From 1985–2023, Dr. Jerry Rushford led groups of Christians on a literary and hymn pilgrimage across the British Isles. Hundreds of people have experienced this life-changing and deeply spiritual, transforming experience.
In 2023, Dr. Rushford invited Dr. D.J. Bulls, a respected worship leader, composer, arranger, publisher, conductor, and hymnologist (with a Ph.D. in Hymnology and Church Music History), to step into this role that Jerry capably held for four decades. D.J. has taught courses in hymnology, music, and worship on the undergraduate and graduate level and serves as the Worship Minister for the Glenwood Church of Christ in Tyler, Texas, where he lives with his wife and daughter.
Dear Friends:
I hope you will consider joining me for what is sure to be a thrilling and rich pilgrimage across the UK as we encounter some very significant places and people who shaped the fabric of the church’s hymns and its history. Famous cathedrals, churches off the beaten path, every stop loaded with historical significance, and sweet people who are our brothers and sisters in Christ await us… Be assured these are memories your mind and your ears will not soon forget! The songs, the sounds, and the fellowship shared as we sing our way across the United Kingdom will be a profound voyage you’ll enjoy and remember for years and years to come.
In Christ Alone—
D.J. Bulls
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Tuesday, May 25 — Chawton, Hursley:
Boarding our private motorcoach, we drive through the beautiful English countryside to the lovely village of Chawton where we enjoy a tour of Jane Austen’s home. She lived there from 1809 to 1817 and wrote three novels and revised three others during her stay. Our journey continues to Hursley, where hymn-writer John Keble lived for 30 years. We are welcomed to England by members of Hursley Church, and we sing in the church and around John Keble’s grave. A light lunch is served in the church, with an opportunity to tour the “Old Vicarage” where Keble lived. Then it’s on to London to our conveniently located Rembrandt Hotel on Thurloe Place, in the heart of South Kensington and Knightsbridge, across from the Victoria & Albert Museum. Tonight, a wonderful dinner at the Rembrandt Hotel.
Wednesday, May 26 — London:
Following breakfast at the Rembrandt, the entire day in London is free for you to explore and enjoy — the British Museum; the Victoria & Albert Museum or Harrods; Westminster Abbey and Churchill’s War Rooms; or Bunhill Fields to visit the graves of Isaac Watts and other hymn writers. We meet back at the hotel for an early dinner, then board our motorcoach for London’s theatre district for a performance.
Thursday, May 27 — Oxford:
After breakfast at the Rembrandt, we drive west to Oxford for a self-guided tour with a multi-media device of Christ Church and Cathedral, followed by a walking guided tour of Oxford in the afternoon. Overnight with dinner at the Randolph Hotel.
Friday, May 28 — Bristol, Stow-on-the-Wold:
Following a Full English breakfast, we drive to Bristol to visit the Wesley Chapel Museum associated with the ministry of Charles Wesley, who wrote many of his 6,000 hymns in this city. We have lunch with members of the Bedminster Church of Christ and sing together in their building, then continue to the picturesque Cotswolds. Our host this evening is the 16th-century Manor House Hotel in Moreton-in-Marsh.
Saturday, May 29 — Bourton, Buckland, Astley:
After a hearty English breakfast, a visit to Bourton Baptist Church, then on to Buckland to tour Hillview Cottage, the English residence of LaGard and Ruth Smith. We sing great English hymns in the choir of St Michael’s Church, then travel to Astley to see the residence, church, and grave of England’s greatest woman hymn-writer, Frances Ridley Havergal. Dinner and lodging tonight at the 17th-century Crabwall Manor Hotel in Mollington.
Sunday, May 30 — The Lake District:
We drive to England’s scenic Lake District and worship with the Wall End Church of Christ in Kirkby-in-Furness, in their stone church building constructed in 1876. After worship and a luncheon with the congregation, we cruise Lake Windermere to Ambleside. Our host this evening is the Old England Hotel in Bowness overlooking Lake Windermere.
Monday, May 31 — Abbotsford, Edinburgh:
We exit the Lake District through the north of England into Scotland, stopping at Gretna Green. Near Melrose, a guided tour of Abbotsford, the residence of Sir Walter Scott from 1812 to 1832, including the family chapel where we will sing. Then on to Edinburgh; our host for two nights is the Intercontinental Edinburgh The George Hotel, one block from Princes Street.
Tuesday, June 1 — Edinburgh:
A free day to explore — Princes Street shopping, Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral, and more. We reassemble for an early dinner, followed by an evening of hymn-singing in the sanctuary of historic St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church of Scotland, joined by members from several Scottish Churches of Christ.
Wednesday, June 2 — Escomb, Durham:
We return to the north of England to the village of Escomb to visit one of the best-preserved Saxon Churches in England, built in AD 670. We continue to Durham, strolling the old town up to Durham Cathedral (built 1093–1133), resting place of the Venerable Bede. Option to attend Evensong. Dinner and overnight at the Marriott Durham Royal County.
Thursday, June 3 — York, Horbury Bridge:
We drive to historic York, stroll by York Minster and through its narrow streets, with time for shopping. In the afternoon we visit Horbury Bridge, where Sabine Baring-Gould wrote “Onward Christian Soldiers” and “Now the Day Is Over,” and sing his hymns in St John’s Church. Our host for the final two nights is the Hilton Northampton Hotel.
Friday, June 4 — Brixworth, Northampton, Olney:
We sing at the Brixworth Saxon Church (built AD 680), then visit Castle Hill Church in Northampton where Philip Doddridge, author of “O Happy Day,” preached. Lunch with members of the Northampton Church of Christ. In Olney, we tour the Cowper-Newton Museum and see where William Cowper and John Newton wrote hymns including “Amazing Grace.” We sing in Olney Church and at John Newton’s grave, closing with coffee, cookies, and reflection.
Saturday, June 5 — Heathrow Airport:
Our last opportunity to sing together on the motorcoach as we travel to Heathrow Airport for flights home.
Tour Cost & Conditions
$5,733 per person, land only
- Included
- Private motorcoach transportation; first-class hotels (twin-bedded rooms, private bath — single supplement $1,614); two meals daily (breakfast and dinner); all sightseeing per the itinerary with entrance fees; baggage handling tips, hotel service charges, and taxes. Driver tips ($125) are included in the final statement.
- Not included
- U.S. passport fee, personal and baggage insurance, meals other than those listed, and items of a personal nature.
- Reservations
- A deposit of $500 per person secures your space. Balance due 120 days before departure.
- Cancellations
- More than 120 days before departure: $200 cancellation charge. Within 120 days: all monies paid are subject to forfeiture. Trip cancellation, travel accident, and baggage insurance is recommended.
- Important notice
- Tour price is based on rates in effect June 2, 2026, and a minimum of 35 passengers, subject to adjustment based on currency conversion rates as of January 11, 2027.
- Responsibility
- Fowler Tours LLC and its representatives act solely as a booking agent for travel services and related products. Funds received are sent directly to the actual supplier, who assumes all responsibility for the services and products purchased. Fowler Tours LLC is not liable for the acts or omissions of suppliers (airlines, hotels, ground operators, etc.) or for loss, injury, or damage in connection with accommodations, transportation, or other services purchased. Fowler Tours LLC and the ground operators may adjust the daily itinerary as needed for the safety and comfort of tour members.
Ready to join us? Print and mail in the registration form below with your $500 per person deposit.
Registration Form