Beauty of Britain

This morning, use your complimentary rail passes to make your way to Bath. This Georgian City is just 1.5hrs from London on a direct rail service. Upon arrival in Bath, you can check in to your hotel and the afternoon is free to explore the city at your leisure. Experience Bath’s magnificent Regency architecture at the Circus, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent or make your way to the 16th century Bath Abbey. Using your included admission tickets, visit the magnificent Roman Baths which date back over 2000 years. By evening, meet with your tour leader and the rest of the group to dine together at a local restaurant.

Overnight – The Bird Hotel (or similar), Bath (DBB).

It’s all aboard the mini-coach this morning to nearby Lacock village – seemingly frozen in time this charming town and its ancient abbey have been used in TV and film productions such as Pride and Prejudice, Downton Abbey and Harry Potter. After time to wander the cobbled streets we’ll pass North in to the heart of the Cotswolds countryside to explore some of the eccentrically named villages with their traditional honey-coloured, thatch cottages. By afternoon we head for a local brewery to learn about the brewing process and sample some innovative English beer. The its onwards to our base for the next two nights in the heart of a Cotswold village.

Overnight – Noel Arms Inn (or similar), Chipping Campden, Cotswolds (BB).

Today we take a scenic drive through the Cotswolds countryside to historic Oxford. After a brief orientation of this charming university city we’ll enjoy free-time to explore the cobbled streets and soak up the whimsical academic atmosphere. Wander the famous ivy-clad college quads, visit the Ashmolean Museum, climb Carfax Tower for unrivalled views of the city’s dreaming spires or simply relax on a river punt manned by one of the local students. By afternoon, we return to Chipping Campden for time at leisure to explore this traditional Cotswolds village.

Overnight – Noel Arms Inn (or similar), Chipping Campden, Cotswolds (BB).

Passing North we visit the Tudor town of Stratford-upon-Avon, once home of William Shakespeare. We’ll learn about the life and times of the great bard at Shakespeare’s Birthplace before enjoying free-time to stroll the pretty town nestling on the River Avon. This afternoon we’ll board an steam train for a rail journey along the scenic Severn Valley to the historic town of Bridgnorth. Arriving in Chester, your evening is free to dine independently.

Overnight – The Queen at Chester Hotel (or similar), Chester (BB).

After breakfast today we’ll enjoy a brief stroll around Chester to see some of the highlights of this charming city including the old medieval town walls, cathedral and the unique Tudor Facades of The Rows. Then it’s all aboard the bus to nearby Liverpool and its renowned Albert Docks. The Birthplace of the Beatles, we’ll spot statues dedicated to the fab four and enjoy plenty of free-time to wander the revitalised docklands; perhaps visit the Tate Art Gallery, the Merseyside Maritime Museum or the Beatles Story exhibition. Later we continue North from the bright lights of Liverpool to our overnight base the heart of the Lake District.

Overnight – Wordsworth House Hotel (or similar), Grasmere (BB).

Our day today is spent exploring the enchanting natural beauty of the English Lake District. In the company of a local guide we’ll head off the beaten track to the corners of England’s favourite National Park. Our journey will take us over mountain passes and through sheep scattered valleys to charming villages, ancient stone-circles and the very best look-out points. Along the way we’ll discover how this region has inspired poets, authors and artists alike before taking a relaxing cruise on one of the famous lakes ourselves. Later we return to our hotel for our dinner together.

Overnight – Wordsworth House Hotel (or similar), Grasmere (DBB).

Departing the Lake District we traverse the North of England passing over the rustic landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. We’ll pause in one of the typical Yorkshire villages and visit the beautiful Aysgarth Falls on route to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden. Here we’ll enjoy free-time to explore the imposing monastic ruins and the pristine gardens which have enjoyed World Heritage status since 1986. Our final stop today will be the elegant Victorian Spa town of Harrogate, the perfect spot for a traditional afternoon tea. By evening we continue to the magnificent city of York, our base for the next two nights.

Overnight – Grange Hotel (or similar), York (BB).

This morning we enjoy an excursion to one of England’s finest country estates, Castle Howard. Dating back to the 17th century we’ll take time to stroll the magnificent house and gardens which have featured in small and big screen productions and period dramas. Then we return to York for an afternoon at leisure to explore this magnificent historic city. There’s a wealth of things to see and do from exploring the cobbled alleyways, walking atop the medieval city walls or visiting one of the many local museums and exhibitions. The highlight should be the magnificent York Minster – the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Tonight we reconvene for a dinner.

Overnight – Grange Hotel (or similar), York (DBB).

Today, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and then bid farewell to your England driver. After checking out from your hotel you may choose to continue to explore York at your own pace before using your inclusive rail passes to take the train North to the historic town of Stirling in Scotland (journey time 3.5hrs approx.). Check-in from 2 pm at your hotel and spend afternoon exploring the town’s cobbled streets at your leisure. You’ll have complimentary admission tickets for Stirling Castle, once the Royal Seat of Scotland, the history of this hill-top castle rivals that of Edinburgh for its cultural significance. By evening meet your new Scotland tour leader and the rest of the group to enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant.

Overnight – Hotel Colessio (or similar), Stirling (DBB).

This morning after breakfast we board the mini-coach and head into the Scottish countryside. First stop will be Glamis Castle and elegant country house with an intriguing history and former childhood home of the Queen Mother. Then it’s onward to St Andrews, a charming seaside town that is the renowned spiritual home of golf and where Prince William and Kate Middleton first met. There will be plenty of time to take lunch and explore before we pass North in to Aberdeenshire and to our hotel on the banks of the River Dee, where we’ll enjoy an included dinner.

Overnight – Maryculter House Hotel (or similar), Aberdeenshire (DBB).

Today we head West in to the heart of Scotland; meandering along the course of the River Dee we’ll pass through Royal Deeside and pause at various points of interest including scenic waterfalls, unique castles and a church attended by the Royal family when they’re in residence at the Balmoral Estate. Later we turn North in to the dramatic landscapes of the Cairngorm National Park. Reaching the renowned Speyside Whisky region we’ll tour one of the many Scotch whisky distilleries to learn about Scotland’s greatest export and of course sample a dram or two. Later we continue to Inverness and our overnight base for the next two nights, where we dine together.

Overnight – Kingsmills Hotel (or similar), Inverness (DBB).

Today is free for you to spend at your leisure exploring Inverness. Equipped with your complimentary open-top-bus tour tickets you can discover the “Capital of the Highlands” at your own pace. Take in the historic Cathedral, hill-top castle or simply indulge in some souvenir shopping in the many gift shops and boutiques of the town. Using public transport you may choose to visit the nearby Culloden Moor Visitor Centre, site of the infamous battle which played a crucial role in Scottish history. Your evening is free to dine in one of Inverness’ many restaurants.

Overnight – Kingsmills Hotel (or similar), Inverness (BB).

Today we enjoy an epic journey over the Scottish Highlands. Departing Inverness we’ll descend the Great Glen to Urquhart Castle whose weather beaten ruins hold an rich history and whose ramparts offer a perfect lookout for over the eerie waters of Loch Ness. We then continue across the barren landscapes of the Highlands pausing at Eilean Donan Castle for a photo-stop before stretching our legs and enjoying free-time in a traditional highland village. The final leg of our journey today takes us over the road bridge to the scenic Isle of Skye, our base for the next two nights. In the evening enjoy dinner together and share your impressions with fellow travellers.

Overnight – Hotel Eilean Iarmain, (or similar), Isle of Skye (DBB).

We’ll dedicate today to exploring the enchanting landscapes of the Isle of Skye. We’ll pass through the heart of the island in the shadow of the imposing Cuillin Mountains to the far North of the island and the picturesque Trotternish Peninsula. Here we’ll take in dramatic landscapes and seascapes as we spot the region’s unique geological features such as Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr and an abundance of wildlife. There’ll be plenty of time to visit Portree, the island’s principle town, where pastel fishermen cottages bustle around the harbour. A day on Skye is one to remember.

Overnight – Hotel Eilean Iarmain, (or similar), Isle of Skye (BB).

This morning we board the ferry for a journey over the water back to the Scottish mainland at Mallaig. A scenic journey of Highland landscapes brings us to Glenfinnan where we can climb to a viewpoint for unrivalled vistas of the Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel beyond and of course the famous arched viaduct which found fame in the Harry Potter movies. There’ll be time for lunch in Fort William before we continue to our overnight stay in the enchanting Glencoe area and we enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Overnight – Ballachulish Hotel OR Isles of Glencoe Hotel (or similar), Ballachulish Area (DBB).

The final leg of our journey takes us through more dramatic landscapes as we pass South through the heart of Glencoe, over the Rannoch Moor and along the shores of Loch Lomond – we’ll pause at various view points for some extraordinary photo opportunities. Then as the landscapes mellow we’ll return to Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city where we’ll visit the leafy West End and see Kelvingrove Museum and Gallery. Clients may leave the tour here in Glasgow mid-afternoon or enjoy a transfer back to Edinburgh where the our epic journey through England and Scotland officially ends.