I recently hosted my first-ever group trip to England. If you read my last post and were praying for us, I really appreciate it. We felt your prayers.
I was asked to lead the trip by a group travel company, who capably managed
Tour leader Naomi with Jane.
all of the details like booking flights, lodging, and activities. One of the travel pros went with us on the trip to keep us organized, and she was awesome and a lot of fun. Actually, the whole group was a lot of fun. Together, there were 39 of us: reader-friends, friends from church, editors, agents, a few other writers, a few spouses, and even the designer who creates my covers. I was already acquainted with many group members, while others I met for the first time at the airport. One of my earliest prayers for the tour was that God would bring together just the right people for the trip, and I think He answered that prayer. I could not have asked for kinder, more easy-going, cheerful, and helpful travel companions.
I could talk about the trip all day, but I will resist and share just a few highlights:
Most of the group at Great Chalfield.
We visited a few places related to my books. For example, we toured Great Chalfield Manor (the manor that inspired The Secret of Pembrooke Park).
We also visited Lacock, the National Trust village that serves as the model for Ivy Hill in the Tales From Ivy Hill series.
And, we journeyed out to the North Devon coast (a setting of The Painter’s Daughter) and hiked to the stunning Valley of the Rocks.
Raela & Beth on Devonshire Coast.
While in Devon, we stayed at Lee Abbey, a Christian Retreat Center right on the coast. The views and the company were outstanding. What a wonderful experience to share meals and conversation with believers from England and other countries as well.
Lee Abbey
We also visited locations related to Jane Austen like Winchester Cathedral and Bath (home of the UK’s Jane Austen Festival). While in Bath, we had tea at the Jane Austen Centre, and many of us attended a sold-out event called “Mr. Wickham and an Evening With Jane Austen,” featuring actor Adrian Lukis and others. Who did I get to sit by? Benjamin Whitrow, who played Mr. Bennet in the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice. What a happy surprise.
With actor Ben Whitrow and in costume in Bath.
I should admit that we had a LOT of rain during our trip. I believe it rained eight out of ten days we were there. So we experienced a few wet walking tours and soggy hikes. But for the most part, people were prepared and spirits were not dampened. In fact more than one person named a long walk through the rain to a picturesque tea house among their favorite moments. It was a highlight for me as well.
We stayed in a mixture of traditional hotels and specialty lodging far nicer than I usually stay in when I travel with my husband. It is going to be hard to go back to our usual economy lodging after staying in stunning country house hotels like this one!
Our group at Charingworth Manor. Photo by Anne Rogers Photography.
We also visited a few charming towns in the Cotswolds, one of my favorite regions of England. We spent time in a beautiful English garden, and later took a walking tour of Oxford, which highlighted connections to former residents C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien.
Lastly, we spent a few days in London. We went up in the London Eye and enjoyed an overview bus tour, followed by free time to go to the theater and/or see sights like Buckingham Palace, etc. We were riding the underground “tube” when another terrorist attack struck, but thankfully not near where we were. Again, I am thankful for your prayers. It was a good reminder to keep praying for our world.
With new friend, Sue, and driver, Roy.
We arrived home last week with a little jet lag, lots of photos, happy memories, and new friendships. Answered prayer indeed.
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Wow! Simply amazing! Very glad you had this opportunity! Maybe when my kids are grown, I can do something like this too! Absolutely inspiring!
Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures. So glad everyone was safe and had such a wonderful time!
Looks like a lovely time, Julie. Do it again! I’d love to go with your group. Blessings.
What a fabulous trip, Julie! It looks like you all had a marvelous time, even with the rain. My daughter studied abroad for a month in Oxford this past summer and had a wonderful time. She didn’t get to do a lot of sight seeing, but they managed to visit a handful of museums, saw Chatsworth, visited Warwick Castle, and Bethany took a personal trip to Stratford-upon-Avon to tour the area and watch a Shakespeare performance. I had to be satisfied with pictures, but I was so glad she had the chance to go.
Hi Julie, what a wonderful trip!I enjoyed seeing the photos as you traveled and reading your highlights. So glad all went well. I can’t believe you packed all those sites into your trip. Amazing!
What a fabulous trip!! I loved the photos you shared in this post, Julie.
Wow! Sounds like the trip of a lifetime. I’m thrilled for you and eager to read the books that will result from so much inspiration.
Wow Julie! The trip of a lifetime to be sure! I would have loved to have gone too, but it was not for me.
You said that you had conversations with believers from England and other countries as well. What other countries were there as well? If I’d been there, you would have met a New Zealand/Australian. (I have dual citizenship). One day, if God wills it, I will be there.
I’m not surprised about the rain. England is notorious for it.
What beautiful scenery! I would have loved to have been there. I guess it’s so green there because of all the rain they get.
Did you get even more inspiration to write more books after your trip away? I’ll be waiting!
I thank God for His protection and travelling mercies upon you all. Scary about the underground ‘tube’, but God had His hand on that situation, knowing beforehand what would take place. As it would come as no surprise to you, God had you all covered when the enemy sought to cause nothing but destruction. His goodness was with you all. Praise God!
Wonderful pictures! I’m glad you had a fantastic trip and we’re safe. Makes me want to hop on a plane! Maybe someday! Oh the history! Looking forward to more books by you! Thanks for giving us a glimpse.
Oh Julie how wonderful! You have just shown me so many great photos and wrote of places I long to visit! I’m so happy that you had a safe trip with your group and that God spared you from anything that could’ve been quite awful. You’re right we just have to pray for this world! I cannot wait to read your next book. A faithful reader, Mary
This is a dream come true for you, Julie. And I couldn’t be happier for you, my dear friend! Love, Bev
Thanks so much, Bev!
Love this post, Julie. Especially as I lived the experience with you and 37 other wonderful people!I miss tea and scones, Devon, the view from the Abbey, and all my new friends.
I just finished The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill tonight. I just can’t put your books down once I start reading them. The scenes are so well written, I can visualize what each place must look like- and your pictures bring places to life. So glad you were safe and had such a great experience. I will look forward to the next episode!
Wonderful pictures and a wonderful recap of all the places you visited. Your tour and group sound terrific – how I wish I could have been there. And yes, I think we’re all very grateful that you weren’t anywhere near the latest terrorist event. Those prayers are working. Thank you for sharing.
JULIE, thank you for sharing your trip! Sounds like an incredible adventure! 🙂
I’m late comer here. Seeing these pictures (especially Bath) reminds me of the 2 week tour of the UK and Ireland that I did last year!
My tour group stopped in Bath briefly on our return trip to London. Because of time constraints, I went to the Jane Austen Centre and Bath Abbey.
Thanks for sharing!