Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Shrewsbury
Start by leaving London and driving to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace. You'll have time to walk around the Tudor birthplace, check out Holy Trinity Church, see the Royal Shakespeare Company theatres, or stop by the Dirty Duck pub if you want a drink. After that, head to Ironbridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can see the world's first iron bridge and take in views of the River Severn. Then drive to Shrewsbury, a historic market town surrounded by the river with distinctive black and white Tudor buildings. This will be where you stay for the next two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Shakespeare's Tudor birthplace
- Visit Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried
- Explore Royal Shakespeare Company theatres
- Visit the Dirty Duck pub
Landmarks Shakespeare's Birthplace Holy Trinity Church Royal Shakespeare Company Ironbridge 
- Day 2
Shrewsbury to North Wales and Return
This day takes you north into Wales, starting at Conwy Castle, a 13th-century fortress King Edward I built with great views and well-kept battlements. From there you'll head into Snowdonia National Park, driving through the dramatic Pass of Llanberis with looks at Snowdon, Wales's highest peak. Your guide shares stories about Owain Glyndwr's rebellious past as you take in the landscape before heading back to Shrewsbury for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entrance to Conwy Castle
- Visit Snowdonia National Park
- Cross Pass of Llanberis
Landmarks Conwy Castle Snowdonia National Park Snowdon Pass of Llanberis 
- Day 3
Shrewsbury to York
Leave Shrewsbury and drive through the Peak District countryside and small villages to reach Buxton, a spa town where you can fill water bottles with thermal spring water from Roman times. Then visit Chatsworth House (included), one of England's most well-known stately homes run by the Duke of Devonshire, with ornate gardens, furniture collections, and significant paintings. Continue through former industrial areas and arrive in York, an ancient walled city with Roman and Viking history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chatsworth House & Gardens (included on departures from April 2026 onwards)
Optional Activities
- Fill water bottle from thermal spring in Buxton
Landmarks Peak District National Park Buxton Chatsworth House 
- Day 4
York
Today you choose your own path. Spend the day exploring York on your own, walking through museums, historic city walls, cafes, bars, and restaurants at your pace. Or join your guide for a half-day trip across the Yorkshire Dales to market towns like Knaresborough or Ripon, moving through scenic villages in the Eastern Dales. The evening is free in York either way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Half-day guided trip to Yorkshire Dales market towns (Knaresborough or Ripon)
- Independent exploration of York museums
- Walk historic York city walls
- Explore York cafes, bars, and restaurants
Landmarks York City Walls Knaresborough Ripon Yorkshire Dales National Park - Day 5
York to North Yorkshire Moors and Return
After a free morning, head toward the North Sea coast through the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Stop in Whitby, a fishing town where you can grab traditional fish and chips for lunch and see the Royal Hotel where Bram Stoker got ideas for 'Dracula'. Then go to Robin Hood's Bay, a seaside village with steep lanes and coastal views, before heading back to York for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit North Yorkshire Moors National Park
- Visit Whitby
Optional Activities
- Traditional fish and chips lunch in Whitby
- Visit Royal Hotel in Whitby
- Explore Robin Hood's Bay steep lanes and coastal views
Landmarks North Yorkshire Moors National Park Whitby Royal Hotel Whitby Robin Hood's Bay 
- Day 6
York to Keswick
Leave York and head west into the Yorkshire Dales, known for wildlife, scenery, and cultural heritage. Drive through the Northern Dales with rolling hills and natural beauty before reaching Keswick, a market town in the Lake District surrounded by lakes and rugged peaks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Yorkshire Dales National Park Northern Dales Lake District - Day 7
Keswick Lake District Circuit
Start at Castlerigg, an ancient standing stone circle from more than 5,000 years ago thought to be used for ancient rituals. Head to Ullswater, one of the UK's best lakes, for walks and photos before reaching Aira Force Waterfall, the Lake District's most famous waterfall. Stop at Windermere on the UK's largest lake for an included lake cruise. Visit Hawkshead, where poet William Wordsworth attended school, then drive through narrow country lanes to Grasmere, which Wordsworth called 'the loveliest spot that man hath found'. See his home at Dove Cottage and the Daffodil Garden before returning to Keswick.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cruise on Lake Windermere
Optional Activities
- Visit Castlerigg standing stone circle
- Walk along Ullswater shore
- Visit Aira Force Waterfall
- Visit Hawkshead
- Visit William Wordsworth's Dove Cottage
- Visit Daffodil Garden in Grasmere
Landmarks Castlerigg Stone Circle Ullswater Aira Force Waterfall Kirkstone Pass Lake Windermere Hawkshead Grasmere Dove Cottage 
- Day 8
Keswick to Edinburgh
Climb Hartside Pass for views of the Lake District and Scottish hills from over 1,900 feet. Visit Hadrian's Wall, built by Roman Emperor Hadrian in 122 AD to block Scottish tribes from the Roman Empire, and walk the same trails as Roman centurions at the Roman Army Museum. Cross into Scotland and stop in Jedburgh, home to a ruined abbey. Check out Scott's View overlooking the River Tweed and Cheviot Hills where England and Scotland meet. Then finish the drive to Edinburgh, where the tour ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Admission to Vindolanda and Roman Army Museum at Hadrian's Wall
Optional Activities
- Walk Hadrian's Wall trails
- Visit Jedburgh Abbey
- Visit Scott's View viewpoint
Landmarks Hartside Pass Hadrian's Wall Roman Army Museum Vindolanda Jedburgh Jedburgh Abbey Scott's View River Tweed Cheviot Hills
