England: The Mary Rose - A Tudor Tale 7868

England: The Mary Rose - A Tudor Tale 7868

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4 Days From

$1255

England: The Mary Rose - A Tudor Tale 7868

4 Days Starting and ending in London, United Kingdom

Visiting: London, Portsmouth, Sussex, Basingstoke

Tour operator:

Brightwater Holidays

Tour code:

BMRT

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Light

Trip Styles:

UK tours by Coach

From: $1255

NB: Prices correct on 07-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

The raising of Henry VIII’s flagship the Mary Rose was one of the most complex and expensive maritime salvage projects in history and the surviving section of the ship and thousands of recovered artefacts are of great value as a Tudor period time capsule. Today the museum which houses her, rebuilt in 2013, is one of the foremost visitor attractions on the south coast and forms the centrepiece of this new tour which takes in a series of properties associated with the great Tudor age.

 

We begin at Hampton Court Palace, which became one of Henry VIII’s most favoured residences and is home to the last medieval great hall built for the English monarchy. We then visit the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth, home to the Mary Rose Museum, where we have a private talk on how the life of the Mary Rose and the tumultuous reign of King Henry VIII were intertwined, followed by a guided tour of the museum, and in the afternoon we visit the Tudor House and Garden in Southampton. We take a trip along the south coast with visits to Henry VIII’s fourth wife Anne of Cleve’s house in Lewes; Arundel Castle and its distinguished Tudor connections and the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum. Finally we visit the great 16th century ‘powerhouse’ The Vyne, completing our Tudor tale.


Highlights

  • Hampton Court Palace, a favored residence of Henry VIII, showcasing Tudor architecture.

  • Explore the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth, home to the Mary Rose and a vast collection of Tudor artefacts.

  • Visit the Tudor House and Garden in Southampton, featuring a Grade 1 listed building and a recreated Tudor knot garden.

  • Discover Anne of Cleve’s House in Lewes, with its well-preserved Tudor interiors and traditional garden.

  • Arundel Castle, offering spectacular views and a rich history tied to the Dukes of Norfolk.

  • Experience the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, with historic buildings and period gardens in Sussex.

  • The Vyne, a Tudor 'power house' near Basingstoke, with eclectic collections and beautiful grounds.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1

Location: London

Accommodation Name: Norton Park Hotel, Spa and Manor House

Meals Included: Dinner

We depart by coach from our central London pick-up point and depart for a visit to Hampton Court Palace. The building of the palace began in 1514 for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the chief minister of Henry VIII. In 1529, as Wolsey fell from favour, the cardinal gave the palace to the king to check his disgrace. The palace went on to become one of Henry’s most favoured residences; soon after acquiring the property, he arranged for it to be enlarged so it could accommodate his sizeable retinue of courtiers. In later years it was much extended, in various architectural styles, but at its heart it remains Tudor, and symbolic of the enormous power that dynasty wielded.
We continue to our hotel in Winchester.

Day 2

Location: Portsmouth

Accommodation Name: Norton Park Hotel, Spa and Manor House

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast we head for Portsmouth for a visit to the Historic Dockyard, home to the Mary Rose. Built between 1510-1511 she was for many years Henry VIII’s favourite warship, fast, well-armed and successful. She sank, not on her maiden voyage as Blue Presenter Sarah Greene mistakenly informed the nation, but on a fine summer day in 1545 as she sailed into action against the French fleet, with Henry VIII watching aghast from Southsea Castle. The raising of the Mary Rose and her subsequent restoration was a remarkable achievement, while the collection of some 19,700 genuine Tudor artefacts is unparalleled and provides an invaluable insight into 16th century life. Our visit begins with an exclusive one-hour talk on the relationship between Henry VIII and the Mary Rose. One of the first things Henry did as King was order the ship and she sank two years before his death in 1545. We will discover how the life of the Mary Rose and the tumultuous reign of King Henry VIII were intertwined throughout that time. We then enjoy a live tour of the museum by a knowledgeable member of the Mary Rose team, who will provide us with a unique insight into some of the most interesting items in the collection. There will then be free time for lunch (not included) and should you wish there will be an opportunity to view the adjacent HMS Victory, the Royal Navy’s most famous warship (admission not included).
Our afternoon visit takes us to Southampton and the Tudor House and Garden. This Grade 1 listed half-timbered building dates to Norman times and was established as Southampton’s first museum in 1912. In the 16th century it was extended and developed by Sir John Dawtrey, a major landowner, MP and Sheriff. He received large sums of money from Henry VIII to supply food for the navy and to help in the defences of the town. Money was also provided for the building, fitting out and provisioning of ships – including The Mary Rose. The house is home to an eclectic range of artefacts, covering 800 years of history, while the garden is a recreation of a Tudor knot garden.
We return to our hotel.

Day 3

Location: Sussex

Accommodation Name: Norton Park Hotel, Spa and Manor House

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we head east along the south coast to the Sussex town of Lewes where we find Anne of Cleve’s House. This stunning timber-framed medieval house was given to Anne, the fourth wife of Henry VIII, at the end of her short-lived marriage, although she never lived there. Nevertheless, it provides great insight into the Tudor period with well-preserved interiors including a Tudor kitchen, a light and airy parlour and a beautiful bedroom complete with four poster bed. We will learn about Sussex life in days gone by through a fascinating collection of historic domestic artefacts, then stroll through the garden, which is inspired by a traditional Tudor planting scheme and includes herbs, shrubs and fruit trees appropriate to the period.
Next we visit Arundel Castle. Set high on a hill, its aspect gifts it with spectacular views across the South Downs and the River Arun. It has been home to the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors since its founding in the 11th century. In the Tudor period these included Lord Howard of Effingham, who with Sir Francis Drake repelled the Armada in 1588; the Earl of Surrey, the Tudor poet and courtier, and the 3rd Duke of Norfolk, uncle of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, both of whom became wives of Henry VIII.
Later this afternoon we visit the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum which is set in 50 acres of beautiful Sussex countryside. There are over 50 historic buildings here dating from the 13th to the 19th century, many with period gardens. These buildings were rescued from destruction and were carefully dismantled, conserved and rebuilt to their original form. Exhibits include a Tudor kitchen and Tudor Market Hall; a majestic timber framed farmhouse from Kent; a medieval shop and carpenters, plumbers and brickmakers workshops. If the Court Barn looks familiar, you’ve probably seen it on the BBC’s The Repair Shop – though usually closed to the public we may be lucky enough to sneak a peek inside.
We return to the hotel in time for dinner.

Day 4

Location: Basingstoke

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning following breakfast we depart for home but en-route we still have time for one final visit, The Vyne, near Basingstoke. Originally built as a great Tudor ‘power house’, The Vyne was visited by Henry VIII on at least three occasions and was later home to the Chute family for more than 350 years. Dramatic improvements and changes have made The Vyne a fascinating microcosm of changing fads and fashions over five centuries. The house is filled with the original family collection – an eclectic mix of fine furniture, portraits, textiles and sculpture. The attractive gardens and grounds feature an ornamental lake, one of the earliest summerhouses in England and woodland walks. A newly developed wetlands area with a new bird hide attracts a wide diversity of wildlife. Lunch is available here (not included).
Following our visit we head for our original pick up point.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

  • Meals as per the itinerary

  • Comfortable coach travel throughout

  • All visits as outlined in the itinerary

  • Services of a professional tour manager

What's Not Included

  • Lunch on Day 2

    Lunch on Day 2 is not included.

  • Admission to HMS Victory

    Admission to HMS Victory is not included.

  • Lunch at The Vyne

    Lunch at The Vyne is not included.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of transportation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes comfortable coach travel throughout, ensuring a relaxed journey between destinations.

  • Is there a tour guide included in the package?

    Yes, the services of a professional tour manager are included in the tour package.

  • What can I expect during the visit to the Mary Rose at the Historic Dockyard?

    The visit includes an exclusive one-hour talk on the relationship between Henry VIII and the Mary Rose, followed by a live tour of the museum by a knowledgeable member of the Mary Rose team. There will also be free time to explore and an opportunity to view the adjacent HMS Victory, although admission is not included.

  • What is special about the visit to The Vyne?

    The Vyne is a great Tudor 'power house' visited by Henry VIII and later home to the Chute family. It features an eclectic mix of fine furniture, portraits, textiles, and sculpture, along with attractive gardens, an ornamental lake, and a newly developed wetlands area.

  • Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?

    You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.

  • What facilities do your coaches have?

    Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.

  • Do I have to go on the included excursions?

    Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.

  • Is there time to relax?

    Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.

  • Do I need to be an expert?

    Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.

  • How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?

    You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding

  • Do you have self-drive holidays?

    Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!

  • What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?

    There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.

  • Where are your departure points?

    UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .

  • What about the company that will be kept?

    For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.

  • What is a Brightwater Holiday?

    Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.

  • Why is there a single supplement?

    Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.

  • How much are your optional excursions?

    Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.

  • Can I pre-book my coach seats?

    Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.

  • How to get there? Easy!

    With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.

  • Do I need to have travel insurance?

    Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.

Reviews of this operator

Trusted Customer  

Brightwater Holidays offers great value

28-Nov-2019

I would highly recommend Brightwater Holidays. It offers excellent service and value for money. This was my first tour as I normally arrange holidays myself, but this tour - which was to the gardens of Kent and Sussex - was a very pleasant change of pace.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Brightwater Holidays Customer  

My experience with Brightwater Holidays

08-Aug-2019

The tour was well managed, the sites visited were all interesting and linked to the theme of the Picts and their place in history, the hotel was comfortable and the coach journeys were well paced. I have been with Brightwater before and will certainly travel with them again

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Alan Hawkes (Google Reviewer)  

We were on the Tour...

28-Aug-2022

We were on the Tour of the Outer Hebrides. We had a great experience, in no small part due to the excellence of the tour manager and driver.

Brightwater Holidays Custome  

Wonderful experience with brilliant information

31-Jul-2019

The most important factor was an amazing guide in Alastair Walker whose knowledge and care for clients was fantastic. The whole trips are superbly organised

Feefo Trusted Reviews
David MacLennan (Google Reviewer)  

Noted a comment on taking...

23-Aug-2023

Noted a comment on taking coaches on A814 by a local person who didn't know the facts: When the A82 was blocked and the POLICE divert you onto that road you do as instructed not what a you know are tight roads but they only way to your destination as intructed by officials. We know this route is not suitable for large vehicles but the driver does as instructed by someone in authority.

Eric Webb (Google Reviewer)  

Recent (September 2023) Scottish holiday...

07-Oct-2023

Recent (September 2023) Scottish holiday not so good. Various 'issues' to do with scheduling and organisation. I'm happy to report however that - after an interval - a letter expressing disappointment brought a full response - including a generous refund. So - with fingers slightly crossed - we'll be booking with Brightwater again in due course.

Kevin Barrett (Google Reviewer)  

The recent tour in Northumberland...

30-Sep-2023

The recent tour in Northumberland turned out to be a shambles. Our South London driver took us to Newcastle, but no guide to meet us. Next day still no guide and the bus driver attempted to salvage the tour the best he could despite having no knowledge of the attractions. Fortunately one of the passengers Googled the tides for Holy Island. No holiday guide ever showed up. Coach and hotel were fine. Do these people only offer self guided tours? Take Shearings next time.

ALEXANDRA MCQUEEN (Google Reviewer)  

Been trying to get a...

17-Oct-2023

Been trying to get a reply from them for over a week. Booked Xmas tour, confirmation said pick up subject to numbers, they never said anything when booking and theyve been paid in full. Would not recommend!

Dp Green (Google Reviewer)  

I had heard this company...

20-Feb-2024

I had heard this company was a nightmare to deal with, but thought I'd give it a go. Signed up for a tour, then emailed them about how to pay off the balance. No response to 3 emails. I've never encountered a tour company that ignored questions on how to pay off a balance. Looked into other reviews and found many complaints about cancelled tours and refusals to refund deposits.

Kieran Thompson (Google Reviewer)  

Two of your tour busses...

26-Jul-2021

Two of your tour busses used the A814 from Garelochhead to Arrochar on 24th July 2021. This route is not suitable for large vehicles and your drivers should not have taken the huge coaches that way. There are clear signs at both ends of the road indicating it is not suitable for HGV's. Our car had to go off into the soft verge to allow your coaches to pass. Please amend your routes to avoid this road in future.

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Prices last published on 06-Nov-2024

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  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Brightwater Holidays allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform brightwater holidays, 25 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Brightwater Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 15% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brightwater holidays charges.

    At 40 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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