Coasts & Countrysides Of England

From bustling capitals to poetic countrysides, experience the many distinctive sides of Great Britain. Encounter the history, connect with the locals, and see what life is like in the towns and cities.

Arrive in Scotland, where age-old legends intersect with scenic beauty. In Edinburgh, the country’s capital, you can enjoy time on your own to discover this eclectic and vibrant city. Delve into Scottish culture with a locally inspired dinner with a modern-day twist.

See the city like a local during a two-hour walking tour of the Old Town, passing by Victorian houses and cobblestone streets. Explore the Royal Mile, ending at the top of the hill at Edinburgh Castle, where you’ll enjoy exploring this historic fortress. The rest of the day is yours. Take advantage of free time to experience the city however you please.

Say goodbye to Scotland and travel towards the scenic Lake District, eternalized through the works of Scott and Wordsworth. Along the way, visit the UNESCO site of Vindolanda and discover the gritty past of Hadrian’s Wall. This sixty-minute guided tour of the working archeological site will bring the Roman fortress and garrison to life. This afternoon stop for a quick break at England’s most famous service station, Tebay. Enjoy a relaxing evening on the shores of Lake Windermere, your home for the next 2 nights. Breathe in the crisp air and admire the rolling hills nestled against the water.

See the area from a different perspective and set sail on Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake. Take in the tranquil backdrop before visiting the charming village of Grasmere. Personalize your afternoon because it’s your choice! Soak up the romance of the Lake District with a visit to Rydal Mount, the home of poet William Wordsworth -OR- embark on a two-hour guided hike through glacial valleys and along lakeside trails.

Head to Liverpool, England’s popular port city. You will visit Strawberry Fields, the site where John Lennon came to play as a child, which he later immortalized in the song, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’. Here you will experience an Impact Moment and learn about the work the Salvation Army does at Strawberry Fields to give young people with learning difficulties the opportunity for work experience. This afternoon, join a local expert and embark on a two-hour walking tour of Albert Dock and learn about Liverpool’s rich industrial history and connection to the American Civil War, as well as exploring Merseyside’s maritime past.

This morning take a ferry across the Mersey and as Gerry Marsden sang, see “how life goes on day after day.“ This public commuter ferry gives you the most spectacular views of the iconic city scape. Continue your journey by motor coach to Shrewsbury, the birthplace of Charles Darwin. Set amidst the glorious Shropshire countryside close to the Welsh border, Shrewsbury is one of England's finest medieval market towns. Take time to meander the streets or walk along the river and have lunch. Tonight settle into an 18th-century modern boutique hotel, in the heart of a charming Cotswolds town.

This morning visit Blenheim Palace. Over 300 years old, this World Heritage site was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and still remains his ancestral home. This afternoon spend time in Stow. At nearly 800 feet, Stow is the highest of the Cotswolds towns. The Market Square is large and impressive and testifies to the town’s former importance. It is surrounded by town houses, independent shops, antique centers, cozy cafes, and inns all built in the mellow local stone.

The morning will be spent in the city of Bath, where centuries-old history is told with a visit to the Roman Baths. Learn about the indulgence and opulence of a bygone time and see how Bath developed over centuries. After lunch on your own, the journey will continue to Poldarks Cornwall. Tonight, after dinner, join your fellow travelers for an evening of song and discovery with a local Sea Shanty Band.

Today will be a full day tour of Cornwall’s dramatic north coast. With a combination of walking and traveling by motor coach, hear tales of Cornwall’s tin mining past and learn how this shaped the Cornish landscape we see today. The day will bring opportunities to capture the beauty of the rugged north coast on foot and a visit to a typical Cornish town.

This morning, visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan, the largest garden restoration in Europe and home to a National Collection of camellias and rhododendrons and bursting with romance and intrigue around every pathway and corner. Explore Cornwall’s idyllic south coast with a local guide on foot and discover what makes this pretty peninsula so special, followed by a traditional Cornish Cream Tea.

Wish the countryside goodbye and travel on the Great Western Railway to London, England’s lively capital. Upon arriving in London, get the lay of the land on a walking tour with a local expert. Take in the exterior of London’s iconic sites on foot, such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. The rest of the evening is yours to explore independently.

Spend the day discovering London on your own. Perhaps you’ll grab a pint with the locals, wander through one of the many museums, or see the city from a different perspective on the London Eye. You may choose to join an optional excursion to Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant and toast the end of an incredible adventure.

Your journey through Great Britain comes to a close today.