The Welsh Marches with Nicholas Merchant

A delightful new tour looking at some of the finest country houses in Hereford and Worcestershire, as well as a cider tasting, the superb Royal Worcester Porcelain Museum and Worcester Cathedral, one of the country’s most impressive.  This delightful area of England is largely overlooked, but it offers a wealth of history, scenic beauty and artistic interest, as you will discover in the company of the inimitable Nicholas Merchant, whose knowledge, humour and enthusiasm has been entertaining Travel Editions’ guests for some fifteen years.  Highlights include Stokesay Castle, one of the country’s finest fortified houses, Berrington Hall and Croft Castle.  An unusual addition to this lovely new tour is a cider tour and tasting at Newton Court, adding another dimension to this appealing destination.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive independently at the Bank House Hotel in Worcester from 15.00. A cream tea on arrival will help you settle in after your journey.  This evening there will be a talk from Nicholas Merchant on “The History of Berrington”, in preparation for your visit tomorrow, then dinner at the hotel. 

Day 2 Stokesay Castle and Berrington Hall
Our tour starts with Stokesay Castle, one of the earliest and finest fortified manor houses in the country that dates back to 1291, built to the sophisticated tastes of Laurence of Ludlow, the castle’s creator.   Its impressive Great Hall remains largely unchanged and offers a fascinating glimpse into medieval life, and it also boasts two towers and a picturesque, bright yellow,  17^th timber-framed gatehouse.   There will be time for lunch here (not included) before heading to Berrington Hall.  A neoclassical 18th-century mansion designed by Henry Holland, set in 'Capability' Brown's final landscape and gardens, it has been home to the Harley, Rodney and Cawley families for centuries and is now owned by the National Trust.  It is one of the few masterpieces of the architect Henry Holland's to survive intact and boasts a grand ionic portico, stunning interior paintwork and Holland’s most sophisticated experiment in space, light and colour – the Staircase Hall.  Dinner at the hotel (drinks not included).

Day 3 Croft Castle, Newton Court Cider tour and tasting.
Another “castle” to start today, though Croft Castle’s castellated features were designed more for decoration than defence.  Dating back to the 17^th century, it has been, and remains, home to the Croft family, set in 1500 acres of parkland, replete with impressive manor house, delightful gardens, a church and tea room.  After lunch (not included) we will head to nearby Newton Court, whose ciders, perries and juices are renowned.  Here we will enjoy a fascinating tour to see the production process and the orchards.  The tour ends, of course, with a tasting of the wares.  Back to the hotel late afternoon with a second talk from Nicholas, “An introduction to Worcester Porcelain,” one of his passions before dinner at the hotel (drinks not included).

Day 4 Royal Worcester Porcelain Museum and Worcester Cathedral.
Birthplace of Edward Elgar, Worcester is a much under-rated city with an attractive city centre, dominated by its magnificent Cathedral.  Our day here will concentrate on two principal attractions, starting with the Royal Worcester Porcelain Museum, which explores 250 years of social, food and design history that connects Worcester porcelain with the rest of the world.  It contains some of the earliest porcelain made in England as well as iconic objects, such as Lord Nelson’s breakfast teapot.  We’ll have a light lunch here, served on Royal Worcester tableware, of course, before heading the short distance to Worcester’s Cathedral, one of the triumvirate – along with Hereford and Gloucester – that host the wonderful Three Choirs Festival each year, which has been a mainstay of the Travel Editions’ programme for many years.  The cathedral was founded in 680, with the present building on the banks of the River Severn begun in 1084 and has been a continuous place of worship for 1400 years.  After a self-guided tour, take the spiral staircase up 46 steps for a guided tour of the Library which contains a number of medieval manuscripts.  Return to the hotel for approximately 16.15.

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 25 passengers.

INCLUDED

• Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Bank House Hotel,  based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Welcome reception and three-course dinner with wine
• Second and third dinners in the hotel restaurant
• Welcome cream tea and one lunch
• All talks, guided tours and admissions as detailed
• Coach touring itinerary and tour manager throughout

NOT INCLUDED

• Transport to the hotel is not included
• Double for Sole Use supplement 
• Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis 
• Holiday insurance 
• Meals other than those stated 
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc 
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTEL

Bank House Hotel, nr Worcester

Located about 4 miles from the centre of Worcester, the four star BW Premier Bank House Hotel is the ideal base for this tour.  Set in extensive grounds with a golf course, this attractive hotel offers a bar, restaurant, and spa with indoor pool. The comfortable bedrooms offer modern en-suite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi and flatscreen TV.

Complimentary car parking is available at the hotel. 

Hotel Website