7-Day UK and Great Britain Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day UK And Great Britain tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffUK and Great Britain travel expert at TourRadar

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

  A British odyssey through 14 destinations from London to Edinburgh spans one week. Cambridge punting, York's medieval streets, Scottish Highlands, and Stonehenge await. Comfortable stays at Ibis York and Park Inn Cardiff include traditional meals.

  

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  • Day 1

    London to York via Cambridge

    Leave London early at 7 AM to avoid traffic and drive 1.5 hours to Cambridge. Take a 45-minute punt ride on the River Cam. "Bring a light jacket as it gets chilly on the water, even in summer." Drive 3 hours north to York and arrive by late afternoon. Join a walking tour of the historic city walls and explore the medieval Shambles street. Book your traditional Sunday roast dinner for 7 PM to avoid the evening rush.

    
  • Day 2

    York to Edinburgh

    Leave York at 8 AM and drive north on the A1. Stop at the Angel of the North statue and visit Hadrian's Wall before lunch. The wall site has uneven ground so wear good shoes. Stop in Jedburgh to see the abbey ruins and grab lunch. You'll reach Edinburgh by late afternoon for a quick city tour. "Get to Edinburgh Castle early next morning before the tour groups arrive - the views over the city are spectacular at sunrise."

    
  • Day 3

    Edinburgh Free Day

    Take a full day to explore Edinburgh at your own pace. Visit the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. The castle sits uphill about 15 minutes on foot. If walking is difficult take bus #23. Consider booking the evening Scottish dinner show. "Book the 'Spirit of Scotland' show - the combination of traditional music and storytelling made the evening unforgettable."

    
  • Day 4

    Edinburgh to Scottish Highlands

    Start your Highland journey with a morning visit to Culloden Battlefield. Take an optional one-hour cruise on Loch Ness and sit on the left side for the best photos. In the afternoon drive through the stunning Glencoe valley. "The Highlands hotel was charmingly rustic but no AC - request a room with a fan in summer months."

    
  • Day 5

    Highlands to Liverpool

    Start early through Loch Lomond National Park. Visit Gretna Green, famous for its wedding history then stop in the Lake District for lunch. Arrive in Liverpool for an afternoon Beatles tour. The Ibis Liverpool has small rooms so consider keeping just an overnight bag with you.

    
  • Day 6

    Liverpool to Cardiff

    Visit Stratford-upon-Avon first and spend 2 hours exploring the town center and Shakespeare's Birthplace. Drive into Wales stopping at a medieval castle before reaching Cardiff. Plan your shopping for the morning since most Cardiff stores close by 6 PM.

    
  • Day 7

    Cardiff to London via Bath and Stonehenge

    Start in Bath and book Roman Baths tickets ahead to skip the lines. Head to Stonehenge around 2 PM when it's usually less crowded. "The walk from the visitor center to the stones takes 20 minutes each way - factor this into your timing." You'll be back in London by early evening.

    

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

  This 7-day British Christmas tour takes you through 14 destinations. Float along Cambridge's river, walk Edinburgh's Royal Mile, delve into Liverpool's Beatles history, and admire Bath's Roman heritage. A traditional Christmas lunch and comfortable hotel stays round out the journey.

  

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  • Day 1

    London to York

    Leave London early to avoid rush hour traffic. Your first stop is Cambridge, about 2.5 hours away. Take a winter punt ride on the River Cam but pack warm clothes. One traveler shared: "Punting down the river in Cambridge was magical, though definitely wear gloves and a scarf!" After Cambridge, it's a 3-hour drive to York. Spend your evening on a walking tour through the medieval streets before settling in for dinner at a local pub.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Scottish Highlands

    Drive north past the Angel of the North statue and Hadrian's Wall. The trip to Glasgow takes roughly 4 hours with breaks. Visit the city's Christmas markets before continuing to the Highlands. Stay in Arrochar village on Loch Long. The next day takes you through Glencoe valley and to Loch Ness. You can take a boat tour for about $20 but bundle up - the lake gets very cold in December.

    
  • Day 4

    Edinburgh Christmas Day

    Make the most of Christmas in Edinburgh. Begin at Dean Village for photos and head to Calton Hill around 9 AM before it gets busy. Walk along the Royal Mile to see Edinburgh Castle and the old town architecture. A past visitor noted: "Getting to Calton Hill for sunrise on Christmas morning was unforgettable - the city was so peaceful and the views were incredible." Your hotel serves a traditional Christmas lunch.

    
  • Day 5

    Lake District & Liverpool

    Head south through Carlisle. Take a Winter at Windermere cruise in the Lake District if weather allows. You'll reach Liverpool by late afternoon for a Beatles driving tour. Your evening is free to check out the Cavern Club or see the city's Christmas lights.

    
  • Day 6

    Shakespeare's England to Wales

    Start with more Beatles sites in Liverpool. Drive to Stratford-upon-Avon (3 hours) where you can visit Shakespeare's birthplace and have afternoon tea for about $30. End the day in Cardiff with an orientation tour and group dinner.

    
  • Day 7

    Bath & Stonehenge

    Visit Bath's Roman sites and Stonehenge before returning to London in early evening. Remember that December days are short, so sites close early. One reviewer noted: "Good trip, but short on daylight this time of year. Plan indoor activities for late afternoons."

    

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• Exploring the United Kingdom and Dublin

  

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  • Dublin Ireland

    83 mi

  • Caernarfon Wales

    56 mi

  • Liverpool England

    99 mi

  • Stratford-upon-Avon England

    36 mi

  • Oxford England

    51 mi

  • London England

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