Classic Britain—12 day tour
Discover the history, culture and landscapes that put the 'great' in Great Britain. This tour travels between London and Edinburgh via Britain's most traditional countryside scenes and classic cities.
Included Highlights
- London, Bath, Edinburgh and York City Tours
- Westminster Abbey
- West End Theatre
- Stonehenge
- Roman Baths in Bath
- Lake District Cruise
- Edinburgh Castle
- Stirling Castle
- York Minster
Hotel Nights
- London 2
- Bath 1
- Lake District 2
- Edinburgh 3
- York 2
- London 1
Day 1 London
Arrival at one of London's airports. Meet and greet by a professional London guide who will accompany us by motor coach on a panoramic sightseeing tour of London. The tour will pass iconic landmarks including Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.
Overnight London
Day 2 London
Our guide takes us on an in-depth tour of London today. Highlights include a 'flight' on the London Eye, a tour of Westminster Abbey, a cruise on the River Thames, a pub lunch and admission to the Tower of London. We may also want to experience a journey on the tube, a ride on a Red Double Decker Bus or a visit to one of the city's museums, many of which are free to enter. Tonight a pre-theatre dinner and tickets to a top West End performance, with private transfers, are included.
Overnight London
Day 3 Stonehenge – Salisbury – Bath
Leaving London we travel southwest and stop at the mysterious stone circle of Stonehenge before spending time in the cathedral city of Salisbury. Built in 1258 the medieval cathedral is one of the finest in England and also houses one of the Magna Cartas. Written in 1215, this book is even older than the cathedral itself. In the early afternoon we arrive in the World Heritage Site city of Bath where a local guide takes us around the elegant streets and into the Roman Baths and Pump Room, source of the only hot water spring in England.
Overnight Bath
Day 4 Cotswolds – Lake District
Today travel to the heart of traditional England with a tour of the Cotswolds. See picturesque 'chocolate box' villages and towns with fascinating names like Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water. Travelling further north a stop is made at England's finest china company, Wedgwood. A tour of the Visitor Centre reveals the story of china manufacture since 1759. In the late afternoon we arrive at our hotel in the Lake District National Park.
Overnight Lake District
Day 5 Lake District
The Lake District is famous not just for its breathtaking scenery of lakes and mountains but also its association with poets such as Wordsworth. A visit is included to Wordsworth's Dove Cottage and we will also enjoy a cruise on Lake Windermere, plus time in the attractive towns of Grasmere and Ambleside.
Overnight Lake District
Day 6 Lake District - Hadrian's Wall - Edinburgh
Leaving the Lake District we visit Birdoswald, one of the finest and best preserved Roman forts on Hadrian's Wall. A short journey takes us over the border and into Scotland, where we continue past the gently rolling hills of the Borders region to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh.
Overnight Edinburgh
Day 7 Edinburgh
A local guide joins us for a morning tour of the city, which includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle. The castle stands guard over the city, captivating visitors with its ancient buildings and marvellous views. This afternoon is free for independent exploration. Tonight enjoy a Scottish themed dinner accompanied by traditional musical entertainment. Groups visiting Edinburgh in August may wish to include tickets to the world-famous spectacle of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Overnight Edinburgh
Day 8 The Trossachs - Stirling
A full day excursion to enjoy a beautiful area of Scotland, known as 'Scotland in Miniature'. We take a steamship cruise on picturesque Loch Katrine and visit the Scottish Wool Centre, to see sheepdogs at work and weaving demonstrations. Our day ends with a guided tour of Stirling Castle, one of Scotland's grandest castles, towering over battlefields associated with William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.
Overnight Edinburgh
Day 9 Lindisfarne - York
Driving through some spectacular scenery we return to England and enter the Northumbria National Park. We cross the tidal causeway to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne to visit the evocative ruins of Lindisfarne Priory. Founded in 635AD the Priory was an important centre of early Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England and is still a place of pilgrimage today. Following the scenic coastal road we reach Newcastle before continuing on to York.
Overnight York
Day 10 York
Join our local guide for a morning tour of this remarkable and well-preserved city. Step back in time at the Jorvik Viking Centre with a journey through a reconstruction of Viking age streets, as they would have been in the year 975AD. Afterwards we meet a cathedral guide for a tour of stunning York Minster, one of the world's greatest cathedrals and the largest in northern Europe. The afternoon is free to explore the cobbled streets and museums of this historic city.
Overnight York
Day 11 York - London
Leave York early for the journey south to London. The remainder of the day is at leisure in central London.
Overnight London
Day 12 London
Group transfer to the airport. We will be pleased to tailor your tour to suit your preferred arrival and departure airports.
You can find out more about our service on the Your Tour and Tour Price page. Please do email or call us to discuss your requirements. All quotations are provided free of charge and without obligation. We look forward to hearing from you.