Richard III Tour - The Last English King To Die In Battle
-min.jpg&w=0&h=0 "Leicester Cathedral")
-min.jpg&w=0&h=0 "Leicester Cathedral")
Richard III Tour - The Last English King To Die In Battle
3 Days Starting and ending in Leicester, England
Visiting: Leicester
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
24 - 48
Age range:
18-90
Special diets catered:
Vegans, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Battlefield Tours, Cultural, History, Ruins-Archaeology, Special Guest Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through English history with the Richard III Tour - The Last English King To Die In Battle. This cultural tour takes you to significant historical sites including the Bosworth Battlefield, Richard III Visitor Centre, and Kirby Muxloe Castle. Enjoy a delightful lunch at the historic Talbot Hotel in Oundle, and explore Fotheringhay, the birthplace of Richard III and the execution site of Mary Queen of Scots. Stay at the four-star Hilton Leicester Hotel, where you'll be treated to a welcome reception, private dinners, and insightful talks by expert historians. This tour offers a unique blend of history, archaeology, and sightseeing, making it an unforgettable experience for history enthusiasts.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1:
Location: Leicester
Accommodation Name: Hilton Leicester
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive independently at the Hilton Leicester from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner with wine and a talk by expert Julian Humphrys of the Battlefield Trust - ‘The Wars of the Roses’, looking at the causes of, and events leading to, the accession of Richard III.
Day 2: Leicester Cathedral, Richard Iii Visitor Centre, Bosworth Visitor Centre And Battlefield.Richard Iii Visitor Centre, Bosworth Visitor Centre And Battlefield.
Location: Leicester
Accommodation Name: Hilton Leicester
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
First, we visit Leicester Cathedral (reopening late 2023 after a year long renovation) where we will visit the tomb of Richard III and learn about his reinterment in 2015, view the funeral pall as well as viewing the redemption windows within the Cathedral. Next, onto the Richard III Visitor Centre and exhibition. Here, we will see the dramatic story of the king’s life, brutal death and the fascinating story of his rediscovery. After free time for lunch in Leicester (not included) we travel out to Bosworth to explore the visitor centre, which gives an insight into medieval life through film, displays and artefacts. Our last visit of the day will be to the battlefield where Richard was killed, with commentary by your guides from the coach, as we travel around key locations. Dinner at the hotel followed by a talk by Matthew Morris, who supervised the successful archaeological search for the lost grave of King Richard III - 'Richard III: The King under the Car Park - solving a 500-year old mystery'.
Day 3: Kirby Muxloe, Lunch At The Talbot Hotel, Oundle And Fotheringhay.
Location: Leicester
Accommodation Name: Hilton Leicester
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we make a short visit to Kirby Muxloe Castle, begun by William Hastings during the Wars of the Roses. The fortified residence was never completed due to Hastings’ execution by Richard for treason in 1483. Next, we travel to the lovely village of Oundle for an included lunch at The Talbot Hotel. The façade and main structure of the hotel are thought to date from 1626 and alongside its historical connections to Fotheringhay, it is of such exceptional architectural and historical importance that it is classified as a Grade I heritage building by Historic England and is among the top three per cent of all listed buildings in England. We finish the day with a visit to lovely Fotheringhay to view the Castle ruins, where Richard was born in 1452 and where Mary Queen of Scots was executed. We will also visit St Mary & All Saints Church nearby. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.00.
What's Included
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Two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Hilton Leicester Hotel
Includes shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
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Welcome reception
A reception to welcome guests upon arrival.
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First night private three-course dinner with wine
A private dinner with wine on the first night.
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Second dinner in the hotel restaurant
Dinner at the hotel restaurant on the second night.
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Lunch at The Talbot Hotel, Oundle
Lunch provided at The Talbot Hotel in Oundle.
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All talks, guided tours, admissions
Includes all scheduled talks, guided tours, and admissions to sites.
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Coach transfers and tour manager throughout
Coach transfers and a tour manager are provided throughout the tour.
What's Not Included
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Transport to the hotel
Transport to the hotel is not included.
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Double for sole use supplement
An additional charge of £58 for double room single occupancy.
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Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis
Additional nights at the hotel on a bed and breakfast basis are not included.
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Holiday insurance
Holiday insurance is not included.
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Meals other than those stated
Any meals not specifically mentioned in the inclusions are not included.
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Items of a personal nature
Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, and telephone calls are not included.
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Porterage and gratuities
Porterage and gratuities are not included.
Accommodation
Located three miles from Leicester city centre, the four-star Hilton Leicester Hotel offers comfortable bedrooms with private bath/shower, TV, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities. Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, bar, cafe, indoor pool and fitness centre. Complimentary car parking for Travel Editions clients is available at the hotel.
MORE INFO
Your LecturersJulian Humphrys
Julian read history at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, has worked at historical sites both in Britain and overseas and is nowa trustee of the Battlefields Trust and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He has a very infectious enthusiasm for history and has published numerous books on castles and battles.He currently leads more than a dozen tours for Travel Editions and imparts his extraordinary historical knowledge with wit and panache, making a tour led by him both an educational and entertaining experience.
Matthew Morris, MA, ACIfA
Mathew has worked for University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) since 2004, excavating a wide range of rural and urban archaeology across the Midlands, from the prehistoric period through to the Industrial Revolution. He graduated from the University of Leicester in 2003 with a BA in Archaeology and an MA in Landscape Studies; his interests include urban archaeology, community archaeology and Roman and medieval archaeology. In 2012, he supervised the successful archaeological search for the lost grave of King Richard III. He has co authored Life in Roman and Medieval Leicester (2021) and three popular books on Leicestershire archaeology, Visions of Ancient Leicester (2011), Richard III: The King under the Car Park (2013) and Life in the Roman World: Roman Leicester (2018). In his spare time he helps the Leicestershire Fieldworkers and the Leicestershire branch of the Young Archaeologists’ Club.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Mode of Transport
Coach transfers and a tour manager are provided throughout the tour. Transport to the hotel is not included.
Check out our Q&As
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What time should I arrive at the Hilton Leicester on the first day?
You should arrive independently at the Hilton Leicester from 15.00 onwards.
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What activities are planned for the first evening?
The first evening includes a welcome reception, a private dinner with wine, and a talk by expert Julian Humphrys of the Battlefield Trust on 'The Wars of the Roses'.
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What will we see at Leicester Cathedral?
At Leicester Cathedral, you will visit the tomb of Richard III, learn about his reinterment in 2015, view the funeral pall, and see the redemption windows within the Cathedral.
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What can I expect at the Richard III Visitor Centre?
At the Richard III Visitor Centre, you will see an exhibition that tells the dramatic story of the king’s life, his brutal death, and the fascinating story of his rediscovery.
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What is included in the visit to Bosworth?
In Bosworth, you will explore the visitor centre, which provides insights into medieval life through film, displays, and artefacts. You will also visit the battlefield where Richard III was killed, with commentary by your guides from the coach.
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What is special about The Talbot Hotel in Oundle?
The Talbot Hotel in Oundle has a façade and main structure dating from 1626. It has historical connections to Fotheringhay and is classified as a Grade I heritage building by Historic England, making it among the top three percent of all listed buildings in England.
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What will we see at Fotheringhay?
At Fotheringhay, you will view the Castle ruins where Richard III was born and where Mary Queen of Scots was executed. You will also visit St Mary & All Saints Church nearby.
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Who are the lecturers for this tour?
The lecturers for this tour are Julian Humphrys, a trustee of the Battlefields Trust and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and Matthew Morris, an archaeologist who supervised the successful search for the lost grave of King Richard III.
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What time does the welcome reception and first evening dinner/talk start?
The welcome reception and first evening dinner/talk will commence at about 6pm.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Friday - Sunday
Jun 06, 2025 - Jun 08, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Travel Editions requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel editions charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 45% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.