A premier concert series exclusively for choirs!
The Somerset Sings Concert Series was conceptualized to bring visiting choirs to one of the most beautiful regions of England, and perform in one of England’s most prized acoustical spaces, Wells Cathedral. Somerset is a captivating blend of stunning landscapes, rich history, and charming villages. Associated with King Arthur and known for its rolling hills and tranquil countryside, Somerset offers an enchanting escape for natural marvels and history enthusiasts alike. Its proximity to Bristol, Bath, Salisbury and Sherborne affords additional performance opportunities of a lifetime. With its world-famous cider, cheddar cheese, welcoming locals, and vibrant cultural events, Somerset promises a quintessentially English experience that’s as rewarding as it is inspiring.
Sample Itinerary
Day One: Depart for London
- Depart via scheduled air service to London, England
Day Two: London / Windsor
- Arrive in London
- Meet your MCI Tour Manager, who will assist the group to awaiting chartered motorcoach
- Excursion to Windsor for a tour of Windsor Castle, built 900 years ago by William the Conqueror to guard the western approach to London. Today, it is England’s largest castle and also the largest inhabited stronghold in the world. Highlights of the visit will be St. George’s Chapel and, subject to royal commitments, the State Apartments
- Late afternoon hotel check-in
- Welcome Dinner included, and overnight
Day Three: London
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Enjoy a panoramic tour of London’s highlights. See famous landmarks including Whitehall and Trafalgar Square with Nelson’s Column, and Buckingham Palace, where you might see the Changing of the Guard, etc.
- Lunch, on own
- Take a guided cruise on the River Thames. View all the most famous sights of London while learning rich historical facts about the city and the River. As the cruise sets sail along the gentle currents of the River Thames, passengers are immediately treated to a panoramic feast of London’s architectural wonders. The city’s skyline unfolds, revealing a seamless blend of historic and modern structures lining the riverbanks. Tower Bridge, an unmistakable symbol of London, stands proudly with its two majestic towers and intricate bascules, creating a dramatic entrance to the cruise. The Houses of Parliament and the iconic Big Ben (now officially known as the Elizabeth Tower) also come into view, standing proudly along the river. Throughout the cruise, informative commentary or guides onboard provide fascinating insights into the history and significance of the landmarks, enhancing the cultural experience
- Performance in London*
- Dinner included, and overnight
Day Four: Stonehenge / Bristol
- Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out
- Visit Stonehenge, a world-famous archaeological wonder, is located on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. This ancient monument is renowned for its enigmatic circle of massive standing stones, each weighing several tons, arranged in a prehistoric architectural marvel. Believed to have been constructed over multiple phases between 3000 BCE and 2000 BCE, Stonehenge has captivated the imagination of people for centuries. The primary feature is the outer ring of large sarsen stones, each standing upright and topped with lintels, creating a circular formation. Stonehenge attracts millions of visitors annually, drawing them into the enigma of its construction and purpose. The visitor center provides information about the monument’s history, theories about its origin, and the broader archaeological context
- Lunch, on own
- Recital in Salisbury*
- Continue to Bristol
- Dinner included, and overnight
Day Five: Bath / Bristol
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Enjoy a visit to the Roman Baths. The pools, pipes and underfloor heating are remarkable demonstrations of the ingenuity of Roman engineering. Also visit the neighboring Abbey Church, renowned for the lofty fifteenth-century vault of its choir
- Lunch, on own
- Performance in Wells as part of the Somerset Sings Concert Series*
- Dinner included, and overnight
Day Six: Stratford / Coventry
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Take a tour of the Shakespeare properties in Stratford. Start with the half-timbered house that is Shakespeare’s Birthplace. The house itself is part museum and part shrine. Also, visit the Church of the Holy Trinity, which occupies a truly magical setting amongst some trees next to the river. Shakespeare is buried on the north side of the chancel
- Lunch, on own
- Continue to Coventry with (time permitting) a stop at Coventry Cathedral. The Cathedral was constructed in the late 14th century and stood for centuries as one of the largest parish churches in England. During WWII, Coventry Cathedral fell victim to the brutal Nazi Blitz in November 1940, and was almost completely destroyed. Only the spire, outer wall, and the tomb of the
first Bishop of the Cathedral survived the attack. The decision to “rebuild in hope, not defiance” was made the next day, and the modern cathedral was completed next to the ruins of the original Cathedral in 1962 - Dinner included, and overnight
Day Seven: Oxford / London
- Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out
- Take a visit to Christ Church College.
- With its compelling combination of majestic architecture, literary heritage and double identity as (parts of) Harry Potter’s Hogwarts, Christ Church attracts tourists galore. Among Oxford’s largest colleges – the largest if you include its meadow – and proud possessor of its most impressive quad, plus a superb art gallery and even a cathedral, it was founded in 1525 by Cardinal Wolsey. It became home to Lewis Carroll, whose excursions with the dean’s daughter gave us Alice in Wonderland
- Lunch, on own
- Performance in Oxford*
- Transfer to London
- Farewell Dinner included, and overnight
Day Eight: Depart for home
- Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out
- Transfer to the London Airport for return flight home
Learn More
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