Aspects of Britain 2024

This morning, use your included rail passes to make your way to Cardiff, the Welsh Capital (just 2hrs from London by direct train). Your afternoon is free to explore the city at your own pace; perhaps wander the city’s Victorian shopping arcades or using your complimentary tickets visit Cardiff Castle whose unique history stretches from Roman times right through to the industrial revolution and the addition of a faux-gothic Victorian manor house. By evening meet your tour leader and the rest of the group where we’ll enjoy a hearty Welsh dinner together.

Overnight: Cardiff

Meals: Dinner included.

Today we hop on board the mini-coach for a journey in to the South Wales countryside where we’ll experience two of Wales’ most renowned features; ancient castles and glorious natural landscapes. We’ll visit the imposing 13th century fortress at Caerphilly Castle and the Victorian folly at Castell Coch before venturing in to the hills and mountains of the Brecon Beacons National Park, a protected region of spectacular natural beauty. By evening we return to Cardiff where your evening is free to dine independently.

Overnight: Cardiff

Meals: Breakfast included.

Bidding farewell to Cardiff we’ll head through rural South Wales before crossing the border in to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds. There’ll be time to pause in one or more of the charming Cotswold villages characterized by historic market squares, thatch cottages and honey-coloured stone. By afternoon we arrive in the medieval town of Stratford-upon-Avon where you have free-time to explore the river-side town and discover the history of its most famous resident at the Shakespeare’s Birthplace exhibition. Your evening is free to dine independently.

Overnight: Stratford-upon-Avon

Meals: Breakfast included.

It’s all aboard the bus today for an epic journey in to the North of England. First stop will be the archetypal English country stately home at Chatsworth where we’ll marvel at the expansive grounds and wander the fine art collections and opulent state rooms. Then its onward in to the Peak District, one of England’s protected areas of outstanding natural beauty; we’ll pause for lunch in a town typical of the region before taking a scenic drive through the rolling hills and limestone peaks of the National Park. By evening we arrive in York where we dine together.

Overnight: York

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

More epic landscapes await today as we cross the barren North Yorkshire Moors, inspiration for Emily Bronte’s "Wuthering Heights". We’ll pause in the charming village of Goathland, setting to television’s "Heartbeat" and whose tiny rail station you may recognize as Hogsmeade from the "Harry Potter" movies. Then it’s onward to visit the coastal town of Whitby whose hill-top Abbey ruins offering a haunting look-out point. After time to explore the quaint harbour town we’ll return to York where your evening is free to dine independently.

Overnight: York

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today we embark on a journey in to England’s northern regions passing through the barren landscapes of the Northumberland National Park. We’ll pause to visit the glorious estate at Alnwick Castle whose towers and turrets you may recognize as parts of Hogwarts from the "Harry Potter" movies. Later we cross the ancient border between England and Scotland in to the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders where we’ll spot the hallmarks of the region’s tumultuous history. By evening we relax in our Lowland hotel and enjoy a group dinner together.

Overnight: Scottish Borders

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today we pass over the hills of the Lowlands to Scotland’s largest city; often overshadowed by Edinburgh, Glasgow offers an insight in to Scottish Culture old and new. We’ll visit the National Piping Centre to learn about the national instrument, the Bagpipes, before enjoying free time to explore the city – perhaps visit the magnificent art collections at the Kelvingrove Museum. Your evening is free to dine independently in one of the city’s many restaurants.

Overnight: Glasgow

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today we enjoy an excursion out of the city in to the rugged landscapes of Scotland’s renowned Trossachs National Park. The region is known as the “Highlands in Miniature” to the diversity of its landscapes over a compact area. We’ll see the shores of Loch Lomond and enjoy a scenic drive on route to Stirling Castle, once the Royal Seat of Scotland and whose history rivals that of Edinburgh for its historic significance and beauty. Later we return to Glasgow where we enjoy a farewell dinner together as a group.

Overnight: Glasgow

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Your tour leader will bid farewell after breakfast and your tour ends today after checking out from your Glasgow hotel. You may choose to continue to explore Glasgow at your own pace, head to Glasgow Airport for a flight home or take an onward rail journey to Edinburgh or back to London. On some dates this tour can be combined with our Secrets of Scotland tour to explore Scotland in more depth.

Meals: Breakfast included.