Day 1

Journey to Wells with a mid-way break
Expect only the best as a VIP guest, as we make our way in pure comfort and style aboard our premier league coach to Wells. Our driver will make a comfort stop en route, doing so if they can, at a place of interest.

Wells itself is at the medieval heart of England. Taking its name from the springs in the gardens of the Bishop's Palace, the city is home to many impressive and historic buildings. These include the cathedral, the moated Bishop's Palace & 'Vicars' Close, St Cuthbert's Church and Wells Museum.

Here we check-in to our boutique-style hotel, the Best Western Plus Swan Hotel, Wells. Thought to be the oldest permanently trading hostelry in the UK, after welcoming its first guests over 600 years ago. This former coaching inn has a unique charm, an entry in the Michelin Guide since 1911, a well-stocked bar with over 100 gins and a fantastic view of the West Front of Wells Cathedral. If it's possible to make this experience even more exclusive, there is the opportunity to upgrade to some extraordinary rooms, details below.

Day 2

Iford Manor Gardens & Warminster
After a leisurely breakfast, we make the short drive to Iford Manor Gardens. A Grade I Listed-park and garden on the southernmost hill of the Cotswolds. And home to the Cartwright-Hignett family, since 1965, with a rich history dating back to the Domesday Book.

Here we enjoy a private guided tour of the main garden to learn more about its design, history, planting, and architecture. The structural design seen today was largely created by Harold Peto, who lived at Iford from 1899-1933. A man of exquisite taste, with a talent for placing objects sympathetically to their surroundings, he designed gardens for royalty and aristocracy around the world.

Tours generally will be with William Cartwright-Hignett (Owner/ Manager) or Troy Scott Smith (Head Gardener, formerly Head Gardener at Sissinghurst). It's a fascinating tour that uncovers the many layers of ingenuity in the unique design, drawing on Iford's deep history, and many tales and anecdotes past and present.

We then savour a 2-course lunch. All food is homemade, made from scratch with only the finest ingredients from local, responsible suppliers.

Once sated, we make our way to Warminster. A leafy market town in Wiltshire, that sits on the River Were. Its origins are Saxon and there are some beautiful Bath and Chilmark stone buildings in its old town centre. Here, we'll have time at leisure to explore the town and its eclectic range of shops and local culinary delights. We then return to our hotel in time for dinner.

Day 3

The Newt & Glastonbury
This morning we make the short journey to The Newt in Hadspen. A Georgian working estate nestled amongst orchards, lakes and woodland. With limestone buildings the colour of burnt honey, it has been the seat of the Hobhouse family for more than two centuries. Here we bask in this glorious setting with an insightful tour of the gardens, which have been shaped over the last 200 years by successive enthusiasts. Our tour includes the Parabola, a walled garden concealing an apple tree maze.

Whilst here, we enjoy a picnic lunch that offers a taste of Somerset and fresh, seasonal fare from the estate's gardens. Depending on the weather, lunch will be outside or in the glasshouse.

Somerset is apple country, with the perfect soil and climate for growing apples and making cyder. And at The Newt, we can celebrate every aspect with a cyder-making tour. From the sapling to the tree, the fruit, its juice and the final stage: cyder!

With a sense of fulfilment, we say goodbye to The Newt and cross country to Glastonbury for some time at leisure. Possibly the quirkiest town in England, it is steeped in history and myth. Glastonbury Town High Street offers you a unique experience quite unlike any other. It's then just a short hop back to Wells in time for dinner.

Day 4

Wells Cathedral & Bath
This morning we take a two-minute walk to Wells Cathedral. The earliest English cathedral to be built in the Gothic style and has one of the largest collections of historic stained glass in the country. Here we have arranged a special interest guided tour that takes in some of the stained glass, embroidery, architecture, and history. Tea and a toasted tea cake is included before we make our way to Bath.

Nourished by natural hot springs, Bath is the only city in the UK to be a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety. Known for its iconic Roman Baths and imposing Georgian architecture.

Our visit takes in The Holburne Museum set within Bath's beautiful Sydney Gardens and overlooking the famous Great Pulteney Street. The building has a beautiful and classical façade (you may recall this being the home of Bridgerton's Lady Danbury) with a highly contemporary extension. It houses fine and decorative arts, built around the collection of Sir William Holburne (1793-1874). From beadwork to lampwork, oil paintings, carvings, cabinetry, miniatures, cameos, bronzes, embroidery and silverwork, this is a fascinating museum.

We then partake in a ritual that began in the 1800s, when the 7th Duchess of Bedford found a way to fill the 'hungry' gap in the afternoon before dinner. A traditional Afternoon Tea of delicious savoury and sweet treats with Fizz awaits us at the Pump Rooms - the social heart of Bath for more than two centuries. So, just as Jane Austen and Charles Dickens before us, we take a seat, enjoy a delicious tea and sample the spa water from the fountain, whilst listening to the Pump Room Trio or a resident pianist.

Day 5

Bishops Place and Gardens
A visit to the historic City of Wells is not complete without spending time at The Bishop's Palace and magnificent gardens. Here we can explore over 800 years of history and 14 acres of gardens at Somerset's only medieval palace. Exploring this historic site will reveal tales of bold Bishops, sensational secrets and how water has shaped the Palace through the centuries. You'll even discover the well pools which give the city its name.

Sadly, we then leave Wells. The VIP experience continues though, onboard our luxury coach as we wend our way home, with a comfort stop en route.

Other Information

4* Best Western Plus Swan Hotel, Wells

The historic, award-winning Best Western Swan Plus Hotel in Wells could not be more centrally located or have a more dramatic view, being located directly opposite Wells Cathedral. Parts of the hotel date back to 1422 and over the years, the hotel has been sympathetically refurbished and extended.

All bedrooms are individually designed and many feature period antique furniture while others have original four poster beds.

Bedrooms: Telephone, TV, tea/coffee making facilities, safe, complimentary toiletries, hairdryer, iron and ironing board. 

Facilities: Restaurant, bar, lounge, sun terrace, Wi-Fi, gym and spa.

Mobility Information: Owing to the historic nature of the building, there is no lift. There are, however, three ground floor rooms located in the adjoining Coach House.

These are the room options and upgrades we have available, but please do ask if you have any further requirements.

Superior Rooms

A unique charm awaits in an elegant selection of superior accommodation at the hotel. Superior accommodation will either have a relaxing bijou sitting area, a sumptuous four poster bed or it will simply offer a more spacious experience and/or boast a stunning view of the Cathedral.

Deluxe Rooms

Indulgence awaits. The bedroom will either have a relaxing bijou sitting area, a sumptuous four poster bed or it will boast a stunning view of the Cathedral and be more spacious. Deluxe four poster bedrooms are on the second floor of the main hotel.

The Cathedral Suite

Voted Most Impressive Guest Room in the global, Best Western Fan Awards and still retains this title today.

The sumptuous bedroom, sitting room and bathroom offer stunning views of Wells Cathedral. Lounge on the gilded French furniture or pamper yourself in the luxurious bathroom which boasts a roll top brass bath and a walk-in double monsoon shower. This is one of the most spacious and unique suites to be found in Somerset.