Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Stratford-upon-Avon - Ironbridge - Shrewsbury
You'll start by heading from London to Stratford-upon-Avon, where you can walk through the market town and grab lunch at one of the riverside pubs or restaurants. After that, you'll move on to see Ironbridge, the historic iron bridge that was the first of its kind. From there, it's on to Shrewsbury, a medieval market town surrounded by the River Severn, where you'll spend the next two nights settling in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Shakespeare's birthplace
- Visit Shakespeare's schoolhouse
- Visit Shakespeare's resting place
- Lunch in local restaurants and riverside pubs in Stratford-upon-Avon
- Explore Ironbridge and views of the River Severn
Landmarks/POIs Shakespeare's Birthplace Holy Trinity Church Ironbridge River Severn - Day 2
Shrewsbury to North Wales - Conwy - Snowdonia National Park - Shrewsbury
This morning you'll travel into North Wales to check out Conwy Castle, built by Edward I back in the 13th century. The battlements offer great views across the area. After that, you'll head into Snowdonia National Park to see the mountains and valleys, passing through old slate quarries and the dramatic Pass of Llanberis with Snowdon rising above you as Wales' highest peak. You'll return to your accommodation by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Admission to Conwy Castle
Optional Activities
- Explore Snowdonia National Park mountains and valleys
- View slate quarries
- Travel through Pass of Llanberis
- Learn about Welsh struggles for independence and Owain Glyndwr
Landmarks/POIs Conwy Castle Snowdonia National Park Snowdon Pass of Llanberis - Day 3
Shrewsbury to Peak District - Buxton - Chatsworth - York
You'll drive through Peak District National Park, moving through rugged moorland, walled pastures, and wooded valleys to reach Buxton, an elegant spa town where you can fill a bottle with water from the natural spring. Later you'll visit Chatsworth, the Duke of Devonshire's stately home and gardens. Then it's northward through industrial areas to York, a historic walled city where you'll stay for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Peak District National Park picturesque villages and scenery
- Visit Buxton natural thermal springs
- Fill bottle with spring water from Buxton
- Tour Chatsworth House and gardens
Landmarks/POIs Peak District National Park Buxton Chatsworth House - Day 4
York
You have two options for today. Either spend the day exploring York itself, walking through medieval streets and learning about its Roman, Viking, and Norman history. Or take a half-day guided trip out to the Yorkshire Dales to see Knaresborough market town and the remote areas of the Eastern Dales before heading back to York for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore medieval heart of York
- Half-day excursion to Knaresborough across Yorkshire Dales
- Experience Yorkshire Dales scenery
Landmarks/POIs York Knaresborough Yorkshire Dales - Day 5
York to London - Lincoln - Cambridge
You'll leave York and head south toward London. First stop is Lincoln, a historic town known for its center and the cathedral that was the world's tallest building for around 200 years (you might try some Lincolnshire sausages while you're there). Next you'll reach Cambridge to see King's College Chapel. You can take an optional guided punting trip along the colleges' backs or climb St Mary's tower for views across the city before making your way back to London.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore historic center of Lincoln
- Visit Lincoln Cathedral
- View King's College Chapel in Cambridge
- Guided punting ride along the backs of Cambridge colleges
- Climb St Mary's tower in Cambridge for skyline views
Landmarks/POIs Lincoln Cathedral King's College Chapel St Mary's Church
