Castles, Stately Homes and Gardens 2008

Journey to the heart of the New Forest to the home of the Montagu family. Explore the 13th century Abbey, the Palace House and gardens and the celebrated Motor Museums with its absorbing collection of over 250 vehicles, including the legendary 'Bluebird'.

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans or trainers. Please remember you will be outdoors for part of your time in Beaulieu).

Whether for its striking Great Hall, State Rooms and breathtaking 55m Long Library, or the various external delights of its expansive gardens, arboretum, water terraces and Butterfly House, a visit to the home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill is an enthralling destination.

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans or trainers. Please remember you will be outdoors for part of your time at Blenheim Palace).

Now a beautifully preserved National Trust property, the rooms and gardens of the splendid home of Sir Winston Churchill remain much as he left them - with pictures, maps and fascinating personal mementoes. A further insight into the man himself is available from Sir Winston's own paintings.

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans. Please remember you will be outdoors for part of your time at Chartwell).

Wander amidst the stately elegance of one of the finest houses in Britain. Visit the State Rooms and chapel, view the tapestries, sculptures and old masters before exploring the immaculate gardens.

Christmas sees Chatsworth decorated with trees, candles and foliage and there are ample opportunities for festive shopping.

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans. Please remember you will be outdoors for part of your time at Chatsworth).

Explore the former RAF base at Duxford, home to the Imperial War Museum's collection of historic and military aircraft. Duxford's indoor exhibition space also includes one of the finest collections of tanks and military vehicles. The newest edition to Duxford is 'Airspace' - hosting an impressive array of aircraft in a spectacular, purpose-built exhibition space.

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans. Please remember you will be outdoors for part of your time at Duxford).

A spectacular 200 acre woodland garden, world famous for the Rothschild collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, rare trees and plants that form a riot of colour in spring. Other features include the hydrangea walk, the rock garden with its black swans, the sundial garden which follows an exotic planting and a camellia walk.

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans. Please remember you will be outdoors for part of your time at Exbury).

Three course lunch with champagne and wine on the outward journey, admission to the gardens, three course supper with champagne and wine on return journey.

Explore the 17th century Yorkshire home of the Earl and Countess of Harewood with its exquisite collection of artworks, china and Chippendale furniture. With uniquely landscaped gardens designed by 'Capability' Brown, and a magnificent parterre terrace, the impressive beauty extends both inside and out.

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans. Please remember you will be outdoors for part of your time at Harewood).

Visit the magnificent 13th century childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Guarding an exclusive collection of fine furniture, tapestries and other works of art, and set within expansive formal gardens, this is one of the most beautiful and dramatic examples of the architecture and lifestyle of the period.

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans or trainers. Please remember you will be outdoors for part of your time at Hever Castle).

The treasure trove of England's horticultural passion is nowhere more apparent than amidst the vividly colourful and constantly changing gardens of Great Dixter and Hole Park, where beautiful parkland encompasses inspirational planting, together with superb views across the Kentish Weald.

(Smart day wear is appropriate, you are asked not to wear jeans. Please remember you will be outdoors for much of the time at Great Dixter and Hole Park).

Encompassed by a calm oasis of park-land and gentle gardens, and standing in the middle of a natural lake, experience the fairy-tale beauty of Leeds Castle - hailed as the 'loveliest castle in the world.'

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans. Please remember you will be outdoors for some of the time at Leeds Castle).

Both awe-inspiringly medieval and full of warmth and character in turn, the heart of this rare manor house has remained constant over the centuries. Set within ancient parkland, the gardens offer an abundance of variety in form, foliage and bloom throughout the summer months.

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans. Please remember you will be outdoors for some of the time at Penshurst Place).

Unwrap over 450 years of history at Wilton House, standing in 21 acres of landscaped parkland and gardens, and housing one of the finest art collections in Europe including works by Van Dyck, Rubens and Joshua Reynolds. Continue your tour with a visit to beautiful Salisbury Cathedral before returning to the train.

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans. Please remember you will be outdoors for part of your time in Salisbury).

With its small, enclosed gardens, intimate in scale and romantic in atmosphere, each season brings new delights. Browse these beautiful 6 acre gardens created by Vita Sackville-West and her husband, renowned throughout the horticultural world.

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans. Please remember you will be outdoors for part of your time at Sissinghurst).

Stroll through landscaped grounds and of course the famous 25 acre vineyard itself. Tenterden offer a unique opportunity to see the home of the largest producer of English wines, fast gaining a world wide reputation. A guided tour allows you to learn the wine making process followed by wine and cheese tasting, where you can sample some of England's finest produce.

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans. Please remember you will be outdoors for part of your time at Tenterden).

The Renaissance-style château, built in 1874, is a creation of baron Ferdinand de Rothschild with collections to rival New York's Metropolitan Museum and Paris' Louvre and housing paintings by Gainsborough, Reynolds and the Dutch masters.

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans. Please remember you will be outdoors for part of your time at Waddesdon Manor).

Famous to gardeners the world over, experience the delight and inspiration of the Royal Horticultural Society garden at Wisley, where 400 acres of beautiful planting await your leisurely inspection. For gifts or a personal memento of your day, the visitor centre offers an incomparable selection of gardening books.

(Smart day wear is appropriate. You are asked not to wear jeans. Please remember you will be outdoors at Wisley and are advised to wear comfortable shoes).