Monday 25th: We head east stopping at Melton Mowbray home of the famous pork pie
and one of the homes of Stilton cheese. We have time for lunch before continuing to our
hotel arriving late afternoon at Best Western Rockingham Forest Hotel.
Tuesday 26th: We begin today with a ride around Rutland Water as we head for historic
Stamford. Take a walk around the historic town – there is much to admire, from the
beautiful architecture to the delightful shops, with an abundance of coffee shops and pubs
to keep you going. There is time for lunch here before we drive to visit the famous
Barnsdale Gardens, familiar to many TV viewers as home of the late Geoff Hamilton, and
Gardeners World. The gardens comprise 37 individual gardens and features all blended
together by the borders into one eight acres garden.
Wednesday 27th: This morning we make for the little village of Foxton. Here we board
‘Vagabond’, an elegant vintage motor launch, for a cruise on the Grand Union Canal,
seeing the Foxton flight of 10 locks. We have a treat in store this afternoon as we visit
Boughton House, one of the great treasure houses of Europe. The collection here is
staggering – arts, rare furniture, porcelain and weaponry.
Thursday 28th: Norfolk is our destination today as we head east to Kings Lynn, a historic
medieval port situated on the River Great Ouse for a coffee stop before continuing to visit
Sandringham House and Grounds, the Norfolk retreat of Her Majesty the Queen, here we
have free time to explore and obtain lunch, late afternoon returning to the hotel.
Friday 29th: After breakfast we begin our journey home via Stratford-upon-Avon.