Your itinerary
11 Days ~ England &
Scotland
Tour Pace
This tour is leisurely paced with
two-night stays
in every place visited. In each city
there is an expertly planned day excursion,
with fabulous visits designed to
showcase each region in depth.
DAY 1 – THU – LONDON
– WINCHESTER
Meet your Tour Director at London's
Thistle Marble Arch Hotel before driving
to the pretty village of Westerham.
Here Winston Churchill watches over the
neat village green and you visit his nearby
residence of Chartwell. Continue through
brilliant yellow and green pastures to
Hever Castle, home to the tragic tale of
Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Cross the moat
to explore the fortified manor house and
stroll the pretty gardens. Move on to your
hotel in the fine cathedral town of
Winchester for the evening, where you
can enjoy
a Welcome Drink. Hotel: The Winchester.
(D)
DAY 2 – FRI
– NEW FOREST EXCURSION
A scenic drive through the New Forest
brings you
to Beaulieu where you will visit the
Palace House and Abbey ruins, and the
collection
of cars in the National Motor Museum.
Travel on to Salisbury to see the 13th
century
cathedral, whose spire is the tallest in
the land. After some free time, visit
nearby
Wilton House, one of the finest homes in
Britain, with state rooms by Inigo Jones
containing a remarkable collection of
paintings. Back in Winchester, be sure to
take time to explore the High Street
and cathedral. (B)
DAY 3
– SAT – WINCHESTER –
STRATFORD
The country roads lead you past
pretty villages
en route to Avebury, which is partially
situated in a huge prehistoric henge
monument
of several stone circles. Continue on to
Stratford–upon–Avon to visit
Shakespeare’s birthplace, full of
memorabilia and artifacts relating to his
life. Hotel: Swans Nest. (B)
DAY 4 – SUN –
COTSWOLDS EXCURSION
An enchanting day takes you across
the beautiful
Cotswold hills, a chocolate box scene of
golden stone villages with roses round
the doors. Visit Blenheim Palace, the
greatest building of the English Baroque,
residence of the Dukes of Marlborough
and birthplace of Winston Churchill. After
touring the house and gardens, visit
the gardens of Sudeley Castle, former home
to one of King Henry VIII’s wives,
Katherine Parr. (B,D)
DAY
5 – MON – STRATFORD –
LAKE DISTRICT
Travel through the orchards of
Worcestershire
to the border town of Ludlow with its
impressive castle ruins. As you drive
through
the remote Shropshire hills, you will
pass Wenlock Edge, which is celebrated in
the poetry of AE Housman. Reach historic
Ironbridge Gorge, birthplace of the
Industrial
Revolution and marvel at the
200-year-old Iron Bridge before
continuing north to
the stunning English Lake District.
Hotel: Windermere Hydro.
(B,D)
DAY 6 – TUE
– LAKE DISTRICT
EXCURSION
A whole day is set aside to relax and
explore
the Lake District – a scenic
wonderland of rugged mountains and
tranquil waters
and an inspiration to a host of English
poets. Visit Wordsworth’s grave in
the small churchyard at Grasmere, then
admire the vast expanse of Windermere, the
largest of the lakes. Consider taking a
cruise on its peaceful waters before
returning
to the hotel. (B,D)
DAY 7
– WED – LAKE DISTRICT
– EDINBURGH
Cross the Cumbrian mountains and the
Scottish
border at Gretna – for years the
destination of eloping English lovers.
Spend
your spare time shopping before enjoying
the contrasting beauty of the Southern
Lowlands en route to Edinburgh. Here,
discover the wonders of the plant kingdom
in the Botanical Gardens which form a
remarkable haven of tranquillity in the
south
of the city, as well as being a
world-renowned centre for botanical
science. Hotel:
Hilton Grosvenor. (B)
DAY
8 – THU – SCOTTISH
EXCURSION
See the highlights of Edinburgh:
Holyroodhouse,
St Giles’ Cathedral on the Royal
Mile, the Castle and New Town. Cross the
Firth
of Forth en route to St Andrews, the
home of golf. Visit the ruined
cathedral, see
Scotland’s oldest university and
the most famous golf course in the world.
Tonight, selected departures enjoy the
spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo. (B)
DAY 9 – FRI –
EDINBURGH – HARROGATE
Travel through the Borders region to
Abbotsford
House, the 19th century estate of Sir
Walter Scott which now serves as a museum
for the Scottish memorabilia and
artefacts collected throughout his
lifetime. Head
south past Jedburgh Abbey and over the
border to visit Hadrian’s Wall and on
to Harrogate. A well-known spa town
since the 16th century, it is also
famous for
its gardens. Enjoy a Highlight Dinner in
a traditional local inn. Hotel: Kimberley.
(B,HD)
DAY 10 – SAT
– YORKSHIRE EXCURSION
After breakfast, make the short
journey to the
walled city of York. See the huge
Minster, Britain’s largest medieval
cathedral,
and explore the maze of narrow streets,
including the Shambles. Visit the
fabulous
18th century Castle Howard, with its
tapestries and scenic gardens, before
returning
to your hotel in Harrogate. (B,D)
DAY 11 – SUN –
HARROGATE – LONDON
Travel south to visit Warwick Castle,
with its
magnificent medieval towers and
ramparts. The chilling dungeon contrasts
with the
splendour of the State Rooms and
baronial Great Hall. Return to London's
Thistle Marble
Arch Hotel where your tour ends.(B)
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