest of London's churches, managing to survive fire, strife and destruction for over 900 years. A rare Norman survival, it has been used as a location in countless period movies, such as The Other Boleyn Girl and Shakespeare in Love. Other churches in London may also be visited depending on access and time available.
● Usually open Mon-Sat. *Note lower price for this tour: £380.00 (1-4 persons) or £410.00 (5-7 persons). You will be escorted personally on tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 2) Kent: Rochester Cathedral & Canterbury Cathedral
Almost 850 years ago, the Christian world was rocked by a shocking assassination. Thomas Beckett, one of the most powerful holy men in Europe, was murdered near the altar of his own Canterbury Cathedral on the King's authority. Pilgrims have been making the journey to Canterbury ever since, most famously of course, Geoffrey Chaucer and his medieval chums as they acted out the Canterbury Tales. This was first printed in the late 14th century, a few years after the great plague had ravaged the country, and has become one of the most famous books in English literature. Our own pilgrimage takes in the famous cathedral, visits the site of Beckett's murder and his shrine.

Rochester Cathedral is the second oldest in England after Canterbury. The nave is certainly the oldest in England, designed by Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester, after the Conquest of 1066. It has had an eventful history and contains a number of important tombs. It is widely regarded as one of the finest Norman cathedrals in the country. Other village churches in Kent may also be visited depending on access and time available.
● Usually open Mon-Sat. You will be escorted personally on tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 3) South of England: Winchester Cathedral & Salisbury Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral, built in 1097, is one of England’s oldest. Both Henry IV and Bloody Mary were married here. It is also the burial place of Jane Austen. Winchester is an historic city that has appeared as a movie location many times, including the recent film version of Austen's Pride and Prejudice. An old Roman town, it became the capital of England during the Dark Ages. There are strong connections with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and King Alfred the Great. The great Domesday Book was compiled here in 1086. It is the burial place of both King Canute and King Rufus, and Henry III was born here. Winchester College, founded in 1382, is the oldest public school in England.

The stunning Salisbury Cathedral is the tallest medieval building in the world. It contains an original copy of the Magna Carta, the world's earliest surviving written constitution. The cathedral’s environs were described by the writer Bill Bryson as the most beautiful place in England. Certainly both Turner and Constable found it an inspiration for their paintings. Other village churches in Hampshire, Sussex or Wiltshire may also be visited depending on access and time available.
● Usually open Mon-Sat. You will be escorted personally on tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 4) Essex & Suffolk: St Edmundsbury, Long Melford, St Peter
The eastern counties of England feature some of the very finest examples of church architecture though the centuries. The awe-inspiring St Edmundsbury Cathedral stands in the precincts of Bury St. Edmunds Abbey ruins where St Edmund, an ancient king of England, is buried. It is also the burial place of Henry VIII’s sister. The historic wool church at Long Melford is also worth a visit. In his acclaimed book England’s Thousand Best Churches, Simon Jenkins places it in his top 20.

Alternatively, if antiquity is your thing, we can visit the ancient Saxon church at Greensted. Dating back to 654AD, it is the oldest wooden church in the world. Afterwards, we can travel to the furthest eastern land limits to visit the Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall at Bradwell-on-Sea, built even earlier, in 653AD by St Cedd, a monk from the holy island of Lindisfarne. Other village churches in Suffolk & Essex may also be visited depending on access and time available.
● Usually open Mon-Sat. You will be escorted personally on tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 5) Cambridgeshire: Ely Cathedral & King’s College Chapel
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 here before being hunted down by Normans. The present cathedral was begun in 1083 with stone bought at a cost of 8,000 eels a year! It contains the longest nave in Britain. It has also featured as a movie location for Elizabeth: The Golden Age and The Other Boleyn Girl.

Meanwhile, heavenly voices abound at Cambridge in the gothic magnificence of King’s College Chapel, famous for its Christmas Carol service. Other village churches in Cambridgeshire may also be visited depending on access and time available.
● Usually open Mon-Sat. You will be escorted personally on tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

Option 6) Cotswolds: Malmesbury Abbey, Burford church, Fairford church
Malmesbury Abbey was part of a Benedictine monastery founded in 676AD and once featured the tallest church spire in the world. It uniquely survived Henry VIII’s Dissolution. The first king of England is buried here.

We then have two medieval Cotswold churches to visit, the historic wool-church at Burford, and Fairford church with its disturbing doom-window. In his acclaimed book England’s Thousand Best Churches, Simon Jenkins places both in his top 20. Other village churches in the Cotswolds may also be visited depending on access and time available.
● Usually open Mon-Sat. You will be escorted personally on tour by an officially qualified Blue Badge driver-guide.

ALL ENQUIRIES CLICK HERE. FOR BOOKINGS CLICK HERE.

PRICE OPTIONS:

CHAPELS, CHURCHES & CATHEDRALS : PERSONALLY-GUIDED FULL DAY TOUR	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.