10-Day England, Ireland and Scotland Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day England, Ireland And Scotland itineraries

Compiled by

NadineEngland, Ireland and Scotland travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Day Britain & Ireland Itinerary, incl. London and Edinburgh

  This 10-day circuit through 9 cities across three nations features Edinburgh Castle, Trinity College Dublin, and Stratford-upon-Avon. Package includes centrally-located hotels, daily breakfasts, and traditional dinners.

  

  View itinerary Compare 10 days itineraries
  • Days 1-2

    London & Southwest England

    Arrive in London and spend your first afternoon exploring at your leisure. One traveler suggests "Get to London a day early if possible - jet lag is real and you'll want energy for the packed schedule ahead." On day 2 take an early morning trip to Stonehenge about 2 hours from London. Continue to Bath where you'll find smaller crowds at the Roman Baths after 3 PM.

    
  • Day 3

    Wales & Irish Sea Crossing

    Drive to Cardiff (3 hours) for a tour of Cardiff Castle. A recent visitor noted: "The Welsh capital's 2,000-year history comes alive through the castle architecture." Take the afternoon ferry from Pembroke to Rosslare (4 hours). If you get seasick pack motion sickness medication.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Ireland's East Coast

    Start your morning at the Waterford Crystal factory. Book before 10 AM to avoid large tour groups. Continue to medieval Kilkenny. Spend two nights in Dublin to properly explore the city. Visit Trinity College's Book of Kells when it opens at 8:30 AM to avoid crowds. One traveler recommends: "Skip the tourist-heavy Temple Bar at night - try the local pubs in the Liberties area instead."

    
  • Days 6-7

    Northern Ireland & Scotland

    Stop briefly in Belfast before taking the ferry to Scotland (2.5 hours). Spend two nights in Edinburgh. "Edinburgh Castle gets extremely busy by midday," according to one reviewer. "Book your castle tour for 9:30 AM then explore the Royal Mile downhill." Planning to visit in August? Book Military Tattoo tickets several months in advance.

    
  • Day 8

    Yorkshire

    Travel south through Northumberland and stop at Hadrian's Wall. Explore York's medieval streets on foot. A traveler suggests: "The Shambles gets packed by midday - do your shopping early or late afternoon. The York Minster evensong at 5:15 PM is a peaceful way to experience the cathedral."

    
  • Days 9-10

    Shakespeare Country & London Return

    Visit Stratford-upon-Avon in the morning when Shakespeare's Birthplace is quieter. Return to London for your final night. One guest advises: "Book your airport transfer the night before. Morning London traffic can add 45 minutes to your journey."

    

  View itinerary

• 10 Days in UK and Ireland, incl. London and Edinburgh

  The 10-day odyssey through three nations covers 16 cities, from London to Edinburgh and Dublin. Tours include Trinity College, Urquhart Castle, and Westminster. Accommodations at Novotel Edinburgh Park and Ibis London Excel Docklands.

  

  View itinerary Compare 10 days itineraries
  • Days 1-2

    London

    Start in London while adjusting to the time zone. Visit Westminster and the City for key sights. A night walking tour through Soho and Leicester Square lets you see the areas when they're most vibrant. Take note from past travelers: the Windsor Castle side trip is worth it if you like royal history.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Northern England & Edinburgh

    Travel north through Cambridge. Plan about 2 hours to see the historic college town. You'll need good walking shoes for York's medieval streets and walls. The UNESCO cathedral in Durham looks best from the riverside at sunset. In Edinburgh, take the Royal Mile tour in the morning when it's quieter.

    
  • Day 5

    Scottish Highlands

    Plan for a scenic drive through the Highlands with multiple stops. Start your day in Pitlochry with coffee. Visit Urquhart Castle and take a boat on Loch Ness. If traveling in winter (November-February), you'll go through Stirling Castle instead because of shorter days and weather.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Dublin

    Take the ferry to Belfast, then continue to Dublin. Visit Trinity College and explore the River Liffey area. Get to the Guinness Storehouse first thing to skip the crowds. A previous visitor shared: "Temple Bar is charming but touristy—explore the local pubs on side streets for a more authentic experience."

    
  • Days 8-9

    Wales & Return to London

    Cross to Wales by morning ferry. Bring motion sickness medicine since the Irish Sea can be rough. Stop at Caernarfon Castle to see its medieval design. Liverpool offers both Beatles history and the updated Albert Dock area. Visit Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford before going back to London.

    
  • Day 10

    Departure

    The tour ends after breakfast. Book a later flight to avoid morning traffic to the airport.

    

  View itinerary

• 10 Days in UK & Ireland, incl. London and Edinburgh

  A grand 10-day tour showcases Edinburgh Castle, Trinity College Dublin, and London's Westminster. The itinerary features a Loch Ness cruise, Urquhart Castle visit, and historic York. Guests stay at selected hotels including Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge and Hampton by Hilton Canterbury.

  

  View itinerary Compare 10 days itineraries
  • Days 1-2

    London

    Start in London with a relaxed first afternoon to shake off jet lag with a walk along the South Bank. On day 2, get an early start for a guided Westminster and City tour. One traveler suggests: "Get to Piccadilly early evening when the theater district comes alive with energy." Join the evening walking tour through Leicester Square and Soho to get your bearings.

    
  • Day 3

    Cambridge & York to Durham

    Leave London early before traffic builds. The drive north takes about 4 hours. Visit Cambridge's historic colleges mid-morning before continuing to York after lunch. You'll have 2-3 hours to explore the medieval city walls and York Minster. Sleep in Durham.

    
  • Day 4

    Alnwick Castle to Edinburgh

    Visit Alnwick Castle first thing to avoid crowds - it's a treat for Harry Potter fans. Drive 2 hours to Edinburgh for a city tour of the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. Book castle tickets for late afternoon when the big tour groups have left.

    
  • Day 5

    Scottish Highlands

    Start early for a full day. Stop in Pitlochry on your way to Inverness and Loch Ness. Take a boat trip and visit Urquhart Castle for great photos. Winter tours (November-February) go via Stirling Castle instead because of shorter days. End in Glasgow.

    
  • Day 6

    Glasgow to Dublin

    Take the morning ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast (2 hours). Quick drive through Belfast before heading to Dublin. Free evening to check out Temple Bar. One reviewer notes: "Skip the tourist pubs and find local spots on side streets for authentic Irish music."

    
  • Day 7

    Dublin Exploration

    Take a walking tour of Dublin's highlights like Trinity College and the River Liffey. Afternoon is yours - visit the Book of Kells (book ahead) or join a history walk. Dublin's city center is easy to navigate on your own.

    
  • Day 8

    Wales & Liverpool

    Cross to Wales by ferry (3 hours). See Caernarfon Castle, then spend the afternoon in Liverpool. If you want to visit Beatles attractions, book tickets early.

    
  • Day 9

    Shakespeare Country to London

    Spend the morning in Stratford-upon-Avon, then visit Oxford's universities. Check college closing times and plan which ones to see. Back to London by evening.

    
  • Day 10

    Departure

    Tour ends after breakfast. If your flight's later, store your bags at the hotel and spend more time in London.

    

  View itinerary