Mapperton & Historic Dorset Tour
The Mapperton & Historic Dorset Tour is for five nights for up to twelve guests staying one of the fabulous bedrooms within the Manor or in one of the Estate’s private cottages. You will join Luke and Julie Montagu, Viscount and Viscountess Hinchingbrooke, for a formal dinner as they welcome you and then say farewell at the end of what will be a most memorable experience. Due to the nature and activities of this tour, we suggest it is not suitable for under 18’s (though we may look to create a family-oriented Grand Historic Tour in the future!).
The tour will be led by Samantha Hannay who will accompany you during the days both on the Estate and as we explore further afield. Within the Manor, your Butler will ensure you are well looked after. Travel during the week to the various venues on the itinerary will be by luxury private minibus.
By booking this tour, you will be supporting the maintenance and upkeep of this important part of England’s heritage. Please note that Luke and Julie will only join specific tour activities such as the welcome and farewell dinners and those detailed in the itinerary.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Travel to Mapperton House, Dorset
- Day 2: Mapperton House & Gardens
- Day 3: Athelhampton House & Gardens
- Day 4: Sherborne Castle & Gardens
- Day 5: Jurassic Coast & Lyme Regis
- Day 6: Depart Mapperton House
The itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and access to stately homes.
Dates & Pricing
Autumn 2024 Tour dates:
- Sunday 6th to Friday 11th October, 2024: £7,950*
* price is per person, assuming two people. There is a single person supplement of £1,590 and a Heritage Room premium supplement of up to £2,000, depending on choice of room.
Included in your tour price are:
- Five nights accommodation in Mapperton House (or a Estate cottage)
- Formal black tie dinner with Luke & Julie Montagu, owners of the Manor
- A dinner at an outstanding local restaurant
- Exclusive excursions and activities
- All wellness activities on the Estate
- All meals, including vegetarian/vegan and gluten free options
- Farewell dinner with Luke & Julie Montagu
- All drinks (including wine)
- Travel in luxury minibus between tour venues
- Services of the Tour Manager who will accompany the guests
- Services of the Butler at the Manor
Please note that the pricing does not include travel insurance, flights to and from your home destination, transfers to and from Mapperton, porterage or gratuities. Full booking conditions can be found via this link.
We are able to advise transport options and provide guidance if you wish to extend your stay to explore other areas of interest.
Details of your stay
On arrival in the UK, guests will make their way to Mapperton House in West Dorset. This can be by private car, coach or train. The journey will take approximately 3 hours and we expect to welcome guests at around 12noon.
Upon arrival at Mapperton, guests will be met by Samantha Hannay, the Tour Manager, and their hosts Luke & Julie Montagu, Viscount and Viscountess Hinchingbrooke. Refreshments and a light lunch will be served upon arrival while luggage is taken to the rooms. Guests are given time to rest and settle into their new surroundings within Britain’s Finest Manor House (according to Country Life Magazine).
Our Butler and Dorset Chef will ensure everyone is well looked after, with delicious meals made from Estate produce as well as a fine selection of wines and other drinks.
Your hosts at Mapperton, Luke & Julie Montagu (Viscount & Viscountess Hinchingbrooke)
Day 1 – Arrival at Mapperton House
Afternoon
Relax and refresh at Mapperton with a light lunch served in the Hall upon your arrival. Mapperton is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty and, led by Head Gardener Suzie Knight, you will explore the gardens and stretch your legs.
Mapperton has one of the most important and distinctive gardens in the country, famous for their romantic setting, varied planting and sense of tranquillity.
Evening
Julie and Luke Montagu invite you for welcome drinks in the Hall where you will meet your host and other guests.
Samantha will join you for an informal dinner in the Coach House.
Day 2 – Mapperton House & Gardens
Morning
Following breakfast, you are welcome to participate in a private yoga wellbeing experience with Julie Montagu. Private house tour with the Earl and Countess of Sandwich. Learn the story of how his ancestor invented the famous snack and sponsored Captain Cook’s voyages to the Pacific, including the discovery of Hawaii. You will see the Grand Tour journal of the 4th Earl, who led an expedition around the Mediterranean in the 18th century.
Afternoon
Following lunch in the Coach House, you will accompany Luke Montagu and Estate Ranger Ben Padwick for a walk on the wildside. You will explore the wider estate and learn about changes to the land management strategy, which combines the promotion of sustainable farming practices with rewilding.
A warming afternoon tea will then be waiting for you by a toasty fire, where you can relax before dinner.
Evening
You will be welcomed for drinks in the Drawing Room, followed by a formal dinner in the Dining Room hosted by Luke & Julie Montagu, Viscount and Viscountess Hinchingbrooke.
Day 3 – Athelhampton House & Gardens
Morning
Depart for Athelhampton House & Gardens. Journey through time as you are taken on a private tour of Athelhampton House, from the Tudor period through to the lavish Art Deco 1920’s and 30’s. Over 500 years old, you will get a taste of what life was like in 1565 and learn about its diverse history dating back to 1485.
Afternoon
Following lunch in one of Athelhampton’s grand rooms, we head outside to explore the Elizabethan style gardens, boasting fountains and Arts & Crafts architectural designs, as well as an Edwardian kitchen garden.
Before heading back to Mapperton, we will make a stop at an Emporium of Antiques.
Evening
A visit to one of our finest local restaurants for a gourmet dinner.
Day 4 – Sherborne Castle & Gardens
Morning
We depart for Sherborne Castle, built by Sir Walter Raleigh and set within 1,200 acres of parkland. The gardens, famously landscaped by Capability Brown, survive largely unchanged today. The Castle boasts over 400 years of history and is home to important collections of furniture, paintings and porcelain.
Afternoon
Following lunch at Sherborne Castle, we depart for the town centre where you can visit the Abbey or scout for antique treasures in the quaint market town.
Evening
Supper is in the Coach House followed by a night walk with ranger Ben. If the weather does not suit this or you would simply prefer to relax with a glass of wine, you can enjoy the company of new friends in the Hall by the warming fire.
Day 5 – Historic Jurassic Coast
Morning
Depart after breakfast for the dramatic Dorset coastline known as the Jurassic Coast. Famous for the layers of marine fossils found in the cliffs and seabed, this stretch of coastline is a huge draw for both professional and amateur fossil hunters. We will take a stroll along the shingle beach for a guided fossil hunt – you will be amazed at how thrilling it is to scour the beach and find a fossil that is 200-million years old!
Afternoon
Lunch will be self-choice in the beautiful town of Lyme Regis a little further along the coast. One of the birthplaces of palaeontology, the town also has literary connections with Jane Austen and John Fowles, whose novel ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’ includes a famous scene on the harbour wall, known as the Cobb. This stunning town gives you the option to explore the boutique shops, enjoy a tour of the Water Mill and art galleries or a guided walk with Sam following the life of Mary Anning, the greatest fossil hunter to have ever lived.
Evening
You are invited for drinks and a recital in the Library before joining Julie and Luke Montagu for a formal black-tie dinner in the Dining Room.
Day 6 – Departure from Mapperton
Morning
After breakfast you can join Julie for a yoga session in the Coach House.
Departure from Mapperton by midday.
Optional Tour Extension
We have couple of options if you wish to extend your visit to this stunning corner of south west England.
Please note that activities on this tour are indicative and may vary according to weather conditions, availability or other local factors. However if there is a change we will always aim to exceed your expectations!
We are able to advise transport options and provide guidance if you wish to extend your stay to explore other areas of interest. Here are a couple of options that you could consider.