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Raglan Castle

Raglan Castle

Raglan Castle

Raglan Castle

Raglan Castle

Raglan Castle

Raglan Castle

Raglan Castle

Great British Heritage

Castles, Abbeys and Cathedrals around Herefordshire

Explore the power, piety and architecture of the medieval Marches on this expert-led Herefordshire history tour. In the company of Julian Humphrys and Nicola Tallis, discover imposing castles, evocative abbey ruins, richly carved churches and magnificent cathedrals, complemented by talks and guided visits throughout.

Step inside the beautifully preserved medieval manor of Tretower Court before visiting Raglan Castle and the Gothic ruins of Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley. Continue to the Norman stronghold of Goodrich Castle and Kilpeck Church, renowned for its remarkable medieval carvings, before exploring Hereford Cathedral, home to the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library. The Herefordshire history tour concludes with visits to Gloucester Cathedral and Chepstow Castle, one of Britain’s oldest surviving stone fortresses.

Your base is the four-star Delta Hotels St Pierre Country Club, a historic manor hotel and estate near Chepstow.

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts, one lunch and three dinners.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Three nights at the four-star Delta Hotels St Pierre Country Club, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room    .
  • Discover the Castles and Abbey’s of Herefordshire
    Discover the medieval heritage of Herefordshire and the Welsh Marches, with visits to Tintern Abbey, Tretower Court, Raglan Castle, Goodrich Castle, Kilpeck Church, Hereford Cathedral, Gloucester Cathedral and Chepstow Castle.
  • Your Expert Guide
    Expert guide Julian Humphrys and Dr Nicola Tallis throughout.
  • Visits & Tours
    All guided tours, visits, coach transfers and entrance fees.
MEET YOUR EXPERT GUIDE

Julian Humphrys

Julian read history at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and has worked at historic sites in Britain and abroad. A trustee of the Battlefields Trust and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, he has written widely on castles, battles and military history.

With infectious enthusiasm, wit and panache, Julian leads more than a dozen Travel Editions tours across the UK and Europe. His extraordinary historical insight brings fortresses, battlefields and medieval landscapes to life, creating tours that are educational, entertaining and consistently popular with travellers.

Meet Our Expert Guides
MEET YOUR EXPERT GUIDE

Dr Nicola Tallis

Nicola is an independent author and historian, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and an experienced curator, researcher and lecturer. She specialises in late medieval and Tudor England, with particular expertise in the use of jewels and the lives of royal women.

The author of five books, Nicola is also a familiar contributor to television, radio and major historical events. Passionate about making history enjoyable and accessible, she combines rigorous research with lively storytelling, bringing queens, courts and the politics of power vividly to life.

Meet Our Expert Guides
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Day 1: Arrive independently at the hotel

Arrive independently at Delta Hotels St Pierre Country Club from 15:00. Welcome drink, dinner, and talk by Julian Humphrys.

Tretower Castle

Day 2: Tretower Court, Raglan Castle, and Tintern Abbey

Begin with a visit to Tretower Court, a beautifully preserved medieval manor house. Explore its atmospheric great hall and gardens, offering a glimpse into noble life in the 15th century.

Continue to Raglan for lunch, then a visit to late-Medieval Raglan Castle, a symbol of power and prestige during the Tudor era. In the afternoon we continue to beautiful Tintern Abbey, nestled in the Wye Valley. Founded in 1131, its Gothic ruins evoke the spiritual grandeur of medieval monastic life.

Enjoy time to wander the abbey grounds in its riverside setting. Evening talk by Nicola Tallis.

Goodrich Castle

Day 3: Goodrich Castle, Kilpeck, and Hereford Cathedral

Morning visit to Goodrich Castle, a striking Norman fortress overlooking the River Wye. Discover its turbulent history and climb the towers for panoramic views.

Next, visit the Church of St Mary and St David in Kilpeck, famed for its rare Norman carvings and peaceful rural setting. Conclude the day at Hereford Cathedral, home to the Mappa Mundi and the Chained Library—treasures of medieval scholarship and cartography.

GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL

Day 4: Gloucester Cathedral and Chepstow Castle

Visit the magnificent Gloucester Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with royal tombs and cloisters. Then visit Chepstow Castle, one of Britain’s oldest surviving stone fortresses. Return to the hotel by 17:00 where the tour will end.

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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

Delta Hotels by Marriott, St Pierre Country Club

This beautiful four-star manor hotel and estate dates back to 1065, and is nestled in the picturesque town of Chepstow. Recently renovated, the hotel offers a restaurant, bar, fitness centre, indoor swimming pool, gardens and terrace. The comfortable bedrooms include ensuite bathroom, WIFI, TV, hairdryer, and tea/coffee making facilities. Please note that this hotel does not have a lift.

The car park is complimentary on a first come, first served basis. Nearest train station is Chepstow, approximately 3 miles from the hotel.

Hotel Website


our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
 
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
 
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. Please note: no reminder for balance payments is sent to you and are not receipted unless requested. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

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