CORNWALL, CRIMEFEST, &
BLETCHLEY PARK
May 9 – 20, 2014
Thursday May 8
Depart USA for London. Participants make their own flight arrangements. Plan to arrive at London’s
Heathrow Airport no later than 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 9th.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Friday May 9 (R,D)
Meet at London Heathrow. We transfer by coach to Paddington station in London to board the train for
Penzance, a fitting start to our Cornish holiday. Agatha Christie said ‘Trains have always been one of my
favourite things’ and she features them in several of her mysteries. The Great Western Railway features in
Emily Barr’s The Sleeper, Debby Fowler’s The Silver Sea and many Cornish novels.
Overnight: Hotel Penzance
Saturday May 10 St Ives and the Penwith Peninsula (B,L,D)
Today we shall explore the delights of the Penwith Peninsula. Visits will include Porthcurno, the Minack
theatre (Richardson’s The Dying of the Light) and Land’s End. We shall stop for a pub lunch at Zennor, a tiny
Cornish village steeped in history and mystery that has inspired writers including Helen Dunmore, Jessica
Mann, W.J. Burley Wycliffe and many more.
This afternoon we shall have time at leisure in St. Ives, the setting for Debby Fowler novels, Pilcher’s The
Shell Seeker and W.J. Burley’s Wycliffe and the Dunes Mystery. There will be time to visit the Tate Gallery or
some of the many smaller galleries in the town and wander through the quaint streets.
Overnight: Hotel Penzance
Sunday May 11
Penzance, Newlyn and Mousehole (B, D)
Explore the coastal settlements of Penzance, Newlyn and Mousehole. We shall hear about numerous
writers who have featured this part of the Penwith Peninsula in their novels. Visit the charming fishing port
and artists community of Newlyn where Jane Bolitho bases her painter detective Rose Trevelyan, before
going on to nearby Mousehole, the setting for Robert Richardson’s Porthennis in the Dying of the Light.
There will be time to wander around this idyllic fishing harbour with its narrow streets where art galleries
and cafes abound.
Visit historic St. Michael’s Mount, iconic home of the St Aubyn family set on a rock cut off at high tide,
steeped in legend and mystery and providing a setting for Debby Fowler’s The Silver Sea and Rosamunde
Pilcher’s The Shell Seekers.
Overnight: Hotel Penzance
Monday May 12
Helford,
Falmouth and Truro (B,L,D)
Leaving Penzance we set off for a cruise along the Helford River to Frenchman’s Creek (weather permitting).
A favourite haunt of Daphne du Maurier, the river is a haven for wildlife and on the way there we may well
see dolphins, basking sharks or seals.
Our cruise ends in Falmouth. W. J. Burley was born here and the TV series Wycliffe, based on Burley’s
novels was filmed in and around Falmouth. Beverley Carter’s Murder at Tremawney Heights is set here as is
part of The Sleeper by Emily Barr. From Falmouth, we make way to Padstow via the county town of
Truro.
Overnight: The Treglos Hotel, Padstow
Tuesday May 13
St. Austell and Fowey (B,D)
This morning we shall enjoy a private visit to the fine Elizabethan home of the Prideaux-Brune family,
Prideaux Place, setting for the filming of Pilcher’s Coming Home, W. J. Burley’s Wycliffe, and the television
series Most Haunted. From here we travel by way of St. Austell to Fowey, passing the ‘Cornish Alps’,
evidence of the china clay industry referred to by Robert Goddard as providing ‘hazardous geographical
features’ that had to be used in a novel, hence Faultline. Fowey and the surrounding area provided the
inspiration for several of Daphne du Maurier’s books including Rebecca, My Cousin Rachel and The Birds.
We shall spend a short time in Fowey with time to visit the Daphne du Maurier Centre and wander along
the waterfront before returning to Padstow.
Overnight: The Treglos Hotel, Padstow
Wednesday May 14
Tintagel, Greenway and Bristol (B,L)
Tintagel Castle, Cornwall is a 13th-century ruin, built by the Earl of Cornwall and set on a headland high
above the ferocious North Cornish Sea and cliffs. In fact it’s virtually on an island, reached by over 100
steps, and is therefore a fittingly romantic spot for one of our most romantic legends. Tintagel is allegedly
the home of King Arthur, of Excalibur and Round Table fame. Steeped in literary associations and legends,
this is a fitting end to our stay in Cornwall.
This afternoon we shall visit Greenway, home of Agatha Christie, with John Curran author of Agatha
Christie's Secret Notebooks. (Those who have already been to Greenway may prefer to visit the nearby
historic market town of Totnes - this will be an escorted side trip).
Finally we travel on through Devon and across the Somerset Levels to Bristol.
Overnight: The Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
Thursday morning May 15 (B)
A morning tour of the 800-year-old village of Lacock. Used as a location in many TV programmes and
feature films such as Pride and Prejudice, Cranford and Harry Potter, the village is unspoilt and reflects the
history and architecture of a village whose wealth was based on wool. Visit the Abbey and hear its story
unfolded in the past owner’s own words, learn of the pioneer photographer, Fox Talbot, or stroll in the
beautiful woodland garden where spring flowers abound.
Return to Bristol in time for the opening of Crimefest.
Overnight: The Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
Thursday afternoon-Sunday afternoon, May 15 - 18
Attend CrimeFest, including the Gala Dinner on Saturday evening.
Overnight: The Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
Sunday May 18 (B,D)
Drive through the picturesque scenery of the Southern Cotswolds to Oxford. The University City of Oxford
has inspired many writers of crime fiction. On a walking tour discover the Oxford of Inspector Morse,
Harriet Vane and Peter Wimsey. (Those who have visited before may prefer to join a literary walking tour
or go on a general tour of the Univeristy and these will be provided on request). Alternatively you may
prefer to browse in the bookshops, visit museums or wander through the colleges.
This evening a special guest will join us for dinner.
Overnight: The Oxford Hotel
Monday May 19
Bletchley Park (B,L,D)
Today we shall visit Bletchley Park, which observes its 75th anniversary in 2014 by refurbishing some of the
older buildings and opening them to the public, so we shall be amongst the first to visit. Home of the British
National Codes Centre, Bletchley Park was the site of secret British code-breaking activities during World
War two and the birthplace of the modern computer. Robert Harris’s Enigma portrays the code breaking
of the German ‘Enigma’ ciphers during the war. We return to Oxford and our farewell dinner.
Overnight: The Oxford Hotel
Tuesday May 20 (B)
Transfer to London Heathrow Airport for return trip home. Please schedule your flight for after
1.00pm if you wish to take advantage of our private transfer. There are regular buses directly from
Oxford to Heathrow should you prefer to leave earlier or stay on.