Ian Fletcher Battlefield Tours

Agemus Agenda

War in the West Country

Basing House

Our War in the West Country tour takes a look at the battles of the Monmouth Rebellion and the English Civil War in the company of our expert guide, James Falkner. Guests will receive a pre-dinner briefing from James on the Friday evening before we embark on our tour the following morning. Our tour takes in the picturesque battlefields of Sedgemoor, Langport, Landsown Hill and Roundway Down and is based out of the luxurious Bishopstrow House Hotel, which boasts a wonderful range facilities, including a swimming pool, spa and numerous beauty treatments for those in need! A good tour for the battlefield weary wives (or husbands...).

Day 1. Guests check-in at the elegant 4-star Bishopstrow House and Halcyon Spa Hotel, Warminster. Briefing and dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 2. Breakfast. We drive to Lansdown Hill to discuss the battle on 5 July 1643, when Ralph Hopton’s Royalists, advancing from the West country, tried to break past the Parliamentary army covering Bath. In a dogged tactical display and after heavy and confused fighting, William Waller’s Parliamentarians beat the Royalist army, forcing it to withdraw in disarray. After lunch we visit the battlefield field of Roundway Down, fought on 13 July 1643, when Hopton defeated Waller’s army and saved the Royalist position in the south-west in one of the few really decisive battles of the English Civil War. Return to hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3. Breakfast. Drive to Langport, fought on 10 July 1645, when the last Royalist army in the south-west, under command of George Goring, was soundly beaten by Thomas Fairfax’s Parliamentarians. This defeat fatally weakened the Royalist position in the south-west. Afer lunch we drive towards Bridgewater and the battlefield of Sedgmoor, fought on 5 July 1685. We discuss the night-time approach march of James Monmouth’s rebels and the bitter fighting along the Bussex Rhyne where the royal army, under tactical command of John Churchill, achieved a complete victory. It was a disaster for the Duke of Monmouth. Return to Warminster and disperse.

1-3 June 2012 Price £680 Single Supplement £100

Package includes: two nights half-board accommodation, two breakfasts, two dinners with wine, coach transport, guide James Falkner, and tour manager.