Essence of England and Wales 2024

This morning, make your way to Cardiff, the Welsh Capital (just 2hrs from London by direct rail). After checking in to your hotel the afternoon is yours to explore the city at your own pace. With your included tickets, you can visit the unique Cardiff Castle whose history stretches from Roman times right through to the industrial revolution and an illustrious 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.

Boarding the mini-coach, a short ride from central Cardiff, we’ll visit the Museum of Welsh Life; set in the expansive grounds of the Elizabethan manor house of St Fagan’s Castle you can trace Welsh life through the centuries. We’ll then head for the cosmopolitan Cardiff Bay area to see the vibrant Mermaid Quay which is now a hub of Welsh heritage and politics and is home to a host of waterfront cafes, bars and eateries. Your afternoon is free to explore “the Bay” or return to central Cardiff to see more of the historic city.

Overnight: Cardiff

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today we leave the bright lights of Cardiff for Wales’ for the dramatic coastlines of Pembrokeshire. On route, we’ll pause at the magnificent National Botanic Garden of Wales, ser amongst a nature reserve spanning 500 acres before heading for the village of Laugharne, the picturesque home-town of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Later we continuing to the beautiful seaside town of Tenby where there’ll be time to wander the within the 13th century town walls, see the sweeping golden bays or climb the rocky headland overlooking the picture-postcard harbour.

Overnight: Pembrokeshire

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

This morning we continue to explore the natural scenery of the protected Pembrokeshire Coast. We’ll head for St Davids, namesake of Wales’ patron saint. This tiny village enjoys city status owing to its beautiful cathedral and Bishop’s Palace. From here we’ll turn North and follow Wales’ scenic west coast past the sweeping sands of Cardigan Bay and in to rural mid-Wales. We’ll pause in one or more of the bustling harbour towns before arriving in Aberystwyth, our overnight destination. In the evening we enjoy our dinner together.

Overnight: Aberystwyth

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

After a hearty Welsh breakfast we’ll enjoy a scenic drive North to the intriguing town of Portmeirion. Nestling in a sheltered position on an enclosed estuary this beautiful Italian style village was uniquely designed by Sir William Clough Ellis and has since been used for various television productions. After plenty of time to explore, we’ll head for the local train station – here it’s all aboard a narrow gauge steam train for an epic mountain railway journey of breath-taking views in to the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. Later we retire to our base in Llandudno on the North Wales coast.

Overnight: Llandudno

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today is a free day to enjoy at leisure; equipped with your complimentary open-top bus tour tickets you can explore the contrasting towns of Llandudno and nearby Conwy at your own pace. Llandudno is an elegant Victorian seaside resort with a sweeping sandy bay and long promenade whilst Conwy is a cobbled medieval market town nestled on the shores of the Conwy estuary. Between the two there are a host of leisure and visitor attractions to enjoy including a Victorian cable tramway ride to the top of the Great Orme headland or a walk along the medieval town walls to the ramparts of the imposing 13th century fortress at Conwy Castle.

Overnight: Llandudno

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today we make our way south along the course of the Conwy Valley to the charming Welsh town of Llangollen home of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a stunning waterway which carries boats more than 100 feet above the valley floor and enjoys World Heritage status. By afternoon we’ll continue south to visit the beautiful National Trust Powis Castle where we’ll admire the interior collections of the Herbert family and explore the elegant manicured and wild gardens. Later we continue in to the scenic border marches to our overnight hotel where we will enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Overnight: Brecon Beacons

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today we enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we transfer to Newport Train Station in South where you bid farewell to your Wales driver. Using your complimentary rail passes hop on the train back over the border to England and to the historic university city of Oxford (journey time 2.5hrs approx.). Your afternoon is free to explore; Oxford is home to cobbled parades, elegant medieval architecture and the chapels, spires, lawns and ivy-clad cloisters of the university. Tonight convene with your England driver guide and the rest of the group for an evening dinner together.

Overnight: Oxford

Meals: Breakfast and 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 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.