Self-Guided Tours in UK and Great Britain
Go off the beaten track with a self guided adventure of UK And Great Britain. Travel and experience the freedom of creating a holiday on your own terms. With 216 tours lasting from 3 days up to 21 days, fulfil your wanderlust and set off on your own adventure!
Excellent
- Choose from 200+ UK and Great Britain tours
- 50+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
- M
Martin • traveled in October
Very well organised, all accommodation booked for you. Excellent communication would use again.
Wild Atlantic Way | Ireland - P
Patrick • traveled in July
I was very impressed by how flexible the team was in helping me customize my inter-rail tour, adding days at each end, for an additional fee. The accommodations varied between nice hotels in the heart of Dublin and Belfast, a cozy B&B cottage in Killarney, and a couple of spartan college dorm rooms in Cork and Galway. Most of the accommodations were a solid 15-minute walk from the train station or city center, discouraging a lot of back-and-forth between day and evening events. Every single one of the rail tickets was accurate and the trains ran on time, and I had assigned seats. With at least three days in every city, I had time to see most of the major attractions, and managed to work in several all-day sight-seeing excursions through other tour operators. Thanks to TourRadar, I was able to see a vast amount of gorgeous Ireland. If you like to travel alone, develop your own itinerary and have dependable transportation and accommodations worked out for you in advance, this is the package for you!
One For The Road
10 best Self-Guided UK and Great Britain tour packages
Compiled by
SteffUK and Great Britain travel expert at TourRadar
- Best of the UK & Ireland - Self Guided Rail Tour
- Best of the Cotswolds Self-Guided Walk
- 6 Day Edinburgh and Inverness By Train
- Taste of South England and Wales
- Wild Atlantic Way | Ireland
- London and Edinburgh in a week
- Emerald Escape: Uncover Ireland’s National Parks
- Independent Edinburgh & London City Stay
- Muggle’s Guide to Harry Potter’s London
- The Dingle Way - Self Guided Ireland 9 Day
The historic heart of Britain unfolds through London's South Bank, York's Shambles, and Edinburgh's Royal Mile at your pace. This 21-day adventure includes accommodation, rail tickets, and detailed travel packs with local insights.
Duration 21 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Euroventure Travel From
- NZ$6,369
The charming Cotswold villages await with detailed route maps. Admire Stanway House's medieval tithe barn and Broadway Tower at your leisure. Walking options vary between shorter and longer routes around Bourton-on-the-Water and Lower Slaughter.
Duration 9 days Destinations Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Guiting Power, Winchcombe, Stanton, Broadway, Chipping Campden Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- NZ$4,282
6 Day Edinburgh and Inverness By Train
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“TourRadar took care of hotels, transfers, breakfast, and the castle tour. That left us to decide what we wanted to see which was great!”
Lisa, traveled in August
Duration 6 days Destinations Edinburgh, Inverness Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator STM Tours LLC From $2,711
30% Off- NZ$1,897You save $813
Taste of South England and Wales
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The itinerary includes stops in London, Bournemouth/Southampton, Exeter/Torquay, and Cornwall. I could spend as much or as little time as I wanted in each place.”
Dan, traveled in June
Southern England's treasures unfold from mystical Stonehenge to Cardiff Castle. The 150km route from London to Bournemouth passes Winchester Cathedral. Lyme Regis on the Jurassic Coast, St Michael's Mount in Cornwall, and wild ponies in Dartmoor National Park lead to Bath's Roman Baths.
Duration 7 days Destinations London, Winchester, Salisbury, Bournemouth, Southampton, Exeter, Torquay, Dartmoor National Park, Cardiff, Pembrokeshire Coast National ParkSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator BTOURS From
30% Off- NZ$2,334
Wild Atlantic Way | Ireland
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Very well organised, all accommodation booked for you. Excellent communication would use again.”
Martin, traveled in October
The British Isles beckon from Dublin's Phoenix Park to Donegal's craft workshops. Hidden coastal gems and traditional villages dot your route. B&B stays and breakfast included.
Duration 10 days Destinations Dublin, Enniskillen, Donegal, Sligo, Connemara National Park, Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Limerick, Dingle, Ring of KerrySee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator BTOURS From
30% Off- NZ$2,932
London's attractions and Edinburgh's treasures open up with detailed guides. Skip-line access to Tower of London and Edinburgh Castle, plus flexible Highland tour scheduling with 24/7 support.
Duration 7 days Destinations London, Edinburgh Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator WiseYatra From $4,189
30% Off- NZ$2,932You save $1,257
Duration 7 days Destinations Dublin, Kells, Wicklow, Glendalough, Limerick, Killarney, Killarney National Park, Shannon, Burren, Cliffs of Moher Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From
30% Off- NZ$1,584
Independent Edinburgh & London City Stay
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“It was an amazing experience. The Globus representatives in Edinburgh and London were very helpful and nice.”
Mary, traveled in May
Britain's iconic landmarks open up with GlobusGO app support. Take in Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul's Cathedral as you wish. Rail travel and centrally located hotels included.
Duration 7 days Destinations Edinburgh, London Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From $2,899
9% Off- NZ$2,649You save $250
Duration 7 days Destinations London, Greenwich, Oxford Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From
9% Off- NZ$911
Seven historical towns connect via comprehensive route materials. Quality guesthouse bookings and daily luggage transfers allow immersion in ancient ruins and coastal paths.
Duration 9 days Destinations Tralee, Camp, Annascaul, Dingle, Dunquin, Ballydavid, Cloghane Age Range Ages 20+ Operator Hilltoptreks From
9% Off- NZ$2,001
What our customers ask about Self-Guided Tours in UK and Great Britain
What is typically included in the price of a self-guided UK tour?
A self-guided UK tour package typically covers the essential elements needed for independent travel with built-in support. The standard inclusions encompass lodging daily breakfast route materials including maps and digital apps intercity transport and entry to main sites. The Irish Legends Self-Drive package serves as a good example providing 9 breakfasts car rental stays at properties like the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin and entry to attractions such as the Guinness Storehouse. Daily rates range from $150-300 based on comfort level and package features. Additional costs often include airport transfers some local transport and city taxes which usually run $2-7 per person nightly paid directly at hotels.
What type of accommodation can I expect on a self-guided tour in UK and Great Britain?
The accommodations on these tours blend comfort with local character featuring a selection of 3-4 star hotels historic properties and family-run B&Bs. Take the Dales Way tour where guests stay at properties that tell the story of the region. You'll find yourself at the Victorian-era Riverside Hotel in Ilkley or settling in at the Queens Head Inn a 17th-century establishment in Hawkshead. The Lake District portion includes stays at the Wordsworth Hotel & Spa in Grasmere alongside traditional lakeside lodgings. Guest reviews frequently mention the thoughtful selection of properties noting their authentic charm and convenient locations along the routes.
When is the best time to do a self-guided walking tour in UK and Great Britain?
Walking tours in Britain find their sweet spot between April and October with the most reliable conditions from May through September. Summer brings stable weather ideal for Lake District excursions while the Channel Islands routes through Jersey and Guernsey benefit from mild temperatures starting in early spring. The South Devon coastal paths remain accessible year-round though winter walks require additional preparation and weather monitoring. Previous travelers point to May as particularly rewarding especially for routes like Hadrian's Wall where spring flowers and moderate temperatures create ideal walking conditions.
How flexible are the itineraries on self-guided tours in the UK and Great Britain?
These tours strike a balance between structure and independence. Take the 21-day "Best of UK & Ireland" tour where travelers can linger at Edinburgh Castle or spend extra time exploring the Tower of London. The framework provides secured accommodations at places like the Royal Highland Hotel in Inverness while leaving daily schedules open to personal preference. Each tour comes equipped with detailed navigation materials and round-the-clock support. This setup allows travelers to maintain their own pace while having the security of professional planning behind their journey.
How far in advance should I book a self-guided tour in the UK and Great Britain?
Booking patterns show a 3-6 month advance window works best especially for summer travel. Popular routes like the Edinburgh and London City Stay see bookings made 92-211 days before departure. For peak season tours running June through August or those coinciding with events like the Edinburgh Festival a 6-month advance booking is recommended. Previous travelers note that securing spots early particularly for specialized tours like the Hebridean Way cycle tour ensures preferred accommodation choices and optimal scheduling for included services.