Hampshire

Castle & palace tours

Relax on the way to your holiday with a great value bus transfer from Heathrow Airport and the Southampton City Center. With regular departures throughout the day, you can sit back and enjoy the convenient and affordable journey. High-specification coaches will take you directly from the airport door to central Southampton. Relax in leather seats with headrests, seat-back tables, ample legroom, toilets, air conditioning, WiFi, and power sockets. Using your GetYourGuide voucher you will be able to board your specific service with no need to worry. Reliable, modern and comfortable vehicles will get you to and from Southampton with no hassle.

Pick from individual or family entry tickets to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Visit attractions including HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, The National Museum of the Royal Navy, HMS M.33, The Mary Rose Museum, Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower, and The Royal Navy Submarine Museum. Marvel at the exhibitions at the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth and explore in any order you want, and at any time you want within a year. Choose between a family or an individual ticket. Introduced for 2023, experience Dive the Mary Rose in 4D and learn more about the historic diving expedition. Step into the past as you explore historic ships, including Lord Nelson’s world-famous flagship HMS Victory, Queen Victoria’s HMS Warrior, and the First World War’s HMS M.33. Marvel at Henry VIII's Tudor warship, the Mary Rose and take the complimentary waterbus to Gosport to visit the Cold War submarine, HMS Alliance. Enjoy a sightseeing harbor cruise around Portsmouth Harbour and view the ships of the modern Royal Navy for a complete picture of Britain's naval history.

Experience the south coast’s most spectacular view. Spinnaker Tower stands at 170 meters tall, offering breath-taking 23-mile views over Portsmouth Harbour, the city, the Solent, the South Downs and the Isle of Wight. The iconic landmark boasts a high-speed lift and three sky-high viewing decks. Venture across the thrilling glass ‘Sky Walk’ at 100 meters above sea level; discover stories behind the surrounding sites with informative touchscreen displays; try vertigo-inducing virtual reality, breath in the view from the open air ‘Sky Garden’; relax in The Clouds with a coffee, a glass of bubbly or a decadent High Tea; and enjoy delicious meals made with locally sourced ingredients in the Waterfront Cafe.

Travel by executive coach from London to the Southampton cruise terminal via Stonehenge on this 6-hour excursion. One of the greatest mysteries of the prehistoric world, Stonehenge has been described as a temple, a clock, and by some as a burial site. Enjoy a visit with an audio-guided tour around the world-famous stones. After 90 minutes at Stonehenge you’ll depart on the 1-hour drive to Southampton. When you arrive at the cruise terminal all you’ll need to do is identify your luggage to the porters and then check-in to begin your cruise. The tour price includes travel by executive coach, admission to Stonehenge, the services of a tour manager, and drop off at Southampton Cruise Terminal. This cruise transfer is available on all dates when Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Oceania, NCL, Celebrity, Princess & Disney cruise ships are visiting Southampton. This service is also available to passengers on other ships not listed, when dates and arrival times coincide with ships listed. How much luggage can I bring? Each person is allowed a maximum of 2 items of hold luggage (75x51x28 cm - 23kg each) and 1 item of carry on luggage (55x40x20 cm - 10kg each). Limits on luggage are worked out based on the space available in the vehicle in which you will be travelling. If you bring extra luggage it will not fit in the vehicle. In this instance you will be responsible for arranging separate transportation for your luggage to your cruise ship, which could result in a stressful start to your holiday! And no one wants that! Should you wish to bring any mobility aids (wheelchairs or walkers) you MUST contact us in advance to let us know. We will require full dimensions and weight. These items must be able to be folded and stored in the luggage hold and will be counted as 1 item of your hold luggage.

Visit Oxford and top 'Downton Abbey' filming locations on this guided day trip from London. Start the day with a walking tour of Oxford and its famous university buildings. Continue to the Cotswolds’ village of Bampton. Visit the magnificent Highclere Castle with entry tickets included. Board your bus in London and set out on your tour. Journey in a comfortable bus as you head towards your first stop for the day, the city of Oxford. Here, embark on a guided walking tour of the city, home to one of the world’s oldest universities and packed with architectural highlights. Next up is a visit to Bampton, the filming location and setting for the exterior village scenes in Downton Abbey. See the church, the house of Matthew Crawley's mother, and homes transformed into the post office and various pubs. Head to Highclere Castle, the country seat of the Earls of Carnarvon. The tour of the Castle’s public rooms includes the magnificent main hall, the library, sitting rooms, and other rooms featured in Downton Abbey. Take home a copy of Lady Carnarvon's book as a souvenir of your visit.

After travelling through the stunning countryside and villages of Wiltshire, we arrive for a short photo stop in the charming town of Salisbury. We walk through the Medieval St Ann's Gate and the cathedral close, seeing an impressive collection of historic buildings, and then take time to admire its impressive tower and spire - at 404 feet the tallest in the country - constructed in a short space of time from 1220 to 1258. We then enter the cloisters, built from 1261, and the largest in the country, to complete our walk. Unfortunately, there is not enough time to enter Salisbury Cathedral on this tour. Before arriving at Stonehenge your guide will tell you about the many myths, legends, and facts surrounding this prehistoric structure. Stonehenge has been described as one of the greatest mysteries of the prehistoric world. Was it a temple, a clock, a burial site, or something else? On arrival you’ll have time for a visit and an audio-guided tour around the world famous stones, or time to browse the gift shop. After 90 minutes at Stonehenge you’ll depart for Royal Windsor, where you’re scheduled to arrive in time for a late lunch. You’ll then have some time to explore the city and castle. Windsor Castle is the largest continuously occupied castle in the world and your guide will tell you about its history from William the Conqueror to the current King (Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). The coach departs Windsor at 16:00 and passengers will be dropped off at selected Heathrow hotels beginning at 16:45. When booking, please specify your hotel and the terminal, if applicable. Drop offs are also provided at terminals 1-5. A drive into London is next, which is less than an hour from Heathrow. The guide will manage the hotel drop offs, where additional vehicles or taxis may be used (included in the price) to ensure the hotel drops are completed as quickly as possible. Drop off options include 250 London hotels and selected main line London train stations. How much luggage can I bring? Each person is allowed a maximum of 2 items of hold luggage (75x51x28 cm - 23kg each) and 1 item of carry on luggage (55x40x20 cm - 10kg each). Limits on luggage are worked out based on the space available in the vehicle in which you will be travelling. If you bring extra luggage it will not fit in the vehicle. In this instance you will be responsible for arranging separate transportation for your luggage to your cruise ship. Should you wish to bring any mobility aids (wheelchairs or walkers) you MUST contact us in advance to let us know. We will require full dimensions and weight. These items must be able to be folded and stored in the luggage hold and will be counted as 1 item of your hold luggage.

Discover the excitement of Alton Towers Resort with its variety of rides, attractions and entertainment for thrill-seekers, families and kids of all ages! See the Alton Towers Dungeon which was launched in 2019 and is a hilariously hideous journey through Staffordshire’s darkest history. Experience 7 world-class rollercoasters throughout the resort. Ride on the latest addition, "Wicker Man", that brings together wood and fire, as well as "Nemesis" with its iconic twists and turns, "Oblivion" with its sheer vertical drop, and "The Smiler" with its world-record 14 inversions. For those with little ones in tow, explore "CBeebies Land", which is the perfect place to meet some of your favourite CBeebies friends including the Teletubbies, Peter Rabbit, and Postman Pat. Families can also discover Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE, learn to drive at Cuckoo Cars Driving School, catch the Runaway Mine Train, or enjoy the spins and thrills on Spinball Whizzer!

Your driver or assistant will meet you at your accommodation, holding a sign with the lead traveler's name on it. The driver will then assist you with your luggage, loading it into the vehicle. The vehicle used is no more than 3 years old. Sufficient time will be allowed for any traffic delays, ensuring that you arrive on time.  Enjoy the English countryside as you travel to the cruise port. The driver will once more assist you with your luggage and bid you farewell as you board the cruise ship.

Indulge in a traditional afternoon tea, with sandwiches, fruit scones, and other treats, served with tea or coffee. Gaze out at the sea and enjoy a beautiful view of Portsmouth through the windows as you dine. Explore Spinnaker Tower in your own time, with a general admission ticket included. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, with a selection of delicious sandwiches to choose from. Also, sample an assortment of sweet treats and fruit scones with clotted cream and jam. This is served with a selection of teas or coffee. While you eat, marvel at the amazing view of Portsmouth from the tower. Afterward, explore the tower at your leisure, as a general admission ticket is also included. Go out on the viewing platform for a panoramic view, walk on the glass floor, and watch the short introductory film, Sail of the Solent, to learn some interesting facts about the tower.

Set off on a scenic day trip with a small group from London and see some of the highlights of the Cotswolds. Visit filming locations from the show Downton Abbey, discover Highclere Castle, and admire the picturesque countryside in the region on this guided tour. Head to the Cotswolds countryside and visit some of the filming sites of Downton Abbey. Your first stop is Cogges Manor Farm located on the banks of the River Windrush. Learn of the farm’s role in Downton Abbey as Yew Tree Farm where Lady Edith's daughter Marigold was raised by the Drewe family. Visit the kitchens and Mr. Drewe’s living room, see the farmyard where many scenes were filmed, and watch a unique and special video about the farm's role in the popular television series. After a coffee break, continue on to the delightful village of Shilton, famous for its shallow ford and stone bridges; see the spot where Bates worked in the 'Red Lion' after being forced to leave Downton Abbey. Up next is the village of Swinbrook, where Lady Sybil and Tom Branson spent the night on their aborted elopement. Head to Bampton to see St Mary's Church, the scene of so many weddings and a funeral or two. During your guided walk, take in sites of interest including the cottage hospital (Bampton Library, entry included), Mrs. Crawley's house, the village green, the post office, Mrs. Patmore’s bed and breakfast, and The Grantham Arms pub. Next, make your way southwards from the Cotswolds to the chalk down land of Hampshire, home to magnificent Highclere Castle, known to many as Lord Grantham's family seat, Downton Abbey itself. Discover familiar locations both inside the castle and out. See where O’Brien tripped up Bates, where Kemal Pamuk’s body was moved, and the dining room where delicious dialogue was served up with decadent food. Visit Robert Crawley’s library and the various bedrooms, and walk down the grand staircase. Enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants here, before heading into the beautiful grounds. In the basement, there is a special Egyptology exhibition, thanks to the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and his excavations in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Spend around three hours in Highclere Castle and its grounds before returning back to London.