Starting at $7,750 per person
8 Days, 7 Nights, September 15-22, 2025
Get ready to embark on a magical journey through Enchanted England, where folklore and fairy tales come to life. Picture this: a whimsical Shakespeare performance in London, a literature lover’s dream day trip to the prestigious Oxford University, and a quest for the legendary King Arthur in the mystical lands of Cornwall. This adventure is guided by two brilliant leaders, Dr. Sara Cleto and Dr. Brittany Warman, who are The Great Courses experts in folklore in literature. Prepare to unlock the secrets and mysteries of some of England’s most captivating and iconic stories with discussions led by your experts, a local mythic author and an eclectic bookshop owner. Take a deep dive into a world of wonder and mysticism, where every twist and turn offers a chance to explore Enchanted England.
with Dr. Sara Cleto and Dr. Brittany Warman
Walk through key sites of Arthurian legend in Dartmoor and Cornwall, including Tintagel Castle
Learn about mythical literature with editor and author Terri Windling
Spend an evening at a countryside estate to indulge in the charm of period décor and pristine gardens
Meet with the owner of Treadwell’s bookshop in Bloomsbury for a discussion centered on the shop’s famous specialization in the occult
Take in London from Shakespeare’s point of view, learning about his connections to the city and his use of folklore (with an option to see a live performance!)
Discover the inspiration for fantasy novels and films in Oxford
Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman are award-winning folklorists, teachers, and writers who cofounded the Carterhaugh School of and the Fantastic, where they show creative souls how to reenchant their lives through folklore and fairy tales. They both earned PhDs in English and Folklore from The Ohio State University. They have authored more than four dozen publications and lectured at venues such as the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Maryland Renaissance Festival. They are regular contributors to Enchanted Living Magazine (formerly Faerie Magazine) and The Fairy Tale Magazine. Their work can also be found in Marvels and Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies, Uncanny Magazine, #FolkloreThursday, Corvid Queen, Strange Horizons, Sycorax, Eternal Haunted Summer, Star*Line, and many others. The Carterhaugh School won the Dorothy Howard Prize from the American Folklore Society in 2019 for their work in bringing scholarly rigor to the field of fantasy literature. Drs. Cleto and Warman worked together to create The Great Course “The Real History of Dracula” which examines the question, what can vampires teach us about being human?
Brittany Warman
Upon arrival in London, transfer independently from the airport to the hotel. In the afternoon, join your experts and enjoy a guided tour of the Wallace Collection, a formerly private residence- turned-museum that features pieces from the 14th-19th centuries and an impressive selection of arms and armor. After settling into the hotel, head out to a welcome reception and dinner in a local Marylebone area restaurant in the West End of London.
Included Meal: Reception, Dinner
Accommodations: Mandeville Hotel
In the morning, visit Treadwell’s, a small esoteric bookshop in Bloomsbury, described as a specialist bookshop for the practicing occultist and wizard. Meet the owner and enjoy a lecture on folklore and superstitions onsite, co-led by your Experts. Afterward, visit Covent Garden with your local guide and enjoy some free time in central London. In the afternoon, follow in Shakespeare’s footsteps on a walking tour of Shakespeare’s London with your local guide. Key sites include Guildhall, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Leadenhall Market, Monument to the Great Fire of London, and we’ll finish at Shakespeare’s Globe. Finish the afternoon with a Champagne Afternoon Tea at the Swan by the Globe. To cap off your day in Literary London, opt to take in a Shakespeare play at a London theater (exact performance to be confirmed) or enjoy your evening at leisure.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Reception (Tea)
Accommodations: Mandeville Hotel
Spend a day in Oxford, home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Begin with a literary tour of Oxford, a literal and metaphorical playground for some of the biggest names in fantasy. From C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia and Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, your guide will share stories about how Oxford itself nurtured the minds of literary giants. Break for lunch on your own in the heart of the university town. In the afternoon, see some of the iconic sites that have inspired artists and filmmakers, such as Christ Church College and the world-famous Bodleian Library. Return to London in the evening for dinner in a local restaurant.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Mandeville Hotel
The day starts with a drive through rural England. Along the way, you’ll stop in Exeter, with its rich and long history dating back to Roman times. Here, you’ll have time for an independent lunch. In the afternoon, editor and author Terri Windling will join your hosts for a lecture on fairy tales, folklore, and fantasy in literature in mythic Dartmoor. After the lecture, tour the rugged landscape of Dartmoor National Park with its Tors, wildlife, and mystical atmosphere, where, according to the locals, King Arthur still lives. Enjoy dinner at your hotel, a former prison that has been refurbished to a one-of-a-kind accommodation experience.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Bodmin Jail Hotel
Now, truly follow in the footsteps of King Arthur with a full day of visits. First up is Boscastle, the dramatic harbor village cited as the place Arthur’s body was taken after the Battle of Camlann to be transported across the water to the mythical island of Avalon. Explore the otherworldly in the Museum of Witchcraft, which houses one of the world’s largest collections of over 3,000 items related to magic, the occult, and witchcraft. After lunch on your own, head to St. Nectan’s Glen, where you will visit the deep basin carved into the slate by the waterfall over the millennia, said to be the holy site where the Knights of the Round Table were blessed before setting out on the Quest for the Holy Grail. Then, continue to the dramatic Tintagel Castle where, according to legend, King Arthur was conceived with a little help from the sorcery of Merlin followed by the tiny village of Slaughterbridge, where King Arthur was mortally wounded by Mordred. End the day in the historic town of Camelford, suggested as the site of King Arthur’s legendary fortress, Camelot. Return to the hotel for a lecture from Dr. Cleto and Dr. Warman on Arthurian Legend based on a course taught through their cofounded venture, The Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic. Dinner is at your leisure in Bodmin.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Bodmin Jail Hotel
Lace up your boots for another full day of Arthurian adventure. Start with a visit of the 7-foot-tall, inscribed Tristan Stone, which, according to legend, is a memorial to Sir Tristan, one of Arthur’s knights. Next, see Roche Rock up close, a 20-meter block of granite rising straight out of the moorland, with the remains of a 15th-century chapel clinging to the rocks, which may have been the home of the hermit Ogrin who played a role in the story of Arthur’s knight Sir Tristan and his lover, Iseult. Continue on and gaze upon the strangely beautiful Bodmin Moor, steeped in legend and history. Spend time at the mysterious and melancholic Dozmary Pool, a small lake set at the heart of Bodmin Moor, said to be the home of the Lady of the Lake and the sword Excalibur. Your evening and dinner are at leisure.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Bodmin Jail Hotel
Journey through delightful English countryside to your country hotel retreat in Hampshire. Along the way, visit Stonehenge, one of the wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. You’ll have the opportunity to grab a quick bite for lunch before continuing to the final destination of the Journey. Enjoy an afternoon in the gardens of Tynley Hall, a restored mansion that retains the luxury of Georgian and Victorian England with lovely gardens, period décor in the guest rooms, and the option for Afternoon Tea on the grounds. Come together for a private farewell reception and dinner to toast to the success of your Enchanted England experience!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Tylney Hotel and Gardens
In the morning, depart from the hotel for a group transfer to London Heathrow Airport for individual flights home in the afternoon.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Bodmin Jail Hotel
Nestled in the heart of Cornwall, this boutique hotel stands as a living testament to the past, having been transformed from am 18th-century prison into a one-of-a-kind haven of history. Each room is made up of three former cells, which are now stylish bedrooms with original doors and bars on the windows. Combining old and new, every room has a flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi, plush bedding, and a sleek bathroom, complete with underfloor heating.
The Mandeville Hotel
A 4-star hotel in London's West End, the Mandeville Hotel is a quirky yet elegant property that offers boutique rooms in the heart of the Marylebone neighborhood. Styled by designers from around the world, guest rooms feature plenty of light, complimentary Wi-Fi, individual climate controls, and a marbled bathroom. You are on the doorstep of the best shopping of Oxford Street, art and culture venues, and plenty of cafes and restaurants.
Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens
Tylney Hall is a Grade II architecturally preserved building and remains an outstanding example of a luxury country house hotel that has never lost its Old World charm. Guest rooms are cozy and feature period décor from the Georgian and Victorian eras, with views of the courtyard or gardens. All rooms feature a TV, Wi-Fi, Nespresso and tea set, and en-suite bathrooms complete with bathrobes and luxury toiletry products. Located in Hampshire, you can indulge in the repose of the English countryside on the extensive grounds and gardens of Tylney Hall.
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