Fri - As we make our way to our lovely hotel in Surrey, we stop in the historic university city of Oxford, with its honey-gold buildings, dreaming spires and riverside setting. With some free time to explore at leisure. It’s then onwards to our hotel, where we arrive in time for dinner.
Sat - After breakfast, we make our way to Turk’s Pier at Hampton Court Palace, just a few metres from the Palace itself, meaning we get a good view of the stunning, Grade I listed royal palace – the most famous residence of Henry VIII. From here, we board our river boat for a relaxing 35 minute cruise down this scenic stretch of the glorious River Thames to Kingston. We disembark next to Kingston Bridge, in the heart of this lovely town. A popular shopping destination, we have some free time to enjoy Kingston’s shops, which range from familiar high street stores to quirky independents and a bustling marketplace for good measure. Before we hit the shops, we can enjoy lunch in one of the many pubs dotted along the riverside to make the most of our scenic surroundings.
Sun - After breakfast we head to Kingston upon Thames, spending the day exploring before we head back to the hotel to get ready for this evening. We rejoin our coach later and head to Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, in the heart of the beautiful Surrey Hills. We begin our evening visit with an exclusive 50 minute vineyard train tour, taking in some of the most beautiful viewing points as we trundle around this idyllic vineyard while sipping on a glass of specially selected Denbies award-winning Sparkling Cuvée. A recorded informative commentary enhances this memorable experience, while cameras are a must-remember so we can capture the breathtaking panoramic Denbies Estate and North Downs vistas! After, we take our seats in the elegant Gallery Restaurant, located on the third floor of the winery with stunning views over the 265 acre vineyard, Box Hill and the North Downs. We soak in our gorgeous surrounds as we tuck into a lovely three-course meal at sunset. The Gallery team create seasonal menus with ingredients sourced from local suppliers in the south-east, so we’re in for a tasty experience!
Mon - After breakfast we depart the hotel and make our way to Stratford for some time at leisure before we make the homeward journey.