Castles, Abbeys & Cathedrals of Wessex (2 Days)
In two days you could climb the tallest gothic spire in the world, view the finest medieval cathedral sculpture in Europe or, visit the final resting place of two English kings set in a town rich with medieval buildings, and two castles.
We'll carefully plan your routes to ensure your days touring are rich with the experience of some of England's most amazing history and architecture.
Your tour can include visits to the following:
Glastonbury & Muchelney
Walk amongst the abbey ruins, see the Holy Thorn tree claimed to have originated from Joseph of Arimathea's staff. Legends abound that King Arthur and Queen Guinevere lie buried in the Abbey grounds.
Nearby Muchelney lies amid the orchards of the Somerset Levels.
Sherborne
The historic town of Sherborne is without doubt one of the most beautiful towns in England. It has an abundance of medieval buildings, a superb abbey, world famous schools, picturesque almshouse and uniquely, two castles. A short walk from the abbey takes us to the remains of Sherborne Old Castle, built by Bishop Roger of Salisbury in the 12th-century as a strongly defended palace. Nearby, Sir Walter Raleigh built his Tudor castle in 1594.
Wells - The smallest City in England
Stroll through the smallest city in England, Wells, home to one of the most magnificent cathedrals in Europe and world famous as a treasure house of medieval sculpture. Across the Green is Vicar's Close, the oldest continuously inhabited street in Europe, constructed in 1410 to house the men of the choir. Then to the Bishop's Palace, The Bishop's private Chapel, ruined Great Hall and the Gatehouse with portcullis and drawbridge, beside which the famous mute swans ring a bell for food.
Old Sarum
Old Sarum, two miles north of Salisbury has been a stronghold since the Iron Age, with Romans, Saxons and Normans all later leaving their mark here.
Salisbury - Magna Carta and Europe's Oldest Working Clock
Moving three miles south we encounter the "new" Salisbury Cathedral, a masterpiece of Early English style and immortalised in the paintings of John Constable. Its spire is the highest church spire in the United Kingdom. Walk the cloisters and the cathedral close (the oldest in Europe), and visit the chapter house that also displays the best preserved of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta.
Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle stands in a gap in the Purbeck Ridge and is one of the most evocative ruined castles in England. Walk amongst the dramatic and imposing ruins, standing sentinel over the Isle of Purbeck, and sense its 1,000 years of turbulent history.
