Literary Tour of England

(13 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
London, Oxfordshire & Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, Hampshire, Surrey

Explore England’s rich literary and cultural traditions at their sources on this private luxury tour through the land of Shakespeare, Milton, Austen and Woolf. During flexible touring, visit English landmarks, homes of authors, places that inspired favorite British writers, historic houses and gardens and much more.

Begin in London, one of the world's greatest cities. Discover the best of London—heritage architecture, fascinating museums, important historic attractions, exclusive boutiques, traditional pubs and incredible food markets—during private touring customized to your interests. Visit sites related to authors and notable literary characters such as the Charles Dickens Museum, the Keats House, Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey, Hotel Cafe Royal, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Sherlock Holmes Museum, the British Library and Harry Potter locations, according to your interests. Also tour famous landmarks such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, Covent Garden, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. Perhaps explore other incredible museums around the city such as the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, Churchill War Rooms, Sir John Soane's Museum, the Tate Modern or the Tate Britain. Also visit hidden squares, renowned British shops, atmospheric tea rooms and other highlights. One day, continue touring in London, or opt to take an excursion to a literary destination outside London such as Canterbury, Hampton Court Palace or the Harry Potter Studios.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure will also arrange reservations for dining and afternoon tea, book tickets to performances, and provide recommendations for the best shopping in London. Accommodation is at one of London's best luxury hotels.

Continue into the English countryside to Oxfordshire and Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, a refined luxury estate with extensive grounds, including vegetable gardens that provide fresh produce for the hotel's renowned restaurant. En route, stop at one of the oldest continuously operating pubs in England (recorded in the 11th-century Domesday Book), and perhaps also visit Milton’s Cottage, the historic house where poet John Milton wrote Paradise Lost.

One morning, enjoy a guided tour of Oxford and the University of Oxford, one of the most prestigious universities in the world. During private touring customized to your interests, visit sites associated with notable Oxford residents such as J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), as well as Harry Potter filming locations. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange tours of the renowned Bodleian Library and Divinity School. Also visit a landmark pub where Lewis, Tolkien and friends met weekly to discuss literature. In the afternoon, take a private excursion to Stratford-upon-Avon, a picturesque riverside town famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. During private touring, visit the most important historic homes and sites associated with the bard and his family, such as Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Hall’s Croft.

En route to Bath, see Stonehenge, an iconic ring of standing stones that’s one of England’s most enduring landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Continue with your expert driver-guide to Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city. During private touring, see the ancient Roman baths, the 18th-century Pump Room that long attracted British society, the elegant Georgian architecture of the Royal Crescent, and local gardens, antiques shops and other attractions. Visit locations that inspired Jane Austen, one of Bath’s most famous residents, and her novels. Additional options include exploring landscaped gardens designed by Capability Brown or taking an excursion to Salisbury Cathedral to see the landmark church and its copy of the Magna Carta.

Next, visit Hampshire, and stay at a luxurious manor resort. Enjoy the best of the refined English country lifestyle, including the historic architecture and beautiful scenery of the resort, as well as its excellent spa and dining facilities. Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities on the grounds and in the surrounding countryside such as fishing, horseback riding, golf, croquet, tennis, secluded picnics along the river and visits to local villages. One day, enjoy a private excursion to Highclere Castle (the filming location for the Downton Abbey TV series). Also visit Jane Austen’s House, a museum dedicated to the author in the house where she wrote her novels.

Continue to Surrey. During private touring in Surrey and Kent, visit historic houses and gardens steeped in literary heritage. Touring is tailored to your interests and can include highlights such as Sissinghurst Castle Garden, the renowned gardens created by novelist Vita Sackville-West; nearby Monk’s House, the country cottage of Virginia Woolf; and Charleston, the atmospheric house and garden of Vanessa Bell that was frequented by members of the Bloomsbury Group. Other options include Bateman’s, the 17th-century home of Rudyard Kipling that has well-preserved interiors and a celebrated rose garden designed by the author; Knole, one of England’s largest historic houses and the inspiration for Woolf’s Orlando; the gardens that inspired Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden; Ashdown Forest, the inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood in the Winnie-the-Pooh books; Chartwell, the country estate of Winston Churchill; and Hever Castle & Gardens, the picturesque castle and childhood home of Anne Boleyn.

Return to London for a final night.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange tickets to literary festivals and performances at Shakespeare’s Globe in London and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. We can also recommend the best places to browse for rare books and make reservations for special meals and afternoon tea. This tour can easily be extended to incorporate touring in other famed literary destinations such as Cornwall, Yorkshire and the Lake District.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world