Downton Abbey & Blenheim Palace & The Shakespeare’s Experience

DAY 1 - Sunday 19th July

03.00hrs          Depart from Limerick [Bus Stop at Kilmurray Lodge, Plassey Road)

03.30hrs          Pick-up at Birdhill, Jct 27 M7 Applegreen Services

04.00hrs          Pick-up at Moneygall, Jct 23 M7 Barack Obama Plaza

04.40hrs          Pick-up at The Maldron Hotel, Portlaoise

05.20hrs          Pick-up Naas – (Tougher’s restaurant)

05.50hrs          Pick-up at Joels Restaurant, Newlands Cross, Dublin

06.20hrs          Pick-up at The Coach Park – Dublin Airport

07.00hrs          Pick-up at the front door of the Irish Ferries Passenger Terminal 1, Dublin Port, Eircode D01 P3K2

[Please note coach must check through at 07.15hrs]

08.05hrs          Depart North Wall on Irish Ferries Ulysses

11.25hrs          Arrive Holyhead

13.30hrs          Arrive Chester Services – comfort stop

14.00hrs          Depart Chester Services

15.40hrs          Arrive Norton Cane services – comfort stop

16.10hrs          Depart Norton Cane

17.30hrs          Arrive at the Hilton Northampton x 2 nights

DAY 2 - Monday 20th July

08.00hrs          Depart hotel

09.30hrs          Arrive In Oxford

We have some free-time in the Historical City of Oxford

11.30hrs          Depart Oxford

12.30hrs          Arrive Highclere Castle – the home of Downton Abbey – our tour commences at 13.00hrs.

Downton Abbey has charmed over 400 million people around the world and Highclere has been so fortunate to have been part of the journey. Of all the much-love fictional characters the Castle plays its starring role beautifully – even if we are all slightly biased! the first Downton Abbey television series was filmed in 2010 at Highclere Castle and continued for six years followed by a number of films!

Your tour is of the Castle and Gardens and it is self-guided.  We will have ample time to visit the Tearooms and Gift Shop.

15.45hrs          Depart Highclere Castle

17.45hrs          Arrive at your hotel

DAY 3 - Tuesday 21st July

09.00hrs          Check-out and depart your Hotel

10.15hrs          Arrive Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is a country house in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. It is the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough. Originally called Blenheim Castle, it has been known as Blenheim Palace since the 19th century. One of England’s largest houses, it was built between 1705 and 1722, and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It is the home of the Spencer – Churchill family

13.00hrs          Depart Blenheim Palace

14.30hrs          Arrive at the Shakespear’s Experience, Stratford-upon-Avon

Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, William Shakespeare’s childhood home, located in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Discover more about a young William’s family life as you travel through the rooms once lived in and loved by the Shakespeare’s. You’ll also have the opportunity to get up close to objects from the Trust’s world class collections.

16.30hrs          Depart Stratford-upon-Avon

18.30hrs          Arrive at the Wychwood Park Hotel, Wychwood.

DAY 4 - Wednesday 22nd July

08.45hrs          Check-out and depart your hotel

10.00hrs          Arrive in Chester

We have some free time in the Roman City of Chester

12.00hrs          Depart Chester

13.45hrs          Arrive at Holyhead

14.45hrs          Depart Holyhead on the Stena Adventurer

18.10hrs          Arrive at North Wall Drops en-route to Limerick