3-Week England, Scotland and Wales Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week England, Scotland And Wales tour itineraries

Compiled by

NadineEngland, Scotland and Wales travel expert at TourRadar

• 20 Days in Britain & Ireland, incl. London and Edinburgh

  A 20-day British adventure showcases Edinburgh Castle, Roman Baths, and Stonehenge. Guests relax at premium properties like Hilton York and Clayton Cardiff. The tour features 28 meals including traditional Sunday roasts and afternoon tea at Atholl Palace.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    London & Oxford

    Spend your first afternoon exploring the South Bank and Tower Bridge area. "The golden hour view from Tower Bridge walkway was incredible, much better than midday." Take the 1-hour train to Oxford on day two morning, then drive through the Cotswolds to Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace before 10 AM to avoid the crowds.

    
  • Days 3-4

    York & Lake District

    Drive 4 hours to York. The medieval Shambles is best experienced in early evening after the shops close. Take a sunset walk along the city walls for great views. The next day, travel through the Lake District and stop in Wordsworth's Grasmere. Bring waterproof boots for the often muddy trails around Grasmere.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Edinburgh & Scottish Highlands

    Plan two full days for Edinburgh. Get to Edinburgh Castle at 9 AM with pre-booked tickets. "The One O'Clock Gun ceremony gets packed, stake out a spot by the battery 15 minutes early." Drive to Inverness through St. Andrews, then explore Loch Ness and Isle of Skye. Book a smaller car for the narrow Skye roads.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Glasgow & Belfast

    See Glasgow's main sites before taking the 2.5-hour ferry to Belfast. Take a political murals tour with a local guide for important context. "Our guide grew up during the Troubles - his personal stories made history come alive."

    
  • Days 10-13

    Dublin & Western Ireland

    Spend 2-3 days in Dublin. See the Book of Kells at Trinity College right when it opens at 9:30 AM. Head west to Galway and follow the Wild Atlantic Way south to the Cliffs of Moher. Bring shoes with good grip for the slippery limestone landscape of the Burren.

    
  • Days 14-16

    Southern Ireland

    Visit the Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park. Book jaunting car rides ahead during peak season. "We arrived at Blarney Castle at 8:30 AM and had the castle grounds almost to ourselves for photos." Continue on to Waterford.

    
  • Days 17-20

    Wales & Southern England

    Take the ferry to Wales and visit Cardiff Castle. See the Roman Baths in Bath first thing at 9 AM. Stop at Glastonbury Tor on your way to Cornwall. Visit Stonehenge with pre-booked tickets before returning to London. Plan extra time for the final drive on the often busy M4 motorway.

    

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• 19 Days in Britain & Ireland, incl. London and Edinburgh

  Experience England, Scotland, and Wales over 19 days, from York Minster to Cardiff Castle. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace, Edinburgh Castle, and Roman Bath ruins while enjoying premium accommodations at hotels like Park Plaza London Riverbank.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    London

    Arrive mid-morning to make the most of your first day. A hotel near Kensington puts you close to good Tube connections. On day 2, start at the Tower of London right when it opens at 9 AM to avoid the crowds. One visitor noted: "Book skip-the-line Tower tickets online - we saved over an hour of queuing."

    
  • Days 3-4

    York & Edinburgh

    Take a morning train from King's Cross to York. Visit the medieval Shambles before 10 AM when it gets busy. The train to Edinburgh takes about 2.5 hours. Watch the sunset from Calton Hill and plan about 3 hours to see Edinburgh Castle. Try to catch the one o'clock gun firing.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Scottish Highlands

    Travel north through Pitlochry, stopping to try the local salmon. It's a 5-6 hour drive to Isle of Skye with stops. Bring waterproof clothes since the weather changes quickly. A helpful tip from a past visitor: "The Eilean Donan Castle car park fills by 10 AM in summer. Get there early or you'll circle for ages."

    
  • Days 8-9

    Glasgow & Liverpool

    See Glasgow's Necropolis in the morning light for great photos. Drive 4 hours to Liverpool. Get Beatles Story tickets in advance to skip long peak season lines. You can walk around the Albert Dock area easily.

    
  • Days 10-11

    Dublin

    Take the morning ferry from Holyhead. Temple Bar is lively but noisy. Choose Ballsbridge for quiet nights. Visit Trinity College before 9:30 AM to see the Book of Kells without crowds.

    
  • Days 12-14

    Western Ireland

    Drive to Galway and explore its medieval streets before tour buses arrive at 10 AM. Plan a full day for the Ring of Kerry drive. At Blarney Castle, one visitor advised: "Go straight to the stone when they open at 9 AM - by 11 AM the wait is over an hour."

    
  • Days 15-16

    Wales & Bath

    Take the ferry to Wales. Check out Cardiff Castle for city views. Book the first entry at 9 AM for the Roman Baths in Bath. Glastonbury Abbey takes about 2 hours to tour.

    
  • Days 17-19

    Southern England & London

    Visit Plymouth's historic Barbican in early evening after the crowds leave. Go to Stonehenge right when it opens or just before closing. Allow 3 hours to drive back to London, more during rush hour.

    

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• 18 Days in British Isles, incl. London and Edinburgh

  The grand tour showcases Wales' Cardiff Castle, England's Roman Bath ruins, and Scotland's Edinburgh Castle. Travelers cross Severn Bridge to Cardiff, wander Lake District National Park's UNESCO landscapes, and visit Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon, staying at hotels like Jurys Inn Liverpool.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    London

    Start your journey in London exploring major landmarks. Visit Westminster Abbey right when it opens to avoid long wait times. The Tower of London is less crowded during afternoon tours.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Southern England & Wales

    Get to Stonehenge by 9 AM before the tour buses arrive. Visit the charming village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor in Dartmoor and stay overnight in Plymouth near the historic Barbican area. The next day takes you to Bath's Roman ruins before entering Wales. Want great photos? Head to Cardiff Castle's western wall during golden hour for the best city views.

    
  • Days 5-8

    Ireland

    Take the 4-hour morning ferry from Pembroke to Rosslare. Visit Tramore before exploring Cork and Blarney Castle. "The Blarney Stone queue can take 2+ hours midday - either go first thing or skip it and explore the gorgeous gardens instead." Use Killarney as your base to drive the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula. If you get motion sickness, bring medication for the winding Slea Head route.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Dublin

    Stop at the Cliffs of Moher but bring a windproof jacket. Spend two nights in Dublin exploring the city. "Skip the long Temple Bar pub queues and head to The Cobblestone in Smithfield for authentic Irish music." Book your Guinness Storehouse tickets online to avoid waiting in line.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Northern England & Glasgow

    Morning ferries across the Irish Sea are usually calmer. Explore North Wales and Liverpool on your way to the Lake District. Get a seat on the right side of the bus for the best views. Stay in Glasgow's West End where you'll find excellent restaurants.

    
  • Days 13-15

    Scottish Highlands & Edinburgh

    Travel through Glen Coe to Fort William and along Loch Ness to Inverness. Pack warm layers even for summer visits. Plan 2-3 hours for Edinburgh Castle. "Book Edinburgh Military Tattoo tickets months ahead for August departures - they sell out fast."

    
  • Days 16-18

    York & Return to London

    Give yourself time to see York's stunning Minster and walk the medieval city walls. Visit Stratford-upon-Avon on your way back to London. Planning an early August trip? You'll catch the Edinburgh Festival but expect higher accommodation prices.

    

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