This custom travel program has been created uniquely for The Manuscript Society.
Wednesday, September 10
Departure for England
Take independent international flights to London.
Thursday, September 11
Arrival in London / Transfer to Cambridge
Upon arrival at London Heathrow airport, with time for an early independent lunch, take a group transfer by private coach (1.5-2 hours) to the classic British university town of Cambridge. After settling into the four-star University Arms Hotel, join an expert guide for an introductory walk around the loveliest corners of the town’s many campuses – a great chance to understand Cambridge’s unique academic and architectural structure. Finish our tour by boarding a traditional Cambridge Punt for a privately chauffeured cruise down the River Cam with the chance to enjoy fantastic views of the world famous Cambridge College “Backs,” named by the National Trust as one of the Top 10 Views in England. Tonight, celebrate our arrival and get to know your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner near our hotel.
University Arms, Cambridge (Meals Included: Dinner)
Friday, September 12
Books, Manuscripts, and More: The Best of Cambridge
Today is primarily spent discovering a number of the renowned College Libraries of Cambridge. Begin with a tour of Wren Library at Trinity College, the largest of the Cambridge college libraries designed by Christopher Wren in 1676 and completed in 1695. The library is considered as one of the first libraries to be designed with large windows to provide the appropriate amount of light for readers. The collection includes 1,250 western medieval manuscripts, many books are from the library of Sir Isaac Newton, the Rothschild collection of 18th century literature, as well as the Kessler collection of livre d’artistes.
We hope to arrange for a private luncheon in a beautiful reception room at one of Cambridge’s historic colleges with the presence of a manager of the Research Collections at Cambridge University Library, who will give a fascinating talk on the history of libraries in England.
Later we visit the Pepys Library at Magdalene College, the personal library collected by Samuel Pepys, which he bequeathed to the college after his death in 1703. The more than 3,000 volumes, including Pepys diary, form one of the most important surviving 17th century private libraries. As a grand finale, be greeted by staff of Cambridge University’s prestigious Manuscripts Department, with a chance to consult rare and fascinating pieces within their peerless collection. Dinner and the evening are on your own.
University Arms, Cambridge (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch)
Saturday, September 13
Great Historic Libraries Just Outside Cambridge
After breakfast, we drive eight miles south of Cambridge to the 2,500-acre Wimpole Estate. At Wimpole Hall, visit the library that was built by James Gibbs in 1730 and became the prized possession of the 1st Earl of Harwicke, who was an avid collector and lover of books. Admire the largest and most important collection of books and manuscripts ever assembled by a private individual in England.
Enjoy lunch at Wimpole Hall’s Old Rectory Restaurant.
This afternoon, we visit another lesser-visited Cambridgeshire estate, Angelsey Abbey, dating back to Jacobean times. Lord Fairhaven built up a beautifully maintained library and a very personalized books collection that we will be invited to review “up close.”
Back in Cambridge this evening, dinner is on your own.
University Arms, Cambridge (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch)
Sunday, September 14
Art and Libraries En Route to Oxford
Today is a gradual ramble through the attractive countryside between the two great university towns, and our morning stop will be Drayton House, which recently has become famous as the filming location for Saltburn. But pop culture is not driving our visit – it’s rather the quite remarkable private library contained within the house. We’ll have the special chance to admire some of the most special historic works within the collection.
We continue to Boughton House, owned by the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry, a Tudor monastic building enlarged around seven courtyards! After a lunch in the Boughton House Café, we’ll explore the house’s outstanding collections of 16th- to 18th-century furnishings and art, with works by El Greco, Van Dyck, and Gainsborough.
Arriving into Oxford in the late afternoon, we check into our center-city five-star hotel, the Randolph. Dinner and the evening are independent.
The Randolph Hotel, Oxford (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch)
Monday, September 15
Iconic Oxford: Libraries and more
This morning, we embark on a guided walking tour of the city and the University of Oxford, with its famous “dreaming spires” and venerable colleges. Admire beautiful architecture and prized parks and green spaces while getting the “lay of the land” in this legendary capital of learning.
Enjoy lunch at a historic pub in the heart of the city. This afternoon take a guided tour of the Bodleian Library, which first opened to scholars in 1602 making it one of the oldest libraries in Europe. Explore the Bodleian’s reading rooms, Radcliffe Camera, 15th-century Divinity School, Convocation House, Chancellor’s Court and Duke Humfrey’s medieval library.
photo by Jorge Royan.
We continue to Merton College, home to the world’s oldest continuously functioning library for university academics and students. Merton’s Entrance to the Bodleian Library; Statue of William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke (Ali Mannan) John Soane fireplace in the Book Room at Wimpole Hall (Orangeaurochs) special collections include medieval manuscripts, early printed books, and personal papers of notable college members.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
The Randolph Hotel, Oxford (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch)
Tuesday, September 16
Stately Libraries on Great Estates
photo by Orangeaurochs
This morning is dedicated to an in-depth visit of Waddesdon Manor, a French Renaissance château built by the Rothschilds in the 19th century famous for its world-class collection of French 18th-century decorative arts and 17th- 18th- century paintings, which were assembled by three generations of Rothschilds. The guided tour will include a special private viewing of the library with its world-class collection of 17th- and 18th-century volumes.
Next a delicious country luncheon at the Lord Nelson Pub. In the afternoon, we have the pleasure of a private visit and tea at Wormsley Park, the 2500-acre estate and 18th-century country house still the home of Sir Mark Getty. His father, the late Sir Paul Getty, created the library, which includes precious early manuscripts and a first edition of The Canterbury Tales.
Returning to Oxford in the late afternoon, enjoy free time for dinner and evening explorations on your own.
The Randolph Hotel, Oxford (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea)
Wednesday, September 17
Country Houses Great and Small: Blenheim & Rousham
Our morning is filled with a wide-ranging visit at Blenheim, the vast, magnificent, baroque palace built by Queen Anne for the Duke of Marlborough after his decisive 1704 victory over Louis XIV. Still owned by the family, it was the birthplace of Winston Churchill and features extensive landscaping by “Capability” Brown. We are working to arrange a special look at the estate archives. Free time will be given for an independent lunch at one of the estate cafes.
Just miles away, Rousham House is a perfect counterpoint to the gargantuan Blenheim. Still very much a lived-in home, this estate is surrounded by glorious gardens and still maintains much of its original William Kent design, including the sublime library that was lauded by Horace Walpole after its completion in 1760.
We return to our hotel in Oxford, with a bit of free time for last wanderings around the beautiful college grounds. We then gather for a memorable farewell dinner at a great city restaurant.
The Randolph Hotel, Oxford (Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner)
Thursday, September 18
A Fond Farewell to England or Continue to London
One morning transfer (about 1 hour) will be provided from our Oxford hotel to London Heathrow airport to meet flight departures. Or, travelers may choose to continue their Manuscript Society touring and head to London for a 3-night extension.
(Meals Included: Breakfast)
$6,395 double occupancy | $1,795 single supplement
[The cost of the trip includes a $500.00 charitable contribution to the Manuscript Society to support ongoing programs.]A Library Lover’s London – optional extension
September 18–21, 2025
This fun and creative combination of archives, museums, architectural monuments, and hidden collections is a one-of-a-kind way to explore London, specially designed for lovers of books and historic documents. We will spend three nights in the five-star comforts of the Bankside Hotel, near the Thames, just steps from the Tate Modern, the Globe Theater, and the Millennium Bridge, and surrounded by good restaurants. Arriving in London, we will have a special look at the historic holdings of the Royal Society, England’s most prestigious scientific academy. We’ll be guests of the Middle Temple Hall for a lunch and a tour of the rare medieval church. Rare book collections at multiple historic libraries will be opened for us, including King’s College’s legendary library. An easy trip out to Kew will feature both the National Archives of the UK with lots of surprising treasures and the beautiful library of Kew Gardens, with extremely rare maps and early books and drawings related to horticulture. We’ll see Ham House, one of London’s finest 17th-century homes, complete with a stunning original wood-decorated library. Great museums will also be part of the experience, with a private visit (pending confirmation) of the Victoria & Albert’s famed archives and a stop to see the conservation laboratories of the British Museum. During your stay in London, you will learn from a great guide, marvel at lesser-known wonders, and enjoy a variety of fun meals, including a fine dining farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.
$3,195 double occupancy | $895 single supplement
2025 Annual Trip Brochure & Registration (PDF)
Cambridge/Oxford Tour Overview
