England’s Coastline and Countryside

This morning make your way to the Georgian city of Bath. Using your complimentary rail passes you can travel from major London Airports or central London – the train journey from London is less than 1.5hrs. After arriving in Bath, check-in to your hotel and the balance of the day is yours to explore the city at your own pace. Experience the city’s elegant Regency architecture at the Circus, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent. We’ll include tickets for you to visit the city’s crowning glory at the 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, Bath (DBB).

This morning we set out from Bath to visit one of England’s finest country estates at Longleat House; here we’ll wander the manicured gardens and enjoy a private tour of the opulent interiors and living quarters of this aristocratic seat. Later, we’ll cross the Salisbury Plain to the prehistoric Stone Circle at Stonehenge, one of the UK’s most famous icons, before continuing to historic Salisbury. Here we’ll enjoy time to explore independently, not to be missed is a stroll to the magnificent cathedral which boasts Europe’s oldest operating clock and an original copy of the Magna Carta. Your evening is free to dine independently.

Overnight – Milford Hall Hotel, Salisbury (BB).

Leaving Salisbury, we’ll meander towards England’s South Coast pausing to visit the charming cobbled street of Gold Hill in Shaftesbury. Arriving in Dorset, we’ll tour her coastline known as the Jurassic Coast; we’ll spot unique geological features such as Durdle Door sea arch and search for fossils on the stony beaches. Our afternoon will be spent tracing the coastline through Dorset’s elegant seaside resorts and fishing towns such as Dorchester and Lyme Regis, which is closely linked to literary works by Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy. Later we cross the county border in to Devon and make our way to our overnight hotel in Dartmoor where we dine together as a group.

Overnight – Moorland Hotel, Dartmoor  – (DBB).

This morning we cross the eerie landscapes of the Dartmoor National Park keeping and eye out for wild ponies and rocky tors. Arriving on the North Cornwall coast, we’ll visit the quintessential fishing village of Port Isaac, which you may recognise as Port Wen from television’s Doc Martin. Here we’ll enjoy a brief walk through the village before free-time to explore and take lunch. By afternoon, we’ll head for Tintagel Castle, home to Arthurian Legend and a sea cave said to be that of Merlin’s the wizard himself. Our final journey takes us South over the Cornish Peninsula to the seaside resort of Falmouth home to sweeping sandy bays.

Overnight – St Michaels Hotel, Falmouth (BB).

Today we set out on an epic excursion to the farthest corners of the Cornish Peninsula. We’ll discover craggy coastlines and traditional fishing villages such as St Ives where we’ll enjoy free-time to wander the harbour or visit the renowned Tate Art Gallery. We’ll enjoy a stop in Marazion for photos of the island monastery of St Michaels Mount before visiting the enigmatic Minack Theatre – an amphitheatre carved in to the cliffside above the frothing waters of the Atlantic Ocean. After our enjoyable day we’ll return to Falmouth where your evening is free to dine at your leisure.

Overnight – St Michaels Hotel, Falmouth (BB).

Departing Falmouth, we’ll return North pausing in the charming fishing towns of Looe and Charlestown whose Georgian harbour you may recognise from television’s Poldark. Crossing back over the county border in to Devon, we’ll visit Plymouth to wander the famous Plymouth Hoe and see the Mayflower Steps where the Pilgrim Fathers departed for the New World. Then it’s onward in to South Devon where we enjoy a scenic steam railway journey along the Dart Valley. Our final journey takes us through the English Riviera and over the county border in to Somerset and our hotel where we enjoy a dinner.

Overnight – Castle Hotel, Taunton (DBB).

It all aboard the mini-coach for a relaxing journey through the rolling landscapes of the Somerset hills. We’ll stop to visit England’s smallest “city” Wells where there will be time to see the ancient market-place, Vicars Close and the elegant cathedral and green. Later we continue to nearby the nearby town Glastonbury, a home to an historic Abbey and steeped in Arthurian legend. Our last journey today takes us back to Bath by mid-afternoon. Here you bid farewell to your dedicated driver for the South West. By evening you’ll meet your new driver-guide who will be ready to take you North – first though, time for an evening dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight – The Bird Hotel, Bath (DBB).

Departing Bath we’ll head for the nearby town of Lacock – seemingly frozen in time this historic village and its ancient abbey have been used in TV and film productions including Pride and Prejudice, Downton Abbey and Harry Potter. Then, we’ll venture north in to the Cotswolds countryside; we’ll pause in one or more of the eccentrically named villages to explore their traditional honey-coloured, thatch cottages and stone-wall lanes. By afternoon we’ll visit a brewery to learn about the traditional brewing process of English beers and sample some local favourites. The its onwards to our base for the next two nights in the heart of a Cotswold village.

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

This morning we take a scenic drive through the rolling hills of the Cotswolds to visit the historic university city of Oxford where we’ll enjoy free-time to explore and soak up the whimsical academic atmosphere. There’s a host of options including wandering the famous ivy-clad college quads, visiting the Ashmolean Museum, climbing Carfax Tower for unrivalled views of the city’s “dreaming spires” or simply relaxing 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 Hotel (or similar), Chipping Campden, Cotswolds (BB).

Passing North, our first stop today will be the bustling town of Stratford-upon-Avon, once the home of William Shakespeare. We’ll learn about the life and times of the great bard at Shakespeare’s Birthplace before taking time to stroll around this pretty riverside Tudor town. This afternoon we’ll board an historic steam train for a scenic rail journey along the Severn Valley to the historic town of Bridgnorth. Arriving in Chester, your evening is free to dine independently.

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

After a leisurely breakfast we’ll enjoy a brief stroll around Chester to see some of the highlights of this charming city including the medieval town walls, elegant cathedral and the Tudor Facades of the “Rows”. Then it’s all aboard the bus to visit nearby Liverpool, the home of the Beatles. We’ll enjoy plenty of free-time to explore the revitalised Albert Docks area by the famous Liver Buildings; there’s plenty to see including 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, Lake District (BB).

We’ll spend the day today exploring the enchanting natural beauty of the English Lake District. Accompanied by a local guide we’ll venture off the beaten track through the hills and vales of England’s favourite National Park; we’ll pass winding country lanes, mountain passes and sheep scattered fields to charming villages, ancient stone-circles and spectacular look-out points. Our day wouldn’t be complete without a relaxing cruise on one of the famous lakes before we return to our hotel for our included dinner.

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

Departing the Lake District we’ll traverse the rustic landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. We’ll pause to visit the beautiful Aysgarth Falls on route to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden where 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 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 take a short drive to one of the North of England’s finest country estates, Castle Howard. Dating back to the 17th century, we’ll wander the magnificent house and gardens which have featured in small and big screen productions and period dramas. Then it’s back to York for an afternoon free to explore this magnificent historic city at your leisure. Stroll the cobbled hopping alleys such as the famous “Shambles”, walk atop the medieval city walls or visit one of the many local museums and exhibitions. The highlight will be the magnificent York Minster, Northern Europe’s largest gothic cathedral. Tonight we reconvene for a farewell dinner.

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

This morning you bid your tour leader 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 England’s epic coasts and rural rustic charm.