Historians on this Tour

Gareth Russell

Gareth Russell is the author of eight books, including the best-selling Young and Damned and Fair, a biography of Henry VIII’s fifth wife, Catherine Howard. He studied History at Oxford and Queen’s University, Belfast, where his postgraduate dissertation was on the queen’s household in the 1540s. His book, The Ship of Dreams, was named a Book of the Year by The Times and a Best History Read of 2019 by the Daily Telegraph. He is a regular contributor on TV shows and documentaries and also hosts his own podcast “Single Malt History”. His latest book Do Let’s Have Another Drink, a biography of The Queen Mother through 101 anecdotes, is top of the charts! He is currently working on a history of Hampton Court Palace and the people who lived there which will be published in 2023. **EXCLUSIVE** Gareth will be sharing extracts from his upcoming book, on this tour!

Kate McCaffrey

Kate McCaffrey is a Historian and Assistant Curator at Anne Boleyn's childhood home of Hever Castle in Kent. Her MA thesis, from the University of Kent, focused on groundbreaking, new evidence she uncovered in one of Anne Boleyn's printed Books of Hours, held at Hever Castle. In 2022 she co-curated the 'Becoming Anne: Connections, Culture, Court' exhibition at Hever Castle, and co-authored the accompanying book, entitled 'Becoming Anne' alongside Dr Owen Emmerson. Kate will be talking to us about one of Anne’s most private possessions, her Book of Hours and her ongoing research.

The Tudor Songbook - Jay Britton

Jay Britton has taken the Tudor world by storm with her beautiful performances of pieces from the Tudor court. Jay, who is a classically trained soprano, is becoming well known as The Tudor Songbook and she performs on a regular basis at historic houses across the country. Last year Jay captivated our tour groups as she sang songs from Anne Boleyn's own repertoire! You will be transported back to Tudor times as Jay, dressed in authentic Tudor dress and accompanied by period instruments, sings for us exclusively, at Hever Castle.

The Itinerary

• Day 1 - 29th June

  From our convenient London pick up point we will board our private coach and head to our luxury spa hotel. Tewkesbury Park Hotel enjoys views over Tewkesbury Abbey and the English countryside. 

  Once you have settled in to your room, and perhaps had a walk of the grounds or a swim in the indoor heated pool, we will meet for a Welcome Drinks Reception followed by our first talk of the tour from Gareth Russell. In his talk, Gareth will explore Anne's early life and heritage.

  Our three-course dinner with wine is served in our private dining room with views over the valley.

• Day 2 - 30th June

  Sudeley Castle, Hailes Abbey and Tewkesbury Abbey

  In the morning we travel the short distance to Sudeley Castle which, as well as a stop on Anne and Henry's 1525 Progress, is also the final resting place of Katherine Parr.

  We then visit Hailes Abbey to talk about the significance of the visit Cromwell made here while Anne and Henry were at Sudeley Castle, and the tale of the Holy blood!

  In the afternoon we head back to Tewkesbury and visit the beautiful Abbey where Anne and Henry stayed. Tewkesbury Abbey was saved as the Parish Church following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and the scars of the monastic complex are still there to see! This is also the burial place of Edward IV's brother, George, Duke of Clarence and the son on Henry VI, Edward Prince of Wales.

  We return to our hotel for an evening talk from Gareth, continuing a look at Anne's life between 1533 and the beginning of the progress of 1535. This is followed by our three-course evening meal.

• Day 3 - 1st July

  Gloucester Cathedral and Acton Court

  Anne and Henry knelt in the porch entrance to Gloucester Cathedral before processing to the High Altar. You will follow in their footsteps as we visit the magnificent Gloucester Cathedral, with its famous cloisters! This is also the burial places of Edward II and Robert Curthose.

  We move on to Acton Court. Rarely open to the public, Acton Court is a unique survivor from the 1535 progress. The suite of increasingly private rooms, built in anticipation of the Royal couple's visit, survives (including Henry's toilet!).

  We return to our hotel for our third and final evening talk from Gareth as he explores with us how less than a year after the happy progress of 1535, Anne was dead.

• Day 4 - 2nd July

  Berkeley Castle

  A private tour of this awe inspiring castle is followed by free time to explore the castle and its grounds. In the afternoon we will reconvene for a Falconry Demonstration in the gorunds.

  This evening we meet in our private dining room at Tewkesbury Park Hotel, for our final three-course evening meal here. You will then have time to relax, chat and take time to pack (because tomorrow we head for Hever Castle!)

• Day 5 - 3rd July

  Hever Castle

  Once you have settled into your beautiful, uniquely decorated, room in the Astor Wing of Hever Castle, you have time to explore the Castle and the grounds. You also have the opportunity to dress as Tudor Royalty (optional extra).

  Gareth and I will also be taking an optional visit to St Peter's Church, where Anne's father, Thomas Boleyn, is buried (time permitting). 

  We meet in our private suite for an early evening talk from Hever Castle Assistant Curator, Kate McCaffrey. Kate will be talking to us about one of Anne's most personal possessions, her Book of Hours, on which Kate has done extensive research.

  Our talk is followed by an after-hours 'Hidden Hever' tour.

  We enjoy a banquet in the Great Hall of Hever Castle, whilst being serenaded by the beautiful voice of Jay Britton, The Tudor Songbook!

• Day 6 - 4th July

  Wake up in the magical Hever Castle.

  After a leisurely breakfast we board our luxury coach and head back to London and say our final farewells.

What's Included

Photo Gallery

Berkeley Castle

Hailes Abbey

Hever Castle

Sudeley Castle

Tewkesbury Abbey

Gloucester Cathedral

Acton Court