Day 1 : Oxford, the Cotswolds and Bath
Welcome to England. From lush green rolling hills to old-world villages, this pretty country surprises and delights at every corner. You’ll be picked up from the hotel in London before making your way along the scenic Great West Way road to Oxford. A city built to be discovered, Oxford is a wholesome image of leather-bound books, libraries, storybook buildings and picnics. Continue your journey on to the Cotswolds. Just as charming as Oxford, this breath-taking area is about as quintessentially British as it gets. Honey-coloured stone houses line the winding streets of the area’s most beautiful towns and villages, while rapeseed fields decorate this colourful part of the UK in splashes of gold. See the pretty market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, before heading to the historic city of Bath, with its Roman and Georgian architecture. Enjoy an orientation of the city, before ending your day with a delicious traditional Sunday roast at dinner.
Accommodation : Apex, Bath
Day 2 : Bath through the years Relaxed Start
After a relaxed start to enjoy the amenities at your hotel, begin your exploration of Bath. Having attained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1987, this unique city is famous for its Georgian and Victorian architecture and of course its Roman-built baths. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit the incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths, also an important hub of culture and education for the area. During free time perhaps learn more about the life of the esteemed author Jane Austen, who made Bath her home?
Accommodation : Apex, Bath
Day 3 : Brecon Beacons National Park
After a relaxed start you’ll move cities, and countries, as you make your way to Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Along the way you’ll visit the Brecon Beacons. A mountain range in South Wales, it is little surprise this striking location is a chosen destination for so many hikers and nature enthusiasts. Its old red sandstone cliffs hold a variety of plant life, including roseroot, green spleenwort and rue-leaved saxifrages, while its range of fauna includes otters, herons, kingfishers and the soaring red kite, which is the national bird of Wales. Visit the Brecon Beacons with Insight Choice. Choose to join your Local Expert for a foraging walk in the stunning surroundings of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Under her tuition she will show you how to reconnect with nature, and forage for edible and medicinal plants. Alternatively, visit a local kitchen garden for a peak into the freshest seasonal aromatics from the Brecon Beacons. After a morning in the great outdoors, rectify your lethargic bliss with a hearty Farm-to-Table pub lunch, where a delicious seasonal menu with local ingredients will be available. In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Cardiff, Wales’ cultural hub.
Accommodation : Clayton, Cardiff
Day 4 : Cardiff Relaxed Start
Enjoy a relaxed start this morning. Join your Travel Director for an orientation of this vibrant city. See Principality Stadium, home of Welsh Rugby, and Cardiff Castle. The rest of your day is at leisure.
Accommodation : Clayton, Cardiff
Day 5 : Glastonbury Abbey and Plymouth
Begin your day at the historic ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, an 8th-century monastery steeped in legend and now registered as a Grade I listed building. Continue to the port city of Plymouth in Devon, famous for its cobbled streets, gin distilleries and the Mayflower that transported the first English Puritans to the New World.
Accommodation : Crowne Plaza, Plymouth
Day 6 : Exploring the Southwest
Journey to the quaint coastal town of Looe, a holiday hotspot of the Victorian era. Admire Looe’s turquoise waters and sandy beach before continuing to St. Ives, where art galleries, surf shops and fashion boutiques line the quaint streets. Continue to Penzance, made famous by the comic opera "The Pirates of Penzance," which recounts the adventures of pirates who arrived at the city's shores in the late 18th century.
Accommodation : The Royal and Fortescue, Barnstaple
Day 7 : Legends of Cornwall
Admire the unspoiled maritime scenery of Cornwall as you begin your day in Tintagel, featured in the legendary tale of King Arthur and where, according to local lore, Arthur was born. Travel to Port Isaac, a pretty fishing village and popular filming location for British television programmes. Have your camera ready to capture stonework façades and coastline views during an orientation around the village. For lunch, visit Padstow and perhaps try traditional fish and chips before returning to Barnstaple.
Accommodation : The Royal and Fortescue, Barnstaple
Day 8 : Breathtaking National Parks Relaxed Start
Stop in the town of Lynmouth before journeying to Somerset's Exmoor National Park, a unique landscape of moorland, woodland and dramatic coastline. A protected Area of Outstanding Beauty, this stunning park is a mass of verdant open land, livestock and flora. Stop in Exmoor for lunch at your leisure. Your day ends at Bovey Castle. Nestled in the rolling valleys of Dartmoor National Park, this five-star accommodation stands amid 275 acres of picturesque countryside and offers an award-winning 18-hole golf course, two refurbished restaurants and individually-designed rooms. Unwind in this natural sanctuary as you enjoy the comforts of Bovey Castle. Tonight, catch up with your fellow travellers over dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation : Bovey Castle, Dartmoor
Day 9 : Country houses of Dorset Relaxed Start
Stop at Athelhampton, a 500-year-old Tudor Manor House in the heart of Dorset. Join Estate Manager Owen for a walk through one of the world’s greatest estates, and enjoy time at leisure to explore the tranquil Elizabethan gardens. Delight in a quintessential Devonshire high tea with freshly baked scones and sandwiches.
Accommodation : Summer Lodge Country House, Dorset
Day 10 : Jurassic Coast and Weymouth
Admire England's only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast, during a visit to Lulworth Cove. Stroll with an ice cream on the pebbled beach or learn about the unique geology at the Visitor Center. Travel to seaside Weymouth and enjoy time at leisure to explore the town while snacking on traditional 'seaside rock'. Perhaps join an optional visit to historic Nothe Fort with its ghost tunnel and rampart views. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a dinner of delicious local cuisine and wine.
Accommodation : Summer Lodge Country House, Dorset
Day 11 : Salisbury and Stonehenge
This morning, journey to iconic Stonehenge to appreciate the history, and mystery, of this prehistoric monument. The ring of standing stones is believed to have been constructed between 3000 BC and 2000 BC. It was made a legally protected Scheduled Ancient Monument in 1882 and, as one of Britain’s most celebrated sites, draws visitors from around the world. Continue to Salisbury and visit the 13th-century cathedral. Witness Britain's tallest spire and see the world's best-preserved original copy of the Magna Carta. Your tour through Wales, Devon and Cornwall comes to a end as you arrive at the London hotel.