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Best of Britain

Everyday Price From

£2,574

£2,925

11 days

No Countries

Overview

Explore the Best of Britain on this incredible trip across England, Scotland and Wales, and travel over the sea to the Isle of Skye. Imagine life as a Benedictine monk at Buckfast Abbey, feel the hope of brave pilgrims in Plymouth and be inspired by the beauty of Lake Windermere.

Locations Visited

London, Stonehenge, Bath, Exeter, Plymouth, Polperro, Glastonbury, Cardiff, Ludlow, Chester, Liverpool, Lake District, Gretna Green, Glasgow, Glencoe, Scottish Highlands, Isle of Skye, Pitlochry, St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Alnwick, York, Stratford-upon-Avon

Countries Visited

England, Wales, Scotland

Travel Style

Country Explorer

Accommodations

10 nights included

Age Requirements

Minimum age 5

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Itinerary

COLLAPSE ALL EXPAND ALL

Day 1

Journey to Stonehenge, Bath and Exeter

Meet your Travel Director and commence your journey through the rolling green and golden landscapes of rural Wiltshire to Salisbury Plain. We tread in the footsteps of druids and pagans at Stonehenge, before travelling to UNESCO-listed Bath with its elegant Georgian façades and the centuries-old Roman Baths where you will delight in your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Your home for the next two nights is the historic cathedral city of Exeter, where you will enjoy dinner this evening at your hotel.

  • Accommodation

    Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel


  • Meals

    Dinner

Highlights

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Bath Orientation

Admire UNESCO-listed Bath, with its elegant Georgian façades and the bimillennial Roman Baths from which the city takes its name.

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Visit Stonehenge

Walk around the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths that have reputedly stood for 5,000 years.

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Visit the Roman Baths

Visit the incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths. Discover 2000 years of history and learn how this hub of culture is pioneering new educational investments to benefit the community. Its school educational programme actively supports local schools and students to learn about the cultural heritage of the region. 

The Roman Baths experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.

Our first stop today is in the ancient port city of Plymouth, where we’ll delve into the history of the brave Pilgrim Fathers who set sail for an unknown New World from its shores. See the Royal Citadel overlooking Plymouth Sound and consider an optional cruise around the dramatic coastline. We take a step back in time at our next stop – the delightful village of Polperro. Continuing along the brooding moorland of Dartmoor, we arrive at Buckfast Abbey, where we’ll Dive Into Culture and gain insights into how Benedictine monks have lived and prayed for over 1,000 years.

  • Accommodation

    Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Discover the Benedictine monastery at Buckfast Abbey

Visit Buckfast Abbey, a Benedictine monastery built on the site where monks have lived and prayed for over 1,000 years.

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Plymouth Orientation

During an orientation tour with your Travel Director, see Plymouth Hoe and the Citadel before continuing to the Barbican and Mayflower Steps. 

Enjoy a scenic drive through the pretty Devon and Somerset countryside to mystical Glastonbury, where we'll visit the ruined Abbey, said to be the final resting place of King Arthur. Your journey back to a time of knights, lords and ladies is just beginning and you’ll head to Somerset for an unforgettable experience with Ian and Ann Dyer who are your warm Be My Guest hosts on their modern-day dairy farm, where guests will get to see the ancient manor which was mentioned in the Domesday book of 1085. The Dyers both hail from old farming families and you’ll learn what life is like in the rural countryside and the historical significance of their home over a lunch featuring family favourites prepared by keen cook, Ann. We journey to Cardiff, the capital of Wales, where we'll explore the proud heritage of the Welsh and modern icons, including the Principality Stadium during an orientation tour. 

  • Accommodation

    Leonardo Cardiff


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Lunch

Highlights

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Lunch with the Dyer Family on their 15th-Century Dairy Farm in Somerset

Ian and Ann Dyer are your hosts on their modern-day dairy farm. See the ancient manor house and learn what life is like in the rural countryside over a lunch featuring family favourites.

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Glastonbury Abbey Visit

Visit the historic Glastonbury Abbey. Founded in the 7th century, its ruins are now registered as a Grade I listed building.

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Cardiff Orientation

Learn more about Wales' capital and cultural hub, Cardiff, as you enjoy an orientation of this vibrant city with your Travel Director.

Tudor history is explored this morning as we visit the historic towns of Ludlow and Chester with their characteristic black-and-white half-timbered buildings. Join your Travel Director for an orientation walk past these famous Tudor Rows and enjoy views of Chester's medieval city walls and red sandstone Cathedral. The haunt of the 'Fab Four' is our final stop today. Join a Local Specialist to gain insight into Liverpool's Beatles' history and enjoy a free evening in one of Britain's edgiest cities.

  • Accommodation

    Leonardo Hotel Liverpool


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Ludlow Orientation

Explore the narrow streets and lanes in front of the castle. Admire the medieval timber-framed buildings and Tudor architecture.

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Chester Orientation

See the Jubilee Clock, cathedral, city walls, and famous black and white Rows.

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Liverpool City Tour

Join a Local Specialist to gain insight into Liverpool's history.

Rolling Lancashire pastures give way to the soul-stirring Lake District, whose beautiful scenery has inspired poets and writers for centuries. We travel along the shores of Lake Windermere, through countryside made famous by the poet William Wordsworth. Stop in Gretna Green on the Scottish border, where many eloping couples have tied the knot. We arrive in Glasgow later for an orientation tour, including views of the Cathedral, magnificent George Square and the Clyde River, the former heart of the shipbuilding industry. This evening, enjoy locally-sourced flavours at Mharsanta restaurant during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

  • Accommodation

    Novotel Glasgow Centre


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Glasgow Orientation

See the grand public buildings of Glasgow, including George Square. 

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Visit Gretna Green

Visit the famous spot where runaway lovers were married.

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Scenic Drive Through the Lake District

Drive through the hauntingly beautiful Lakes District, immortalised by literary greats of the Romantic Movement.

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Eco-Friendly Dining at Mharsanta Glasgow

Indulge in a delicious dining experience at Mharsanta restaurant in Glasgow, where sustainability meets Scottish tradition. Sourcing the majority of their ingredients locally, Mharsanta is committed to reducing their carbon footprint through energy- efficient practices, waste reduction, and an ever-growing plant-rich menu. Enjoy your meal knowing you’re making a positive impact, as this experience directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Journey along Loch Lomond, whose Bonnie Banks were immortalised in the well-known Scottish song. We arrive in Glencoe and remember the MacDonald clansmen who died tragically in the 1692 massacre which led this place to be called the 'Glen of Weeping'. At the World War II Commando Memorial near Fort William, we admire views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Our day in beautiful surrounds comes to an end with a cosy dinner at our hotel located within the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands.

  • Accommodation

    Laggan Hotel Cairngorms


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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See Glencoe

Drive through this Highland village on Loch Leven.

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Fort William World War II Commando Memorial

Enjoy an excellent view of Ben Nevis from the World War II Commando Memorial.

We travel to the coast this morning to the Isle of Skye where a Local Specialist will take us on a journey to view the remarkable Cuillin Mountain and the Village of Portree. Later, we cross back to the mainland to view scenic Eilean Donan Castle. Travel through the Scottish Highlands past its picturesque lochs and glens, keeping your camera at the ready to capture ‘Nessie’ if you can.

  • Accommodation

    Laggan Hotel Cairngorms


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Scenic Drive Through the Scottish Highlands

Admire picturesque lochs and glens as you travel through the Scottish Highlands.

Heading back to the lowlands of Scotland, we stop in Pitlochry before heading to the historic home of golf, St. Andrews. Here, the first games were played during the 1400s. See its famous 18th hole before crossing the Firth of Forth to Scotland's enchanting capital, Edinburgh. Tickets to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that align with performance dates.

  • Accommodation

    Delta Hotels by Marriott


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Visit the University Town of St. Andrews

Visit the university town where the famous beach scene from 'Chariots of Fire' was filmed and see the golf course where the sport was created.

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Visit Pitlochry

Visit Pitlochry, famous for its salmon leap.

Ramble up the Royal Mile today and see the iconic sights of one of Britain's most enchanting cities. The elegant Palace of Holyroodhouse, in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, and the Scottish Parliament feature on your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Visit Edinburgh Castle perched atop Castle Rock overlooking the city. Admire the elegant Georgian architecture in the New Town and amble through the hidden passages of the Old Town before enjoying an evening at leisure. Consider an Optional Experience including traditional song, dance and Scottish fare.

  • Accommodation

    Delta Hotels by Marriott


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Edinburgh City Tour

Explore the city with your Local Specialist as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.

We travel to the medieval market town of Alnwick this morning, where we'll see the impressive castle home to the Duke of Northumberland and the Tenantry Column, upon which the Percy Lion sits and surveys the town. Journey through Northumberland to the cathedral city of York. We’ll embark an orientation walk past its cobblestone Shambles and see the inspiring Minster with its 'heart of Yorkshire' before joining our newfound friends for dinner.

  • Accommodation

    Novotel Centre


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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York Orientation

Your Travel Director will show you the York Minster, the city walls and the medieval Shambles during your orientation of the city.

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Alnwick Visit

See the impressive Alnwick Castle and Tenantry Column during a visit of this traditional county town.

Shakespeare's legacy and life are celebrated in his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon, which you will have an opportunity to visit today. See Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Centre. Later, travel back to London where your amazing holiday comes to an end.

  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon

Learn about the life of William Shakespeare, arguably history's most famous writer, when you visit his birthplace. Then enjoy some time to explore this pretty town with its iconic Tudor houses.

Highlights

Must-see Highlights

  • Explore Liverpool, the Isle of Skye and Edinburgh

  • Discover Bath, Plymouth, Cardiff, Chester, Glasgow and York

  • Visit the ancient stone circle at Stonehenge, the Roman Baths in Bath, Polperro, Buckfast Abbey, Glastonbury Abbey, the town of Ludlow, the Isle of Skye, Edinburgh Castle and Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon

  • View Glencoe, Eilean Donan Castle, Alnwick Castle used as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films, York Minster in York and Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon

  • See England's Dartmoor National Park and Lake District, Ben Nevis and Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands and the 18th green at St. Andrews

  • Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates

What's Included

Travel Director

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

London

  • The services of a Trafalgar Local Host when you stay at Trafalgar's recommended London hotel

  • Pick-up and drop-off when you stay at the Trafalgar recommended London hotel, booked through Trafalgar

Hotels

  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.

Meals

  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Sightseeing

  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Audio

  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

Transport

  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Optionals

  • Optional Experiences and free time

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Special Offers

Airfare is not included, but can be added to quote upon request

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Terms & Conditions

Trip Notes

  • A deposit must be paid at the time of booking.
  • Flights are not included but can be quoted by our Reservations team, who can also explain inclusions within the trip.
  • Full holiday amount to be paid no later than 60 days prior to departure for land only guided holidays or 90 days for guided holidays including train or cruise.
  • Subject to availability at time of booking and may be withdrawn at any time.

Terms & Conditions

  • Prices listed are land only & do not include airfare to and from the start/end of the tour.
  • Prices listed are per person, based on twin or multi-share. If you’re travelling solo, we can pair you with a same-sex roommate at no extra cost or you can upgrade to a single for an additional cost, based on availability. For departure points and stay longer accommodation options contact our travel experts for more details.
  • ​​'Exclusive Costco Member Price' is available upon member login.
  • For 'Costco Vacations of a Lifetime' itineraries the price shown is the final base price, exclusive to Costco members and already reflective of any special member savings. Additional, limited-time discounts are not applicable, other conditions apply. Please refer to Terms & Conditions
  • 'Price with Current Deals' reflects current applicable 'Last Minute Deals.' Last Minute Deals are available on select departures only and only available to travellers departing from the UK; not combinable with any other promotional offers; full payment due at time of booking.
  • All discounts are for new bookings only, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Call or request a quote for complete details.
  • ​​​Trip prices and information are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation - please confirm all details at time of quote and booking.
  • For full details, please refer to our Terms & Conditions or FAQs page.
  • Other conditions may apply. 

Every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the enclosed content. Trafalgar cannot be held responsible for typographical errors, or errors arising from unforeseen circumstances. Conditions apply. Policies are subject to change at any time.