Food and Drink in Britain—Tea
Experience afternoon tea in many magnificent tea rooms while visiting some of England's beautiful cities, towns and villages. From Harrods in London travel through Kent and to the South West for a Devon Cream Tea before visiting the Cotswolds, then learn about Wedgewood pottery in the Midlands. Take in the inspirational scenery and teas in the Lake District before indulging in Betty's Tea Rooms in Harrogate and York. This tour is very extensive and of course can be shortened as necessary. It will serve to give you an idea on the geographical range of Tea Tours that we operate. If you have an interest in a specific type of Afternoon Tea or Cream Tea then please get in touch and our team will develop a tour for your particular requirements.
SAMPLE DAILY ITINERARY BELOW
SOME OF THE TOUR’S SIGHTS.
Day 1 — Arrival London
On arrival meet with your professional tour guide before experiencing an introductory tour of some famous London landmarks passing Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament and The River Thames. Overnight stay in London.
Day 2 — London
Depart on an extend but relaxing tour of London beginning at the Victoria and Albert Museum with a curator lead talk exploring the history of tea drinking, from its origins in China and East India to its popularity in Victorian Britain. Find out more about the traditional Japanese tea ceremony and look at tea paraphernalia, including the teapots on displays in our Ceramics galleries.
Not just a history of tea drinking but also of social behaviour, design, technology, international trade and many other fields. Visits are made to Harrods in Knightsbridge and Fortnum and Mason with plenty of free time. Meet later in the day to enjoy a full Afternoon Tea at an iconic London venue. Overnight stay in London.
Day 3 — London
Today visit The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a World Heritage Site located in 121 stunning hectares of beautiful landscape beside the river Thames between Richmond and Kew in south-west London. See many of the 30,000 types of plants during the guided tour of the gardens. Stay and enjoy tea at one of the fine catering venues, The Orangery, Victoria Terrace Café or The Pavilion. Continue to Hampton Court Palace. See the stunning state rooms and over 60 acres of spectacular riverside gardens, have tea at the Tiltyard cafe (originally used for jousting by Henry VIII) or the Privy Kitchen coffee shop Overnight stay in London.
Day 4 — Kent
Depart this morning for a visit to Chapeldown Wines and a guided tour of the winery, hearing about the history of English wine and the processes behind production, and of course a tasting! Continue, via the White Cliffs of Dover, to Canterbury and enjoy a river cruise on the River Stour and visit to the Cathedral before heading to Royal Tunbridge Wells and the hotel. Overnight stay in Kent.
Day 5 — Kent
This morning visit and tour Chartwell, the family home of Sir Winston from 1924 until his death. The rooms and garden remain much as he left them and the beautiful terraced gardens provide superb views. Travel to Royal Tunbridge Wells to explore at leisure, seek out some of the 35 plus antique shops and have tea at a street café. Overnight stay in Kent.
Day 6 — Winchester
Journey west and pause in the village of Chawton to visit Jane Austen's home before pausing in a Hampshire village for an afternoon tea in a very English rural setting. Continue to Winchester, England's ancient capital and former seat of King Alfred the Great, on the edge of the South Downs. Overnight stay in Winchester.
Day 7 — Winchester
Visit Winchester Cathedral this morning where the first English King, King Egbert, was crowned in 827. The Cathedral features the longest nave of any English church, as well as some fine examples of Norman architecture. Also in the church is the tomb of author Jane Austen. Remainder of the day is at leisure in Winchester, a treasure trove of English heritage packed with historic buildings, monuments and museums waiting to be explored including perhaps The Round Table made famous by King Arthur and the Knights of Camelot. Overnight stay in Winchester.
Day 8 — Stonehenge
En route to Exeter stop to marvel at the great and ancient stone circle of Stonehenge and wonder at the 5000 years of history. Exeter's long heritage means there are plenty of monuments and historical attractions and the excellent selection of bars, cafes and restaurants make Exeter a vibrant place to be after dark. Visit Exeter Cathedral which has the longest unbroken stretch of Gothic stone vaulting in the world before enjoying a tour of the medieval Underground Passages dating from the 14th century. Overnight stay in Exeter.
Day 9 — Torquay
Travel to Torquay and take an exclusive trip from Torquay Harbour to Agatha Christie's Greenway and enjoy the garden that occupies a hillside perch, overlooking the River Dart. Enjoy a famous Devon cream tea in the award winning Barn Gallery Cafe at Greenway House. Spend the remainder of day at leisure to explore the Cockington Country Park. Overnight stay in Exeter.
Day 10 — North Devon Coast
Visit Dartington Crystal Visitor Centre where a team of up to 12 craftsmen led by a master glassblower make each piece of Dartington Crystal a true original. Continue to the tiny traffic free secluded fishing village of Clovelly that "hangs" on a 400ft cliff and explore the little passageways and tiny winding lanes down to the small harbour protected by an ancient stone breakwater. Overnight stay in North Devon
Days 11 — Glastonbury
This morning travel to legendary Glastonbury to visit the Abbey and find out more about Avalon. In the afternoon enjoy a journey in the stunning countryside including a stop for afternoon tea of course. Overnight stay in Bath.
Day 12 — Bath
Bath, a World Heritage City and one of England's most beautiful, elegant and historic cities. Take a walking tour to see the graceful Georgian architecture
visiting The Jane Austen Centre, The Museum of Costume, and The Assembly Rooms, one of Bath"s finest Georgian buildings and central to the city's social life. Complete a fine day with an afternoon cream tea at the Pump room. Overnight stay in Bath.
Days 13 — The Cotswolds
Travel north into the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty this morning, an area widely recognised as the hub of the antiques trade in the heart of England and where there are a multitude of small villages set in glorious countryside. Visit the Cotswolds Perfumery in Bourton-on-the-Water for a behind the scenes tour of a small family business that has been creating fine fragrances for over 40 years. Browse in the shops of the pretty villages of Burford, Stow on the Wold and Moreton-in-Marsh before continuing to Stratford-upon-Avon, a market town dating back to medieval times and birthplace of William Shakespeare. Overnight stay in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Day 14 — Stratford-upon-Avon
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Stratford, visits can be made Shakespeare's Birthplace, The Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Anne Hathaway's Cottage in the nearby walkable village of Shottery. Maybe take lunch at the Dirty Duck Restaurant, famous in theatre circles, or take a relaxing cruise on The River Avon. Overnight stay in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Day 15 — Nottingham
Head for Nottingham this morning and visit Nottingham Castle - a magnificent 17th century ducal mansion built on the site of the original Medieval Castle, with spectacular views across the city and a vibrant museum and art gallery. Explore fifteen centuries of Nottingham history, find out about Robin Hood and enjoy a leisurely lunch before continuing to Stoke. Overnight stay in Stoke-on-Trent
Day 16 — The Potteries and Chester
This morning get an insight into the life of Josiah Wedgwood, "The Father of English Potters", when visiting The Wedgwood Visitor Centre. Enjoy a fascinating tour of the Wedgwood factory, and even take the opportunity to "have a go". Later, arriving in Chester soak in the atmosphere created by an abundance of black and white buildings set in a circuit of glorious city walls and see the 13th century Rows - two-tiers of shops running along the main streets. Enjoy afternoon tea in one of the picturesque tea rooms. Overnight stay in Chester.
Day 17 — The Lake District
This morning leave for the English Lake District, the largest National Park in England and home to the highest mountain (Scafell Pike), the deepest lake (Wast Water), and the largest lake (Windermere). Visit many of the small villages and lakes and take a lake cruise. Overnight stay in The Lake District.
Day 18 — The Lake District
Continue to explore the Lakes today and enjoy a visit to Beatrix Potter World and to the farmhouse where Beatrix Potter wrote many of her famous children's stories and where many of her beloved 'treasures' are on display. Visit the Minstrels Gallery situated in The Square in Hawkshead village, a traditional tea-room in a 15th century building serving afternoon and cream teas, home-baked cakes, leaf teas and specialty coffees. For lovers of Wordsworth, visit Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum and sample the local gingerbread. Overnight stay in The Lake District.
Day 19 — Harrogate
Across to beautiful North Yorkshire and Harrogate today, renowned for its floral beauty and elegant spa buildings, which include The Royal Pump Room Museum, Mercer Gallery and Royal Baths. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in Betty's Tearoom - traditional tea, finger sandwiches and scone served with strawberry preserve and clotted cream. This evening enjoy a guided tour of Ripley Castle. Overnight stay in Harrogate.
Day 20 — York to London
Visit York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, with one of the finest collections of stained glass in existence. Then visit the York Betty's Tearoom for another indulgence of scone served with strawberry preserve and clotted cream before, continuing to London. Overnight stay in London.
Day 21 — Departure
An executive motor coach is provided for the transfer to London's Heathrow Airport.