Highlights of Britain

Departing London (8.30am) we head for traditional England in Oxford, the 'city of dreaming spires'. We see the famous colleges of Oxford's famous university, which were once the home of renowned British figures from Prime Ministers to writers such as Tolkein and Lewis Carroll, but more recently have been used in film and TV such as in the Harry Potter films. Enjoy a guided walk of the city. After lunch we drive to a traditional 18th century woollen-mill in the Cotswolds, to learn about the industry that represents the cornerstone of Cotswold heritage. We then continue through quaint villages to our delightful Cotswolds accommodation. Tonight we will have dinner together at the world famous Pudding Club where we become dessert connoisseurs.

Overnight: Three Ways House Hotel (or similar), Cotswolds

Meals: Dinner included

This morning we enjoy a free morning to relax in Chipping Campden, one of the Cotswolds most characterful and traditional of towns bustling with honey coloured buildings, thatch cottages, quaint tea-rooms and antiques and gift shops. Later, we travel North to Stratford-upon-Avon, a picturesque, medieval town of Tudor timberwork buildings, open greens and boats bobbing on the river Avon. Stratford was of course also once home William Shakespeare and the town is still setting for a wealth of heritage sites dedicated to the great Bard himself.

Overnight: Three Ways House Hotel (or similar), Cotswolds

Meals: Breakfast included

This morning we follow the crusades of saints and Kings as we drive to Worcester to visit one of England's quietest but most interesting cathedrals, where you can see the tomb of the infamous King John. Next we take a short drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ironbridge to see the first arch bridge in the world to be made out of cast iron. We finish today by crossing the border in to the scenic landscapes of North Wales.

Overnight: Mulberry Hotel (or similar), Llangollen

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Today we explore the splendour of Snowdonia National Park; an area of outstanding natural beauty Snowdonia is home to shimmering lakes, deep green valleys and soaring mountains including the highest peak in England and Wales. We traverse narrow mountain passes and sheep-covered uplands before visiting some traditional Welsh towns and villages. Having worked up an appetite, we visit the renowned Bodnant Welsh Food Centre for a tour and a Welsh cookery demonstration, followed by lunch.

Overnight: Mulberry Hotel (or similar), Llangollen

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Crossing back over the border in to England, we explore historic Chester, seeing its medieval walls, the old Roman amphitheatre and Chester's Rows, unique dual level timberwork shop fronts. Our journey continues east across England's backbone, the Pennine hills, to the Bronte parsonage at Haworth where we can see what inspired the famous literary sisters to write the likes of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. We then continue through the Yorkshire countryside and market towns and villages on route to the grandiose city of York, the historic capital of northern England.

Overnight: Churchill Hotel (or similar) York

Meals: Breakfast included

This morning your guide will introduce you to York with a stroll through the city to see some of the highlights before you enjoy a day at leisure to explore this magnificent city. From the Romans to the Vikings, York has been shaped by all eras of England's long history; spend the day exploring some the historic hallmarks which remain today from the city walls and gate towers (or bars), the famous Shambles, Britain's first shopping street and the magnificent York Minster, Northern Europe's largest gothic cathedral. Perhaps visit the York Castle Museum, the Jorvik Viking Centre, Clifford's Tower or the National Railway Museum.

Overnight: Churchill Hotel (or similar) York

Meals: Breakfast included

Today we revel in the glory days of the English country estate as we head to the magnificent 18th century Castle Howard, one of Britain's finest baroque mansions and estates, which has been home to the Howard family for over 300 years. We then enjoy a scenic drive through the rustic landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, home of winding lanes, glistening rivers, dells and criss-crossed with ancient stone walls; this region was the setting of James Herriott's tales of rural England. Our final destination is the beautiful Lake District, our base for the next two nights.

Overnight: Waterhead Hotel (or similar) Lake District

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Today we enjoy one of Britain's most beautiful national parks. This morning we explore the region's literary heritage; our first stop is Beatrix Potter's Hill Top Farm, still as she left it and where some of her famous characters were created. Next, we head to Hawkshead Grammar School, which houses historic artefacts relating to ancient schools. Afterwards, we wind our way through the beautiful back roads of this striking region on route to Dove Cottage; once home to William Wordsworth it was on a walk from here that the poet found inspiration for his most famous of works with his Daffodils poem. By afternoon we take to the waters and enjoy a lake cruise before returning to our accommodation.

Overnight: Waterhead Hotel (or similar) Lake District

Meals: Breakfast included

The lakes disappear in the rear-view mirror as we journey North through Cumbria to the ancient frontier of England and the Roman Empire at Hadrian's Wall. Large sections of the wall remain intact to this day and we'll head for Birdoswald Fort, one of the finest Roman sites along its length. We then cross over the current border and in to Scotland, the third and final country on our tour of Britain; we'll experience the understated natural beauty and sweeping scenery of the Scottish Borders region before arriving in our Scottish accommodation where a traditional Scottish dinner awaits.

Overnight: Friars Carse Hotel (or similar), Scottish Borders region

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Our final day takes us north through the rolling hills of the Scottish Lowlands. First stop will be Abbotsford House, once home of Sir Walter Scott. Designed by Scott himself, the house holds an impressive collection of historic relics including Rob Roy's gun and sword, we'll stroll through the elegant walled gardens. Later we make our way to one of the most mysterious sites in Scotland, Rosslyn Chapel. We'll hear about the myths and legends which shroud this small private chapel which was catapulted to fame by Dan Brown's book and subsequent film, The Da Vinci Code. Our destination is Edinburgh, where our tour comes to an end (5.30pm approx.).

Meals: Breakfast included