Day 1 – Shugborough

Board our private executive coach at the designated pick up points – Shugborough near Stafford is set on the banks of the River Sow, with a magnificent 17th century mansion house, along with working Victorian servant’s quarters and a Georgian park farm with watermill – continue to the 3* Best Western Tillington Hall Hotel at Stafford.

Day 2 – Ironbridge Gorge

Full day at Ironbridge Gorge begins with a visit to the Blists Hill Victorian Village, a recreation of life in a Victorian community with working factories, shops and cottages as well as the ‘townsfolk’ – Ironbridge, the great symbol of the success of the iron industry, was cast in 1779 by Abraham Darby and its great arch enthralled visitors who came from all over the world to admire its construction, as they still do today.

Day 3 – Shrewsbury & Attingham Park

Guided tour of Shrewsbury takes in sights such as the Norman Castle and St Mary’s Church, dating from 960 AD and boasting one of the tallest spires in England – morning at leisure to explore Shrewsbury, famous for its breezy black and white ‘magpie’ houses so typical of the Welsh Marches – the National Trust’s Attingham Park, an elegant 18th century mansion, is home to a fine collection of ambassadorial silver, Italian furniture and Grand Tour paintings.

Day 4 – Bridgnorth, Severn Valley Railway & Stokesay Castle

The historic town of Bridgnorth, once a thriving port along the banks of the River Severn, was described by Charles I as offering ‘the finest view in all my Kingdom’ – optional one way 16 mile steam train excursion from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway is the best way to explore the beauty of the River Severn (those not opting for the train excursion continue by coach to Kidderminster) – continue to English Heritage’s Stokesay Castle, a perfectly preserved medieval fortified manor house dating back to the 11th century nestling in a green valley in the heart of the Shropshire countryside.

Day 5 – Stratford Upon Avon

Guided tour of Stratford Upon Avon taking in such sights as the Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare is buried, and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre – time at leisure offers a chance to visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace with an exhibition which provides an introduction to his life and the traditional English garden.

Four nights on half board basis at the 3* Best Western Tillington Hall Hotel. Located a fifteen minute walk from the centre of Stafford, facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, bar and gymnasium. All rooms are en suite.

Single room supplement £49

Insurance

Entrance fees to places of interest (NT properties free to NT members)

Optional Severn Valley Railway steam train excursion

Remember this itinerary is just our suggestion. Tailor make this tour exclusively for your group to suit your members’ budget or preferences. You could:

• stay at a 4* hotel
• with fewer or different excursions
• for more (or fewer) days
• bring your own specialist lecturer
• include all entrance fees and gratuities