England’s Coastline and Countryside takes you from the golden bays and craggy cliffs of Cornwall through the quintessential villages of the Cotswolds to the rugged landscapes of Yorkshire and the Lake District. Along the way we’ll visit the elegant cities of Bath, Oxford and York and enjoy a host of local visits and experiences to truly immerse ourselves in England’s unique coastal charm and heritage.
This morning, use your included rail pass to take a scenic rail journey away from the bright lights of London through the rolling hills of the English countryside into the rural county of Devon. Arriving in England’s sunniest city, your afternoon is free to relax or explore the charming town of Exeter. Perhaps visit the Royal Albert Museum, visit the historic quayside or simply take in the views on the green in front of the imposing Norman Cathedral which dates back more than 650 years. By evening, we get together to meet your tour leader and the rest of the group for a welcome meal.
Overnight: Exeter
Meals: Dinner included.
Today is dedicated to exploring the rugged beauty of South Devon. We’ll enjoy a rambling journey across the wilds of the Dartmoor National Park where we’ll see desolate landscapes, rocky tors and wild ponies roaming the hillsides. We’ll pause in one or more of the quaint moorland villages before heading for the charming market town of Tavistock, the Birthplace of the traditional Devonshire Cream tea – what better spot to sample this local treat. By afternoon, we make our way to the hidden gem at Buckfast Abbey to enjoy the beautiful abbey church and manicured gardens whose tranquillity belie a tumultuous history. Upon returning to Exeter, enjoy your evening at leisure.
Overnight: Exeter
Meals: Breakfast included.
This morning we cross the county border in to Cornwall. Arriving on the North Cornish coast, we’ll visit Tintagel Castle, a dramatic cliffside fort steeped in Arthurian Legend and reputedly home to Merlin’s cave beneath. Then we’ll pass South along the coast to visit the quintessential fishing village of Port Isaac, better known as Port Wen, the stomping ground of television’s ”Doc Martin”. Here we’ll enjoy a brief walk through the village before free-time to explore. By afternoon, we’ll cross the Cornish Peninsula to the South heading for the seaside resort of Falmouth home to sweeping sandy bays and our overnight base for the next two nights.
Overnight: Falmouth
Meals: Breakfast & dinner included.
Our day today takes us on an epic excursion to explore the farthest reaches of the Cornish Peninsula. We’ll navigate Cornwall’s dramatic coastlines, discover the historic mines of Poldark country, pause in cobbled fishing towns such as the bohemian artist retreat of St Ives and visit the most southerly point in Britain where only the Atlantic separates you from the Americas. We’ll spot the island monastery of St Michaels Mount and visit the hidden gem at the enchanting Minack Theatre – an amphitheatre carved in to the Cornish cliffs over-looking the churning waters of the ocean. After our enjoyable day we’ll return to Falmouth where your evening is free to dine at your leisure.
Overnight: Falmouth
Meals: Breakfast included.
It’s an early start, for today we bid farewell to Cornwall but not before making our way to the magnificent Eden Project; set in the colossal crater of a former china clay pit, the expansive site consists of a collection of sprawling outdoor gardens, woodland walks, exhibition centres and the iconic tropical biodomes home to plants and vegetation from around the globe. Later we’ll continue North passing through the Devonshire countryside where we’ll pause in the historic town of Launceston. Our destination this evening is the elegant city of Bath, a city which enjoys UNESCO world heritage status owing to its unique history and architecture – your evening is free to dine independently in one of the city’s many historic pubs or restaurants.
Overnight: Bath
Meals: Breakfast included.
Today your day is at leisure to explore the magnificent city of Bath independently. Use your complimentary tickets to visit the remarkable Roman Baths, one of England’s most important historic sites dating back over 2000 years. The balance of the day is free to explore; you’ll feel like you’re stepping in to the pages of an Austen novel as you wander the broad avenues and take in the elegant Georgian architectural highlights such as the Circus, the Royal Terrace and Pulteney Bridge. By evening, we reconvene for a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Bath
Meals: Breakfast & dinner included.
Today we enjoy a leisurely breakfast before bidding farewell to your South West group and tour leader. Using your included rail passes you’ll make your way to Oxford. Your afternoon is then free to relax or explore the city at your own pace. A picturesque university city nestled on the banks of the River Thames, Oxford is home to cobbled squares and parades and elegant medieval architecture, particularly present in the chapels, spires, lawns and ivy-clad cloisters of the college quadrangles. Tonight convene with your driver guide and the rest of the group for an evening dinner together.
Overnight: Oxford
Meals: Breakfast & dinner included.
This morning we’ll take an orientation walk around Oxford with our driver to see some of the historic colleges and soak up the whimsical academic ambience of the city which once inspired the likes of Tolkien, CS Lewis and Oscar Wilde. Then it’s all aboard the mini-coach for a journey to nearby Blenheim Palace; this opulent English stately home was the childhood home of Winston Churchill and today hosts interesting exhibitions which showcase the wartime legacy of England’s best-known prime minister. Later we continue in to the heart of the Cotswolds for our overnight stay and dinner together with the group.
Overnight: The Cotswolds
Meals: Breakfast & dinner included.
Today we enjoy a day dedicated to exploring the beautiful English Cotswolds region; we’ll meander winding country lanes between patchwork fields and take time to pause in several of the eccentrically named, honey-coloured villages each characterized by cobbled market squares, lofty church spires and chocolate-box thatch cottages. By afternoon we head for a renowned local brewery where we enjoy a tour of the farm-based brewing facility to learn the secrets of the production process and, of course, to sample some of the innovative English beer and cider. Later, we return to our base in the central Cotswolds for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: The Cotswolds
Meals: Breakfast included.
A short drive to the Northern edge of the Cotswolds and we find ourselves in the bustling medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon. The renowned home of William Shakespeare, we’ll enjoy a riverside stroll before heading to Shakespeare’s Birthplace itself to learn about the life and times of the great bard. Then onwards through the heart of England for this afternoon it’s all aboard an historic steam train for a scenic rail journey along the Severn Valley to the historic town of Bridgnorth. By evening we continue to the charming city of Chester where your evening is free to dine independently.
Overnight: Chester
Meals: Breakfast included.
This morning we enjoy a brief stroll around Chester taking in some of the highlights of this charming city such as the medieval town walls, imposing cathedral and the unique Tudor Facaded shopping arcades. Then we board the bus for a journey in to the Cheshire countryside to visit Quarry Bank Mill; set within a 400 acre woodland estate, amidst picturesque gardens the 18th century cotton mill is now managed by the National Trust and offers an insight in to the region’s intriguing industrial heritage. Later we continue North in to the beautiful landscapes of the Lake District where we enjoy dinner together at our hotel.
Overnight: The Lake District
Meals: Breakfast & dinner included.
Our day today is dedicated to exploring the enchanting natural beauty of the English Lake District. We’ll head off the beaten track to the lesser known corners of England’s favourite National Park; our journey will take us through winding country lanes, over mountain passes and past sheep scattered fells to charming villages, ancient stone-circles and look-out points where we can drink in the views. It will be easy to see how this region has inspired poets, authors and artists alike. Your evening is free to dine at leisure at your hotel or in the local Lakeland village.
Overnight: The Lake District
Meals: Breakfast included.
Today we’re treated to more glorious scenery as we traverse Herriot country and the rustic landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales characterized by sweeping valleys and weather-beaten moors. Along the way we’ll discover a host of hidden gems such as quintessential Yorkshire villages, tumbling water falls, secret garden grottos and producers of local delicacies. Later we visit the peaceful monastic ruins of Fountains Abbey and Water Gardens, A UNSECO world heritage site. Finally, there’s time to take a traditional afternoon tea before we continue to the magnificent city of York, our base for the next two nights. Your evening is free to dine independently.
Overnight: York
Meals: Breakfast & Afternoon Tea included.
This morning, we’ll take a short drive to one of the North of England’s finest country estates, Castle Howard. Dating back to the 17th century we’ll have the opportunity to roam the magnificent house and gardens which have featured in various television productions also including the Netflix series ”Bridgerton”. Then it’s back to York for a stroll around the highlights before an afternoon at leisure to explore this magnificent historic city independently. Climb the steps to walk atop the medieval city walls, visit one of the many local museums and exhibitions or simply gaze in awe at the magnificent York Minster – the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Tonight we reconvene for a farewell dinner.
Overnight: York
Meals: Breakfast & dinner included.
This morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast before bidding farewell to your group and tour leader. You may choose to continue to explore York at your own pace before taking the train back to London or onwards to Edinburgh using your complimentary rail passes. Either journey is an easy direct rail trip taking around 2hrs. Either way you’ll return to the city with fond memories of rural England’s rustic charm. If you want to continue your adventures around Britain, connect to one of our other journeys – ask your consultant for suggestions.
Meals: Breakfast included.
All hotels and accommodations included in your trip are carefully selected to meet a 4-star standard or higher. While we occasionally book 3-star hotels or B&B properties, they must meet our high standards of quality and comfort. To ensure consistency, we strive to have a team member visit each property regularly or conduct a thorough site inspection.
Round trip flights to the tours destination are not included, but we are happy to provide you with a flight quote for your trip along with travel protection for the duration.
While booking flights may seem simple, hidden fees and service classes that exclude seats, meals, or bags are common. Since 1985, our expertise and exclusive contracts allow us to secure better routes and often better prices than what’s available online.
We would be happy to help create a custom itinerary for you before or after your time in England, if you’d like to extend your trip.
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