Enchanting Eastern England 2025

Enchanting Eastern England 2025

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10 Days From

$3259

$3156

Enchanting Eastern England 2025

10 Days Starting in Edinburgh and ending in London

Visiting: Edinburgh, Durham, Whitby, York, Chatsworth House, Lincoln, Cambridge, London

Tour operator:

Blue-Roads Touring

Tour code:

BHEEL5

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

7 - 18

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

18-90

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Small Group

Activities:

Walking

From: $3259 $3156 Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$103

NB: Prices correct on 05-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

World-famous university cities meet hideaway villages on this enchanting tour of Eastern England. Travelling across the stunning North York Moors and through the Peak District National Park, we’ll follow in the footsteps of Vikings, Romans and royalty – delving deeper into each destination’s fascinating history as we go. Worth Noting… Please note: if you’re departing on 13 July, 10 August or 5 October 2025, you’ll visit the breathtaking Burghley House & Gardens instead of Sandringham Estate.

Highlights

  • Call in at Sandringham Estate, private retreat of The Royal Family

  • Experience a unique behind-the-scenes tour at Newmarket National Stud

  • Delight in a traditional punting experience along the ‘Backs’ of Cambridge University

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Edinburgh (Scotland)

Location: Edinburgh

Accommodation: Malmaison Edinburgh (or similar)

Meals Included: Dinner

The historic Scottish city of Edinburgh is where we'll meet ahead of our incredible journey into Eastern England. Get to know your expert Tour Leader and travel companions better over tonight's delicious welcome meal.

Day 2: Edinburgh – Alnwick – Durham – North York Moors (England)

Location: Durham

Accommodation: Gisborough Hall Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we'll cross over into England to begin our tour of the fascinating and scenic eastern region of this enchanting country. Our first stop? Alnwick Castle - the majestic home of the Duke of Northumberland. Here, we'll admire some of the rooms that took a starring role in Downton Abbey and enjoy some free time to wander the serene gardens. Then, we'll move onto Durham, where we'll step inside the Cathedral: a magnificent Norman-style monument now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following the visit, we drive to North York Moors where tonight, we'll come together for an included group dinner.

Day 3: North York Moors – Whitby – North York Moors

Location: Whitby

Accommodation: Gisborough Hall Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning our road will carry us to the traditional seaside resort of Whitby - where a guided tour of the fascinating Captain Cook Museum awaits us. After, we'll visit Whitby Abbey, a 7th century Christian monastery that later became a Benedictine abbey. The abbey church claims its place overlooking the North Sea on the East Cliff. Tonight, we'll enjoy a delicious included dinner at our accommodation in the charming North York Moors district.

Day 4: North York Moors – York – Peak District

Location: York

Accommodation: Buxton Crescent Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

We’ll rewind back to the Middle Ages this morning with a visit to the delightful medieval city of York. Here we’ll seek out the mystery-filled narrow streets (known as ‘Snickelways’) and timber-framed buildings of the famed Shambles – where there are plenty of photo opportunities to be claimed! Enjoy some free time to soak up the city’s splendour and settle in for a spot of lunch at a cosy pub or local bistro. Finally, we’ll continue to our accommodation in Buxton in the breathtaking Peak District – where the evening will be yours to enjoy as you please.

Day 5: Peak District – Chatsworth House – Peak District

Location: Chatsworth House

Accommodation: Buxton Crescent Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we’ll start with a visit to Eyam, where we’ll learn the tragic story of the villagers who fell victim to the plague in the 1600s. Then, it's time to stretch our legs on a stroll around Chatsworth House, a grand stately home that is said to have inspired Jane Austen with its impressive architecture. In fact, Chatsworth featured in Pride and Prejudice as Pemberley, the home of Mr Darcy. We’ll enjoy an audio tour of the lavish apartments and some free time to wander the exquisite gardens – before returning to the Peak District for an afternoon spent exploring at your leisure.

Day 6: Peak District – Lincoln

Location: Lincoln

Accommodation: The White Hart Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we’ll bid farewell to the picturesque Peak District as we journey onwards to the historic city of Lincoln. When we arrive, we’ll visit Lincoln Castle: the formidable home to an original 1215 Magna Carta. This evening is ours to spend exploring Lincoln’s charming cobbled streets for some local fare or relaxing at our hand-picked accommodation.

Day 7: Lincoln

Location: Lincoln

Accommodation: The White Hart Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning will see us touring the spectacular Lincoln Cathedral – one of the best examples of medieval architecture in England. After that, the afternoon will be yours to seek out a quaint tea room for lunch, stroll the array of vintage boutiques and continue your discovery of the city’s rich history. For dinner tonight, choose from one of the many cosy pubs in the city’s old centre for a hearty English meal.

Day 8: Lincoln – Sandringham Estate – Cambridge

Location: Cambridge

Accommodation: Clayton Hotel Cambridge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

We've a date with royalty today: Sandringham House is our first stop. The private residence of King Charles III, Sandringham is a magnificent stately home with picturesque gardens - and even a museum. After our insightful visit we'll move on to Cambridge: an iconic city filled with history and tradition. This evening, why not relax in one of its centuries-old pubs and soak up the old-world atmosphere.

Day 9: Cambridge

Location: Cambridge

Accommodation: Clayton Hotel Cambridge (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

It’s time to take to the water! This morning we’ll enjoy an iconic punting experience along the ‘Backs’ of Cambridge University. Back on dry land, we’ll embark on a guided walking tour with a local – spotting world-famous buildings such as The Wren Library and the Bridge of Sighs. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city further. Step inside colleges and chapels, museums and galleries – or simply indulge in a little retail therapy. Later, we’ll look back on our magnificent journey and clink glasses over tonight’s farewell dinner.

Day 10: Cambridge – Newmarket – London

Location: London

Meals Included: Breakfast

There's time for one more behind-the-scenes tour today: prepare to delve into England's sporting heritage at Newmarket National Stud. On a guided tour of this working Thoroughbred stud farm, we'll gain a unique insight into Thoroughbred breeding and may have the opportunity to view some of the Stud's robust stallions in the paddocks. After that, we'll make tracks to London - where we'll say our final goodbyes.

What's Included

  • Transport

    Premium mini-coach transportation

  • Guide

    Experienced Tour Leader and Driver

  • Accommodation

    9 nights in hand-picked accommodation

  • Meals

    9 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners

What's Not Included

  • Insurance

  • International Travel

Check out our Q&As

  • Will we avoid large groups of people?

    We’re very eager to explore with you in the future, however avoiding large crowds at popular attractions and locations will be challenging. Our Blue-Roads tours deliver unique travel experiences that naturally visit lesser-known destinations – providing our guests with exclusive access to local experiences and charming, hand-picked accommodation. This means we are able to provide an unforgettable travel experience for our guests whilst avoiding larger crowds whenever possible.

  • Will I have to wear a mask whilst on my tour?

    Some personal protective equipment (such as a mask or gloves) may be required for particular destinations and attractions. However, we will provide details before your tour departure so you are prepared according to your destination of travel. To ensure the safety and comfort of all our guests, failure to comply with Blue-Roads policies and government regulations could result in your removal from your tour.

  • How many people will be on my tour?

    At Blue-Roads Touring, we specialize in small group tours with a maximum capacity of 18 people (average group size of 14 people). This small group element is one of the key reasons people choose to travel with us. Traveling in smaller groups means our Blue-Roads Tour Leaders can provide a more personalized traveling experience to every one of our guests.

  • What if I start to feel unwell on my tour?

    Let your Tour Leader know as soon as possible. Feeling unwell on a tour can happen and our Tour Leaders are already trained on appropriate actions to take if this occurs. Before we return to the road, all Blue-Roads Tour Leaders will receive additional training specific to coronavirus safety – ensuring they're prepared as possible to focus on your wellbeing.

Reviews of this operator

julie walton (Google Reviewer)  

We have just come off...

28-May-2023

We have just come off a Back Roads Highlights of Britain Tour 2023! Our tour guide and bus driver were amazing! Shabby our guide absolutely created magic for the whole bus! Magnificent itinerary, incredible commentary from young Shabby with music included to pay homage to the districts we were in! 🎶genius! Talk about an experience of a lifetime! A small group means going to the places the big buses can’t and time to get to know your fellow adventurers! Loved this tour and Back Roads if you’re reading this you have struck gold with your guide Shabby! Highly recommended 👍

Jennie James (Google Reviewer)  

ANZAC on the Western Front I...

13-Sep-2024

ANZAC on the Western Front I highly recommend this tour for anyone who is interested in the history of WW1; whether a history buff or for those, like myself, who had a basic general knowledge. The information is presented with in-depth detail and immersive style by visiting and walking the battlefields. For me, this provided stark clarity of what transpired and has piqued a curiosity to learn more. Steve, our tour guide of many years experience in leading this tour and of studying the war, was very keen to share his encyclopaedic knowledge. The tour invited us to submit any personal requests and Steve went above and beyond to ensure these were met. It was incredibly moving to watch some of our tour members laying a poppy, a cross or even a cigarette at the grave of a fallen relative. It had a profound impact on myself when I walked on the Bullecourt battlefield where my Grandfather had fought and was wounded. After Steve explained so eloquently the futility and carnage of the battle I had a greater understanding of m age as he was then. There is so much ground to cover on this tour, so be prepared for full days. The accommodation provided an authentic experience. As you would expect the hotels used are older buildings, in-fact on our first night in Lille the hotel had been used by the troops in WW1. While the accommodation was a little quirky they were always very clean with friendly and helpful staff. I would like to thank Steve for bringing together such a diverse group with his humour and easygoing manner. And, I need to acknowledge, his endless patience. We all became a tight knit group, looking out for each other and at times being asked, jokingly, to tone it down at one of our pre-dinner drinks. I honestly don’t know how we had the energy, but obviously enjoyed each other’s company. An absolutely fabulous trip!

Lori Harmon (Google Reviewer)  

Backroads is a premium travel/adventure...

12-Oct-2023

Backroads is a premium travel/adventure company. They provide structure but also promote making the journey your own. Guides highly trained and totally focused on making each person’s experience safe, fun and memorable. They seek out the best opportunities to play hard and rest well. Hands down the best tour company I have experienced.

Julie Armstrong (Google Reviewer)  

June 2024 Dalmation Coast tour...

06-Aug-2024

June 2024 Dalmation Coast tour of Croatia and Montenegro was excellent with an interesting and very comfortable range of accommodation and quality sites and experiences. Excellent tour leader, driver and comfortable bus. In contrast, the Eastern Europe tour a week later was very disappointing. No where near the quality of accommodation, meals and experiences eg no museums open during our one day in Krakow and no tour of the ghetto. Also totally inadequate legroom in bus, too much travelling and missed opportunities. Terrible organised meals. Excellent tour leader and driver. Suggest Backroads reassess this tour as our two experiences were nothing alike.

SUSAN Mills (Google Reviewer)  

Norway Fjords & Glaciers was...

12-Jul-2024

Norway Fjords & Glaciers was a terrible experience from start to finish. Driver & guide were definitely not local & neither were knowledgeable about the destination. Driver was erratic & too fast for such treacherous mountain roads. Guide was disorganised & unable to answer basic questions about Norwegian history. Dietary needs were not met and even accessing somewhere to eat was problematic. Accommodation was clean but basic & often very remote. Avoid this tour, Norway is far better experienced from the water.

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Apr 27, 2025 - May 06, 2025
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Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$103

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Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$117

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Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$122

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Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$122

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Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$103

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Blue-Roads Touring requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of blue-roads touring charges.

    Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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