Winston Churchill and Wartime Aviation

On arrival meet with your professional tour guide for the journey in to central London to experience an introductory tour of some of the famous landmarks of both London's Old City and vibrant West End. This London in a nutshell tour is suitable for first time visitors and those wishing to reacquaint themselves with the capital. Overnight stay in London.

Depart on an extended guided tour of London's major landmarks. The tour begins with a visit to the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms from where Winston Churchill said "this is the room from which I will direct the war" Continue to the Imperial War Museum London to experience countless discoveries awaiting in the world-famous atrium and award-winning galleries. IWM London is a place to experience the continuing influence of war on the world – an experience as compelling and thought-provoking as it is unforgettable. The day finishes with a tour of HMS Belfast moored nearby on the River Thames. HMS Belfast is the most significant surviving Second World War Royal Navy warship. Since her launch over 82 years ago, she fired some of the first shots at the D-Day landings, served in the Arctic Convoys, and in the Korean War. Overnight stay in London.

This morning drive out of London to visit Chartwell. This was Winston Churchill's home in the Kent countryside and has many mementos of the great man including a brick wall that he built, his art studio and the relaxing gardens with views of The Weald. Journeying towards the coast we reach the Port of Dover. Experience stunning views of the English Channel from the top of Dover Castle and then journey underground to tour The Secret War Time Tunnels. Overnight stay in Kent.

After breakfast visit The Battle of Britain memorial at Capel-le Ferne and travel around London, passing near the airfields of Biggin Hill, Redhill and Kenley and on to Oxfordshire. This afternoon discover Blenheim Palace, near Oxford that stands in a romantic park created by the famous landscape gardener 'Capability' Brown. It was presented by the English nation to John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough, in recognition of his victory in 1704 over French and Bavarian troops. Built between 1705 and 1722 and characterized by an eclectic style and a return to national roots, it is a perfect example of an 18th-century princely dwelling. It was Sir Winston Churchill's birthplace and family home. Just next door is Blaydon churchyard the final resting place of Sir Winston. Overnight stay in Hertfordshire.

This morning begins with a visit to the de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre, the home of The Mosquito. Our next visit is to Bletchley Park. What can be seen here varies a lot but this was the centre of Code Breaking in World War II. It is where the Enigma Code was cracked and many believe the people here laid the foundations of modern computing. Financial support from Apple and Google appears to confirm this. Overnight stay in Cambridgeshire.

Today we devote a whole day to the impressive collections of the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. Also included is The American Air Museum which serves as a memorial to the 30,000 American Airmen who lost gave their lives in World War II. The day ends with a visit to American Military Cemetery and Memorial at Madingly.  Overnight stay in Cambridgeshire.

Two days devoted to the bomber pilots of World War 2. Experience the wonderful small and very active aviation museums associated with this area. Including Newark Aviation Museum, The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Lancaster and Hurricane) and The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. A visit will also be made to Lincoln Cathedral, long associated with airmen. Some of these are on still active bases and viewing of modern day aircraft is common. Overnight stays in a hotel that used to be the Officers Mess of an RAF Bomber Squadron.

The Eighth Air Force in the United Kingdom was spread over a number of airbases, mainly in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Many of these are still used by the United States Air Force and can therefore only be seen at some distance. Mildenhall and Lakenheath are also still active bases but do have public viewing areas. Other bases are available on request. If you would like to visit a particular airbase then please get in touch. Travel onwards to London. Dinner tonight in a very special restaurant that was popular in World War 2 and is still going strong or if the budget allows a private reception on The Havengore, which is now moored in London. On a winter's day 40 years ago, an estimated 350 million people watched on television as a small old-fashioned wooden boat carried the coffin of Sir Winston Churchill up the river Thames, in one of the most spectacular state funerals ever organized. That was The Havengore. “And so,” Richard Dimbleby's solemn commentary intoned, as the cranes of Docklands dipped in salute, "Havengore sailed into history. Not even the Golden Hind had borne so great a man." Overnight stay in London.

An executive motorcoach is provided for the transfer to London's Heathrow airport.