Highlights of Britain 2023

An epicentre of rich history and innovation, London is where we’ll meet for the start of our incredible journey. Tonight, we’ll get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner.

After breakfast, we’ll leave the capital behind us and set a course for the ‘dreaming spires’ of Oxford – where we'll discover the highlights of this medieval university city on an orientation walk with our expert Tour Leader. Then: it’s off to the Cotswolds, where we’ll spend some time exploring charming villages full of honey-coloured cottages.

There will be plenty of time to enjoy this morning at your leisure before we board the mini-coach and make tracks to Stratford-upon-Avon – the picturesque Tudor market town where William Shakespeare was born. We’ll have some time to follow in the Bard’s footsteps on an orientation tour before pressing on to the rolling hills and panoramic views of the Cotswolds.

We’ll discover more about the crusades of saints and kings on a visit of Worcester Cathedral before our road turns towards the rugged ancient landscapes of Wales this afternoon. This evening, we’ll dine together in Denbighshire.

Prepare for a soul-stirring sight this morning – the magnificent Snowdonia National Park (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) is our next stop. Boasting 823 square miles of captivatingly diverse landscapes, Snowdonia National Park is an area steeped in culture and local history. We’ll spend the day exploring the park together before returning to the hotel for a sumptuous dinner.

Today’s itinerary has a distinctly musical theme. After breakfast, we’ll leave Wales behind us and move on to Liverpool – the welcoming (and fiercely proud) city that gave birth to The Beatles. What better way to get into the ‘Beatlemania’ spirit than a visit to The Beatles Story museum? Toes still tapping, we’ll round off the day in York where we’ll have the evening to spend at our leisure.

We’ve a full day to spend getting to grips with York, starting with an orientation tour of the Old Town. There are centuries of history to uncover along the medieval Shambles and Snickelways – and plenty of photo opportunities to be claimed! This evening is ours to spend at leisure in town or back at the hotel.

Today we’ll rewind to the glory days of the English country estate with a self-guided tour of the magnificent Castle Howard. Our path will then take us through Yorkshire Dales National Park, passing by rivers, tiny villages and centuries-old stone walls. The invigorating Lake District will be the spectacular conclusion to the day’s journey. Tonight, we’ll come together to share a delicious meal at the hotel.

What better way to spend the day than discovering the Lake District’s highlights? Our first stop will be charming Rydal Mount and Gardens, the historic family home of William Wordsworth. With its flower-filled gardens and glorious views of Lake Windermere, it’s easy to see why Wordsworth was inspired by this tranquil spot. Later, a scenic lake cruise awaits. We’ll take to the water to soak up the awe-inspiring scenery of this spectacular region before returning to our accommodation for the evening.

We’ll commence our day of culture this morning with a visit to The Bowes Museum in the market town of Barnard Castle. Showcasing an eclectic mix of art and antiques, there’s something for everyone in this treasure trove! Next, we’ll turn our attention to Birdoswald Roman Fort in Cumbria. Located on the longest continuous stretch of Hadrian’s Wall, here we’ll take some time to uncover centuries-old history and admire the awe-inspiring vistas before pressing on to the Scottish Borders. This evening we have a local treat in store! A traditional haggis dinner and bagpipe demonstration will provide us with a grand ending to our final night.

Before we say our goodbyes, there’s still plenty of time to round things off with a visit to the grand Abbotsford House and beautiful Rosslyn Chapel. Our tour will conclude upon arrival in Edinburgh.