Secret War Tour
3 Days Starting and ending in Northampton, England
Visiting: Northampton, Bletchley Park, Bedfordshire
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 48
Special diets catered:
Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through the United Kingdom's clandestine history with the Secret War Tour. This immersive experience includes a fascinating talk by Dr. Mark Baldwin on the Enigma machine, a visit to the historic Bletchley Park, and an exploration of the National Museum of Computing, home to the legendary "Colossus." Discover the secrets of RAF Tempsford and the Carpetbagger Museum, and marvel at the vintage aircraft in the Shuttleworth Old Warden Collection. Enjoy two nights at the four-star Delta Hotels by Northampton Marriott, complete with a welcome reception, private dinners, and guided tours. Coach transfers and a tour manager ensure a seamless and enriching adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1:Arrive Independently At The Delta Hotel By Northampton Marriott From 15.00.
Location: Northampton
Accommodation Name: Delta Hotels by Northampton Marriott
Meals Included: Dinner
This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner with wine and a talk by Dr Mark Baldwin ' The Enigma and the Battle of the Atlantic' . Mark will bring his own rare four-rotor Enigma machine for guests to examine.
Day 2:Intelligence Museum, Bletchley Park And National Computing Museum.
Location: Bletchley Park
Accommodation Name: Delta Hotels by Northampton Marriott
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We will spend this morning enjoying a private visit to the Intelligence Museum , a former RAF Y-station. Y-stations were the ears of Bletchley Park and were mainly manned by amateur radio operators who worked as ‘volunteer interceptors’ - this particular Y station intercepted the German Air Force’s strategic wireless network. This afternoon we visit Bletchley Park , home of the famous Enigma code breakers who Winston Churchill described as ‘his silent geese who laid the golden eggs but never cackled’. We will also visit the adjacent National Museum of Computing , home to the rebuilt “Colossus” computer, where we will have a talk and guided tour by expert John Pether. Evening talk from Dr Mark Baldwin 'And What Did the Germans Do?' followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 3:Raf Tempsford, Shuttleworth Collection And Carpetbagger Museum.
Location: Bedfordshire
Accommodation Name: Delta Hotels by Northampton Marriott
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our first visit of the day is RAF Tempsford , Churchill's most secret airfield. This was home to the 'Secret Special Duties Squadron' which flew SOE Agents and supplies for resistance forces during WWII. Although Hitler knew of its existence and said, "find this viper's nest and obliterate it" the Germans were never able to find its location in order to bomb it and many of its secrets were only released from the Official Secrets List in 1998. Whilst at RAF Tempsford, we visit Gibraltar Farm which was the Agents final dispatch point. Gibraltar Farm Barn was built to be used as a base where agents were supplied with their equipment and their poison pills, in case of capture. The barn contains several plaques and memorials to the agents, both men and women who were killed after being captured and tortured. Then it is on to Shuttleworth Old Warden Collection which has a superb collection of vintage aircraft from WWI and WWII. Whilst here, you will be accompanied by guides who will take you to see the SOE configured Lysander and talk about its SOE usage. There will also be some time set aside for you to view some of the historic aircraft collection in the hanger. There will be free time for lunch (not included) on arrival. The final visit is to the Carpetbagger Aviation Musuem , which tells the story of the Station 179 airfield and the USAAF's 801st/492nd Bomb Group (the Carpetbaggers). Other Exhibits and displays include the secret work of the British Special Operations Executive from their RAF based at Tempsford; the cold war roles of the airfield at Harrington with the Thor rockets; and the Royal Observer Corps. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.30.
What's Included
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Two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Delta Hotels by Northampton Marriott
Accommodation is based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
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Welcome reception
A welcome reception is included in the tour package.
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First night private three-course dinner with wine
A private three-course dinner with wine is provided on the first night.
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Second dinner in the hotel restaurant
Dinner is provided in the hotel restaurant on the second night.
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All talks, tours and admissions
All scheduled talks, tours, and admissions are included in the tour package.
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Coach transfers and tour manager throughout
Coach transfers and a tour manager are provided throughout the tour.
What's Not Included
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Transport to the hotel
Transport to the hotel is not included in the tour package.
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Double for sole use supplement
A supplement is required for double rooms used for sole occupancy.
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Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis
Additional nights on a bed and breakfast basis are not included.
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Holiday insurance
Holiday insurance is not included in the tour package.
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Meals other than those stated
Meals other than those specifically mentioned are not included.
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Items of a personal nature
Items such as drinks, laundry, and telephone calls are not included.
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Porterage and gratuities
Porterage and gratuities are not included in the tour package.
Mode of Transport
Coach transfers and a tour manager are provided throughout the tour. Transport to the hotel is not included.
Accommodation
Located close to J15 off the M1, the modern, four-star Delta Hotels by Northampton Marriott offers a bar, restaurant, gym and comfortable bedrooms with private bath/shower, TV and telephone. Complimentary car parking is available at the hotel.
MORE INFO
Your Speaker and Expert
Dr Mark Baldwin
Dr Mark Baldwin, also known as 'Dr Enigma', is a Cambridge graduate who in the past has worked on a variety of enginerring projects and also used to lecture in Civil Engiineering. After 15 years' university teaching and a PhD, he started to grow a book-selling and publishing business alongside his wife. A chance encounter with a book about the Engima machine piqued his interest which grew over the next 20 years to him now becoming one of the world's foremost experts in the history, human story and workings of the machine. Mark has delivered over 700 presentations on the Enigma machine and related codebreraking topics.
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel. 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 is included in the accommodation for the Secret War Tour?
The accommodation includes two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Delta Hotels by Northampton Marriott, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room. The hotel offers a bar, restaurant, gym, and comfortable bedrooms with private bath/shower, TV, and telephone. Complimentary car parking is also available.
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What kind of meals are provided during the tour?
The tour includes a welcome reception, a private three-course dinner with wine on the first night, and a second dinner in the hotel restaurant. Breakfast is also provided each morning.
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What kind of transport is provided during the tour?
Coach transfers and a tour manager are provided throughout the tour. However, transport to the hotel is not included.
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Who will be giving talks during the tour?
Dr. Mark Baldwin, also known as 'Dr. Enigma', will be giving talks during the tour. He is a Cambridge graduate and one of the world's foremost experts on the Enigma machine and related codebreaking topics.
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What are some of the key sites visited during the tour?
Key sites include Bletchley Park, the National Museum of Computing, RAF Tempsford, the Carpetbagger Museum, and the Shuttleworth Old Warden Collection of vintage aircraft. There is also a private visit to the Intelligence Museum, a former RAF Y-station.
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What can I expect on the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will arrive independently at the Delta Hotel by Northampton Marriott from 15:00. In the evening, there will be a welcome reception, a private dinner with wine, and a talk by Dr. Mark Baldwin on 'The Enigma and the Battle of the Atlantic'.
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What activities are planned for the second day of the tour?
On the second day, the tour includes a private visit to the Intelligence Museum, a visit to Bletchley Park, and a tour of the National Museum of Computing. In the evening, there will be another talk by Dr. Mark Baldwin followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant.
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What will we do on the third day of the tour?
The third day includes visits to RAF Tempsford, Shuttleworth Old Warden Collection, and the Carpetbagger Aviation Museum. The tour will return to the hotel by approximately 17:30.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?
Yes, additional costs not included are transport to the hotel, double for sole use supplement, extra nights on a bed and breakfast basis, holiday insurance, meals other than those stated, and items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, etc. Porterage and gratuities are also not included.
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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.