ALFRISTON, NEW FOREST, CASTLE COMBE & MAYFAIR
A 15-night private journey for travelers drawn to castles, coast, and quiet countryside. Discover Sussex, the New Forest, and the Great West Way before a final stay in London’s Mayfair, with thoughtfully arranged experiences, private chauffeur transport, and time to enjoy each place rather than rush through it.
Set the Scene: The Quiet South: Sussex Castles. Coast, Countryside & the Great West Way®There is an older, quieter England beyond the reach of the hurried traveller: an England of rolling chalk downs and ancient coastal strongholds, of woodland paths and open heath, of honey-stoned villages and the timeless elegance of Mayfair drawing rooms.
This journey traces the gentle arc of England’s quiet south, beginning in the refined calm of South Kensington, winding through the historic villages of East Sussex and the maritime coast of Hampshire, before turning inland along the Great West Way® and closing in the heart of London. It is a route shaped around long estate mornings, deep country firesides, and roads that ask you not to conquer the map, but to dwell within it.
Arrive first in London, letting the unhurried cadence take hold over a quiet night at The Kensington before the city gives way to open sky. In East Sussex, settle into the medieval village of Alfriston and the welcoming character of The Star. Days unfold between the dramatic chalk landscapes of the Seven Sisters and the historic settings of Herstmonceux Castle Estate, Bodiam Castle, and Pevensey Castle. Here, England’s past becomes part of the landscape, balanced by time for village wandering, leisurely meals, and afternoons without an agenda.
Turn west toward Hampshire and the Solent, where maritime stories and an excursion to the Isle of Wight bring another dimension to the journey. At Chewton Glen, the pace softens again: restorative spa hours, estate walks, and time to enjoy the meeting of countryside and coast. These are days with room both to discover and to pause.
Continue inland to The Manor House at Castle Combe, where the village’s quiet beauty sets the tone for your stay. A locally guided day reveals the southern Cotswolds through historic places, quiet back roads, and stories beyond the familiar views. A private craft workshop offers a different kind of encounter—a chance to slow down, make something by hand, and carry home a keepsake of the journey. Between these experiences, leave time for the estate, the village, and the simple pleasure of having nowhere else you need to be.
Return finally to London for a farewell at The Connaught in Mayfair. A private National Gallery tour, shaped around your interests, brings a personal cultural note to the closing days. Beyond it, the capital remains yours: browse the boutiques, linger over lunch, return to a favourite place, or follow a curiosity of your own. A final evening of dining brings your journey through England’s quiet south to an elegant, unhurried close.
Basildon Park, exquisite 18th Century Palladian Mansion, Berkshire. Famous film location for Downton Abbey and Pride & Prejudice.
Basildon Park, exquisite 18th Century Palladian Mansion, Berkshire. Famous film location for Downton Abbey and Pride & Prejudice.
Chawton House, belonged to Jane Austen's brother, Edward. the house, gardens, and library open to the public.
Avebury
Stonehenge is a prehistoric megalithic structure on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England
Avoncliff Aqueduct
Cotswolds
Cotswolds
Cotswolds
Cotswolds
What’s Included:
Your Journey Inclusions
Daily breakfast at each property
Dedicated private chauffeur-driver-guide and luxury vehicle throughout the countryside journey
Private airport arrival and departure transfers from Heathrow or Gatwick
Visits to Herstmonceux Castle Estate, Bodiam Castle, and Pevensey Castle, entrance fees
Private guided walking excursion to the Seven Sisters and coastal chalk viewpoints
Curated day excursion across the Solent to the Isle of Wight
Maritime heritage exploration at Historic Portsmouth
Private vineyard tour and guided tasting at Bluestone Vineyards, lunch
Hidden Cotswolds & England’s Ancient Past: a full-day, locally guided excursion from Castle Combe, including refreshments and lunch
Private workshop for two at Karen’s craft studio, including materials and lunch
Private, 90-minute National Gallery tour in London, tailored to your interests
Pre-departure journey planning and dedicated 24/7 ground concierge support
Signature Host Privileges
Thoughtful dining, wellness, and wardrobe-care credits, arranged on your behalf:
Welcome Dining Allocation: Up to US$450 per room toward dinner at The Star, Alfriston
Farewell Dining Allocation: Up to US$450 per room toward a celebratory dinner at The Connaught, London
Hospitality & Estate Wellness Allocation: Up to US$350 per room at Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa, New Milton
Wardrobe Care Privilege: Up to US$250 per suite toward end-of-stay laundry or pressing at The Connaught, London
Lunches and daily dinners remain intentionally open, giving you the freedom to choose where and how you dine.
What’s NOT Included:
Your Journey exclusions:
International airfare, unless expressly included in your proposal. Flight arrangements can be discussed during planning.
Travel insurance or travel protection.
Passport, visa and other entry-document fees.
Gratuities for chauffeurs, guides, hotel staff and other service providers, unless specified.
Meals and beverages beyond those listed as included in your itinerary.
Spa treatments and purchases beyond any included spa allowance.
Personal expenses, including shopping, laundry, telephone charges and room service.
Early hotel check-in or late check-out, unless confirmed as included.
Optional sightseeing, activities and experiences beyond the included programme.
Room upgrades and other enhancements, unless included in your confirmed proposal.
Airline baggage charges and any applicable local taxes or fees expressly excluded from your proposal.
Your confirmed proposal will detail the inclusions, allowances and exclusions specific to your journey.
Protect Your Journey
We recommend considering travel insurance to help protect your travel investment and provide cover for eligible unexpected events, such as cancellation, interruption, baggage delays or medical emergencies.
We can provide information about available plans. Coverage, exclusions and purchase deadlines vary by policy, so please review the terms carefully.
How This Journey Is Designed
Unhurried by design. Yours to shape.
Three countryside stays, paired with stays in London at the beginning and end. The first night in London gives you time to arrive properly; after that, longer stays let you settle into each place.
This journey combines longer stays with carefully chosen experiences. Signature moments are arranged in advance, and we help shape the remaining time around your interests, with thoughtful recommendations and space to enjoy your hotel and surroundings.
Your private driver-guide makes exploring easy, providing transport and local insight throughout your journey.
Before you travel, we’ll agree on a pace that suits you and arrange any additional experiences you’d enjoy. Once you arrive, you can settle into the journey knowing the details have been considered.
Night 1:
London Arrival
The Kensington Hotel · A Soft Landing
Your private chauffeur welcomes you on arrival and brings you to The Kensington for your first night in England. This London pause allows time to settle in after your flight before the countryside journey begins, with a little breathing room should your arrival be delayed.
There is no need to begin at full speed. Freshen up, enjoy a leisurely meal, take a short walk if you feel like exploring, or simply make yourself comfortable. Today is about arriving properly, not accomplishing a list.
The following morning, after breakfast, your chauffeur takes you toward the Sussex countryside, with a stop in Brighton to visit the magnificent Royal Pavilion. Once the seaside residence of King George IV, this extraordinary landmark offers a glimpse into Regency elegance, with its distinctive architecture and richly decorated interiors.
After your visit, continue through the Sussex landscape toward the historic village of Alfriston, where The Star welcomes you for four nights of countryside charm, coastal discoveries, and unhurried exploration.
For Wine Lovers — An Optional Kent Vineyard Interlude
For guests who enjoy wine, we can arrange a visit to Silverhand Estate before continuing to Alfriston. Here, the Kent countryside becomes part of the experience: vineyard views, the story behind the wines, and a tasting chosen around your interests.
Whether you prefer a guided tasting or a more immersive vineyard-and-winery visit, the experience is arranged in advance, with its timing and cost confirmed as part of your personal itinerary. For those who would rather travel directly to The Star, the day remains equally inviting, simply with more time to settle into village life.
Lewes, England
Herstmonceux Castle
Firle Place Historic House, Lewes
Views from South Downs National Park, Sussex
The Star, Alfriston
Settle into The Star for four nights of village life, historic places, and time outdoors. From your Alfriston base, your stay brings together included castle visits, countryside outings, and coastal exploration, with private chauffeur transport and time to enjoy each place without rushing onward.
Your first evening includes a welcome dinner with wine pairing: an introduction to The Star and a relaxed beginning to your Sussex stay.
We shape the days around your interests and preferred pace, balancing arranged visits with time for village browsing, a leisurely lunch, or an afternoon back at the hotel.
Included Castle Visits
Your Sussex stay includes admission to Pevensey Castle and 1066 Battle Abbey. These visits provide a heritage thread through this part of the journey, alongside its countryside and coastal scenery.
Sussex Castles & Historic Discoveries
Enjoy an included visit to Arundel Castle, with its magnificent historic interiors, gardens, and time to explore the charming historic town of Arundel, including its independent shops and inviting places for lunch.
As castle opening seasons vary, alternative Sussex heritage visits may be arranged, including Bodiam Castle and Herstmonceux Castle, subject to seasonal availability. Final arrangements will reflect your travel dates and preferred pace.
Pevensey and 1066 Battle Abbey are planned as self-guided visits, with admission included. Explore at your own pace, using the sites’ visitor information to understand what you are seeing.
We arrange the visits across your stay rather than turning them into a single castle-hopping day. The final sequence takes account of opening schedules, travel time, and how much walking you prefer.
Coast, Countryside & Time in Rye
Beyond the castles, your stay makes room for the Sussex landscape. Planned outings may include Birling Gap and views of the Seven Sisters, with time for a scenic stop, a suitable walk, or simply a pause beside the sea.
Rye adds a different rhythm: historic lanes, independent browsing, and time to choose somewhere inviting for lunch. A visit to Hastings may also be woven into the itinerary where it complements your interests and the day’s routing.
Your chauffeur takes care of the travel between stops. We recommend a balanced plan so you can enjoy the places themselves rather than organize every detail along the way.
Further Experiences, Chosen Around You
For guests who wish to explore a particular interest, we can consider additional experiences alongside the included visits.
Possibilities include a Sussex vineyard experience, art and photography at Farleys House & Gallery, a journey on the Bluebell Railway, or a performance at Glyndebourne.
Historic houses and gardens offer further options, including Firle Place, Lewes Castle, and Sheffield Park. Each recommendation will take account of seasonal opening, availability, and how it fits with your stay.
Art & the Bloomsbury Connection
For guests drawn to art and the Bloomsbury story, we can explore a visit to Charleston in Lewes, selecting from the exhibitions available during your stay.
This can provide a cultural counterpoint to your castle visits and countryside outings. We will confirm the exhibition programme, admission arrangements, and any additional cost before adding the visit to your itinerary.
Additional experiences and any associated costs will be agreed before booking and clearly identified in your final itinerary.
Arranged With Care, Enjoyed at Your Pace
Your stay has a clear framework: a welcome dinner, included castle admissions, private chauffeur transport, and planned countryside and coastal exploration.
Within that framework, there is room to make the journey your own, whether that means a deeper interest in history, an additional cultural visit, or more time enjoying Alfriston and The Star.
Days 2–5:
4Nights — Sussex Castles, Cliff’s& Countryside
Days 6–8:
The Hampshire Coast
Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa
(3 Nights) ·
Woodland, Water & Room to Exhale
Here, the landscape changes. Ancient woodland, open heath and the nearby sea create a stay that can move easily between countryside and coast without requiring another hotel change.
Chewton Glen becomes more than somewhere to sleep between excursions. The estate is part of the experience, a place for spa time, long meals, woodland walks and afternoons when leaving the property may suddenly feel unnecessary.
Some days may carry you farther into the New Forest or toward the coast. Others may begin with one carefully chosen experience and leave the remainder completely open.
The point is not to fill every hour.
It is to have enough time here that you do not need to.
At Chewton Glen, the afternoon is yours to spend as you please. Book a treatment at the spa, linger over a bottle of wine, or simply settle in and enjoy the hotel. An Atmosphère credit is included for you to use in the way that feels most like a holiday to you.
Did you know?
In autumn, the New Forest may reveal one of its most distinctive traditions: pigs roaming beneath the trees, foraging for fallen acorns and beech mast.
Known as pannage, this longstanding practice allows commoners with the appropriate rights to turn their pigs out onto the forest. A quiet woodland outing offers the possibility of witnessing this living tradition an unexpected glimpse of countryside life, rather than a staged attraction.
The season varies each year, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. If your dates coincide, we will allow room for a forest outing where the landscape and its seasonal rhythms take centre stage.
While You’re Here
Your stay includes a dedicated day excursion to the Isle of Wight, crossing the Solent to discover another side of England’s southern coast. The day’s visits and touring arrangements will be set out in your confirmed itinerary.
Closer to Chewton Glen, time can be shaped around the New Forest, coastal exploration, or simply enjoying the estate. A Portsmouth visit may be arranged on your journey to New Milton, rather than taking another day from your stay.
There is also room to enjoy the hotel itself: a spa treatment, a leisurely meal, or an afternoon with no need to go anywhere.
An open afternoon is part of the journey, not an empty space in it.
Days 9–12:
Castle Combe & the Great West Way®
The Manor House, Castle Combe
Four Nights · Country Estates, Ancient Stones & Local Craft
From Chewton Glen, the journey continues toward Castle Combe, stopping at Bluestone Vineyards for a private guided tour and sparkling-wine tasting. Enjoy lunch with a glass of wine before continuing to The Manor House, with a bottle of Bluestone wine to take home as a keepsake.
Then settle into The Manor House for four nights, with time to enjoy the hotel and village between outings.
This chapter brings together the experiences that give the Great West Way® its character: locally guided discovery, historic settings, ancient monuments, and the opportunity to make something of your own. Private transport connects the days, while the itinerary leaves room to enjoy each experience rather than hurry to the next.
Included: Hidden Cotswolds & England’s Ancient Past
Spend a full day with a knowledgeable local guide, discovering the southern Cotswolds through its historic villages, quiet back roads, and lesser-known stories.
Beginning in Castle Combe, explore beyond the picturesque streets to discover the people and history behind the village. Continue into the countryside to a historic town, where an ancient abbey and stories of saints and kings reveal another chapter of England’s past.
Refreshments in an 800-year-old hostelry and lunch at a historic inn are woven into the day. The afternoon leaves room for further discoveries along the Cotswolds’ back roads, shaped around your interests before returning to The Manor House.
Included: a full-day locally guided excursion, refreshments, and lunch.
Included: Private Stonehenge Stone Circle Experience
Step inside Stonehenge’s stone circle for a privately arranged guided experience outside normal visiting hours. Encounter the ancient sarsens and bluestones up close, discover the stories behind the monument, and take time to absorb its remarkable setting.
Your visit offers a different perspective from the usual visitor route, with opportunities to ask questions, take photographs, and appreciate the stones at close quarters.
Included: a private guided Stone Circle Experience, with the date and time confirmed in your final itinerary.
Included: A Private Creative Experience & Lunch
Spend time with a local artisan in a private workshop, learning a craft and creating a personal keepsake of your journey.
Depending on the maker and arrangements available, your session may introduce you to needle felting, Indian block printing, or another selected craft. The focus is on an enjoyable, hands-on encounter, not on arriving with any particular skill.
Lunch follows the workshop, with the remainder of the day left open for a further outing or time back at The Manor House. Your chosen craft and the day’s arrangements will be agreed in advance.
More of the Great West Way®, Chosen Around You
Alongside the included experiences, we can shape additional outings around your interests. You might choose time in Bath, a village visit to Lacock or Corsham, or a heritage- and garden-focused excursion.
Other possibilities include Stourhead, Avebury, Longleat, or Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge. Newbury can also be considered for shopping and lunch, with a castle visit explored separately where its opening calendar and the day’s routing allow.
We will recommend the options that fit your stay rather than try to cover the entire region. Any additional admissions, specialist tours, or other charges will be identified before booking.
Time to Enjoy Your Base
Four nights allow more than a succession of departures. There is time for Castle Combe itself, a leisurely meal, and afternoons when returning to The Manor House is part of the pleasure.
Your confirmed itinerary will distinguish the included experiences from additional choices, giving the stay a clear framework without filling every hour.
This is the Great West Way® experienced at an unhurried pace.
Days 13–16: London Finale
The Connaught, Mayfair
(3 Nights) ·
Culture, Quiet Elegance & Departure Ease
A Mayfair Finale
The countryside gives way to London, but the unhurried pace continues. Your journey concludes at The Connaught, an elegant Mayfair address and a setting for enjoying the capital at your own pace.
Your London stay includes a private, 90-minute National Gallery tour shaped around your interests. Before you travel, we’ll ask what captures your curiosity—perhaps a favourite artist, an artistic period, or a theme such as love, poetry, faith, or the changing seasons. A specialist guide will tailor the visit around your preferences, subject to the collection on display and guide availability. If you’re unsure where to begin, a thoughtfully curated highlights tour offers a wonderful introduction.
Beyond the Gallery, London is yours to enjoy. Return somewhere you love, browse the boutiques, linger over lunch, or book a table you’ve been thinking about for months. Your driver-guide remains available, with tailored recommendations to help you make the most of your time.
On your final evening, savour one last memorable dinner with an included farewell dining credit, our way of thanking you for entrusting us with your journey. An included wardrobe-care credit before departure adds another thoughtful touch, allowing you to return home with your clothing refreshed.
When it’s time to say goodbye, your private chauffeur will escort you to the airport with the same comfort and attentive service you’ve enjoyed throughout your journey.
OUR FLAGSHIP HOTELS
The Kensington, London
The Star Hotel, Alfriston England
Chewton Glen, New Milton Hampshire
The Manor House Castle Combe
The Connaught, London
Included Experiences
Discover the experiences included in your journey, presented in the order you will enjoy them.
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Royal Pavillon, Brighton
Step Inside Regency Royalty
Your admission ticket unlocks the spectacular world of George IV’s exotic seaside palace. Marvel at the breathtaking palace interiors, including the magnificent Banqueting Room, majestic Music Room, and historic royal apartments. Explore the beautifully restored Regency gardens and enjoy an immersive interactive audio guide (included with entry).Included: castle tour and estate admission.
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Arundell Castle Self-Guided Visit
Discover centuries of history at Arundel Castle, from its surviving Norman keep to its grand Gothic interiors. Explore richly furnished rooms and castle bedrooms, with tapestries and paintings bringing its stories to life, before wandering through the tranquil grounds and inspiring gardens.
Included: castle admission for a self-guided visit.
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Pevensey Castle and 1066 Battle Abbey — Self-Guided Visit
Discover centuries of history at Pevensey Castle, from its imposing Roman walls to the Norman fortress built within them. Explore the stronghold associated with William the Conqueror’s arrival in 1066, and uncover its unexpected return to military service during the Second World War. Displays bring stories of sieges, royal prisoners, and wartime life into focus as you explore at your own pace.
Included: castle admission for a self-guided visit.
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Bluestone Vineyards — Private Tour, Tasting & Lunch
Enjoy a privately hosted introduction to English sparkling wine, with tastings in the tasting room and among the vines. Your visit includes a local cheese-and-charcuterie lunch, a glass of wine, and a bottle to take home.
Included: private vineyard tour and tasting, lunch with a glass of wine, and a take-home bottle.
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Hidden Cotswolds & England’s Ancient Past
Hidden Cotswolds & England’s Ancient Past
Discover historic villages, quiet back roads, and stories of saints and kings on a private, full-day excursion from Castle Combe. Explore an ancient abbey, pause for refreshments in an 800-year-old hostelry, and enjoy lunch at a historic inn, with further discoveries shaped around your interests.
Included: a full-day locally guided excursion, refreshments, and lunch
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![Stonehenge — Private Stone Circle Experience]()
Stonehenge — Private Stone Circle Experience
Discover Stonehenge from inside the stone circle on a private guided visit outside normal opening hours. Learn about the monument’s ancient stones and surrounding landscape, with time to take photographs and absorb the setting.
Included: private guided Stone Circle Experience.
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The Craft Studio — Private Workshop & Lunch
IN THE HEART OF PEWSEY VALE, Enjoy a private, beginner-friendly workshop for two with Karen Brown at The Craft Studio. Choose from crafts such as needle felting, Indian block printing, candle making, or beadwork, creating a personal keepsake to take home. Lunch follows the session.
Included: a private workshop for two, all materials, and lunch.
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The National Gallery — Private Bespoke Tour
Discover the National Gallery through a private, 90-minute tour shaped around your interests. With a specialist guide, explore selected masterpieces through a favourite artist, artistic period, or theme—from love and poetry to religion, seasons, and celebrations.
Rather than a general overview, this bespoke experience offers a personal way to engage with the collection, with time for questions, conversation, and closer looking.
Included: a private 90-minute guided tour, curated around your interests.
