Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Shrewsbury
You'll leave London and head into England's historic heartland, driving through countryside toward Stratford-upon-Avon. There you can walk through Shakespeare's birthplace and check out the Royal Shakespeare Company theatres. From there, stop at Ironbridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you'll see the world's first iron bridge spanning the River Severn. The day ends in Shrewsbury, a charming market town surrounded by the river and filled with distinctive black and white Tudor buildings that line the streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Shakespeare's Tudor birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon
- Visit Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried
- Explore the Royal Shakespeare Company theatres
- Visit the Dirty Duck pub in Stratford-upon-Avon
- Learn about Ironbridge engineering and views of River Severn
Landmarks Shakespeare's Birthplace Holy Trinity Church Royal Shakespeare Company Ironbridge Dirty Duck Pub 
- Day 2
Wales - Shrewsbury
This is a full day trip into North Wales starting with Conwy and its medieval castle built by King Edward I in the 13th century, where battlements offer views across the coast. You'll then drive through Snowdonia National Park and cross the Pass of Llanberis for glimpses of Snowdon, Wales's highest peak. The route takes you through dramatic mountain scenery with plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the landscape. By evening you're back in Shrewsbury, having seen the areas connected to the rebellious Welsh leader Owain Glyndwr.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entrance to Conwy Castle
Optional Activities
- Explore Snowdonia National Park scenery
- Cross Pass of Llanberis
- View Snowdon peak
Landmarks Conwy Castle Snowdonia National Park Pass of Llanberis Snowdon 
- Day 3
Shrewsbury to York
Leaving Shrewsbury, you'll drive through the Peak District with its rolling countryside and quiet villages. Stop in Buxton to visit the Roman thermal springs and explore the spa town's Georgian architecture. Next comes Chatsworth House, the Duke of Devonshire's stately home featuring ornate gardens, extensive furniture collections, and paintings (included on departures from April 2026 onwards). The afternoon takes you through former industrial areas on your way to York, an ancient walled city with layers of Roman and Viking history built into its streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Entrance to Chatsworth House & Gardens (departures from April 2026 onwards)
Optional Activities
- Fill water bottle with crystal clear water from Buxton thermal springs
- Explore Peak District scenery
Landmarks Peak District National Park Buxton Chatsworth House 
- Day 4
York
You have choices today. If you prefer exploring on your own, wander York's historic streets, visit museums, walk the ancient city walls, and try cafes and restaurants throughout the city. Alternatively, join an optional guided half-day trip across the Yorkshire Dales to either Knaresborough or Ripon, where you'll see remote countryside scenery and village life. Either way, your evening is free to relax back in York and get dinner wherever you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore York independently - museums, historic city walls, cafes and restaurants
- Half-day guided trip to Yorkshire Dales market towns of Knaresborough or Ripon
Landmarks York City Walls Yorkshire Dales National Park Knaresborough Ripon - Day 5
North Yorkshire Moors - Whitby - Robin Hood's Bay - York
You'll have a free morning in York to do your own thing, then head out through North Yorkshire Moors National Park toward Whitby. This fishing town is worth checking out for fish and chips, and there's the Royal Hotel that supposedly inspired Bram Stoker when he wrote 'Dracula'. On your way back, stop by Robin Hood's Bay, a small seaside village with narrow winding lanes and nice coastal views along the cliffs. You'll return to York for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Royal Hotel in Whitby (where Bram Stoker conceived the idea for 'Dracula')
Optional Activities
- Traditional fish and chips lunch in Whitby
- Explore steep lanes and enjoy coastal views in Robin Hood's Bay
Landmarks North Yorkshire Moors National Park Whitby Royal Hotel, Whitby Robin Hood's Bay 
- Day 6
York to Keswick
Leaving York, you'll travel west into Yorkshire Dales with rolling hills and open countryside surrounding you. The landscape here has a lot of natural character with those Northern Dales features. After driving through the scenic areas, you'll reach Keswick, which is a market town sitting right in the Lake District. The town's surrounded by lakes and dramatic peaks, making it a good base for exploring that part of the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Yorkshire Dales National Park Northern Dales Keswick Lake District - Day 7
Coast - York
A new driver picks up the group this morning, and some travelers may head back to London. After a free morning in York, you'll drive east toward the North Sea coast through the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Stop in Whitby, a working fishing town, to grab traditional fish and chips for lunch and visit the Royal Hotel where Bram Stoker developed ideas for 'Dracula'. Later, head to Robin Hood's Bay, a charming seaside village with steep narrow lanes and coastal views. You'll return to York by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Enjoy traditional fish and chips lunch in Whitby
- Visit the Royal Hotel in Whitby
- Explore Robin Hood's Bay village
Landmarks North Yorkshire Moors National Park Whitby Royal Hotel Robin Hood's Bay 
- Day 8
York to Keswick
Heading west from York, you'll enter the Yorkshire Dales National Park, an area known for wildlife, rolling scenery, and cultural history. Driving through the Northern Dales, you'll see outstanding natural landscapes with hills and valleys. By the end of the day you reach Keswick, a market town in the Lake District surrounded by lakes and rugged peaks, which becomes your base for exploring the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Yorkshire Dales National Park scenery
Landmarks Yorkshire Dales National Park Lake District
