Historical Tours & Trips in UK and Great Britain
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10 best Historical UK and Great Britain tour packages
Compiled by
SteffUK and Great Britain travel expert at TourRadar
- Play & Pause: Britain & Ireland
- England, Scotland and Ireland
- Leisurely United Kingdom
- Marvellous UK and Ireland
- London, Scotland, Ireland, and Southern England
- Britain & Ireland in Depth
- Extensive United Kingdom and Ireland
- Great British and Irish Route
- Great British Route and Emerald Isle
- Great British Route and Emerald Isle with London
Play & Pause: Britain & Ireland
144 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Best trip ever!!!!!!”
Myung, traveled in November
Britain's magnificent history unfolds from London's St Giles Hotel. Wander York's medieval streets, Edinburgh Castle's Royal Mile, and Cardiff's Victorian arcades. Historical wonders include Bath's Roman Baths and mysterious Stonehenge, with expert guides sharing local heritage.
Duration 17 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator Topdeck From
- NZ$6,569
England, Scotland and Ireland
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The places selected were interesting for the most part. I liked the Powerescourt gardens, Kinsdale, the horse and carriage tour and the Cliffs of Moher.”
Diana, traveled in June
British history comes alive, from Westminster Abbey to Edinburgh's UNESCO Old Town. Witness York's Roman walls, Durham's Norman cathedral, and Oxford's historic university. Welsh heritage shines at Caernarfon Castle and Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Duration 14 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$5,493
Leisurely United Kingdom
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Lovely accommodation.. and bus drivers were excellent! Yes .. we've totally enjoyed our trip!”
Claire, traveled in May
From Westminster Parliament to Edinburgh's UNESCO center, this British journey unfolds centuries of history. Wander York's Roman walls, Durham's medieval cathedral, and Liverpool's UNESCO port. Comfortable stays at selected hotels like IBIS London Excel Docklands showcase British heritage.
Duration 13 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$5,221
Marvellous UK and Ireland
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“A very good intro to the UK and Ireland highlighted by very interesting stops with time enough to wet one's appetite.”
Lawrence, traveled in June
Historical landmarks stretch from London's Parliament to Edinburgh's UNESCO Old Town. See York's Roman walls, Durham's Norman cathedral, and Trinity College Dublin. Includes guided tours and entry to numerous historic castles and monuments.
Duration 17 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$6,944
Duration 16 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$6,743
Britain & Ireland in Depth
207 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Beautiful scenery and historic sites. A very tidy bus.”
Lois, traveled in September
Marvel at Britain's rich heritage at Stonehenge, Blenheim Palace, and Edinburgh Castle. The route leads through York's medieval Shambles, Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, and Churchill's birthplace. Expert guides bring history alive at every stop, with stays at historic hotels.
Duration 24 days Destinations England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From $13,529
10% Off- NZ$12,176You save $1,353
Historical Britain reveals itself from London's Parliament to York's Roman walls. Marvel at Durham's medieval town, Edinburgh's Royal Mile, and Oxford's historic colleges. Ancient castles feature prominently, including Stirling, Eilean Donan, and Wales' Caernarfon.
Duration 17 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
10% Off- NZ$6,940
Duration 10 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
10% Off- NZ$4,497
Duration 15 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
10% Off- NZ$6,505
Duration 18 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
10% Off- NZ$7,841
What people love about Historical Tours in UK and Great Britain
- Marvellous UK and Ireland
A very good intro to the UK and Ireland highlighted by very interesting stops with time enough to wet one’s appetite in hitting a few highlights and grab a few souvenirs
Met some lovely people and saw some amazing sights. Tour guide "Tom" was informative and coach driver "Clive" was great to all. Highly recommend going on this tour.
The Best of Britain & Ireland
- Best of UK & Ireland
Fantastic Guide, breathtaking sights, comfortable accommodation, excellent value for money
What our customers ask about Historical Tours & Trips in UK and Great Britain
When is the best time to visit UK and Great Britain for Historical tours?
The prime season for exploring the UK's historical sites spans May through September with moderate temperatures ideal for outdoor exploration. Large events like Edinburgh's Royal Military Tattoo in August create unique cultural experiences. For fewer crowds visit York and Bath during April-May or September-October. One TourRadar traveler noted, "We saw so much of the UK. The Scottish Tattoo was exceptional. Our sites like Edinburgh Castle and the Roman Baths in Bath were amazing in August." Major sites like Windsor Castle remain open year-round but summer offers longer daylight hours and better weather for exploration. Historical properties turned hotels like the Crowne Plaza Edinburgh or DoubleTree York provide convenient access to key attractions.
What are the must-see historical highlights in UK and Great Britain?
Key historical sites start with Edinburgh Castle overlooking the Royal Mile the 2000-year-old Roman Baths and the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels reside. The medieval streets of York's Shambles and York Minster represent different historical eras while Hadrian's Wall stands as a testament to Roman Britain. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Our guide brought history to life at sites from Westminster Abbey to Edinburgh Castle each place had fascinating stories." Properties like the Castle Hotel Windsor or Clayton Hotel Cardiff place visitors near major attractions. Standard tours cover Stonehenge Oxford's colleges and Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon.
What historical periods are covered on these tours?
Tours traverse time from prehistoric Stonehenge through Roman Britain medieval strongholds Tudor royal residences and Victorian industrial sites. Visitors explore Edinburgh's 12th-century castle York's Viking heritage at the Jorvik Center and the ancient spas of Roman Bath. According to one TourRadar traveler: "We experienced everything from Hadrian's Wall to Hampton Court Palace - each stop revealed a different fascinating period of British history." Hotels like the DoubleTree York and Clayton Cardiff position guests near sites spanning various eras while expert guides weave these historical threads into a single narrative.
What's included in terms of historical site admissions?
Entry fees to major attractions including Edinburgh Castle York Minster Roman Baths and Windsor Castle typically come included in the base tour price representing about USD 200-300 in total value. A TourRadar traveler confirmed: "All the main historical attractions were covered in our ticket price from Stirling Castle to the Tower of London." While based at hotels like the Mercure Edinburgh or Hilton Cardiff access to nearby landmarks comes standard. Some special exhibits or optional visits such as Hampton Court Palace (USD 25) may carry extra costs. Most significant sites provide audio guides.
What kind of historical expertise can I expect from the tour guides?
Guides leading UK historical tours hold extensive qualifications often including advanced degrees in history or related fields. Their expertise spans from Roman Britain through Tudor times to the modern era. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Our guide John was exceptional - his knowledge of every historical site from Edinburgh Castle to Bath's Roman ruins was incredible bringing centuries of history to life through engaging stories." Many guides maintain specialties in particular periods or regions offering unique perspectives while guests stay at properties like the Novotel Edinburgh Park or Castle Hotel Windsor.
How physically demanding are Historical tours in UK and Great Britain?
These tours generally fall into the "Easy" to moderate range requiring 2-3 hours of daily walking on historic streets and varied terrain at sites like York's city walls or Edinburgh's Royal Mile. A TourRadar traveler shared "The pace was comfortable with time to really appreciate sites like Stirling Castle though there were some steep climbs involved." Accommodations at central locations like the Delta Hotels York or Hilton Cardiff help minimize walking distances. Tour guides can suggest alternative routes for those with mobility considerations.