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Tour 220

Catholic Pilgrimage to England In The Company of Mary, Missionaries, Monks, Martyrs, Scholars & Converts

11 days

Tour 220

Catholic Pilgrimage to England In The Company of Mary, Missionaries, Monks, Martyrs, Scholars & Converts

11 days

Aylesford · Canterbury · Dover · Dover Cliffs · Cambridge · Ely · Walsingham · Birmingham · Kidderminster · Stratford upon Avon · Oxford · Windsor · London

Aylesford · Canterbury · Dover · Dover Cliffs · Cambridge · Ely · Walsingham · Birmingham · Kidderminster · Stratford upon Avon · Oxford · Windsor · London

Embark on a Pilgrimage through England’s Catholic Sacred Heritage: Journey through England’s deep-rooted Catholic history, beginning in the dynamic city of London and weaving through the country’s spiritual epicenters. This 11-day pilgrimage offers Catholic devotees a profound experience – retracing the paths of saints, venerating at revered Catholic shrines, and unveiling the rich tapestry of England’s Catholic legacy. From the cherished Aylesford Priory to the iconic Cliffs of Dover, participants will be immersed in pivotal Catholic sites: including St. Augustine’s Abbey, Ely Cathedral, and the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri in Birmingham. This pilgrimage isn’t merely about seeing – it’s about connecting with the centuries-old traditions, the fervor of devotion, and the resilient Catholic faith that has intricately shaped England’s spiritual journey.

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Your trip includes

Centrally located hotels or similar
Best Western Premier Dover Marina Hotel & Spa
Dover, United Kingdom
Holiday Inn Cambridge an IHG Hotel
Cambridge, United Kingdom
AC Hotel by Marriott Birmingham
Birmingham, UK
Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Oxford, United Kingdom
DoubleTree by Hilton London Victoria
London, UK
Not Included
  • Meals and beverages not mentioned, Tips to your guide & driver.
Optional
Travel Protection

Providing you coverage for situations that may arise during your trip, including medical and dental emergencies, loss of luggage, trip delay, and so much more.

Cancel For Any Reason Waiver

A Cancellation Waiver – allowing you to cancel your trip and receive a refund anytime – up until 48 hours prior to departure.

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA for London

Make your way to your local airport where you will board for your first leg of flights to England. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board on overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2: Arrive England - Aylesford - Canterbury - Dover

Arrive at London Heathrow Airport and proceed to Passport Control, Baggage Claim, and then to the Arrivals Hall where you will be greeted by your Tour Guide/Drive to be transferred to your bus. From there, we embark on our English Pilgrimage with a visit to Aylesford Priory to celebrate the Mass. Located in the Archdiocese of Southwark, the Aylesford Priory is one of the ancient houses of the Carmelite Order and a major destination for pilgrimage. The word “Aylesford” means “crossing place for all peoples.” In 1242, a group of hermits from Mount Carmel were given land to establish a community by a crusader returning from the Holy Land. Five years later, in a Carmelite Chapter Meeting, Aylesford adopted the lifestyle of Mendicant Friars. In 1538, the Priory changed hands from the Carmelites to private hands at the Reformation, and became known as “The Friars.” It was purchased back by the Carmelites on October 31, 1949 (the vigil of All Saints). A Mass was celebrated once again, and in the words of the first prior of the restored community, Father Malachy Lynch, life returned! After this visit, you will have some time to enjoy lunch on your own, and then board the bus to Canterbury. Located on the River Stour, we will visit St. Augustine’s Abbey, a UNESCO Heritage site. The Abbey was founded by a monk who was sent there in 597 by Pope Gregory to evangelize and spread Catholicism, which he did for 7 years until he died. Canterbury became the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in England, at a time when Archbishop Thomas Becket was appointed in 1162. Next, we will continue the journey to Dover for a three-course dinner at a local restaurant. We will arrive at hotel in time for check-in, where you will be able to relax and enjoy a restful night’s sleep.

Day 3: Dover Cliffs - Dover - Canterbury - Cambridge

We will begin the day with breakfast at your hotel before heading to the Cliffs of Dover for some exciting sightseeing. We will tour Dover Castle and its tunnels – this medieval castle in Kent was founded in the 11th century and is one of the nation’s largest. Return to Canterbury to St. Dunstan’s Church for the celebration of Mass before heading to Canterbury Cathedral, another UNESCO World Heritage site. The Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and while it was founded in 597, it was completely rebuilt in the 11th century. Many pilgrims visit this famous Cathedral to venerate the Shrine of St. Thomas Becket, who was murdered here in 1170. Following some free time on your own to grab lunch, we will board the bus to be transferred to Cambridge. After checking in, you will have some free time on your own before we gather to enjoy dinner followed by an overnight.

Day 4: Cambridge - Ely - Walsingham - Cambridge

This morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel before visiting Ely Cathedral. Formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, it was built in 672 and is attributed to St. Etheldreda. It is the oldest Catholic Church in England and served as a safe haven for Catholics who continued to celebrate the Mass despite the Catholic persecution in the 17th century. You will also find the Shrine to St. Etheldreda, an incorrupt Saint, who lived a life of austerity and saved many through her powerful intercessions from Heaven. Next, we visit Walsingham to visit the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, as well as the Roman Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. In 1100, Richilde de Fervaques, the wife of a wealthy Lord of the Manor of Walsingham Parva, dreamt that she was being transported to the house in Nazareth where the Virgin Mary received the Annunciation of Christ’s birth. In the dream she was told to build a replica of the house, and she followed through. Soon afterward, the wooden house was moved about 200 feet very mysteriously. News spread and pilgrims arrived, including many English monarchs who visited Walsingham over the subsequent centuries. We will celebrate the Mass here, and return to Cambridge for dinner and a restful overnight.

Day 5: Cambridge - Kidderminster - Birmingham

After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin a half-day guided walking tour of Cambridge before lunch on your own. Next, continue to Kidderminster to visit Harvington Hall, a moated medieval Manor House. Here we have a guided tour visiting the tea rooms, malt house, visitor center, and gardens. As history teaches us, the great nephew (Humphrey Packington) inherited the estate in 1578. He is the man who built the house that we see today. He was a Catholic at the time of Queen Elizabeth I, which was a dangerous time for Catholics given that Mass was outlawed. For that reason, he built his house with a series of Priest hides. He would refuse to attend the Church of England, so they would fine him monthly with an increase each time. Not being able to afford the fines, he would attend the Mass but put wool in his ears. Later on, he would then go to houses like Harvington Hall to celebrate the Mass. Following the visit, we will transfer to Birmingham to check into our hotel and enjoy Mass before dinner and an overnight.

Day 6: Birmingham - Stratford upon Avon - Oxford

Wake up and enjoy breakfast. Our first visit is to Birmingham where we will enjoy a short panoramic tour around the city. Driving through we will see the rich history, culture, architecture, and parks the city has to offer, from the Birmingham canals through Victoria Square. Take in the unique shape of the Victoria Law Courts where the stones were laid by Queen Victoria. Drive past the Birmingham Library which is one of the largest public libraries in Europe. Next, we will arrive at the Oratory on Hagley Road. Also known as “The Oratory of Saint Philip Neri” or the “Cardinal Newman Memorial Church,” the Oratory is a community of priests and brothers and is a Parish in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Founded by St. John Henry Newman in 1848, the Church is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and was also the first house in the Order of the Congregation of the Oratory. We will then continue to Stratford upon Avon for a half-day sightseeing tour, as well as celebrate the Mass at St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church. This town is also famous for being the hometown of William Shakespeare. Enjoy some time on your own for lunch in the town then board the bus to make our way to Woodstock to visit the Blenheim Palace – a UNESCO Heritage site and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. We will finish the day in Oxford where we will check in at the hotel, unpack, and enjoy dinner and an overnight.

Day 7: Oxford

After breakfast, we start the day touring all that Oxford has to offer – including Oriel College, Wolvercote Cemetery to visit J.R.R. Tolkien’s gravesite, the Holy Trinity Church, and the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin. Continue to visit St. John Newman’s House at the College at Littlemore. While visiting, we will celebrate the Mass. St. John Henry Newman was recently Canonized in 2019. He is an important figure in English Catholic history as he was a poet, scholar, and theologian who converted to Catholicism in 1845 and worked tirelessly to restore Catholic roots in England. Return to Oxford for some free time to explore the town before gathering in the evening to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel for a restful night’s sleep.

Day 8: Oxford - London

Start the day with breakfast, and then head to London to visit Westminister Abbey. The Abbey is inspired by Gothic architecture, containing numerous paintings, stained glass windows, pavements, textiles, and artifacts. The Abbey is also the resting place of many monarchs and therefore is held as one of the most momentous locations in the United Kingdom. After lunch on your own, enjoy a panoramic tour of London – including historical landmarks like Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Square, Regent Street, and Trafalgar Square. Feel immersed in British culture as you explore the city on a guided tour. Celebrate Mass at Westminster Cathedral (subject to availability). From there we will make our way over hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner and a restful overnight.

Day 9: London

After breakfast, we start the day with a celebration of Mass at Brompton Oratory, also called the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We return to central London via Chelsea and Lambeth and continue our tour with a visit to the Tower of London. It is worth noting that St. Thomas More was imprisoned here from 1534 until the day of his execution on July 6, 1535 – His remains are buried beneath the Tower Church of St. Peter and Vincula (St. Peter in Chains). He remained King Henry’s loyal servant, but God’s servant first. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure before reconvening for dinner at a local restaurant and a West End musical show. End the evening by retiring to your room for a restful overnight.

Day 10: London

After breakfast, we will visit Milk Street near Crutched Friars to see the area where St. Thomas More was born. Nearby, visit Guildhall Square – where St. Thomas More served as undersheriff – and St. Lawrence Jewry, the More family parish church. We will continue touring this great city with a visit to St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, including a tour of the Crypt on the lower level. From there, we see the iconic sites like the Tower Bridge. Continuing through our day we will also visit the Parliament Houses. Enjoy lunch on your own at a local restaurant in the area before you make your way to celebrate Mass at Tyburn Convent. The word “Martyr” means “witness” – it would later be applied to those who witnessed their faith in Jesus Christ by laying down their lives for Him. In the Martyr’s Shrine at Tyburn Convent, they honor more than 350 Catholic Martyrs. 105 of them are known to be Tyburn Martyrs who stood up for their faith by dying during the Reformation in the 16th and 17th Centuries. Some of them include Edmund Campion, Oliver Plunkett, John Roberts, Margaret Ward, and Ralph Sherwin. You will then have the remainder of the afternoon to continue exploring London on your own. You can return to destinations we visited, take in some new sites, or go shopping for souvenirs. This evening we will celebrate with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, then return to your hotel in time to pack and enjoy a restful overnight.

Day 11: Return to the USA

After a restful sleep, a full breakfast, and wishing heartfelt goodbyes to your fellow pilgrims and to England – you will board your transfer to the Airport for your return flight(s) home.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.

Why Book “With Airfare” from 206 Tours

Special Clergy Discount

A Clergy Discount is available to all members of “Clergy” within the Catholic Church. This includes Seminarians, Deacons, Brothers and Sisters, Priests, Monsignors, Bishops, Cardinals, and His Holiness.

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Earn a Free Trip

For groups of 20 or more, you may choose your own departure and earn FREE trips.

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$500.00 Deposit is due at the time of Registration

*If within 90 days prior to departure, Full Payment is due at time of Registration.

Would you like to arrive earlier or stay later?

Let us know at the time of registration if you would like to arrive earlier, or stay later, than the scheduled tour dates, and pending availability, we will change your airline reservations accordingly, additional fees may apply. Pre- and/or post-stays at the hotel will cost an additional fee. These options should be available to you when registering online, or simply contact us: sales@206tours.com

About your trip

About England:

On this nine-day tour travel throughout England to learn of its rich and well-documented history. Visit Amesbury, the UK’s oldest occupied settlement and home to Stonehenge, one of the biggest wonders of the world. See the best-preserved manuscripts of the Magna Carta at Salisbury Cathedral as well as beautiful scenes of the stories of Genesis and Exodus. In Bath, celebrate Mass at St. John the Evangelist’s Church. In Birmingham visit St. Philip’s Cathedral and the Oratory Church which was visited by Pope Benedict XVI. In London visit St. Etheldreda’s Church in Ely Place, the oldest Catholic Church in England which served as a safe-haven for Catholics who were persecuted in the 17th century as well as many famous landmarks of this magnificent city. In Walsingham visit the Roman Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham which was established in 1061, here you will celebrate Mass at the Slipper Chapel which is dedicated to the patron Saint of Pilgrims to the Holy Land, Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

Options and upgrades

Special Clergy Discount

A Clergy Discount is available to all members of “Clergy” within the Catholic Church. This includes Seminarians, Deacons, Brothers and Sisters, Priests, Monsignors, Bishops, Cardinals, and His Holiness.

Click Here to learn more!

Earn a Free Trip

For groups of 20 or more, you may choose your own departure and earn FREE trips.

Ccontact us

Would you like to arrive earlier or stay later?

Let us know at the time of registration if you would like to arrive earlier, or stay later, than the scheduled tour dates, and pending availability, we will change your airline reservations accordingly, additional fees may apply. Pre- and/or post-stays at the hotel will cost an additional fee. These options should be available to you when registering online, or simply contact us: sales@206tours.com

About your trip

About England:

On this nine-day tour travel throughout England to learn of its rich and well-documented history. Visit Amesbury, the UK’s oldest occupied settlement and home to Stonehenge, one of the biggest wonders of the world. See the best-preserved manuscripts of the Magna Carta at Salisbury Cathedral as well as beautiful scenes of the stories of Genesis and Exodus. In Bath, celebrate Mass at St. John the Evangelist’s Church. In Birmingham visit St. Philip’s Cathedral and the Oratory Church which was visited by Pope Benedict XVI. In London visit St. Etheldreda’s Church in Ely Place, the oldest Catholic Church in England which served as a safe-haven for Catholics who were persecuted in the 17th century as well as many famous landmarks of this magnificent city. In Walsingham visit the Roman Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham which was established in 1061, here you will celebrate Mass at the Slipper Chapel which is dedicated to the patron Saint of Pilgrims to the Holy Land, Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

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