ACE UK Study Tours

English Heritage is pleased to be working with ACE Study Tours to bring a range of historical themed tours around the UK and Ireland to our members and supporters. With 50 years experience behind them, ACE tours are guaranteed to educate and entertain.

We have worked with ACE to carefully select and put together a range of tours that we think will appeal to our supporters. The tours cover a wealth of different subjects around the country and with departures throughout the year. So whether it is the prospect of a private tour of the stones at Stonehenge, or a journey across the causeway at low tide to visit Lindisfarne on Holy Island, Northumberland, we hope you will find something to interest you.
For more details on any of the tours below call 01223 835055 or visit the ACE Study Tours website. 


Shakespeare at Stratford tour, 25-27 September 2009

The highlight of this long weekend course will be performances at the Courtyard Theatre of As You Like It and Julius Caesar. We will enjoy privileged  tours of the Shakespeare Library and Shakespeare's Birthplace, and look behind the scenes of the Courtyard Theatre. Our walks and talks will throw fresh light on Shakespeare's life and works.
£390
Shakespeare at Stratford

Ancient Wessex Tour, 8-10 May 2009

At the heart of this tour of the ancient land of Wessex is a private visit to the innermost circle at Stonehenge. The tour also visits many of the other stunning sights in the surrounding area, including Maiden Castle and Hod Hill. During the tour you will stay in a well-appointed hotel overlooking the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral.
£350
Ancient Wessex Tour  

 
Derbyshire Halls and Houses Tour, 7-11 September 2009  

From medieval manor houses to decorative mansions, Derbyshire revels in a range of historic houses of every size and type. A highlight of the tour is the visit to Bolsover Castle, once one of the most fashionable of society venues, where the earliest illusionistic ceiling paintings in England will be on view.
£550
Derbyshire Halls and Houses Tour  

Isle of Wight Tour, 13-18 July

One of the central themes of this tour is Queen Victoria’s legacy on this beautiful island, and we take a private visit with afternoon tea at Osborne House. The Isle of Wight is not solely about Victoria, however, and this tour will take in sights as diverse as the Roman villa at Brading, and Carisbrooke Castle where Charles I was imprisoned. 
£790
Isle of Wight Tour 

  

Northumberland and Holy Island Tour, 5-12 August 2009 

Close to the Scottish heartland and far from the centre of English authority, the course of the Anglo-Scottish border winds its way through Northumberland studded with castles, garrison towns and abbeys. A visit to Holy Island takes in a tour of Lindisfarne Priory and the 16th century castle there. 
£975
Northumberland and Holy Island Tour  

 

Thaxted Music Festival, 2-6 July 2009 

It was in the tranquil village of Thaxted that Gustave Holst composed most of ‘The Planets’. He also left another enduring legacy – a wonderful summer music festival. As part of this tour we have secured tickets to the final weekend in Thaxted Church. When not attending performances, we will be visiting many of the historical attractions in this part of England, including the wonderful Audley End. 
£790
Thaxted Festival 

  
Hadrians Wall Tour , 26-28 June 2009 

This long weekend is devoted to Britain’s most outstanding Roman monument – Hadrian’s Wall. Through a series of lectures and tours, this event will take in the forts, turrets and castles that line the route, including Chesters, Housesteads and Vindolanda. 
£390
Hadrians Wall Tour   

 

Isles of Scilly Tour, 16-23 May 2009 

Depart Penzance by helicopter to visit this unique archipelago off the Atlantic coast of England. Our tour will trace man’s influence on Scilly with tours and boat trips to a range of sites around the islands including (weather permitting) some of the more remote outcrops, such as the western Rocks. We will visit a number of English Heritage properties during the tour, including Bant's Carn and Porth Hellick Down 
£1,090
Isles of Scilly Tour  

 

Yorkshire Monasteries and Minsters Tour, 26-31 July 2009

This tour will take a look at the abundant minster churches and monastic remains of Yorkshire. Rievaulx and Fountains are two of the most romantic ruins in the country, and well worth the visit by themselves. A visit to Mount Grace Priory and its reconstructed monk's cell will give an idea of what life was like for the monks who lived here. The tour is based in Ripon, just minutes from the magnificent cathedral in the heart of the town. 
£790
Yorkshire Monasteries and Minsters Tour 

 

Other Tours available:

Henry VIII - 500th anniversary tour
Three day tour visiting some of the sites and palaces from Henry VIII's time, and including a traditional Tudor feast with entertainment.

The Secret War
Investigating the buildings and people that helped to break the ‘Enigma’ cypher during WWII 

Cumbria and Clifford Country
Based in the ancient market town of Penrith, we visit the castles, country housese and estates that the great patron of the North,  Lady Anne Clifford built or refurbished during her life  

Irish Country Halls and Houses
Visit a number of distinctive Irish houses and their gardens across a range of different periods

Scottish Highlands and Islands Cruise
Travel the majestic Caledonian Canal and visit the Inner Hebrides islands of Rum, Skye, Iona and Mull on board the well-appointed Lord of the Glens

For more details call 01223 835055 or visit the ACE Study Tours website.