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OUR SERVICES IN THE UK & EUROPE
We offer tours to many destinations in the world, most of which we know well
from first hand travel experience. We are based in the Cambridge, England
and there is nowhere that we know better than the UK. Our policy is to organise
tours to suit you although we do occasionally offer pre-arranged small group
tours. We use our expertise to develop an itinerary which provides what you
want whether this is a general tour a self-guided themed tour or a fully
escorted tour. We arrange accommodation of any kind from exclusive country
house hotels to camping. The range of accommodation includes: staying in
historic monuments, grand city hotels, elegant country clubs, ancient pubs
with low beams and open fires, old villas, self-catering cottages, houseboats
or narrow boats on the canals. If you want a camping, walking or cycling
tour we can provide the equipment and arrange the itinerary. We can arrange
any kind of transport including self-drive, train, coach or and plane. David
Halford will devise personal self-guided itineraries for you and is sometimes
available to lead special interest tours for groups of two or more on subjects
such as Cathedrals, Country Houses, Gardens, Castles and vernacular architecture.
He is an experienced architect and landscape consultant with a broad knowledge
of the culture and history of Europe and has been involved in travel since
he led architectural tours to Italy, France and Holland as a student in the
seventies.
Our main expertise is Britain but we can also arrange cultural tours in parts
of Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Holland, Scandinavia, Germany , Austria,
Turkey and Morocco especially in the beautiful historic cities. An example
itinerary is given in this Dossier but all our tours are tailormade to your
requirements so if you let us know what you are interested in we will prepare
a proposal free of charge and without obligation.
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WHAT THE UK & EUROPE HAVE TO OFFER
History, culture, a great variety of picturesque landscapes and great cities
are the hallmark of Europe. Everyone knows about London Paris, Rome, Amsterdam,
the great art galleries, concerts, opera and shows but it takes some local
knowledge to find your way around the smaller towns and villages which are
equally steeped in history and culture. They are an inescapable part of everyday
life in Europe and you can experience this by staying in historic properties
from thatched cottages to stately homes, dining in ancient pubs, strolling
through country churchyards and taking part in the Festivals which many cities
hold. These Festivals are open to locals and visitors alike. They take many
forms both traditional and contemporary including Cultural Festivals with
theatre, music, arts, crafts, comedy and film or theme festivals such as
Beer, Folk, Jazz, Rock, Organ Music, Flower, Fairs, Fireworks and River
Festivals. In the case of the Cambridge Festival (in July) it includes most
of these things and more such as the "Open Studios" where 200 local artists
open their studios to the public.
Perhaps the greatest store of art in Europe is its wealth of architecture
from tiny stone villages to grand palaces and castles. Most of these are
there for all to see if you know where to look. Of course we can take you
to the famous ones such as the Tower of London, Shakespeare's House, St Marks
in Venice, The Eiffel Tower etc. but these can be rather crowded and a much
more satisfying experience is possible in the innumerable lesser known towns,
cities and villages. Britain is laced with ancient public rights of way so
access into the countryside along these footpaths is easy for those who enjoy
anything from a stroll to a long distance trek, as long as you know where
you are going. There are also many quiet byways suitable for cycling tours
and we can devise itineraries to suit you as well as providing the equipment
and arranging the accommodation.
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SAMPLE ITINERARY
CATHEDRALS, CASTLES & COUNTRY
HOUSES
Cambridge is as good a place as any to start since apart from being a fascinating
ancient town in itself it is less than an hour from London and close to many
other places of interest. It takes no longer to reach any of London's airports
from Cambridge than from central London. All tours can of course include
time in London and any of the well known sights of Britain but this itinerary
is intended to show how we can also introduce you to the less well known
places of interest. All itineraries are flexible to allow for taking advantage
of events that might be taking place such as festivals in the towns, concerts
in country houses, recitals in cathedrals or re-enactments in castles. Part
of the pleasure is meandering through the country lanes and tiny hamlets,
so these destinations are only suggestions. There is plenty to see but the
pace need not be forced. You can choose how much you do and take your time
over lunches in quaint pubs, picnics in the countryside or cream teas at
stately homes. In the evenings you can go to the theatre, a concert, dress
for dinner at a smart hotel or buy some good old fish & chips to eat
on a park bench - we suggest the options and the choice is up to you.
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EASTERN ENGLAND
Day 1
In Cambridge you can see the mediaeval Colleges and their gardens, punt on
the river lunch in ancient pubs, go to the museums, the theatre and even
take the train to London for the evening to see a show. If you have time
you can spend several days here especially during the festival. The world
famous Kings College Chapel is a magnificent building with the most splendid
fan vaulting ever built and perhaps the best preserved stained glass in Britain.
Most ancient stained glass suffered damage by Oliver Cromwell's puritan army
during the English Revolution in the seventeenth century when many "graven
images" were destroyed or simply collapsed due to poor maintenance but the
whole of King's Chapel is well preserved.
A history and explanation of stained glass techniques can be seen at Ely
Cathedral which rises from the Isle of Ely in the fens (marshes which were
drained in the eighteenth century). The Isle of Ely was once the only dry
land for miles around so it attracted mediaeval monks and later became a
small market town. It is still a quiet place to visit and The Old Fire Engine
House serves excellent meals or indulgent cream teas. As well as the stained
glass museum the cathedral has finely carved stonework in the Chapter House
which is a good example of the "Decorated Period" of Gothic architecture.
Day 2
Peterborough Market Place from a 1907 Postcard
Peterborough on the edge of the fens was important from Roman times onwards
for similar reasons but all that remains to see is the cathedral which has
what is considered to be the finest west front in the country in the
"Perpendicular Gothic Style" as well as an impressive Norman interior. Despite
this it receives very few visitors.
Beyond Peterborough the Northamptonshire wolds begin. These gently rolling
hills are dotted with picturesque villages where golden limestone is used
for both the walls and the roofs. This is the same band of limestone as the
equally beautiful Cotswolds but the area has the advantage of being far less
visited. Barnack is an example of one of the villages and was important from
Roman times for its quarries which provided the stone for both Peterborough
cathedral and the Houses of Parliament. The quarries are now a nature reserve
where lime loving wild flowers and their attendant butterflies thrive. The
grasslands of these wolds made the area rich during the wool boom of the
seventeenth century. Even the ordinary houses of the villages were well crafted
during this prosperous period and each village has an impressive "wool church"
paid for by the merchants and wealthy farmers. After the value of wool declined
the area fell back into rural obscurity leaving a great legacy of seventeenth
century architecture virtually unchanged to this day. It is very pleasant
just to meander through the lanes, villages and small towns of the area.
Stamford is one of the most picturesque towns in the country being built
almost entirely of golden limestone. It sits on a hill over the river crossing
at the junction of four counties. There is a church on almost every corner
and the narrow streets are lined with elegant buildings of the wool era.
It is still primarily a country market town and you can stroll around the
market squares and the cobbled streets. Tea or lunch is highly recommended
at the quaint Central Tea Rooms in Blue Lion Square where David Halford's
grandparents met at the turn of the century.
Just across the river is Burghley House, one of the finest Jacobean houses
in the country. This grand mansion with its distinctive pepperpot towers
is set in walled deer parks. The grand rooms have fine painted ceilings,
tapestry lined walls, carved joinery and an array of priceless paintings
and furniture which can be seen in their original settings.
Day 3
Fotheringhay Castle was important in the middle ages when Mary Queen of Scots
was imprisoned and later in the sixteenth century, beheaded here on the orders
of her sister Queen Elizabeth the First. Later the castle was destroyed leaving
only a tiny village with a very large church. Following the theme of persecuted
Catholics just a few miles away are the remarkable ruins of Liveden New Bield
where Catholic symbolism was incorporated into the architecture during the
Elizabethan era when Catholicism was suppressed. The house was sited well
away from any road and is a very pleasant short walk through the rolling
countryside to the ruins. Sir Thomas Tresham started several strange symbolic
buildings in the area which can be visited, but was imprisoned for his beliefs
and only finished one of them. His son was executed for involvement in the
Gunpowder Plot of 5th November 1605. For those who prefer not to walk, an
alternative partially ruined seventeenth century house is Kirby Hall. Also
nestling in pleasant countryside but accessible through small lanes, this
house has a melancholy charm given to it by its partially decayed grandeur.
The nearby country town of Oundle is a good place for lunch in a pub or a
picnic in the Country Park. The stone buildings of Oundle Public School (i.e.
expensive private school) dominate the town and have made it much larger
than it would otherwise be. The limestone here is tinged with iron giving
it a rich russet tone.
Liddington is another village which was very important during the middle
ages due to its large Bishop's Palace. Eventually the Bishop was deprived
of his excessive lifestyle and most of the palace was demolished but one
wing was converted into almshouses known as Liddington Bede House, for people
unable to work due to injury. The village is pretty and the old pub is an
alternative place for lunch or refreshment.
Rockingham Castle stands on a hill overlooking its hunting grounds known
as Rockingham Forest (a "forest" in this sense was used to mean a royal hunting
ground and does not necessarily mean an area of trees). Those interested
in Sir Isaac Newton can visit his birthplace at Woolsthorpe Manor where he
is said to have been inspired to develop his theory of gravitation by an
apple falling from a tree in the garden.
Twenty years ago a valley in Rutland was dammed for a reservoir now called
Rutland Water. It is a pleasant place for walks, cycling or non-powered water
sports and on a sunny day it is nice to picnic on the shores of the lake.
The builders of the reservoir were faced with a dilemma because a church
belonging to the local manor house was within the area to be flooded. They
solved this by building a wall around it so that you can now visit the church
even though it is below water level.
Day 4
Lincoln Cathedral stands on a hill dominating the small county town of
Lincolnshire. It is tall and imposing with impressive flying buttresses.
Watch out for the Lincoln Imp! Nearby are Tattershall Castle, the ruins of
Tattershall Choir School and Bolingbroke Castle where Henry IV was born in
1367.
Deserted Mediaeval villages can be visited at Gainsthorpe or Wharram Percy
on the way up to York
Day 5
York is an interesting city with an extraordinary range of museums. For this
reason it does receive a lot of (mainly British) visitors. The City walls
are mainly intact and you can walk around them, the Minster is enormous and
the narrow streets are picturesque. It has a long and fascinating history
from long before Roman times. It was once the capital of an independent state
after the invasion of the Danes and after archaeological excavation of remains
of this period below modern York, an underground living museum called Yorvik
was created which proved to be one of the most popular museums in the country.
The main York museum was one of the first to create a replica street so that
exhibits could be displayed in their period setting. Some of the old houses
are also museums and there is a very large rail museum since York was very
important in the great age of steam.
Day 6
Yorkshire is large county with a rich history. It was fought over by early
invaders from the Viking lands and later it was victorious in the Wars of
the Roses leaving many castles and rich estates. Some areas are lush farmland
while others are wild moors made famous by Wuthering Heights. You can explore
Bronte Country or James Herriot Country. It was important to the romans and
one of the first areas where early Christian Cistercian Abbeys were founded
by monks from Europe.
Castle Howard which may be familiar as the setting of Brideshead Revisited
is an grand classical house set in extensive landscaped parklands adorned
with lakes, cascades, fountains, ornamental bridges, temples, pyramids, obelisks
and other follies. It is great example of the way the classical renaissance
swept Britain at the end of the seventeenth century heralding the age of
humanism which lasted for most of the next century. It was designed by the
playwright Vanbrugh with the assistance of Hawksmoor who went on to become
one of the most famous architects of the age. It took 175 years to complete
and after decay and fire this century it has taken 50 years to restore to
its former glory. It is still inhabited by the Howard family who allow access
to the grounds and the grand rooms which contain Roman antiquities and paintings
by famous artists such as Holbein, Canaletto, Gainsborough and Reynolds.
When the first monks set up their foundations in Britain they chose remote
secluded spots and lived pure austere lives. Over the centuries these grew
into large grand Abbeys and they were eventually dissolved during the reformation
because they had become too decadent - leaving picturesque ruins in out of
the way places. There are many to see in Yorkshire but perhaps the most
spectacular is Rievaulx Abbey which nestles in woodlands at the bottom of
a steep valley below the moors. There are also ancient iron-age fortifications,
roman towns with well preserved mosaics and a string of Norman Castles stretching
from the coast across the county along the edge of the moors.
Day 7
Continuing north we come to County Durham. Durham Cathedral occupies a dramatic
position high on a promontory with the river making almost a full loop around
it. It is a sturdy eleventh century Norman structure with massive circular
columns and semi-circular arches adorned with dogs-tooth carving. As well
as several castles and abbeys along the picturesque river valleys you can
visit relics from the birth of the industrial revolution such as Derwencote
Steel Furnace which dates from the eighteenth century. Rather than attempting
to conquer the wilds of Scotland the Romans built Hadrian's Wall from coast
to coast across the country to keep out the Picts and Scots. Long stretches
are still in good condition so you can walk along it through the countryside
re-living the duty of a Centurion posted to the farthest outpost of the empire.
There are dozens of Roman sites along the wall, some well known and some
seldom visited.
This itinerary can be extended or varied almost infinitely. For
example:
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SCOTLAND
From Hadrian's Wall we can cross the border into the moors and mountains
of Scotland which become increasingly wild as we travel north. Itineraries
normally include Edinburgh which is a beautiful city known as the Athens
of the North and of course Loch Ness which is worth seeing with or without
the monster then make a circuit through Glencoe and back down the west coast.
Glamis Castle, the birthplace of the Queen Mother and Cawdor Castle both
have significant Macbeth associations and there are many grand houses of
the Lairds and small castles with typically Scottish architecture in picturesque
setting on lochs, rivers, in the mountains or on the coast. Some of the less
expected gems are tucked away such as Hill House Hellensburgh by Scotland's
most famous architect Charles Rennie Macintosh which is a great work of the
Arts & Crafts movement or the 13th century Inchmahome Priory only accessible
by boat.
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NORTH WEST ENGLAND
Returning south from West Scotland brings you to Carlisle at the other end
of Hadrian's Wall and then into the beautiful fells of the Lake District,
where the are many prehistoric, Roman and later sites hidden in the hills.
For the energetic this is great walking country.
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CENTRAL ENGLAND
Continuing south you can enter the Peak District where you should not miss
Chatsworth, a massive stately home with lavish water gardens and extensive
grounds as well a wealth of treasures but you should also see less visited
gems such as Haddon Hall, a very pretty little castle turned into a house
in the middle ages and set off by its gardens. You can take the waters at
Buxton Spa, go down the caverns or walk on the moors.
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WALES
Heading west through Chester with its half-timbered and arcaded streets,
you cross the border into Wales where you will find the highest concentration
of picture-book castles in the UK. The area was fiercely contested between
the Welsh and the Normans particularly during Edward I reign leaving a legacy
of these castles particularly along the north and south coasts. Like Scotland
it has a landscape of wild mountains and moors, good for energetic walkers.
THE BORDERS AND THE HEART OF ENGLAND
Cross back into England you enter the lush cow pastures of Herefordshire
and further west, the Cotswolds where every village is a postcard view. The
famous sights are Stratford upon Avon, Warwick Castle and Blenheim Palace
near Oxford which is one of the most splendid stately homes in the country.
The villages built entirely of golden stone, the rolling countryside, the
tall Wool Churches, the substantial farms and manor houses which dot the
area are the real charm of this part of England. For example, the tiny village
of Snowshill, accessible only through lanes barely wide enough for a car
has a Manor House completely stuffed with every kind of collection by its
kleptomaniac late owner.
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THE WEST COUNTRY
The limestone country continues west and provides the building material for
the Georgian cities of Bristol and Bath. The Roman Baths which were built
over the hot springs can still be visited but the main attraction of Bath
is its well preserved 18th century classical Georgian streets, crescents,
circuses and squares. Continuing south west all the way to Lands End you
can see the spectacular cathedral at Wells, Glastonbury Tor, Cheddar Gorge,
Exmoor, Tintagel, St Ives as well as little villages such as the thatched
cottages of Selworthy or the cobbled smugglers fishing village of Clovelly.
This part of the country juts out into the Atlantic and the coastline gets
wilder as it gets more remote.
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DORSET & THE SOUTH COAST
Returning from the West Country you enter Thomas Hardy's Wessex where little
villages nestle in lush green valleys and the narrow lanes have worn deep
into the soft fertile soil over the centuries. You can take refreshing walks
along the cliffs or long beaches of the coast or explore the numerous prehistoric
sites of the area. The most famous is Stonehenge but it is over visited in
the peak season and other sites are often more satisfying to visit such as
Avebury, Old Sarum and Bratton Camp with its panorama of the White Horse
cut into the turf of the chalk hills. The affluent country towns appear to
be stage sets from a historic drama with their well preserved period streets
and the cities of Salisbury and Winchester both have fine cathedrals.
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LONDON & THE SOUTH EAST
Although this region is very densely populated there are still well preserved
historical sights which illustrate the power and wealth that this area has
always commanded. Even travelling between Heathrow and Central London if
you knew where to look among the sea of houses, you could visit such charming
places as Strand on the Green, a riverside walk of higgledy piggeldy old
houses and pubs, Osterly Manor, Chiswick House the first English Palladian
villa and Kew Botanical Gardens.
EAST ANGLIA
Coming full circle to Cambridge you can pass through the half timbered villages
of Essex and the landscapes of Suffolk made famous by the great landscape
artist John Constable and the other members of the Norwich School of painters.
Norwich has a cathedral with a slender spire and a castle in the centre of
the town. This is the region that the Pilgrim Fathers came from and you can
trace their origins in many of the towns.
However long you have, we can devise an itinerary which fits in with
you interests. Just ask us for details.
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CANAL BOAT HOLIDAYS IN BRITAIN
THE SERVICES WE OFFER
There is a bewildering choice of Canal Boat hire companies throughout Britain
from small family run businesses to large national companies. Most offer
self-drive boats and a few provide skippered services. There is also a vast
network of over two thousand miles of canals and navigable waterways to choose
from and where you want to go will affect the choice of boat operator. We
are not tied to any operator and therefore offer independent advice on where
to go, who offers the best deals in that area and what type of boat is most
suitable for your needs. We offer this as part of a total service which can
include everything you need for a complete holiday from the time you step
off the plane to departure. We are experienced in providing tailormade travel
arrangements throughout the world and our comprehensive, one stop service
saves you worrying about finding separate suppliers for transport, car hire,
hotels, cottages, guides and of course, boat hire. We provide a personal
service with people who know about British culture and history and can therefore
devise an itinerary which suits your interests. Because there is such a choice
of places to go we discuss what you are looking for and then prepare initial
proposals free of charge and without obligation.
For more details refer to our UK & Europe Dossier.
We also operate both tailormade and small group tours in Asia, Africa,
Australasia, South America and the Arctic as described in our Newsletter
available on request. They are also outlined on our website at
http://members.aol.com/ArcJourney/arcnews1.htm
ABOUT CANAL HOLIDAYS
Before the railways and later the roads were developed, waterways were the
main commercial arteries of Britain which explains why there is such an extensive
network covering virtually the whole country. Now almost no commercial traffic
uses them so travelling along the canals is like stepping back into the age
before steam. The bridges, locks, aqueducts and waterside buildings almost
all date from around the eighteenth century. Because canals follow the lie
of the land rather than taking the shortest route between place they meander
through quiet countryside, completely independent of the road system. Because
towns expand along the roads, the canals often approach through fields until
the centre of the town suddenly appears around a bend. Every navigable waterway
has a tow path beside it for the horses which towed the barges so they are
great for walking. The old pubs which served the bargees now benefit from
their waterfront locations and often offer good food and real ales to walkers
and canal users alike. Although there are hundreds of leisure canal boats
available they represent a tiny fraction of the number of boats which used
the canals during their hey-day so even the most popular areas like Stratford
upon Avon are seldom busy. You can moor almost anywhere free of charge which
means you have four thousand miles of canal bank to choose from! The pace
of life is slow and since the boats only travel at a few miles an hour there
is little chance of doing any damage if your navigation skills fail. Operating
the boats is very easy with just a few simple controls, and just a couple
of minutes instruction to get started. The old narrow boats were designed
to be the permanent home of the bargee families as well as carrying cargo
but although modern leisure boats look the same on the outside with the
traditional paintwork and distinctive barge decorations, on the inside they
are well appointed with everything you could possibly need in a comfortable
home. It is like renting a holiday house which travels with you through the
quiet countryside. The old narrow boats were very long and the modern versions
this size have around 12 berths but shorter versions are made with 2 berths
upwards plus plenty of living space, kitchen, bathroom with hot water, heating,
fridge, TV, radio, cassette player and all necessary furniture, utensils
and equipment.
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Arc Journeys
Destinations
This is a brief description of the regions we cover, go to the
MAIN INDEX for links to Dossiers on each destination.
South East Asia
Visit ancient temples and traditional villages, relax
in exclusive hideaways, witness colourful festivals, learn about textiles,
local cooking or music and dance, cruise jungle rivers, meet orangutans or
trek the jungles and volcanoes .... We are acknowledged experts on this region;
this is what the Indonesia, Malaysia & Singapore Handbook says about
us: "Arc Journeys have excellent cultural and natural tours run by people
who understand and care for the country, its people and environment."
Australasia
Meet the koalas & 'roos, visit the wineries, stroll deserted beaches,
dive The Reef, climb The Rock, experience the open spaces and untouched
wilderness. Escape the crowds. Accommodated self-drive, treks, 4WD tours,
gourmet cycle tours...indulge in the Aussie way.
India and The Himalayas
Walk through small villages among 8000m peaks, receive blessings from a Buddhist
Lama, stay in magnificent palaces, search for rhino and tiger. Himalayan
treks, rail journeys, camel & horse safaris, palace hotels, houseboats
or homestays...
Africa
Meet the curious lemurs, look out for the Big 5, climb Kilimanjaro, visit
villages where time has stood still. Luxury lodges or camping expeditions,
Self-drive or escorted 4WD safaris, horseback safaris, rail journeys, treks,
fly- in tours ......
South America
Discover the mysteries of the Incas, explore colonial towns and Indian markets,
hear the music and festivals, trek the Andes, take great train journeys,
cruise the Amazon and the Galapagos, meet blue footed boobies and giant turtles.
Small group tours and tailormade itineraries.
The Arctic
Dog sledding, polar bears, birds & whalewatching, cruise Alaska, Greenland
or rivers, touch an iceberg, see the Northern Lights or midnight sun, experience
the wilderness of the Arctic. Small group tours and tailormade itineraries.
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CONTACT DETAILS
Email 
David Halford Travel 102 Stanley Rd Cambridge CB5 8LB UK
UK Tel 0207681 3175 Fax +44 207 6813175
Australia Tel & Fax +61 3 9923 6158
Home page http://www.travelarc.com
Alternative website
http://members.aol.com/ArcJourney/index.htm
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