Tour Details

'The Rise of the Tudors’ Tour is a 6 night/ 7 day, luxury, fully escorted tour exploring the rise of one of the most famous royal dynasties of all time, The Tudors.

As part of a small group you will visit Castles and Cathedrals in Wales and the border counties, returning each evening to our luxury hotel in comfort and style on our luxury air-conditioned coach.

Gareth Russell, best-selling author and historian accompanies Philippa Brewell, your dedicated Tour Manager, as resident tour historian. Other historians will be joining us to deliver fascinating talks, at which you will be able to ask questions, have books signed and get photos.

The tour group will begin by meeting at our convenient pick-up point in London before heading to beautiful Wales, where we will stay for two nights. Using our luxury hotel as a base, the tour will visit Pembroke Castle and Raglan Castle, both closely associated with the early life of Henry VII.

We then come back over the border, into England, to visit more Cathedrals and Castles associated with the early Tudors. Winchester, the birthplace of Arthur Tudor, Gloucester Cathedral which saw huge change with each Tudor monarch, Ludlow Castle where Arthur Tudor died and Worcester Cathedral where he is buried.

If this is the one for you, don't delay, click the 'Book Now' button, below.

Tour Highlights

• Best-selling author and historian Gareth Russell, is our dedicated Tour Historian

• Visit Castles and Cathedrals in Wales and the Border Counties

• Talks from Eminent Historians

• Expert Guided Tours

The Itinerary

Day 1 - 21st September

Welcome Reception. Talk from Gareth Russell

We will meet at our designated, convenient, pick-up point in London, where you will board our private coach, bound for our first hotel, in Wales. After checking in to your room, you will have time to relax before we meet for a Welcome Drinks Reception.

The evening continues with a talk from our Historian for the Tour, Gareth Russell followed by a three-course meal.

Day 2 - 22nd September

Pembroke Castle

Enjoy a lovely breakfast before we head off for a day at Pembroke Castle. Explore the birthplace of Henry VII, and see the room in which he is supposed to have been born.

This evening we will enjoy a three-course meal together before free time to relax and pack.

Day 3 - 23rd September

Raglan Castle. Gloucester Cathedral

After breakfast and check out, we board our private coach for a morning at Raglan Castle, where Henry VII spent his early years.

The afternoon is spent at Gloucester Cathedral, where we will enjoy a guided tour of the cathedral and you will see, amongst other things, some of the best preserved cloisters anywhere in England and the tomb of a deposed King of England.

We continue our day with a short coach drive to our second hotel, Tewkesbury Park. After check in, you will have a little time to settle into your room, with its views over the Worcestershire countryside, before we meet for our evening talk, in our private dining room.

Our talk this evening 'Henry Tudor: Rise to the Throne' is given by historian and author, Nathen Amin. Nathen's talk will be followed by a 3-course dinner.

Day 4 - 24th September

Winchester

Winchester, the ancient capital of Wessex, was the choice of location for Henry VII's Queen, Elizabeth of York, to give birth to their first child. The child was a boy and he was christened Arthur.

We will visit the Cathedral, which years after Arthur's birth, saw the marriage of Mary I to Philip of Spain.

(More activities to be announced)

Day 5 - 25th September

Ludlow Castle. St Laurences Church

The hopes and dreams of the fledgling Tudor dynasty seemed secure in Henry VII and Elizabeth of York's eldest son, Arthur, Prince of Wales. Following his wedding to the Spanish Princess, Catherine of Aragon, the couple took up residence at Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, close to the Welsh Border. Tragedy struck just 6 months later when the couple both feel gravely ill. Catherine survived but Arthur, sadly, died at the Castle.

We will spend the morning at Ludlow Castle before having some free time to explore the beautiful town of Ludlow, with its many Tudor buildings.

In the afternoon we will visit St Laurence's Church, where Arthur's heart is buried before returning to our hotel, with its views out over the Worcestershire countryside.

In the evening we will be joined by a historian for a talk, followed by dinner in our private dining room.

Day 6 - 26th September

Worcester Cathedral

Our last full day is spent in Worcester, visiting the ancient Cathedral, where Arthur Tudor is buried. Arthur's Chantry is something to behold and as you explore it, you are following in the exact footsteps of his neice, Elizabeth I, when she visited in 1575.

On our final evening together, we will meet for pre-dinner drinks before a sit down meal. After this, you will have free time to enjoy your surroundings and pack.

Day 7 - 27th September

Final Farewells

After a relaxed breakfast we check out and return to London to our convenient drop off point, and final farewells.

Event organiser is British History Tours.