7 day tour
Great Britain
From
£1035.00
Tour Summary
Great Britain
7 day / 6 night tour
Your British odyssey begins in Cambridge for a traditional punting trip along the River Cam, then onwards to visit historic York and enjoy a classic roast dinner. Heading north, stop at the Angel of the North statue and Hadrian’s Wall before crossing into Scotland via Jedburgh and arriving in Edinburgh, Scotland’s Capital City. Enjoy a free day to explore the city before travelling through the Highlands, visiting Culloden, Loch Ness, Ben Nevis and Glen Coe. The tour continues via Gretna Green, the Lake District, Liverpool, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cardiff, Bath and Stonehenge before returning to London.
York - stroll along the city walls to see mighty York
Edinburgh - enjoy a welcome nip of whisky and a full day to explore Scotland’s Capital
Scottish Highlands – soak up dramatic landscapes of lochs and mountains
Lake District - experience the scenery that inspired William Wordsworth
Bath - discover the grand architecture of this UNESCO-listed city
Stonehenge - visit the mysterious circle of stones
Movie locations - Miss Potter, The Angels Share and Les Misérables
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - London - Cambridge - York
Your seven-day tour through Great Britain starts in London and, travelling northwards, our first stop is in the elegant university city of Cambridge. Here, you’ll experience one of the city’s traditions with a relaxing punting trip along the River Cam.
Gliding gently through the water aboard a flat-bottomed punt, expertly controlled by your punt chauffeur, you’ll pass beneath picturesque bridges and alongside the historic colleges that have established Cambridge’s reputation for centuries.
The journey continues to York, one of England’s most historic cities. On arrival, enjoy an orientation tour that introduces you to York’s rich past and remarkable architecture.
Take a stroll within the ancient city walls to see the topsy-turvy ‘Shambles’, an enchanting street with overhanging timber-framed houses. Some date back to the 14th Century.
Later in the tour, see the magnificent York Minster, the largest medieval church in northern Europe.
Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and savour a traditional British roast dinner with vegetarian options also available. It’s the perfect way to end the first memorable day of your Great Britain adventure.
Overnight: Ibis York Centre Hotel, York (or similar)
Day 2 - York – Hadrian’s Wall - Edinburgh
After breakfast, we leave York behind and journey north. We will stop to admire the striking Angel of the North, one of northern England’s most iconic modern landmarks. This vast steel sculpture spreads its 54m (177 ft) wings dramatically across the landscape, making a stunning photo opportunity.
Next is Hadrian’s Wall, the remarkable Roman frontier built in AD 122 under Emperor Hadrian. Stretching across northern England, this defensive barrier once marked the north-west boundary of the Roman Empire for nearly three centuries.
Crossing the border into Scotland, the tour arrives in Jedburgh, a historic Royal Burgh that has experienced centuries of cross-border conflict. With time to explore, we can wander the quiet streets and visit the impressive ruins of Jedburgh Abbey, which dates from 1100s.
The day ends in Edinburgh, Scotland’s historic Capital City.
Tonight, visit a local distillery for a wee taste of whisky, followed by a relaxed group dinner.
Overnight: Novotel Edinburgh Park Hotel (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 3 - Exploring Edinburgh
Today is free to explore Edinburgh at your own pace. This remarkable city blends medieval charm with elegant Georgian architecture and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Old Town is dominated by the famous Royal Mile, the historic street that stretches from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which is lined with many notable buildings and atmospheric alleyways.
By contrast, the New Town boasts grand squares, wide streets and impressive Georgian architecture.
If you wish, you can head out of the city on the optional half-day trip to Stirling. This historic city played an important role during Scotland’s Wars of Independence. During your visit, soak up the atmosphere of the city’s historic Old Town and explore the impressive castle that was once home to the Scottish Kings and Queens.
Tonight, you can enjoy a traditional Scottish dinner experience, complete with local dishes, lively music and dancing. It’s an entertaining and atmospheric way to celebrate your Scottish visit.
Day 4 - Edinburgh - Loch Ness - Arrochar
Today, our journey leads us deep into the dramatic scenery of the Scottish Highlands, a region famed for its wild beauty and powerful history.
Travelling through Highland Perthshire and the scenic Cairngorms National Park, we reach Culloden Battlefield. Here, in 1746, the Jacobite forces of Bonnie Prince Charlie were decisively defeated by government troops, marking a tragic turning point in Scottish history which brought the traditional Highland clan system to an end.
From here, the tour continues to the shores of the legendary Loch Ness, Scotland’s most famous loch. Take time to admire the vast sweep of dark water stretching for 36 km (around 23 miles), and if you wish, join an optional boat cruise across the deep waters of the loch while keeping watch for the elusive Nessie, the mysterious creature said to inhabit the depths.
Returning to the road, the journey passes the soaring peak of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, before travelling through the breathtaking valley of Glen Coe.
Surrounded by steep mountains, this dramatic valley is also remembered for the tragic Massacre of Glencoe in 1692. Our journey continues across the wilds of Rannoch Moor to reach our hotel on the banks of Loch Long for the evening.
Overnight: Arrochar Hotel, Arrochar (or similar)
Day 5 - Arrochar - Lake District - Liverpool
Our day starts with a scenic drive along the “bonnie, bonnie” banks of Loch Lomond. We’ll see some of the many islands scattered across the loch, which marks the boundary between the Highlands and Lowlands.
Crossing the border into England, there is a stop at the historic village of Gretna Green, long known as a romantic refuge where young couples eloped to be married by the Blacksmiths, who became known as “The Anvil Priests”.
The journey then continues into the English Lake District, one of Britain’s most picturesque regions. Surrounded by rolling fells, tranquil lakes and charming villages, there is time to pause for lunch while enjoying the landscapes that inspired literary greats such as William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.
Later, we arrive in Liverpool, our home for tonight. This lively city is rich in maritime, musical and sporting heritage. A short driving tour introduces some of the city’s highlights, including the famous Anfield football stadium, magnificent Liverpool Cathedral and the historic Albert Dock waterfront.
In the evening, enjoy free time to explore the city’s upbeat atmosphere, with plenty of excellent restaurants and traditional pubs to choose from for dinner.
Overnight: ibis Liverpool Centre Albert Dock (or similar)
Day 6 - Liverpool - Stratford-upon-Avon - Cardiff
The day begins with a tour visiting key locations connected to The Beatles, also known as The “Fab Four”. On your Magical Mystery Tour, you’ll see many landmarks and neighbourhoods that influenced the band’s early years.
Leaving Liverpool behind, the journey continues to Stratford-upon-Avon, the charming market town known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. During our free time, we can wander along streets steeped in history and see the 16th-century house where the celebrated playwright was born.
Those wishing to learn more about Shakespeare’s life can join an optional tour of his childhood home, followed by a traditional afternoon tea at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
The tour then heads westwards into Wales, pausing for a photo stop at the impressive ruins of Raglan Castle, a striking medieval fortress set amid rolling countryside.
Arrival in Cardiff reveals the lively Welsh capital, where an orientation tour introduces some of the city’s many landmarks.
Tonight, join your fellow passengers for a memorable farewell dinner.
Overnight: Mercure Cardiff North Hotel, Cardiff (or similar)
Day 7 - Cardiff - Stonehenge - London
The final day of the tour is filled with memorable sights as the journey back to London begins.
The first stop is the elegant city of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is famed for its beautifully preserved Georgian architecture and rich Roman history.
On arrival, enjoy an orientation tour that will introduce you to some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the impressive Bath Abbey, sweeping Royal Crescent and the picturesque Pulteney Bridge, which spans the River Avon.
There is also the option to visit the famous Roman Baths, one of the best-preserved ancient spa complexes in Europe, where you can explore the steaming pools and learn about the city’s origins as a Roman spa nearly two thousand years ago.
Our tour ends on a high note as we cross the vast Salisbury Plain to visit the prehistoric site of Stonehenge. You’ll have the opportunity to view the iconic circle of standing stones that has fascinated historians, archaeologists and travellers for centuries. Those who wish can join an optional excursion for a closer look and deeper insight into the myths and theories surrounding this remarkable site.
Afterwards, the tour returns to London, bringing this memorable journey through Great Britain to a close.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Escorted Tour?
If you enjoy the art of first-class travel whilst enjoying amazing value then an Escorted Tour is just for you. These tours are carefully researched and combine quality hotels, luxury travel, informative visits and leisure time. You’ll find our Escorted Tours to be memorable - for all the right reasons!
You will travel aboard a state of the art motorcoach with air-conditioning, reclining seats, oversized windows and emergency washroom. Many coaches are equipped with WiFi too.
An experienced tour manager will lead the tour and your coach will be expertly driven by a professional driver. In certain locations you’ll may be joined by a local guide who will provide local insight and show you the highlights.
These tours are inclusive of superior tourist class accommodation, transportation, selected admission fees and many meals.
On many tours you’ll have the chance to personalise your touring experience by participating in some carefully planned optional excursions. These are at additional expense and, if available, details will be provided with your tour documentation.
What type of room should I choose?
Selecting the right sleeping arrangements can be a little bit confusing, so here is a description of what you can expect from the hotel accommodation offered as part of your tour:
Single room - this is a room for one person sleeping in a single bed.
Twin room - this is a room for two people sleeping in two separate beds.
Double room - this is a room for two people sharing one large bed.
Family room - this is a room for three people sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person).
Please note that a family room is normally a standard double or twin room with either a sofa bed or a rollaway bed.
All room types, other than twin rooms, are subject to availability.
How much luggage can I bring?
You can bring one suitcase and one carry-on bag per person.
The maximum weight allowance and luggage dimensions varies by tour so you should check the tour documentation for the luggage policy that applies to your tour.
Can you cater for special dietary needs?
Yes, it is possible to cater for passengers who are vegetarian or have medically-recommended diets. Please advise any special dietary requirements that you may have at time of booking.
Unfortunately it is not possible to arrange meals in accordance with strict religious requirements.
Where can I purchase travel insurance?
We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance in place for your trip to Scotland, especially if you are visiting from overseas. To purchase a policy speak to your insurance broker or undertake a search on-line.
We would also suggest checking your home policy or credit card contract as many suppliers include travel insurance as part of their offering.
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