10 Day Highlights of Britain

Itinerary

9 Day Small Group Tour from London to London with Back-Roads

Embark on a journey steeped in history on this tour of some of the most intriguing aviation and war museums in Britain. With an expert Tour Leader at the helm, we’ll walk in the footsteps of fallen heroes – and feel the thrill of flying over Cambridge in a fully restored Dragon Rapide aircraft.

Day 1: London - Oxford - Cotswolds

After meeting the group, we'll leave the capital behind us and set a course for the ‘dreaming spires' of Oxford – where a walking tour awaits. Then: it's off to the Cotswolds, where we'll spend some time exploring charming villages full of honey-coloured cottages. Tonight's dinner at the world-famous Pudding Club promises to be a memorable one!(D)

Day 2: Cotswolds - Stratford upon Avon - Cotswolds

There will be plenty of time to enjoy this morning at your leisure before we board the mini-coach and make tracks to Stratford-upon-Avon – the picturesque Tudor market town where William Shakespeare was born.(B)

Day 3: Cotswolds - Worcester - Denbighshire

We'll discover more about the crusades of saints and kings on a tour of Worcester Cathedral before our road turns towards the rugged ancient landscapes of Wales this afternoon. This evening, we'll dine together in Denbighshire.(B/D)

Day 4: Denbighshire - Snowdonia National Park - Denbighshire

Prepare for a soul-stirring sight this morning – the magnificent Snowdonia National Park (an area of outstanding natural beauty) is our next stop. Tonight, we'll meet back at the hotel for a sumptuous gastropub dinner.(B/D)

Day 5: Denbighshire - Liverpool - York

Today's itinerary has a distinctly musical theme. After breakfast, we'll leave Wales behind us and move on to Liverpool – the welcoming (and fiercely proud) city that gave birth to The Beatles. What better way to get into the ‘Beatlemania' spirit than with a bus tour and visit to The Beatles Story museum? Toes still tapping, we'll round off the day in York.(B)

Day 6: York

We've a full day to spend getting to grips with York, starting with a walking tour of the Old Town. There's centuries of history to uncover along the medieval Shambles and Snickelways – and plenty of photo opportunities to be claimed!(B)

Day 7: York - Castle Howard - Lake District

Today we'll rewind to the glory days of the English country estate with a tour of magnificent Castle Howard. Our path will then take us through Yorkshire Dales National Park, passing by rivers, tiny villages and centuries-old stone walls. The invigorating Lake District will be the spectacular conclusion to the day's journey.(B/D)

Day 8: Lake District

Our first stop on the shores of Lake Windermere will be Beatrix Potter's Hill Top Farm - the place where she wrote many of her beloved children's stories. We'll then visit Hawkshead Grammar School, which was attended by none other than William Wordsworth, before dropping by his former home: Dove Cottage. This afternoon, there will be just enough time to take to the water on a lake cruise before we return to our accommodation for the evening.(B)

Day 9: Lake District - Scottish Borders

Today we'll visit Birdoswald Roman Fort in Cumbria before pressing on to the Scottish Borders. A traditional haggis dinner and bagpipe demonstration will provide us with a grand ending to our final night.(B/D)

Day 10: Scottish Borders - Abbortsford - Rosslyn Chapel - Edinburgh

We'll make stops at the grand Abbotsford House and beautiful Rosslyn Chapel before reaching Edinburgh, where our tour will finish.(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner