Eight iconic Wetherspoons venues, The Tower of London, Kings College Chapel, Abbey of St Edmund, Canterbury Cathedral, Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery and Pendennis Castle.

Price: from £10,995.00 for group of 2 adults

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Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Our Grand Tour begins in Hackney, London, for breakfast at The Rochester Castle. Something of a Hackney institution, the Rochester Castle is the oldest surviving Wetherspoons venue and boasts a colourful history. There has been a pub at the site for at least 300 years - the oldest on record is the Green Dragon - and the location has played host to a wealth of iconic British bands including The Police, Dire Straits and The Jam.

From here, we’ll travel south to spend the day at the Tower of London, before looping back to visit the second “Spoons” on our tour, Hamilton Hall. The former ballroom of the Great Eastern Hotel, Hamilton Hall is arguably one of Wetherspoon’s most impressive venues and features ornate ceilings, a mirror bar and elegant original features.

Day 2:

On day two, we’ll travel northeast to Cambridge, passing through quintessential English countryside and quaint villages. We’ll embark on a chauffeured punting tour along the River Cam, and spend the afternoon exploring the historic Kings College Chapel. Numerous Lancastrian, Yorkist and Tudor monarchs have associations with the chapel. Henry VI established Kings College and Henry VIII visited the site on various occasions, as did his daughter Queen Elizabeth I.

After spending some time in Cambridge, we will continue onto the cathedral town of Bury St. Edmunds to visit The Corn Exchange, Britain’s “poshest Spoons”. Situated in a truly exquisite grade 1 listed 19th-century monument, this one-of-a-kind Wetherspoons features original stone arches, grand entrance doors and an awe-inspiring glass roof.

Day 3:

We will begin day three with a visit to the ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund. Founded in 1020, the Abbey of St Edmund is surrounded by breathtaking gardens and was once one of England’s most powerful Benedictine monasteries and a popular place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages.

In the afternoon, we’ll travel south to Rochester, in Kent, which is home to both the magnificent Rochester Cathedral and the best Wetherspoons carpet in the country. Over the last decade, “Spoons carpets have become something of a cultural icon - every carpet is unique. In 2013, carpet connoisseur and London blogger Kit Caless sparked media interest when he revealed his dedication to photographing Wetherspoon carpet in the country. Tim Martin, owner of the Wetherspoons franchise has crowned The Golden Lion carpet his favourite.

Day 4:

On day four, we’ll head east to Ramsgate, stopping for lunch at the UK’s largest Wetherspoons. Originally built as a concert hall, this colossal example of Victorian architecture boasts a stunning sea view. The Royal Victoria Pavilion is based on the style of a Robert Adam orangery and has had a colourful history, being used as both a nightclub and a casino.

After exploring Ramsgate Royal Harbour and Marina, we will go west to Canterbury to visit the iconic Canterbury Cathedral. Part of a World Heritage Site, Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest Christian structures in England.

Day 5:

We will begin day five by continuing west to Tunbridge Wells, which is renowned for its fairy-tale gardens, the bewitching Scotney Castle and opulent country manors. Meandering through winding country lanes, we’ll head to the Opera House, which is arguably the most beautiful Wetherspoons in the country.

With a history stretching back to the beginning of the 20th century, this architectural triumph features grand chandeliers, ornate balconies, and a functioning stage. The Opera House has remained true to its name, playing host to two live performances each year.

Day 6:

Day six takes us along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site to Exeter, where we’ll visit the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery and Exeter Quay. For lunch, we’ll head to our penultimate Wetherspoons; George’s Meeting House. This location is somewhat legendary as the owner of the Wetherspoons franchise, Tim Martin, lives right around the corner and is a frequent visitor to the site.

Prior to being converted to commercial use, the building served as an 18th-century Unitarian chapel and is listed by Historic England as having special interest. With stained glass windows, historical plaques and original pulpit, this Wetherspoons certainly makes for a memorable visit.

Day 7:

On day seven, we will continue west to Helston, in Cornwall, to visit the UK’s southernmost Wetherspoons. 19th-century townhouses form the foundation of The Coinage Hall, which opened as a Wetherspoons pub in November 2015. Surprisingly big, the venue spreads across four separate levels and boasts a large beer garden.

In the afternoon, we’ll loop back to Penzance, where we’ll visit Pendennis Castle, an imposing fortress constructed between 1540 and 1545 by Henry VIII as a deterrent against invaders. After spending the night in Penzance, we will travel back to London.

JD Wetherspoon: The Grand Tour (South of England) Enquiry