Overview
Journey through the ages on this luxury tour of the U.K., visiting London’s most important historical sites—from Windsor Castle to Churchill’s War Rooms—countryside estates, ancient abbeys, and Stonehenge. Explore the Georgian architecture of Bath, the storied streets of Oxford, and then travel north to the lochs and Highlands of Scotland. From Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye, Scotland offers boundless natural beauty and a host of historical sites.
Days: 15
Best time to visit: March-June, September-November
Ideal for: Couples
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in London & Tour Windsor Castle
Arrive in London, settle in, and start your adventure with a guided tour of Windsor Castle. A working palace and the oldest continuously inhabited castle in the world, your visit will take you through the ornate State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel, the resting place of Britain’s royalty.
Day 2 – The Royal City Tour
Take a tour through WWII history at Churchill’s War Rooms and the Churchill Museum, where the Prime Minister managed operations and sheltered during the London Blitz—the museum’s preserved rooms are historical snapshots of wartime Britain. Next, tour Westminster Abbey, an architectural masterpiece where coronations and royal weddings take place.
Day 3 – St Paul’s & Old City of London
Gain a Londoner’s insight with an expert guide showing you the city, from inside the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral through lively markets in the bustling center of London. Stroll through Trafalgar Square, browse boutiques around Covent Garden, and learn the stories of the streets. For an evening out, consider tickets to a show in the West End.
Day 4 – The British Museum & Tower of London
Visit the British Museum and the Tower of London for a day filled with historical treasures and local lore. As the first public museum in the world, the British Museum has a legacy of originality and inclusion—see the best of their immense global collection with a guided tour, and then head to the Tower of London to learn its macabre history. An ancient fortress and infamous prison, this is where Anne Boleyn, Thomas Cromwell, and Guy Fawkes all met their end.
Day 5 – Stonehenge & Stourhead Gardens
Enjoy a guided tour of Stonehenge, an enigmatic temple built nearly 5,000 years ago, and learn about the history, science, and mythology that surround it. Older than the pyramids of Egypt, this World Heritage Site remains an archaeological mystery. Explore the living art of the Stourhead Gardens, and then visit Salisbury Cathedral, one of Europe’s most impressive churches, before moving on to Bath for the night.
Day 6 – Lacock Abbey & Avebury
Depart Bath and head out into the Wiltshire countryside to Lacock Village, a picture-perfect town of half-timbered structures from the 16th and 17th centuries. Tour the grand estate of the 13th-century Lacock Abbey, and then continue onward to the prehistoric Avebury henge and stone circles. Part of Britain’s network of ancient ceremonial sites, Avebury is full of magic and mystery.
Day 7 – Roman Baths & the Cotswolds
Tour the renowned Georgian architecture of Bath, including the Circus, the Royal Crescent, and the Roman Bath, which was built over 2,000 years ago over some of Britain’s only natural hot springs. Drive along winding lanes through the countryside to the village of Bibury, where picturesque stone houses line both sides of the River Coln. Enjoy the tranquil setting of your lodgings in the Cotswolds, and take the opportunity to explore the elegant Hidcote Manor Gardens.
Day 8 – Blenheim Palace & Oxford
Tour the aristocratic Blenheim Palace, and then travel from the rolling hills of the Cotswolds to the hallowed halls of Oxford University. The city of Oxford was home to distinguished literati like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, and the birthplace of the esteemed physicist Stephen Hawking. Tour the historic center of the city and explore England’s oldest university, with buildings dating back 700 years.
Day 9 – Transfer to Edinburgh
A scenic half day of driving lands you in the charismatic capital of Scotland. Perched on a series of rocky hills overlooking the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh is a picturesque center of culture and art. Take a stroll through the winding lanes of the Old Town, along the historic attractions of the Royal Mile, and know that you will find fantastic restaurants and music-filled pubs anywhere you roam.
Day 10 – The Trossachs National Park
Traveling northwest through Rob Roy country to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the scenery is unrelentingly beautiful—shimmering lochs nestle into rugged mountains and rolling hills. Visit the impressive armory of Inveraray Castle, the Gothic palace of the Campbell Clan, and stop into Kilchurn Castle on the shores of Loch Awe before settling into the harbor town of Oban for the night.
Day 11 – Glencoe & the Highlands
Travel north from Oban, winding along the coast of Loch Linnhe, to the 14th-century Castle Stalker and into Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most impressive wilderness areas, and the site of an infamous massacre. Carry onwards into Glen Nevis, whose remote beauty has featured in parts of the Harry Potter films as well as the movie Braveheart. The next stop is the mist and myth-laden Isle of Skye.
Day 12 – Isle of Skye & the Cuillin Mountains
The Isle of Skye is an ethereal and enchanting landscape of craggy, windswept mountains, pristine lakes, coursing waterfalls, and ancient strongholds. Travel through the Cuillin mountains to the ruined castle of the MacDonalds, and journey to the northern tip of the isle to explore the rock formations of the Old Man of Storr and the isolated hill circuit of the Quaraing.
Day 13 – Eilean Donan Castle
Visit the Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most iconic castles in the country, as you return to the mainland from the Isle of Skye. Spend the afternoon exploring the outdoors in Cairngorms National Park—go hiking, biking, or boating, and end the day with a stop into a traditional distillery of single malt whisky.
Day 14 – Return to Edinburgh
The final day of the adventure is centered in the Kingdom of Fife, the ancient religious capital of the country, which has a wealth of historic architecture, beautiful beaches, and colorful fishing villages. Visit St Andrew’s castle, go for a stroll along the harbor of Pittenweem, or explore the nooks of Culross before crossing the Firth of Forth back into Edinburgh.
Day 15 – Departure
Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Remarkable Journeys has partnered with Lost World Adventures to create this journey. We partnered with Lost World due to their well-mannered relationships with tour guides, hotellers, airlines, and ground management services in the region. In our opinion, they offer the best value and experience in the region.
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