Day Trips & Excursions

We travel by coach to Herne Bay, a classic seaside resort with over two miles of beautiful seafront to explore. Take a gentle stroll along the promenade, relax on the beach, or enjoy the traditional charm of the pier, gardens, and coastal views. There’s plenty of time to soak up the fresh sea air, watch the waves roll in, or stop for refreshments at one of the welcoming cafés along the way.

We then move on to the charming seaside town of Whitstable, renowned for its picturesque harbour, colourful beach huts, and laid-back atmosphere. Spend time discovering the town’s unique character, browse independent shops, enjoy the coastal scenery, or sample some of the area’s famous seafood as you explore this much-loved coastal gem.

Adult: £42 ~ Senior £41 ~ Child: £38

When London's churchyards filled up, just as a young Queen Victoria came to the throne, a scheme was launched to build The Magnificent Seven - huge, modern cemeteries in a ring around the City. As soon as it opened in 1839 Highgate Cemetery in the Northern hills became THE place to be buried if you were rich or famous. Highgate would become one of the greatest cemeteries in the world full of eccentric funerary architecture. In the heart of the grounds the Egyptian Avenue leads to the Circle of Lebanon created by earth being excavated around an ancient Cedar of Lebanon.

The cemetery fell into ruin for many years until in the 1970s The Friends of Highgate Cemetery was formed to buy the freehold - the tours are run to raise money to look after it. Nature has gradually taken over and this remarkable site is now also an important wild-life reserve. Come and enjoy a two course fish & chip lunch with coffee before meeting London's famous dead in this Victorian Valhalla.

You'll be taken on a guided tour of the grand Victorian funerary architecture and notable graves in the West Cemetery and have free time to explore the East Cemetery where you'll find other notable graves including Karl Marx.

Please note there are two flights of stairs on the normal route. If you have access requirements, please let us know in advance. Although it is not steep, we feel that anyone with mobility issues should be advised.

Step back in time and experience the golden age of rail travel with a memorable journey on the Nene Valley Railway—one of the UK’s leading international steam and diesel attractions. Departing from the beautifully preserved Wansford Station, this heritage railway winds its way through the scenic Nene Valley, calling at charming stops including Overton (for Ferry Meadows), Orton Mere, Yarwell Junction, and Peterborough.

Lovingly maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers, the railway offers more than just a ride—it’s a living, breathing piece of history. Feel the power and nostalgia of a traditional steam engine, discover fascinating stories from Britain’s railway past, and soak up the tranquil countryside views along the route.

A true highlight of the experience is the chance to travel behind Tornado, a modern legend of steam. Built in the 21st century and the first main line steam locomotive constructed in the UK since 1960, Tornado captured national attention when it first steamed in 2008. Since then, it has gone on to haul Royal Trains, star in films such as Paddington 2, and feature on popular television shows including Top Gear. Renowned for its performance, Tornado even reached an impressive 100mph during a 2017 test run—making it the fastest steam locomotive in the UK since the 1960s.

After your rail adventure, the experience continues with free time in the charming Georgian town of Stamford. Frequently described as one of England’s finest stone towns, Stamford is the perfect place to unwind and explore at your own pace. Wander its quaint streets lined with independent boutiques, enjoy a relaxed lunch in a cosy café, or take in the town’s historic architecture and riverside views.

Adult: £59 ~ Senior £58 ~ Child: £55

Located in 300 acres of beautiful landscape Kew Gardens sits beside the river Thames between Richmond and Kew in south-west London. The Gardens are a World Heritage Site with six magnificent glasshouses, and are home to a remarkable collection of plants from all over the world including over 14,000 trees. Kew Gardens is a wonderful day out for all. If you haven't been to Kew before, don't miss the 19th-century Palm House, the tropical atmosphere of the Princess of Wales Conservatory, a walk to the iconic pagoda, and a climb up for a birds-eye view at the new Xstrata Treetop Walkway.

Beautiful as the 17th century Dutch-gabled country house along the River Thames is, it could hardly be called palatial, particularly by royal standards, and yet it is one of London's most notable historic royal palaces. No small feat considering Kew Palace, which is set within the grounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. Kew Palace earned its place in history by being exactly the opposite - retiring, modest and comfortable. In other words, it was the perfect royal retreat. Most famously, it served as just that for the prodigious family of King George III. First opened to the public by Queen Victoria in 1899, the palace was closed from 1996 to 2006 while undergoing £6.6 million of careful restoration and conservation. The money and effort have transformed Kew Palace from "a gaudy 1960s interpretation of the Georgian era" into a historically accurate study of the daily life and everyday domesticities of the palace and the royals who lived within it.

The Hive is a unique structure, inspired by scientific research into the health of bees. Designed by UK based artist Wolfgang Buttress, it was originally created as the centrepiece of the UK Pavilion at the 2015 Milan Expo. The installation is made from thousands of pieces of aluminium which create a lattice effect and is fitted with hundreds of LED lights that glow and fade as a unique soundtrack hums and buzzes around you.

These multi-sensory elements of the Hive are in fact responding to the real-time activity of bees in a beehive behind the scenes at Kew. The sound and light intensity within the space changes as the energy levels in the real beehive surge, giving visitors an insight into life inside a bee colony. 

 Adult: £57 ~ Senior £57 ~ Child: £52

We travel to Highgrove Gardens near Tetbury where His Royal Highness King Charles III has spent 30 years transforming the grounds of Highgrove into what have been acknowledged as some of the most inspired and innovative gardens in the UK.

Led by one of their experienced guides, you will enjoy a 1½-hour tour of Highgrove Gardens. From the other-worldly Stumpery to the whimsical Thyme Walk and the Chelsea award-winning Carpet Garden.

After the garden tour, you will then enjoy a 2 course set menu lunch.

We will allow time to browse in the Ante Room Shop during your visit, where you’ll find a selection of bespoke Highgrove products, including special edition artworks.

At the time of booking, we will need full names, dates of birth and dietary requirements. You will need to bring Valid Photo ID, or 2 Utility Bills for security purposes.

Adult: £135 ~ Senior £134 ~ Child: £131

Bury St Edmunds Market has a long and colourful history dating back to the days of William the Conqueror.

Around 80 stalls all offering various goods, from food and drink to houseware and clothing, line the streets of this historic Suffolk town. You may also wish to visit St Edmundsbury Cathedral or one of the many historic churches in the town.

Adult: £24 ~ Senior £23 ~ Child: £20

Highclere Castle is one of England's most beautiful Victorian Castles set amidst 1,000 acres of spectacular parkland. The Carnarvon family has lived at Highclere since 1679, and the current Castle stands on the site of an earlier house, which in turn was built on the foundations of the medieval palace owned by the Bishops of Winchester for some 800 years.

Longstanding friend of the Carnarvon family, Julian Fellowes had Highclere Castle in mind as he wrote the drama Downton Abbey. It was filmed on location here at Highclere Castle. He often commented he wanted a house which spectacularly testified to the confidence and soaring optimism of the Edwardian period.

The success of Downton Abbey took everyone by surprise from the first nervous apprehension whether anyone would like the first episode or stay with it for the second or third… the series has become a phenomenon with appreciative viewers all around the world.

Your visit will include entry to the house, gardens and Egyptian exhibition.

Adult: £79 ~ Senior £78 ~ Child: £66

Discover the beauty and rich history of the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames from the luxurious, glass-encased saloon of Hibernia.

This relaxing 2-hour cruise offers a unique perspective on Henley’s charming riverside scenery as you travel in comfort and style. Throughout the journey, an experienced and friendly Blue Badge guide will share fascinating stories, historical insights, and entertaining commentary about the local area and its rich connection to the River Thames.

To make the experience even more enjoyable, a light finger buffet will be served on board, accompanied by tea and coffee, so you can sit back, relax, and take in the picturesque views as the river gently winds through the countryside.

After the cruise, you’ll also have a little free time to explore Henley-on-Thames before heading home.

Adult: £71 ~ Senior £70 ~ Child: £67

Home of the enigma Code Breaker from WWII and Churchill Memorobilia. Seeing one of the Enigma Machines, including the rare 'Abwehr G312', is undoubtedly a highlight of a busy day out at Bletchley Park, but there is much more than machines in a visit to the historic site. Check out the tales of spies and strategic deception. Have a look through the ornate Victorian Mansion that was headquarters to intelligence staff during the War.

Whilst you explore Bletchley Park and discover its story at your leisure enjoying the Multimedia Guide, you can also see a wealth of other fascinating galleries and exhibits within the WW2 Codebreaking Huts and Blocks.

BLOCK B EXHIBITIONS INCLUDE:

• Hitler's "Unbreakable" Cipher Machine: Gallery dedicated to telling the story of the breaking of the Lorenz cipher.

• The world's only fully-operational Bombe rebuild - the electro-mechanical device used to mechanise the process of breaking Enigma

• The Life and Works of Alan Turing gallery

• The largest and most comprehensive public display of Enigma machines in the world

• A Home Front exhibition - How people lived in WW2 

• The Japanese Challenge: Breaking the Japanese Codes 

• Bletchley Park Timeline - How the work of Bletchley Park influenced key WW2 events

• From Intercept to Action - the Codebreaking process explained

HUT 8, GERMAN NAVAL CODEBREAKING HUT, EXHIBITIONS INCLUDE:

• The Office of Alan Turing, Head of Hut 8

• Royal Pigeon Racing Association exhibition, explaining the use of pigeons in WW2

THE MANSION EXHIBITIONS INCLUDE:

• The Office of Alastair Denniston, Head of the Government Code and Cypher School, and the room where the US Special Relationship was born.

• The Library, atmospherically dressed as it would have looked during WW2 as Naval Intelligence office.

• Wartime Garages, complete with WW2 vehicles.

HUT 11

Wartime Hut that housed the Turing-Welchman Bombe machines - now newly restored and refurbished with an atmospheric exhibition giving a voice to the women who worked the machines in the Hut they dubbed the "Hell-Hole".

Click here to view on map

Adult: £56 ~ Senior £55 ~ Child: £52

Enjoy a scenic coach trip starting in Dunwich, where you can savour classic seaside fish & chips in a peaceful coastal setting.

After lunch, we continue to the charming town of Aldeburgh for a relaxing afternoon, with time to stroll along the beach, browse independent shops, or simply take in the fresh sea air—perfect for a traditional and enjoyable day by the coast.

Adult: £47 ~ Senior £46 ~ Child: £43