Historians on this Tour

Anne Boleyn May 2022 Speakers

Gareth Russell is the author of seven books, including the best-selling “Young and Damned and Fair,” a biography of Henry VIII’s fifth wife, Catherine Howard. He studied History at Oxford and Queen’s University, Belfast, where his postgraduate dissertation was on the queen’s household in the 1540s. His most recent book, “The Ship of Dreams,” was named a Book of the Year by The Times and a Best History Read of 2019 by the Daily Telegraph. He was a contributor to the recent BBC series “The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family” and host of the podcast “Single Malt History”. He is currently working on a history of Hampton Court Palace and the people who lived there.

Tracy Borman is a best selling author, historian and broadcaster, specialising in the Tudor period. Her books include Elizabeth’s Women, Thomas Cromwell, The Private Lives of the Tudors and Henry VIII and the Men Who Made Him. She has also written a fiction trilogy, The King’s Witch, based in the court of James I. Tracy is also joint Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces, Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust and an honorary professor at Bishop Grosseteste University. She has presented a number of history programmes for Channel 5 and the Smithsonian Channel, including The Fall of Anne Boleyn, Inside the Tower of London and Henry VIII and the King’s Men. She is a regular contributor to BBC History Magazine and gives talks on her books across the country and abroad. Her forthcoming book, Crown & Sceptre: A New History of the British Monarchy, will be published in November 2021.

Dr Jonathan Foyle was a Curator of Historic Buildings at Hampton Court for eight years, and took his PhD on reconstructing Wolsey's Palace. Having headed a heritage charity for eight years, he is a frequent writer for the Financial Times on issues of architecture, history and craft, a consultant on historic sites and has produced six cathedral monographs. A presenter of numerous television series including BBC4's often repeated 'Henry VIII: Patron or Plunderer?', his most profound interest is in the origins and meaning of the rich court culture of Henry VII- the meeting place between the Gothic and Classical traditions, at a pivotal point in the nation's history.

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1 - 16th May

  Meet at the designated, convenient pick-up point in London where you will board our private coach bound for Hever Castle. On arrival at Hever you will be shown to your beautiful room and you can begin to explore your home for the next few days.

  You will have exclusive access to the entire Astor Wing of Hever Castle where you can take advantage of our own private heated swimming pool, tennis court, billiards room and lawn next to the moat.

  At early evening, enjoy a welcome drinks reception on our private lawn and enjoy an evening meal.

• Day 2 - 17th May

  Full day at Hever Castle.

  Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before spending the day exploring Hever Castle and its grounds. You can choose to take the short walk to St Peter's Church where the Boleyn family worshipped and see Thomas Boleyn's tomb.

  Dress as Tudor Royalty for the Day! (Optional Extra) After being dressed you can wear your outfit for the day, take as many photos as you want with Hever as a backdrop! Your outfit will be picked up the following morning so you can choose to wear it for our evening activity and dinner!

  At 2pm we are joined by the Historian Dr Jonathan Foyle for an afternoon talk. 

  During the evening we go on an after-hours tour of Hever Castle after it has closed to the public. As if that weren't enough we then dine in top luxury in the Castle's dining room!

• Day 3 - 18th May

  We will visit the ever-impressive Hampton Court Palace and discover a story of transformation fuelled by Henry VIII's love for Anne Boleyn, with our private guide.

  We return to Hever for a pre-dinner talk by our resident historian on this tour, the fantastic Gareth Russell.

• Day 4 - 19th May

  We pay our respects to Anne Boleyn at the site of her final imprisonment, execution and resting place, the Tower of London on the date of her execution.

  Following a morning private guided tour you will enjoy free time to explore other parts of the Tower and the waterfront. You then have the option to take a walk up to the Tower Hill execution site, where the men who fell victim to the events of 1536 were beheaded, with Gareth and Philippa.

  We return to Hever Castle for our final history talk delivered by Tracy Borman followed by a 3-course evening meal in our private dining room.

• Day 5 - 20th May

  Wake up for one final time in the magical Hever Castle.

  After a leisurely breakfast we board our private coach which will take us back to London where we say our final farewells.

What's Included

• Accommodation at Hever Castle for 4 nights

• All Dinners and Breakfasts included

• Expert History Talks from top historians Tracy Borman, Jonathan Foyle and Gareth Russell

• Resident historian for the tour - Gareth Russell

• Private use of the Astor Wing of Hever Castle including our own Private Lawn next to the moat, Tennis Court, Billiards Room and Outdoor Heated Pool.

• Special evening dining experience in Hever Castle Dining Room 

• Philippa as Tour Manager

• Luxury Coach Travel from pick up to drop off

• All admissions as stated in the itinerary

• After Hours Tour of Hever Castle

• Private Guided tours at Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace

• Option to dress as a Tudor for the day

• An Experience of a Lifetime!

Booking for The Anne Boleyn Tour is now closed