England’s Rustic Charm 2024

This morning, make your way to the elegant university town of Oxford. The city is just a short hop from London using your complimentary rail passes. Upon arrival in Oxford, you can drop your bags at your hotel and the afternoon is free to relax or explore the city at your own pace. Oxford is a picturesque university city nestled on the banks of the River Thames, home to cobbled squares and parades and elegant medieval architecture, particularly present in the chapels, spires, lawns and ivy-clad cloisters of the college quadrangles. Tonight convene with your driver guide and the rest of the group for an evening dinner together.

Overnight: Oxford

Meals: Dinner included.

This morning we’ll take an orientation walk around Oxford with our driver to see some of the historic colleges and soak up the whimsical academic ambience of the city which once inspired the likes of Tolkien, CS Lewis and Oscar Wilde. Then it’s all aboard the mini-coach for a journey to nearby Blenheim Palace; this opulent English stately home was the childhood home of Winston Churchill and today hosts interesting exhibitions which showcase the wartime legacy of England’s best-known prime ministers. Later we head in to the heart of the Cotswolds for our overnight stay and dinner together with the group.

Overnight: Cotswolds

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today we enjoy a day dedicated to exploring the beautiful Cotswolds region; we’ll meander winding country lanes between patchwork fields and take time to pause in several of the eccentrically named, honey-coloured villages each characterized by cobbled market squares, lofty church spires and chocolate-box thatch cottages. By afternoon we head for a renowned local brewery to enjoy a tour of the farm-based brewing facility to learn the secrets of the brewing process and, of course, to sample some of the innovative English beer and cider before returning to our base in the central Cotswolds for an evening at leisure.

Overnight: Cotswolds

Meals: Breakfast included.

Departing the Cotswolds, we turn north. We’ll head firstly for the hidden gem of Worcester, a charming medieval town of timberwork buildings, rich in Tudor history and home to a glorious cathedral. We’ll enjoy plenty of free-time to explore and take lunch. Then it’s all aboard board an historic steam train for a scenic rail journey along the Severn Valley to the charming town of Bridgnorth. Later we'll continue to the elegant city of Chester where your evening is free to dine independently.

Overnight: Chester

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today we have a leisurely start; after breakfast we’ll enjoy a brief stroll around Chester to see some of the highlights of this charming city such as the old medieval town walls, cathedral and the unique Tudor Facaded shopping arcades. Then we board the bus for nearby Liverpool and its famous Albert Docks. The Birthplace of the Beatles, here you can see the statue of the fab four in front of the famous Liver Buildings and enjoy plenty of free-time to wander the revitalised docklands, visit the Tate Art Gallery, the Merseyside Maritime Museum or the Beatles Story exhibition. By afternoon, we'll continue north from the bright lights of Liverpool to our overnight base, the heart of the Lake District.

Overnight: The Lake District

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Our day today is dedicated to exploring the enchanting natural beauty of the English Lake District. We’ll head off the beaten track to the lesser known corners of England’s favourite National Park; our journey will take us through winding country lanes, over mountain passes and past sheep scattered fells to charming villages, ancient stone-circles and look-out points where we can drink in the views. It will be easy to see how this region has inspired poets, authors and artists alike. Your evening is free to dine at leisure.

Overnight: The Lake District

Meals: Breakfast included.

Departing the Lake District we traverse the North of England exploring the rustic landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. We’ll pause in one or more of the typical Yorkshire villages, visit the peaceful Fountains Abbey and Water Gardens, learn about locally produced cuisine and spot some of the natural highlights such as the beautiful Aysgarth Falls. By afternoon, we’ll pause in the elegant Victorian Spa town of Harrogate, the perfect spot for afternoon tea before continuing to the magnificent city of York, our base for the next two nights.

Overnight: York

Meals: Breakfast and afternoon tea included.

Boarding the bus, we’ll take the short drive to one of the North of England’s finest country estates, Castle Howard. Dating back to the 17th century we’ll have the opportunity to stroll magnificent house and gardens which have featured in various television productions also including the Netflix series ”Bridgerton”. Then it’s back to York for a stroll around the highlights before an afternoon at leisure to explore this magnificent historic city independently. Climb the steps to walk atop the medieval city walls, visit one of the many local museums and exhibitions or simply gaze in awe at the magnificent York Minster – the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Tonight we reconvene for a farewell dinner.

Overnight: York

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Your tour leader will bid farewell after breakfast and your tour ends today after checking out from your hotel. You may choose to continue to explore York at your own pace before taking the train back to London or onwards to Edinburgh using your complimentary rail passes. Either journey is an easy direct rail trip taking around 2hrs. Either way you’ll return to the city with fond memories of rural England’s rustic charm.

Meals: Breakfast included.