The tour begins when we depart from London’s Heathrow Airport and head north to Derbyshire, a treasure trove of great English country houses and home of the Derbyshire Gritstone sheep, one of the oldest native breeds in England.

 

During our stay we’ll visit the iconic Chatsworth House, home of the Dukes of Devonshire and a primary filming location for the Keira Knightly film, The Duchess; Bess of Hardwick’s Elizabethan treasure, Hardwick Hall, which doubled as the evil Malfoy Manor in the Harry Potter films; Haddon Hall, a medieval gem where they filmed Princess Bride; and Sudbury Hall, one of the country’s finest Restoration manors and the film stand-in for Pemberley in the 1995 BBC dramatization of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

 

Of course, we'll also visit farm shops throughout the Dales.

 

No trip to Derbyshire would be complete without a visit to The Royal Crown Derby porcelain factory in Derby itself. England’s oldest remaining porcelain manufacturer, they began at Derby in 1745 and received their “Royal” designation from King George III. The tour through the factory is a fascinating glimpse into the history, tradition, and skills that go into making Royal Crown Derby so special.

 

For those who want even more to do, we can also visit Tissington Hall and enjoy High Tea. Tissington is one of the stopping points on the 13-mile Tissington Trail, so a little walk through the English woodlands after tea is the perfect way to burn off those scones and sandwiches.

 

Moving south from Derbyshire, we'll spend the last three nights in the Cotswolds, where we'll visit one or two more country manor houses, as well as the world renowned Hidcote Manor Garden. We'll wrap up our trip with a farewell dinner at the famous Pudding Club, where it's all about dessert!

 

$3000 per person. Includes 5 nights in Derbyshire & 3 in the Cotswolds, all breakfasts, one Sunday pub lunch, high tea, Pudding Club dinner, all entrance fees, transport and guide throughout the trip.

 

In addition, you'll get all the perks of a "Trip With Michele." This means that a few months before our trip, you'll get a packet from me which will include a detailed itinerary, guide books, and maps of our destination, along with a few other goodies to get you in the mood! On the tour itself, I’ll happily customize each day for the participants, so whether your idea of ideal is go-go-go or more laid back, you’ll have the perfect trip.

 

Finally, if you’d like to begin or end your trip with a night or two in London or Oxford, I can arrange an add-on for you at really terrific rates.