After the American Civil War the US economy grew at lightning speed. The so-called ‘robber baron’ families built vast fortunes from monopolies in steel (Carnegie), oil (Rockefeller), railways (Vanderbilt) and real estate (Astor). Mark Twain called these unprecedented times the ‘Gilded Age’.
We begin our trip with morning refreshments before exploring the Gilded Age enclave that began between Pall Mall and The Mall before expanding into the grand squares of Mayfair and Belgravia. This is a tale of money, mansions and scandals, when in Victorian and Edwardian London American ‘dollar princesses’ crossed the Atlantic husband hunting for a cash-strapped duke or earl.
For lunch we have free time at the Royal Courts of Justice end of Fleet Street before taking a short walk down to the Embankment and Two Temple Place. This is truly one of London’s hidden architectural gems. Overlooking the Thames, this Victorian neo-Gothic mansion was built for William Waldorf Astor – the richest man in the world – and its opulent interior is decorated with literary, mythic and historic references.
Two Temple Place
This house is opened only from January to April when its guardians hold special exhibitions. This year ‘The Glass Heart’ presents a bold new exploration of glass in the UK starting in the mid-19th century. Your visit will include a guided tour of the Astor interiors as well as time to browse the exhibition.
We plan to leave London at 4.45pm.
Cost £65 including morning coffee, Blue Badge guide, entry fees and driver’s gratuity
| Coach departure places and times | |
| 8.30am | Brockham Middle Street near junction with Oakdene Road |
| 8.40am | Dorking outside Dorking Halls |
| 8.45am | Dorking opposite Waitrose |
| 8.50am | Dorking Knoll Road bus stop (on Horsham Road between Harrow Road East and Tower Hill Road) |
Booking
Bookings are no longer available for this event.