Grinnellian Adventures: Shakespeare’s English Kings
October 18–28, 2025
You are invited to join Sandy Moffett, Emeritus professor of Acting, Directing, and American Theatre, and his wife Betty Moffett, retired director of the Writing Lab, on a journey through England’s notorious battlefields, cathedrals, and storied histories of Shakespeare’s English Kings.
You begin your journey in London, viewing its iconic landmarks before spending the afternoon at Shakespeare’s Globe. Here you will learn about the theatre and what set it apart from others during its time, then enjoy a Shakespeare-themed afternoon tea at the Swan at the Globe Theatre, and finish out your first full day by taking in a performance of Twelfth Night.
As you wind your way from London, to Stratford-upon-Avon, to York, and back to London, you will visit the cathedrals and “bloody” battlefields appearing in Shakespeare’s plays and read corresponding excerpts from them. While visiting Canterbury Cathedral you will read from Henry V, after traversing a walking trail to Tewkesbury Battlefield you will bring Henry VI to life, and, at Pontefract Castle where Richard II was thought to have been murdered, you will read from Richard II, plus you will visit more battlefields and castles and read corresponding excerpts.
You cannot come to Shakespeare’s England without visiting his birthplace. While in Stratford-upon-Avon you visit the home of his birth and childhood, a half-timbered Elizabethan building. You will complete your time in Stratford by watching Measure for Measure at the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre. While in York, you will be given a brief reprieve from Shakespeare and take in the sites and surroundings of this charming, walled city. Enjoy a walking tour of the historic city; a visit to York Minster, a Gothic-style cathedral with Britain’s richest collection of stained glass; and a scenic cruise on the River Ouse. On your way back to London, stop in Cambridge and explore the historical significance of the famous town.
If you were lucky enough to take Sandy’s Shakespeare’s English History course, relive the highlights by joining this program, and if you never had the opportunity to take his course, now is the time to find out what the excitement was all about!
Open the pdf brochure which includes all this information and more
This program is limited to 16 guests, so please reserve your spot immediately by contacting Eos Study Tours, the specialty tour operator who has worked closely with Emeritus Professor Sandy Moffett in designing this program. Email grinnell@studytours.org or call toll-free (800) 856-8951.
Faculty & Tour Leaders
Alexander (Sandy) Moffett
Professor Emeritus, Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies
Sandy Moffett was born in Jiangyin, China, in 1936, but grew up in North Carolina, where he earned his BA and MA at UNC, and taught for six years at Elon College. In 1971, after two years with the Asolo Repertory Theatre Company in Sarasota, FL, he and his wife Betty left the Tar Heel State to live on a farm and teach Theater at Grinnell College in Iowa. Although technically retired, Sandy still finds himself occasionally in the classroom or directing plays. An avid conservationist, he is partly responsible for restoring nearly 800 acres of native prairie wildlife habitat. In 2010, he ran for public office and won a seat on the Poweshiek County Board of Supervisors, on which he served for six years. An untutored musician, Sandy and Betty play in and write songs for the odd and eclectic Too Many String Band. His first two novels, The Ghost of Craven Snuggs (2022) and Emmi (2024), have been published by Ice Cube Press. Sandy is working on a short story collection, but spends much of his time keeping up with his three grandchildren.
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Itinerary — Oct. 18-28, 2025
(B)= Breakfast, (L)= Lunch, (T)= Afternoon Tea, (R)= Reception, (D)= Dinner
Open the pdf brochure which includes all this information and more
Saturday, Oct. 18
Depart home
Sunday, Oct. 19
Arrive London, England | Transfer to central London | Welcome reception
Arrive at London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), where you will be met and transferred as a group (time TBD) to our hotel in central London. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure before gathering for a welcome reception. Three nights at the 4-star Holiday Inn Kensington High Street hotel. (R)
Monday, Oct. 20
London: Panoramic tour, Shakespeare’s Globe, Welcome afternoon tea, Play at Shakespeare’s Globe
This morning we take a panoramic driving tour of London, viewing the iconic landmarks and cultural diversity of the city and stopping for photo opportunities along the way. We will see the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Nelson’s Column, and the Marble Arch. After an independent lunch this afternoon, we visit Shakespeare’s Globe, a recreation of The Globe Theatre, London’s first purpose-built playhouse, which stood on a nearby site from 1576 to 1644. The original theater was part-owned by William Shakespeare and staged many of his performances. Like many of England’s theaters, it was closed by the Puritans in 1642 before being demolished in 1644. In 1949, American writer and director Sam Wanamaker visited London and set up the Shakespeare Globe Trust, which started a clamor to reopen this famous venue. In 1997, Shakespeare’s Globe opened and continues to be at the forefront of the London theater scene, offering Shakespearean and contemporary plays as well as workshops for aspiring actors, writers, and students. Enjoy a Shakespeare-themed welcome late afternoon tea at the Swan at the Globe Theatre, before attending a performance of Twelfth Night this evening at Shakespeare’s Globe. (B,T)
Tuesday, Oct. 21
Canterbury: Canterbury Cathedral, time at leisure | London
After breakfast, we drive to Canterbury and spend the day discovering the historical influence on Shakespeare’s Henry V. Enjoy a self-guided tour of Canterbury Cathedral, where the Archbishop of Canterbury is prominently featured in the opening scene of Henry V, as he persuades the King to go to war. We will gather as a group and read excerpts from the play. Enjoy an independent lunch and time to explore Canterbury on your own before we return to London. The balance of the day and dinner are at leisure. (B)
Wednesday, Oct. 22
Gloucestershire: Tewkesbury Battlefield | Stratford-upon-Avon: Walking tour
This morning, we depart London and journey to Stratford-upon-Avon. Along the way, we visit Tewkesbury Battlefield in Gloucestershire. At the Battle of Tewkesbury, in Shakespeare’s Henry VI iii, the forces of Edward IV defeated the Lancastrian forces. After a 45-minute walk along a walking trail, we gather at the battlefield and read excerpts from the play. We continue our drive and stop for lunch at a local pub. Upon arrival in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, we enjoy a walking tour of the town. The balance of the day is at leisure. Three nights at the 4-star Hotel Indigo. (B,L)
Thursday, Oct. 23
Mortimer’s Cross | Ludlow Castle | Battlefield 1403 (Shrewsbury) | Stratford-upon-Avon
Today we visit the Birmingham area of England. Our first stop, Mortimer’s Cross (at the approximate location of the battle), is where another important battle took place during the Wars of the Roses. In 1461, Edward IV’s army defeated Lancastrian forces at the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross. Next, we make our way to one of the finest medieval ruins in England, Ludlow Castle. The young Prince Edward, before he was brought to London in an abortive attempt to crown him, took refuge here with his mother, Queen Elizabeth. After enjoying a packed lunch, we travel to Battlefield 1403, the site of the Battle of Shrewsbury. This is the setting of many scenes in Henry IV. In the play, Henry IV defeated the rebellious Percy family, and the young Prince Hal earned his spurs by slaying Henry (Hotspur) Percy. Visit the Battlefield Church and take a self-guided walk around the battlefield. As a group, we will read excerpts from Shakespeare’s plays where the scenes themselves might have taken place. We return to Stratford-upon-Avon, where the evening is at leisure. (B,L)
Friday, Oct. 24
Battle of Bosworth Field | King Richard III Visitor Centre | Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Play at the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre
This morning, we visit the location of the Battle of Bosworth Field, site of the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses. It is here that Richard III was defeated by Henry Tudor, the future King Henry VII. Explore the visitor center and exhibition, and then take a guided walk (approximately 90 minutes) to the memorial sundial, marking the points of the compass and the distances to other battlefields of the Wars of the Roses. Next, we visit the King Richard III Visitor Centre, a comprehensive center dedicated to exploring the King’s life, times, and legacy. His remains, discovered in 2012, are interred in Leicester Cathedral, opposite the visitor center. We return to Stratford-upon-Avon and visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, a half-timbered Elizabethan building where he grew up. Dinner is on your own this evening before we attend a performance of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure at the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre. (B)
Saturday, Oct. 25
Pontefract Castle | York: Walking tour
This morning, we depart Stratford-upon-Avon and drive to York. Along the way, we stop at the ruins of Pontefract Castle, also known as Pomfret Castle, where Richard II was thought to have been murdered. It is also the site that Shakespeare has the son and brother of Queen Elizabeth beheaded in his play Richard III. Take a self-guided visit and then gather to read excerpts from the play. We continue on to York, with lunch en route, upon arrival we enjoy a walking tour of the city. This evening, we check-in to our hotel and enjoy an independent dinner. Two nights at the 4-star The Milner York hotel. (B)
Sunday, Oct. 26
York: York Minster, City cruise on the River Ouse
After breakfast, we visit York Minster, a magnificent, Gothic-style cathedral with Britain’s richest collection of stained glass. The site was once a major Roman army base and administrative center, remains of which can be seen under the colossal main tower. The Minster has been at the center of Christianity in the north of England since the 7th century. Next, we walk a short distance for a quick view of the Museum Gardens, to view the botanical gardens and the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey, a former Benedictine abbey. After lunch at a local pub, we take a scenic cruise along the River Ouse. The balance of the day and dinner are at leisure. (B,L)
Monday, Oct. 27
Monday, October 27: Cambridge: King’s College, time at leisure | London | Farewell dinner
After breakfast, we drive to London, stopping in Cambridge along the way. We visit King’s College, founded in 1441 by King Henry VI—the oldest, and eventually the largest—college at prestigious Cambridge University. Enjoy time at leisure before continuing on to London. This evening, we gather for a farewell dinner. Overnight at the 4-star Copthorne Tara Hotel. (B,D)
Tuesday, Oct. 28
Fly home
Transfer as a group this morning to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) for flights homeward. (B)
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Pricing
Per Person (9 Nights)
- Double Occupancy (14-16 participants) $7,995
- Double Occupancy (12-13 participants) $8,595
- Single Supplement $2,225
Single room supplement will be charged when requested or required (limited availability). With fewer than 12 participants, a small group surcharge may be added.
Price Includes
- Leadership of Grinnell College Emeritus Professor Sandy Moffett, plus a professional tour manager/guide
- 9 nights at well-located, 4-star hotels
- Delicious meals: breakfast daily, welcome afternoon tea, 3 lunches, and a farewell dinner with wine, beer, or soft drinks. All meals include water plus coffee/tea. Most lunches and dinners are independent to allow for exploration of this region’s diverse food scene
- Excursions and sightseeing as per itinerary
- Ground transportation by modern, air-conditioned vehicle
- Group arrival and departure airport transfers
- Personal listening audio devices during excursions
- All gratuities to the tour manager/guide, drivers, servers for included meals, and porters
- Baggage handling at hotels
- VAT, local taxes, and service charges
- Comprehensive pre-departure information, including a suggested reading/media guide, travel guide, and packing list
Flights and Transfers
Airfare from/to home is not included. Group transfers (times TBD) are included on your arrival at and departure from London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) on program dates. Once you have received your final payment invoice, you should book your flights. If you are considering booking non-refundable airline tickets before this time, please contact our office first. Valerie WilsonTravel, Inc. can assist with flight arrangements for this tour. You may contact them directly at 866-200-6172 or by email at studytours@vwti.com. Alternatively, you are welcome to book your flights independently or through your preferred travel agent. Your flight itinerary must be provided to our office prior to departure. We do not accept any liability for cancellation penalties related to domestic or international airline tickets.
Prices Do Not Include
Airfare from/to home; passport fees; airport fees and departure taxes; cost of personal, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; transportation of excess baggage; meals and beverages other than those indicated; personal tips; items of a personal nature such as medical expenses, laundry, taxi, telephone, and fax charges; optional excursions or deviations from scheduled tour; other items not listed as included.
Payments
A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to reserve your space and is payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or check made payable to “Eos GRN-Shakespeare 10/25.” Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure and must be by check, ACH transfer, or wire transfer only; credit cards are not accepted for final payment. By submitting your deposit, you are bound by the terms and conditions delineated throughout this brochure and elsewhere published.
Participant Cancellation Fees
All requests by participants for cancellations must be received in writing by Eos Study Tours. Cancellations received at least 180 days prior to departure (April 21, 2025) are refunded less a cancellation fee of $250 per person. Cancellations received from 179 through 91 days (July 19, 2025) prior to departure forfeit their full deposit of $1,000 per person. Cancellations received from 90 through 76 days prior to departure are subject to a cancellation fee equal to 50% of the tour cost. Cancellations received 75 days or less prior to departure are subject to a cancellation fee of 100% of the tour cost. For this and other reasons, participants are strongly encouraged to purchase trip cancellation insurance. Information will be provided with confirmation of receipt of your deposit.
Note: Prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication and are subject to change prior to departure. Substantial changes in tariffs, exchange rates, and the price of fuel, services, and labor may increase the cost of arrangements significantly, and we reserve the right to alter our prices.
Prices, itinerary, accommodations, and leader are subject to change. Prices quoted are based on group participation and no refunds will be made for any part of the program in which you choose not to participate. It is understood that refunds cannot be made to participants who do not complete the tour for whatever reason.
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FAQ
Is there a brochure I can download and share?
Yes! Please download the brochure here. Or contact Eos Study Tours to have a brochure mailed to you.
What can I expect on the trip?
This trip will have moderate walking and physical expectations. Must be able to walk one to three miles per day on mostly flat, but often uneven, terrain.
You must be able to make long walks, unassisted, over uneven terrain and up and down steps. Some sites require strenuous and/or brisk walking or climbing, sometimes with difficult footing. Participants who are not able to walk or stand unassisted for extended periods are kindly advised not to join this tour.
All participants are expected to be physically active and not be an impediment to others on excursions, and to enjoy traveling as part of a group.
All participants will be required to follow safety/sanitization protocols set forth by Sponsors/Operator, local staff, and host country laws. Any participant showing signs of illness will be asked to wear a mask when near others. If the tour manager decides that a participant cannot visit a site safely or in a timely manner, their judgment will be final.
Where possible, an alternate activity may be suggested; additional costs may apply. If you have any questions about your ability to participate, we suggest that you visit your personal physician with the tour information in hand and discuss whether this program is appropriate for you.
Hotels have been chosen for their excellent locations and generous comfort. Included meals are of a very high quality.
At the time of year we visit the weather is pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from the low 60s F at night to the low- to mid-70s F during the day. There is always a chance for moderate rainfall and participants should come prepared for some wet weather. Complete pre-departure details will be sent to participants.
Do I need travel insurance for the trip?
Travel insurance is optional. Travelers may purchase from the provider of their choice.
May I bring guests?
Each alum may bring guests. Your guests do not need to be alumni.
What if I need assistance during the trip with something?
A staff member from the Office of Development and Alumni Relations will attend the trip to support all guests and our faculty leaders.
Questions?
Contact Guinevere Natarelli, associate director of alumni and donor relations, at wallacegu@grinnell.edu or call 641-269-4633.
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