Elegance of Great Britain
13 Day Tour of Scotland & England | Operated by InsightVacations
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13 Days
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2 Countries
England, Scotland -
11 Cities
London, Edinburgh, Ardgowan House, Gretna Green, Windermere, Lake District National Park, York, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, Stonehenge, Salisbury -
18 Meals
12 Breakfasts, 4 Dinner with Wines, 1 Afternoon Tea, 1 Dinner -
Pace: Comfortable
Mainly 2–3-night stays in each location. Comfortable travel days with numerous stops. Requires 1-3 miles of walking per day that might involve some uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones and stairs.
Trip Itinerary
Welcome to London. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free to enjoy a city that is famous for its pomp and pageantry. Perhaps relax with a walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park or window shop in the elegant boutiques of Knightsbridge? Alternatively, you may want to stroll along the Thames to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
In the morning, transfer to the train station and take your comfortable, standard-class seats. Your cross-country journey takes you through the green English countryside as you travel to Scotland - land of legends and romance. You are then transferred to your Edinburgh hotel, where the rest of the day is yours to relax. Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers at 16:30 for a Welcome Dinner and the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers over a pleasant evening.
Join a Local Expert to see the highlights of the city. Enjoy a drive along Princes Street to the ornate Scott Memorial and see the 18th century New Town with its neoclassical Adam facades. Over in the Old Town, see the Palace of Holyroodhouse and visit the castle, home of Mons Meg, the Stone of Destiny and the Honours of Scotland, Scotland's glittering Crown Jewels. With the afternoon at leisure, why not visit the art treasures in the National Gallery? On select departures, you will also attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo — a colorful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Depart the majestic Scottish capital and journey to Ardgowan, set on a stunning 10,000-acre coastal estate. Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart welcomes you to his family castle. Learn the history of the area, the Shaw Stewart family and the conservation efforts to protect the land on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, followed by a degustation of traditional Scottish tea and scones. Continue to Gretna Green to see the famous spot where runaway lovers were married at the blacksmith's shop. Your travels continue to the picturesque English Lake District.
Devote the day to a scenic wonderland of rugged mountains and tranquil waters - inspiration to a host of English poets.
Visit Wordsworth’s grave in the small churchyard at Grasmere.
Appreciate the scenic beauty of the English Lake District on a relaxing cruise admiring the magnificent views of rugged mountains, secluded bays and wooded islands. Then, embark on a nostalgic steam train ride along the banks of the beautiful River Leven.
Enjoy a morning at leisure before traveling through the Yorkshire Dales to arrive at the charming village of Haworth. Visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum, created within the home of the Brontë family. Learn about the family's literary legacy and what inspired them from the surroundings of their own home. Your journey continues to York, one of the oldest cities in England. In the evening join a family for a home-hosted meal at the historic Thirsk Hall. This grade II* listed three-storey town house was built in 1720 and extended in 1770 by York architect John Carr.
Enjoy an exploration of one of Britain’s most historic cities, controlled by the Vikings during the 9th and 10th centuries and now renowned for its exquisite architecture. Walk within the town walls with a Local Expert to see the York Minster, Britain’s largest medieval cathedral. Explore the tangle of narrow, cobbled streets and see the Shambles. Spend the afternoon with Insight Choice. Visit the National Railway Museum housing over 300 years of history, or the magnificent York Minster, one of the largest in Northern Europe.
Visit Lincoln Castle, one of the finest Norman castles in England. Your tour will include a chance to see one of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta. Continue to Stratford, beautifully situated on the River Avon. Your hotel is set in its own private grounds, just a short walk from the Royal Shakespeare Theater and the town's black and white timber-framed buildings.
Discover how William Shakespeare and his incredible works continue to delight audiences today when you visit his birthplace, full of interesting memorabilia and artefacts relating to his life. Later, join your Travel Director for a traditional Sunday roast dinner, served with Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings.
An enchanting day awaits in the morning. Cross the beautiful Cotswold hills, a chocolate box scene of golden stone villages with roses around the doors. Visit the magnificent stately home and gardens of Blenheim Palace, the greatest building of the English Baroque, and learn more about Churchill's life at Blenheim during a talk by a historian. Continue to the elegant Georgian city of Bath, built in amphitheater style on the surrounding hills. Your Travel Director introduces you to the Pulteney Bridge, built in mellow local stone.
The City of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built above one of Britain's thermal, mineral springs. Enjoy a visit to its incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths. With the rest of the day at leisure, why not soak and relax with a visit to Thermae Spa? In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers as you raise a glass over your Celebration Dinner to commend your wonderful journey.
Travel across Salisbury Plain to visit the prehistoric and mysterious Stonehenge, where the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths are reputed to be up to 5,000 years old. Continue into the heart of Wiltshire to the city of Salisbury where you have time at leisure to enjoy lunch and explore. See the tallest spire in England, atop the medieval cathedral, and observe an architectural timeline from the city's medieval walls and half-timbered Tudor town houses to Georgian mansions and Victorian villas. Upon arrival in London you are at leisure for the rest of the afternoon.
Your journey comes to an end after breakfast.
Price Includes
Dining Summary- - 12 Breakfasts (B)
- - 4 Dinner with Wines (DW)
- - 1 Afternoon Tea (AT)
- - 1 Dinner (D)
- Take your comfortable, standard-class seats and relax as your cross-country journey takes you through the green English countryside to Scotland - land of legends and romance.
- Your Local Expert walks with you inside the walls of the Edinburgh Castle to view the Scottish Crown Jewels, Mons Meg and other artefacts.
- Explore the city with your Local Expert 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.
- A hush descends and eyes turn to the castle. The skirl of the pipes rises and drums crack the night air as a tide of tunics and tartan flood from the drawbridge. For a limited time in August, witness the incredible spectacle of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
- Visit the spot where runaway lovers were married.
- Learn about the life of the poet William Wordsworth and visit his grave.
- The best way to enjoy the Lake District is by cruise, relax as you admire the magnificent views.
- Board a steam train and journey along the banks of the beautiful River Leven.
- A visit to the Brontë Parsonage Museum provides a fascinating insight into the life of the Brontë family and the inspiration behind their marvelous works of literature.
- Walk with your Local Expert to see the might York Minster and wander the maze of cobbled streets to see the Shambles.
- Visit the National Railway Museum, housing over 300 years of history, and home to iconic locomotives and an unrivaled collection of engineering brilliance. We celebrate the past, present and future of innovation on the railways.
- Delve into the historic and human stories which have shaped the Minster we see today. Explore the cathedral’s rich history, from the Roman Emperor who changed the course of Christianity, to the fires which threatened to destroy the cathedral.
- Visit Lincoln Castle and admire one of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta, which is over 800 years old.
- 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.
- During an orientation you will see the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey.
- Walk around the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths that have reputedly stood for 5,000 years.
- During your free time for lunch, take a moment to explore this historical city. See the tallest spire in England, atop the Medieval cathedral and walk the streets to observe an architectural timeline from the city's medieval walls and half-timbered Tudor town houses to Georgian mansions and Victorian villas.
- Get to know your fellow travelers over your Welcome Dinner of modern European cuisine and wine, at a chic bistro tucked away in New Town.
- Join a family for a dine at home meal at the historic Thirsk Hall. This Grade II* listed building was extended in 1770 by famous English architect John Carr.
- Enjoy a traditional Sunday Roast Dinner, with all the trimmings.
- Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers at Brasserie Blanc. Raise a glass over your Celebration Dinner to commend your wonderful journey, while enjoying a delicious French-inspired meal accompanied with wine.
- Join Sir Ludovic for a tour of his family home, Ardgowan Estate, and savor a traditional Scottish tea made from local ingredients. Hear more about centuries of history onthe beautiful grounds during the Make Travel Matter experience. Your visit helps support the estate, helping keep Scottish history alive. The Estate educates its visitors and the local rural community about their sustainability initiatives, reducing food waste and sourcing all ingredients locally to support the local economy. Ardgowan Estate invests in renewable projects including a wood bio mass boiler, a gas plant and wind turbines, to create a greener, more sustainable future. Ardgowan Estate advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production and UN Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy.
- Visit the incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths. Discover 2000 years of history and learn how this hub of culture is pioneering new educational investments to benefit the community. Its school educational program actively supports local schools and students to learn about the cultural heritage of the region. The Roman Baths experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.
- Witness a masterpiece of the English Baroque, brimming with priceless art and tapestries, and learn more about Churchill's life at Blenheim during a talk by a historian.
Optional Experiences
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Royal Edinburgh (Available on Day 2)We’ll enjoy views of the Queen's Park and take in a spectacular panorama of Scotland’s Capital before arriving at Holyrood Palace - the King’s official home in Scotland. Our Local Expert will bring its ancient stories to life before a leisurely visit through the official rooms of the palace.
Adult Price: £44 Dinner In Edinburgh (Available on Day 2)
Edinburgh has more eateries per head than any other city in the UK and your Travel Director knows which ones shine and which ones to shun! Join your fellow companions for a fun evening out in this vibrant city. Visit a prized local restaurant for a delicious three course dinner with a glass of wine, beer or soft drink included.
Adult Price: £59 Ceilidh Evening and Dinner at Ghillie Dhu (Available on Day 2)Experience the best of Scottish tradition at Ghillie Dhu, where we'll be welcomed by a Scottish piper and enjoy a welcome drink before settling in for a delicious three-course meal and live Ceilidh music. And you can't miss the iconic Piping in the Haggis ceremony, a true highlight of the Scottish experience.
Adult Price: £85 Elizabethan Levens Hall & Topiary Gardens (Available on Day 4)Join us this morning as we visit Levens Hall, a beautiful privately-owned house, steeped in Elizabethan history and renowned for it's topiary gardens.
Adult Price: £27 Dinner and Ghost Walk (Available on Day 6)Beginning with a drink and a delicious meal in a local restaurant, you'll then discover tales of murder and mystery from the 2000-year-old Roman city of York as you take a stroll with the local ghost hunter.
Adult Price: £49 Stratford Dinner (Available on Day 7)Enjoy an evening of cozy comfort in an historic country English pub that dates back to the 1600s. Dinner includes a three-course menu with some traditional favorites washed down with a local ale or glass of wine.
Adult Price: £46 Shakespeare's Schoolhouse Experience (Available on Day 8)Today we'll visit Stratford's medieval guildhall and attend a lesson at Shakespeare's schoolhouse, in the very room where he sat as a pupil in the 1570's, before enjoying scones with cream and a glass of bubbly.
Adult Price: £37 Georgian Walking Tour & Afternoon Tea (Available on Day 10)As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Bath is a unique city bursting with history from the Romans to 18th-century Georgians. There's no better way to bring the history of this beautiful city to life than with a knowledgeable Local Expert. You'll discover some of Bath's most celebrated landmarks, beautiful Georgian houses, and charming cobbled alleyways. Complete the experience in true British style with an afternoon tea in the oldest house in Bath dating back to 1482. Try a local specialty - the famous Sally Lunn bun - a favorite of residents and visitors alike, including Jane Austen!
Adult Price: £41