The Great British Tour (18 Nights/19 days) 2008
To see all of the UK's best places in one tour, is quite special! If you're one of the fortunate few with time to spare you will not be disappointed - it's our most ambitious, yet most satisfying tour yet. The itinerary and accommodations have all been selected with the greatest care to ensure that nothing has been over-looked. This once in a lifetime experience will bring many, many happy memories that will indeed last a lifetime!Day 1: Begins with a drive from London to the old University City of Oxford. A look at a famous college and city walking tour, then on to Blenheim Palace at Woodstock, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. We lunch in the Cotswolds at a historic old inn, and visit some delightful villages, before ending the day at a very comfortable guest house in Stratford-on-Avon; the town centre boasts many good restaurants, plus the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Why not explore the town tonight? Your Factsheet should prove helpful. (If you wish to visit the theatre, please ask in advance). (If inclusive tour: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 2: After breakfast, we visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare and tour the town, then we're off to make a brief visit to the Ironbridge district to learn all about the impact of this area during the Industrial Revolution. A look at the 'Potteries' follows, with a visit to either the Wedgwood, Royal Doulton or Spode factory. (There's also a chance to buy a bargain or two!) Later, afternoon tea will set us up for the short drive to the Derbyshire Peak District National Park, and our hotel for tonight. (Inclusive tours: Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 3: A leisurely start is planned for today! So take an hour or two to wander this charming little town - our Factsheet will assist. Alternatively, just enjoy the comfort of your hotel and have a lie-in! A noon departure will allow us to visit the land of Robin Hood, take a good pub lunch, and journey to York, arriving late afternoon. We'll make an orientation city tour before settling into our hotel for the next two nights. (Inclusive tour: Bed & Breakfast). |
Day 4: After a good Yorkshire breakfast, we head off to Castle Howard, one of Britain's finest stately homes. We'll follow with a drive through the impressive North York Moors National Park, stopping to admire an impressive ruined Abbey on route. Next we'll take a good lunch in one of the local inns and visit Bolton Castle, where Mary, the tragic Queen of the Scots, was once imprisoned. Finally, our day will end with a drive through the lovely Yorkshire Dales, beloved by fans of the series of stories by a local vet; "All Creatures Great and Small". A short walking tour of York's best attractions is recommended for this evening. See your Factsheet. (Inclusive tours: Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 5: An early breakfast is recommended as we've a big day today! Taking the Great North road to Richmond, we leave Yorkshire and follow a high, lonely moorland road to Hadrian's Wall, where we'll visit some of the recently excavated Roman works. Lunch next, at a Northumbrian Inn, before journeying over the border into Scotland. A brief orientation tour of Edinburgh, if time permits, then a check-in to your hotel for the next 2 nights. (If inclusive: Bed & &reakfast) |
| Day 6: A free day in Edinburgh today. Armed with our Factsheet, you'll find lots to do in this exciting city. (If inclusive: Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 7: Begins with a drive over the new Forth Road Bridge and on into the Cairngorms. Visits to a historic castle, woollen mill, and whisky sampling at a working distillery will keep the group busy. (Lunch also is included). Your hotel for the next three nights is a fine place to relax - beginning with an excellent table d'hôte dinner! (If inclusive: Dinner, Bed & Bedbreakfast) |
Day 8: A morning at leisure, then a lovely drive through some of Scotland's finest scenery into the far north country. We'll take a look at one of her best gardens, warmed by the Gulf Stream, where lot's of exotic plants thrive, despite being further north than Moscow! (Inclusive tours: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 9: A short drive to one of the area's best historic castles where we'll take a brief lunch. Then the choice is yours! Golfers can play one of the excellent local courses; shoppers and museum buffs can spend the afternoon in the attractive city of Inverness. (Inclusive tours: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 10: Our direction is southerly for the first time on our grand tour today. We look for Nessie, the monster of Loch Ness, then travel through the pass of Glencoe, with its' tales of treachery and murder, before lunch at an old Drover's Inn. Driving along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond brings us to the fast road to England, where the attractive little town of Keswick in the Lake District National Park is our base for the next two nights. (Inclusive tours: Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 11: At leisure in this charming town. Your Factsheet will be useful - this is an easy walking town. Feeling more energetic? Let us take you for a hike on the mountains, or would you prefer to hire a boat and cruise on Derwentwater, the 'Queen of the Lakes'? The new local theatre is well worth a visit, too. (Inclusive tours: Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 12: We explore the English Lake District National Park, a really beautiful region which has attracted artists, writers, poets and philosophers for centuries, and you'll soon realise why. Our tour will include visits to homes of local writers and poets, a scenic lakes boat trip and an excellent lunch. Then we will have an hour or so shopping time before leaving the lakes and heading south to Chester for the night. (Inclusive tours: Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 13: Your Factsheet gives you an easy wall-walk of Chester. Alternatively, you can stroll the town centre with its' black and white Tudor-style architecture, creating possibly the most unique shopping centre in the UK. Then, around noon, we'll depart for the short drive to the border. "Passports please!" Only joking, but yes, we are entering another country: Wales! And a GREAT little country it is too. Croeso y Gymru! That's 'Welcome to Wales!' in Welsh, but don't worry, we'll have you speaking it like a native in no time (see your Factsheet). Afternoon tea on route to your hotel for the next two nights - where a fine table d'hôte dinner await....Enough said. (Inclusive tours: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 14: We're going mining today! On with your helmets and let's see what a slate miner's life was like ... Then we'll either visit a castle or take the mountain railway to the summit of the highest peak on this tour, Mt Snowdon, as the group wish. After lunch we spend the rest of the day at the Italianate village of Portmeirion. Some good shopping opportunities for those who are so inclined. Dinner at the hotel. (Inclusive tours: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 15: Today's journey takes us from North to South Wales, with time to visit a historic royal castle, a Spa town, and enjoy a pub lunch. Later we'll tour the Royal Welsh Crystal factory, with a chance to purchase a crystal glassware bargain. Our day ends at the historic Georgian City of Bath. You've two nights, and you'll enjoy them! (Inclusive tours: Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 16: A free day in Bath. Why not visit the Roman Baths, the historic Costume Museum, and take an open-top bus tour of this fascinating town. Whatever you decide, your Factsheet should prove most helpful. How about the theatre tonight? There are also many good restaurants to tempt you. (Inclusive tours: Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 17: We're heading south-west today - to the glorious county of Devon. On route we'll stop at the historic city of Wells, admire one of the finest Cathedrals in the world, then make a visit to Glastonbury Abbey and see King Arthur's tomb and lunch in the town. Our hotel for your last two nights won't disappoint, and a good table d'hôte dinner await. (Inclusive tours: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 18: A coastal extravaganza is planned today. You will soon see why this region attracts so many visitors in the summer. Fine beaches, wonderful little fishing villages and glorious coastal views. Into Cornwall for lunch at an old pirates-haunt and free time in an atmospheric sea-side village. Later we can take cream tea, Devon style! (Inclusive tours: Farewell Banquet Dinner, Bed & Breakfast) |
Day 19: Finally, we return to London with a brief visit to 'Locksley' Castle and mysterious Stonehenge on route. (And a finaltFactsheet to complete your collection). Before reaching London we'll pause for a last meal together, and see Windsor and tour the famous castle (if time allows) before bringing our tour to a close and saying 'goodbye'.
PRICES: EITHER: You pay just £430 per day, to cover the cost of your Minivan, your driver-guide and all miles driven. The fee also includes the driver-guides hotel/subsistence expenses, but not your own. We can arrange bed and breakfast/guest house/inn/hotel accommodations from £70 per twin or double room, £85 a family room per night including breakfast. You can see that this is the best way to go for a group on a budget, as the cost of the vehicle and guide is shared by your group (which can be up to 8 persons), and you pay what you wish to pay for accommodations and meals. Please note: your entry fees to the sites visited are not included, and gratuities are at your discretion. OR: A fully-inclusive option for families/friends groups of 4 persons or more: Prices include quality accommodation with private bath and full English breakfast, entrance fees & taxes, individual Factsheets, lunches, dinners, high teas as described, your own driver/guide and minivan for 19 days. Total luggage handling throughout. |
No of People |
Total Price in £'s |
Cost Per Person (pp) in £'s |
4 People |
£12,880 |
£3,220 (pp sharing twin/double rooms) |
5 People |
£15,550 |
£3,110 (pp sharing twin/doubles & 1 single) |
6 People |
£16,080 |
£2,680 (pp sharing twin/double rooms) |
April 4, 2008
