Depart the United States on your overnight flight to England. 

Arrive in London and travel north toward Birmingham, beginning our exploration of England’s Christian and literary heritage. Along the way, visit Coventry Cathedral, a powerful symbol of faith, resilience, and reconciliation. Destroyed during World War II, the cathedral was rebuilt alongside the ruins of the medieval church, offering a moving reflection on suffering, forgiveness, and hope. 

Continue to Birmingham, a city deeply connected to the history of the Industrial Revolution and the Christian movements that transformed English society. Settle into our hotel and prepare for the days ahead. (D) 

Birmingham Overnight 

Spend the morning discovering Birmingham, with time to see Victoria Square and the Library of Birmingham, before continuing to Sarehole Mill, an important place in the childhood of beloved author J. R. R. Tolkien. The surrounding countryside and mill helped inspire the landscapes and stories that would later become part of his imaginative world. Pass by Gracewell Cottages and King Edward’s School, connecting the landscape of Tolkien’s youth with the intellectual and literary influences that shaped his work. In the afternoon, travel to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Explore this charming historic town and discover the places associated with England’s most celebrated playwright, whose works have profoundly influenced English literature and culture. (B,D) 

Oxford Overnight 

Travel a bit outside the town to The Kilns, the Oxford home of C. S. Lewis. Here, Lewis wrote some of his most influential works, while also gathering with friends and fellow thinkers who formed the famous Christian literary circle known as the Inklings. Continue to Holy Trinity Church, where C. S. Lewis worshipped and where he is buried. Visit the Ashmolean Museum, England’s oldest public museum. The afternoon offers a choice: enjoy free time to explore Oxford at your own pace, or venture into the picturesque Cotswolds, where rolling hills, stone villages, and ancient churches offer a glimpse into the timeless beauty of the English countryside. (B,D) 

Oxford Overnight 

Enjoy morning worship at St. Mary’s University Church. Today, begin exploring Oxford, one of the world's great centers of learning and a place that profoundly shaped both C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Enjoy a comprehensive walking tour through the historic heart of the university. Along the way, discover the colleges, churches, libraries, and streets that formed the backdrop to the lives and work of these influential Christian authors. Visit Magdalen College and walk along Addison’s Walk, a peaceful path beside the River Cherwell that was particularly significant in Lewis’s spiritual journey. This provides an opportunity to reflect on the friendship between Lewis and Tolkien and the conversations that helped shape Lewis’s understanding of Christianity. Continue past Pembroke College, Exeter College, and the Sheldonian Theatre, learning about the history and traditions of Oxford along the way. See the site of the famous Eagle and Child, the historic pub where Lewis, Tolkien, and other members of the Inklings gathered to discuss faith, literature, and their latest writings. Visit Christ Church College, one of Oxford’s most magnificent colleges, and the Bodleian Library, whose collections represent centuries of scholarship and learning. Throughout the day, consider how Oxford’s academic and spiritual environment influenced two of the twentieth century’s most beloved Christian authors. (B,D) 

Oxford Overnight 

Travel west today, beginning with a visit to Stonehenge, one of England’s most famous landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy time at the visitor center and make your way to the ancient stone circle, with an opportunity to see this iconic site up close and learn more about its history. Continue on to Bristol. In the ancient port city of Bristol, you’ll have a lecture in one of Wesley’s early centers of ministry, the “New Room”. This oldest Methodist building in the world is unusually attractive in its basic simplicity. Then visit the home of Charles Wesley, the famous hymn writer. (B,D) 

Bristol Overnight 

Depart Bristol to return back to London. Discover the historic heart of London on a panoramic driving tour, taking in some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and exploring the Christian heritage that has shaped the city for centuries. Continue to Westminster Abbey, one of England’s most significant places of worship and the setting for centuries of royal coronations, burials, and Christian worship. The abbey provides a remarkable window into the religious, royal, and political history of England. The rest of your day in London is at Leisure. (B) 

London Overnight 

John Wesley left his mark on the town of London. You’ll have a lecture at City Road Chapel, the site of Wesley’s home and grave. Across the street in Bunhill Fields Cemetery, Susanna Wesley is buried along with other famous personages such as John Bunyan and Daniel Defoe. You’ll walk on Aldersgate Street, where on May 24, 1738, John Wesley had his “Warming of the Heart” experience. You’ll walk past the entrance of “Little Britain,” where Charles Wesley had his conversion experience just three days earlier. Drive by the major city sites such as Marble Arch, Speakers Corner of Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square and much more. You will visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, where John Wesley often worshiped. On the day of his conversion, Wesley came here for an afternoon service and was deeply moved by the choir’s anthem, “Out of the Deep Have I Called Unto Thee, O Lord”. Dinner is on your own in London. (B) 

London Overnight 

Return to the USA