11 day tour
Highlights of Britain
From
£3189.00
Tour Summary
Highlights of Britain
11 day / 10 night
Join this relaxing small-group tour from London to Edinburgh to discover Britain’s captivating history and culture. Follow in the footsteps of famous authors and poets and explore the landscapes that inspired them. Get off the beaten track to visit the Snowdonia, Yorkshire Dales, and Lake District National Parks. Enjoy two night stays in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Viking city of York for in-depth discovery. Visit grand houses, including luxurious Castle Howard and Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott. This tour has it all!
Small Group Tour - travel in an intimate group of just 16-18 passengers
The Cotswolds - explore the rolling countryside and quaint honey-coloured villages
Stratford-upon-Avon - enjoy a walking tour to see the birthplace of "The Bard"
Lake District - visit Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top Farm and Dove Cottage, home to William Wordsworth
Abbotsford House - tour the delightful Scottish Border home of Sir Walter Scott
Movie locations - Who dares wins, Harry Potter and The Da Vinci Code
Hotel accommodation included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Arrival in London
On arrival in London, make your way to your hotel in the heart of Westminster.
After checking in, head out to enjoy the sights. Buckingham Palace, The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey are just a short walk away.
Tonight, meet your fellow passengers and guide and enjoy a delicious welcome dinner.
Overnight: Wellington Hotel by Blue Orchid, London (or similar)
Day 2 - London - Oxford - Cotswolds
There is no better introduction to England than Oxford, the ‘city of dreaming spires. We enjoy an orientation tour and have time for a walk through the city.
Later, head to the Cotswolds, where we’ll spend some time exploring charming villages full of honey-coloured cottages.
We then drive to the delightful Three Ways House Hotel, home of the world-famous Pudding Club.
Overnight: Three Ways House Hotel (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 3 - Stratford-upon-Avon Excursion
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and a morning at leisure.
Later, travel to Stratford-upon-Avon, the attractive Tudor town where “The Bard”, William Shakespeare, was born.
Walk in his footsteps on a short orientation walking tour around the town, where we will see his birthplace and the famous thatched farmhouse where the young William Shakespeare courted Anne Hathaway.
After time to explore on our own, we return to our hotel through more honey-coloured hamlets.
Tonight, enjoy an evening at leisure.
Day 4 - 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 discover the resting place of King John and Prince Arthur, the ancient Norman crypt and the stunning Victorian stained glass windows.
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 5 - 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.
During our tour, we will discover some of the 823 square miles of diverse landscapes, including stone monuments, ancient castles, and, of course, Snowdon – the highest mountain in England and Wales.
Tonight we’ll enjoy a splendid dinner at our hotel.
Day 6 - Llangollen - Liverpool - York
After breakfast, we’ll leave Wales behind us and head to Liverpool by the River Mersey.
This vibrant city gave birth to The Beatles and a popular style of music in the 1960s called The Mersey Beat.
Later, we take the “Long and Winding Road” to York, the historic capital of Northern England.
Overnight: Churchill Hotel, York (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 7 - 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 the impressive York Minster, the largest medieval church in England.
This afternoon is entirely 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 8 - York - Castle Howard - Lake District
Drive to the magnificent 18th-century Castle Howard, Yorkshire’s finest historic house and estate. Discover how life was lived upstairs and downstairs on a fascinating self-guided tour.
Enjoy a scenic drive through the wonderful Yorkshire Dales National Park, famed for its unspoilt landscapes and abundant wildlife, before arriving at Lake Windermere, our base for the next two nights.
Overnight: Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa,Windermere (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 9 - Lake District Excursion
Today we enjoy one of Britain's most beautiful national parks, the picturesque Lake District.
From Lake Windermere, our first stop is Beatrix Potter's Hill Top Farm, where she wrote many of her famous children's tales.
This afternoon, we will visit Rydal Mount and Gardens, once the favoured home of the poet William Wordsworth. Still owned by his descendants, this family home is largely unchanged from the time the poet arrived here in 1813.
We take to the water for a relaxing cruise to savour the spectacular scenery of this picturesque region.
Later, we return to our hotel for the evening.
Day 10 - 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-preserved Roman sites on the wall.
Enjoy awe-inspiring views as we travel through the rolling countryside of the Scottish Borders.
Tonight, gather in our hotel to enjoy a traditional three-course Scottish banquet, with a wee taste of haggis and bagpipe demonstration on our final night together.
Overnight: Woodland House Hotel (or similar)
Day 11 - Scottish Borders - Abbotsford House - Edinburgh
After a drive through the Southern Uplands, we reach Abbotsford House, the beloved former home of the author and Scottish patriot, Sir Walter Scott.
This afternoon we visit one of the most mysterious sites in Scotland, Rosslyn Chapel, which featured in the best-selling film The Da Vinci Code.
Our final destination is Edinburgh, where our tour concludes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Premium Small Group Tour?
Many of our customers choose a small group tour for a more intimate and flexible travelling experience.
Comprising of no more than 18 passengers, these tours are carefully planned to travel off the highways, so you’ll discover quaint villages and picturesque vistas that other tours just drive on by.
All the small group tours we feature are operated by purpose-built luxury mini-coaches that feature air-conditioning, panoramic windows and comfortable seating.
Each group is led by an experienced driver/guide who will entertain and inform you with stories of our history, nature and folklore.
Admission fees to the key attractions are included in the price of your tour.
Comfortable accommodation has been arranged in carefully selected small hotels, manor houses and inns. Carefully chosen for their quality and ambience, they provide an authentic experience yet boast modern amenities.
A tasty breakfast will get each touring day off to a delicious start.
Many dinners are included so you can join your newfound friends for a delicious meal carefully prepared using local ingredients - it’s a great way to end your day of discovery.
What type of room should I choose?
This tour includes guest house accommodation.
There are different bedroom types to choose from. Here is what you can expect:
Single room - one person sleeping in a single bed
Twin room - two people sleeping in two separate beds
Double room - two people sharing one large bed
Family room - three people sharing a room, sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person)
Please note that a family room can be a standard double room with either a sofa bed or a rollaway bed.
Can children travel on a Small Group Tour?
These tours are designed specifically for adults.
Children aged 12 years and above can travel on request, but we regret that reduced child rates are not available on this tour.
Please email us for details: info@scottishtours.co.uk.
Can I reserve specific seats on the coach?
Seats cannot be pre-booked however your driver/guide will normally implement a seat rotation system which will allow all passengers the opportunity of experiencing spectacular views from different seats on the minicoach.
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