Bath & Somerset

Based at a fabulous country house hotel, The Pig near Bath, this tour will explore the lovely county of Somerset, with brief forays into Wiltshire and Dorset.

Visit the famed Georgian city of Bath, with its beautiful honey-coloured architecture, delightful shops and cafes, and genteel ambience. Drive through some beautiful little towns and villages, many of which are picture-postcard idyllic, such as Wells or Castle Cary. Enjoy strolling around some exquisite gardens including Kilver Court & Barrington Court, discovering National Trust properties such as Montacute or Lytes Cary, driving the sensational Cheddar Gorge, and enjoy a tour of the Haynes International Motor Museum.

This tour is limited to just 10 cars – NOW FULLY BOOKED

Highlights of the Bath & Somerset Tour

• Stay in the beautiful hotel, The Pig near Bath
• Explore the famous city of Bath
• Stroll around the lovely gardens at Kilver Court
• Visit England’s smallest city, Wells, a medieval gem
• Visit Glastonbury, England’s cradle of Christianity
• Discover how Cheddar cheese is made
• Drive along the incredible Cheddar Gorge
• Stroll around the delightful Cotswold village of Castle Combe
• Explore various historic manor houses and stately homes such as Lytes Cary, Great Chalfield & Forde Abbey
• Wander around the pretty town of Bradford on Avon
• See the Benedictine abbey of Mulcheney
• Visit the Tudor building of Barrington Court
• Discover the beautiful Montacute House, an Elizabethan jewel
• Visit the superb Haynes Motor Museum

Itinerary

May be subject to change.

Day 1: 4 September 2022

Arrive at your luxury hotel – check-in is from 3pm onwards. Enjoy a wander around the fabulous kitchen gardens or relax in the genteel areas or your comfortable room.

There will be welcome drinks this evening followed by an excellent dinner.

Day 2: 5 September 2022 69 miles

A circular tour to the west starting with the market town of Shepton Mallet. Enjoy a stroll around the beautiful gardens at Kilver Court and indulge in some shopping at the superb Designer Village, and then reward yourself with coffee at one of the superb cafes.

Continue on to Wells, England’s smallest city, and an unspoilt medieval gem. The city is particularly known for its fine 12th-century cathedral, and the magnificent west front is one of the largest galleries of medieval sculpture anywhere in the world. Wells has been a sacred site, beside the springs of fresh water, for over 1000 years. Next to the cathedral is the Bishop’s Palace, home and office to the Bishops of Bath & Wells for over 800 years.

Head south to Glastonbury, England’s cradle of Christianity, to discover the stories, legends and myths amid the romantic ruins of the Abbey. Glastonbury claims to be one of the places visited by Christ, with his uncle Joseph of Arimathea. It is also the legendary burial place of King Arthur – so there are plenty of historical tales to learn.

Visit Stembridge Tower Mill, the last remaining thatched windmill in the country. Then drive across the Somerset Levels to the charming market town of Axbridge at the foot of the Mendip Hills. From here it’s a short journey to Cheddar, home of the world’s most famous cheese.

Visit the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company to see how the cheese is made. Then enjoy a spirited drive to explore Britain’s biggest gorge, the Cheddar Gorge, past the dramatic cliffs rising 450ft above the stunning stalactite caverns. The first section leaving Cheddar is the most demanding. The scenery is stunning with massive cliff faces on either side of the road. It’s also full of tight, twisty sections where the route has been dictated by the geography of the gorge.

Return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 3: 6 September 2022 61 miles

Visit the gorgeous city of Bath. It would be easy to spend an entire day (or few days) in Bath as there is much to see and do. But at the very least see the gracious Royal Crescent or stop and see the famed Roman Baths and Pump Room.

Head on the pretty village of Castle Combe, which makes an ideal lunch stop. Then onto Great Chalfield to see the beautiful 15th century moated Manor House with oriel windows (National Trust).

Bradford on Avon is sometimes described as a ‘mini-Bath’ – but this captures only a fraction of the charm and variety of this unique place – an architectural treasure chest.

Visit Westwood Manor, another beautiful 15th century stone manor house before continuing to Farleigh Hungerford with its ruined castle and fascinating tales of the Hungerford family. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 4: 7 September 2022 100 miles

Visit Lytes Cary Manor, an intimate medieval manor house (National Trust) with a beautiful Arts and Crafts garden. Then drive to Mulcheney Abbey, then on to Barrington Court, a Tudor manor house free from any collections or furniture.

Continue south, crossing into Dorset, to the exquisite Forde Abbey. Forde Abbey is a privately-owned 12th century Cistercian Abbey, famed for its garden, arboretum and house.

Visit the ancient former market town of Crewkerne then onto the masterpiece of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture, Montacute House, completed in 1601. With its towering walls of glass, the glow of ham stone, and its surrounding gardens it is a place of beauty and wonder. Beautiful gardens also surround the house.

Pass through the market town of Yeovil, and a little further north is the Haynes Motor Museum, with over 400 vehicles beautifully displayed, dating from 1885 to the present day. Then wind your way northwards, through the lovely towns of Castle Cary and Bruton, back to the hotel. There will be a farewell dinner this evening.

Day 5: 8 September 2022

After a hearty breakfast depart for home.

Accommodation

The Pig near Bath is a mellow country house, set in acres of Somerset deer park, tucked into the folds of the Mendip Hills. Rooms are all individually decorated and have unique characteristics, mixing luxury with bundles of homely charm and hugely comfortable beds. The bountiful kitchen garden grows much of the excellent food served in the restaurant, and all the food comes from within a 25-mile radius.

Requirements

This Bath & Somerset Tour is open to classic, vintage and sports cars of any age. However, the most important requirement is that you take pleasure in motoring through fabulous scenery, deserving of the vehicles we love, relish character hotels and enjoy the company of like-minded travellers.

• Please ensure you have suitable travel insurance
• It is a good idea to carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit, fluorescent jacket, set of replacement bulbs and a national identification sticker.
• The most important requirement is that you take pleasure in motoring through fabulous scenery, and relish individual, character hotels.

Bespoke Fitted Luggage

Make packing for your next tour simple and easy. Classic Travelling Luggage offers bespoke fitted cases for a large range of classic and sports cars. Participants on our Group Tours enjoy a 10% discount on any purchase.