EXTRAORDINARY BRITAIN

Location: Westminster, London

Tour Dates: Thursday 2nd & Friday 3rd

Start Time: 9:00am

Duration: Half Day (4hrs)

Benedictine monks first came to the site of Westminster Abbey in the middle of the 10th century, establishing a tradition of daily worship which, incredibly, continues to this day. Neither a cathedral nor a parish church, the spectacular 700-year-old abbey is actually a "Royal Peculiar", a church responsible directly to the Sovereign. You’ll look at the wonderful architecture, see the Coronation Chair and find the famous people buried there, including the Tudor Queen Elizabeth I, the scientist Isaac Newton and the novelist Charles Dickens.

Then you’ll make your way to the Churchill War Rooms, which is for anyone who wants a little more light shed on our ‘darkest hour’. The museum is made up of two parts. The first is the underground complex known as the Cabinet War Rooms where Churchill and his government sheltered during the Blitz and from where he directed the war. The second is the brilliantly interactive Churchill Museum that focuses on the life of the man himself, from birth through the wilderness years, to his time as Prime Minister, and on to his death and famous funeral. A perfect pairing. Churchill Museum that focuses on the life of the man himself, from birth through the wilderness years, to his time as Prime Minister, and on to his death and famous funeral. A perfect pairing.

Location: City of London

Tour Dates: Thursday 2nd & Saturday 4th

Start Time: 9:00am

Duration: Half Day (4hrs)

It may surprise people to know that London is one of the greenest cities in Europe. Forty percent of its area is dedicated to parks and public spaces and while the great parks are well known and loved by Londoners and visitors alike, few people know of the many small and remarkable spaces that are dotted throughout the city. With a history spanning five centuries, this walk encompasses old and new gardens and public spaces to see the best of this small pocket of London's lesser-known gems. Several of these have been created in the bombed-out ruins of Wren's churches, including the award-winning St Dunstan's in the in the East whose dramatic remains have been engulfed in a wide range of wall shrubs and climbers to create a beautiful garden with a haunting atmosphere. Postman's Park, beloved as a lunchtime venue for City office workers is another small space with a story; you will also discover Barber Surgeon's garden along the way. Lunch is at the former Carthusian Monastery, The Charterhouse, with its country garden just beyond the City boundary.

Location: Greenwich

Tour Dates: Thursday 2nd

Start Time: 9:00am

Duration: Long Half Day (5hrs)

To say that Greenwich has more than its fair share of attractions is a massive understatement. Not only is it the place where the eastern and western hemispheres officially meet, but it is also home to one of London’s prettiest royal parks; the mind-boggling Planetarium; the National Maritime Museum; the Cutty Sark (the fastest tea clipper of the 1870s); the Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College, which houses one of Europe's finest Baroque ceilings; and the Queen's House, London's first Palladian building and one of London’s best arts, crafts and antiques markets. The whole area reflects English artistic and scientific endeavour in the 17th and 18th centuries and as a result is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And, of course, as the reference line for Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), it is also the home of Time itself. Now all you need is the time to see everything!

Location: Windsor, Berkshire

Tour Dates: Thursday 2nd

Start Time: 9:00am

Duration: Full Day (8hrs)

Embark on a regal full-day tour of Windsor Castle and Hampton Court.

Home to sovereigns for more than 900 years, Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world, the oldest in continuous occupation, and one of three official residences of the current King. While you’re unlikely to see His Majesty, you will see such majestic treats as St George’s Chapel (where The Queen Mother, Henry VIII and Charles I are buried); the Semi State Rooms (furnished with incredible treasures from the Royal Collection); and the enormous Queen Mary's Doll's House. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, it is one of the most visited sights at Windsor, and fantastic for kids and adults alike.

Hampton Court Palace boasts the stunning Chapel Royal, beautiful gardens, Royal Tennis Courts, exquisite furniture, and – of course - the famous Maze, mentioned in Thomas Cromwell’s inventories in 1659.

Location: Soho, London

Tour Dates: Friday 3rd & Saturday 4th

Start Time: 11:30am

Duration: Half Day (2hrs)

Take a delectable food and drink adventure through London's most notorious neighbourhood: Soho.

Led by born and bred Londoners with years of experience in the culinary world, they will be on hand to take you through all the hidden gems and best kept secrets of these hallowed streets. Championing British produce along with cuisines from around the World, you will explore all manner of atmospheric hotpots where you will enjoy numerous dishes and drinks - with a few entertaining stories on the side! You’ll feast on a true Shanghai dim sum classic, an ultimate Chinese street food, decadent Malaysian comfort food, take a trip to a historic Italian deli, and savour indulgent chocolate truffles, from London's finest chocolatier.

You'll sip on Cocktails, Chinese wine, as well as beer, and there are also non-alcoholic alternatives.

Location: Kensington, London

Tour Dates: Friday 3rd

Start Time: 9:00am

Duration: Half Day (4hrs)

First adapted for royal residence in 1689 by Sir Christopher Wren, Kensington Palace hosted the courts of William and Mary, Queen Anne, George I and George II. It was where Queen Victoria was brought up (before being the first monarch to move into Buckingham Palace) and where she heard the news of her accession. She held her first Privy Council meeting here. More recently, it became the home of Princess Margaret, The Queen’s sister; then after her death, of Diana, Princess of Wales; and then her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, and their families. It is easy to see the attraction. Newly reopened after a two-year, £12-million refurbishment, the Palace is one of London's best-positioned buildings, looking eastwards over Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, and – since 2004 - the Diana Memorial Fountain.

Location: Newbury, Hampshire

Tour Dates: Friday 3rd

Start Time: 9:00am

Duration: Full Day (7hrs)

The name Highclere Castle may not ring a bell, but fans of Downton Abbey will know this castle inside-out. Used for both interior and exterior filming on the hit TV series, Highclere has been the ancestral home of the Earls of Carnarvon for centuries.

If you’ve never seen Downton but its pinnacles and spires look familiar, that’s probably because the castle’s stunning facade was designed by Sir Charles Barry, the architect of the Houses of Parliament, while the gardens (including a monks’ garden and secret garden) were designed by the famous Victorian landscaper, Capability Brown.

And there is more to Highclere than meets the eye; an earlier Earl sponsored the archaeological expedition that discovered the grave of Tutankhamun and the castle houses an extraordinary Egyptology exhibition, which includes numerous artefacts up to 3,500 years old. A truly magnificent stately home.

Location: Covent Garden, London

Tour Dates: Saturday 4th

Start Time: 9:00am

Duration: Half Day (2hrs)

Visit the Backstage and Front of House areas of one of the world's leading theatres as it prepares to open its doors for the evening performance. The Backstage Tours include an introduction to the colourful history of the theatre, an insight into the re-development of the Royal Opera House and a look at aspects of current productions. As the Royal Opera House is a fully working theatre, each tour is a unique experience, and may include opportunities to see The Royal Ballet in class, or the magnificent backstage technology in operation.

Location: Oxfordshire

Tour Dates: Saturday 4th

Start Time: 9:00am

Duration: Full Day (8hrs)

With 1,500 listed buildings dating from the 11th century onwards, walking through Oxford is like walking through a fairytale. A typical tour might start at Christ Church, in the heart of the city centre. Well-known for its impressive architecture, from there it’s a short walk to Merton College, where J.R.R. Tolkien studied. The Ashmolean is the University’s amazing museum of art and archaeology, while nearby is one of Europe’s oldest and most beautiful libraries – The Bodleian – where scenes from the first two Harry Potter movies were filmed.

The birthplace of Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace was a gift from Queen Anne to Churchill’s forebear, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, to thank him for his famous victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. This incredible palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and possibly the most extravagant residence in Britain, boasts a superb collection of tapestries, paintings, porcelain and furniture, as well as a permanent exhibition dedicated to Winston Churchill himself. Churchill visited Blenheim Palace frequently until his death in 1965.