Discover the UK's heritage, built and natural, and take castle tours with an expert. Explore historic buildings and museums during a city break.

Throughout 2011 there will be a range of historical short breaks on offer including some new themes and others that are back by popular demand. Additional tours are added throughout the year so keep checking this page and the News & Publications page and add this site to your “favourites”. This is a brief summary of tours and further information and costs are available on application, please see contact us page.

EASTER IN MIDDLE ENGLAND 22/25 APRIL 2011
FROM THE WROXTON HOUSE HOTEL, NR BANBURY ***
 
The location is perfect; a typical English village with a duck pond and this small but comfortable and welcoming hotel. One of the highlights of this break is a private tour of Broughton Castle, one of the few properties to be awarded five stars by Sir Simon Jenkins, author of England’s 1000 Best Houses.

Discover the fascinating history of the house as you tour the Great Hall, which was the setting for the dance scene in Shakespeare in Love, the Queen’s Chamber and other historic rooms. The gardens are picturesque with topiary, water and beautiful borders. An entire day will be devoted to historic Warwick - not just the impressive castle that dominates this small city but many of the other medieval buildings including the Lord Leycester Hospital. We’ll see the stunning Elizabethan Garden and the magnificent ruined castle at Kenilworth, where Elizabeth 1 was lavishly entertained. We travel further afield to tour Rockingham Castle near Market Harborough. This stronghold was crucial in helping William the Conqueror subdue his new kingdom as the castle was not only a fortress but an important seat of government.

Broughton Castle

HISTORIC CORNWALL 16/20 MAY 2011
FROM THE CRANTOCK BAY HOTEL, WEST PENTIRE ***
(Including coach transfers to and from the hotel from Exeter Railway Stations which has excellent rail links to London and other parts of the country)
 
Cornwall has magnificent fortresses in stunning locations and it is a beautiful county to visit in springtime when bulbs and flowering shrubs are in bloom. Discover the castles of Cornwall from Henry VIII’s twin fortresses of Pendennis and St Mawes to Tintagel, rich in Arthurian legend. Tintagel occupies a truly spectacular coastal location and we’ll tour the ruins of this 13th century castle built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall. St Mawes and Pendennis Castle were built to defend the Fal Estuary; St Mawes being the most perfectly preserved of Henry’s coastal fortresses.

At Pendennis there is much to explore including a First World War guardhouse, a 16th century keep complete with Tudor gun deck and underground tunnels.
We’ll take a short ferry trip across the estuary which separates Falmouth from the picturesque port of St Mawes. Other visits include Restormel Castle, once the home to Edward, the Black Prince, Okehampton Castle and St Michael’s Mount, a spectacular castle and private home that is reached by causeway or boat from Marazion. The Crantock Bay is a delightful family run hotel on overlooking Crantock Bay on the north coast of Cornwall. For those who like to take an evening stroll or an early morning walk, there are good coastal paths.

National Trust Photo Library

English Heritage Photo Library

OSBORNE HOUSE (A PRIVATE VIEW) AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT 9/12 MAY 2011
FROM THE ROYAL HOTEL AT VENTNOR **** (Including transfers to and from central London on Day 1 and Day 4)
 
A private guided tour of the richly furnished apartments at Queen Victoria’s favourite seaside home offers an intimate glimpse into the private family life of Britain’s longest reigning monarch. Osborne House remains much as it was when Queen Victoria died in 1901

There will time to enjoy the beautiful gardens and see Swiss Cottage, where the royal children played. As we explore the Isle of Wight we can discover 800 years of history at Carisbrooke Castle which was the home of Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter.

St Mildred’s Church at Whippingham, designed by Prince Albert, was where the royal family worshipped when staying on the island and other visits include Yarmouth Castle, Quarr Abbey and Carisbrooke Castle, the only remaining medieval castle on the Isle of Wight. We visit the delightful National Trust gardens of Mottistone Manor, the impressive plant collections at Ventnor Botanic Gardens and we enjoy a tour of Nunwell House, a private home of architectural and historical interest - it was here that Charles 1 spent his last night of freedom. There is an interesting military collection, fine furniture and tranquil gardens.

English Heritage Photo Library

GREAT CASTLES OF NORTH WALES 5/8 JUNE 2011
FROM THE IMPERIAL HOTEL, LLANDUDNO ****
(Includes transfers from Chester Station on Day 1 and Day 4)

We spend a whole day exploring the walled city of Conwy, dominated by its mighty castle and guarded by no less than 22 towers. Mighty Caernarvon Castle is possibly the most famous of Welsh castles - its sheer scale and commanding presence set it apart from the rest. Beaumaris Castle, on the Island of Anglesey, is endlessly fascinating with no less than four successive lines of fortifications. Like Conwy Castle and Caernarvon Castle, this was yet another of Edward 1 iron ring castles that were an attempt to stamp his authority on the Welsh. After a private tour of Bodelwyddan Castle, we will see the spectacular “Marble Church” at St Margaret's, Bodelwyddan. Its name comes from the thirteen different kinds of marble within the interior.

Its finely built tower and delicately carved and graceful spire can be seen for miles in every direction and it provides an outstanding landmark of never-failing attractiveness. Llandudno is one of the finest traditional seaside resorts in the world and the beach on the West Shore has glorious views of Snowdonia and Anglesey. The four star Imperial Hotel offers excellent accommodation and service and has been awarded AA Hotel of the Year Wales 2010 – 2011.

CADW

BORDER ABBEYS AND CASTLES 20/24 JUNE 2011
FROM THE OTTERBURN TOWER HOTEL, NORTHUMBRIA ***
(Includes transfers from Newcastle on Day 1 and Day 4)
 
We return to The Otterburn Tower Hotel to explore several border towns and the ruined12th Century Abbeys at Melrose, Kelso and Jedburgh, the latter thought to be the largest of the Border Abbeys.

Turbulent times have left a legacy of castles and fortified towers in this border countryside and we’ll see the 14th century Etal Castle, Smailholm, Norham and Hermitage Castles as well as the site of the Battle of Flodden.

Walter Scott, who was the foremost literary figure of his day, lived at Abbotsford House near Melrose and we shall visit this historic house with its beautiful formal gardens and riverside walks. We’ll also take a tour of Traquair House - Scotland’s oldest inhabited house, which has been visited by no less than 27 Scottish Kings and Queens, including Mary Queen of Scots.

Alnwick Castle

JURASSIC COASTAL CASTLES 1/4 JULY 2011
FROM THE KINGS ARMS HOTEL, DORCHESTER ***
 
Based in the heart of Thomas Hardy Country, this three-night break explores some of Dorset’s finest castles and historic properties along the Jurassic coastline, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Corfe Castle, now reduced to a majestic ruin above a pretty village, Lulworth Castle, Portland Castle and Kingston Lacy House are just some of the highlights of this programme.

English Heritage Photo Library

2/5 SEPTEMBER 2011 – WELSH BORDER CASTLES FROM THE FEATHERS
HOTEL, LUDLOW ***
 
A repeat of this popular short break based in the market town of Ludlow at the historic Feathers Hotel. Explore Ludlow and its castle, one of the strongest of the Border Castles. Discover the finest example of a thirteenth century fortified Manor house in England at Stokesay Castle and tour Croft and Goodrich Castles.

CASTLES OF NORTHUMBRIA 12/16 SEPTEMBER 2011
FROM THE OTTERBURN TOWER HOTEL ***
(Including transfers to and from Newcastle on Day 1 and Day 4)
 
Immerse yourself in Northumbria’s turbulent past and discover some of the county’s most imposing fortifications as well as Alnwick Castle and The Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Discover a formidable border castle at Carlisle, walk a section of Hadrian’s Wall and see the most complete Roman Fort in the country.

HISTORIC KENT – SEPTEMBER 2011
DATE TO BE CONFIRMED
 
We visit some of the wonderful castles built to defend Kent from invasion by continental forces from across the channel including Dover Castle with its extensive battlements, Keep and medieval tunnels.

Dover Castle’s Great Tower has been transformed into the impressive medieval palace it was when it was newly completed in 1186.

Other visits include Walmer Castle, originally an artillery fort and now an elegant stately home, Richborough Roman Fort which has impressive walls and a museum of Roman artifacts and Deal Castle - an innovative defensive coastal fort built by Henry Vlll.

NORMANDY BEACHES AND THE BAYEAUX TAPESTRY
26/30 SEPTEMBER 2011
 
Take a historical trip with Julian Humphrys across the channel to Normandy where we stay close to Omaha Beach and visit selected British, Canadian and American landing sites, memorials, museums, cemeteries and significant landmarks. We will visit Bayeux and its famous tapestry and the delightful gardens at Chateau de Brecy.

WELLINGTON AND WATERLOO 6/9 OCTOBER 2011
FROM LONDON HOTEL ***
AND THE CROWNE PLAZA BRUSSELS ****
 
We start this tour in London to discover the life and times of one of England’s most famous military heroes and then journey by Eurostar to Brussels for a two-night stay, which will include a day exploring the Waterloo Battlefield and Exhibition and the Wellington Museum. There will be time to explore the beautiful and historic city of Brussels before we return.

HISTORIC CAMBRIDGE 21/24 OCTOBER 2011
FROM THE ROYAL CAMBRIDGE HOTEL ***
 
Emmanuel College Cambridge was where our historian tour leader, Julian Humphrys, studied history and he’ll by dying to reveal more about his student days in this famous University City. During this three-night break we’ll examine the links between education and the Church with the Monarchy by exploring some of the colleges of Cambridge University and the ecclesiastical centre of Bury St Edmunds. Kings College Chapel and Evensong included.

For further details on any of these historical short
breaks, castle tours or city breaks please mail tours@brooklandtravel.com quoting “Tours Through
Time” or call 0845 1212863 or 01305 259467.

For Brookland’s Heritage and Garden Collection of tours or if you belong to a group or association and would like a tailor made tour please visit www.brooklandtravel.com.