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  1. Day 1 Cambridge City and Cambridge University

    Arriving in to London Heathrow Airport collect your rental vehicle and head North skirting around London and in to the pastoral landscapes of the East of England. On route, you can visit the manor at Hedingham Castle and Gardens or Audley End House. Arriving in Cambridge, explore the labyrinthine cobbled parades and squares and marvel at the intricate architecture of world-renowned colleges including Kings College, Trinity College and Christ’s College before taking a stroll along the Backs, extensive parklands behind the university. By evening retire to your nearby country pub in the Cambridgeshire countryside.

    Overnight: The White Horse Inn (or similar), Cambridgeshire

    Journey details: 80 miles / 130 km, 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.), if starting at Heathrow Airport*

  2. Day 2 The City of York

    Continuing your journey north pass Nottingham and Lincoln on route to the grandiose city of York and the rolling hills of Yorkshire. York is home to a wealth of historic and cultural sites from the cobbled Shambles, Britain’s first shopping street to Viking heritage at the Jorvik Center. Stroll along the remaining medieval city walls, gates and towers or visit the National Railway Museum, current home of the Flying Scotsman, visit the Mansion House or the Tudor exhibition at Micklegate Bar, before enjoying York’s undoubted highlight at the iconic York Minster.

    Overnight: Lamb and Lion (or similar), York

    Meals: Breakfast included

    Journey details: 180 miles / 290 km, 3 hours 15 minutes (approx.)*

  3. Day 3 The Yorkshire Dales & Moors and Castle Howard

    Dedicate today exploring outside of the city, where you’ll find yourself in another area of outstanding natural beauty with the Yorkshire Dales and the North Yorkshire Moors on your doorstep. Explore Goathland Station, seen as Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter movies or discover the nearby historic attractions at the UNESCO World Heritage Fountains Abbey and Gardens or the majestic Castle Howard stately home which has featured in period dramas and film alike.

    Overnight: The Lamb & Lion (or similar) York

    Meals: Breakfast included

  4. Day 4 Windermere and the English Lake District

    Departing Yorkshire head West and explore the quaint Yorkshire towns of Harrogate and Skipton, or visit the Bronte Parsonage where the famous literary sisters created their works. Then arriving in the Lake District enjoy some of England’s most spectacular and inspiring natural beauty. Take time to explore the lakes, their surrounding fells, woodlands, stone walls and quaint lake-land villages such as Windermere and Grasmere. Perhaps take a steam-boat ride on Lake Windermere or climb Scafell Pike, the highest point in England to enjoy breath-taking views.

    Overnight: The Swan Hotel or Cuckoo Brow Inn (or similar), Lake District

    Meals: Breakfast included

    Journey details: 100 miles / 2hrs 30mins approx.*

  5. Day 5 Heritage of the Lakes and Hadrians Wall

    Passing in to the Midlands you may choose to stop at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Gardens before visiting one of William the Conquerors fortresses at the stunning Warwick Castle. Then arriving in the Cotswolds explore Stratford-upon-Avon, a picturesque, medieval town of Tudor timberwork buildings, open greens and boats bobbing on the river Avon and a wealth of heritage sites dedicated to the towns most famous resident William Shakespeare. Outside of Stratford you can explore the quintessential countryside of the Cotswolds including quaint and eccentric chocolate-box villages such as Broadway, Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold. Stunning sites you can visit include Warwick Castle, Snowshill Manor and Garden, the 13th century cistercian Hailes Abbey and the medieval manor at Sudely Castle, linked to King Henry VIII and 2 of his wives. The University town of Oxford and Churchill's magnificent Blenheim Palace are also within driving distance.

    Overnight: The Swan Hotel or Cuckoo Brow Inn (or similar), Lake District

    Meals: Breakfast included

  6. Day 6 The Beatles Liverpool and Historic Chester

    Today pass south to visit the magnificent city of Liverpool which was designated as European City of Culture in 2008. The city is home to two cathedrals, dozens of listed buildings, the famous Albert Docks and a wealth of Beatles Heritage including Matthews Street, the Cavern Club, Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields and the Beatles Story Exhibition. A short onward drive brings you to the Roman city of Chester, home to Roman City walls and gate towers, the stunning excavated Roman Amphitheatre, an impressive cathedral and the unique Tudor Facaded "Rows".

    Overnight: The Golden Eagle (or similar) Chester

    Meals: Breakfast included

    Journey details: 100 miles / 2hrs approx.*

  7. Day 7 Warwick Castle and Stratford-upon-Avon

    Passing in to the Midlands you may choose to stop at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Gardens before visiting one of William the Conquerors fortresses at the stunning Warwick Castle. Then arriving in the northern Cotswolds explore Stratford-upon-Avon. Stratford is a picturesque, medieval town of Tudor timberwork buildings, open greens and boats bobbing on the river Avon and a wealth of heritage sites dedicated to the town’s most famous resident William Shakespeare. By evening, continue to your overnight base in the Cotswolds.

    Overnight: Noel Arms, (or similar) Chipping Campden

    Meals: Breakfast included

    Journey details: 120 miles / 3hrs approx *

  8. Day 8 The Cotswolds villages

    Dedicate to day to exploring the quintessential countryside and villages of the Cotswolds region. Discover charming and eccentrically named chocolate-box villages such as Broadway, Moreton-in-Marsh, Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold, each home to quaint tea-rooms, antiques dealers and thatch, honey-coloured cottages. Intriguing historic sites you can visit include the 13th century cistercian Hailes Abbey Broadway Tower and the medieval manor at Sudely Castle, linked to King Henry VIII and 2 of his wives.

    Overnight: Noel Arms, (or similar) Chipping Campden

    Meals: Breakfast included

  9. Day 9 Blenheim Palace and Oxford

    Today, return south towards London. On route, stop at the charming village of Woodstock home of the glorious baroque mansion of Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill. A short onward drive brings you to Oxford where you can see the college quads and “dreaming spires” of the world-renowned Oxford University. Soak up the unique academic ambience of the town which once inspired the likes of Tolkien, CS Lewis and Oscar Wilde and explore the famous colleges or the magnificent Bodleian Library which featured as parts of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies. Make your way to London Heathrow Airport and return your vehicle.

    Overnight: Heathrow Airport Hotel

    Meals: Breakfast included

    Journey details: 85 miles / 1hr 45mins approx*

  10. Day 10 Return Home

    Your tour comes to an end. Enjoy your breakfast and make your way back to the airport for your return flight home. Alternatively, you can continue in to central London for time in the English Capital.

    Meals: Breakfast included

*Journey times and distances are estimates and are based on the direct route between the start location and end location for each day of the itinerary, where applicable. They do not include detours or stops for sightseeing.

What's included

  • 9 nights’ accommodation (suggested accommodations listed below).
  • Full cooked English breakfast each morning.
  • 10 days car rental (outside of London, collect and return London Airport) inclusive of all mandatory taxes, insurances and charges.
  • Shipment of your personal travel document and information pack containing all travel vouchers/tickets, printed copy of your itinerary, overview driving map and our own travel information and tips.
  • Toll-free calls (from USA and Canada) to your Britain vacation specialist whilst planning your trip.
  • Expert assistance during the planning of your trip and local out-of-hours number for use during travel.

Suggested accommodations

  • The White Horse Inn (or similar), Cambridge x 1 night
  • The Lamb & Lion Inn (or similar), York x 2 nights
  • The Swan Hotel or Cuckoo Brow Inn (or similar), Lake District x 2 nights
  • The Golden Eagle (or similar), Chester x 1 night
  • Noel Arms, (or similar), Chipping Campden x 2 nights
  • Mercure London Heathrow Airport Hotel, Heathrow Airport x 1

As our self-drive tours are fully customizable we can tailor the suggested accommodations for your particular quotation based on your preferences, budget etc.

Optional extras

  • Enjoy a City Sightseeing open-top bus tour Bath.
  • Purchase the English Heritage overseas visitor passes for entry to a number of sites and historic attractions on route.
  • Pre-book entry to the Shakespeare's Houses heritage attractions in and around Stratford-upon-Avon.
  • Book a lake cruise of Lake Windermere.
  • Pre-book pre/post tour accommodation in London before or after your trip.

Customize this tour!

  • Add extra nights in any of your destination cities to explore further.
  • Add an overnight stop in historic Bath or Salisbury close to Stonehenge and Avebury Stone circles.
  • Have your very own private driver-guide chauffeur your tour.
  • Combine this tour with one of our other Britain self-tours.
  • Enjoy an upgrade to a luxury castle or manor hotel on one or more nights of your stay.

Exclusions

  • Trip Insurance – we ask that our guests purchase suitable cover in case planned travel is affected or disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances. More information on the benefits of trip insurance can be found here.
  • Flights – adeo Travel do not book air travel but are happy to offer advice on where to seek competitive airfare.
  • Meals and/or sightseeing other than that outlined above.

Departure Dates 2023/2024

This self-guided tour is customizable and can be taken at any time throughout the year and starting and ending on any day of the week - simply let us know your preferred dates of travel!

Pricing 2023/2024

From GBP £1,395 per person (based on two people travelling).

Representative pricing above based on travel in shoulder-season travel (April/October) with two people sharing a twin/double room, staying in sample accommodations as listed and sharing a compact automatic vehicle. For a direct quote for your preferred dates of travel please contact us.

Pricing Notes

  • Above pricing is an estimated "from" price based on shoulder-season travel (April/October). As this tour can be taken at any time pricing will vary dependent on departure day, date of travel, selected accommodations etc.
  • Your quotation will be based on the suggested accommodations listed however please note that we may tailor your specific quote to accommodate your budget and preferences. Please indicate these when you contact us.
  • Prices are calculated as per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room and one vehicle.
  • Prices are for land only travel and do not include flights.
  • Prices are in GBP£ currency, for approximate amounts in other currencies please contact us.
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