The Wonders of Wales and England (2026)

Discover with us, North Wales — set between the Snowdonia mountain range and the Irish Sea. This spectacular region is the perfect backdrop for many ancient castles and country houses. During our time together in Wales, you’ll soon discover just why this part of the world is so special.

With a Welsh language lesson, behind-the-scenes access with castle experts, and village shopping, you’ll soon feel like a local.

Our time in Wales will include visits to iconic castles, gorgeous country houses and ancient walled towns. No visit to the area would be complete without simultaneously enjoying fine dining and luxury hotels.

Our home for two nights will be the magnificent Bodysgallen Hall Hotel & Spa, where you will indulge yourself in the luxuries of this top-rated country house hotel owned and operated by the National Trust.

Apart from our time in Wales, we will enjoy many great stops in England including magnificent Stowe House and Gardens as well as Stratford-upon-Avon and St. Albans Cathedral.

Throughout the tour you can expect special touches that set our tours apart from the rest.

Also, I am pleased to be joined on this tour by Dr. Mark Baker who is an expert on the Welsh country house. He will offer us insights into the places we will visit, and you’ll enjoy getting to know his charming persona.

So come with us and discover the Wonders of Wales and England.

My Best,
ANDREW LANNERD, TOUR DIRECTOR

SPECIAL GUEST, DR. MARK BAKER

For this tour we are pleased to be joined by Dr. Mark Baker who is a renowned Welsh architectural historian, and author of several books on Welsh country houses, the estates and their families. Mark is currently the head of the ongoing restoration project at Gwrych Castle and he will offer us behind-the-scenes access to this ongoing and fascinating project.

Day 1 - Monday

Today, as you arrive to London Heathrow, rest assured you have a short journey to Richmond-upon-Thames and the luxury of the Petersham Hotel. Upon your arrival you may want to rest or take the opportunity to explore Richmond Park, one of London’s great royal parks, or even explore the glories of The Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, which is nearby.

The early evening will include a walking tour of historic and beautiful Richmond and then our Welcome to England reception and dinner, where we will toast a great week ahead of exploration in England and Wales.

Day 2 - Tuesday

Today, after a lovely breakfast in Richmond, we will journey in a luxury coach to Stowe House and Gardens, one of England’s finest.

Late afternoon, we’ll be off to Stratford-upon-Avon where guests will enjoy an expert-led walking tour of the historical city centre including Shakespeare’s Birthplace.

The evening will be at your leisure to explore more areas of this magnificent jewel of a town. After your exploration, you’ll be relaxing in The Stratford Hotel — just a short walk from the city centre.

Day 3 - Wednesday

Today we leave England behind to explore some of the Wonders of North Wales—a beautiful land set between the Snowdonia Mountain range and the Irish Sea. A land with a distinct identity and its own national language; a land filled with majestic castles and gorgeous gardens.

Our first stop in Wales will be Conwy—a walled city and home to Conwy Castle, a stronghold of King Edward I. You’ll love your time here for the quaint shops and cafes as well as the great history to be found here.

Today, we will also enjoy an interactive Welsh language experience so you can take with you a little of the local language/dialect as we continue our time in Wales. This afternoon, we will arrive to our home for the next two nights, the magnificent Bodysgallen Hall Hotel & Spa where you will luxuriate in the elegant surroundings of this top-rated country house hotel.

This evening, we will toast another great day together over a fine 3-course meal paired with wine.

Day 4 - Thursday

After a relaxing breakfast at Bodysgallen Hall, we’ll be off for a day of exploration of some of the most beautiful castles in North Wales. We will journey to the town of Caernarfon—home of one of the strongholds of King Edward I, Caernarfon Castle. The castle is known in the present reign for its use as the backdrop for the investiture of Charles, Prince of Wales in 1969.

We will then head to Gwrych Castle where we will enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the ongoing restoration project with the person managing that work, Dr. Mark Baker. While at Gwrych, we’ll enjoy a group lunch in the picturesque surroundings of the castle.

This afternoon, you’ll have a little time to enjoy the spa at Bodysgallen or perhaps just a little rest and relaxation in the garden or the gorgeous library.

Day 5 - Friday

Today we will visit Plas Mawr, one of the finest Elizabethan town homes in the United Kingdom, where you will step into how a rich family in North Wales lived in the sixteenth century. Marvel at the fine plasterwork of this gem of Wales.

This afternoon en route back to England we will stop and enjoy some of the best views in the Snowdonia mountain region.

Tonight, we will dine and sleep at our next beautiful hotel, Ansty Hall near Coventry.

Day 6 - Saturday

Today will begin with a very special tour of St. Paul’s Walden Bury, the intimate family home of the Bowes-Lyon family and childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

After your time at St. Paul’s Walden Bury, we will head to historic St. Albans where you can wander the lovely Saturday markets or perhaps pop into the glorious Abbey church, the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain.

After your afternoon in St. Albans, we will head into Central London for a memorable dinner in London as we toast an unforgettable week exploring some of the Wonders of Wales and England.

Day 7 - Sunday