William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites Tour

William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites Tour

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3 Days From

$751

William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites Tour

3 Days Starting and ending in Swindon, United Kingdom

Visiting: Swindon, Oxford, Kelmscott

Tour operator:

Travel Editions

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

0 - 36

Physical rating:

Low

Tour operated in:

English
From: $751

NB: Prices correct on 22-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Immerse yourself in the world of William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites on this captivating tour. Explore Morris' newly restored country home, Kelmscott Manor, and marvel at the exquisite "Legend of the Briar Rose" by Burne-Jones at the 18th-century Neoclassical Buscot Park. Discover the rich history of Oxford, including a visit to the Ashmolean Museum and the stunning Morris & Co stained glass windows at Christ Church. Enjoy insightful talks from Morris expert Prof. Anne Anderson, and relax in the comfortable Blunsdon House Hotel, Swindon. This tour includes guided tours, admissions, meals, and coach transfers, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience.

Highlights

  • Morris’ country home – Kelmscott Manor, newly reopened in 2022 after a 2-year conservation project

  • 18th century Neoclassical Buscot Park with Burne-Jones’ “Legend of the Briar Rose”

  • Oxford – including Christ Church with its magnificent Morris & Co stained glass windows

  • Two talks from Morris expert, Prof. Anne Anderson

  • Visit to the superb Ashmolean Museum, Britain’s oldest public museum

  • Private visit and guided tour of Kelmscott Manor

  • Visit to the fabled Oxford Union, including the Old Library

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1:

Location: Swindon

Accommodation Name: Blunsdon House Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Arrive independently at the Blunsdon House Hotel, Swindon from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception, dinner with wine and a talk by your expert host – ‘William Morris at Kelmscott Manor’.

Day 2: Morris’ Oxford.

Location: Oxford

Accommodation Name: Blunsdon House Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A full day exploring Morris’ time in Oxford starting with a visit to the superb Ashmolean Museum, Britain’s oldest public museum, founded in 1683, with a world-famous collection ranging from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art. After time for lunch (not included) our afternoon in the city of dreaming spires continues with a visit to the fabled Oxford Union, including the Old Library – one of the largest lending libraries in Oxford. Finally we head to magnificent Christ Church with its outstanding Morris & Co. stained glass windows. Return to the hotel where, this evening, there will be a second lecture by your expert host – ‘The Pre-Raphaelites in Oxford’ and dinner.

Day 3: Kelmscott Manor And Buscot Park.

Location: Kelmscott

Accommodation Name: Blunsdon House Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We start our day with a visit to Kelmscott Manor, which has reopened in 2022 after a two-year conservation project. Kelmscott was William Morris’ inspirational country home from 1871 until his death in 1896 and contains an outstanding collection of works by Morris and his associates. Here we will enjoy a private visit and guided tour and finish with a ploughman’s lunch before heading on our way. This afternoon we will enjoy a visit to the 18th century neoclassical Buscot Park. The estate and its contents were left to the National Trust in 1956, including works of art by Rembrandt and, in the music room, friend and collaborator of Morris, Sir Edward Coley Burne Jones’ ‘The Legend of the Briar Rose’, inspired by the fairy-tale Sleeping Beauty. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.30.

What's Included

  • Two nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Blunsdon House Hotel, Swindon

    Includes shared occupancy of a twin/double room.

  • Welcome reception

    A reception to welcome guests upon arrival.

  • First night three-course buffet dinner with wine

    A three-course buffet dinner with wine on the first night.

  • Second night dinner in the restaurant

    Dinner in the hotel restaurant on the second night.

  • One light lunch

    A light lunch provided during the tour.

  • All talks, guided tours and admissions

    Includes all scheduled talks, guided tours, and admission fees.

  • Coach transfers and tour manager throughout

    Coach transfers and a tour manager are provided for the duration of the tour.

What's Not Included

  • Transport to the hotel is not included

    Guests must arrange their own transport to the hotel.

  • Holiday insurance

    Holiday insurance is not provided and must be arranged separately.

  • Double for sole use supplement

    An additional charge applies for single occupancy of a double room.

  • Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis

    Additional nights at the hotel are not included and must be booked separately.

  • Meals other than those stated

    Any meals not specifically mentioned in the inclusions are not provided.

  • Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc

    Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, and telephone calls are not included.

  • Porterage and gratuities

    Porterage and gratuities are not included in the tour package.

Mode of Transport

Coach transfers and a tour manager are provided throughout the tour. Transport to the hotel is not included.

Accommodation

Located on the edge of the Cotswolds in the village of Broad Blunsdon near Swindon, the four-star family owned Blunsdon House Hotel offers comfortable, individually decorated and tastefully furnished bedrooms with ensuite bathroom, TV, mini bar, safe and tea & coffee making facilities in the room. Other facilities at the hotel include two restaurants, bar, and a health and leisure club including gym and swimming pool. Complimentary car parking is available at the hotel.

MORE INFO

Your LecturersProf. Anne Anderson
Prof. Anne Anderson author, broadcaster, Lecturer and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, was a senior lecturer at Southampton Solent University for 14 years, specialising in the Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Modernism.Anne's career as an international speaker has taken her all over the world and her TV credits include the BBC'sFlog It!. Anne has received a rapturous response from or customers at the many Travel Editions UK lectures and tours as well as a host of tours overseas and her knowledge, wit and enthusiasm bring her beloved subjects to life in whatever location she finds them.

Dr Scott Anderson MA, PhD, FNAVA, ASFAV (Associate of the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers)
Scott is a University Senior Lecturer in the History of Art and Design and is an Honorary Fellow of the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers. He is a specialist in Victorian and Edwardian art, architecture and antiques and is a consultant expert for the BBC2 'Flog It!'programme. Scott is an Accredited Lecturer of The Arts Society and has lectured extensively to various societies, special interest groups and educational groups throughout Britain. He has extensive tour guiding experience in Britain, European locations such as Paris, Berlin, Vienna and New York.


Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel. You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.

Videos

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The accommodation is at the four-star Blunsdon House Hotel in Swindon. The hotel offers comfortable, individually decorated and tastefully furnished bedrooms with ensuite bathroom, TV, mini bar, safe, and tea & coffee making facilities. Other facilities include two restaurants, a bar, and a health and leisure club with a gym and swimming pool. Complimentary car parking is also available.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    Yes, the tour package includes two nights’ bed and breakfast, a welcome reception, a first night three-course buffet dinner with wine, a second night dinner in the restaurant, and one light lunch.

  • What activities are included in the tour?

    The tour includes all talks, guided tours, and admissions. Specific activities include a visit to the Ashmolean Museum, the Oxford Union, Christ Church, Kelmscott Manor, and Buscot Park. There will also be two lectures by Prof. Anne Anderson.

  • Who will be giving the lectures during the tour?

    The lectures will be given by Prof. Anne Anderson, an expert in the Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, and Modernism. She is a senior lecturer at Southampton Solent University and has extensive experience as an international speaker and TV broadcaster.

  • Is transportation to the hotel included in the tour package?

    No, transport to the hotel is not included in the tour package. You will need to arrange your own transportation to the Blunsdon House Hotel in Swindon.

  • What is the check-in time at the hotel?

    You can check in at the Blunsdon House Hotel from 3pm onwards. If you arrive earlier, the hotel will be happy to store your luggage.

  • What are some of the highlights of the tour?

    Highlights of the tour include visiting Morris’ country home, Kelmscott Manor, the 18th century Neoclassical Buscot Park, and Christ Church in Oxford with its magnificent Morris & Co stained glass windows. Additionally, there will be two talks from Morris expert, Prof. Anne Anderson.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.

  • Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?

    Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.

  • Where does the tour manager meet us?

    In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Anonymous  

William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites Tour

22-July-2024

Barbour-Bourne  

William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites Tour

21-August-2023

This Tour was well managed throughout. Professor Anne Anderson has an excellent command of the subject and clear delivery. Scott also had a good grasp of the theme. The lovely lunch st Kelmscott Manor and afternoon tea at Buscot was appreciated. The hotel staff were trying their best and I know recruitment is difficult. The hotel food wasn’t great. I would prefer 2 better quality courses rather 3 average offerings but understand that tour catering can have its limitations.

Anonymous  

William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites Tour

21-August-2023

Anonymous  

William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites Tour

22-July-2024

Bagshaw  

William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites Tour

24-July-2023

Excellent hotel, clean, comfortable, good food and friendly staff. We liked the house wines being very good Australian ones! The tours were very good, with an excellent coach driver, and Anne and Scott, our guides were first class, very knowledgeable, and approachable and friendly. We feel we learned a lot, in a very pleasant way, and visited some wonderful places. We certainly intend to join more of your trips! And we met many very nice, like-minded people!

Clamp  

William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites Tour

24-July-2023

Really well organised and great venues to visit, very interesting lectures in the evenings. Only negatives were poor breakfasts (but the evening meals that were organisd were lovely) and on the last night (an extra night) we booked a table in the bar area (the restaurant was not open that night) the night before and on arrival the table had been given to someone else and the bar area was full. They moved a table from the restaurant to the bar area but it meant we were squeezed into the entrance area in the bar next to a very noisy group of people who were not eating. Sevice was slow as it was so full.

Anonymous  

William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites Tour

21-August-2023

A very well organized series of visits led by two enormously experienced and knowledgeable guides. I would certainly book up a similar short holiday again and this particular team would be an added incentive. 'Good' above because no flight etc involved, only my own driving to and from hotel which would never count as 'excellent.'

Anonymous  

William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites Tour

24-July-2023

Anonymous  

William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites Tour

21-August-2023

Anonymous  

William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites Tour

22-July-2024

Read all 22 reviews

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Jul 21, 2025 - Jul 23, 2025
$751

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  • Low Deposit

    Travel Editions requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel editions charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 45% of booking price.

    At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.