Elegance of Great Britain - Start London, Small Group

Elegance of Great Britain - Start London, Small Group

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13 Days From

$6225

$5914

Elegance of Great Britain - Start London, Small Group

13 Days Starting and ending in London

Visiting: London, Edinburgh, Ardgowan House, Gretna Green, Windermere, Lake District National Park, York, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, Stonehenge, Salisbury

From:
$6225
$5914 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$311

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

Tour Overview

Follow in the footsteps of historical figures and literary giants on a 13-day guided tour of Scotland and England. In Edinburgh be dazzled by the jewels of Scottish royalty and join a Local Expert as you explore the best the city has to offer. Dine with Sir Ludovic, a Scottish Baronet, on his 10,000-acre coastal home - Ardgowan Castle. He’ll tell you about the castle's history and surrounding area as you enjoy traditional tea and scones. Cruise the English Lake District, and visit William Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Plus, marvel at Stonehenge's monoliths and indulge in a home-hosted meal at York's Thrisk Hall, an 18th-century town house renovated by English architect John Carr.

Highlights

  • 11 Breakfast (B)

  • 4 Dinner with Wine (DW)

  • 1 Afternoon Tea (AT)

  • 1 Dinner (D)

  • Choose between two carefully selected activities

  • York: Visit the National Railway Museum, housing over 300 years of history, and home to iconic locomotives and an unrivaled collection of engineering brilliance, we celebrate the past, present and future of innovation on the railways.

  • : Delve into the historic and human stories which have shaped the Minster we see today, Explore the cathedral’s rich history, from the Roman Emperor who changed the course of Christianity, to the fires which threatened to destroy the cathedral.

  • : Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.

  • : Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.

  • : We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.

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Places You'll See

Itinerary

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Day 1: Welcome To London

Location: London

Accommodation: The Clermont Victoria, London, Thistle Marble Arch, London.

Welcome to London. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free to enjoy a city that is famous for its pomp and pageantry. Perhaps relax with a walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park or window shop in the elegant boutiques of Knightsbridge? Alternatively, you may want to stroll along the Thames to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London.

Day 2: From London To Edinburgh

Location: London, Edinburgh

Accommodation: Apex Waterloo Place Hotel, Edinburgh.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

In the morning, transfer to the train station and take your comfortable, standard-class seats. Your cross-country journey takes you through the green English countryside as you travel to Scotland - land of legends and romance. You are then transferred to Macdonald Holyrood Hotel, where the rest of the day is yours to relax. Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers at 16:30 for a Welcome Dinner and the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers over a pleasant evening.

Day 3: Edinburgh, The Capital Of Culture

Location: Edinburgh

Accommodation: Apex Waterloo Place Hotel, Edinburgh.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Join a Local Expert to see the highlights of the city. Enjoy a drive along Princes Street to the ornate Scott Memorial and see the 18th century New Town with its neoclassical Adam facades. Over in the Old Town, see the Palace of Holyroodhouse and visit the castle, home of Mons Meg, the Stone of Destiny and the Honours of Scotland, Scotland's glittering Crown Jewels. With the afternoon at leisure, why not visit the art treasures in the National Gallery? On select departures, you will also attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo — a colorful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

Day 4: Ardgowan And Gretna Green

Location: Edinburgh, Ardgowan House, Gretna Green, Windermere

Accommodation: The Ro Hotel Windermere

Meals Included: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner with Wine

Depart the majestic Scottish capital and journey to Ardgowan, set on a stunning 10,000-acre coastal estate. Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart welcomes you to his family castle. Learn the history of the area, the Shaw Stewart family and the conservation efforts to protect the land on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, followed by a degustation of traditional Scottish tea and scones. Continue to Gretna Green to see the famous spot where runaway lovers were married at the blacksmith's shop. Your travels continue to the picturesque English Lake District.

Day 5: English Poets And The Lake District Experience Relaxed Start

Location: Windermere, Lake District National Park, Windermere

Accommodation: The Ro Hotel Windermere

Meals Included: Breakfast

Devote the day to a scenic wonderland of rugged mountains and tranquil waters - inspiration to a host of English poets.Visit Wordsworth’s grave in the small churchyard at Grasmere.Appreciate the scenic beauty of the English Lake District on a relaxing cruise admiring the magnificent views of rugged mountains, secluded bays and wooded islands. Then, embark on a nostalgic steam train ride along the banks of the beautiful River Leven.

Day 6: Windermere To York Relaxed Start

Location: Windermere, York

Accommodation: Hilton York.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Enjoy a morning at leisure before traveling through the Yorkshire Dales to arrive at the charming village of Haworth. Visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum, created within the home of the Brontë family. Learn about the family's literary legacy and what inspired them from the surroundings of their own home. Your journey continues to York, one of the oldest cities in England. In the evening join a family for a home-hosted meal at the historic Thirsk Hall. This grade II* listed three-storey town house was built in 1720 and extended in 1770 by York architect John Carr.

Day 7: The Viking City Of York Relaxed Start

Location: York

Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton York

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy an exploration of one of Britain’s most historic cities, controlled by the Vikings during the 9th and 10th centuries and now renowned for its exquisite architecture. Walk within the town walls with a Local Expert to see the York Minster, Britain’s largest medieval cathedral. Explore the tangle of narrow, cobbled streets and see the Shambles. Spend the afternoon with Insight Choice. Visit the National Railway Museum housing over 300 years of history, or the magnificent York Minster, one of the largest in Northern Europe.

Day 8: Lincoln’S Magna Carta

Location: York, Stratford-upon-Avon

Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Stratford-upon-Avon.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Visit Lincoln Castle, one of the finest Norman castles in England. Your tour will include a chance to see one of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta. Continue to Stratford, beautifully situated on the River Avon. Your hotel is set in its own private grounds, just a short walk from the Royal Shakespeare Theater and the town's black and white timber-framed buildings.

Day 9: Shakespeare's Stratford-Upon-Avon Relaxed Start

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon

Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Stratford-upon-Avon.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Discover how William Shakespeare and his incredible works continue to delight audiences today when you visit his birthplace, full of interesting memorabilia and artefacts relating to his life. Later, join your Travel Director for a traditional Sunday roast dinner, served with Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings.

Day 10: The Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace And Bath

Randolfo Santos
Steven Eastham
Diego Alberto Etchevarne

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath

Accommodation: Lansdown Grove

Meals Included: Breakfast

An enchanting day awaits in the morning. Cross the beautiful Cotswold hills, a chocolate box scene of golden stone villages with roses around the doors. Visit the magnificent stately home and gardens of Blenheim Palace, the greatest building of the English Baroque, and learn more about Churchill's life at Blenheim during a talk by a historian. Continue to the elegant Georgian city of Bath, built in amphitheater style on the surrounding hills. Your Travel Director introduces you to the Pulteney Bridge, built in mellow local stone.

Day 11: Bath Relaxed Start

Randolfo Santos
Steven Eastham
Diego Alberto Etchevarne

Location: Bath

Accommodation: Lansdown Grove

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

The City of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built above one of Britain's thermal, mineral springs. Enjoy a visit to its incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths. With the rest of the day at leisure, why not soak and relax with a visit to Thermae Spa? In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers as you raise a glass over your Celebration Dinner to commend your wonderful journey.

Day 12: Ancient Stonehenge To London

Randolfo Santos
Steven Eastham
Diego Alberto Etchevarne

Location: Bath, Stonehenge, Salisbury, London

Accommodation: The Clermont Victoria, London, Thistle Marble Arch, London.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Travel across Salisbury Plain to visit the prehistoric and mysterious Stonehenge, where the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths are reputed to be up to 5,000 years old. Continue into the heart of Wiltshire to the city of Salisbury where you have time at leisure to enjoy lunch and explore. See the tallest spire in England, atop the medieval cathedral, and observe an architectural timeline from the city's medieval walls and half-timbered Tudor town houses to Georgian mansions and Victorian villas. Upon arrival in London you are at leisure for the rest of the afternoon.

Day 13: Homeward Bound

Location: London

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your journey comes to an end after breakfast.

Check out our Q&As

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1978.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

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Dates & Availability

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Saturday - Thursday

Jun 07, 2025 - Jun 19, 2025
$6225 $5914 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$311 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Thursday

Jul 19, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025
$7150 $6793 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$358 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations 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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