Best of Britain – August 16 to October 11, 2025 (11 Days) - From £2,635

Europe United Kingdom
OVERVIEW
Explore the Best of Britain on this incredible trip across England, Scotland and Wales, and travel over the sea to the Isle of Skye. Imagine life as a Benedictine monk at Buckfast Abbey, feel the hope of brave pilgrims in Plymouth and be inspired by the beauty of Lake Windermere.
EXPERIENCES
Alnwick: See the impressive Alnwick Castle and Tenantry Column during a visit of this traditional county town.

Bath: Admire UNESCO-listed Bath, with its elegant Georgian façades and the bimillennial Roman Baths from which the city takes its name.

Bath: Explore one of Britain’s best-preserved Roman sites, a bathing and temple complex fed by natural hot springs that still flow today. Walk at your own pace through centuries of history in the heart of Bath. This was once the city’s social centre, where Romans gathered to bathe, worship and connect.

Cardiff: Learn more about Wales' capital and cultural hub, Cardiff, as you enjoy an orientation of this vibrant city with your Travel Director.

Chester: See the Jubilee Clock, cathedral, city walls, and famous black and white Rows.

Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Specialist as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Fort William: Enjoy an excellent view of Ben Nevis from the World War II Commando Memorial.

Glasgow: See the grand public buildings of Glasgow, including George Square.

Glastonbury: Visit the historic Glastonbury Abbey. Founded in the 7th century, its ruins are now registered as a Grade I listed building.

Glencoe: Drive through this Highland village on Loch Leven.

Gretna Green: Visit the famous spot where runaway lovers were married.

Lake District: Drive through the hauntingly beautiful Lakes District, immortalised by literary greats of the Romantic Movement.

Liverpool: Join a Local Specialist to gain insight into Liverpool's history.

Ludlow: Explore the narrow streets and lanes in front of the castle. Admire the medieval timber-framed buildings and Tudor architecture.

Pitlochry: Visit Pitlochry, famous for its salmon leap.

Plymouth: During an orientation tour with your Travel Director, see Plymouth Hoe and the Citadel before continuing to the Barbican and Mayflower Steps.

Scottish Highlands: Take in the beauty of the Highlands on a scenic drive past glens, lochs and dramatic peaks. Watch the landscape shift as you travel deeper into one of Scotland’s most striking regions.

St. Andrews: Visit the university town where the famous beach scene from 'Chariots of Fire' was filmed and see the golf course where the sport was created.

Stonehenge: Walk around the strange and awe-inspiring megaliths that have reputedly stood for 5,000 years.

Stratford-upon-Avon: Learn about the life of William Shakespeare, arguably history's most famous writer, when you visit his birthplace. Then enjoy some time to explore this pretty town with its iconic Tudor houses.

York: Your Travel Director will show you the York Minster, the city walls and the medieval Shambles during your orientation of the city.
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
Tour
Departs		 Tour
Returns		 Starting From
(price per person)		 Definite Departure
What's this?		 Book Now!
03/09/2025 13/09/2025 £2,995 Book
06/09/2025 16/09/2025 £2,950 Book
13/09/2025 23/09/2025 £2,895 Book
20/09/2025 30/09/2025 £3,095 Book
27/09/2025 07/10/2025 £2,895 Book
View Our Dates
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Mercure Southgate - Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Mercure Southgate - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Leonardo Cardiff, Leonardo Bristol City - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4: Leonardo Liverpool, Leonardo Manchester Piccadilly - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: Novotel, Crowne Plaza - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6: Laggan, Craiglynne - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7: Laggan, Craiglynne - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8: Delta by Marriott - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9: Delta by Marriott - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10: Novotel Centre - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • London: The services of a Trafalgar Local Host when you stay at Trafalgar's recommended London hotel
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Must-see sightseeing
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
  • Optional Experiences and free time
ITINERARY

Meet your Travel Director and commence your journey through the rolling green and golden landscapes of rural Wiltshire to Salisbury Plain. We tread in the footsteps of druids and pagans at Stonehenge, before travelling to UNESCO-listed Bath with its elegant Georgian façades and the centuries-old Roman Baths. Your home for the next two nights is the historic cathedral city of Exeter, where you will enjoy dinner this evening at your hotel.

Our first stop today is in the ancient port city of Plymouth, where we’ll delve into the history of the brave Pilgrim Fathers who set sail for an unknown New World from its shores. See the Royal Citadel overlooking Plymouth Sound and consider an optional cruise around the dramatic coastline. We take a step back in time at our next stop – the delightful village of Polperro. Continuing along the brooding moorland of Dartmoor, we arrive at Buckfast Abbey, where we’ll Dive Into Culture and discover how Benedictine monks have lived and prayed here for over 1,000 years.

Enjoy a scenic drive through the pretty Devon and Somerset countryside to mystical Glastonbury, where we'll visit the ruined Abbey, said to be the final resting place of King Arthur. Your journey back to a time of knights, lords and ladies is just beginning and you’ll head to Somerset for an unforgettable experience with Ian and Ann Dyer who are your warm Be My Guest hosts on their modern-day dairy farm, where guests will get to see the ancient manor which was mentioned in the Domesday book of 1085. The Dyers both hail from old farming families and you’ll learn what life is like in the rural countryside and the historical significance of their home over a lunch featuring family favourites prepared by keen cook, Ann. We journey to Cardiff, the capital of Wales, where we'll explore the proud heritage of the Welsh and modern icons, including the Principality Stadium during an orientation tour.

Tudor history is explored this morning as we visit the historic towns of Ludlow and Chester with their characteristic black-and-white half-timbered buildings. Join your Travel Director for an orientation walk past these famous Tudor Rows and enjoy views of Chester's medieval city walls and red sandstone cathedral. The haunt of the 'Fab Four' is our final stop today. Join a Local Specialist to gain insight into Liverpool's Beatles' history and enjoy a free evening in one of Britain's edgiest cities.

Rolling Lancashire pastures give way to the soul-stirring Lake District, whose beautiful scenery has inspired poets and writers for centuries. We travel along the shores of Lake Windermere, through countryside made famous by the poet William Wordsworth. Stop in Gretna Green on the Scottish border, where many eloping couples have tied the knot. We arrive in Glasgow later for an orientation tour, including views of the Cathedral, magnificent George Square and the Clyde River, the former heart of the shipbuilding industry. This evening, enjoy locally-sourced flavours at Mharsanta restaurant during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

Journey along Loch Lomond, whose Bonnie Banks were immortalised in the well-known Scottish song. We arrive in Glencoe and remember the MacDonald clansmen who died tragically in the 1692 massacre which led this place to be called the 'Glen of Weeping'. At the World War II Commando Memorial near Fort William, we admire views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Our day in beautiful surrounds comes to an end with a cosy dinner at our hotel located within the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands.

Travel to the Isle of Skye, where a Local Specialist takes you to visit Portree where you can admire the backdrop of the Cuillin Mountains. Later, cross back to the mainland to view scenic Eilean Donan Castle. Travel through the Scottish Highlands past its picturesque lochs and glens, keeping your camera at the ready to capture ‘Nessie’ if you can.

Heading back to the lowlands of Scotland, we stop in Pitlochry before heading to the historic home of golf, St. Andrews. Here, the first games were played during the 1400s. See its famous 18th hole before crossing the Firth of Forth to Scotland's enchanting capital, Edinburgh. Tickets to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that align with performance dates.

Ramble up the Royal Mile today and see the iconic sights of one of Britain's most enchanting cities. The elegant Palace of Holyroodhouse, in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, and the Scottish Parliament feature on your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Visit Edinburgh Castle perched atop Castle Rock overlooking the city. Admire the elegant Georgian architecture in the New Town and amble through the hidden passages of the Old Town before enjoying an evening at leisure. Consider an Optional Experience including traditional song, dance and Scottish fare.

We travel to the medieval market town of Alnwick this morning, where we'll see the impressive castle home to the Duke of Northumberland and the Tenantry Column, upon which the Percy Lion sits and surveys the town. Journey through Northumberland to the cathedral city of York. We’ll embark an orientation walk past its cobblestone Shambles and see the inspiring Minster with its 'heart of Yorkshire' before joining our newfound friends for dinner.

Shakespeare's legacy and life are celebrated in his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon, which you will have an opportunity to visit today. See Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Centre. Later, travel back to London where your amazing holiday comes to an end.
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