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Our route from London will take us through the Capital's largest Royal Park and old hunting ground where we'll find herds of red and fallow deer roaming freely throughout the spectacular landscape. The Park is a top British site for ancient trees, particularly oaks, which have great historic and wildlife importance.
With its 500 years of royal history Hampton Court Palace has something to offer everyone. The flamboyant Henry VIII (he of great appetite for both food and wives!) is most associated with this majestic palace, which he extended and developed after acquiring it in the 1520s. Its many royal occupants have ensured the palace has fabulous furnishings, tapestries and paintings. From the elegance of the recently restored eighteenth century Privy Garden to the domestic reality of the Tudor Kitchens we are taken back through the centuries to experience the Palace as it was when royalty was in residence. It is set in 60 acres of formal gardens, which include the famous maze and the Great Vine, believed to be the oldest vine in the world.
Anyone for tennis? The Hampton Court Palace Real Tennis (Court Tennis) court is the oldest tennis court in use in the world; and the only one in Great Britain which the public are admitted (April-October) to see and, if play is in progress, to watch tennis being played. Henry VIII was passionately addicted to sport, and particularly to tennis. Legend has it that he heard of the execution of Queen Anne Boleyn as he played tennis at Hampton Court Palace.
We drive to Windsor Castle via Runnymede, a watermeadow alongside the River Thames, where King John sealed the Magna Carta in 1215 and where there is a memorial to John F. Kennedy. The imposing towers and battlements of the Castle loom large as we approach, creating one of the world's most spectacular skylines. Our route into the town will take us past the barracks of the Coldstream Foot Guards, the oldest regiment in the British Army in continuous active service, originating on the Scottish border in 1650.
Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. The Castle's dramatic site encompasses 900 years of British history. No other royal residence has played such an important role in the nation's history.
Our tour of the Castle will start with a visit to Queen Mary's Dolls' House, a miniature palace built to exacting details and the most famous dolls' house in the world. The magnificent State Apartments are furnished with armour, sculpture and some of the finest works of art in the world. There are masterpieces by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and Van Dyck as well as magnificent French and English furniture and porcelain. When the Queen is in residence and on special days the Royal Standard flag flies above the Castle.
St George's Chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. It is the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, the senior order of British Chivalry established in 1348 by King Edward III. Within the chapel are the tombs of ten sovereigns, including Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour, and King Charles I.
A short walk from the Castle will take us to the exclusive and famous Eton College, founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. Eton College's former pupils include 18 British Prime Ministers and Princes William and Harry. It's worth having a good look at the interesting shops as we walk down the High Street - mostly antique shops, art galleries and curiosity shops. Look out for the shop that sells nothing but teddy bears!
If time permits we can do the tour in reverse in order to see Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle. In this case we will not be able to drive through the deer park.
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