Girls Getaways were the theme for last week’s Britain Insider column in the Insider Travel Report and I led with suggestions that combined Paris and London.  I also touched on UK Quilting Fairs and the 6-month Christian Dior exhibition at the V&A in London.  Take a look as each one will strike a chord.

I also wrote an article for Travel Research Online that included Father Brown, Grantchester and Downton Abbey.  If you are a fan of these and other Masterpiece TV shows, my second story brings you one step nearer to a customised UK tour.

My frequently mentioned mantra of TRAVEL LESS SEE MORE is chiming well with readers who like the idea of hub and spoke travel.  To make this work, you need hotels that can deliver a consistently high standard and the Best Loved collection of nearly 200 hotels across the UK and Ireland does exactly that.  You’ll find them in some very handy locations and using some of them, I’ve listed 6 different tours for you to consider.

Girls Getaways to Paris, London and the Cotswolds

Last week’s Britain Insider column will appeal if you like the idea of an eight-night Paris-London garden tour or an 8-night Paris-London garden and foodie tour.  It also highlights a Cotswold Tea Room and Treasure Houses tour, the 2019 dates for our top Quilting Fairs and a reminder about the six-month Christian Dior Exhibition in London.  Interested? Click through and read on.

Masterpiece on Location

My recent article on British TV productions screened on Masterpiece inspired me to create a travel less, experience more tour that features locations used in the filming of Father Brown, Inspector Morse, Midsomer Murders, Grantchester and a Sherlock Holmes tour of London.  Between early July and early September, I can also include a visit to Highclere Castle aka Downton Abbey.

Great Castles, Cathederals and Gardens in Southern England

A Treasure Trove of English Gardens

If you look closely at my tours, you will have noticed that I often recommend starting a UK visit with 4-5 nights in the English countryside.  This programme encourages customers to park their jetlag amidst the castles, stately homes, gardens and country pubs of Kent and Sussex so that they are on GMT by the time they get to London.

A Pot Pourri of Pleasant Surprises

This fragrant, colour filled tour includes visits to 13^th century, moated Hever Castle, Churchill’s former home at Chartwell and the astonishing Collector Earl’s Garden at Arundel Castle.  The contemporary art collection in Chichester Cathedral, a touch of Jane Austen and the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship garden at Wisley complete this 5-night leisurely swing through the south east of England.

Doc Martin, Poldark, Grand Houses and Gardens

If your clients are fans of Doc Martin and Poldark, this tour will take them to Cornwall for a close encounter with the myths and legends of King Arthur and the On Location worlds of Poldark and Doc Martin.  Add some upstairs/downstairs stately homes visits, some superb river valley gardens, the inevitable Cornish Cream Tea and you’ve created a winner.

A Gardener's Delight

Based around no fewer than 5 previous winners of the prestigious Christies/Historic Houses Association ‘Garden of the Year’ award this itinerary also visits places associated with Alice in Wonderland and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  It includes a closer look at Old Sarum, the original footprint for the city of Salisbury and the gleaming collection at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.