Exclusive for Mail on Sunday readers: Visit the Royals’ favourite retreat with Dr Lucy Worsley

Exclusive for Mail on Sunday readers: Visit the Royals’ favourite retreat with Dr Lucy Worsley


Norfolk has for many years provided visitors with a slice of quintessential English countryside, with its famous Broads, leisurely pace and delightful coastline.

The Queen has enjoyed retreating to Sandringham, in the north west of the county, since she was a Princess, and it has been the private home of four generations of British monarchs.

Her grandfather, King George V, described the house as ‘Dear old Sandringham, the place I love better than anywhere else in the world’, while George VI, the Queen’s father, wrote to his mother: ‘I have always been so happy here and I love the place.’

Queen’s idyll: The Queen has enjoyed retreating to Sandringham since she was a Princess

A steam train skirting the Norfolk coast on the North Norfolk Railway, affectionately known as the Poppy LinePoppy Line

A steam train skirting the Norfolk coast on the Poppy Line

MEET OUR EXPERT 

You will be joined by Dr Lucy Worsley

You will be joined by Dr Lucy Worsley 

Dr Lucy Worsley is Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces and the author of books including Courtiers: A Secret History Of The Georgian Court and If Walls Could Talk: An Intimate History Of Your Home. She has presented Six Wives With Lucy Worsley and Jane Austen: Behind Closed Doors, and won a Bafta for her documentary Suffragettes With Lucy Worsley.

On this extraordinary five-day trip, you will visit Sandringham in the company of historian Dr Lucy Worsley, who will give an exclusive talk and answer your questions about Britain’s great houses and the Royal Family.

You will also have ample time to enjoy no fewer than three heritage railway journeys and a cruise by paddle steamer on the Broads, exploring delightful destinations along the way, such as Wroxham, Horning and Cromer.

This exclusive trip proved extremely popular when we first ran it, so book now to secure your place.

REASONS TO BOOK

Talk and Q&A with Dr Lucy Worsley: You will enjoy a private talk from the historian, who has presented a number of TV shows for the BBC, Channel 4 and the History channel. Lucy will host a question-and-answer session before you visit Sandringham the same day.

Tour Sandringham with Dr Worsley: As the Royal Family’s country retreat since the mid-19th Century, Sandringham’s walls could tell many a tale! Lucy will offer her own insights before you tour the house and its gardens and admire the collection of vintage vehicles and exotic curiosities.

Historic rail journeys: You will enjoy three fantastic heritage rail journeys. Admire Norfolk’s unspoilt countryside as you ride the Bure Valley Railway, travel between Norwich and Sheringham on the Bittern Line, and take a scenic coastal trip on the North Norfolk Railway, affectionately known as the Poppy Line.

Cruise on the Broads: There are few better ways to enjoy the beautiful Norfolk Broads than on an afternoon cruise on the Southern Comfort Mississippi Paddle Boat. Relax as you follow the course of the River Bure, passing windmills and spotting water birds in the reed beds.

WHAT’S INCLUDED  

  • Four nights’ half-board accommodation at the Holiday Inn Norwich North.
  • Talk, Q&A and Sandringham tour with Dr Lucy Worsley.
  • Entrance to the Sandringham Estate.
  • Coach transfers for our excursions.
  • Cruise on the Broads aboard the Southern Comfort Mississippi Paddle Boat.
  • Steam train journey on the Bure Valley Railway**.
  • Steam train journey on the Poppy Line**.
  • Journey aboard the Bittern Line.
  • Services of an experienced tour manager.

YOUR ITINERARY: DAY 1 Make your way to Norfolk DAY 2 Bure Valley Railway and Mississippi Paddle Boat DAY 3 The Bittern Line, the Poppy Line and Cromer DAY 4 Sandringham House and Gardens with Dr Lucy Worsley DAY 5 Check out 

HOW TO BOOK

The price: From £649pp* for five days. The dates: August 10 to 14 and August 24 to 28, 2022.

Call 01858 582 632, quoting reference TSLW1710C. To find out more, visit mailtravel.co.uk/norfolkworsley.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: *From price based on two sharing. Subject to availability. Single room supplement from £120. ** Please note: we cannot guarantee that all rail journeys will be steam-hauled. This trip is exclusive to Mail Travel and other selected media partners. Our travel partner, Arena Travel, is ABTA-bonded. For full terms and conditions, go to mailtravel.co.uk/norfolkworsley.

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