Cambridge to Oxford: WWII & Colleges - Private Group Adventure

The trip starts in historic Cambridge, home to one of the most prestigious universities in the world. There is a welcome meeting at 4pm in the hotel reception; if you arrive earlier, consider a light walk around the city, perhaps visiting the Cambridge University Botanic Garden or taking a punt boat on the river, before our more extensive tour tomorrow. There is a welcome dinner at the hotel this evening, a great chance to get to know each other before our adventures together.

The day starts at 9am with a transfer into the heart of Cambridge for a guided walk around the city, visiting some of the famous colleges along the way. Around midday, we head to the Imperial War Museum Duxford, where we can walk in the footsteps of the men and women who served here during the Battle of Britain and see battle-worn aircraft. We then transfer back to our hotel in the afternoon.

Today we learn all about the 100th Bomb Group. Nicknamed the Bloody Hundredth, these 350 airmen became one of the most famous US Air Force units in the Second World War and the inspiration behind the Apple TV series Masters of the Air. Visiting their former airfield (a one-hour transfer away), we learn all about their heroics with a private guided tour. Our exploration includes a visit to the original control tower and a recreation of the teleprinter room, plus a chance to see documents, photographs, uniforms and service equipment. After, we return to Cambridge for the rest of the day at leisure.

Transfer (approximately one hour) to Bletchley Park this morning, the former top-secret wartime headquarters of the Codebreakers, who cracked the Enigma code. View interactive displays, immersive films and explore recreated WWII rooms, all of which are designed to take you on a journey through history. Then transfer (45 minutes) to Waddesdon Manor, built by the Rothschild family in the 19th century. Take a guided tour and marvel at the French Renaissance architecture and immaculately manicured gardens. After, we transfer (approximately 40 minutes) to Oxford.

Enjoy a full day in Oxford, where we take a two-hour guided walking tour, visiting world-renowned university colleges and filming locations for Masters of the Air. The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. Consider a walk along the Thames, an exploration of the open-to-public colleges (such as Magdalen or Christ Church – extra cost), or visit the Grand Café, which stands on the site of the first coffee house in England.

Today we visit Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and considered by many to be England’s greatest palace. Here, we visit various state rooms, plus an exhibition on Churchill’s life. You can also explore the immaculate Capability Brown-designed gardens, plus there’s the option for an afternoon tea lunch in The Orangery. In the afternoon, we have a gentle walk around nearby Charlbury, a quintessential Cotswolds market village with beautiful honey-stone buildings. We then return to Oxford for a farewell dinner at the hotel, a chance to relive some of our top moments from the trip.

Our tour ends after breakfast and there are direct trains from Oxford station to London Paddington. However, why not extend your stay and spend more time in this fascinating part of the world? Speak to your sales representative to book.