Regional Royal driving itineraries for West England
Day 1
Begin in Birmingham with a look at the new Bullring Birmingham and its futuristic Selfridges. On to picture-perfect Baddesley Clinton (Solihull) used in the film as the exterior of Raleigh’s house. Kenilworth is one of the great castles of England and hosted Elizabeth I on no less than three occasions. Just nearby is Stratford-upon-Avon with its Shakespearean treasure-trove including The Bard’s birthplace, and home of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Overnight: Stratford-upon-Avon
Day 2
Truly a day for glorious stately homes. Longleat in Wiltshire is a perfect example of Elizabethan architecture and is, of course, home to the famous lions, which weren’t there in Elizabeth’s time. Dip into the National Portrait Gallery’s images of Tudor monarchs and powerbrokers in Montacute House before going to Sir Walter Raleigh’s real house at Sherbourne Castle.
Overnight: Wells (used in the film)