Become a London Gentleman with Chirton Grange

A London Gentleman has long been held as the pinnacle of style and swagger. Ever since time began, the men in the Gentlemen's Clubs of London have been the yardstick of sophistication for men across the globe.
Now, thanks to Chirton Grange, you have the chance to step into their shoes for one day and leave the capital with everything you need to continue as a London Gentleman.
Beginning at your hotel, your chauffeur will collect and take you for a traditional wet shave at one of London's top barbershops. Whether it's a traditional shave at Trumper's, something more modern at Ruffians or a celebrity cut at Joe and Co, you'll be looking sharp as we head to our next stop.

At Floris, you'll be taken for a "scent consultation" before spending some time with an aftershave specialist to mix your own scent - unique to you and complimenting your natural musk - which you'll then take with you in your monogrammed bottle to the suit fitting.
Paul Smith is a British designer who opened his first store in Nottingham in 1970. Ever since then, he's been designing suits and clothing for the gentlemen of Britain and you'll follow in their footsteps at a personal fitting before being presented with some choices.
After ordering your suit, we'll take you on to Dukes Bar in Mayfair - home of the Martini - to enjoy James Bond's favourite drink, safe in the knowledge you're now a London Bloke.

A Standard British Summer

Summer is coming to the UK (slowly) and before it all arrives, we thought we'd fill you in on some of the events taking place around the capital and the rest of the country. These are the standard annual events in a British summer but are, nonetheless, must see ahead of our quirkier preview of summer.

CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

The tents and marquees have already begun springing up in the Royal Chelsea Hospital grounds overlooking the River Thames. By Tuesday 23rd May, it'll all be ready to go. Hundreds of gardeners, both professional and amateur will be exhibiting the fruits of their last 12 months labour for London and the World to see. The show runs from the Tuesday until the Saturday so book now before it sells out!

WIMBLEDON

In July, the cream of World tennis descends on SW17 to compete for one of the most prestigious trophies in the LTA calendar. Along with the talented competitors, the cream and strawberries, champagne and Pimms also descends on this decadent tournament. Starting on 3rd July and running until the 16th, this tournament runs for two weeks and although tickets have long since sold out, a select number are also available in another British classic each morning, "The Queue".

FA CUP FINAL

This year Arsenal take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final in May. The game, at Wembley Stadium, is the first all London tie in the Final since the same two teams competed in the 2002 final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Again, tickets are selling fast but hospitality is still available for the day as are chauffeur cars to get you there

ROYAL ASCOT

The jewel in the horse racing calendar, Royal Ascot takes place between Tuesday 20th June and Saturday 24th June. The 5 day event brings together Royalty with race fans in all their finery to cheer on the finest that British Horse Racing has to offer. A day's hire for Ascot are available by car, coach and even helicopter.

A Magical Tour

At Chirton Grange we’re one of the few Muggles who have the knowledge of the magical world and we’ve used it to bring you the complete Harry Potter tour. The day in London will involve traveling in a mystical Mercedes around the various sites before heading up to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour to get the complete immersive Potter experience.

After being collected from your hotel in the morning, we’ll whisk you down to the Ministry of Magic and show you the entrances – sorry, you can’t go in – before a quick spin around Gringotts Bank with a stop for photos. We’ll then head to Diagon Alley and see the Leaky Cauldron as well as showing you the bridge tragically destroyed by the Death Eaters (miraculously still standing).

Once the selfie tour of Potter sites in London is complete, we’ll apparate off to North London and the Harry Potter Studio tour. This really is the best way to immerse yourself in the world created by JK Rowling, you’ll get to ride a broom, see more of Diagon Alley, visit the Great Hall at Hogwarts as well as learning spells and incantations.

And after all that, we’ll whisk you back to your hotel where you’ll be able to fall under a heavy sleeping spell and recharge for the rest of your break. NOTE – Please ensure you bring wands, you never know what Fantastic Beasts we’ll encounter

A Tour of Cornwall

Well, Devon, Cornwall and Avon to be really precise... Recently we were asked by a client to put together a tour for the area for them and some friends. Naturally, we were only too happy to piece together our favourite parts of the area and the client - so please with our work - has naturally booked the tour already... In case you're wondering, it goes as follows

Day One 

Arrive to London airport (time to be confirmed)

Depart airport for Stonehenge (driving time 2 hours)

A World Heritage Site, Stonehenge has stood for around 4500 years, probably a place of worship and/or sacrifice, with no one truly knowing the answer as to why it was built and why in this spot.

Spend 1.5 hours then depart for:

Thomas Hardy Cottage (driving time 1hr 15)

Few authors have such strong associations with the natural and cultural heritage of their local area as Thomas Hardy. This cottage, where Hardy was borne in 1840, was built of cob and thatch by his grandfather and has been little altered since the family left.

Spend 1.5 hours then depart for;

West Bay, Bridport

The picturesque town of West Bay better known to viewers as ‘Broadchurch’ in the hit TV show

Overnight stay in Bridport/West Bay.

Day Two

After breakfast we depart Devon into Cornwall

Heading over Dartmoor National Park and stopping for coffee at the infamous Jamaica Inn. Built in 1750 as a coaching inn for long horse drawn journeys from London and Bristol into Cornwall, the pub inspired Daphne Du Maurier’s book of the same title after she and a friend became lost in fog while out riding, the horses leading them to the inn and safety. Said to be one of the most haunted buildings in England.

Onto Bodmin and Wenford Steam Railway

11.15am board a restored steam train for a 15 minute journey through the English countryside, disembark and meet your driver at Boscarne Junction. Highly recommend pre-ordering your first (but not last) Cornish pasty to sustain you through the journey. Like champagne, the Cornish pasty is recognised as unique to the area and pasties made anywhere else but in Cornwall cannot carry the Cornish title.

As time dictates and at your leisure we explore the beautiful fishing villages of Looe, Polperro, Fowey (a must) before booking into your hotel in and around the town of St Austell

Day Three

After breakfast we visit the Eden Project

In the afternoon we will down to the hidden but beautiful fishing village of Cadgewick where you can take a pub lunch or buy fresh seafood, caught that morning, from the little shop. Onto the Lizard Point which sees you stand at the most Southerly point in the UK.

A quick look at Portleven before check in to your hotel near Redruth for 3 nights

Day Four

Depart for the Minack theatre

The idea for the theatre was born when Rowena Cade, who lived in Minack House at the top of the cliff, decided to create a place for local drama enthusiasts to perform Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Over the winter of 1931 and into 1932 Rowena and her gardener, Billy Rawlings, moved endless granite boulders and earth, creating the stage and the lower terraces of the theatre, in the same place as you see them today. The first performance was in August 1932.

PLEASE NOTE: this has to be a morning visit as they have a Matinee Production.

Stop off at the lovely coastal village of Mousehole en route to:

St Michael’s Mount, Marazion. A stunning castle set on its own island which has been in the same family, Lord and Lady Aubyrn since the 17^th century. A working island that employs 30 people and their families

You can walk over via the cobbled causeway at low tide and either walk back before high tide or, if more time is needed, then the boat back to the mainland.

Day Five

Starting at Lands End, famously the most South West Point of the UK, it is a must to have a photograph taken alongside the signpost that reads NEW YORK….SYDNEY….etc. We then head up the northern coastal path, passing through Sennen Cove, Levant Mine towards St Ives, home of surfers and the Tate Modern Gallery. Finishing at St Agnes before heading back to the hotel.

Day Six

Check out of the hotel and, after breakfast head to the north of Cornwall taking in Padstow, a lively fishing harbour that boasts three restaurants of the acclaimed chef Rick Stein, Fish and Chips are a must here. Along the coast to Tintagel Castle home of the fabled King Arthur, the first King of England before we spend the afternoon, after about an hour drive, at the unique village of Clovelly.

Drive to the Historic city of Bath and stay overnight.

Day Seven

Visit the historic city of Bath before departing for the airport check in

1hr 45 minute drive to Heathrow or 2hr 15 minute drive to Gatwick

For this tour, and more like it, visit www.chirtongrange.co.uk or email us contact@chirtongrange.co.uk

 

A Little Story

A gentleman of 81 years approached us recently and asked us to build a tour programme for his next visit to the UK. The problem was that while we had worked with him last year we where booked through a concierge company. Even though we now, for others reasons, there was a conflict of interest and we had to politely refuse the enquiry.

The customer said, "I've been coming to the UK, mainly London, for more than 60 years and requested, if not begged, them to show me something new, different and exciting.......so they booked me the Tower of London, Changing the Guard and the London bloody Eye".

We really couldn't/wouldn't be able to help this guy but can help many others.

Chauffeuring is our core business but we have developed or own unique brand of tours. Combining our knowledge with the very best Blue Badge Guides we, your clients, implore you to find Find The Gap, Go off Piste and THINK DIFFERENTLY!!!