Full Itinerary*

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Tues., March 18

 4 pm - Travelers gather at Boarding Gate at MSP Lindbergh Terminal where we will do introductions and group devotions.

6 pm - Delta #010 Departs (dinner on flight). Overnight on flight.

Wed., March 19

Welcome to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland!

After arriving and grabbing our luggage, we'll head to our awaiting bus. From there we'll travel to the legendary Windsor Castle - the home of the Windsor family, also known as the Royal Family of the UK and Commonwealth.

From there, we will travel to Oxford where both John and Charles attended college. In Lincoln College we'll tour John Wesley’s study where he taught as a tutor, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Mary's Church, where both John and Charles preached their “Oxford Sermons."

Following Oxford, we'll head to Stratford-upon-Avon, where we'll see Shakespeare's hometown, birth home and church.

We'll end our first full day with a luxurious dinner cruise.

Thurs., March 20:

Prepare to be transported back in time! We start with a 16th century home and then head to Warwick Castle where we'll even get a peek into a castle dungeon. 

After lunch, we'll head to Nottingham - the setting of the famous Robin Hood legends. We'll have Tea at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Pub Restaurant, where the Crusades were launched from and then we'll drive through Sherwood Forrest. 

Next is a visit St. Wilfrid’s Parish Church - the Mayflower Pilgrims' Parish church. Then we'll see some Wesley heritage sites including:   

St. Pancras Parish Church, Wroot: the only church John Wesley was a pastor at; Epworth, the hometown of the Wesleys; and the Red Lion Pub, where Wesley often stayed and where we will have supper.

Fri., March 21:

We'll begin our day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, fueling up for a day of exploration. At 9 AM, we'll embark on a special tour of the Old Rectory in Epworth, the birthplace of the famous Wesley brothers. We'll request a special opening to delve into the historic rooms, imagining the family's life and the profound impact they would have on religious history.

Next, we'll visit St. Andrew's Parish Church. We'll pay our respects at Samuel Wesley's grave and admire the baptismal font and chalice used by the Wesley brothers.

After a scenic 70-minute drive, we'll arrive in the enchanting city of York. The afternoon will be a whirlwind of historical and cultural experiences. We'll stroll along the ancient city walls, wander through the narrow, winding Shambles, and marvel at the imposing Clifford's Tower. We'll also explore the Bishop's Palace, the Chapter House, the Jorvik Centre, the Guild Merchant Hall, Fairfax House, and the Holy Trinity Church with its distinctive box pews. As we explore, we can't wait to indulge in local delicacies like Kit-Kats, Thornton's toffee, York chocolate, and Terry's Chocolate Oranges.

As the day begins to wind down, we'll attend Evensong at the magnificent York Minster. We anticipate the ethereal beauty of the cathedral, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, to be a truly awe-inspiring sight.

After the service, we'll enjoy a delightful supper, savoring the flavors of Yorkshire pudding, Wensleydale cheese, and the irresistible Yum-yum doughnuts. As darkness falls, we'll embark on a leisurely drive, taking in the illuminated sights of Clifford's Tower, the city walls, the Minster, and the bustling cityscape.

Exhausted but exhilarated, we'll retire to our hotel for the night, eager to continue our exploration of York the following day.

Sat., March 22:

We'll start our day early, departing for a scenic drive to Durham through the picturesque North York Moors National Park.

Upon arrival in Durham, we'll catch a shuttle to the iconic Durham Cathedral where we'll immerse ourselves in the grandeur of this historic site, marveling at its stunning architecture and rich history. 

Next, we'll embark on a 60-minute drive to Housteads Roman Fort and Hadrian's Wall, passing through Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a significant location in Methodist history. At 11:30 AM, we'll arrive at the fort and the Wall, where we'll have the opportunity to explore these ancient wonders. We'll also enjoy a leisurely lunch at the on-site café.

At 1 PM, we'll continue our journey through the breathtaking Northumbria National Park to Holy Island. This two-hour drive will take us to the mystical island of Lindisfarne, where we'll visit the historic Lindisfarne Priory. We'll also have the opportunity to see St. Cuthbert's Island hermitage, a serene and secluded retreat. Please note that the road to Lindisfarne is only accessible during specific tidal times, so we'll need to time our visit accordingly.

At 4 PM, we'll depart for Edinburgh, capturing memorable photos at the Scotland sign and Bamberg Castle along the way. This 90-minute drive will lead us to our final destination for the day.

At 5:30 PM, we'll enjoy a delightful supper at the Swanston Farm Brasserie. While dining, we'll have the opportunity to admire the majestic highland cattle grazing nearby.

Sun., March 23:

We'll begin our day with a meaningful worship service at a Scottish Presbyterian Church, immersing ourselves in the rich spiritual traditions of Scotland.

In the afternoon, we'll explore the vibrant city of Edinburgh. At 1 PM, we'll witness the historic firing of the One o'Clock Gun, a daily tradition with a fascinating history.

We'll then embark on a leisurely walk down the iconic Royal Mile, taking in the stunning architecture and exploring charming shops. Along the way, we'll visit the historic John Knox House, gaining insights into the life of the Scottish Reformation leader.

Our cultural exploration will continue with a visit to the St. Giles Cathedral Museum, where we'll delve into the rich history and religious significance of this magnificent cathedral.

In the afternoon, we'll embark on a tour of Holyrood Palace and Abbey, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. We'll have the opportunity to see the historic throne room, where the legendary "Stone of Destiny" resides.

To conclude our day, we'll savor a delightful supper in Edinburgh. We may even indulge in a medieval feast, immersing ourselves in the history and culture of the city.

Mon., March 24:

We'll start our day early, departing at 6 AM for a scenic 2.5-hour drive to Lowther Castle in the Lake District. We'll enjoy a hearty "Full English" breakfast at the castle, fueling up for a day of exploration.

After breakfast, we'll embark on a 2-hour drive to Manchester. Once there, we'll visit the renowned John Rylands University Library Museum, a stunning architectural masterpiece housing a vast collection of rare books and manuscripts.

In the afternoon, we'll depart for Birmingham, a 2-hour journey. Upon arrival, we'll visit the Francis Asbury Birth Home, a historic site commemorating the life of the influential Methodist leader.

To conclude our day, we'll enjoy a delightful supper in Birmingham, reflecting on the day's experiences and looking forward to the next adventure.

Tues., March 25:

We'll embark on a scenic drive into Wales, arriving in Caerphilly after approximately 2.5 hours. We'll pause to capture a memorable photo at the iconic Wales sign.

Our first stop will be the majestic Caerphilly Castle, one of the greatest Welsh castles. We'll marvel at its imposing structure, complete with a moat and drawbridge, transporting us back to a bygone era.

After exploring the castle, we'll drive for 30 minutes to Newport. Here, we'll visit the historic Tredegar House and Gardens, a 17th-century manor house showcasing stunning architecture and beautifully landscaped grounds.

Next, we'll drive for 45 minutes to Tintern Abbey. We'll wander through the evocative ruins of this once-grand Cistercian abbey, immersing ourselves in its serene atmosphere.

To conclude our day, we'll savor a special Welsh dinner at the Tintern Abbey Restaurant. The menu will feature locally sourced ingredients, offering a taste of Wales' culinary delights.

After dinner, we'll drive for 30 minutes to Bristol, ready to explore the vibrant city the following day.

Wed., March 26:

We'll start our day with a fascinating tour of Bristol, visiting the historic New Room and Charles Wesley's House. We'll have the unique opportunity to explore these significant sites, possibly through a special opening.

In the afternoon, we'll delve deeper into the rich history of Methodism. We'll visit Kingswood School, founded by John Wesley in 1748, and Hannam Mount, the site of outdoor preaching by both John and George Whitefield.

Afterward, we'll step back in time to Roman Britain with a visit to the Roman Baths. We'll marvel at the ancient Roman engineering and architecture.

To conclude the day, we'll attend Evensong at Bath Abbey, a serene and spiritually uplifting experience. We'll then enjoy a delicious dinner, reflecting on the day's historical and cultural discoveries.

Thurs., March 27:

We'll start our day bright and early, departing at 9 AM for a one-hour drive to the iconic Stonehenge. We'll spend the next hour marveling at this prehistoric monument, pondering its ancient mysteries and the civilizations that built it.

Around noon, we'll embark on a two-hour drive to London. Upon arrival, we'll head to the Royal Air Force Museum at Grahame Park Way. We'll explore the vast collection of aircraft and artifacts, tracing the history of British aviation.

In the evening, we'll have the option to enjoy a dinner cruise on the Thames River. As we cruise along the river, we'll admire the stunning London skyline, illuminated against the twilight sky.

Fri., March 28:

We'll start our day by exploring the vast collections of the British Museum. We'll marvel at artifacts from ancient civilizations, including the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon sculptures. We'll likely use the Tube to navigate the city, immersing ourselves in the London underground experience.

In the afternoon, we'll head to the British Library, a treasure trove of written knowledge. We'll have the opportunity to view rare manuscripts, maps, and historical documents. Later, we'll delve into the history of World War II at the Imperial War Museum, including a visit to the Churchill War Rooms.

To conclude the day, we'll attend Evensong at Westminster Abbey, a serene and spiritually uplifting experience. Afterward, we'll pay our respects at the grave of Charles Wesley in St. Marylebone Parish Church Cemetery.

To cap off the day, we'll indulge in a medieval feast, transporting us back to a bygone era of knights, lords, and ladies.

Sat., March 29:

We'll start our day exploring the ancient roots of London. We'll visit the remains of the Londinium Roman Walls, imagining the city's Roman past. Next, we'll head to the iconic Tower of London, a fortress steeped in history. We'll explore its Norman architecture, royal residence, notorious prison, and stunning crown jewels. We'll also marvel at the medieval armory and encounter the famous ravens.

Afterward, we'll cross the historic Tower Bridge.

In the afternoon, we'll visit St. Paul's Cathedral, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. We'll admire its magnificent dome and explore its historic interior.

Next, we'll wander through Covent Garden, a vibrant district known for its street performers and bustling markets. We'll then take a ride on the London Eye, offering panoramic views of the city.

We'll continue our exploration with a visit to Westminster Abbey, where we'll pay our respects at Poet's Corner and the memorial to the Wesley Brothers. We'll also explore the crypt, home to the tombs of numerous monarchs.

We'll pass by Methodist Central Hall, admiring its impressive exterior. We'll take a leisurely stroll through St. James's Park, enjoying its serene atmosphere.

We'll also admire Buckingham Palace from the outside, taking in its grandeur. We might even stop for a coffee at Harrods, a renowned luxury department store.

To conclude the day, we'll attend Evensong at St. Paul's Cathedral, a serene and spiritually uplifting experience.

In the evening, we'll immerse ourselves in the local culture by visiting a traditional British pub. We'll enjoy listening to live music performed by talented local musicians.

Before retiring for the night, we'll remember to set our clocks ahead an hour to adjust to the time change.

Sun., March 30:

We'll start our final day in London at Wesley's Chapel at City Road. We'll have the opportunity to see Charles Wesley's organ and explore the Museum of World Methodism, delving into the rich history of the Methodist movement.

At 11 AM, we'll join the congregation for a worship service at Wesley's Chapel, experiencing the spiritual heart of Methodism.

In the afternoon, we'll embark on a comprehensive tour of Wesley's Chapel and visit the grave of John Wesley. We'll also explore Wesley's House, gaining insights into the personal life of the founder of Methodism.

Our tour will continue with a walking tour of early Methodism, visiting significant sites such as Bunhill Fields Cemetery, the original location of the Foundry, Whitefield's Tabernacle, Moorfields, Aldersgate Street, and Charterhouse School.

To conclude our time in Britain, we'll enjoy a special "Last Supper," savoring the flavors of British cuisine one final time.

Mon., March 31:

We'll start our journey home early, departing for the airport at 8:30 AM. After a 30-minute drive, we'll arrive at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) at 9 AM.

Once at the airport, we'll check in our luggage, go through security, and gather for a final group worship service. We'll have the opportunity to reflect on our journey and give thanks for the experiences we've shared.

We'll enjoy a leisurely lunch at the airport, savoring the flavors of British cuisine one last time.

At 12:10 PM, we'll board Delta Flight 009, embarking on our 10-hour flight back to the United States. As we cross the Atlantic, we'll experience a 7-hour time change, "falling back" to a previous time zone.

Our flight will land at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) at 3:05 PM. After claiming our luggage, we'll say our final goodbyes and embark on our individual journeys home, carrying the memories and experiences of our incredible trip to Britain.