TOUR OVERVIEW
We have so much to show you that this tour can be spread over one or two days! For medieval monasteries we have the lakeside ruins of Rufford Abbey or Newstead Priory – which later became the home of the very wicked Lord Byron! Both are set in Sherwood Forest, which our guides can tell you all about. There’s Worksop Priory, a huge Norman abbey later the home of a leading puritan whose daughter was a founder of Rhode Island.
Over in Lincolnshire we can show you the Saxon era church at Stow where you will hear stories of Viking attack and Saint Hugh with his pet swan. We always try to finish the day at Lincoln Cathedral where you can enjoy a tour and conclude with choral evensong in this magnificent setting.
We have a few other ‘little gems’ if you’ve got the time, including the church in a farmyard largely untouched since Tudor times or the extraordinary tombs in Snarford church.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
NEWSTEAD ABBEY - SHERWOOD FOREST
MONKS, LORDS & SCANDAL
Newstead was one of the greatest monastic houses in Sherwood Forest, but after the Reformation it was closed and later became the romantic home of the Byron family. The infamous Lord Byron came here with his half sister and……well, you’ll have to wait and find out what happened!
WORKSOP PRIORY
MONKS, PURITANS & WITCHES
Worksop was the great monastic house north of Sherwood Forest and it has an amazing history. Hear about monks, Crusaders and the Reformation, then the turbulent years of puritan preacher Richard Bernard – author of one of the first books on how to spot a witch! See the birthplace of his daughter Mary, who married Roger Williams and founded the state of Rhode Island.
LINCOLN - MEDIEVAL MASTERPIECE
EUROPE'S BEST CATHEDRAL
If you see one medieval cathedral in Europe, make it Lincoln. Its hilltop setting and sheer size make it a memorable visit, but our guides will tell you and the human – and sometimes supernatural – tales linked to its early years. Finish with Choral Evensong in the fantastic medieval Choir stalls: a memorable experience.
TOUR DETAILS AND PRICING
WHATS INCLUDED IN THE TOUR
Tour Guide for 1 or 2 days
Entrance to a range of venues of your choice including Newstead and Rufford Abbeys, Worksop Priory, Southwell and/or Stow Minster and Lincoln Cathedral. A visit to the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest can also be included.
LOCAL EXCURSIONS & EXPERIENCES
We can arrange additional local excursions & experiences as part of your tour. Please ask for details & prices when you make your booking enquiry.
For this tour we recommend you finish the tour with Choral Evensong at Lincoln Cathedral. This includes free entry to Europe’s greatest cathedral and provides a fascinating contrast to what you will have learnt about puritans and separatists during the day. Our guide will also take you to Lincoln.
Other special experiences:
Cream Tea at Hodsock Priory
Traditional English Bell Ringing
Real Ale Beer Tasting
Antiques Market
Sherwood Forest 'Red Bus' Tour
BOOKING DETAILS
Price:
Full Day £160 (minimum for up to 7 persons).
Then £25 a head up to a maximum of up to £350 for a full coach. Note that there is an additional per head entry fee for Southwell, Newstead and Rufford. We will include this in the final price quotation.
Itinerary Duration:
6 Hours
Transport:
Transport not included but can be arranged.
Pickup Location:
Retford or locations within 25 miles; main line stations at Newark, Retford, Doncaster or Lincoln.
Group Size:
Any size between individual and coach. Maximum of 25 is preferable, but more can be managed.
Refreshments & Meals:
Lunch and afternoon cream tea etc can be included as an addition. Please allow around £7-£10 a head depending on requirements.
Accessibility:
Some old churches have limited accessibility.
Fitness Level:
Low, but note that access to some buildings requires use of steps.
Advanced Booking:
Min. of 7 days advance booking. Winter bookings possible but sites are unheated and some lack electricity.
Travel Trade Information:
We offer a commissionable rate for travel trade.
BOOKING ENQUIRY
Please use the form to tell us a little more about your plans including dates and group numbers and we will be happy to create a sample tour itinerary and budget. Most of our tours are offered on a full or half day. And we can combine tours to create a 1,2,3 or 4 day tour to suit your schedule.
We will arrange transport, accommodation and additional day and evening events if required. Look forward to hearing from you.
Or give us a call on +44 (0)7470 366689