Join us for an unforgettable, all-inclusive tour of London, Oxford, and Bath—accompanied by renowned podcast host Jacke Wilson of The History of Literature. We’ll enjoy rich literary conversations surrounded by historic landmarks and in the very places where great authors once walked and wrote.
In London, we’ll explore iconic literary sites including Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the British Library, then head to Oxford to wander the historic university quads, tour the Bodleian Library, and enjoy classic afternoon tea. We’ll end in Bath, known for its Georgian architecture and Roman Baths, where we’ll stroll through elegant streets and take in the city’s timeless charm. Throughout the trip, you’ll enjoy fantastic meals, thoughtfully curated experiences, and the company of fellow literature lovers in some of England’s most storied settings.
Please contact Masahiko at masahiko@johnshorstravel.com. We'd love to have you join this fabulous tour!
Arrive at Heathrow International Airport
Be greeted by a private driver, who will drive you to our four-star hotel, which will be The Clermont London (Charing Cross), or an equivalent hotel in the same class.
Jacke Wilson, host of The History of Literature podcast, will be joining us throughout this tour. Have a chance to chat with special guests from the podcast as they join you during some meal times.
Note: Some guests will opt to arrive on May 5th, so that they can relax at the hotel for a day before the tour officially begins. These guests will enjoy a free day, on their own, to relax on May 6th.
Check in at the hotel. The options would be The Clermont at Charing Cross, Great Scotland Yard Hotel, The Resident Covent Garden, or similar.
We will meet in the lobby at 7 p.m. to walk to a wonderful Indian restaurant, Tandoor Chop House.
Meet at the hotel lobby and walk through the city to Bloomsbury, home to the Bloomsbury Group and a nexus of many iconic writers throughout history.
Continue to the Charles Dickens Museum, where we will be able to tour Dickens' home and writing space.
Those interested in going to the British Museum can go now or during free time.
From the Museum, we will walk 20 minutes to a favorite spot of many writers: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666, this tavern along the historic Fleet Street was frequented by literary legends like Dr. Johnson, Agatha Christie, and Dickens.
Walk around the corner and take a tour of the Dr. Johnson's House, home of literary icon Samuel Johnson.
Return to the hotel to relax, or continue exploring independently.
Meet at the hotel lobby and head to Swan to have an early dinner before the evening tour and show. Located right next to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Swan offers diners seasonal British dishes with a view of the iconic Thames River and St. Paul's Cathedral.
Step into the world of the Bard with an unforgettable evening at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. It will bring to life the sights, sounds, and stories of Elizabethan London.
Note: Timing is subject to change based on showtimes.
If interested, take a 15-minute walk to the Churchill War Rooms. Walk through the secret underground headquarters where then Prime Minister Winston Churchill planned the course of World War II. The headquarters have remained largely untouched since the end of the war.
Otherwise, you are free to explore the city independently or do some last-minute shopping.
Meet at the restaurant and enjoy a relaxed Italian lunch at Cafe Murano. Created by one of the most beloved chefs in the UK, Angela Hartnett, the restaurant serves many Italian classics with their sustainably sourced ingredients and handmade pasta.
Walk back to the hotel (10 minutes) and reconvene at the hotel lobby to gather your bags.
Take a taxi outside the hotel, and be brought to Paddington Station.
THEN
In Paddington Station, take the GWR Line headed for Oxford (approx. 53 minutes)
Walk to your hotel and check-in. The hotel will either be The Randolph Hotel, The Courtyard by Marriott, or similar.
If interested, take this time to independently roam around the historic city and explore the beautiful scenery.
Meet at the hotel lobby and head to this longstanding French bistro. Pierre Victoire offers a relaxed, but intimate, dinner with candles and wooden furniture.
Meet at the hotel lobby and walk 15 minutes to enjoy a tour of the famous Bodleian Library, home to every UK-published work and original manuscripts from the likes of J.R.R. Tolkien, Jane Austen, and Mary Shelley.
From the library, take a short walk to enjoy lunch in a cafe with a cozy yet classy atmosphere. The cafe is located in the University Church of St. Mary, right across the Radcliffe Camera.
Be joined by a special guest (a past or forthcoming History of Literature Podcast guest) for a conversation about their area of expertise.
From the cafe, walk 8 minutes to where the story of "Alice in Wonderland" was born -- Christ Church College. Lewis Carroll was a lecturer at this college, and drew many inspirations for his Alice stories here.
Return to the hotel to relax, or continue exploring independently.
Meet at the hotel lobby and head to the restaurant to enjoy dinner at Oxford's oldest pub. The pub uses neckties as unique decorations, and they have been an iconic motif of the pub since the 1900s.
Meet at the hotel lobby and walk to the Oxford Tourist Info Center to meet our guide. Explore the lives of two of the most celebrated Oxford-raised writers whose works remain a staple in modern days. See sights where C.S. Lewis taught, and where Tolkien studied, among others.
Note: Some sights on the tour may be subject to availability, and will be replaced based on the guide's discretion.
After the Inklings Tour, take a short walk to Lamb & Flag. Enjoy a casual lunch at one of the longest standing bars in the city, which was also frequented by the Inklings. Lamb & Flag sits opposite of the iconic Eagle & Child, which was a particular favorite of Tolkien and Lewis (and is currently closed indefinitely).
Be joined by another special guest (a past or forthcoming History of Literature Podcast guest) for a conversation about their area of expertise.
Take a short walk to the Ashmolean Museum. Independently tour the museum that served as a retreat and inspiration to writers over the years since its opening.
From John Keats's fascination for the Greco-Roman arts, to Philip Pullman's creation of Lyra's Oxford, this museum houses many narrative inspirations in its many exhibitions.
Return to the hotel to relax, or continue exploring independently.
Meet at the hotel lobby and head to the restaurant to enjoy a meal at one of Oxford's all-rounder favorites situated right across St. Mary's Church.
Quod sits under the Old Bank Hotel, and became the hub of the many colleges in the area. The restaurant serves European classics with daily specials created by the chef.
Leave your luggage at the concierge to enjoy roaming or to visit the garden.
For those interested, meet at the hotel lobby and take a taxi to Britain's oldest botanical garden. A tranquil haven where centuries of literary minds --from J.R.R. Tolkien to Lewis Carroll-- found inspiration among its rare and exotic plants.
For lunch, take a 10-minute walk to the Covered Market. Similar to the Borough Market in London, this market offers several stalls and shops for your shopping and dining pleasure. Guests will be given local currency to enjoy a variety of options in the area independently.
Reconvene at the hotel lobby and collect your luggage from the front desk. Head outside to ride our private coach and enjoy the sights as we make our way to Bath. (Approx. 100 Minutes).
Check in at The Apex City of Bath Hotel, or a similar hotel in the same class. This hotel is a stylish 4-star haven nestled in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage city, just a short stroll from Bath Spa Station, Roman Baths, and Thermae Bath Spa .
After checking in, take time to relax at the nearby Thermae Bath Spa to unwind at Britain's only natural thermal hot springs.
The hot springs sit on top of the same mineral rich waters the ancient Romans used, and are said to have many healing properties. Choose between the open-air Rooftop Pool that oversees the beautiful city, or the indoor Minerva Bath with its grand columns and whirlpools.
Meet at the hotel lobby and take a three-minute walk to this restaurant that specializes in fresh seafood dishes. The Scallop Shell is a Bath favorite, serving sustainably sourced seafood amid a relaxing nautical decor.
Meet at the hotel lobby and walk 6 minutes to the Jane Austen Center to enjoy a guided tour of the museum. Learn about the author's life and her connection to the city of Bath from a knowledgeable guide-actor who will take us through the Georgian town house.
After touring the Jane Austen Center, enjoy a classy lunch at the tea room in the second floor of the town house.
After lunch, step out and head towards the No. 1 Royal Crescent for a guided tour of what the domestic life of Austen could have looked like.
On the way, pass The Circus and Royal Crescent. The rows of 18th century Palladian style townhouses inspired the setting for many of Austen's works, and will be familiar to viewers of "Bridgerton".
Return to the hotel to relax, or continue exploring independently.
Meet at the hotel lobby and walk 11 minutes to enjoy a meal in one of the elegant Georgian townhouses we toured earlier today. The restaurant offers a soft lit, classy dinner while integrating a modern twist to the historic building.
If interested, walk 7 minutes to the Bath Abbey. A stunning gothic masterpiece where the first king of England - Edward I - was coronated, and used in many English novels as well.
Visit The Roman Baths afterwards, right next to the Abbey. One of the best preserved ancient bathing structures, the Roman Baths will rewind time to 2000 years ago as you explore the temple remains and sacred spring.
Walk 9 minutes to the restaurant and enjoy a meal in the oldest house in Bath. Sally Lunn came to Bath as a refugee in 1680 and introduced her famous Sally Lunn Bun, which is made with the exact same recipe to this very day.
Reconvene at the lobby and gather your bags. Walk 11 minutes to the Bath Spa Station and take the GWR Line headed for London Paddington. Get off at Paddington Station. (approx. 90 minutes)
Exit Paddington Station and take a taxi to the hotel.
The options would be The Clermont at Charing Cross, Great Scotland Yard Hotel, The Resident Covent Garden, or similar.
Enjoy this time to relax from the journey, or to do some last-minute shopping and sightseeing.
Meet at the hotel lobby and walk 11 minutes to this restaurant that blends old-world charm, with timeless sophistication. This spot is also frequented by many stars since its opening.
Transportation will be provided to Heathrow Airport.
(*This is an all-inclusive tour with the exception of alcoholic beverages and hotel incidentals such as laundry, room service, etc.)
Price of Tour:
$8,595 USD per person, based on double occupancy
$10,895 USD per person, based on single occupancy
Price includes:
Accommodations at high-end hotels
All transportation within England
All meals and non-alcoholic drinks
Fees (tours, guides, etc.)
Excursions
All tips
Price does not include:
International airfares to and from London
Alcoholic drinks
Activities during free times such as golf, spa, etc.
Hotel incidentals such as room service, mini bar, phone charges, laundry, etc.
Charges incurred if guests arrive a day early or decide to remain in London after the tour ends
This trip includes walks of up to one mile, and over uneven terrain.
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip. For your convenience, you can explore options from our trusted travel insurance partner here.