Essential Britain & Ireland
Essential Britain & Ireland
$2929
Essential Britain & Ireland
10 Days Starting and ending in London, England
Visiting: London, Cardiff, Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, York, Stratford-Upon-Avon
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GB-2026
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Essential Britain & Ireland" tour, a captivating journey through the heart of the British Isles. Begin in the iconic city of London, then explore the ancient wonders of Stonehenge and the Roman Baths in Bath. Discover the rich history of Cardiff Castle in Wales, and cross into Ireland to visit Waterford's crystal factory and the medieval streets of Kilkenny. Experience the vibrant culture of Dublin before heading to Belfast and crossing into Scotland to marvel at Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Conclude your adventure in the historic city of York and the birthplace of Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon, before returning to London. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and guided tours that bring the history and beauty of these regions to life.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In London,England
Location: London
Accommodation Name: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge or Park Plaza Waterloo
Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. Free time this afternoon.
Day 2: London,Stonehenge,Bath,Newport,Wales
Location: London
Accommodation Name: Ty Newport Hotel or The Coldra Court by Celtic Manor
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
LONDON–STONEHENGE–BATH–NEWPORT, WALES Ancient Stones & Spa Days LONDON Meet your Tour Director and travel companions at 8 am and drive to Stonehenge.STONEHENGE Visit the prehistoric monument. BATH Visit the excavations of the Roman Baths. 164 mi / 264 km (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEMS The traditions of one ancient Roman ritual are in full flow in Bath. Amid the remarkable Roman and Georgian architecture and the best-preserved Roman Baths of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a good spa day is never hard to find in one of the “Best Spa Towns in Europe.” The city of Bath sits above geothermal springs that bubble up from the limestone below. Bath also turns up the heat with some of Britain's grandest Georgian buildings, a mecca for elite 18th-century society.
Day 3: Newport,Cardiff,Waterford,Ireland
Location: Cardiff
Accommodation Name: Tower Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
NEWPORT–CARDIFF–WATERFORD, IRELAND Welsh Dragons, Daffodils & Castles CARDIFF Morning visit to Cardiff Castle.PEMBROKE Ferry crossing St. George’s Channel to Rosslare.168 mi / 271 km (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCAPITAL CITY Explore the Welsh capital, see many historic buildings and discover its 2,000-year history of invasions, abductions and conflicts from 1st century AD when the Romans built the first series of forts.
Day 4: Waterford,Kilkenny,Dublin
Accommodation Name: The Spencer or Hilton Garden Inn Dublin City Centre
Meals Included: Breakfast
WATERFORD–KILKENNY–DUBLIN Cut Glass & Cobblestones WATERFORD Take a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal.KILKENNY See one of Ireland’s most quaint towns with medieval cobblestones. 115 mi / 195 km (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOT Time to explore the city of Kilkenny, referred to as the "Marble City" because of the widespread use of local black limestone to construct many local buildings. The "Medieval Mile" is the city's main thoroughfare and is lined with medieval landmarks, quaint shops and charming pubs. Today Kilkenny is renowned for its active arts and crafts scene.
Day 5: Dublin
Location: Dublin
Accommodation Name: The Spencer or Hilton Garden Inn Dublin City Centre
Meals Included: Breakfast
DUBLIN Ireland’s Capital City DUBLIN Take a morning orientation drive to see O’Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. Free time this afternoon. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCITY SIGHTS “In Dublin’s fair city where girls are so pretty” you’ll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College.
Day 6: Dublin,Belfast,Northern Ireland,Edinburgh,Scotland
Location: Belfast
Accommodation Name: Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street or Marriott Courtyard
Meals Included: Breakfast
DUBLIN–BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND–EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND Irish Crossings BELFAST Pause at the magnificent City Hall before crossing the North Channel to Scotland's Cairnryan.234 mi / 376 km (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCITY SIGHTS Northern Ireland’s capital city of Belfast has seen its share of the ‘Troubles’ but its tenacity, tireless industry and timeless traditions are easy to see. Hear how shipbuilding ruled and Irish linen was king. In the port city where the Titanic was built, a bold rebirth of arts and architecture thrive amid historic castles and churches drawing visitors from around the globe.
Day 7: Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation Name: Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street or Marriott Courtyard
Meals Included: Breakfast
EDINBURGH Drummers, Pipers & Precious Jewels EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, the Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Unpack your plaid! Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances included on departures August 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18, 22 and 23.TOUR HIGHLIGHTMUSIC & MASTERPIECES Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with a 1,100-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain." Here you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.
Day 8: Edinburgh,Jedburgh,York,England
Location: York
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton York
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
EDINBURGH–JEDBURGH–YORK, ENGLAND Augustine’s Monks & Medieval Markets JEDBURGH Take photos at the Augustinian abbey ruins. Drive into Northumberland National Park and see a section of Hadrian’s Wall.YORK See York Minster on [LF] a guided walk through The Shambles. 198 mi / 318 km (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITEHISTORIC SPOT While strolling the cobblestones of York’s Shambles, it’s easy to imagine the medieval butchers' shops and boisterous crowds bartering for beef and bones outside the 14th-century timber-framed windows. The Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe and said to have been the inspiration behind Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley – and today is a colorful gathering place with cheerful cafés and quirky boutiques brimming with the sweet aromas of chocolate, pastries, and pies.
Day 9: York,Stratford-Upon-Avon,London
Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon
Accommodation Name: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge or Park Plaza Waterloo
Meals Included: Breakfast
YORK–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–LONDON Mr. & Mrs. Shakespeare STRATFORD-UPON-AVON See Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace. 260 mi / 418 km (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTA LEGEND SLEPT HERE Ah, young love! Even more true as Shakespeare’s fiancée was eight years his senior. See Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the family home where the bard’s wife-to-be was born and courted by young Will. Built more than 500 years ago, much of the original structure remains. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and family home in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Hear tales about his family life, marriage, and children with a close look at fascinating artifacts in a world-class collection assembled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Day 10: London
Location: London
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay at various hotels including Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London, Ty Newport Hotel in Newport, Tower Hotel in Waterford, The Spencer in Dublin, Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street in Edinburgh, and DoubleTree by Hilton York in York.
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Meals
Full English breakfast daily; 3 three-course dinners.
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Guided Tours
Guided tours and visits to various attractions including Stonehenge, Roman Baths in Bath, Cardiff Castle, House of Waterford Crystal, Edinburgh Castle, and Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
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Transportation
Transportation between destinations including ferry crossings and drives through scenic routes.
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Small Group Discoveries
Limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure, ensuring extra space and personalized experiences.
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UNESCO Sites
Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including City of Bath, Frontiers of the Roman Empire, Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, Stonehenge, and The Great Spa Towns of Europe - Bath.
What's Not Included
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Flights
International and domestic flights are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and beverages are not included.
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
Meals
Full English breakfast daily; 3 three-course dinners
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Europe dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus Europe escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized European tour—without the crowds.
UNESCO Sites
City of Bath|Frontiers of the Roman Empire|Old and New Towns of Edinburgh|Stonehenge|The great Spa Towns of Europe - Bath
Accommodation
Stay at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge and Park Plaza Waterloo in London, Ty Newport Hotel and The Coldra Court by Celtic Manor in Newport, Tower Hotel in Waterford, The Spencer and Hilton Garden Inn Dublin City Centre in Dublin, Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street and Marriott Courtyard in Edinburgh, and DoubleTree by Hilton York in York.
Mode of Transport
Travel by coach with your Tour Director and companions, including ferry crossings from Pembroke to Rosslare and Belfast to Cairnryan.
Notes
Due to the Solstice closure of Stonehenge on 21st June, departure June 20 will visit Salisbury rather than Stonehenge.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in a variety of hotels including Park Plaza Westminster Bridge and Park Plaza Waterloo in London, Ty Newport Hotel and The Coldra Court by Celtic Manor in Newport, Tower Hotel in Waterford, The Spencer and Hilton Garden Inn Dublin City Centre in Dublin, Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street and Marriott Courtyard in Edinburgh, and DoubleTree by Hilton York in York.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes a full English breakfast daily and 3 three-course dinners.
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Is there any free time during the tour?
Yes, there is free time on the first afternoon in London, the afternoon of Day 5 in Dublin, and the afternoon of Day 7 in Edinburgh.
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What are some of the key highlights of the tour?
Key highlights include visiting Stonehenge, the Roman Baths in Bath, Cardiff Castle, the House of Waterford Crystal, Kilkenny Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College in Dublin, Edinburgh Castle, and Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
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Are there any UNESCO World Heritage Sites included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes visits to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the City of Bath, Frontiers of the Roman Empire, Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, Stonehenge, and The Great Spa Towns of Europe in Bath.
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What is the group size for this tour?
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Europe dates, limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes a variety of transportation methods such as driving to different locations, ferry crossings, and guided walks.
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What kind of activities are included in the tour?
Activities include guided tours, visits to historical sites, city sightseeing, and free time for personal exploration.
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Is there any special event included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances on specific departure dates in August.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
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Globus requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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