Your tour departs from central London at 9am. Travelling west we reach the medieval cathedral city of Salisbury. After time at leisure for lunch, we visit the remarkable megaliths of Stonehenge, situated on the Salisbury Plain. This afternoon we also make a short stop at the graveyard at Sutton Veny’s St John the Evangelist church to pay our respects to the ANZAC soldiers and five Australian nurses buried here in 1918. Later, we continue to Bristol where we stay for the next four nights in the very heart of town.  Dinner tonight is included, but first enjoy a welcome drink.

Our day will be spent exploring the port city of Bristol. Located on the River Avon, Bristol has a rich maritime history dating back to pre-Norman times. In the 17th and 18th centuries Bristol was a major port for goods coming in from the colonies, and the city prospered. To bring alive this fascinating trading city we have included a private boat tour guiding us through Bristol’s Historic harbour. Later we have included entrance to the historic dockyard museums where you will step back in history boarding and exploring the magnificent SS Great Britain. Dating back to 1843, this was the first of the world’s great Ocean liners. Designed by the great Victorian engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, for the Great Western Steamship Company's transatlantic service between Bristol and New York City, the decks above and below are beautifully preserved. The rest of your day is at leisure and there’s plenty to see and do. Your evening is at leisure so make sure you visit the harbour's 19th-century warehouses which now contain restaurants, cafes and bars.

This morning we will visit and explore the pretty city of Bath. Joined by a local guide we have included a walking tour with visits to the Roman Baths and Pump Room and Bath Abbey. The remainder of your lunchtime is at leisure – ‘My Time’ to explore Bath’s picturesque Georgian crescents, sights and shops. Mid-afternoon, we will drive over the historic Severn Bridge into Wales and take a scenic drive beside the winding, picturesque River Wye through the delightful Welsh borderlands. The highlight of your afternoon will be a visit to the ancient ruins of Tintern’s Cistercian Abbey, romantically set in a peaceful forest and providing inspiration to poets through the centuries. Dinner tonight is included.

A leisurely start this morning as we drive into Somerset to visit Britain’s smallest city – Wells. On arrival we will enjoy an orientation walk with your Tour Manager through this delightful little ‘time capsule’ city and along the moated walls of the Bishop’s Palace. Highlight of your visit will be (entrance donation included) exploring the majestic Gothic Cathedral and Cloisters. After time at leisure, we have included lunch at the charming Swan Hotel. In the afternoon we will also visit Britian’s earliest Christian sanctuary – the famous ruins of Glastonbury and legendary burial place of King Arthur and his Queen Guinevere. Here we are joined by historic costumed character who will tell stories and breathe life into the ancient ruins.  After free time amongst the cafes and souvenir shops in the busy little town we head back to Bristol.  On the way back we also enjoy a photo stop beside the majestic Clifton Suspension Bridge which gracefully spans the River Avon 76 metres below. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, it was a turning point in history being the first iron suspension bridge and, in its time, the largest bridge in the world.  Your evening is at leisure.  

Heading north, we arrive into Chester late morning. Rich in Roman ruins, Chester also has a wonderfully preserved medieval centre, full of half-timbered houses and the famous ‘Rows’ – double level, balconied shopping arcades that date back to the Middle Ages, 700 years ago. Whilst exploring this incredibly historic town make sure you take a walk along the perfectly preserved, red stone, Roman city walls. Mid afternoon we continue to the picturesque Lake District where we stay two nights.

We will spend a delightful day touring the famous Lake District. This morning we visit Ambleside and Grasmere where, we have included entrance to the Wordsworth Museum and a visit to Dove Cottage, once home to the poet William Wordsworth. Later this afternoon we enjoy a scenic cruise on picturesque Lake Windermere.  

Crossing into Scotland we enjoy a morning tea stop in Gretna Green before we reach the New Lanark World Heritage Site, a sensitively restored 18th century cotton mill village in South Lanarkshire. The giant mill wheels still sit over the torrential river and the 200 year old terraced houses have been restored offering an intriguing look at the workers family life two centuries ago. Later we continue to Edinburgh, where we stay for the next three nights. Before arriving at your hotel we have included a tour and tasting to sample a ‘wee tipple’ at the Scotch Whisky Experience.

We have included visits to two iconic highlights today - the Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh Castle. After a hearty Scottish breakfast, we visit the Royal Yacht Britannia. Afterwards, we are joined by a local guide to discover this city’s rich history and visit Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the city’s skyline. Your afternoon and evening are at leisure in this grand city.

Please note: The 10 August departure will be attending The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in the evening on Day 8. Please refer to your pre-departure documents for more details.

Today you have a choice – enjoy a free day in Edinburgh or join us as we visit Stirling and the Trossachs. This morning we visit Stirling, the ancient capital of Scotland, that lies at the heart of the nation’s history. The streets of the old town wind upwards towards the castle, 250 feet up on a craggy rock. Our local guide takes us through this grand fortification, with its splendid views across the countryside to the Wallace Monument – built in commemoration of this legendary Scottish hero, William ‘Braveheart’ Wallace. Continuing on we travel to the Trossachs and the town of Callander, in the heart of Rob Roy country. Set dramatically beneath high, wooded crags, this delightful town with its tearooms, craft and woollen shops makes the ideal lunch stop. Tonight, we have arranged an unmissable evening, enjoy dinner accompanied by traditional Scottish song and dance.

Crossing the border into England and Northumbria, we reach striking Alnwick Castle where we have included a privately guided visit. Dating back 1000 years, the grand staterooms and lavish furnishings will not disappoint. Home to the current Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle is also famous for having featured in numerous TV series and movies, such as special editions of Downton Abbey, and of course as mysterious ‘Hogwarts’ in the Harry Potter series. In the afternoon we enjoy a stop in the beautiful city of Durham with its majestic cathedral. Later, we continue to the historic walled town of York where we stay the next three nights. Dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant.

This morning will be spent exploring York. Following an orientation walk around the city with your Tour Manager, the rest of the morning will be at leisure. The Minster, the largest gothic church in England is a must see, whilst the narrow streets around the historic ‘Shambles’ (the preserved medieval street) offer great shopping or, perhaps take a leisurely walk along the Roman built city walls. This afternoon we indulge in a decadent afternoon tea of dainty sandwiches, handmade cakes, scones and specialty teas.

Today we visit the coastal town of Whitby, once home to the famous explorer Captain Cook. Sit back and relax as we pass by charming villages. Arriving in Whitby, we visit both Whitby’s Benedictine abbey and the Captain Cook Memorial Museum and enjoy a fish and chip lunch. Your evening is at leisure York.

This morning we drive south into Derbyshire to reach Chatsworth mid morning. Here we enjoy a guided visit of stately Chatsworth House with its glorious interior, treasure rooms and gardens complete with an ornate maze and the 300 year old water ‘Cascade’, falling 200 metres down the hill in a series of 24 steps. Arriving in Stratford-upon-Avon we settle into our hotel, where we stay for the next three nights.

This morning we visit nearby Warwick and its magnificent, medieval castle. An expert local guide will join us to breathe life into a thousand years of secrets which hide in the shadows of this famous ‘Kingmaker’ castle – tales of murder, mystery, intrigue and scandal. After also visiting Anne Hathaway’s cottage and Shakespeare’s Birthplace the rest of the day and evening will be free to relax and wander the streets of Elizabethan Stratford-upon-Avon.

Today we visit Oxford, home to one of Europe’s oldest and most famous universities. A local guide takes us on a walking tour around the city and its colleges. Later this afternoon we will wander leisurely through one of the most beautiful and unique regions in England – the Cotswolds. Our country drive will take us through some of the famous Cotswolds villages and we enjoy an afternoon stop in Broadway.  Tonight we enjoy a dinner cruise on the River Avon, aboard The Countess of Evesham.

Travelling south we skirt London and enjoy a morning stop in Windsor. Later we continue into the heart of Kent and arrive at Leeds Castle where we stay our last, and most memorable night! Set romantically on an island surrounded by a broad moat, the Castle, Gatehouse and Maiden’s tower comprise one of the world’s greatest sights. Tonight, the entire castle becomes ours to exclusively enjoy! First, we have included a private tour through the grand staterooms, halls, library, chapel and the 13th century section of the castle. Later, in the library, we will enjoy a pre-dinner drink before our farewell dinner in Lady Baillie’s Dining Room. Tonight, you will sleep here, in what has been dubbed ‘the loveliest castle in the world’.

Mid morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we will transfer to St Pancras and Paddington stations, in central London, where your tour ends.