London Bath The CotswoldsShakespeare Country Yorkshire The Lake Districthadrian’s Wall
This magical journey through the heart of England explores the most iconic and charming destinations. From the bustling streets of London to the picturesque landscapes of the Cotswolds, the birthplace of Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon, the historic Hadrian’s Wall, and the enchanting coastal town of Whitby, this tour offers an unforgettable experience. Immerse yourself in the rich history, stunning architecture, and natural beauty of Bath, the medieval charm of York, and the breathtaking vistas of the Lake District.
Itinerary Highlights
What’s included
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
14
Nights
Price Guide
$POA
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Fly to London
London Sightseeing Tour
An expert local guide and your chauffeur will be waiting to meet you for a full day sightseeing tour (8 hours) of the City of London and Westminster. You will visit the Tower of London, where the Beefeaters guard the dazzling Crown Jewels, and where you will gain excellent views of Tower Bridge from the Medieval Palace. Proceed afterwards to St. Paul’s Cathedral, rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666.
This afternoon you will tour Westminster. Enjoy a flight on the London Eye, from the top of which you will gain spectacular city views. Continue on to Trafalgar Square, where Nelson’s Column overshadows the National Gallery of Art. You will then head down Whitehall and past Downing Street to the Houses of Parliament. You will also visit Westminster Abbey, the National Church of England, which has been the scene of many state occasions, including the Coronation. Finally, return to your hotel past Buckingham Palace, the King’s official residence in London.
British Museum & British Library
Today, an expert local guide and your chauffeur will be waiting to meet you for a half-day sightseeing tour to the Bloomsbury area of London. You will visit the British Museum, which houses a world-renowned collection of historic artifacts, including the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles and the Sutton Hoo treasures. You will also see an excellent collection of Egyptian antiquities. Time permitting, you may also travel to the British Library building, where many priceless documents, including a Gutenberg Bible and the First Folio edition of Shakespeare, are on display.
London – Cotswolds
Check out your London hotel this morning and head west into the charming English countryside. Your knowledgeable driver-guide takes you to Oxford, the “City of Dreaming Spires”, home to England’s oldest university. Here, you can walk through the impressive buildings that are still home to the university’s main ceremonial and educational functions, admiring the various colleges’ remarkable architecture and splendid settings.
You then continue to Woodstock, stopping at Blenheim Palace for a tour. Currently home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, the palace was designed by the architect Vanbrugh and was the birthplace of wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill. A vast park, wonderfully landscaped by Capability Brown, surrounds the palace. At the end of the tour, you will continue to your hotel, which is situated in the Cotswolds.
Bath Sightseeing Tour
Today, you can visit the beautiful Georgian city of Bath, often regarded as one of England’s loveliest cities. From its beginnings as a Roman camp in the first century AD, Bath developed through troubled centuries to emerge in the 1700’s as a fashionable ‘spa’ resort. Some of England’s best-preserved Georgian architecture and fascinating relics of earlier eras are found here.
Your driver-guide and private vehicle will be at your disposal for a full day (8 hours) for you to explore the city. You will tour the Roman Baths that were discovered in an excellent state of preservation near to Bath Abbey church and also see the magnificent Palladian architecture for which the city is renowned (seen at its best in the Circus and the Royal Crescent). On Monday afternoons, you may also visit Number One Royal Crescent that has been authentically restored to its Georgian appearance.
The Cotswolds
Your driver-guide takes you on a full-day tour of the Cotswolds and into Warwickshire today. Discover the delights of the Cotswolds as you pass through some of the picturesque, quaint villages that are made so distinctive by the famous honey-coloured Cotswold stone.
You then pass into the county of Warwickshire to visit Stratford-Upon-Avon, the market town that is revered as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Tour the town centre and visit Ann Hathaway’s Cottage in the nearby village of Shottery. You may also wish to visit Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare is buried. The church lies on the banks of the Avon beyond the world-famous theatre. Return to your hotel from here.
Cotswolds – Chester
Check out of your hotel this morning and travel through the Warwickshire countryside en route to Cheshire. Enjoy lunch at leisure en route.
Chester – North Wales
Today, your driver-guide is waiting to lead you on a full day excursion into North Wales. Head west past the fortified town of Conwy to the town of Caernarfon, where Edward I’s sizeable castle dominates this largely Welsh-speaking town. Here you shall tour the castle before continuing into the Snowdonia National Park. In Snowdonia National Park board the steam train which will take you to the summit of Mount Snowdon, at an altitude of 1,085m. Time permitting you may wish to visit the delightful Italianate village of Portmeirion, built by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis in 1926, where you will have free time to explore its extraordinary architecture and coastal scenery. Return to your hotel in Chester from here.
Chester – The Lake District
Depart Chester today and head northwards to the region known as The Lake District, a National Park because of its outstanding natural beauty. En-route stop at Cartmel, a beautiful village with flower-filled corners, delightful streamside walks, humpbacked bridges, cobbled pavements and traditional inns. Having celebrated its 800th anniversary, the Priory Church of St Mary and St. Michael still serves as the centre of the community. Also visit Levens Hall, a fine Elizabethan Mansion with fantastic topiary gardens.
The Lake District
Spend the day with your driver-guide and discover the unique scenery of the Lake District. The geography of mountains, valleys and lakes was formed during the Ice Age. Enjoy a relaxing public lake cruise followed by a ride on the steam railway through the Leven Valley. Alternatively, the more active may wish to walk the many pathways and admire the views. Return to your lakeside accommodation.
The Lake District – Seaham
Travel today up to the border with Scotland and the wall that was ordered by the Roman Emperor, Hadrian, to keep out Scottish invaders. All along the wall there used to be a full infrastructure of garrisons, forts and temples. The best preserved is The Housesteads, a fort where you can clearly see the foundations of the commandant, granaries, hospital and HQ building. Travel on up to the medieval university city of Durham. Durham Castle commands a strategic position above the River Wear and, for 750 years, served as the home to Prince-Bishops from where Northern England was ruled and the Scots kept at bay. Durham’s other impressive site is its Norman Cathedral, situated on the Palace Green whose origins go back to the 10th-Century. Spend the evening in the village of Seaham, overlooking the North Sea.
Seaham – York
Venture down the coast today to the picturesque and traditional British resort town of Whitby. The ruins of Whitby Abbey are set high on the East Cliff, founded by St. Hilda in AD 657. Whitby also played a role in the inspiration of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Your driver-guide will take you to the North Yorkshire Moors, a dramatic National Park of heather-coloured moorlands and quaint villages. Your journey ends today at your hotel in York.
York Sightseeing Tour
York is one of the most historic cities in England, as you discover this morning with your driver-guide. Enticing narrow cobbled streets lined with medieval, half-timbered buildings intertwine to form the heart of York’s charming Old Town, the location of this morning’s guided tour. The most famous of these streets is the Shambles, formerly a butchers’ quarter and now home to many quaint antique, art and book shops, perfect for browsing. Take time to visit the soaring medieval structure of York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral north of the Alps. The cathedral’s towering windows contain more than half of all the 14th- and 15th-century stained
glass surviving in England. You may also visit the Jorvik Viking Centre, built on the site of the amazingly preserved original Viking settlement discovered by archaeologists in the 1970s.
This afternoon, take an excursion out of the city to Castle Howard, a fine 18th-century mansion in the hills to the east of York. With its large landscaped garden, it has been used as the setting for numerous television dramas such as ‘Brideshead Revisited’.
York – London
Today, your driver-guide leads you on a full-day journey to London. As you head south, stop off in beautiful Cambridge, the city that is home to England’s second-oldest university, founded in 1209. Many of the college buildings here are very grand; chief among these is King’s College Chapel, whose fan-vaulted roof is one of the architectural wonders of the world. Afterwards, you continue to your hotel in London.
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $POA
When to travel
England has a temperate maritime climate, with mild temperatures and rainfall throughout the year. The average temperature in England ranges from 5°C in winter to 20°C in summer, making it a great destination to visit all year round. However, the best time to travel to England is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is warm and sunny. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds and save money, the shoulder seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are also great times to visit.
Add on’s
There are a multitude of add on holiday options to this Englishm itinerary, consider adding on a trip to Scotland, Wales, or Ireland for a truly unforgettable experience. Each country has its own rich history, stunning landscapes, and unique culture waiting to be explored. Whether you’re drawn to the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands, the charming villages of the Welsh countryside, or the lively streets of Dublin, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
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