HISTORIC TOURS

Fully-inclusive trips at Hedingham Castle hosted by the descendants of one of England’s oldest noble families

THE DE VERE TOUR

7th - 12th September 2025

Hosted by Jason and Demetra Lindsay, direct descendants of the de Veres (also known as the Earls of Oxford) and owners of Hedingham Castle, for the very first time you are invited to stay at their private family home within the Hedingham estate, one of the oldest strongholds in England.

Focusing on the heritage of the Earls of Oxford, this very special De Vere Tour will take place from Sunday 7th - Friday 12th September 2025, exclusively for just twelve guests, staying in one of the luxurious bedrooms within the Georgian House. During your stay, you will enjoy a full itinerary of fascinating excursions to historic places linked to the de Veres, exploring picturesque villages and market towns along the way, as well as taking part in authentic English traditions such as afternoon tea and falconry.

The tour will be led by our expert Blue Badge Guide who will accompany you throughout the week as you venture out across East Anglia. All travel to each venue on the itinerary will be by luxury private minibus. Due to the nature and activities of this tour, it is not suitable for under 18s.

By booking this tour, you will be supporting the maintenance and upkeep of this important part of England’s heritage. Please note that Jason and Demetra will only join specific tour activities such as the welcome and farewell dinners and those detailed in the itinerary. 

Image courtesy of Trevor Leighton.

Itinerary at a glance

  • Day 1: Arrive at Hedingham Castle, Essex

  • Day 2: Lavenham & Layer Marney Tower

  • Day 3: Cambridge

  • Day 4: Hedingham Castle & Bury St Edmunds

  • Day 5: Audley End & Saffron Walden

  • Day 6: Depart Hedingham Castle

Dates & Pricing

September 2025 Tour dates:

  • Sunday 7th to Friday 12th September 2025: £7,950*

  • Upgrade your stay to include one night in the Royal Chamber, the bedroom inside Hedingham Castle for £495 per night**

* price is per person, assuming two people. There is a single person supplement of £1,590. **The Royal Chamber is subject to availability on a first come first served basis, maximum one night stay per couple or single occupant, price is per room per night.

Please note that the pricing does not include travel insurance, flights to and from your home destination, transfers to and from Hedginham Castle, porterage or gratuities. Full booking conditions can be found via this link.

We are able to advise transport options and provide guidance if you wish to extend your stay to explore other areas of interest.

Inclusions:

Five nights accommodation in the Georgian House at Hedingham Castle plus:

  • Welcome dinner with Jason & Demetra Lindsay

  • Formal black tie dinner with Jason & Demetra Lindsay, owners of Hedingham Castle

  • A dinner at an outstanding local restaurant

  • Exclusive excursions and activities

  • All activities on the Estate

  • All meals, including vegetarian/vegan and gluten free options

  • All drinks (including wine)

  • Travel in luxury minibus between tour venues

  • Services of the Tour Guide who will accompany the guests on excursions

 The Details

  • On arrival in the UK, guests will make their way to Hedingham Castle in Essex to arrive around 2pm.

    Upon arrival at Hedingham, guests will be met by the Tour Manager and your hosts Jason & Demetra Lindsay, direct descendants of the De Veres. Refreshments of tea and cake will be served upon arrival while luggage is taken to your room. Guests are given time to rest and settle into their new surroundings within the historic estate before a guided tour of the Norman Keep and Georgian House.

    Enjoy a welcome dinner with Jason & Demetra in the House before a peaceful night’s sleep in readiness for the week ahead.

  • After breakfast, board the private minibus and head off to the pretty and historic village of Lavenham, just across the border from Essex in Suffolk, for a guided walk with your knowledgeable tour guide. Visit De Vere House, a 14th century hall house once owned by the de Veres, followed by lunch at The Swan.

    Explore the church and look for de Vere symbols, and browse the quaint antique shops before returning to Hedingham Castle.

    The evening is spent at a beautiful nearby historic house for a very special private tour and dinner with the owners.

  • After breakfast, we depart for the historic city of Cambridge, the home of the University of Cambridge, founded in the early 13th century. The day will include a tour of the Royal Colleges including the world-famous Kings College Chapel and Queen’s College, where Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford, studied.

    After the tour, enjoy a quintessential English tradition: an exquisite afternoon tea, followed by punting on the River Cam or some free time to explore the beautiful city.

    Return to Hedingham for supper in the Georgian House with Jason and Demetra.

  • After a leisurely breakfast, head out into the estate grounds for a masterclass in the popular medieval sport, Archery. Learn how to shoot a traditional longbow and take part in a ‘hunt’ in the woodlands (using rubber targets, no animals will be harmed). Lunch will be served in the castle.

    In the afternoon, we venture over to the picturesque city of Bury St Edmunds for a fascinating tour of the cathedral and the Abbey ruins. The de Veres had strong links with the Abbotts of St Edmundsbury Cathedral and the same ashlar stone sourced for the Abbey was also used to build Hedingham Castle.

    In the evening, we will dine at an outstanding local restaurant within the city before heading back to Hedingham via minibus.

  • After breakfast, it’s all aboard the minibus for Audley End House & Gardens, one of England’s finest country houses. Enjoy a fascinating guided tour and explore the immaculate grounds. Then we make the short journey to the picturesque market town of Saffron Walden where you’ll have time to explore, shop and grab a bite to eat.

    Once back at Hedingham, there is the opportunity to take part in an incredible Hawk Walk through the ancient woodlands with our expert falconers and their stunning birds.

    The evening begins with a fantastic and unique ‘Birds by Candlelight’ experience which takes place in the Banqueting Hall of the castle. Meet a wide range of birds of prey including owls, falcons, eagles and more, and fly them to your gloved fist against the iconic backdrop of the castle.

    Afterwards, Jason and Demetra will host you at a very special Black Tie Dinner in the Castle as a beautiful finale to the week.

  • After a leisurely breakfast, have the opportunity to take a walking tour of the pretty village of Castle Hedingham, visiting the church of St Nicholas which houses the family tombs of the de Veres.

    Lunch will be served in the castle before saying your goodbyes and departing Hedingham by 3pm.

Please note, this is an active holday involving multiple walking tours as part of the itinerary. In addition, access to all bedrooms in the Georgian House and upper floors of Hedingham Castle are via stairs - due to the age and nature of the buildings, no lift access is available. All activities on this tour are indicative and may vary according to weather conditions, availability or other local factors. However if there is a change we will always aim to exceed your expectations!

We are able to advise transport options and provide guidance if you wish to extend your stay to explore other areas of interest.