Blenheim Palace, Oxford and Royal Windsor for Solo Travellers

Make your own way to the hotel where your experienced Tour Manager will be on hand to greet you on arrival.

Get to know your fellow travellers this evening as you relax over an evening meal with a drink.

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we depart by coach and travel to the royal borough of Windsor, where we embark on a scenic cruise along the Thames. Enjoy the views from the top deck as we venture upstream past the famous royal Windsor Racecourse and Eton College, before heading downstream to see the most famous view of Windsor Castle from the river and on through Romney lock. Whilst the boat makes a turn at Old Windsor weir, enjoy an onboard ploughman’s lunch with cake and tea/coffee.

After the cruise, we head to Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. Established in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, it has been remodelled by successive kings and queens, including Edward III, Charles II and George IV, and restored during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign after the fire in 1992. Today the castle is used regularly for ceremonial and State occasions and has been the home of 40 monarchs. We include entrance to the castle, and there is plenty of free time to explore before we return to the hotel for dinner this evening.

Today we set off by coach for Blenheim Palace. The grand palace was given to the 1st Duke of Marlborough by Queen Anne and her grateful nation as thanks for his stunning victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Sir John Vanbrugh’s magnificent English Baroque architecture reflects not only the 1st Duke’s military achievements, but also Vanbrugh’s own feeling that the Palace should, at the same time, be a monument to Queen Anne’s glory.

Finally, the parkland, with its sweeping lake and hanging beech wood, is, in fact, man-made, constructed laboriously between 1764 and 1774 to the far-sighted plans of the master landscaper, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.

On arrival we enjoy a guided tour of Blenheim Palace followed by an included lunch. There will be plenty of time to explore the grounds and gardens this afternoon before we head back by coach to the hotel.

This morning, we journey by coach to one of the oldest and most celebrated university cities in the world, Oxford. On arrival we head off on a city and university walking tour, which is the perfect way to get to know this magical place! A knowledgeable guide will take you through the thousand-year history, including a visit to one of the more famous colleges. You will also hear about the hidden stories that reveal the heart of one of the oldest universities in the world, and learn first-hand about the intricacies of academic life from both past and present days. Our walk concludes at Folly Bridge, where we will board our 2.5 hr fish and chip lunch cruise.

During this relaxing cruise, some points of interest along the way include Christ Church, the college boathouse, Iffley Lock and the lock keeper's cottage, Osney Lock and weir, and Port Meadow. After we disembark, there is time at leisure to explore this fascinating university city, before heading back to the hotel late afternoon.

Please note: there are shallow steps with a handrail down to the landing stage of the lunch cruise.

After a leisurely breakfast, it is time to check out of the hotel and make your own home.