Aviation, Gardens And Codebreakers

Itinerary:

Thursday
Depart Leyland at 08.00hrs for our journey to Huntingdon with a lunch stop in historic Lichfield en-route. Depart Lichfield at 13.00hrs to continue our journey to the hotel, arrive to a warm welcome with tea/coffee while your case is taken to your room.

Friday - Saturday

Our destination today is the Imperial War Museum Duxford, Britain's best-preserved World War II airfield. Designed to spotlight the landmarks of British aviation history, the museum incorporates numerous exhibitions, including the historic Operations Block, the nerve centre of Duxford's Battle of Britain campaign; AirSpace, home to 30 iconic aircraft like the Spitfire and Concorde; the American Air Museum featuring Europe's biggest collection of US military aircraft, and Historic Duxford, which recalls wartime flying aces such as Douglas Bader.

After breakfast, we visit beautiful Barnsdale Gardens, created by one of Britain's best loved gardeners and star of Gardener's World, the late Geoff Hamilton. We then travel on to the pretty, traditional market town of Oakham; look out for the unusual stocks that were used to detain criminals by the legs - the five-hole stocks are somewhat of a mystery! We end the day in style with a relaxing cruise on Rutland Water on the Rutland Belle and are treated to a delicious cream tea!

Sunday
Check out of our hotel following breakfast. This morning before heading home, we make our way to Bletchley Park where Alan Turing and his colleagues helped crack Germany's Enigma Code during World War II. We uncover Bletchley Park's remarkable story by visiting the functional Codebreaking Huts and Blocks, Alan Turing's office, the library, wartime garages (complete with WW II vehicles) and a series of compelling interactive exhibits, perhaps obtain lunch (own in Hut 4, formerly the home of the WWII Naval Intelligence Code Breaking Operations. At 15.00hrs re-join the coach to continue our journey home.