American Roots in the Heart of England
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Self-drive campervan hire with optional itinerary, maps, Birmingham airport, Gloucester train station transfers, booking assistance, plus more! Choose a 7 night tour option during March to July 2020 and we can help you tailor your road trip in to the memory of a lifetime! If you wish to tour for longer, please contact us to discuss options. Rates per campervan for up to 4 guests. 7 nights March-July 2020 from £730 per campervan |
Uncover your own inspiration within the Cotswolds
Uncover the inspirational landscapes, and the stories behind them, that stirred and motivated internationally celebrated poets, painters and composers. Discover artists revered on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond, in this fascinating celebration of American roots in the Heart of England.
You're guaranteed to find inspiration and culture with this cost-effective, multi-experience break in one of our award-winning campervans -
where accommodation and transport is conveniently rolled in to one!
You're guaranteed to find inspiration and culture with this cost-effective, multi-experience break in one of our award-winning campervans -
where accommodation and transport is conveniently rolled in to one!
HIGHLIGHTS:
Robert Frost & Rupert Brooke - Dymock Poets >
John Singer Sargent & Broadway > T S Eliot & Cotswolds >
Edward Winslow & The Pilgrim Story > Edward Elgar's inspiration
Robert Frost & Rupert Brooke - Dymock Poets >
John Singer Sargent & Broadway > T S Eliot & Cotswolds >
Edward Winslow & The Pilgrim Story > Edward Elgar's inspiration
Robert Frost & Rupert Brooke - Dymock Poets
The Dymock Poets included Rupert Brook, Robert Frost, Lascelles Abercrombie, Edward Thomas, Wilfrid Wilson Gibson and John Drinkwater –
some lived in Dymock, whilst others visited to get together to publish ‘New Numbers’ their own quarterly which featured their poetry and was
posted to subscribers from Dymock. Robert Frost became the most successful of the poets, receiving four Pulitzer Prices and recited ‘The ‘Gift Outright’ at the inauguration of John F Kennedy. In early 1914, Frost moved to Gloucestershire. Frost’s most famous poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ is about his close friend Edward Thomas. In an introduction to Frost’s ‘Selected Letters’, Lawrance Thompson described the inspiration for the poem coming from a familiar mannerism of his closes friend in England, Edward Thomas’ and how he would regret the choice he had made and what he might have shown Frost if they had taken a ‘better’ direction on their country walks.
Brooke was in Dymock is July 1914 to see Abercrombie and Gibson about the third issue of 'New Numbers'. Whilst it can’t necessarily be attributed that Rupert Brooke his most famous sonnet was written in Dymock ‘The Soldier’, certainly was edited here by Abercrombie and Gibson. The sonnet was included in the fourth and final issue. The poem made Brooke famous and it also rose the profile of Dymock, putting it on the literary map. During the First World War Edward Thomas joined the army and his subsequent death saw the break-up of the community.
Walkers have two options of Poets Path's - the first, an 8 mile route heading east passing Abercrombie's cottage and another 8 mile route passing near Frost's, Thomas's and Gibson's cottages. There is also a spectacular 10 mile circular 'Daffodil Walk' in the spring. Rest at the Beauchamp Arms - a parish owned, traditional pub serving home cooked food and real ales. Booking strongly advised! From here, visit close by Forest of Dean, historic Gloucester and Hereford both with spectacular Cathedrals and of course the Mappa Mundi - the 13th Century map at Hereford Cathedral or head towards Broadway.
some lived in Dymock, whilst others visited to get together to publish ‘New Numbers’ their own quarterly which featured their poetry and was
posted to subscribers from Dymock. Robert Frost became the most successful of the poets, receiving four Pulitzer Prices and recited ‘The ‘Gift Outright’ at the inauguration of John F Kennedy. In early 1914, Frost moved to Gloucestershire. Frost’s most famous poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ is about his close friend Edward Thomas. In an introduction to Frost’s ‘Selected Letters’, Lawrance Thompson described the inspiration for the poem coming from a familiar mannerism of his closes friend in England, Edward Thomas’ and how he would regret the choice he had made and what he might have shown Frost if they had taken a ‘better’ direction on their country walks.
Brooke was in Dymock is July 1914 to see Abercrombie and Gibson about the third issue of 'New Numbers'. Whilst it can’t necessarily be attributed that Rupert Brooke his most famous sonnet was written in Dymock ‘The Soldier’, certainly was edited here by Abercrombie and Gibson. The sonnet was included in the fourth and final issue. The poem made Brooke famous and it also rose the profile of Dymock, putting it on the literary map. During the First World War Edward Thomas joined the army and his subsequent death saw the break-up of the community.
Walkers have two options of Poets Path's - the first, an 8 mile route heading east passing Abercrombie's cottage and another 8 mile route passing near Frost's, Thomas's and Gibson's cottages. There is also a spectacular 10 mile circular 'Daffodil Walk' in the spring. Rest at the Beauchamp Arms - a parish owned, traditional pub serving home cooked food and real ales. Booking strongly advised! From here, visit close by Forest of Dean, historic Gloucester and Hereford both with spectacular Cathedrals and of course the Mappa Mundi - the 13th Century map at Hereford Cathedral or head towards Broadway.
John Singer Sargent & Broadway
John Singer Sargent, an American expatriate was the most celebrated portrait painter of the Edwardian age and enjoyed international acclaim. His style of painting was realistic and traditional with a touch of impressionism. In 1885, Sargent first came to Broadway, in the Cotswolds to recuperate from a head injury. His American painter friend Edwin Austin Abbey lived here and invited Sargent.
In turn, American illustrator and painter Francis Davis Millet had discovered Broadway – it was in its heyday around this time and it had been in vogue for artists to gravitate towards picturesque parts of the countryside. Millet and his family had lived in Farnham House, overlooking the village green. Millet was soon joined by a host of English and American friends, including Edwin Austin Abbey, John Singer Sargent, George Boughton, Alfred Parsons, Edwin Blashfield, the English illustrator Fred Barnard and the writers Henry James and Edmund Gosse. It was here that Sargent painted Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose, which was later to become one of his best loved paintings.
Explore the charming honey-coloured Cotswold village of Broadway and the Broadway Tower - brainchild of Capability Brown for spectacular views across 14 counties. The Broadway Museum, within a Tudor House is a partnership museum of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. The Museum houses furniture, objects, paintings and textiles from the Ashmolean reserves. Visit the Gordon Russell Museum - a well known furniture designer of the Arts and Crafts Museum. There are several famous homes and gardens a short drive away such as the Hidcote Manor, Snowshill Manor, Bourton House, Sezincote, Kiftsgate Court and Batsford Arboretum.
In turn, American illustrator and painter Francis Davis Millet had discovered Broadway – it was in its heyday around this time and it had been in vogue for artists to gravitate towards picturesque parts of the countryside. Millet and his family had lived in Farnham House, overlooking the village green. Millet was soon joined by a host of English and American friends, including Edwin Austin Abbey, John Singer Sargent, George Boughton, Alfred Parsons, Edwin Blashfield, the English illustrator Fred Barnard and the writers Henry James and Edmund Gosse. It was here that Sargent painted Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose, which was later to become one of his best loved paintings.
Explore the charming honey-coloured Cotswold village of Broadway and the Broadway Tower - brainchild of Capability Brown for spectacular views across 14 counties. The Broadway Museum, within a Tudor House is a partnership museum of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. The Museum houses furniture, objects, paintings and textiles from the Ashmolean reserves. Visit the Gordon Russell Museum - a well known furniture designer of the Arts and Crafts Museum. There are several famous homes and gardens a short drive away such as the Hidcote Manor, Snowshill Manor, Bourton House, Sezincote, Kiftsgate Court and Batsford Arboretum.
T S Eliot & The Cotswolds
The most important English-language poet of the 20th century was Thomas Steams Eliot, who was born an American and became a British subject in 1927, having moved to the United Kingdom in 1914, aged 25.
T S Eliot was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948 and was also awarded the awarded the American Medal of Freedom by President Johnson.
Every year from the early 1930s until 1939, Eliot travelled to the Cotswolds town of Chipping Campden to stay with his long-term friend (and rumoured to be – muse) Emily Hale. He had met Emily in America and she travelled from the US to spend the summer in Chipping Camden. In a lecture she gave, Emily had hinted that she was the silent figure behind Burnt Norton, Ash Wednesday, Marina and La Figlia che Piange.
Eliot and Hales went walking in the Cotswolds Hills together. 'The Country Walk' describes his nervousness with cows, whilst on a walk in the Cotswolds.
In 1934, Eliot and Hales walked to Burnt Norton, Viscount Sandon’s large 19th century manor house, one mile east of the Aston Subedge, built on top of another that had burnt down on the 18th century in a fit of passion. Burnt Norton was the first poem in the set of four famous poems called Four Quartets with the inspiration coming from a visit to Norton House in the Cotswolds.
There are 1131 letters to Hale from Eliot, locked away at Princeton University and the agreement made between Hale and the library was that they can be released on 1st January 2020!
For those with more time planned at Chipping Campden, Hidcote Gardens is a beautiful place to visit and explore the American inspired ‘outdoor rooms’. The Cotswolds is synonymous world-over with old world charm - from here, explore the Cotswolds further with a visit to quintessential towns and villages including, Broadway, Moreton in the Marsh, Bourton on the Water and Stow on the Wold.
T S Eliot was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948 and was also awarded the awarded the American Medal of Freedom by President Johnson.
Every year from the early 1930s until 1939, Eliot travelled to the Cotswolds town of Chipping Campden to stay with his long-term friend (and rumoured to be – muse) Emily Hale. He had met Emily in America and she travelled from the US to spend the summer in Chipping Camden. In a lecture she gave, Emily had hinted that she was the silent figure behind Burnt Norton, Ash Wednesday, Marina and La Figlia che Piange.
Eliot and Hales went walking in the Cotswolds Hills together. 'The Country Walk' describes his nervousness with cows, whilst on a walk in the Cotswolds.
In 1934, Eliot and Hales walked to Burnt Norton, Viscount Sandon’s large 19th century manor house, one mile east of the Aston Subedge, built on top of another that had burnt down on the 18th century in a fit of passion. Burnt Norton was the first poem in the set of four famous poems called Four Quartets with the inspiration coming from a visit to Norton House in the Cotswolds.
There are 1131 letters to Hale from Eliot, locked away at Princeton University and the agreement made between Hale and the library was that they can be released on 1st January 2020!
For those with more time planned at Chipping Campden, Hidcote Gardens is a beautiful place to visit and explore the American inspired ‘outdoor rooms’. The Cotswolds is synonymous world-over with old world charm - from here, explore the Cotswolds further with a visit to quintessential towns and villages including, Broadway, Moreton in the Marsh, Bourton on the Water and Stow on the Wold.
Edward Winslow & The Pilgrims
Edward Winslow born in Droitwich Spa on 18 October 1595 was a Separatist who travelled on the Mayflower in 1620. He was one of several senior leaders on the ship and later at Plymouth Colony - an English colonial venture in America from 1620 to 1691. In Plymouth he served in a number of governmental positions such as assistant governor, three times was governor and also was the colony's agent in London.
Edward Winslow was baptised at St Peter’s Church, Droitwich and attended the King’s School at Worcester Cathedral. Discover Winslow’s Worcester with the black and white historic buildings such as the Tudor House Museum, Greyfriars House and Gardens and The Commandery.
Book an optional tour to view Edward Winslow’s Baptism record as well as the Marriage Bond of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway at the City Archives at The Hive. There are also optional tours in the Cathedral and its library to view books and maps with detailed accounts of travellers from the early 1600’s. Learn more about Edward Winslow in a timely fashion – September 2020 sees the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower.
Edward Winslow was baptised at St Peter’s Church, Droitwich and attended the King’s School at Worcester Cathedral. Discover Winslow’s Worcester with the black and white historic buildings such as the Tudor House Museum, Greyfriars House and Gardens and The Commandery.
Book an optional tour to view Edward Winslow’s Baptism record as well as the Marriage Bond of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway at the City Archives at The Hive. There are also optional tours in the Cathedral and its library to view books and maps with detailed accounts of travellers from the early 1600’s. Learn more about Edward Winslow in a timely fashion – September 2020 sees the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower.
Edward Elgar & Malverns
Edward Elgar was an English composer born in Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire in 1857. Many of his works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. His best-known composition is the Pomp and Circumstance Marches – familiar to millions of television views all over the world every year, who watch the Last Night of the Proms. Also known as the ‘Graduation March’, the composition has been adopted in the
United States for university graduations.
The ‘Elgar Route’ is a fantastic driving route – a must for fans of his music and those interested in discovering more about the landscape around the Malvern’s that inspired so much of Elgar’s music. The route, with its inspirational scenery, takes in places of interest and favourite places of Elgar to visit. Highlights include the birthplace of Elgar, at the Firs, Lower Broadheath, now owned by the National Trust. Visit Elgar’s grave at St Wulstan’s Church and stroll around Prior Park where Elgar’s statue is located. The route includes Elgar’s former home and former Elgar Brothers’s shop. See where Elgar was an organist and where he taught the violin at the stunning Great Malvern Priory. The route includes Worcester and Upton on Severn – a beautiful town by the river. Malvern Spa is a delightful town offering many opportunities for gift shopping, cafes and browsing galore!
There are optional themed walks including Worcestershire Beacon, British Camp, Elgar’s birthplace and Worcester city centre.
United States for university graduations.
The ‘Elgar Route’ is a fantastic driving route – a must for fans of his music and those interested in discovering more about the landscape around the Malvern’s that inspired so much of Elgar’s music. The route, with its inspirational scenery, takes in places of interest and favourite places of Elgar to visit. Highlights include the birthplace of Elgar, at the Firs, Lower Broadheath, now owned by the National Trust. Visit Elgar’s grave at St Wulstan’s Church and stroll around Prior Park where Elgar’s statue is located. The route includes Elgar’s former home and former Elgar Brothers’s shop. See where Elgar was an organist and where he taught the violin at the stunning Great Malvern Priory. The route includes Worcester and Upton on Severn – a beautiful town by the river. Malvern Spa is a delightful town offering many opportunities for gift shopping, cafes and browsing galore!
There are optional themed walks including Worcestershire Beacon, British Camp, Elgar’s birthplace and Worcester city centre.
American Roots Road Trip includes:
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Freedom of the road
You have the freedom of the road, to stay longer in places of interest or add your own destinations - it's entirely up to you! Assistance provided for creating your perfect trip!
Our trips can be tailored to suit your interests and means that you can take adventure at your own pace, in one of our unique, award-winning campervans.
You're guaranteed an adventure with this cost-effective way for a multi-destination break where accommodation and transport can be conveniently rolled in to one!
Our trips can be tailored to suit your interests and means that you can take adventure at your own pace, in one of our unique, award-winning campervans.
You're guaranteed an adventure with this cost-effective way for a multi-destination break where accommodation and transport can be conveniently rolled in to one!
Choose your camper and dates |
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Available with 7 night campervan hire during March-July 2020 subject to availability
Select a Friday departure on the calendar + add 'tour' package as optional extra
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Booking details
- Hire rates are by campervan (not per person). Please view details of campervan for details of belted seats and beds. Max 4 per camper.
- Rates are for the full package as outlined
- Select a departure day of Monday or Friday during March, April, May, June and July 2020 for 7 nights and choose a campervan - please then add the 'tour' option as an optional extra to add the package as above. If you do not select the 'tour' option, we will not be able to provide the services as above.
- Itineraries are suggestions and we provide travel details for these, however you have the freedom to choose your own journey as long as pick up and drop off agreements are adhered to.
- Book online and pay via our secure platform. Reservation and payment confirmation are sent upon booking.
- Pick-up / drop-off at Birmingham Airport or Gloucester / Worcester train station must be agreed in advance and subject to confirmation.
- We can provide limited assistance with booking optional tours with other providers and the Caravanning and Camping Club, however we are not able to book on your behalf.
- Our rates do not include any optional tours, entrance fees, fuel or pitch fees at campsites.
- To secure, deposit required is 20% and the remainder is due 6 weeks prior. A safety deposit of £1,000 will be requested upon pick-up. This is refundable upon safe return of the campervan.
- Insurance is included for 2 driver's. Driver's must be aged between 25-75 and have a clean licence. Identification is required for all driver's - online check in open 3 weeks prior to departure. Please note requirements here. Our standard terms of hire apply here.
- There's loads of information on our Frequently Asked Qu's here.
- We can't be held responsible for any changes, cancellations or other to any third party events and attractions.
- It is a requirement of this trip to have adequate holiday insurance for illness, curtailment or other issue that could affect your holiday.
We can facilitate with booking optional tours with other providers and provide some assistance with booking at the Caravanning and Camping Club. Unfortunately we are not able to book these on your behalf however we are more than happy to help with information where we can.