7-Day England and Scotland Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day England And Scotland itineraries

Compiled by

NinaEngland and Scotland travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in Great Britain, incl. London and Edinburgh

  British history comes alive through York's medieval streets, Edinburgh Castle, and Loch Ness. The tour takes in Cambridge's colleges, Hadrian's Wall, and Bath's Roman sites. Ibis York and Arrochar Hotel provide bases for traditional British cuisine.

  

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  • Day 1

    London to York via Cambridge

    Leave London by 7 AM to avoid traffic. Visit Cambridge for a 45-minute punt tour on the River Cam to see the college buildings. Pack warm clothes for the river, as it gets chilly even in good weather. Drive 3 hours to York and spend your evening exploring The Shambles, York's historic shopping street. Find dinner at a local spot for traditional Yorkshire roast by 7 PM before restaurants fill up.

    
  • Day 2

    York to Edinburgh

    Start early for the 4-hour drive north. Stop at the Angel of the North statue and Hadrian's Wall. Visit the wall before noon for the best photo lighting. Take a quick break in Jedburgh before reaching Edinburgh. "The Royal Mile gets extremely crowded - do the orientation walk as soon as you arrive while there's still daylight." Spend your evening enjoying whisky tasting and dinner in the Grassmarket area.

    
  • Day 3

    Edinburgh Free Day

    Take the full day to explore Edinburgh. Start at Edinburgh Castle right when it opens at 9 AM. "Book Edinburgh Castle tickets online in advance - queues can be 1-2 hours long in peak season." Walk down the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace. You can join a traditional Scottish dinner show in the evening if you like.

    
  • Day 4

    Edinburgh to Scottish Highlands

    Travel north to the Highlands and visit Culloden Battlefield. Take a boat trip on Loch Ness. Sit on the left side to get the best views of Urquhart Castle. Pass by Ben Nevis on your way to Glencoe. "The Glencoe valley drive is spectacular but can be misty - keep your camera ready for sudden weather breaks." Stay overnight in the Highlands.

    
  • Day 5

    Highlands to Liverpool

    Drive through Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park in the morning. Stop briefly at Gretna Green before going through the Lake District. "The narrow Lake District roads require patience - schedule extra time here." Get to Liverpool for an afternoon Beatles tour. Your evening is free to check out Albert Dock.

    
  • Day 6

    Liverpool to Cardiff

    Start with more Beatles sites before driving 3 hours to Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit Shakespeare's house or stop for cream tea at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Head into Wales for a castle photo stop on your way to Cardiff. Take an evening tour of the city followed by a group dinner.

    
  • Day 7

    Cardiff to London via Bath & Stonehenge

    Begin early at Bath's Roman ruins. "Book Roman Baths tickets for first entry at 9 AM to avoid tour bus crowds." Visit Stonehenge either before 11 AM or after 3 PM when it's less busy. "Check Stonehenge weather forecast - the site is fully exposed with no shelter." Return to London by early evening.

    

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• 7 Day Great Britain Christmas Itinerary, incl. Edinburgh and York

  A week in England and Scotland showcases key highlights. Taking in Cambridge University, York's medieval streets, Scottish Highlands, and Lake District. Celebrates Christmas in Edinburgh with a traditional lunch.

  

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  • Day 1

    London to York (via Cambridge)

    Leave London early to avoid rush hour traffic. Stop in Cambridge for a winter punting experience on the River Cam. December temperatures stay around 5°C, so dress accordingly. A previous visitor advised: "Punting down the river was magical, though bring fingerless gloves so you can still take photos!" Arrive in York by mid-afternoon to walk through the medieval streets, now glowing with Christmas lights against ancient walls.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Scottish Highlands & Loch Ness

    Travel north past Hadrian's Wall. Visit Glasgow's Christmas markets before the 11am crowds arrive. Continue to the Scottish Highlands, where winter days are short with only 7 hours of light. Time your Glencoe Valley photo stops carefully. At Loch Ness, boat trips are available if weather allows, but winter waters can be rough. Keep your eyes open for 'Nessie'!

    
  • Day 4

    Edinburgh (Christmas Day)

    Christmas in Edinburgh starts with Royal Mile exploration. Get to Calton Hill by 8:30am for sunrise views over the city. You'll enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch with roast turkey and Christmas pudding. A recent visitor shared: "Dean Village was absolutely magical on Christmas morning with a light dusting of snow. Just remember most attractions are closed on December 25th."

    
  • Day 5

    Lake District & Liverpool

    Head south through Carlisle. The Lake District often gets misty in December. If you're taking the Windermere cruise, mid-morning usually offers the clearest weather. Spend your evening in Liverpool exploring The Beatles' locations, including the Cavern Club with its Christmas tribute performances.

    
  • Day 6

    Shakespeare Country & Wales

    Visit Stratford-upon-Avon in the morning to see Tudor buildings decorated for Christmas. Travel to Cardiff for afternoon sightseeing, but plan carefully as the sun sets around 4pm.

    
  • Day 7

    Bath & Stonehenge

    Start your final day at the Roman Baths. The indoor tour provides a welcome break from winter weather. Your last stop is Stonehenge, right after its winter solstice celebrations. Return to London in the early evening.

    

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• 7 Day Scotland Itinerary, incl. Edinburgh and Glasgow

  Scotland's finest comes alive through visits to Edinburgh Castle, St. Andrews golf courses, and the mystical Isle of Skye. The route extends across the Highlands to Culloden battlefield and mysterious Loch Ness. Guests stay at quality hotels like Novotel Centre, with authentic Scottish dinners and specialized local guides throughout the 7-day trip.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Edinburgh

    Begin your Scottish adventure in the capital city. Get to Edinburgh early on day 1 to walk the winding lanes of the Royal Mile. "Edinburgh Castle was absolutely spectacular - get there before 9am to avoid the crowds and enjoy the morning light over the city." Spend day 2 exploring Edinburgh Castle on a guided tour. The castle sits high above the city and offers amazing views. The afternoon is ideal for walking through the historic Old Town. Planning an August visit? You'll get to see the Royal Military Tattoo at the castle.

    
  • Day 3

    St Andrews & Scottish Highlands

    Drive north to St Andrews to see its famous golf courses and historic university. The 2-hour route takes you through beautiful countryside to Pitlochry in the Highlands. "Take warm layers for the Highlands - even in summer, temperatures can drop suddenly, especially in the evening." You can visit Blair Castle if you have time. Spend the night in Cairngorms National Park surrounded by stunning scenery.

    
  • Day 4

    Culloden, Loch Ness & Isle of Skye

    Start early to visit Culloden Battlefield where the last pitched battle on British soil took place. Drive past Loch Ness to reach Eilean Donan Castle around 2pm for the best photo opportunities. Make your way to Isle of Skye to see its dramatic mountains. "The ferry from Armadale to Mallaig can be rough - take motion sickness pills if you're sensitive."

    
  • Day 5

    Glencoe to Glasgow

    Travel through the historic valley of Glencoe where the 1692 massacre occurred. Stop at the Commando Memorial near Fort William to view Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. "The drive through Glencoe is incredibly moving - our guide's stories of the MacDonald clan brought history alive." You'll reach Glasgow in late afternoon.

    
  • Day 6

    Glasgow & Stirling

    Discover Glasgow's unique character from its medieval cathedral to the bustling Merchant City. Take a short drive to Stirling Castle which served as a royal residence. "The Wallace Monument views are worth the climb but the steep steps can be slippery when wet." End your day with a traditional whisky tasting at a local distillery.

    
  • Day 7

    Final Morning in Glasgow

    Use your last morning in Glasgow well. Early birds can walk through the Victorian Necropolis cemetery or enjoy breakfast in the West End before leaving. Book an afternoon flight to avoid Glasgow's busy morning traffic.

    

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