Travel with the Josephs
Step Into the Story of Medieval England
Journey through three centuries of English history—
from the Plantagenets to the Wars of the Roses and the rise of the Tudors.
For fourteen days, history won't be something you simply read about.
Immerse yourself in history as you let the present fall away. Imagine yourself at Kenilworth Castle, walking a cold, damp passageway once familiar to John of Gaunt; picture Henry V preparing for the campaign that would lead him to Agincourt; or stand at the edge of Bosworth Field as Richard III makes his final charge—the last charge of the last Plantagenet king.
But history lives in more than kings and battles. You'll look up at the soaring architecture of great cathedrals and abbeys, walk through castle rooms built centuries ago, and stop to notice the intricate details of a tapestry, a medieval tomb, or carvings in ancient stone. You'll stand before an original 1215 Magna Carta—one of only four surviving copies—and see a document whose principles would echo through centuries of legal and constitutional history.
And between those moments, you'll have time to slow down—stop for tea, enjoy something good to eat, and wander through remarkably preserved historic towns and villages filled with independent shops, boutiques, cafés and restaurants.
For a moment, the centuries disappear
and history feels close enough to touch
Early Booking Price: $5,295 per person
(regular price $5,495)
Book by December 31, 2026*
*With a signed agreement and $500 deposit. Per person, double occupancy.
The Itinerary
Day 1 · (May 1) — Arrival
Arrival at Wroxall Abbey
Settle into Wroxall Abbey, a country-house hotel on the grounds of a 12th-century priory. Centuries later, the estate was owned by Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St Paul's Cathedral. We'll begin the tour with a welcome dinner.
Day 4 · (May 4) — Leicester
Leicester & Bosworth
On August 22, 1485, Richard III became the last English king to die in battle, and with him ended more than 330 years of Plantagenet rule, a line that began with Henry II in 1154. His remains were lost for more than five centuries until they were found beneath a Leicester car park in 2012. We'll visit his tomb in Leicester Cathedral, have lunch at the King Richard III Visitor Centre, and take a private guided walk of the battlefield where the Tudor age began.
Day 7 · (May 7) — Fotheringhay & Peterborough
Fotheringhay & Peterborough
Fotheringhay was the heart of the House of York. Richard III was born here in 1452, and his father, Richard, Duke of York, killed in battle in 1460, lies in the village church of St Mary and All Saints. Peterborough Cathedral is one of England's finest Norman churches, where monks kept writing the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle until 1154, long after it had ended everywhere else. It is also the resting place of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first queen and a descendant of John of Gaunt. Tea, coffee and biscuits at Fotheringhay are included.
Day 10 · (May 10) —Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury Abbey
On May 4, 1471, the Lancastrian cause was crushed at Tewkesbury. Henry VI's only son, Edward, was killed, the only Prince of Wales ever to die in battle, and fleeing soldiers were cut down near the abbey. When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, the townspeople saved the abbey by buying it for £453. High tea at the abbey is included, with free time to explore the town.
Day 13 · (May 13) — Worcester
Worcester Cathedral and Farewell Dinner
King John, the king of Magna Carta, asked to be buried at Worcester between the tombs of two saints, and his effigy still lies before the high altar. Nearby is the chantry chapel of Prince Arthur, Henry VIII's older brother, whose early death changed English history. We'll end the tour with a farewell dinner in Birmingham.
Day 2 · (May 2) — Warwick
Warwick Castle
William the Conqueror built the first castle here in 1068, just two years after Hastings. Four centuries later it belonged to Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, known as "the Kingmaker," who helped put Edward IV on the throne and then took him prisoner. Spend a full day exploring one of England's great medieval fortresses.
Day 5 · (May 5) — Nottingham
Nottingham Castle & Mortimers Hole
In 1330, the teenage Edward III and his friends crept through a secret tunnel into Nottingham Castle and seized Roger Mortimer, the man who had been ruling England in his name. The passage is still called Mortimer's Hole. Richard III later rode out from Nottingham to his last battle at Bosworth.
Day 8 · (May 8) — A Sneak Peek into a new era.
We're keeping this one a secret. Expect a remarkable historic setting, a private experience and an included lunch. It's one of the days we're most excited about.
Day 11 · (May 11)— Sudeley Castle
Sudeley Castle
Sudeley was built in the 1440s by Ralph Boteler, a lord made rich by the Hundred Years' War, and seized by the Yorkist king Edward IV. His brother, the future Richard III, later owned it and built a grand banqueting hall whose ruins still stand. A century later, Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII's six wives, died here in 1548. She is buried in the chapel, the only English queen buried on private property.
Day 14 · (May 14) — Birmingham
Departure
Today our journey comes to an end as guests depart Birmingham for their travels home. Breakfast will be available at the hotel for those who wish to enjoy it before departure. We wish everyone safe travels and hope to see you again on another journey through history.
Day 3 · (May 3) — Kenilworth
Kenilworth Castle
In 1266, rebels held Kenilworth for six months in the longest siege in medieval English history. In the 1370s, John of Gaunt, son of Edward III and ancestor of the Lancastrian kings, turned the fortress into a palace, and the ruins of his great hall still stand. His grandson Henry V was at Kenilworth when, as the story goes, the French Dauphin mockingly sent him a gift of tennis balls, and Henry answered by invading France.
Day 6 · (May 6) — Lincoln
Lincoln Castle & Cathedral
For more than 200 years, Lincoln Cathedral's central spire made it the tallest building in the world. Across the square, Lincoln Castle holds one of only four surviving original copies of the 1215 Magna Carta. You'll also have time to explore Lincoln's steep medieval streets on your own.
Day 9 · (May 9) — Delapré Abbey
Delapré Abbey
In July 1460, the Battle of Northampton was fought in the fields beside Delapré Abbey, and King Henry VI was captured in his tent. Nearby stands one of only three surviving Eleanor Crosses, raised by Edward I in memory of his beloved queen. We'll have a private historical tour, followed by a traditional Sunday roast.
Day 12 · (May 12) — Gloucester
Gloucester Cathedral
In 1216, nine-year-old Henry III was crowned here with a simple golden circlet because the crown jewels had been lost. After Edward II was murdered in 1327, pilgrims flocked to his tomb, and their offerings helped pay for the cathedral's spectacular rebuilding. You may also recognize the cloisters from the Harry Potter films.
A Note about Standard Rooms & Bedding:
The tour price is per person for two guests sharing one bed. Single occupancy may be available for an additional $1,200, subject to availability. Twin beds may also be requested, but neither single occupancy nor twin beds can be guaranteed. Please email us if you need these arrangements so we can confirm availability.
Highlights
- Walk in the Footsteps of Kings & Queens
- Explore Magnificent Medieval Castles
- Discover England's Great Cathedrals & Abbeys
- Trace the Legacy of the Plantagenets
- Follow the Houses of York & Lancaster
- Stand on Battlefields that Changed English History
- Visit Royal Tombs & Historic Burial Places
- Wander Historic English Towns & Villages
- Experience Private Tours & Special Access
- Enjoy a Traditional English Sunday Roast
Your Journey at a Glance
Fourteen days. Centuries of history. One carefully planned journey.
14 DAYS · MAY 1–14, 2027 · $5,495 PER PERSON* · LIMITED TO 20 GUESTS
Early Booking Price: $5,295 per person**
*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.
**Early price applies when we receive your signed agreement and $500 deposit by December 31, 2026
What's Included
The Travel With The Josephs Difference
Small group. Relaxed pace. Thoughtfully planned.
Your tour is led by Dayna and John Joseph. Dayna holds a master's degree in history with a focus on the Wars of the Roses, the very story this journey follows.
With just 20 guests, this journey is designed to feel personal rather than packaged. We won't rush from place to place or start our mornings before sunrise.
Our days are thoughtfully paced, with time to experience the castles, cathedrals, battlefields and historic towns we've traveled to see.
This is history at your pace — with special experiences, good company and time to enjoy England along the way.
• 13 nights in carefully selected hotels and country inns
• Breakfast each morning
• Private coach transportation throughout the tour, including two scheduled Birmingham Airport pickups on May 1
• Admission to scheduled castles, cathedrals, abbeys, and historic sites
• Private tours and special historical experiences
• Six included dinners, including our welcome and farewell dinners
• Three included lunches: at the King Richard III Visitor Centre, a traditional Sunday roast at Delapré Abbey, and lunch during our surprise experience
• Tea, coffee, and biscuits during our visit to Fotheringhay
• One included high tea at Tewkesbury Abbey
• Exclusive Travel with the Josephs Tour Guidebook
Good to know
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Flights are not included. We meet you at Birmingham Airport, with two group pickups.
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Pace: Expect moderate walking each day, including some uneven ground and stairs at castles and cathedrals.
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Small group: No more than 20 guests.
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Want the details? Request our full brochure for payment dates, terms and everything that's included.
Ready to Join Us?
Early Booking Price: $5,295 through December 31, 2026 *
14 Days Through Medieval England · May 1–14, 2027
*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.