British Culinary Adventure Group Tour

A sample escorted tour of 8 days / 7 nights. Created by Forks on the Road, it may be customized to suit your group. Priced upon request.

A British Culinary Adventure. London & the English Countryside

1

LONDON

Welcome to London! One of the world’s most exciting cities and now one of its most delicious. It is the rising star in international culinary destinations. Upon arrival, a panoramic tour of London will encompass iconic sites like Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus before checking into your 4 star centrally located hotel. A welcome dinner in a local British pub will provide your first taste of London - you'll meet, mingle and raise a pint with fellow foodies. Overnight: London (D)

Piccadilly Circus

2

LONDON

This day begins with a fascinating walking tour to learn London’s culinary and commercial history. Led by a PhD-level docent, you’ll stroll Cow Cross Street, the historic route taken by farmers driving their produce to market on foot, and visit the sites of medieval markets. Considering quotes from Oliver Twist, the group will learn about the then, ubiquity of livestock in London, the expense of vegetables, the use of manure, and the proximity of people to animals. You’ll be updated on the resurgence of nose-to-tail eating, and look at the changing roles of food markets today. This afternoon, you’ll visit the iconic department store Fortnum & Mason, famous for its food halls and hampers, and its High Tea. The group will indulge in this traditional and delicious experience and visit the store’s roof top bee hives followed by a tasting of the honey. And of course, there’ll be time for shopping! This evening is at leisure, dinner is on your own. Perhaps some theater? Overnight: London (B, L)

3

LONDON

Today and tomorrow morning’s activities will mirror each other with the group divided for a more intimate experience. All will enjoy some free time in the afternoons for personal sightseeing, shopping and relaxation and regroup for experiential evenings that will include dinner. Borrough Market and the British Museum. Overnight: London

Group 1 - Will enjoy a private guided tasting tour of Borrough Market with a noted food writer. Borrough Market captures the UK’s rich culinary history. Its first food & veg market, it is its most renowned. Tastings will be ample, constitute lunch and include wine. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure. (B, L, D)

London's Borrough Market

Group 2 - Will visit the British Museum for a 90 minute guided tour. The first national public museum in the world, it is among the most celebrated. After the tour, the group will be at leisure. Late afternoon, the full group will transfer to Southhall to meet with an Indian chef and cookbook author for a guided walking and tasting tour of London’s “Little India”. Our chef will share her expertise on Indian cuisine and its connection to the UK originating in the 17th C. Indian food is a staple of the British culinary consciousness. Later, the group will enjoy dinner and a discussion of food, spices and history at an Indian restaurant. (B, D)

The British Museum

4

London

Mirroring Day 3, Group 2 will enjoy the tasting tour of Borrough Market and Group 1 will visit the British Museum. Both will have free time in the afternoon. At 5pm the full group will transfer to a London cookery school for a hands-on cook & dine experience focusing on British dishes. Overnight: London. (B, L, D for Group 2; B, D for Group 1)

5

London – Nottingham - Derby

Breakfast at the hotel; check –out and depart for the Midlands and Nottingham. The itinerary includes a stop at the Walled Kitchen Garden at Clumber Park and a highlight will be a special visit to the Welbeck Estate. Once the great landed estate of the Dukes of Portland, it is now a sustainable community providing culinary and cultural activities. There'll be a unique learning experience at the acclaimed School of Artisan Food that will encompass demonstrations, hands-on opportunities and tastings and include visiting the Welbeck Abbey Brewery, the teaching dairy (and a demonstration of traditional butter making) learning about a range of British cheeses. This will be followed by a guided tasting pairing the cheeses with handcrafted beers. There’ll be free time explore the Estate’s shops. Transfer to Derby and check into your hotel. Dinner and the evening will be on your own. Overnight: Derby ( B, L)

Cooking demonstration at the Welbeck Estate's School of Artisan Food

6

Derby - Cotswolds

After a hotel breakfast, you’ll transfer to the Cotswolds, which includes some of England’s most beautiful countryside. The day will include touring the quaint villages and a visit to the organic Daylesford Farm for a tour and a farm-to-fork lunch. Dinner and a stay at one of the Cotsworlds inn-like hotels will give you a real feel of the region. A delicious dinner will include a sampling of traditional British "puds". Overnight: Cotswolds (B, L, D)

Daylesford Organic Farm

7

Cotswolds – Bath - London

This morning the group will enjoy an excursion to Bath. Considered one of the world’s most beautiful cities it is also a World Heritage Site. A tour will include iconic sites such as the Royal Crescent, Circus, and Pultene Bridge and the Roman Baths. The group will have free time and lunch of their own. Mid-afternoonl transfer back to London for the tour’s final night. Dinner is own your own and your last night in London is free to do as you choose. Enjoy! Overnight: London (B)

8

London

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Heathrow Airport for departure or on to post-tour travel. Cheerio! (B)

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Great Roman Baths, heated by the ancient Sacred Spring

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