Itinerary
- Day 1
London
You'll arrive in London and get settled into your accommodation for the first two nights. Depending on when you land, there's time to head out to Hampton Court Palace, a Tudor royal residence with extensive grounds, or check out Windsor Great Park and Runnymede, the historic location where the Magna Carta was signed.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Hampton Court Palace
- Explore Windsor Great Park and Valley Gardens
- Visit Virginia Water
- Visit Runnymede where the historic Magna Carta was sealed
Landmarks/POIs Hampton Court Palace Windsor Great Park Runnymede - Day 2
London
Spend the day exploring central London. Walk along the Thames from Westminster to see Tower Bridge and The Shard, which is the tallest building in the UK. Grab lunch in Chinatown and then head to nearby Soho to wander around its museums, check out the architecture, and explore the local food and music scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walk along the Thames from Westminster to Tower Bridge
- View The Shard
- Explore Chinatown
- Explore Soho
Landmarks/POIs Tower Bridge The Shard Westminster Chinatown Soho - Day 3
London to Bath/Bristol area
Drive southwest about 180km toward the Bath and Bristol area. You'll take a scenic route through Salisbury to visit the Gothic cathedral and see part of the original Magna Carta. Then stop at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain (you'll need to book ahead), visit Cheddar Cheese Gorge to see a traditional cheddar producer, and reach your accommodation by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Salisbury Cathedral
- View the Magna Carta piece at Salisbury Cathedral
- Visit Stonehenge (must be prebooked)
- Stop at Cheddar Cheese Gorge
Landmarks/POIs Salisbury Cathedral Stonehenge Cheddar Cheese Gorge - Day 4
Bath
This day is for exploring Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the most beautiful city in South England. You'll visit the Roman Baths and Pump Room (included with your tour), or if you prefer, walk around and see the Georgian architecture of the Royal Crescent. The city itself was built around Roman baths, so there's plenty to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit the Roman Baths and Pump Room
Optional Activities
- Walk around the Georgian architecture on the Royal Crescent
Landmarks/POIs Roman Baths Royal Crescent - Day 5
Bath/Bristol area to Stratford-upon-Avon/Warwickshire
Drive about 130km toward Stratford-upon-Avon through the Cotswolds, stopping to have a traditional English cream tea (included). You'll visit Burton-on-the-Water, a classic Cotswold village with traditional stone buildings, sometimes called the Venice of the Cotswolds. If you're interested in gardens, Painswick Rococo Gardens is an 18th-century option with a café nearby in Stroud.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Enjoy traditional English Cream Tea in the Cotswolds
Optional Activities
- Visit Burton-on-the-Water
- Visit Painswick Rococo Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Burton-on-the-Water Painswick Rococo Gardens - Day 6
Stratford-upon-Avon
Explore Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born. Walk down the pedestrianized Henley Street with its cafes and shops, then visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and tour the five Shakespeare properties in the area, three of which are in town and well preserved. Take a riverside walk (about 2km or an hour) and see Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway are buried.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace
- Visit Shakespeare houses (5 total, 3 in town)
- Take a river walk (approximately 2km, 1 hour)
- Visit Holy Trinity Church
Landmarks/POIs Shakespeare's Birthplace Holy Trinity Church - Day 7
Stratford-upon-Avon to London area
Head back to the London area, about 220km away. On the drive, you'll visit Blenheim Palace (included), where Winston Churchill was born, or spend time in Oxford, a famous university city with historic colleges, museums, and distinctive architecture called the 'City of Dreaming Spires'. If shopping interests you, Bicester Outlet Centre is also on the route.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Blenheim Palace and Gardens
Optional Activities
- Explore Oxford and its historic colleges and museums
- Stop at Bicester Outlet Centre
Landmarks/POIs Blenheim Palace University of Oxford Bicester Outlet Centre - Day 8
London area to London Airport
If time allows, stop in Royal Windsor to see the castle where Queen Elizabeth II spent many weekends. The town is compact and nice, especially busy during summer. After that, drive about 50km to London Airport for your return flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Royal Windsor and Windsor Castle
Landmarks/POIs Windsor Castle
