National   Society  Magna  Charta  Dames and Barons

June 2000 Educational Tour

Educational Tour June 16 - 26, 2000

Friday June 16^th 2000

Departure from the U.S.A.

Saturday June 17^th 2000

Arrive at London Airport where you will be met by our Guide.

Drive to Green Park to watch the best of British pomp and ceremony, the TROOPING OF THE COLOUR. This is an amazing spectacle and many members of the Royal Family attend this ceremony commemorating the official birthday of Her Majesty The Queen.

Check into Kingsway Hall Hotel an elegant hotel located in the heart of London, close to the British Museum, Oxford Street and Theatreland. Within walking distance is Covent Garden with its vibrant and eclectic shopping arcades and lively street entertainment. The hotel retains a classical facade, but within the spacious rooms contain all modern facilities including air conditioning.

Lunch and afternoon at leisure.

This evening a welcome drinks party in the hotel followed by dinner.

Sunday June 18^th 2000

This morning visit SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE THEATRE for a tour of the theatre and to view the exhibition depicting the story of William Shakespeare’s workplace and Elizabethan theatrical life. The Globe, situated overlooking the River Thames, has been rebuilt as a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre originally built in the 1500's with an open air stage and an auditorium under a thatched roof. The recreation of the Globe was the realization of the dream of the late Sam Wannamaker, the film director.

Journey down the Thames and relax over lunch on a River Boat enjoying panoramic views of London’s famous landmarks: the HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, BIG BEN, ST. PAULS CATHEDRAL, TOWER BRIDGE and the amazing new LONDON EYE - the big wheel overhanging the Thames.

After lunch a trip on the LONDON EYE for a spectacular birds eye view of London’s skyline from a fully enclosed high tech capsule. Nearly 140 metres at the highest point, the London Eye is the Capital’s fourth tallest structure and nearly a third again the size of the Statue of Liberty.

Visit the BRITISH LIBRARY to see the display of the original copies of the Magna Charta.

This evening a private viewing of the KENSINGTON PALACE STATE APARTMENTS and Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, including the new exhibition of the clothes of Royal Children through the ages. Accompanied by a palace guide you will gain insight into the history and intrigue of Kensington Palace from 1689 to the 20^th century.

Prior to the viewing there will be a reception in the Red Saloon at Kensington Palace.

Dine at leisure.

Monday June 19^th 2000

Depart London to visit RUNNYMEDE, site of the sealing of the Magna Charta in 1215.

Lunch at Christopher’s Restaurant in Windsor before driving to WINDSOR CASTLE for the PROCESSION AND CEREMONY OF THE NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal family.

Each year the Knights of the Garter gather at St. George's Chapel to witness the installation ceremony of new Knights of the Garter by H M the Queen. This is one of the most spectacular events in the English calendar! As guests of the Society of the Friends of St. George's Chapel, seats will be provided on a stand, giving a prime view of the procession.

Afternoon tea will be served to guests of the society in the Chapter Library of the Castle.

The next two nights will be spent at The Castle Hotel, Windsor, a fine old Georgian hotel overlooking aspects of Windsor Castle.

Dinner in the hotel.

Tuesday June 20^th 2000

Royal Ascot Day!

You are driven from the hotel by limousine the short distance to the Ascot Races, dressed of course, in top hat and tails for the gentlemen and wonderful hats for the ladies.

Seated champagne lunch in the luxurious surroundings of a private marquee situated in the grounds of a house opposite the racecourse.

You will be able to experience the rich pageantry and excitement of the opening day of ROYAL ASCOT RACES where one can mingle with Royalty and see Her Majesty the Queen and her family walking around amongst the other guests. Those with letters of entrance will be able to go into the ROYAL ENCLOSURE. [Note to apply for letters of entrance please contact the Society Office].

Afternoon tea will be served on the Heath, watching the horses go by!

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Optional Polo at Smiths Lawn:

Late afternoon 4:00pm onwards. This event is usually attended by HRH Prince of Wales and other members of the Royal Family. Polo is played until 8:00pm. The teams competing are riding some of the finest horses in the world.

Dinner at leisure.

Wednesday June 21^th 2000

Drive to Wellington, Somerset where we will be staying for the next three nights at Blindon House a country retreat nestling amongst 7 acres of formal and woodland gardens.

Lunch in the Hotel.

Afternoon tour of this delightful area. Drive to nearby Glastonbury to see the remains of the famous GLASTONBURY ABBEY, the first and greatest house of the oldest and most famous monastic order representing the earliest Christian foundation in England. The remains of King Arthur and Guinevere are reputed to have been discovered here in 1191.

Dinner at the hotel.

Thursday June 22^th 2000

Today a private visit to SHERBORNE CASTLE built in 1594 by Sir Walter Raleigh; Sherbourne Castle has been home to the Digby family since 1617. Within the grounds of the Castle the beautiful 50-acre lake and gardens were designed in 1753 by Capability Brown.

Onto lunch at MINTERNE HOUSE the ancestral home of The Lord and Lady Digby. Lord Digby is the brother of the late Mrs. Pamela Harriman, the former US Ambassador to France.

Minterne is a beautiful, part 16th century house, which has been in the Churchill and Digby family for over 300 years. It has an important collection of paintings, and the famous gardens, designed by Capability Brown.

Lunch, hosted by Lord and Lady Digby, will be followed by an afternoon tour of the gardens.

Dinner in the hotel.

Friday June 23^th 2000

This morning drive to LYME REGIS to visit WARE HOUSE. The beautiful house, overlooking the coastal headland, was featured in the film 'French Lieutenant's Woman.' We will invite Arabella Churchill, granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill, to join us for lunch. Arablla can tell her memories of the famous man and we will see many momentoes of him in the house.

After lunch we will have time to wander around the very quaint town of Lyme Regis, a totally unspoiled fishing town.

Return to Blindon House via CHARD for a visit and afternoon tea at FORDE ABBEY with Sir Mark and Lady Roper. Forde Abbey is the finest example of a Cistercian Monastery still used as a family home, containing a magnificent collection of Mortlake tapestries and many other treasures. The Abbey is famous for its wonderful gardens, stretching over 30 acres, which have a year round interest and Lady Roper will give us a tour of the gardens.

Return to Blindon House through some wonderful Dorset scenery.

This evening feel as if you have stepped into ‘another time’ when you dine tonight with Mrs. Mary Anne Robb at Cothay Manor a delightfully atmospheric house in a quite magical setting. Hidden for centuries it has remained virtually untouched since it was built in 1480; the manor house has one of the most wonderful gardens which we will see before dinner.

Saturday June 24^th 2000

Check out from the hotel this morning to drive to the cathedral city of Salisbury for lunch with The Hon. John and Mrs. Cordle in their 13th century house within the beautiful Cathedral Close. Malmesbury House is considered the Jewel of the Close Houses. Charles II stayed there and the composer George Frederick Handel was a frequent visitor. Mr. Cordle, with his wealth of amusing stories to tell, and Mrs. Cordle will host lunch.

After lunch visit Salisbury Cathedral to see one of the four original copies of the Magna Charta and then there will be time to wander around the shops and sights of this pretty market city.

Drive to Windsor, arriving late afternoon.

Dinner in the hotel.

Sunday June 25^th 2000

Today, a very different day awaits you! An opportunity to see the archetypal English sport - cricket. Jonathan Fry, the grandson of one of the most famous English cricketers, C.B. Fry, will give a short talk on the peculiarities of the game in a private room at the Castle hotel Windsor before you arrive at St. George's School at Windsor Castle for the start of the day's activities at noon.

Luncheon in the presence of a prominent Royal (hopefully this will be HRH Prince Philip - it depends upon the diary of the Royal Family).

After lunch, watch the cricket game or otherwise wander around the town of Windsor.

Return to the hotel late afternoon.

Dine at leisure.

Monday June 26^th 2000

Departure Day Transfer to airport for your return flight home. Bon Voyage!