It was a bittersweet morning as we said a final goodbye to our friends who were disembarking in London. Only 220 World Cruisers remain on the ship, and we will be outnumbered by the many new passengers who will embark today for the British Isles Explorer itinerary, which sails from London to Bergen.
Viking had arranged a very special day for those of us continuing to New York. This was the description of our “exclusive and enchanting experience in Southern England, designed to honor your remarkable voyage”:
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of the English countryside as you travel from Greenwich to one of the country’s most beautiful stately homes. Your day begins with a scenic drive, followed by a delightful seasonal lunch at a charming 19th-century ivy-clad country hotel, nestled within 120 acres of peaceful parkland.
From there, the journey continues to the iconic Highclere Castle – famed as the setting of Downton Abbey – where more than 250 rooms await your discovery. You’ll explore its opulent interiors and hear captivating stories of the estate’s noble past, guided by expert narration. As a guest of honor, you’ll have time to stroll the exquisite gardens at your leisure before returning to your ship.
Tim decided to stay on the ship, but I joined over 100 other World Cruisers on the drive from Greenwich into the English countryside. We stopped for an early lunch at Pennyhill Park, a lovely country house hotel. As soon as we turned into the long drive leading to the hotel, I was blown away by the magnificent rhododendrons that were in full bloom. I am always amazed by the size of the rhododendrons in England. We enjoyed a delicious meal at the hotel and had time to wander the grounds afterwards.
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| An Elegant Lunch at Pennyhill Park |
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| Magnificent Rhododendrons |
Before long, we reached Highclere Castle, an amazing country estate originally built in 1679, but completely remodeled in 1842 by Sir Charles Barry, the architect of the Houses of Parliament in London.
Highclere Castle sits on a 5,000-acre estate that includes fields filled with flocks of sheep and the cutest lambs, which we saw as we drove into the property. The grounds also include woodlands, a park designed by renowned gardener Capability Brown in the eighteenth century, and many landscaped gardens.
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| Highclere Castle |
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| The Grounds of Highclere Castle, the Epitome of a Classic English Country Estate, with the Cutest Lambs |
Since its original construction, Highclere Castle has been home to the Carnarvon family. Lady Fiona Carnarvon greeted us when we arrived and assembled us for a group photo. Lady Carnarvon has a close relationship with Viking and is the godmother of Viking Mars.
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| We Were Welcomed by Lady Carnarvon |
We were free to tour the house and grounds on our own, and I began by visiting the beautiful gardens. Spring flowers were in bloom, and I seemed to take more photos of the individual flowers than the actual gardens.
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| The Monk's Garden Was My Favorite |
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| Garden Scenes |
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| I Love Spring Flowers |
Several follies dot the grounds, and I managed to find Jackdaws Castle, a temple built in 1743. Follies are decorative structures that serve no real purpose other than to amaze and delight. Although follies are found around the world, they are most common in Great Britain, and they are fun to spot. Nearby, were huge and colorful azalea bushes.
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| Jackdaws Castle and the Beautiful Azaleas |
I then made my way to the Castle itself, where I took a self-guided tour. Photos were not permitted inside, which, to my surprise, made me happy. I could simply enjoy the rooms and put away my phone for a while.
Highclere Castle is familiar to most people as the setting for the popular television program Downton Abbey, but I am one of the few people who has never watched it. As a result, references in the various rooms to the show meant nothing to me. I want to rectify that, however, so I now have a project for the summer. I plan to watch the series, which I hope will help me recall this wonderful day.
The Castle is also home to the Egyptian Exhibition, which tells the story of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, Lord Carnarvon’s great grandfather, and the discovery with archeologist Howard Carter of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. The 5th Earl was an amateur Egyptologist and the financial backer of the search for and excavation of the tomb.
My day in the English countryside was one of the highlights of the cruise, and I want to thank Viking for offering this special outing to us.
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