GEMS OF BRITAIN

Your itinerary

4 Days ~ England ~ Scotland

This fabulous four-day tour is suitable for passengers with limited time who would like to see the very best of Britain. It includes everything you would expect: Cambridge, York, Edinburgh, the Lake District, Chester and Stratford-upon-Avon.

DAY 1 – MON – LONDON – DARLINGTON

Meet your Tour Director early this morning at the Thistle Marble Arch and drive north to the university town of Cambridge. Stroll by some of the colleges, including the magnificent King’s College, before continuing to historic York. Inside the ancient city walls, you come to York Minster, England’s largest medieval cathedral. Then walk through the narrow cobbled streets to the Tudor ‘Shambles’, where the houses lean so far they almost touch!  Use your free time to shop before continuing to your hotel. Hotel: Blackwell Grange. (D)

DAY 2 – TUE – DARLINGTON – EDINBURGH

Cross the wild Northumberland Moors and go past the romantic ruins of Jedburgh Abbey, cross the Borders and head on to Scotland’s elegant capital, Edinburgh. On a guided city tour, drive down the stately Royal Mile, past St Giles’ Cathedral to Holyroodhouse Palace – the Queen’s residence in Edinburgh – and on to the 18th century New Town. Visit the Castle, set high on a rocky crag. Why not spend the evening eating haggis and listening to the sound of bagpipes? (May-Oct). Hotel: Hilton Grosvenor. (B)

DAY 3 – WED – EDINBURGH – LIVERPOOL

Drive through the Southern Uplands to Gretna Green, where many an eloping English couple have been married. Attend the ‘Anvil Ceremony’ in the Blacksmith’s Shop, then cross the border back into England. Enjoy a drive through the Lake District, a region so beautiful it inspired a host of English poets. Wander in Wordsworth’s footsteps by the lake before continuing to your hotel on Liverpool's famous waterfront, adjacent to the Liver Buildings and close to the Albert Docks. Hotel: Thistle. (B,D)

DAY 4 – THU – LIVERPOOL– LONDON

First stop today is at the former Roman fortress town of Chester, still standing within its well preserved walls. See the Cathedral, the unique black and white ‘Rows’ (shopping arcades) and the remains of the Roman Amphitheatre. Continue to the famous Wedgwood China factory, where there is much to tempt those seeking fine British souvenirs. Now to Stratford-upon-Avon where you visit Shakespeare’s birthplace. Return to London through the flower-trimmed villages of the Cotswolds, one of the most beautiful parts of England. (B)

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