Greenwich, Eltham Palace & Crossness Pump Station

Thu 26th February

Leaving Devon we make our way to London. Arriving with time to check-in and unwind before dinner in the hotel restaurant

Fri 27th February

After breakfast we enjoy a visit to Eltham Palace in the morning, in 1936 eccentric millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld decided to build their magnificent art deco mansion right next to the medieval Great Hall of Eltham Palace - creating a masterpiece of modern interiors. Explore enviable interiors including the amazing art deco dining room, site of many illustrious dinner parties; and Virginia Courtauld's gold-plated bathroom. For a complete contrast with the 1930s rooms, step into the 1470s Great Hall - part of the medieval royal palace of Eltham, where Henry VIII spent his childhood. Don't miss the palace's beautiful gardens, with their mix of medieval remains and Arts and Crafts influences. In the afternoon we visit Crossness Pumping Station. A 19th century sewage pumping station restored in part to its original high Victorian glory. Four massive James Watt beam engines, one fully restored, one in restoration and two in magnificent dilapidation await you.

Sat 28th February

Today, we travel the short distance to Greenwich where you have free time to explore this beautiful, historic, buzzing area of London, where hemispheres meet and Royal heritage blends with cutting edge architecture. There's so much to see and do, including historic ship Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the vintage shops and street food of Greenwich Market, amazing exhibitions and planetarium shows, plus the free National Maritime Museum and Queen's House.

Sun 1st March

After checking out of our hotel we visit the Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens, an annual celebration of flora, fauna and biodiversity. Each year a new country is selected, with experts delving into its horticulture to deliver a botanical homage of epic proportions. At the heart of it all is the orchid, which, although not always the centrepiece, ties everything together. Afterwards we head home to Devon.

D=Dinner, FE=Full English Breakfast