Windsor Castle

Highclere Castle

Stonehenge

Hampton Court Palace

Hever Castle

Bath

Popular Tours from London by Car

Here are the most popular destinations for tours from London. I have listed them according to area so that you can combine them to suit yourself.

This is a long page, so here are some clues – Stonehenge & Salisbury are South West; Windsor Castle & Bath are West; Oxford and Stratford upon Avon are in the North & West section; Cambridge is North; Canterbury & Leeds Castle are South East.

See the menu at the top of the page for more information.

South West of London

 

Stonehenge Tours

Stonehenge is England’s best-known prehistoric monument, and for many visitors, it’s a monument not to be missed. Some ideas:

  • Just Stonehenge
  • Stonehenge & Windsor Castle
  • Stonehenge & Salisbury or Winchester
  • Stonehenge & Stourhead Landscape Garden
  • Prehistoric Landscape around Stonehenge & Avebury
  • Stonehenge & Bath
  • Stonehenge & Wilton House
Stonehenge

Salisbury Tour

At the heart of this attractive medieval city is its beautiful 13th century cathedral, with its soaring spire. One of only 4 surviving copies of the Magna Carta can be seen in the Chapter House. Some ideas:

  • Salisbury, Stonehenge & Old Sarum or Wiltshire villages
  • Salisbury & Wilton House, home & gardens of the Earl of Pembroke
  • Salisbury & Stourhead Landscape Garden
  • Salisbury & Mottisfont, with its wonderful rose garden
  • Salisbury & Winchester
Salisbury Cathedral

Winchester Tour

Once the capital of England, Winchester has a fine cathedral which is the burial place of the writer Jane Austen. The legendary King Arthur’s Round Table can be seen in the Great Hall. Some ideas:

  • Winchester, Hampshire villages & Stonehenge
  • Winchester as part of a Jane Austen tour, including visiting the village where she grew up and also her home in Chawton
  • Winchester and the Hillier Winter Garden
  • Winchester and Mottisfont, with its wonderful rose garden
  • Winchester & the Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery

 

Antony Gormley's Sound II in the crypt of Winchester Cathedral

Stourhead Landscape Garden Tour

An 18th century garden with a picturesque lake, classical temples (you might recognise one from the Keira Knightley film ‘Pride and Prejudice’), grottos and exotic trees – in fact the finest example of the English Landscape style of garden. Some ideas:

  • Stourhead & Wilton House
  • Stourhead & Stonehenge
  • Stourhead & the Heale Garden
  • Stourhead & Salisbury

 

Stourhead Landscape Garden

Hampton Court Palace Tour

Hampton Court Palace is intimately connected with the life of King Henry VIII, his marriages and his children. It is surrounded by beautiful formal gardens. Some ideas:

  • Just Hampton Court Palace
  • Hampton Court Palace & Windsor Castle
  • Hampton Court Palace & London
  • Hampton Court Palace & Kew Gardens
  • Hampton Court Palace & RHS Wisley garden
Hampton Court Palace

West of London

 

Windsor Tour

An official residence of the Her Majesty the Queen, Windsor Castle is steeped in history and filled with beautiful works of art. As well as the magnificent State Apartments, you will see Queen Mary’s Dolls House. Some ideas:

  • Just Windsor Castle
  • Windsor Castle & Stonehenge
  • Windsor Castle & Oxford
  • Windsor Castle & the Savill Garden
  • Windsor Castle & Cliveden garden
  • Windsor Castle & Oxford
Windsor Castle

Bath Tour

Bath is one of the most beautiful & historic cities in England. It is best known for its Roman Baths, its fine 18th century architecture, and its association with the novelist Jane Austen. Some ideas:

  • Just Bath
  • Bath and Avebury Stone Circle
  • Bath & Abbey House garden or Bowood House garden
  • Bath & Stonehenge
  • Bath & the Cotswolds
Roman Baths Museum, Bath

Highclere Castle – “Downton Abbey” Tour

Highclere Castle, the home of the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, has become known to the world as Downton Abbey. The Egyptian Exhibition tells the story of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who worked with archaeologist Howard Carter to discover the tomb of Tutankhamun. Some ideas:

  • Highclere Castle & Cotswolds, including Downton Abbey film locations
  • Highclere Castle & Oxford
  • Highclere Castle & Stonehenge
  • Highclere Castle & Bombay Sapphire Gin distillery
Highclere Castle

Avebury Tour

Pretty Avebury village is partly surrounded by a very large prehistoric stone circle, an interesting alternative to visiting the more familiar Stonehenge. Some ideas:

  • A Prehistoric Day tour, visiting Stonehenge, Avebury, Silbury Hill, West Kennet Long Barrow & a Wiltshire White Horse
  • Avebury & Bath
  • Avebury & Bowood House and garden
Private tours to Avebury by car

North & West London

 

Oxford Tour

Oxford is the home of England’s oldest university. We will walk in the footsteps of famous students, hearing about Harry Potter, JRR Tolkien, Lewis Carroll and Mr Bean, as well as Einstein and Tim Berners-Lee, the ‘inventor’ of the world wide web. Some ideas:

  • Oxford & Windsor Castle
  • Oxford & Blenheim Palace
  • Oxford & Cotswolds
  • Oxford & Stratford or Warwick via Cotswolds
  • Oxford & Waddesdon Manor
Private tours to Oxford by car

Stratford upon Avon Tour

Stratford upon Avon, a pretty country town, was the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Some ideas:

  • Stratford & Warwick Castle
  • Stratford & Oxford via Cotswolds
  • Stratford – Shakespeare family homes and time for a matinee performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company theatre
  • Stratford & Coughton Court house and garden
  • Stratford & Blenheim Palace
Private tours to Stratford-upon-Avon by car

Warwick Tour

At the heart of Warwick, an attractive historic town, is Warwick Castle, with ramparts to climb, arms & armour, dungeons & torture instruments, a ghost, state rooms and beautiful gardens. Some ideas:

  • Warwick Castle & Stratford upon Avon
  • Warwick Castle & Oxford via the Cotswolds
  • Antique shopping in Warwick & the Cotswolds
  • Warwick, its church, gardens & castle
Private tours to Warwick by car

The Cotswolds Tour

A leisurely day in the English countryside, pottering around the Cotswolds, enjoying the beautiful village scenery. Shop for antiques, visit famous gardens like Hidcote Manor, or great houses like Blenheim Palace. Some ideas:

  • Hidcote Manor and Kiftsgate gardens
  • The Cotswolds & Blenheim Palace
  • The Arts & Crafts Movement in the Cotswolds
  • Cotswold Villages
  • Historic Houses in the Cotswolds
Private tours to the Cotswolds by car

Blenheim Palace Tour

One of the most stunning private houses in England, Blenheim Palace was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and is the home of the Duke of Marlborough. Some ideas:

  • Blenheim Palace & Oxford
  • Blenheim Palace & Cotswold Villages
  • Blenheim Palace & Hidcote Manor gardens
  • Blenheim Palace & Stratford upon Avon
  • Blenheim Palace & Waddesdon Manor
Private tours to Blenheim Palace by car

Hidcote Manor Garden Tour

Hidcote Manor is among the most famous 20th century gardens in England. It’s designer, Lawrence Johnston, created ‘garden rooms’, each with its own character and peak season. My favourite! Some ideas:

  • Hidcote Manor & another Cotswold garden, eg Kiftsgate Court
  • Hidcote Manor & Blenheim Palace
  • Hidcote Manor & Stratford upon Avon
  • Hidcote Manor & Cotswold villages
Private tours to Hidcote Manor Garden by car

North of London

 

Cambridge Tour

Walk through the ancient university city of Cambridge, following in the footsteps of Isaac Newton, Lord Byron, William Wordsworth, Charles Darwin, A A Milne and many other famous students. Some ideas:

  • Just Cambridge
  • Cambridge & Ely Cathedral
  • Cambridge & Anglesey Abbey garden
  • The winter Gardens at Cambridge Botanic Garden & Anglesey Abbey
Private tours to Cambridge by car

Ely Tour

Beautiful Ely cathedral rises dramatically above the flat Fens landscape, and is home to a unique Stained Glass Museum.

  • Ely Cathedral & Cambridge
Private tours to Ely Cathedral by car

Winter Gardens at Anglesey Abbey & Cambridge Botanic Garden Tour

Two of the finest Winter Gardens in the country, designed to be particularly colourful & striking during the winter months.
Alternatively, visit just one garden and also spend some time in Cambridge.

  • Winter Gardens
Private tours to Anglesey Abbey by car

South & East of London

 

Canterbury Tour

For centuries pilgrims came to Canterbury to see the tomb of the murdered Archbishop Thomas Becket. Chaucer describes just such a journey in “The Canterbury Tales”. Some ideas:

  • Canterbury & Leeds Castle
  • Canterbury & Dover Castle
  • Canterbury & Goodnestone Park garden
  • Canterbury & the Secret Garden in Sandwich
Private tours to Canterbury Cathedral by car

Leeds Castle Tour

Once home to medieval queens, Leeds Castle has been described as ‘the loveliest castle in the world’. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Some ideas:

  • Leeds Castle & Canterbury
  • Leeds Castle & Hever Castle
  • Leeds Castle & Chartwell
  • Just Leeds Castle
Private tours to Leeds Castle by car

Dover Castle Tour

The White Cliffs of Dover are a fine vantage point for looking across to France (on a clear day!). Fortifications have been built on top of the cliffs since Roman times, and a visit to Dover Castle will take you through 2000 years of history. A highlight is the tour of the Secret Wartime Tunnels, the planning centre for the Dunkirk Evacuation in 1940. Some ideas:

  • Just Dover – Castle & museums & White Cliffs
  • Dover Castle & Canterbury Cathedral
Private tours to Dover Castle by car

Hever Castle Tour

Hever Castle was a childhood home of Henry VIII’s 2nd wife Anne Boleyn. It is set in beautiful gardens which were the creation of early 20th century owner William Waldorf Astor. Some ideas:

  • Hever Castle & Chartwell
  • Hever Castle & Leeds Castle
  • Hever Castle & Penshurst Place gardens
  • Just Hever Castle
Private tours to Hever Castle by car

Chartwell Tour

Chartwell was the country home of Sir Winston Churchill from 1924, and remains much as it was when he lived there. Some ideas:

  • Chartwell & Hever Castle
  • Sir Winston Churchill at Chartwell & Blenheim Palace
  • Chartwell & Down House
  • Chartwell & Penshurst Place
  • Just Chartwell
Private tours to Chartwell by car

Sissinghurst Castle Garden Tour

One of the most famous gardens in the world, Sissinghurst was created by writer Vita Sackville-West & her husband Sir Harold Nicolson. June is the ideal time to see the White Garden. Some ideas:

  • Sissinghurst & Great Dixter
  • Sissinghurst & Knole, Vita Sackville-West’s childhood home
  • Sissinghurst & Hever Castle
  • Sissinghurst & Penshurst Place
  • Just Sissinghurst
Private tours to Sissinghurst by car

Great Dixter Garden Tour

Great Dixter was the home of gardening writer Christopher Lloyd. The garden is no surprise if you know even just the titles of some of his books, such as Colour for Adventurous Gardeners or Exotic Planting. This is one of my favourites – full of colour, exuberance and adventure! Some ideas:

  • Great Dixter & Sissinghurst
  • Great Dixter & Rye
Private tours to Great Dixter by car

The Gardens of Kent & Sussex Tour

This corner of England has some of the world’s most famous gardens. Sissinghurst and Great Dixter are perhaps the best known, but high on any garden lover’s list should be the Salutation Garden, Nymans, Penshurst Place, and the Collector Earl’s garden at Arundel Castle. Some ideas:

  • Arundel Castle & Chichester
  • Salutation Garden & Canterbury
  • Nymans garden & Brighton
  • Nymans garden & the gardens and afternoon tea at Gravetye Manor
  • Penshurst Place & Hever Castle gardens
Private tours to Arundel Castle by car
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