TENTATIVE ITINERARY :
Day One
We depart London approximately 08.30 from your London hotel and our first magical stop is where the film adventure began, the Dursley's House.
Next, we'll stop at a fantastic site, the perfectly preserved mediaeval village of Lacock, used extensively as a location in the Harry Potter films. We can see where Harry's parents were murdered by Voldermort, and explore another recognisable part of Hogwarts.
After lunch we cross the Severn Bridge into Wales. This was an area well-known to J K Rowling, creator of our boy-wizard, and places like the 12th century Chepstow Castle and the Forest of Dean must have been a source of great inspiration when she attended school in this area. We'll see her old family home and look for forest spirits (if there's time, we may have some fun in the maze of 'puzzle wood'). Later, we explore the battlements of the fairytale Chepstow Castle (where you can imagine defending the castle against the forces of darkness alongside Harry and gang, or just playing quiddich).
Day Two
There are more adventures in store for us today!
In the lovely historic city of Gloucester, there's the Cathedral and the King's School, both of which were used as locations for Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. We'll also introduce you to another Potter - Beatrix Potter - and her creation, Peter Rabbit. And you'll learn why Humpty Dumpty can claim his origins here.
'All aboard!' Time now to board a 'Hogwarts Express' style steam train for an exciting ride through magical countryside. Shades of Thomas the Tank!
Another highlight of the day is to visit some of Harry's favourite friends - the owls and birds of prey at the National Bird of Prey Centre in Gloucester. The question is, will they tell us what they see...
And while we're enjoying all of these features we'll also be touring through the magnificent Cotswolds, hearing exciting and mysterious tales of the area and stopping off to find fairy rings and villages where you'd not be surprised to find Hobbits! We'll be checking the locals to see if they have hairy feet!
Day Three
The majestic Oxford, 'city of the dreaming spires', is the focus of our morning. Many of the scenes in the film were shot in various locations around Christchurch and Divinity Hall at the Bodlian Library. You'll be able to have your own picture taken at the inspiration for 'Hogwarts Hall' (subject to college opening), or on the great staircase where Professor McGonnigal greeted the new students and where Harry first sees Tom Riddle. Or perhaps the child in all of us will prefer to be pictured in the cloisters of Christchurch, the setting for Hogwarts Trophy Room and where Harry is shown the trophy his father won as a seeker in Quidditch.
Oxford was also the setting for a magical book of another age but still managing to thrill today's generations. You'll see where Alice wondered through the small door into Wonderland, find a dodo, and discover where Lewis Carroll took his inspiration for the White Rabbit, her elongated neck and Mad Hatter tea parties on our 'Alice in Wonderland' walk. Other childrens' authors found here are C S Lewis ('The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe') and J R Tolkein ('Lord of the Rings').
The child in everyone will also enjoy our day's treasure hunt for dinosaurs and the real shrunken heads seen in 'The Chamber of Secrets'!
For our last visit of the day, we'll stop at one of the two following options, subject to weather and group interest. The first option is the Thames riverside village of Henley on Thames where we can get acquainted with those inhabitants of the riverbank, Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad of Toad Hall. Author, Kenneth Graham, set his classic tale along this stretch of the river and we'll be visiting a very special 'Wind in the Willows' exhibition.
The second option as we return to London is to stop at a miniature village where, like Hagrid, we stride over houses and tiny people! (not open on our Thanksgiving departure when a substitute attraction is used). This is the world's oldest model village and a childhood favourite of Queen Elizabeth. You'll also be introduced to our final fantastic author of the tour, Enid Blyton creator of 'Noddy' and 'The Famous Five'.
You're delivered to your central London hotel for approximately
19.00 h.
Prices:
£379 pp twin share / £55 s. supl./ Child £319 pp twin share / Child sharing w/2 adults £269 / Child sharing w/1 adult £299
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