Richard III Tour - The Last English King To Die In Battle
-min.jpg&w=0&h=0 "Leicester Cathedral")
-min.jpg&w=0&h=0 "Leicester Cathedral")
Richard III Tour - The Last English King To Die In Battle
3 Days
Visiting: Leicester
Tour operator:
Group size:
24 - 48
Age range:
18-90
Special diets catered:
Vegans, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Richard III is one of England’s most notorious kings. His death at Bosworth in 1485 ended the long Plantagenet reign and heralded the start of the Tudor dynasty. This tour will trace Richard’s trail back from his car park burial site through Leicester to Bosworth Field before looking at Fotheringhay, where he was born, altogether a fascinating historical journey.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1:
Location: Leicester
Arrive independently at the Hilton Leicester from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner with wine and a talk by expert Julian Humphrys of the Battlefield Trust - ‘The Wars of the Roses’, looking at the causes of, and events leading to, the accession of Richard III.
Day 2: Leicester Cathedral, Richard Iii Visitor Centre, Bosworth Visitor Centre And Battlefield.Richard Iii Visitor Centre, Bosworth Visitor Centre And Battlefield.
Location: Leicester
First, we visit Leicester Cathedral (reopening late 2023 after a year long renovation) where we will visit the tomb of Richard III and learn about his reinterment in 2015, view the funeral pall as well as viewing the redemption windows within the Cathedral. Next, onto the Richard III Visitor Centre and exhibition. Here, we will see the dramatic story of the king’s life, brutal death and the fascinating story of his rediscovery. After free time for lunch in Leicester (not included) we travel out to Bosworth to explore the visitor centre, which gives an insight into medieval life through film, displays and artefacts. Our last visit of the day will be to the battlefield where Richard was killed, with commentary by your guides from the coach, as we travel around key locations. Dinner at the hotel followed by a talk by Matthew Morris, who supervised the successful archaeological search for the lost grave of King Richard III - 'Richard III: The King under the Car Park - solving a 500-year old mystery'.
Day 3: Kirby Muxloe, Lunch At The Talbot Hotel, Oundle And Fotheringhay.
Location: Leicester
This morning we make a short visit to Kirby Muxloe Castle, begun by William Hastings during the Wars of the Roses. The fortified residence was never completed due to Hastings’ execution by Richard for treason in 1483. Next, we travel to the lovely village of Oundle for an included lunch at The Talbot Hotel. The façade and main structure of the hotel are thought to date from 1626 and alongside its historical connections to Fotheringhay, it is of such exceptional architectural and historical importance that it is classified as a Grade I heritage building by Historic England and is among the top three per cent of all listed buildings in England. We finish the day with a visit to lovely Fotheringhay to view the Castle ruins, where Richard was born in 1452 and where Mary Queen of Scots was executed. We will also visit St Mary & All Saints Church nearby. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.00.
What's Included
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Two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Hilton Leicester Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
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Welcome reception
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First night private three-course dinner with wine
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Second dinner in the hotel restaurant
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Lunch at The Talbot Hotel, Oundle
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All talks, guided tours, admissions
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Coach transfers and tour manager throughout
What's Not Included
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Transport to the hotel is not included
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Double for sole use supplement
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Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis
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Holiday insurance
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Meals other than those stated
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Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
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Porterage and gratuities
Accommodation
Hilton Leicester
Located three miles from Leicester city centre, the four-star Hilton Leicester Hotel offers comfortable bedrooms with private bath/shower, TV, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities. Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, bar, cafe, indoor pool and fitness centre.
Complimentary car parking for Travel Editions clients is available at the hotel.
MORE INFO
Your LecturersJulian Humphrys
Julian read history at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, has worked at historical sites both in Britain and overseas and is nowa trustee of the Battlefields Trust and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He has a very infectious enthusiasm for history and has published numerous books on castles and battles.He currently leads more than a dozen tours for Travel Editions and imparts his extraordinary historical knowledge with wit and panache, making a tour led by him both an educational and entertaining experience.
Matthew Morris, MA, ACIfA
Mathew has worked for University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) since 2004, excavating a wide range of rural and urban archaeology across the Midlands, from the prehistoric period through to the Industrial Revolution. He graduated from the University of Leicester in 2003 with a BA in Archaeology and an MA in Landscape Studies; his interests include urban archaeology, community archaeology and Roman and medieval archaeology. In 2012, he supervised the successful archaeological search for the lost grave of King Richard III. He has co authored Life in Roman and Medieval Leicester (2021) and three popular books on Leicestershire archaeology, Visions of Ancient Leicester (2011), Richard III: The King under the Car Park (2013) and Life in the Roman World: Roman Leicester (2018). In his spare time he helps the Leicestershire Fieldworkers and the Leicestershire branch of the Young Archaeologists’ Club.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Check out our Q&As
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
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Low Deposit
Travel Editions requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel editions charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 45% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.