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
- Leisurely United Kingdom
- Marvellous UK and Ireland
- Extensive United Kingdom and Ireland
- Great British and Irish Route
- Great British Route and Emerald Isle with London
- Great British and Irish Route with London
- Great British Route and Emerald Isle
- London, Scotland, Ireland, and Southern England
- Stories and Legends: United Kingdom, Scotland, and Ireland
- Great British and Irish Route from North to South, Ending in Dublin
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 up to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$4,998
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 up to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$6,647
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 up to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$6,643
Duration 10 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range up to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$4,305
Duration 18 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range 3 to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$7,505
Duration 14 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range 3 to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$5,839
Duration 15 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range 3 to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$6,227
Duration 16 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range 3 to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$6,455
Duration 16 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range 3 to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$8,938
Duration 13 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland Age Range up to 85 year olds Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$5,393
What people love about Historical Tours in UK and Great Britain
- Marvellous UK and Ireland
We've really enjoyed our UK tour . The guides have been excellent and the driving superb. The places visited have been really well chosen. Thanks for a very memorable traveling experience.
Our tour leader Peter was amazing! He took such good care of us, entertained us with stories, folklore and history everywhere we went. Lee was shadowing and proved to be an amazing guide as well! His stories and history were such a gift! Lee...you're welcome! Paul has got to be the BEST driver in the UK! It was incredible the way he navigated the narrow roads, bridges and entrances without a scratch to the bus! His humour and general good nature made the bus trip a truly memorable vacation! Expat is exceptional! Thank you for the memories and new friends!
Best of UK & Ireland
- Essential Britain & Ireland
Liz Ryan is an excellent guide and knows her history of Britain very well. The bus was very comfortable and even had USB ports for charging. And the free bottles of water, as needed, were greatly appreciated. All hotels were very clean with very good provided breakfasts and only one could have used a bathroom upgrade. All beds we used appeared to be queen size. We really enjoyed the optional live Irish dancing and show and dinner at "Taylors Three Rock" in Dublin. Perhaps information on the VAT tax and the procedures to get that refunded should be provided to guests before and after arrival. The tour we were on is called a 10 day tour but is actually only 8 days on the bus. We were impressed and feel it was well worth the cost!
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.