"I enjoyed all the jaunts. The Festival of Quilts was amazing."
2018 Wales & Birmingham Festival of Quilts Tour Traveler
2018 Wales & Birmingham Festival of Quilts Tour Traveler
2019 Birmingham Festival of Quilts Tour Itinerary
Tour begins and ends in Birmingham, UK
Day 1: Saturday, July 27, 2109: Birmingham
Arrive in Birmingham, UK and make your way to your centrally located hotel*. Hotel check-in time is 3:00pm, but arrangements can be made for you to store your bags in the secure luggage room at the hotel at no additional cost. Enjoy a leisurely walk exploring Birmingham while your room is being prepared. Tonight at the Group Welcome Dinner, meet your tour hosts, guide, driver and fellow travelers. (D)
Arrive in Birmingham, UK and make your way to your centrally located hotel*. Hotel check-in time is 3:00pm, but arrangements can be made for you to store your bags in the secure luggage room at the hotel at no additional cost. Enjoy a leisurely walk exploring Birmingham while your room is being prepared. Tonight at the Group Welcome Dinner, meet your tour hosts, guide, driver and fellow travelers. (D)
Day 2: Sunday, July 28, 2019: Bath
Enjoy a full breakfast in your hotel before heading off to Bath. Your first stop is Stratford-upon-Avon, a medieval market town in England’s West Midlands and the 16th century birthplace of William Shakespeare. Next, enjoy a guided tour of Berkeley Castle, where the Berkeley family has occupied this castle since their ancestor, Robert Fitzharding completed the Keep in the late 12th Century. Afterwards, check into your hotel for a 3-night stay and enjoy a Group Dinner. (B/D)
Enjoy a full breakfast in your hotel before heading off to Bath. Your first stop is Stratford-upon-Avon, a medieval market town in England’s West Midlands and the 16th century birthplace of William Shakespeare. Next, enjoy a guided tour of Berkeley Castle, where the Berkeley family has occupied this castle since their ancestor, Robert Fitzharding completed the Keep in the late 12th Century. Afterwards, check into your hotel for a 3-night stay and enjoy a Group Dinner. (B/D)
Day 3: Monday, July 29, 2019: Bath
After breakfast, begin your day with a private guided tour of the American Museum. View and learn about the museum's collection of vintage American quilts, including 18th century examples by Sioux and Amish women and slaves. Continue into Bath and enjoy a guided tour of the Roman Baths, a World Heritage Site. The city’s unique thermal springs rise on the site and the baths still flow with natural hot water. This afternoon and evening you are free to explore the many museums and shops in Bath. (B)
After breakfast, begin your day with a private guided tour of the American Museum. View and learn about the museum's collection of vintage American quilts, including 18th century examples by Sioux and Amish women and slaves. Continue into Bath and enjoy a guided tour of the Roman Baths, a World Heritage Site. The city’s unique thermal springs rise on the site and the baths still flow with natural hot water. This afternoon and evening you are free to explore the many museums and shops in Bath. (B)
Day 4: Tuesday, July 30, 2019: Salisbury
Today after breakfast, travel to Salisbury for a tour of the famous Salisbury Cathedral; home to the best preserved original 1215 Magna Carta manuscript. Enjoy a visit to Wilton House, an English country house on the outskirts of Salisbury. At Wilton House enjoy tour and afternoon tea before continuing your travels to Stonehenge. Stonehenge is one of the best-known wonders of the world. Explore the ancient landscape and step inside the Neolithic Houses for a glimpse of everyday Neolithic (Stone Age) life. Tonight continue your exploration of the restaurants and pubs of Bath. (B/T)
Today after breakfast, travel to Salisbury for a tour of the famous Salisbury Cathedral; home to the best preserved original 1215 Magna Carta manuscript. Enjoy a visit to Wilton House, an English country house on the outskirts of Salisbury. At Wilton House enjoy tour and afternoon tea before continuing your travels to Stonehenge. Stonehenge is one of the best-known wonders of the world. Explore the ancient landscape and step inside the Neolithic Houses for a glimpse of everyday Neolithic (Stone Age) life. Tonight continue your exploration of the restaurants and pubs of Bath. (B/T)
Day 5: Wednesday, July 31, 2019: The Cotswolds
Today after breakfast and check-out, head toward Birmingham through the beautiful Cotswolds, where the rolling hills and grassland boast thatched medieval villages, churches and stately homes built of distinctive local yellow limestone. Stop at Cogges Manor Farm, featured in Downton Abbey (Yew Tree Farm) and enjoy a guided tour of Sudley Castle before arriving at your hotel in Birmingham. Tonight enjoy a Group Dinner at a local pub. (B/D)
Today after breakfast and check-out, head toward Birmingham through the beautiful Cotswolds, where the rolling hills and grassland boast thatched medieval villages, churches and stately homes built of distinctive local yellow limestone. Stop at Cogges Manor Farm, featured in Downton Abbey (Yew Tree Farm) and enjoy a guided tour of Sudley Castle before arriving at your hotel in Birmingham. Tonight enjoy a Group Dinner at a local pub. (B/D)
Days 6, 7 & 8: Thursday, August 1 - Saturday, August 3, 2019: Birmingham
Settle in for a 3-day stay, enjoying a full breakfast each morning. For 3 days you are free to explore the Birmingham Festival of Quilts, the largest Quilt Show in the United Kingdom. Here you will find traditional, modern and art quilts from around the world throughout the galleries and exhibitions. You are encouraged to take a class or workshop from world renowned instructors and enjoy the large vendor mall, full of supplies for every quilter, needlework and wool lover (over 125 in 2018). On Saturday following your visit to the Festival of Quilts, enjoy a Group Farewell Dinner. (B/D)
Settle in for a 3-day stay, enjoying a full breakfast each morning. For 3 days you are free to explore the Birmingham Festival of Quilts, the largest Quilt Show in the United Kingdom. Here you will find traditional, modern and art quilts from around the world throughout the galleries and exhibitions. You are encouraged to take a class or workshop from world renowned instructors and enjoy the large vendor mall, full of supplies for every quilter, needlework and wool lover (over 125 in 2018). On Saturday following your visit to the Festival of Quilts, enjoy a Group Farewell Dinner. (B/D)
Day 9: Sunday, August 4, 2019: Departure
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Please note: Depending on weather conditions and circumstances beyond our control, the itinerary is subject to change. We will make every effort to adhere to the itinerary as listed, but your flexibility if alternative choices are made to enhance the schedule, is appreciated.
Please note: Depending on weather conditions and circumstances beyond our control, the itinerary is subject to change. We will make every effort to adhere to the itinerary as listed, but your flexibility if alternative choices are made to enhance the schedule, is appreciated.
*The exact time and location of the official tour start will be announced closer to travel time. If you choose to arrive into Birmingham ahead of the tour start (highly recommended), Celtic Quilt Tours would be happy to assist you with hotel accommodation for a pre-tour stay.
"Extremely impressed with the organization and efficiency of the hosts. They are super friendly and fun
and have done an excellent job attracting a great group of travelers for their tours."
2018 Wales & Festival of Quilts Traveler
and have done an excellent job attracting a great group of travelers for their tours."
2018 Wales & Festival of Quilts Traveler
