North and west of London lies the England of legend, grandeur, intellectual brilliance, and storybook charm. It’s the countryside that inspired the likes of Thomas More, Charles Darwin, and Beatrix Potter. Now it’s our turn to be inspired. Join us on a custom-designed journey through great university towns, palatial estates, and picturesque villages. We’ll explore the academic, historic, and architectural marvels of Cambridge and Oxford. Attend a private luncheon at stately Blenheim Castle, Winston Churchill’s birthplace. Walk the storied halls of Highclere Castle (a.k.a., Downton Abbey), and meander along quintessential Cotswold country lanes. To extend our adventure, we can add a Regal London post-program option.

This is a specially arranged and designed small-group itinerary. Seize the opportunity while space is still available.

Trip Highlights

Discover the idyllic towns and villages of the English countryside.

  • Explore Cambridge University’s remarkable history and architecture, including the first building ever designed by Sir Christopher Wren
  • Take tea at the centuries-old Cambridge pub where Crick and Watson cracked the DNA code
  • Be inspired at Oxford University, arguably the world’s foremost incubator of thought leaders and world leaders, from Desiderius Erasmus to Indira Gandhi
  • Learn what it’s like to live in modern-day Oxford during a specially arranged forum with local residents
  • Glide like a Countess of Grantham through the lush grounds and grand halls of Highclere Castle — the real-life Downton Abbey
  • Stop at Winston Churchill’s grave in Bladon, and take an exclusive guided tour of his birthplace, Blenheim Palace, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture 
  • Gain insights into the English countryside’s cultural traditions and timeless way of life while visiting historic Cotswold villages
  • Follow the Roman-built Fosse Way to the delightful market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, known for its high-quality antique shops and cozy pubs
  • Discover the village of Bibury, whose tiny cottages and dreamlike vistas will make you feel like you’ve stepped into the Shire in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit