Day 2 - Stratford-upon-Avon Excursion

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and a morning at leisure. Later travel to Stratford-upon-Avon to discover the Ye Olde England of the Bard’s birth and his final resting place, Holy Trinity Church. En-route we’ll stop at a famous thatched farmhouse where the young William Shakespeare courted Anne Hathaway. After touring through more honey-coloured hamlets we return to our hotel for an evening at leisure.  

Day 3 - Cotswolds - Worcester - Llangollen

The historic tower of Worcester Cathedral dominates the cityscape as it rises from the banks of the River Severn. During our visit we’ll spend time at one of England’s quietest but most interesting cathedrals.

Later we’ll tour through the craggy and varied landscapes of Wales as we make our way to our hotel. Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner together.

Overnight: Mulberry Inn, Llangollen (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 4 - Snowdonia National Park Excursion

In north Wales we have a whole day to explore the amazing Snowdonia National Park, an area famed for its outstanding natural splendour.

Tonight we’ll enjoy a splendid gastropub dinner.

Day 5 - Llangollen - Liverpool - York

After breakfast, we’ll leave Wales behind us and move on to Liverpool, by the River Mersey. This vibrant city gave birth to The Beatles and a popular style of music in the 1960’s called The Mersey Beat. What better way to get into the ‘Beatlemania’ spirit than with a bus tour and visit to The Beatles Story museum that tells the fascinating story of the “Fab Four”?

Next we continue to York, the historic capital of northern England. 

Overnight: Churchill Hotel, York (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 6 - York Walking Tour and free time

This morning join your tour leader for a fascinating walking tour through the historic streets of York. Enjoy superb views from the ancient city walls and see impressive York Minster, the largest medieval church in England.

This afternoon is completely free so you can explore York on your own. Why not make a visit to the ever-popular National Railway Museum; discover York’s Viking Past at the Jorvik Centre or enjoy a sumptuous Cream Tea at Bettys Tearoom?

Day 7 - York - Castle Howard - Lake District

Drive to the magnificent 18th century Castle Howard, Yorkshire’s finest historic house and estate. Later enjoy a scenic drive through the wonderful Yorkshire Dales National Park, before arriving at Lake Windermere, our base for the next two nights.

Overnight: Waterhead Hotel, Lake Windermere (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 8 - Lake District Excursion

Today we enjoy one of Britain’s most beautiful national parks. From Lake Windermere, our first stop is Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top Farm. This afternoon, we visit Dove Cottage, once home to the poet William Wordsworth and the inspiration for his Daffodils poem. We’ll also visit Hawkshead, the Grammar School where he was a pupil.  After a short cruise on the lake we return to our accommodation.

Day 9 - Lake District - Hadrian’s Wall - Scottish Borders

Driving through Cumbria, we follow Hadrian’s Wall until we reach Birdoswald Roman Fort, one of the best Roman sites on the wall. We then travel to the Scottish Borders and gather to enjoy a traditional three-course Scottish banquet and bagpipe demonstration on our final night together.

Overnight: Friars Carse Hotel, Dumfries (or similar)

Day 10 - Scottish Borders - Abbotsford House - Edinburgh

Explore Abbotsford House, the former home of Sir Walter Scott. This afternoon we visit one of the most mysterious sites in Scotland, Rosslyn Chapel, which was featured in the best-selling film The Da Vinci Code. Our final destination is Edinburgh, where our tour concludes.