All tours on this holiday have now departed. Future departure dates will be confirmed in due course.
Visit to Eltham Palace, Henry’s childhood home
Guided tour of Hampton Court Palace
Explore the ruins at Titchfield Abbey
Visit to the Mary Rose Museum and Southsea Castle
Talks from two experts Dr Elizabeth Norton and Siobhan Clarke
In the company of Dr Elizabeth Norton explore the life of the infamous King Henry VIII. The prince that was never meant to be King left behind quite a history, from wars with France, to breaking with the Catholic Church and of course his numerous wives. In the company of Tudor historian Dr Elizabeth Norton and with the help of Hampton Court guide, Siobhan Clarke, this tour will look at Henry’s long and varied reign, the highs and the lows and the man behind the icon.
Day 1: Arrive independently at the hotel from 15.00.
Evening welcome reception, private dinner with wine and talk by Dr. Elizabeth Norton ‘Henry VIII, the Man behind the Monster’.
Day 2: Eltham Palace and guided tour of Hampton Court. Evening talk by Siobhan Clarke
Two sites inextricably linked to Henry VIII today, starting with Eltham Palace, his childhood home and the last monarch to spend any substantial amount of money on the building. In the 1930s, Stephen and Virginia Courtauld built a modern house attached to the remains of the palace creating, internally, one of the finest examples of the Art Deco style in England. A visit here is a quirky mix of the medieval and the modern. From here we head across South London to Hampton Court Palace for a guided tour. Dating back to 1515 when it was commissioned by Cardinal Wolsey, the palace was later gifted to Henry VIII and is one of only two of Henry VIII’s palaces still in existence. This evening a second talk at the hotel, ‘King & Collector: Henry VIII and the Art of Kingship’ with Hampton Court guide and author, Siobhan Clarke, who will sign copies of her book, a copy of which ls included in the tour price, followed by dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Titchfield Abbey, Mary Rose Museum and Southsea Castle
Our first visit of the day is to Titchfield Abbey dating back to the 13th century, where Elizabeth will lead a guided tour. After the suppression of the monasteries, Henry VIII gave the abbey to Sir Thomas Wriothesley, who transformed it into a grand Tudor mansion. From here we head to Portsmouth’s historic dock area and the superb Mary Rose Museum which tells the story of the Mary Rose, pride of Henry VIII’s fleet, which lay undisturbed on the seabed of the Solent where she sank in 1545 until her rediscovery in 1971. Her salvage 11 years later uncovered a wonderfully preserved Tudor time capsule, beautifully presented in the excellent museum built to house it, which opened in 2016. Our final stop is at Southsea Castle, one of Henry VIII’s forts, where he witnessed the sinking of his flagship, the Mary Rose in the Battle of the Solent in 1545. Return to the hotel for approx. 17.00.
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion
Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 47 passengers for 2023 and 40 passengers for 2024.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Talbot Ripley
This historic coaching inn is now a four-star hotel, nestled in the heart of the picturesque Surrey village of Ripley. It has many period features from throughout its 500-year history, as well as the benefits of an extensive contemporary refurbishment. Bedrooms all have private bathroom facilities, TV, telephone, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
Parking is available for guests at the rear of the property. Overnight onsite parking is subject to availability and is charged at £10 per 24 hour period.
Talbot Ripley Website
Your expert speaker and guide – Dr Elizabeth Norton
Dr Elizabeth Norton is a British historian, specialising in the early modern period. She has degrees from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, as well as a PhD from King’s College London, where she has taught History. She has published widely, including the critically acclaimed ‘The Lives of Tudor Women’ (Head of Zeus, 2016) and biographies of four of Henry VIII’s wives, her PhD thesis looked at Catholicism in Elizabethan England. She regularly appears on television, including the recent BBC series, ‘The Boleyns, A Scandalous Family’, on which she also acted as Historical Advisor.
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
We were delayed going to Hampton Court because of an accident on the M25. However, many thanks to Steve the Tour Manager for getting us there, Siobhan at HC for ensuring we got the best out of our reduced time, plus Elizabeth our guest lecturer, who was fun, approachable and very kindly signed one of her books for me. Best wishes to all - hope we meet again sometime.
Review by Hughes who travelled 25-September-2024
Review by Anonymous who travelled 25-September-2024
A very good tour with excellent information from Elizabeth .
Review by Anonymous who travelled 25-September-2024
Excellent trip. Dr. Norton's lectures so interesting. Nic Hancock and excellent tour manager. There was a bit of a glitch over car parking but it was resolved.
Review by Thorniley who travelled 10-November-2023
Elizabeth is very knowledgable, the reception talk was excellent and she provided a wonderful running commentary when out on location. - Nick is a very proficient tour manager. - Great tour!
Review by Anonymous who travelled 10-November-2023
Thoroughly enjoyed our two days during which time we visited some very interesting places relating to Henry VIII. Elizabeth kept us well informed regarding their background history and Tony did an excellent job keeping us all in check!
Review by Wright who travelled 10-November-2023
Excellent and enjoyable programme of tours.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 10-November-2023
Review by Anonymous who travelled 10-November-2023
An excellent tour, with a fantastic tour leader
Review by Anonymous who travelled 10-November-2023
I should like to compliment your speakers on the tour who were excellent. Coach travel was also very good. Administration was satisfactory. There were minor errors of detail with my booking e.g. an issue over not being informed at booking of Single supplement charge which was in the event waived, and car parking charge at the hotel was incorrectly priced. It was in fact to my advantage in the event. Overall though a very enjoyable and interesting weekend
Review by Abington who travelled 10-November-2023