Highlights
Cathedrals
Distilleries
Places you explore
Winchester – An ancient city boasting a statue of Alfred the Great, an impressive Norman cathedral, and many more historic artefacts.
Laverstoke Distillery – This is the home of Bombay Sapphire Gin. The sleek and sustainable production methods merge beautifully with an old paper mill.
Runnymede – This lovely, pastoral area is said to be the birthplace of modern democracy.
Your journey
Wars are lost because of drunk generals, nations become rich from rum, and empires intertwine with wine: alcohol and history are simply inseparable.
So on this day tour, you combine one of the most historic towns in England with a world famous alcohol distillery.
In Winchester, you admire an 800-year old ‘round table’ housed in a castle, visit one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, and learn about the streets that were laid by the ancient Romans.
And to wash down these historic wonders, you visit the Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery. It’s located within an old paper mill and has won multiple awards for its ethically minded production methods.
So, take this tour and learn that alcohol and ancient wonders go together like gin and tonic.
Check-in closes at 09:00 (tour departs at 09:15) – Stance 3, Greenline Coach Terminal, Stance 3, Greenline Coach Terminal, Bulleid Way, Victoria, London, SW1W 9SH
19:00 – London Victoria Drop Off, Stance 3, Greenline Coach Terminal, Bulleid Way, Victoria, London, SW1W 9SH
You’re restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
Students and seniors over 60
- Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
- Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
- Transportation by a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Air conditioning as standard
- The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Entry fees to visitor attractions
Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?
The UK and Ireland’s historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What’s more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.
Is there parking close to the departure point?
We don’t recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.
When should I get to the departure point?
Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can’t wait for you if you’re late.
What happens if I’m late or miss the tour?
If you’re late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies.
What are your cancellation policies?
We have a cancellation period of 48 hours for our one day tours, 15 days for two to nine day tours, and 21 days for 10+ day tours. If cancelled outside this period, we’ll give you a full refund minus a 10% admin charge. If you cancel inside this period, refunds are at our discretion.
Can Itineraries change?
Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. While there are ongoing coronavirus restrictions throughout the UK and Ireland, itineraries are more likely to change than usual as opening hours and capacities at many visitor attractions are reduced and subject to change. Your driver-guide will keep you up to up to date on the road, and we’ll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.
What is a guaranteed departure?
It’s simple: you book, you go. This means we’ll never cancel your tour because of a minimum numbers policy.
Can I pre-book a specific seat?
Due to logistical reasons, we’re unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you’ll always get a good view.
Are there toilets on the bus?
Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you’ll have regular comfort breaks.
How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?
We aim to accommodate everyone.
Do you take children on your tours?
We regret we don’t carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.
You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.
How much time do I get off the bus?
We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
Why do you exclude visitor attractions?
We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
Do we need to bring our own lunch?
You don’t need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
Should I tip the driver-guide?
Let’s be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it’s up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
What about travel insurance?
We advise you take out travel insurance.
You start your journey by heading straight to one of England’s most history-soaked cities, Winchester.
But visiting Winchester isn’t easy, because there’s almost too much to do. There’s a glorious cathedral, an ancient mill, cute cafes, and more than enough museums.
After you’ve had time to amble along the lanes and paths of this ancient city, it’s time to head for our boozy destination of the day. That’s right, we’re going to visit the home of one of the world’s most popular gins, Bombay Sapphire. But it’s not just the booze that’s brilliant at the Laverstoke Mill, the exhibition and Victorian architecture are as interesting as they are beautiful.
Once you’ve had enough of the tipple, it’s time to head home. You have a small refreshment stop at the quaint riverside town of Runnymede before arriving back in London in the evening.
Get in touch
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