Overview
Join us in England at its most magical time of year! England, where queens, scholars, writers, and revolutionaries take center stage. From the honey-hued villages of the Cotswolds and the Georgian elegance of Bath to the academic heart of Oxford and the twinkling festive markets of London, this luxury small-group experience blends boutique hotel stays, private guided touring, immersive storytelling, and private access. We will walk in the footsteps of Bath's literary and pioneering women, trace the defiant path of the Suffragettes through Westminster, and slip behind the velvet rope at Sudeley Castle to hear the stories of Katherine Parr and Lady Ashcombe over a Champagne cream tea. We will wander festive markets scented with roasted chestnuts and mulled spice, stroll frost-kissed royal parks, and gather by the fire in a Cotswold inn where time seems to stand still. This is a celebration of female resilience, creativity, and power, wrapped in wool coats and fairy lights and warmed by candlelit dinners and the joy of shared stories. It is England at her coziest, her most radiant, and her most quietly revolutionary. This land package is designed for women who want seamless travel, cultural immersion, and a deeper connection to the women, past and present, who shaped England. This trip is limited to 10 women.
Highlights
Goddesses, Novelists, and Rebels: Bath's Women
Behind-The-Scenes at Sudeley Castle and Champagne Cream Tea
A Day in Oxford: City of Dreaming Spires
Votes, Voices, and Victory: London's Suffragettes
London Shopping and Holiday Lights
Hosts
Sarah Magnoni
Sarah Magnoni is a writer and the founder of Cobblestones and Castles, a boutique travel company that takes women on small group journeys through Ireland, Scotland, France, England, and beyond. Her trips blend literature, history, and the stories of women who shaped (and were often erased from) the places we love to visit. From private castle dinners to candlelit witch-trial tours, every itinerary is designed to make travel something deeper.
Schedule
On this 7-day small-group tour with Cobblestones and Castles, you will trace the lives of the queens, scholars, writers, and revolutionaries who shaped England. Wander honey-stone Cotswold villages, walk Bath in the footsteps of Jane Austen and Mary Shelley, step behind the scenes at Sudeley Castle for a Champagne cream tea, follow the defiant path of the Suffragettes through Westminster, and toast the journey at a glittering farewell dinner amid London's festive lights.
Previous
Next
Bibury
Arrive in England
Arrive at London Heathrow and meet your private transfer for the journey to your boutique accommodation in the Cotswold countryside. Meet your local guide, who will be with you for the week, and settle in before a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers.
Bath
The Female Pioneers of Bath
Travel to Bath with your guide and meet a local expert for a specialized private walking tour focused on the women who shaped this UNESCO World Heritage city, from Sulis Minerva to Jane Austen and Mary Shelley. Free time is available for lunch and to explore the city's boutiques and the independent shops on Walcot Street. In the afternoon, return to the Cotswolds with a stop in Castle Combe, often called the prettiest village in England.
Cotswolds
Behind-the-Scenes at Sudeley Castle
Set out with your guide through quintessential Cotswold villages before traveling to Sudeley Castle, the final resting place of Katherine Parr. A behind-the-scenes tour brings the castle's history to life, from Katherine Parr to Lady Ashcombe's modern-day restoration of the estate. The visit closes with a Champagne cream tea served in the heart of the castle.
Oxford
City of Dreaming Spires
Today, check out of your Cotswolds hotel and travel to Oxford, where your guide brings the city's academic legacy to life through the Bodleian Library, Christ Church College, and the cobblestone streets between. Free time follows to explore the Covered Market, browse boutiques and bookshops, and uncover your own corners of the city. Continue on to London and settle into your boutique accommodation for the second half of the trip.
London
Suffragettes and the Streets of London
Step into the heart of the capital for a private walking tour through Westminster and the West End, tracing the suffragette movement and the women who fought for the vote. The morning closes with a traditional afternoon tea. The rest of the day is yours, perhaps a stroll through the Royal Parks or time to soak up the city as evening unfolds.
London
The Dazzling Lights of London
Head out with your guide to embrace the seasonal magic of the capital, exploring London's festive markets from the Southbank to historic courtyards filled with the scent of roasted chestnuts and mulled spices. The afternoon is yours to keep exploring, take a crisp walk through a Royal Park, or return to your hotel to relax. As evening descends, gather at one of London's most dazzling venues for a glittering farewell dinner.
What's included
What's Included
Private transportation throughout the trip
Expert guides
Admission to all scheduled attractions
Personal hosting and support
All taxes and service fees
Daily breakfast, 2 lunches, 2 afternoon teas, 3 premium dinners
Six nights accommodation
What's Not Included
Airfare
Meals during free time
Additional tours, transportation, or expenditures during any free time
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Tickets
Private Room
All single rooms have been sold, but we can do a special request to check if there are additional single rooms available.
Shared Room
Shared rooms are perfect for bringing a friend or relative to share this experience with. We can also place you with a roomate.
Reviews
FAQs
What is included in the trip package?
All land arrangements are covered: accommodations as listed, daily breakfast, lunches and dinners as shown, private transportation, expert-guided touring, exclusive access experiences, admission fees to scheduled attractions, personal hosting and support, plus all taxes and service fees.
What is not included in the trip package?
Airfare to your destination and home, any meals that occur during free time, additional tours or transportation during free time, travel insurance, and gratuities are not included.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, travel insurance is strongly recommended for coverage of trip interruption, medical needs, baggage protection, and any unexpected events. Insurance is not included in the tour price. Please request a quote from me.
What happens after I arrive to the destination?
You will fly into the designated airport, and a private group transfer will take you to your accommodations. Check-in time will be provided, and you will have time to unpack, get comfortable, and enjoy your welcome dinner.
Is this trip ok for solo travelers?
Absolutely! This trip welcomes women traveling solo or with companions. You’ll enjoy shared experiences with a small group, and the hosting team ensures support and connection throughout.
What if I don't know anyone?
Many of our clients arrive at our trips without knowing anyone. That is the beauty, you do not need to know anyone to go! You will have the opportunity to meet your travel companions before the trip during preparation calls.