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
- Britain and Ireland Panorama (No London Overnights)
- Grand Tour of Scotland – 14-Day Journey through History and Beauty (23 destinations)
- Great British and Irish Route with London
- Best of England, Wales and Scotland (28 destinations)
- London, the Highlands, Ireland, and Southern England (34 destinations)
- Britain and Ireland Highlights - Signature
- Britain and Ireland Panorama - Signature
- Great Britain and Ireland 35 to 45 (35 To 45)
- A Life en Rose (15 destinations)
- Best of the United Kingdom
Britain and Ireland Panorama (No London Overnights)
16 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I really enjoyed the trip it actually was more than I expected.”
Ruth, traveled in September
British history unfolds at Edinburgh Castle, York Minster, and Roman Bath. Welsh castles and Scottish Highlands reveal their secrets through expert guides, traditional dining, and historical insights.
Duration 16 days Destinations England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Trafalgar From $9,075
10% Off- NZ$8,168You save $908
Grand Tour of Scotland – 14-Day Journey through History and Beauty (23 destinations)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The itinerary was very well planned and the accommodations were very good. The hospitality was very much appreciated.”
Judith, traveled in August
Duration 14 days Destinations Edinburgh, St Andrews, Fife, Anstruther, Aberdeen, Glamis, Balmoral Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Loch NessSee all destinations Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Spirit Journeys Worldwide From
10% Off- NZ$9,252
Duration 14 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
10% Off- NZ$6,208
Rich British heritage spans from Roman Chester to Edinburgh Castle. Walk through historic Oxford colleges, Cardiff's ancient fortress, and Culloden Battlefield. The Beatles' history comes alive in Liverpool alongside UNESCO sites like Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
Duration 19 days Destinations England, Wales, Scotland Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
10% Off- NZ$12,135
Duration 20 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
10% Off- NZ$8,957
Duration 10 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Brendan Vacations From $5,719
10% Off- NZ$5,147You save $572
Journey through Britain's historical landmarks from York Minster to Edinburgh Castle. Explore Roman Bath ruins, Glastonbury Abbey, and Stonehenge while enjoying premium accommodations at hotels like Park Plaza London Riverbank across this heritage-rich 19-day tour.
Duration 19 days Destinations England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Brendan Vacations From $10,285
10% Off- NZ$9,256You save $1,028
Duration 18 days Destinations England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland Age Range Ages 35-45 Operator Contiki From
10% Off- NZ$5,649
Duration 11 days Destinations France, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
10% Off- NZ$4,181
British history comes alive from London to Edinburgh. Ancient sites include Stonehenge, Tintagel Castle, and Edinburgh's medieval Old Town. The route encompasses Oxford's ancient colleges, Cardiff Castle's 2000-year history, and Culloden Battlefield's dramatic past, with expert historical context.
Duration 27 days Destinations England, Wales, Scotland Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
10% Off- NZ$19,760
What people love about Historical Tours in UK and Great Britain
- Wonders of Britain and Ireland (London Overnights)
Wonderful trip, very well organized, good food, good hotels, and excellent Travel Director and an a good driver (Keven). I will definitely recommend this trip.
- Great Britain New Year
This was a great tour! We hit so many great places in a short amount of time including access to the Hogmanay street party in Edinburgh. Very well organized and entertaining. Highly recommend.
- Best of UK & Ireland
Tour was well organized Kaileigh was great. The only downfalls were the hotel in Edinburgh it was dated I can forgive that but I cannot forgive dirty it was Filthy the whole tour group complained about it. The other let down was the last night would loved to have stayed in York and spent more time there. But all in all a good trip.
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.