Country houses fit for a royal with Lucy Worsley

Join the historian and television presenter on a tour of the lavish palaces built to impress royal guests from Henry VII to Elizabeth I

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Magnificent houses rich with royal history dot the midland counties. Elizabeth I's courtier William Cecil spent a fortune on the architectural treasure that is Burghley House and Grimsthorpe Castle was previously owned by Charles Brandon, Henry VIII's brother-in-law.

You will enjoy a private tour of Deene Park, followed by a lecture with time for questions by special guest, historian Lucy Worsley. Afterwards, dinner will be served and you will be joined by the owners of Deene Park, Mr and Mrs Brudenell.

Meet Lucy Worsley
The brilliant historian, author and television presenter will join you at the stunning Deene Park in Peterborough, for an evening in an historic house which remains a family home today. After a tour of the house and a welcome drink, Lucy Worsley will give a lecture on the rich history of the stately homes that you will see on your visit to this remarkable part of the English countryside. There will be an opportunity to pose your own questions after the talk.

Grand interiors
The treasures you will visit include the lofty arcades of the hall at Grimsthorpe, designed by the architect and dramatist John Vanbrugh and the baroque suite at Burghley House, with carvings by Grinling Gibbons, master carver to Charles II.

Tour of Burghley House
Enjoy lunch and a welcome talk from curator Jon Culverhouse, before exploring the house, which was originally built in the shape of a letter E to represent Queen Elizabeth, including the wonderful chapel with its altarpiece painted by Veronese, and the beautiful grounds.

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Reasons to book

Special appearance by Lucy Worsley

The historian, author and broadcaster will join you at Deene Park for a fascinating private talk and Q&A.

Magnificent stately homes

Explore Burghley House, Deene Park and Grimsthorpe Castle, whose previous owners include Henry VIII’s brother-in-law.

Stunning interiors

Discover beautiful interiors, designed by the foremost architects and craftsmen of their eras, such as John Vanbrugh.

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Tour brochure

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Your expert guide

Lucy Worsley OBE

Historian, author, TV presenter and curator

With a first-class honours degree in Ancient and Modern History from Oxford University and PhD in Art History from the University of Sussex, Lucy Worsley OBE is one of Britain's leading historians. Worsley currently acts as chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces and is well known for presenting historical BBC Television series, including A Very British Romance (2015), Lucy Worsley: Mozart's London Odyssey (2016) and British History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley (2017) - which debunked historical views of the Wars of the Roses, the Glorious Revolution and the British occupation of India. Lucy has also written a number of books, including a children's novel, teen history book and a biography of Jane Austen.

Price includes

Exclusive talk and Q&A with Lucy Worsley
Three nights' accommodation
Visits and tours of Deene Park, Burghley House, Grimsthorpe Castle, Lamport Hall & Gardens and Kelmarsh Hall & Gardens
Breakfast every day
Meals as detailed, including dinner at Deene Park, two dinners at Barnsdale Lodge, and two lunches.
Dedicated Travel Editions tour manager
£100 per couple saving for Telegraph subscribers*

Availability

From

Sun, Sun, Sep 18, 2022

To

Wed, Wed, Sep 21, 2022

Duration

4 Days

Price per person

£1,299*

* THIS PRICE IS FOR TELEGRAPH SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. From price is based on two sharing a double room. Single supplement available on request. Calls charged at local rates. Travel insurance is not included. Price and itinerary correct at time of publication but may be subject to change. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, experts may be substituted. Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Ltd. Travel Editions, 3 Young's Buildings, London, EC1V 9DB, with TS Tours acting as agent.

From

Sun, Sun, Sep 18, 2022

To

Wed, Wed, Sep 21, 2022

Duration

4 Days

Price per person

£1,349*

* This price is for all other Telegraph Readers, based on two people sharing a double room. Subject to availability. Single supplement available on request. Calls charged at local rates. Travel insurance is not included. Price and itinerary correct at time of publication but may be subject to change. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, experts may be substituted. Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Ltd. Travel Editions, 3 Young's Buildings, London, EC1V 9DB, with TS Tours acting as agent.

Call now to book 02039938321

Quote ref: TEL WORSLEY ROYAL

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Itinerary

Day
1

Arrive at Barnsdale Lodge

Oakham, United Kingdom

You'll arrive at Barnsdale Lodge, on the shore of Rutland Water, near the English market town of Oakham, in Rutland, where you'll be staying for the next three nights. On arrival you will have time to settle in before enjoying a cream tea and a talk from our country house and antiques expert, Nicholas Merchant, followed by a delicious welcome drink and dinner with wine.

Meals - Dinner
Day
2

Burghley House and Deene Park

Deene, United Kingdom

After breakfast, you will visit to magnificent Burghley House in Cambridgeshire, a contemporary rival to Holdenby House, that is now even more extensively preserved, with rich state apartments and an art collection that includes famous portraits of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Oliver Cromwell. On arrival, there will be lunch and a welcome talk from knowledgeable curator Jon Culverhouse. Afterwards, there will be time to explore the house, which was originally built in the shape of a letter E to represent Queen Elizabeth, including the wonderful chapel with its altarpiece painted by Veronese and the beautiful grounds.

After a light lunch, we return to the hotel to freshen up before departing to Deene Park. An interesting house occupied by the Brudenell family since 1514, the family developed Deene Park from a medieval manor house into the Tudor and Georgian mansion you see today, and it very much remains a family home. You will enjoy a private tour with a guide, followed by a lecture with time for a Q&A from historian Lucy Worsley. After the talk you will enjoy a drink, followed by dinner with the home's owners Mr and Mrs Brudenell.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
3

Grimsthorpe Castle

Stamford, United Kingdom

After breakfast this morning, you will go on a private guided tour of Grimsthorpe Castle, which retains elements of a 12th-century castle, that once belonged to a prominent supporter of Richard III during the Wars of the Roses. This afternoon we will have a guided walking tour of the lovely town of Stamford. Learn about its history and architecture, discover the secrets of some of its people and what makes Stamford so special.

Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day
4

Lamport Hall & Kelmarsh Hall

Kelmarsh , United Kingdom

This morning we will have a guided tour of Lamport Hall & Gardens. Lamport Hall is a fine example of a Grade I Listed House. It was developed from a Tudor Manor but is now notable for its classical frontage. The Hall contains an outstanding collection of books paintings and furniture. You will also have the opportunity to explore the gardens at your own leisure.

This afternoon, we visit Kelmarsh Hall & Gardens. Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens is an elegant Palladian style country house with a prevailing history of the 20th century. Built in the 1730s, Kelmarsh hall was the beloved home to three families across two hundred and fifty years. Surrounding the hall are historic gardens, restored to evoke their early 20th century designs, with a unique walled garden at the heart. An intro talk is followed by free time to explore at your own pace, before returning to the hotel where your tour will end.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation

Barnsdale Lodge Hotel

Oakham, United Kingdom

Steeped in over 250 years of history, Barnsdale Lodge Hotel offers a taste of country living in the heart of beautiful Rutland

Barnsdale Lodge's charming, individually-furnished rooms, suites and retreats overlook the beautiful Rutland landscape or the picturesque hotel courtyard, and the kitchen uses ingredients sourced from the wealth of fine produce found in the area, and from their own vegetable and herb gardens.

Encircled by idyllic surroundings on the north shore of Rutland Water, the hotel is the perfect place for a relaxing break in the heart of the rolling English countryside. The charming market towns of Oakham and Uppingham are also nearby.

Brought to you by

TS Tours as agent for Travel Editions

This tour is operated solely by TS Tours

TS Tours is acting as agent for Travel Editions. TS Tours Ltd specialises in creating bespoke tours, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts. Its exclusive trips combine unique experiences as well as access to inspirational people. All trips are ATOL protected and financially bonded.

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Availability

From

Sun, Sun, Sep 18, 2022

To

Wed, Wed, Sep 21, 2022

Duration

4 Days

Price per person

£1,299*

* THIS PRICE IS FOR TELEGRAPH SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. From price is based on two sharing a double room. Single supplement available on request. Calls charged at local rates. Travel insurance is not included. Price and itinerary correct at time of publication but may be subject to change. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, experts may be substituted. Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Ltd. Travel Editions, 3 Young's Buildings, London, EC1V 9DB, with TS Tours acting as agent.

From

Sun, Sun, Sep 18, 2022

To

Wed, Wed, Sep 21, 2022

Duration

4 Days

Price per person

£1,349*

* This price is for all other Telegraph Readers, based on two people sharing a double room. Subject to availability. Single supplement available on request. Calls charged at local rates. Travel insurance is not included. Price and itinerary correct at time of publication but may be subject to change. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, experts may be substituted. Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Ltd. Travel Editions, 3 Young's Buildings, London, EC1V 9DB, with TS Tours acting as agent.

Call now to book 02039938321

Quote ref: TEL WORSLEY ROYAL