10-Day England, Scotland and Wales Tour Packages

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

Compiled by

NadineEngland, Scotland and Wales travel expert at TourRadar

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

  Sixteen cities across Britain reveal themselves over 10 days. Tour Cambridge colleges, Edinburgh's UNESCO center, and Caernarfon Castle. Rest at Novotel Liverpool Centre with comfortable coach travel between destinations.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    London

    Pick an afternoon flight into Heathrow to avoid morning traffic into central London. A fellow traveler suggests: "The best time for Westminster Abbey is right at 9:30 AM opening. We walked straight in while later groups waited 45+ minutes." Your first evening is perfect for exploring Soho and Leicester Square's theatre scene. Use day two for major attractions like the Tower of London and a walk along the Thames.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Northern England & Edinburgh

    Travel north through Cambridge (2.5 hours from London) and York (4 hours from Cambridge). Plan to reach York by 2 PM to see the Shambles before crowds thin out. A visitor recommends: "Don't miss evensong at York Minster - the acoustics are incredible and it's free." Give Edinburgh a full day. Start at Edinburgh Castle early since the Royal Mile gets busy by midday.

    
  • Day 5

    Scottish Highlands

    You'll spend a full day in the Highlands. Stop at Pitlochry for a taste of Highland life. Winter visitors take an alternate route via Stirling Castle due to short daylight hours. A recent review notes: "The Urquhart Castle visit can be windy - bring layers even in summer. The boat ride on Loch Ness is choppy but offers the best castle photos."

    
  • Days 6-7

    Ireland

    Take the morning ferry to Belfast (2 hours). Spend a full day in Dublin without a car since parking is scarce and expensive. Stay near Trinity College for easy walking. A traveler advises: "Book the Trinity Library's Long Room first thing. The queues get crazy by mid-morning."

    
  • Days 8-9

    Wales & West England

    The Dublin to Wales ferry (3.5 hours) can be rough so consider motion sickness medication. Caernarfon Castle impresses but includes many steep stairs. Book Beatles attractions in Liverpool ahead of time. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon at 9 AM before tour groups arrive.

    
  • Day 10

    Return to London

    Allow 2 hours by coach from Oxford to London. Book an extra night if your flight leaves before noon due to unpredictable morning traffic.

    

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• 8 Day Britain Itinerary, incl. London and Edinburgh

  British heritage unfolds across 19 locations in 8 days. Tour Shakespeare's Stratford, Conwy Castle, Yorkshire Dales, and Lake District. Carefully selected B&Bs include Darwin's Townhouse and The Edwardene for approx. $390 daily.

  

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  • Day 1

    London to Shrewsbury

    Get to Victoria Coach Station in London by 8:45 AM for the 9:15 AM departure. After a 2-hour drive you'll reach Stratford-upon-Avon. Take 2-3 hours to explore Shakespeare's birthplace and stop for lunch at the historic Dirty Duck pub where Royal Shakespeare Company actors often gather. Visit the Iron Bridge in Shropshire before heading to Shrewsbury for the night. A recent visitor shared: "The Tudor buildings in Shrewsbury's old town are incredibly well-preserved—much better than what you see in London."

    
  • Day 2

    Wales Day Trip

    Explore North Wales from Shrewsbury. Start at Conwy Castle before 10 AM to avoid crowds. Your afternoon takes you through Snowdonia National Park. Pack waterproof gear since mountain weather changes quickly. The Pass of Llanberis offers great photos but if you get motion sick sit near the front of the coach.

    
  • Day 3

    Peak District to York

    Travel through the Peak District and stop at Buxton's thermal springs. Visit Chatsworth House for 2-3 hours. Book tickets ahead to skip the lines. After a 2-hour drive to York you can join evening ghost walks from York Minster at 8 PM.

    
  • Day 4

    York

    Spend the day in York. Walk the city walls (2.5 miles taking about 2 hours) and visit York Minster early to beat the crowds. You can also take an optional half-day trip to Yorkshire Dales. For evening plans check out The House of Trembling Madness pub above a beer shop for real medieval atmosphere.

    
  • Day 5

    North Yorkshire Coast

    Start in York then explore the coast in the afternoon. The Whitby Abbey climb is 199 steps but the views make it worthwhile. Robin Hood's Bay has steep paths so wear good shoes or skip it if walking is difficult. Looking for fish and chips? Try The Magpie Cafe in Whitby but expect to wait about 30 minutes during busy times.

    
  • Day 6

    Yorkshire Dales to Lake District

    Drive through Yorkshire Dales to Keswick. The route shows off dramatic landscapes but includes several hours on winding roads. Keswick works well as your Lake District base since most hotels are close to town center.

    
  • Day 7

    Lake District

    Visit Castlerigg Stone Circle at sunrise (summer only). Take the Lake Windermere cruise and sit on the right for the best views. Visit Hawkshead and Grasmere villages where you should try Sarah Nelson's famous gingerbread. Bring rain gear as showers are common even in summer.

    
  • Day 8

    Hadrian's Wall to Edinburgh

    Start early for Hadrian's Wall. Plan 90 minutes for the Roman Army Museum. Travel to Edinburgh through Jedburgh reaching the city by early evening. The tour ends at St Andrew Square bus station which is walking distance to most central hotels.

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• 9 Day Great Britain Itinerary, incl. London and Edinburgh

  Twelve British cities showcase their heritage over 9 days, from London's St. Paul's Cathedral to Edinburgh Castle's Crown Jewels. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace, York's medieval Shambles, and taste original Grasmere gingerbread. Full English breakfasts and comfortable accommodation included, rated 4.7/5 for guide service.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    London

    Kick off your British adventure in London, taking time to adjust to the time zone. "Book afternoon activities on your first day - the morning traffic and jet lag can be rough," suggests one traveler. On day two, explore the city's landmarks. Visit Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and St. Paul's Cathedral in the morning. Getting to St. Paul's before 10am helps you avoid the biggest crowds.

    
  • Day 3

    Stonehenge & Bath

    Leave London around 8am for a 2-hour drive to Stonehenge. After exploring this ancient site, head to Bath to tour the Roman Baths. A helpful tip from a visitor: "The Roman Baths get quite humid - bring a light layer you can remove and wear non-slip shoes on the wet stone surfaces."

    
  • Day 4

    Wales & Liverpool

    Travel through Wales, stopping at medieval Ludlow and the charming town of Llangollen. One traveler notes: "The steep hills in Llangollen require good walking shoes - take the river path for easier walking." End your day in Liverpool with free time to explore the Beatles' city.

    
  • Day 5

    Lake District to Edinburgh

    Drive through the beautiful Lake District and stop at Wordsworth's village of Grasmere. "Don't miss trying the original Grasmere gingerbread - the tiny shop can have long queues but it's worth the wait," shares a visitor. Continue north through Gretna Green into Scotland, reaching Edinburgh by early evening.

    
  • Day 6

    Edinburgh

    Spend a full day in Edinburgh, starting at Edinburgh Castle. A traveler tip: "Book your castle tickets online and arrive by 9am - the One O'Clock Gun demonstration gets crowded quickly." Use the afternoon to explore the Royal Mile and Old Town. If you visit in August, you can catch the Military Tattoo.

    
  • Day 7

    Scottish Borders to York

    Head south through the Scottish Borders. Visit Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford House and Jedburgh Abbey ruins before reaching York for a walking tour of The Shambles. A visitor suggests: "The narrow streets of York get very busy - explore The Shambles after 5pm when day-trippers leave."

    
  • Day 8

    Stratford-upon-Avon to London

    Explore Shakespeare's birthplace and Anne Hathaway's Cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon. "Book lunch ahead at nearby cafes - the town gets extremely busy midday," advises one traveler. Return to London for your final evening.

    
  • Day 9

    London Departure

    The tour ends after breakfast. Plan your airport transfer well: "Book transport at least 4 hours before your flight - London traffic can be unpredictable."

    

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