Christian Heritage of England and Scotland Tour featuring London, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Lutterworth, Epworth, York, Edinburgh, Mull, Iona and Stirling

What will we see each day?

Our itineraries are designed to be not too full - or too empty! Each day we'll have breakfast at our hotel, followed by the day's activities. In the evenings, you'll have the opportunity to join the devotional time. Enjoy browsing the proposed itinerary. Back to top

IF = In flight meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Day 1:   Wednesday, June 20, 2012: Depart
Our adventure begins as we depart on our transatlantic flight to London, England. Meals will be served in flight and we can relax and enjoy the movies. IF

Day 2: Thursday, June 21, 2012: London
Upon our arrival in London, we will take a transfer to our hotel and leave our luggage. Our tour director will meet us at the airport with our deluxe air-conditioned bus and we’ll begin the tour at Hampton Court Palace. In 1604, James I commissioned the King James Version of the Bible during the Hampton Court Conference and we will discuss this in the room where it happened. In the Chapel Royal, we’ll hear how Henry VIII’s decision to allow production of the Bible was influenced by his last wife, Catherine Parr. After the tour we will have time to stroll through the beautiful gardens and try and find our way to the center of the maze. After our meal at our hotel, we’ll take a flight aboard the British Airways London Eye, the world's highest observation wheel offering amazing panoramic views of the capital. IF/D

Day 3: Friday, June 22, 2012: London
After breakfast, we begin our day at St. Paul’s Cathedral, a marvelous building designed by Sir Christopher Wren and recently renovated to its former splendor. We’ll continue to magnificent Westminster Abbey where most British Kings and Queens since 1066 have been crowned and it’s the final resting place of many monarchs, heroes and poets. It was also where Prince William and Kate recently got married. Although it's not open to the public now, we'll hear about how 17 men translated the first third of the King James Bible Old Testament and the last half of the New Testament, in the Jerusalem Chamber. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore London and maybe see a London show. B

Day 4: Saturday, June 23, 2012: London
Museum of Methodism Today we start with a bus trip to the site of the 2012 Olympic site, where the games will begin July 27. Our next stop is   John Wesley’s Chapel, Wesley's Home and the Museum of Methodism, which provides an excellent history of the denomination, from Wesley to the present day. John Wesley (1703-1791) has been called the most influential Protestant leader of the English speaking world since the Reformation. Here we’ll see the small room he used for his quiet times of prayer, his home, his burial site and monument. Just across the street is the legendary Bunhill Field’s Cemetery, where we can see the burial place of Susanna Wesley, Isaac Watts, John Bunyan, Daniel Defoe, and other eminent nonconformist Protestants. Then it is off to the Tower of London, for a tour including the Crown Jewels. We’ll then return to Greenwich and visit the Royal Observatory and stand on the meridian line. The day ends with a sail down the Thames back to Westminster. The evening is free to explore London. B

Day 5: Sunday, June 24, 2012: London, Oxford
Windsor Castle This morning we have the privilege of fellowship at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, where Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) held his great revival meetings. Spurgeon was a Baptist preacher who preached to 6,000 people a day and at least three times as many on a Sunday. During his lifetime he preached to an estimated ten million people. It’s still a thriving congregation in the center of London. This afternoon we will visit Windsor, located on the opposite bank of the river Thames to Eton. It is famous for its centuries-old school and antique shops, and of course, the Castle, Britain's oldest royal residence was originally built in 1070 by William the Conqueror. When we arrive in Oxford, we’ll check into our hotel and enjoy dinner together at the Eagle and Child Pub, C.S. Lewis’ favorite place to eat.  B/D

Day 6: Monday, June 25, 2012: Oxford, Gloucester, Stratford-upon-Avon
Oxford This morning we will have a walking tour of Oxford, including a visit to Christ Church College. We will learn about Oxford’s famous past residents, including Charles and John Wesley, Lewis Carroll, William Penn, Albert Einstein and John Locke. Passing through the delightful Cotswolds today, we’ll stop in Gloucester to tour the Cathedral and St. Mary de Crypt Church. This is where the evangelist George Whitefield was baptized and where he preached his first sermon. Our guide will share about his involvement in the “Great Awakening.” We’ll also see the statue of George Raikes, who ministered to street children in Gloucester and began the Sunday School movement. In the afternoon we’ll pass through more scenic Cotswold villages on our way to Shakespeare’s Stratford-Upon-Avon. This evening we’ll dine at our hotel, and then attend a live Shakespeare play. B/D

Day 7: Tuesday, June 26, 2012: Lutterworth, Epworth, York
Heading north today, we’ll visit St. Mary’s Church in Lutterworth, where John Wycliffe translated the English Bible, and trained his "Lollard Preachers". We’ll then stop in Epworth, where Wesley was born on June 17, 1703. He was the 15th of 19 children, born to Susanna Wesley and her husband Samuel, an Anglican clergyman. We’ll begin the tour with lunch at the Rectory, then visit the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley, the Wesley Memorial Church and St. Andrew’s parish church, before finishing our journey in the walled city of York. On arrival, we will have the option to attend Evensong in York Minster, before dinner in our hotel. B/L/D

Day 8: Wednesday, June 27, 2012: York, Edinburgh
This morning we will explore York, where we’ll tour York beginning at the York Minster. Our tour includes the Yorvik museum where we will learn about the Vikings. York is a fascinating city with more history than we can possibly cover. Our guide will tell us about Constantine the Great and his impact on Europe. In the afternoon we’ll take a train to Edinburgh, ready to explore Bonnie Scotland. B/D

Day 9: Thursday, June 28, 2012: Edinburgh, Oban
Our sightseeing tour of the city includes the Walter Scott Monument, St. Giles’ Cathedral and the Royal Mile. We have an inside tour of Edinburgh Castle, with its foreboding ramparts and walls, amazing city views, Crown jewels, and the siege gun, Mon's Meg. In the afternoon, we’ll drive across Scotland to the port town of Oban. After some free time to enjoy fish and chips or other local delicacies, we’ll try our hand at Scottish dancing at the Skipinnish Ceilidh House. B

Day 10: Friday, June 29, 2012: Mull, Iona, Oban
This morning we will board a ferry to the Isle of Mull, then take another short foot passenger ferry from Fionnport to St Columba’s Island of Iona. Iona, the site of the first Christian settlement of Scotland, has been known as a place of spiritual power for centuries. It was founded in 563 by St. Columba (521-97) and was a leading center for Christian scholarship throughout Europe. Iona Abbey dates back to the 11th Century. We’ll then take the ferry back to the mainland and on to Oban for dinner and overnight. B/D

Day 11: Saturday, June 30, 2012: Stirling, Edinburgh
Our drive back across mainland Scotland will take us past the delightful Lake Lomond. In Stirling we’ll see the Church of the Holy Rude. It was here in 1566 that John Knox preached at the baptism of James VI. We'll also visit Stirling Castle where James VI was educated by the Scottish Reformer George Buchanan. We’ll return to Edinburgh for a traditional Scottish meal. B/D

Day 12: Sunday, July 1, 2012: Return
We transfer to the airport this morning for our return flight home B/IF

Reformation Tours reserves the rights to alter itineraries without notice should it become necessary. While on tour, if conditions necessitate changes, or if certain features are unavailable or limited, we reserve the right to vary or substitute alternatives. All prices are calculated at the exchange rate in effect at the time of this quotation. Should currency fluctuations necessitate an adjustment in tour price the adjusted price will be reflected in the final invoice.

Your Tour Host

Your host for this tour is Jonathan Wheatley. Jonathan is the Adult Sunday School teacher at Grace Baptist Church, Etowah, TN.

Before joining Grace; Jonathan taught Church History at the college level and recently moderated the 400th Anniversary Celebration of the King James Bible at Grace.