Highlights of Britain 2021

Arrive in London this morning and make your way in to the heart of the English Capital. After checking in to your hotel, your afternoon is free for you to spend at your leisure either relaxing after your arrival journey or perhaps getting out to explore the city. London is magnificent metropolis which combines a vibrant modern culture with a rich history and heritage. You may choose to visit a wealth of world renowned sights including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square and the London Eye on the banks of the River Thames. By evening, return to the tour hotel where we'll gather as a group with your tour leader and get to know one another over a welcome dinner.

Overnight: Wellington Hotel by Blue Orchid (or similar), London

Meals: Dinner included.

Departing London after breakfast, 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 Tolkien and Lewis Carroll, but more recently have been used in film and TV such as in the Harry Potter films. Enjoy a brief guided walk of the city. After lunch, we then continue through quaint honey-coloured villages of the Cotswolds to our delightful traditional village accommodation.

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

Meals: Breakfast included.

This morning we have plenty of free-time to relax before embarking on a journey North to nearby Stratford-upon-Avon. Stratford is a picturesque, medieval town of Tudor timberwork buildings, open greens and boats bobbing on the river Avon. The market town is famed as the Birthplace and childhood home of the world’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare and today there remain 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. By afternoon we cross the border Marches between England and Wales arriving in the scenic landscapes of North Wales where our journey ends. Tonight, we enjoy a meal together in the Denbighshire Hills.

Overnight: The 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, Mount Snowdon itself. We traverse narrow mountain passes and sheep-covered uplands before visiting some traditional Welsh towns and villages. By evening we enjoy a dinner together.

Overnight: The Mulberry Hotel (or similar), Llangollen

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Departing Wales we cross the border to the vibrant city of Liverpool which is renowned as the birthplace of the Beatles. What better way to get into the ‘Beatlemania’ spirit than with a bus tour of key related sites and a visit to The Beatles Story museum? We then continue through the Yorkshire countryside 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 independently. From the Romans to the Vikings, York has been shaped by all eras of England’s long history; 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 Jorvik Viking Centre 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 crisscrossed with ancient stone walls; this region was the setting of James Herriott's tales of rural England. Our next destination is the beautiful Lake District, our base for the next two nights.

Overnight: The Waterhead Hotel (or similar), Lake District

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today we enjoy one of Britain’s most beautiful national parks - the Lake District. 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 Rydal Mount and Gardens the historic family home one of England's greatest poets, William Wordsworth. By afternoon we take to the waters and enjoy a lake cruise to soak up the spectacular scenery from the water before returning to our accommodation.

Overnight: The 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 final Scottish accommodation where a traditional Scottish dinner awaits.

Overnight: Woodland House 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 and antiques. 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 final destination is Edinburgh, where our tour comes to an end (5.30pm approx.).

Meals: Breakfast included.