Immerse yourself into the pageantry of Britain as you travel through the United Kingdom on this exclusive privately hosted small group tour. For those unfamiliar with coach touring, there are several factors you need to be aware of before planning as to which tour to book. This can range from hotel location and the number of nights spent in each place, to the group size and tour inclusions.
Time spent in each city is important as it can be the difference between exploring in-depth or having a brief overview. The number of people in a tour group can impact your holiday if you consider the time it takes for many passengers to board and leave a coach. Sightseeing is impacted by larger numbers so travelling with a smaller group ensures you hear all the commentary with a decent view and that you connect easily with guides.
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Between immersive history, the bustling city, the vibrant cultural & culinary scene makes London an interesting and exciting destination for many. Wander through St. James Park, visit Westminster Abbey, explore the streets of Shoreditch, and take a ride up the river Thames. London's incredible shopping, endless sights, friendly locals, and vibrant nightlife offer something for every kind of traveller. From the daily changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace to the centuries of kings and queens buried within Westminster Abbey, the palaces and cathedrals of London are among the most prestigious and fascinating in the world.
Hampton Court Palace is the former home of Henry VIII and his six wives, and Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world has been the home of 40 monarchs. Its St George’s Chapel holds tombs of 11 monarchs, including that of Queen Elizabeth II. Westminster Abbey has been the coronation church since 1066, and where King Charles will be crowned in May 2024. Visit renowned sites like St Paul's Cathedral, Kensington Palace, and Windsor Castle for a glimpse inside the remarkable history of this ancient and regal city. Whatever your interests may be, you can find plenty of ways to occupy your day in London and experience all the go-to destinations that the locals love.
A special feature of this tour is a day’s attendance the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show with its amazing garden designs, gorgeous floral displays and horticultural inspirations. It is regarded as the world’s leading event of its kind which has been held in the grounds of the prestigious Royal Hospital Chelsea since 1912 and attracts more than 150,000 visitors including members of the British Royal Family. Each year, the show has a special theme with the best garden winning a prize and accolades are presented for flower of the year, a new rose, and new plants.
Bath
There aren’t many cities in the United Kingdom, that are as charming and sophisticated as Bath. Located less than three hours driving from London, Bath is a popular choice amongst travellers wanting to experience a smaller, quainter city than the more popular British capital. Bath is home to some of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture in the whole of the UK, with its famed Royal Crescent being amongst the most acclaimed. The city centre is composed of a network of small streets, dotted with old style boutiques. It is as if you are walking right through Harry Potter's Diagon Alley. Because of its wonderful architecture, Bath is a very popular filming location, including for movies such as Vanity Fair, Dracula, The Duchess as well as some other contemporary dramas.
Chester
A walled city on the border of Northern Wales, south of Liverpool, Chester is a popular location to visit in England. This is in part due to its classic cobbled streets and British feel, but also due to its long and intriguing history dating back to the time of the Romans. In this year the area which is now modern Chester was founded by the Roman legion Legio II Adiutrix. This legion built the fortress Deva Victrix. Due to its location and Rome’s desire to invade Ireland, Deva Victrix was a very important fortress during this time. The Chester City Walls were built sometime between AD 70 and AD 80 and today some areas of the walls are almost 2000 years old. Walking the walls of Chester is a very popular activity and you can access the walls via stairs from across the city.
Windermere
Windermere is the largest natural lake in England’s Lake District and is known as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in Cumbria, there are plenty of Windermere attractions to keep you and your family busy. Whether you wish to enjoy Windermere Lake cruises or want to visit formal gardens that look stunning, there’s plenty of things to do and see. From stunning landscapes, endless activities to do and lakeside towns it’s easy to see why Windermere is so popular.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is Scotland's capital and one of United Kingdom's most beautiful cities. With a medieval Old Town and a particularly elegant Georgian New Town, it is easy to understand why Edinburgh lured many travellers in with its unparalleled charm. Edinburgh is considered as one of the few cities in the world that has a harmonious combination of economic prosperity with culture, history and art. Visiting Edinburgh, visitors will be amazed at the bustle of a shopping center located right next to a 12th-century citadel, in the medieval old town and admire the architecture of the 18th century.
York
York is an incredible city to visit when travelling to the UK, with its picture perfect mountains, old-world charm and gourmet delights you can’t go wrong with stopping here for a few days to explore its beautiful streets. When in York visiting The Shambles is a must do! It’s easily one of the prettiest streets in all of England and is considered one of the best surviving Medieval Streets in all the UK. Historically, the Shambles was an area where lots of meat was sold, with all the meat waste discarded in the tiny, cobbled street. Thankfully nowadays, The Shambles is filled with little craft stalls, jewellers, tea spots and, more recently, some wizardry shops. Make sure to spend a little time wandering, popping into the little stalls, and exploring the nearby markets. It really is one of the best things to do in York amongst everything else.
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Steeped in history, Stratford-upon-Avon is a gorgeous Medieval town in the heart of England. Around a 2-hour drive from London, it’s the perfect place to visit for a weekend stay especially with all the best things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon that are sprawled across the town. Known for being the birthplace of Shakespeare, it’s a town that has centuries of history you can still see to this day. No visit to Stratford-upon-Avon is complete without a gander at Shakespeare’s Birthplace. The restored house right in the centre of the town, is not only stunning but it dates to hundreds of years. Stratford-Upon-Avon is truly a step inside Britain’s local history.
Oxford
When exploring Oxford, you’ll feel like every street you turn into has a different story. Steeped in history with so much on offer from the cluster of downtown streets, cobblestoned alleyway, hidden bars and medieval towers there is history nearly everywhere you turn. Not only is Oxford famed for the history but, it is home to one of the most prestigious universities, 39 colleges & quite some seriously stunning architecture. It’s clear why this historic city plays host to many tourists each year.
This package truly has everything to do with Britain’s best and iconic destinations.
From wandering through castles, strolling the cobbled streets, indulging in local café delights, and exploring towns steeped in history you can’t deny this once in a lifetime history enriching holiday!
Call us on 1300 854 897 to find out more or to speak to our tour planning extraordinaire Wendy for more insight on this phenomenal touring deal or click here for more information.
