London, Queen Elizabeth II Exhibition, a day in Greenwich & Eltham Palace

Itinerary

Day 1, travel from Shrewsbury, to London visiting Eltham Palace

In 1936, eccentric millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld decided to build their magnificent art deco mansion right next to the medieval Great Hall of Eltham Palace – creating a masterpiece of modern interiors.

See the amazing art deco dining room, site of many illustrious dinner parties; and Virginia Courtauld’s gold-plated bathroom. For a complete contrast with the 1930s rooms, step into the 1470s Great Hall – part of the medieval royal palace of Eltham, where Henry VIII spent his childhood.

Explore the palace’s beautiful gardens, with their mix of medieval remains and Arts and Crafts influences. There’s a visitor centre with a shop and a pretty café in the glasshouse.

About The Good Hotel

Chosen for its location, this Dutch design hotel is quite different from our usual style of hotel. Follow the link above to see examples of bedrooms. In the evening we can enjoy views of the famous London sky line from the Roof Terrace. Arriving at the hotel there will be time to check in, unpack and meet up for a pre-dinner drink before dinner.

NB: bedrooms are small, comfortable and well designed. They include a desk area, a safe, free highspeed WiFi. In the en-suite bathroom you will find locally-made toiletries and a powerful stand-up shower. There is no TV in the room. All rooms are dock side.

Day 2, Queen Elizabeth II Exhibition, Chelsea Physic Garden & Thames river cruise

Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style Exhibition

In the morning we will make our way to the exhibition at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace. Through approximately 200 items, around half on display for the first time, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style will chart the remarkable story of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch through clothing worn in all ten decades of her life.

See one of the largest and most important surviving collections of 20th-century British fashion which is now part of the Royal Collection. Alongside clothing, jewellery, hats, shoes and accessories, visitors will discover never-before-seen design sketches, fabric samples and handwritten correspondence that reveal the behind-the-scenes process of dressing the most famous woman in the world and shed new light on the late Queen’s close involvement in the creation of her wardrobe.

Chelsea physic garden, guided tour and free time

We couldn’t come to London without visiting the city’s oldest botanic garden. Tucked away beside the River Thames, the garden is home to a unique living collection of around 5,000 different edible, useful, medicinal and historical plants.

On arrival we will have a guided tour of the garden. You are then free to explore this fascinating site, established in 1673, by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London. See the historic glasshouses, discover the plant collection, or simply relax and enjoy this special four-acres of green space in central London.

A packed lunch will be provided today.

River cruise, Westminster to Greenwich

Heading to nearby Westminster we will take a gentle river cruise back to Greenwich. As we travel along the Thames, our Captain will provide us with a commentary on the many historical places we pass.

The coach will meet us and take us to the hotel for dinner.

Day 3, A day in Greenwich, guided walk, free time & travel to Shropshire

Described as ‘the home of time’, this World Heritage Site is bursting with historic architecture, art galleries, museums and maritime history as well as Greenwich market and lots of lovely places to eat.

After an optional guided walk there is time to explore Greenwich. A selection of destinations are shown below. Please note the cost of entry into venues is not included in this tour.

Home to the world famous Meridian Line and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), The Royal Observatory, was established in the 17th century by Charles II, and designed by Christopher Wren. Generations of astronomers have spent countless nights here looking up at the night sky, mapping the stars and measuring time.

The Queen’s House is Greenwich’s hidden gem. Designed in the 17th century as a royal ‘House of Delights’, today it is an elegant art gallery and architectural masterpiece. Discover the internationally renown art work by masters including Gainsborough, Hogarth, Stubbs and Turner as well as contemporary commissions. Note the famous Tulip Stairs, the first geometric self-supporting spiral stairs. Free entrance except special exhibitions.

Visit The Cutty Sark, the world’s sole-surviving tea clipper, celebrated for its record-breaking passages around the globe. Go on board and experience what it was like to sail on board!

The largest museum of its kind, the National Maritime Museum, houses stories of ordinary men and women who made their living on and around ships over the last 500 years. Learn about the great explorers, naval battles and pirates as well as the lives of well known Tudor seafarers. Free entrance except special exhibitions.

The Old Royal Naval College is Britain’s’ finest collection of baroque buildings. Designed by Christopher Wren as a home for retired seamen, it is home to the Painted Hall and Chapel of St Peter and St Paul. The Painted Hall is an extraordinary sight, featuring more than 3,700 square metres of Baroque walls and ceilings. These surfaces are covered in striking images depicting 200 figures including kings, queens and mythological creatures.

Booking your place

Two people sharing a twin or double room is £810 per person. A supplement for sole occupancy of a double room is £80.

£150 non-refundable deposit is payable on booking. Full payment is due 12 weeks before departure.

Travel arrangements

Departing Shrewsbury at 8.00 on Sunday 9 August, and arriving back in Shrewsbury on Tuesday 11 August at 19.30 and Ellesmere at 20.30, traffic permitting. All timings are provisional and will be confirmed 7-days before travel.

The itinerary

On occasion we may need to make changes to the planned itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control. If this does happen we will get in touch to let you know the alternative arrangements.

And finally…

You are strongly advised to take out your own travel insurance to cover you for any emergency or cancellation or loss of luggage etc.

We have an ‘All Weather Policy’ which means the tour will go ahead come rain or shine unless the Met Office announces it is unsafe to travel. You are advised to check the weather forecast and bring appropriate clothing and footwear.

Please look at the Hotel Information and Mobility & Accessibility sections further down this for information on venues.

The Good Hotel, Royal Victoria Dock

The Good Hotel

Western Gateway, Canning Town, London Borough of Newham, London E16 1FA. T: +442036377401

Chosen for its location, this Dutch design hotel is quite different from our usual style of hotel. In the evening we can enjoy views of the famous London sky line from the Roof Terrace.

Rooms are small, comfortable and well designed. They include a desk area, an in-room safe, original artwork on the walls and free highspeed WiFi. In the en-suite bathroom you will find locally-made toiletries and a powerful stand-up shower. There is no TV in the room.

Dinner will be a 3 course buffet, consisting of 3 courses with a minimum of 3 choices per course, plus tea/coffee and a hot & cold buffet breakfast.

About the hotel’s environmental and social responsibility policies

‘Good Hotel is a social business. This means that our excess profits go to good causes around the world. Good Hotel provides long-term unemployed people with the opportunity to build a career in hospitality and we’re conscious about the way we build our hotels. We find interesting locations to re-use and up-cycle, and from the furniture in our rooms to the food we serve – we source locally and sustainably. And for every good night’s sleep, you help a disadvantaged child go to school for a week.’

Accessibility & Mobility Information

To see information regarding accessibility and mobility arrangements at each venue follow the links below.

Greenwich visitor attractions

Follow this link for information on The National Maritime Museum, The Queen’s House, The Royal Observatory and The Cutty Sark. Also for The Royal Naval College.

Chelsea Physic Garden follow the link for details on getting around the garden.

See information for The Kings Gallery

Eltham Palace and gardens

London, Queen Elizabeth II Exhibition, a day in Greenwich & Eltham Palace

Tour Information

Included in the Tour

+ Chelsea Physic Garden & Thames river cruise

Itinerary

Day 1, travel from Shrewsbury, to London visiting Eltham Palace

Day 2, Queen Elizabeth II Exhibition, Chelsea Physic Garden & Thames river cruise

Day 3, A day in Greenwich, guided walk, free time & travel to Shropshire