7-Day England Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day England itineraries

Compiled by

SteffEngland travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Day Southern England Itinerary, incl. Isle of Wight and Cornwall

  England's diversity shines across 16 cities from London to Cornwall. UNESCO-listed Stonehenge, Queen Victoria's Osborne House, and Cornwall's coastline create lasting memories. Selected guesthouses provide comfort while visiting Dartmoor National Park, St Michael's Mount, and historic Glastonbury Abbey.

  

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  • Day 1

    London to Isle of Wight

    Leave from Victoria Coach Station at 9:15 AM. You'll need to check in by 8:45 AM. The drive to Portsmouth takes about 2 hours followed by an hour-long ferry ride to the Isle of Wight. One traveler noted: "Christo, our guide, timed the Portsmouth arrival perfectly to avoid the lunchtime crowds at Spinnaker Tower." Try to sit on the port side of the ferry to see Portsmouth's historic dockyards.

    
  • Day 2

    Isle of Wight Exploration

    Stay in Shanklin and visit Osborne House first thing in the morning around 10 AM before the tour groups arrive. Head to The Needles in the afternoon but bring a windproof jacket. The viewpoint gets quite windy. If you're visiting from April to September, go to St Catherine's Down for a beautiful sunset photo opportunity.

    
  • Day 3

    Stonehenge and Winchester

    Take an early ferry back to the mainland. You'll walk on lots of cobbled streets in Winchester, the ancient capital, so wear comfortable shoes. At Stonehenge, book your entry time ahead if you're visiting in peak summer. The land train to the stones runs every 10 minutes. You'll spend the night in Exeter, where you'll stay for two nights.

    
  • Day 4

    Dartmoor National Park

    Spend the day exploring Dartmoor's wild landscape. The weather changes quickly here so bring layers. Visit the Clapper Bridge at Postbridge early for the best photos. Back in Exeter you can take your time exploring the 900-year-old cathedral and Roman walls.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Cornwall Coast

    Get an early start at Tintagel Castle since parking fills up fast. Next visit Port Isaac, a pretty fishing village. A visitor advised: "The coastal path from Port Isaac has incredible views, but wear proper walking shoes - it gets slippery even in dry weather." On day 6 visit St. Michael's Mount but check the tide schedule first as it affects access. Continue to Land's End and the Minack Theatre for great coastal views. Just note the theatre closes Mondays and Tuesdays in winter.

    
  • Day 7

    Return to London

    Stop at Glastonbury on your final day. The 20-minute climb up the Tor rewards you with views across five counties on clear days. You'll reach London Victoria around 7:30 PM, so plan any onward train travel after 8:30 PM.

    

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• 7 Days in Southern England, incl. London and Bath

  

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  • Days 1-2

    London

    Start with two full days in London to see the main sights. Get to the Tower of London right when it opens at 9 AM to avoid crowds and see the Crown Jewels without long waits. Take a hop-on-hop-off bus tour in the afternoon. If you're a first-timer, sit on the right side of the upper deck when heading west for the best Westminster views. At night, take a walk along the South Bank between London Bridge and Westminster. It's safe, well-lit, and offers great views.

    
  • Day 3

    Cambridge, Coventry & Liverpool (300 km)

    Head out of London after 9:30 AM when traffic calms down. Spend about 2 hours in Cambridge walking through the historic colleges. Get your best photos at the Mathematical Bridge and Kings College Chapel. On your way to Liverpool, stop at Coventry to see the powerful cathedral ruins from WWII. You'll reach Liverpool in time to experience the live music at the famous Cavern Club.

    
  • Day 4

    Chester & Birmingham

    Walk Chester's Roman walls early in the morning. The full 2-mile loop takes about an hour, and you'll beat the tour buses that arrive at 10 AM. Check out the medieval "Rows" shopping galleries before lunch. Stop in Lichfield for some traditional pork pies, then drive to Birmingham. The canal district is beautiful in the evening light. Book a table at one of the waterfront restaurants in Brindleyplace.

    
  • Day 5

    Shakespeare Country to Bath

    Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon first thing to avoid crowds. Drive through the Cotswolds to Stow-on-the-Wold. A local tip: grab lunch supplies at the Tesco outside Stow instead of paying tourist prices in town. It's about 2 hours to Bath through Gloucester. Visit the Roman Baths after 6 PM when the crowds thin out. They're open until 10 PM in summer.

    
  • Day 6

    Stonehenge & Salisbury

    Go to Stonehenge either right at 9 AM or late afternoon to miss the busy times. Bring a warm jacket. The open plain gets quite windy. Head to Salisbury Cathedral after 3 PM when it's quieter. Drive back to London after 7 PM to avoid traffic.

    
  • Day 7

    London

    Spend your last morning exploring London like a local. Shoreditch is great around 10 AM when the cafes and vintage shops open. Leave plenty of time to get to Heathrow. The tube takes 45-60 minutes, but add extra time if you're traveling during rush hour (7:30-9:30 AM).

    

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• 7 Days in Southern England, incl. Cornwall and Stonehenge

  Southern England unfolds across 16 destinations featuring Stonehenge, Tintagel Castle, and St Michael's Mount. The Channel View Hotel Shanklin and Queens Court Hotel Exeter serve as 3-star bases while discovering coastal and countryside treasures.

  

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  • Day 1

    London to Isle of Wight

    Leave London Victoria Coach Station at 9:30 AM (arrive by 9:00). Take the 2.5-hour drive to Portsmouth and climb the Spinnaker Tower for harbor views. The ferry to Isle of Wight takes 45 minutes. Get a window seat to enjoy the coastal scenery. Visit Quarr Abbey's unique architecture before spending the night in Shanklin village.

    
  • Day 2

    Isle of Wight Exploration

    Begin at the Yarborough Monument for island views. Visit Osborne House, a favorite residence of Queen Victoria. You'll need good walking shoes and water for the large gardens. Visit the Needles rock formation in the afternoon. Boat trips run often but weather can affect schedules. Watch the sunset from St Catherine's Down.

    
  • Day 3

    Stonehenge and Winchester

    Take the morning ferry back to the mainland. Stop in Winchester, the old English capital. Make time for the Cathedral and Great Hall. After lunch head to Stonehenge. Book your entry time ahead to skip long lines. A land train runs every 10 minutes from the visitor center. Drive to Exeter for two nights.

    
  • Day 4

    Dartmoor National Park

    Discover Dartmoor's granite tors and wild ponies. Visit the ancient Postbridge Clapper Bridge but watch your step on the slippery stones. Stop in Tavistock, Drake's hometown. Spend the afternoon in Exeter. The Cathedral Green area is perfect for tea. Take a walk on the Roman walls to get your bearings.

    
  • Day 5

    North Cornwall Coast

    Get to Boscastle early to avoid the crowds. See Tintagel Castle with its King Arthur connections. The new bridge offers amazing views but includes steep climbing. Visit Port Isaac, the Doc Martin filming location. Skip the busy village center and take the coastal path for better views.

    
  • Day 6

    Cornwall's Far West

    Check tide times for St Michael's Mount as the causeway opens only at low tide. Visit the Minack Theatre on the cliffs (winter closures Monday/Tuesday). At Land's End walk the cliff paths instead of visiting the tourist center. Finish in St Ives and see the Tate Gallery overlooking the harbor.

    
  • Day 7

    Return via Glastonbury

    Travel across Bodmin Moor to Glastonbury. See the ancient Abbey ruins and walk up Glastonbury Tor. The path is well-maintained but steep taking about 20 minutes. Return to London Victoria around 7:30 PM.

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