Sunday, July 28
Arrive at and check into the luxurious Langley hotel in Buckinghamshire, which is just a short taxi ride from Heathrow Airport, in time to freshen up and join your fellow tea travelers for afternoon tea, where will toast the exciting week that awaits us, and Jane Pettigrew will enlighten us about the tea history of Bath. The remainder of the evening will be on your own to relax and rest from your travels.
Monday, July 29
An executive coach will take us to our hotel in Bath by way of Stow-on-the-Wold, a charming market town in the Cotswolds known for its abundance of antiques stores, where we’ll enjoy a group lunch and plenty of time for shopping. We’ll check into our five-star hotel in Bath, The Gainsborough Bath Spa, and partake of afternoon tea there. Use the remainder of the evening to explore the walkable city.
Tuesday, July 30
We’ll set out for a day trip to Worcester, where we’ll visit the Museum of Royal Worcester and learn about this treasured brand under the tutelage of notable experts Philip Serrell and Colin Millet. A trustee for the museum, Philip is an auctioneer and specialist in the sale and valuation of Royal Worcester porcelain, as well as other items of fine art and antiques, with clients worldwide, and is a regular face on many antiques television programs, such as Bargain Hunt and The Antiques Road Trip. Colin has had a passion for the study of Worcester porcelain for more than 50 years and has published four books on the subject. We’ll enjoy lunch at the museum, and we’ll have free time to explore nearby shops before rejoining as a group for afternoon tea at Stanbrook Abbey. We’ll return to Bath for an evening on your own.
Wednesday, July 31
A morning departure by coach will be necessary, as we’ll spend most of our day in or near Cardiff, Wales. We’ll visit Peterston Tea and see how owner Lucy George grows and processes tea. (Although Lucy stays quite busy with her farm, she also teaches for the UK Tea Academy.) We’ll taste the fruit of her labors—tea and kombucha made from what she grows—as well as some local fare. After a full day in Wales, we’ll return to our hotel in Bath, where the rest of the evening will be on your own.
Thursday, August 1
We’ll hear from the owners of Gillards of Bath, a tea purveyor that was established in 1888 and is famous for its Earl Grey, which is infused with pure Sicilian oil of bergamot. You’ll have free time to explore the city on your own, but we’ll all reconvene at The Pump Room for a most memorable afternoon tea. The remainder of your evening will be at your leisure.
Friday, August 2
Our private coach will take us to the picturesque market town of Tetbury, which is perhaps best known as home to Highgrove House and Gardens, King Charles’s royal estate in the Cotswolds. There will be time to explore the shops in the town before our private tour of Highgrove Gardens and lunch in the estate’s café. We’ll return to Bath for our final night in the area, which you’ll be able to enjoy at your leisure.
Saturday, August 3
We’ll depart early in the morning for our return to The Langley hotel in Buckinghamshire, stopping along the way to explore in the Cotswolds. We’ll enjoy afternoon tea together one last time in celebration of our marvelous week, but the remainder of the evening will be on your own.
Sunday, August 4
Enjoy breakfast on your own, and make sure to check out of your hotel room by noon. You are responsible for getting yourself to the airport or your next destination. If you would like to book an extra night at the hotel, please email ttevents@hoffmanmedia.com.
