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Great British Heritage

The Real Wolf Hall

We enter the real world behind Wolf Hall through abbeys, castles and houses connected with Tudor politics and medieval power. Lacock Abbey, Sudeley Castle, Berkeley Castle and Thornbury Castle give the tour its historical structure, with talks from Owen Emmerson and Nicola Tallis.

Rather than retelling Wolf Hall, this tour uses real places to examine the world that made its events possible: dynastic ambition, religious change, noble power and shifting loyalty.

The buildings carry much of the story. Through ruins, fortified houses and royal associations, we consider how politics was lived in physical spaces, and how those spaces still shape our understanding of Tudor England.
From

£1,449

per person

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts, one lunch & one afternoon tea and three dinners.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Three nights’ accommodation at the four-star Hilton Puckrup Hall, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
  • Discover the Authentic Wolf Hall
    Explore the medieval cloisters of Lacock Abbey, Sudeley Castle, the home of Katherine Parr, a guided tour of Berkeley Castle, and afternoon tea at Thornbury Castle, with expert insight from Owen Emmerson and Nicola Tallis.
  • Your Expert Guides
    Expert guides Owen Emmerson and Dr Nicola Tallis throughout.
  • Tours
    Coach touring as per the itinerary.
  • Talks & Admissions
    All talks, guided tours and admissions as per the itinerary including two talks from Owen Emmerson and a talk from Nicola Tallis.
Meet Your Expert Guide

Dr Owen Emmerson

Owen is a historian, author and broadcaster specialising in the Tudor period, Anne Boleyn and the world of Hever Castle. His Travel Editions tours explore the Boleyn family, the Tudor court and the remarkable buildings in which their stories unfolded.

Through private visits, guided tours and bespoke lectures, Owen moves beyond familiar events to consider the personalities, relationships and domestic settings behind them. His detailed knowledge of Hever and its collections gives travellers an especially vivid and personal introduction to Anne Boleyn’s life and enduring legacy.

Meet Our Expert Guides
MEET YOUR EXPERT GUIDE

Dr Nicola Tallis

Nicola is an independent author and historian, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and an experienced curator, researcher and lecturer. She specialises in late medieval and Tudor England, with particular expertise in the use of jewels and the lives of royal women.

The author of five books, Nicola is also a familiar contributor to television, radio and major historical events. Passionate about making history enjoyable and accessible, she combines rigorous research with lively storytelling, bringing queens, courts and the politics of power vividly to life.

Meet Our Expert Guides
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive independently from 15:00.

Welcome drink, dinner, and talk from Owen Emmerson.

Day 2: Sudeley Castle, Hailes Abbey and Tewkesbury Abbey

Begin with a visit to the romantic Sudeley Castle, once home to Queen Katherine Parr, for a guided tour led by Nicola Tallis. Free time for lunch in one of the cages (own expense).

Then enjoy a peaceful visit to the atmospheric ruins and museum at Hailes Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery nestled in the Cotswold countryside.

End the day with a visit to the stunning Tewkesbury Abbey.

Evening talk from Owen, followed by dinner.

Day 3: Lacock Abbey, Chavenage and Tudor Connections

We start this morning with a guided visit to Lacock Abbey; its atmospheric 13th‑century cloisters are one of the abbey’s most famous features. Their vaulted ceilings and stone arcades give a real sense of its monastic origins. 

Then, continue to historic Chavenage to learn about its Tudor connections with a lunch within the house included. We have a guided tour of the house then free time to explore the gardens.

Return to the hotel by 17:30 for dinner.

Day 3: Berkeley Castle, Thornbury Castle and Tudor Royalty

Start the day with a private guided tour of Berkeley Castle, where Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I all stayed, and where Edward II was murdered. A special guided tour of the castle will share its history with us.

Next, travel to Thornbury Castle for an afternoon tea in regal surroundings, including a talk from Nicola Tallis. Afterwards, enjoy an afternoon exploring the castle’s grounds and Tudor heritage.

Return to the hotel for approx. 17.30.

Post-tour nights available at a supplement.

Availability

Choose Your Departure

Date
Departing From
Price From
Availability
21/06/2027
Tewkesbury
£1,449
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Solo Traveller Supplement From: £280
Destination
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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

Hilton Puckrup Hall

Set within 140 acres of beautiful Cotswolds parkland, Hilton Puckrup Hall combines the charm of a country house with modern comfort. The peaceful grounds, elegant lounges and welcoming atmosphere make it an ideal place to relax. Guests can enjoy the indoor pool, sauna, steam room, gym, spa treatments and 18-hole championship golf course. The hotel’s stylish restaurant and bar provide a pleasant setting for leisurely dining. Its location offers easy access to scenic countryside drives, riverside walks, and characterful market towns such as Malvern and Ledbury, perfect for those seeking a taste of rural England.
Hotel Website

our regular tours

Mobility Information

A fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits and exploration. You can expect more time on your feet, including walking between sites, longer periods of standing and some uneven surfaces, cobbles, steps or gentle inclines.
 
Some days may include several visits, longer coach journeys or walking from a drop-off point to an attraction. A reasonable level of fitness and the ability to keep pace with the group throughout the day will help you enjoy the experience fully.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. A reminder will be sent to you approximately 10 days before the balance due date. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

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Founded in 1994 offering unique cultural tours beyond typical high street itineraries.

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Expert Tour Guides, Unique Insights

Industry-leading guides, some since day one, who speak local languages and have detailed knowledge.

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