ANCIENT OXFORDSHIRE AND WINDSOR CASTLE
"A once-in-a-lifetime experience. Imagine visiting the best art gallery in the world with your own curator, the British Museum with a historian, or perhaps Shakespeare's Globe with a literary scholar . . . Well, why not visit Britain's ancient sites with your very own expert archaeologist?"
Enjoy a countryside walk through the ancient landscape of Oxfordshire with our passionate, expert archaeologists. We will visit the Iron Age hillfort of Uffington Castle, the Uffington 3000-year-old chalk–white horse, and the 5500-year-old Neolithic tomb at Wayland's Smithy. This is a beautiful walk through traditional English countryside.
Enjoy plenty of time to explore the world's largest inhabited castle at Windsor. The castle is almost 1000 years old, providing the setting and burial place for England's most important historical events and Kings and Queens – including William the Conqueror (1066), Henry VIII, Charles I, and Elizabeth II.
MORNING
Uffington White Horse and Wayland's Smithy
Uffington White Horse
Uffington ‘Castle’, which occupies the summit of Whitehorse Hill, is a rare and outstanding example of a large Iron Age hillfort. The famous White Horse is the oldest chalk-cut hill figure in Britain, perhaps over 3,000 years old. Nearby Dragon Hill, a natural mound about 10 metres high, is named for its association with the legend of St George.
Wayland's Smithy is an atmospheric historic site about a mile's walk along the Ridgeway from the Uffington White Horse. A Neolithic chambered long barrow, it was once believed to have been the home of Wayland, the Saxon god of metal working. Human remains found on the site indicate that 14 people were interred in an earlier burial structure between 3590 and 3550 BC. Between 3460 and 3400 BC a second far larger barrow was constructed on top. It is the ruins of this that can be explored by visitors to the site today. The countryside walk you will enjoy from Uffington Castle is a 3.2 mile round trip.
AFTERNOON
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is of a size and magnificence unrivalled in England.
Founded by William I in 1070– the Norman motte and bailey still dominates – Windsor Castle has been occupied by nearly every monarch since (the present King included). Centuries of embellishment has resulted in one of the most impressive palaces in the world.
The gorgeous gilded interiors of the State Apartments and Englands finest Gothic building in St George’s Chapel (burial place of Henry VIII, Charles I, George III and Elizabeth II), are only two of the many highlights this royal residence has to offer visitors.
FURTHER DETAILS
Book with confidence
Not included is the admission to sites. This will be added to your personal quotation.
This experience is classed as moderate. However the day can be adapted to suit needs.
Private Transfers
Our in–house team can work closely with you to arrange an expert–led sightseeing private transfer between London and other cities or travel terminals.
From £1195.00 per group
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT
"This tour was absolutely perfect and well worth the money. It was so nice to be able to have an archaeologist to give more information and answer more questions than you’d get from any other tour guide. The inclusion of some of the lesser-known sites was awesome! I learned so much, and I would do this again in a heartbeat!"
WONDERFUL INSIGHTS
"A remarkable day travelling to some of England’s most ancient sites. Edward was our guide and gave us wonderful insights into the history of these monumental structures. Edward was a true teacher: he informed, and inspired further learning and the day flew by. Highly recommend this day tour from London."
HIGHLIGHT OF MY LIFE
“Our first trip to England would not have been complete without a trip to Stonehenge. My husband and I took the tour with our teenage son and my parents. The trip is a highlight of my life. It is positively one of the most amazing experiences we’ve ever had. Tom was terrific. He has so much knowledge."