Life & Times of the Bloomsbury Set: London, Sussex & Kent

5 Oct 2026

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16 Oct 2026

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Step back in time and into the elegant, eccentric and endlessly fascinating world of Virginia Woolf, Vita Sackville-West and their remarkable circle of artists, writers and free spirits. The Life & Times of the Bloomsbury Set is an exquisitely curated journey through London and the English countryside – a celebration of literature, art, friendship and the beauty of conversation.

Imagine slipping into a chapter you’ve always wished you could inhabit — a world of daring ideas, whispered conversations, tangled romances and creative brilliance. This could be you.

Luxury tour to UK, Small group tour, Covent Garden, travel for women

DIVA MOMENTS

An Exclusive Curated Literary Journey: exploring the life & times of the Bloomsbury Set

Private Bloomsbury Literary Walking Tour & British Library Experience –
Step into the heart of London’s literary legacy on a private guided walk through Bloomsbury, where Virginia Woolf and her brilliant circle once lived, wrote and redefined modern thought. Follow in their footsteps before exploring the treasures of the British Library, from Shakespeare’s will to the Magna Carta – rare manuscripts that changed the world.

Afternoon Tea at The Bloomsbury Hotel – Indulge in an exquisite Afternoon Tea on the Dalloway Terrace, where elegance meets imagination. Sip fragrant teas and savour delicate pastries in a setting inspired by the glamour of the 1920s – a refined ritual that would have delighted the Bloomsbury Set themselves.

Enjoy a magical night in London’s legendary West End – Where world-class performers, dazzling staging and unforgettable storytelling combine to create a truly enchanting theatrical experience – the perfect Diva Moment to elevate your literary journey.

Private Garden Tour of Sissinghurst & Vita’s Writing Tower – Walk through the pages of literary history with a private guided tour of Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, lovingly created by poet Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson. Step inside Vita’s writing tower – her sanctuary of words – and feel the inspiration that gave life to her most intimate works.

Harvest Dosage Tasting & Gourmet Lunch at Rathfinny Wine Estate – Savour English elegance at its finest with a harvest dosage tasting at the acclaimed Rathfinny Wine Estate. Learn the artistry behind Sussex Sparkling as you craft your own blend, then linger over a leisurely lunch overlooking rolling vineyards and sunlit hills – a moment of pure countryside indulgence.

Monk’s House & Charleston – The Soul of the Bloomsbury Set – Delve deeper into the world of Virginia Woolf and her creative companions. Explore Monk’s House, the Woolfs’ beloved country retreat and the nearby Charleston Farmhouse, once home to Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. These spaces pulse with the spirit of art, friendship and rebellion – a tangible reflection of lives lived with passion and purpose.

VIP Experience at the Cheltenham Literature Festival – Celebrate the grand finale of your literary journey with exclusive VIP access to the UK’s most prestigious book festival. Attend headline author talks and thought-provoking panels, sip champagne in the VIP lounge and enjoy private meet-and-greets with leading writers. This is the ultimate Diva experience – where words, wit and wonder converge.

Farewell Dinner at The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie – Toast to friendship and inspiration at a glittering farewell dinner in Cheltenham’s most stylish setting. Under soft chandeliers and art deco charm, share laughter and stories from your travels, savouring the joy of a journey that celebrates not just the written word – but the art of living beautifully.

Step back in time and into the elegant, eccentric and endlessly fascinating world of Virginia Woolf, Vita Sackville-West and their remarkable circle of artists, writers and free spirits. The Life & Times of the Bloomsbury Set is an exquisitely curated journey through the English countryside – a celebration of literature, art, friendship and the beauty of conversation.

Imagine slipping into a chapter you’ve always wished you could inhabit — a world of daring ideas, whispered conversations, tangled romances and creative brilliance.

Your story begins in London, where the city feels deliciously alive. Check into The Bloomsbury Hotel — elegant, theatrical, perfectly placed — and settle into the rhythm of a life where curiosity leads the way. Stroll the streets once walked by the era’s great thinkers, then share cocktails and conversation over dinner at the dreamy Dalloway Terrace. With a private Bloomsbury Literary Walking Tour, a guided visit to the British Library and National Portrait Gallery, and a refined afternoon tea at The Bloomsbury, every moment feels like slipping further into the pages of a beautifully bound novel. And as the curtain rises on your West End theatre experience, London’s cultural heartbeat comes sharply, vividly alive.

Then the countryside calls. Kent and Sussex unfold like a watercolour — all soft hills, romantic gardens and stories tucked into every hedgerow. Explore Knole House, Sissinghurst, Monk’s House and the much-loved Charleston, where colour spilled across walls and conversation danced late into the night. Climb Vita’s writing tower, join a private garden talk, and savour a harvest tasting lunch at Rathfinny Wine Estate — a delicious pause wrapped in English charm.

Your final chapter takes you to Cheltenham, where honey-stone terraces and rolling meadows meet the creative pulse of the UK’s most renowned literary festival. With VIP access, you’ll drift between headline author talks, intimate salon-style panels, and cocktail hours that feel like they’re designed just for you. It’s the kind of setting where ideas spark, imagination stretches, and every encounter feels like a gift.

This journey is a celebration — of words, of women, of the wonder that happens when a small group gathers to explore, reflect and simply enjoy being in beautiful places together. Every day brings a new scene; every evening, a quiet toast to the art of living well.

And for those who wish to linger a little longer, a pre-tour stay in London can be arranged and a post tour 3 night celebration in the Cotswolds is being created right now…sublime.

Space is limited to just 10 guests – an exclusive Travelling Divas experience for women who love literature, laughter and a touch of luxe.

GETTING THERE:
Flights from major Australian cities connect to London Heathrow, with private transfers available on request.

Tour Price: Private room only. AUD$26,595 per person

Tour Dates: 05 – 16 October 2026

Starts: London

Finishes: Central London Paddington or London Heathrow

PRICE INCLUDES:

Hosted Experience
• Fully escorted by Donna Hipgrave from London
• Daily breakfast included
• English-speaking private guides for all tours
• Private transport throughout the tour

Luxury Accommodation
• 3 nights at The Bloomsbury Hotel, London – luxury boutique stay
• 4 nights at The Alfriston, Alfriston – boutique countryside retreat
• 4 nights at Hotel du Vin & Bistro, Cheltenham – elegant regency accommodation

Signature Dining Experiences
• Welcome Drink & Welcome Dinner at The Dalloway Terrace
• Afternoon Tea at The Bloomsbury Hotel
• 3 Lunches & 6 Dinners, including:
– Lunch at Milk House, Sissinghurst
– Lunch at Rathfinny Wine Estate
– Farewell Dinner at The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie, Cheltenham

Exclusive Tastings & Experiences
• Harvest Dosage Tasting at Rathfinny Wine Estate

Privately Guided Tours & Entrances
• Bloomsbury Literary Walking Tour
• The British Library – privately guided
• Bloomsbury Portraits – private tour, National Portrait Gallery
• Tavistock Square – overview of Virginia Woolf’s former residence
• Wallace Collection – private tour
• Knole House – Vita Sackville-West’s childhood home
• Sissinghurst Gardens – private tour including Vita’s writing tower & Nicholson’s library
• Monk’s House – Virginia & Leonard Woolf’s country retreat
• Berwick Church – Bloomsbury murals

Cheltenham Literature Festival – VIP Access (3 Days)
• Entry to headline author talks & literary panels
• Access to the VIP Lounge
• Drinks & canapés in the VIP Lounge
• Optional meet-and-greets with authors
• Private author meet-and-greet & book signing

Additional Inclusions
• Group departure transfer to Central London & London Heathrow
• All government taxes

NOT INCLUDED:

Airfares and departure taxes; transfers unless stated in the itinerary; items of a personal nature; phone calls; passport and visas; laundry or tips not covered in the itinerary. Personal transport; excess baggage; security and government taxes; travel insurance. Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary; additional beverages (unless specifically described). Optional excursions or activities that may be offered but are not included in the tour price. Spa treatments and any items not specified. Any changes you choose to make during your holiday.

October 2026

Day 1 – Monday 05: Welcome to London – A Luxurious Beginning

Arrive in one of the world’s most inspiring literary capitals and to your chic home in the heart of Bloomsbury – The Bloomsbury Hotel, an elegant nod to old-world glamour and the perfect place to begin your adventure. Enjoy time to settle in before gathering this evening for a pre-dinner drink, tour briefing and welcome dinner at The Dalloway, a toast to friendship, creativity and the journey ahead.

Stay: The Bloomsbury Hotel, London

Meals: Welcome Dinner (3 course meal)

Day 2 – Tuesday 06: The Heart of Bloomsbury

Today, step into the world of Virginia Woolf and her remarkable circle with a private Bloomsbury Literary Walking Tour. Wander leafy Georgian squares where revolutionaries of art and intellect once lived and wrote. Visit the British Library and discover priceless treasures – Shakespeare’s will, the Magna Carta and handwritten manuscripts that shaped the world. In the afternoon, indulge in an elegant Afternoon Tea at The Bloomsbury Hotel, the perfect end to a day steeped in culture.

Optional this evening: enjoy a West End show.

Stay: The Bloomsbury Hotel, London

Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea

Day 3 – Wednesday 07: Portraits & Perspective

Immerse yourself in the creative spirit of the Bloomsbury Set with a private tour of the National Portrait Gallery, home to evocative portraits that bring the movement’s icons to life. Visit Tavistock Square, once home to Virginia Woolf, before savouring a 2-course lunch at The Wolseley. This afternoon, explore the Wallace Collection, a museum of beauty and refinement housed in a grand London townhouse. Dinner is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Stay: The Bloomsbury Hotel, London

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 – Thursday 08: From City to Countryside

Bid farewell to London as you journey south to Kent – the “Garden of England.” Visit Knole House, the childhood home of Vita Sackville-West, where echoes of family, heritage and art fill every corridor. Stroll through its deer park and tranquil gardens before travelling to the charming village of Alfriston. Settle into The Alfriston, your boutique country retreat, and delight in a beautifully prepared 2-course dinner at the hotel.

Stay: The Alfriston

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 – Friday 09: Sissinghurst & Vita’s Tower

Awaken to the beauty of the Sussex countryside. Today’s journey takes you to the iconic Sissinghurst Gardens, created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. Explore the “garden rooms,” climb Vita’s writing tower and feel the poetry in every petal. Enjoy a private garden talk with the estate’s guide, followed by a delicious 2-course lunch at The Milk House. Later, take an optional coastal walk from Beachy Head to Eastbourne or relax in the village.

Stay: The Alfriston

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 – Saturday 10: Sussex Sparkling & Countryside Charm

Today celebrates English indulgence at its finest. Visit the breathtaking Rathfinny Wine Estate for a Harvest Dosage Tasting – learn the delicate art of crafting Sussex Sparkling wine and enjoy a gourmet 2-course lunch overlooking the vineyards. The afternoon invites either a peaceful walk on the South Downs or quiet relaxation back at the hotel.

Stay: The Alfriston

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 – Sunday 11: In the Footsteps of Virginia Woolf

Follow the trail of the Bloomsbury group through rural Sussex. Visit Monk’s House, Virginia and Leonard Woolf’s beloved country retreat, filled with their personal treasures. Continue to Berwick Church, adorned with vibrant murals painted by Bloomsbury artists, before exploring Charleston, their artistic haven brought to life through vivid exhibitions. Dinner tonight is at the stunning Poco restaurant in Alfriston village.

Stay: The Alfriston

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 – Monday 12: To Cheltenham we go…

This morning, travel to the elegant Regency town of Cheltenham, home of literary glamour and Georgian grace. We make a stop in The Cotswolds’ where you can choose to sit down for a traditional pub lunch or spend some time wandering the streets of the famous Cotswolds’. In the afternoon, check in to Hotel du Vin & Bistro, perfectly placed for exploring the boutiques, cafés and leafy streets of Montpellier. This evening, dine at the Hotel du Vin & Bistro and prepare for the literary celebration ahead.

Stay: Hotel du Vin & Bistro

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 – Tuesday 13: Cheltenham Literature Festival – VIP Experience

Your festival adventure begins. With your VIP pass, enjoy access to the Cheltenham Literature Festival Lounge, headline author talks and captivating literary panels. Between sessions, relax with canapés and bubbles before an evening author event (date TBA).

Stay: Hotel du Vin & Bistro

Meals: Breakfast, Drinks and Canapes (at event)

Day 10 – Wednesday 14: Words, Wit & Wonder

Another day of literary brilliance awaits. Attend intimate talks and panels, and delight in a private meet-and-greet with an acclaimed author, complete with a signed copy to treasure (Date TBA). The evening is free for your own discoveries or quiet reflection over dinner.

Stay: Hotel du Vin & Bistro

Meals: Breakfast, Drinks and Canapes (at event)

Day 11 – Thursday 15: Festival Finale & Farewell

Celebrate your final day at the festival with more inspiring sessions, then gather tonight for a farewell dinner at The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie. Raise a glass to new friendships, unforgettable moments and the creative spirit that has carried you through England’s literary landscape. A glamorous finale filled with laughter, stories and champagne.

Stay: Hotel du Vin & Bistro

Meals: Breakfast, Drinks and Canapes (at event), Dinner

Day 12 – Friday 16: Farewell England

Take a peaceful morning stroll through Montpellier Gardens or enjoy a final festival event before departing. Transfers back to London or LHR Airport on request.

Until next time – may your heart remain full of stories, your glass half full and your diva spirit forever curious.

Meals: Breakfast

London:

The Bloomsbury | Luxury Hotel in London’s West End

Blending timeless grandeur with modern-day glamour, The Bloomsbury Hotel is an ode to London sophistication and literary charm. Designed in the 1930s by Sir Edwin Lutyens, one of Britain’s most celebrated architects, this neo-Georgian gem welcomes you with a magnificent stone entrance, soaring double-height lobby and exquisite Lutyens ironwork that hints at the artistry within.

Each room is a haven of refined comfort – think velvet armchairs, plush designer rugs, rich jewel tones and indulgent Italianate bathrooms with marble double vanities and deep soaking tubs. Step outside and London’s heartbeat awaits: Oxford Street, Leicester Square and the glittering lights of Theatreland are just a short stroll away. A stay here feels like living inside a modern Bloomsbury novel – elegant, expressive and effortlessly chic.

Sussex:

The Alfriston | Classic British Hotels

Nestled in the picture-perfect village of Alfriston and framed by the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park, The Alfriston Hotel is the epitome of countryside chic – a place where heritage, heart and a hint of hedonism come together beautifully.

Dating back to the 14th century, this lovingly restored country house blends centuries of character with a fresh, contemporary spirit. Each individually styled room feels like a breath of country air – soft textures, bespoke Bramley toiletries, homemade cookies waiting on arrival and those little touches that make you exhale and smile.

Dining is a delight at the 1554 Brasserie & Orangery, where classic British dishes are reimagined with flair, using ingredients from local growers and the hotel’s own kitchen garden. Expect elegant simplicity, bold flavour and the kind of comfort only found in great country hospitality.

Unwind at the Signet Spa, where nature and nurture meet in divine harmony. Slip into the year-round heated outdoor pool, relax in a wood-fired hot tub under open skies or surrender to a bespoke GAIA treatment that will leave you glowing inside and out.

For a touch of adventure, wander into Alfriston’s cobbled heart or follow one of the walking trails that begin right at your doorstep. With the South Downs Way and Cuckmere River nearby – and the Sussex coast just a short drive away – this is English country living at its most luxurious and soul-soothing. A countryside sanctuary where every detail whispers indulgence, and time seems to slow just for you.

Cheltenham:

Hotel du Vin & Bistro in Cheltenham

Set in Cheltenham’s elegant Montpellier district, Hotel du Vin captures the refined spirit of Regency England with a dash of contemporary allure – the perfect finale to your Bloomsbury-inspired adventure. Here, the charm of a grand spa town meets the sophistication of boutique luxury, surrounded by leafy promenades, chic boutiques and the hum of café culture.

Each of the 49 rooms and suites is individually designed, where indulgence and intimacy go hand in hand. Think cloud-soft beds dressed in Egyptian cotton, sumptuous hand-sprung mattresses and bathrooms made for lingering – with deep roll-top baths or invigorating monsoon showers that feel like pure decadence. The interiors exude understated glamour: rich textures, moody lighting and a touch of French flair.

The Bistro du Vin is at the heart of the experience – a warm, lively space serving seasonal, locally inspired dishes paired beautifully with wines from the Laroche Tasting Room. Sip a glass of something exquisite in the stylish bar, dine al fresco beneath the Cheltenham sky or retreat to the intimate Cigar Shack for a moment of old-world indulgence.

Service here is gracious and intuitive – attentive without intrusion, with every detail designed to make you feel effortlessly at home. Whether you’re raising a glass after a day at the Cheltenham Literature Festival or simply unwinding in your beautiful room, Hotel du Vin delivers the perfect blend of comfort, character and classic Diva elegance. Regency romance with a modern twist -where fine wine, soft linens and literary conversations flow long into the evening.

These tour-specific terms and conditions must be read in conjunction with the Travelling Divas standard terms and conditions.

A minimum of 10 guests is required for this tour to depart. If minimum numbers are not reached, we will discuss this with you well before departure to finalise how to proceed i.e. re-quote with less participants or cancel the departure. If we cancel the departure the tour deposit will be refunded.

A reasonable level of fitness is required to participate on this tour. The ability to walk over uneven terrain and cobblestoned paths in older villages, plus longer standing time during walking tours of London and in the country houses.

In the country hotels be aware that there will be bath/shower combinations and we cannot guarantee a walk in shower.

Once full payment is received the price is guaranteed. Until that time, the price is subject to change. This tour has been converted to Australian Dollars from USD and may be subject to currency fluctuations .

A $4000 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking.

Once the tour is confirmed a second deposit of $4000 will be required and will be invoiced upon tour confirmation.

Deposit is by a payment link via the booking form to secure your spot. We accept Visa, and MasterCard. Merchant fees of 1.5% + .30c apply to Australian based credit card payments and will be added at the time of payment. International credit cards will attract a higher merchant fee.

All payments are processed by E-way – a secure payment gateway that is certified to stringent levels of certification.

Interim payments may be required due to meet supplier terms and conditions.

Please check with your health provider regarding required vaccinations.

Please stay up to date at https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ for destination information

Comprehensive travel insurance is a requirement for participation on this tour.

Final payment is required by 01 July 2026.