Overview
Itinerary
Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from your Windsor hotel. Venture to see the splendors of Windsor Castle, a residence of the King, and the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group, and dine and explore this intriguing medieval town as you wish this evening.
Travel to Blenheim Palace, the magnificent country house once home to Winston Churchill and often seen as the setting for popular TV shows and movies; tour the house and explore the gardens. Set off on a drive through the rolling hills of the quintessentially English Cotswolds, with charming villages and colorful gardens. Arrive in Bath, a striking city of honey-colored Georgian buildings with an ancient heritage. Take a walking tour of the city before visiting the famed Roman Baths. Dine at your hotel this evening. (B/D)
Visit prehistoric Stonehenge and marvel at the vast monoliths mysteriously erected 5,000 years ago. Head to the medieval city of Salisbury, with free time for lunch and sightseeing. Along with charming local shops, Salisbury boasts a splendid 13th-century cathedral housing the world's oldest working clock. Head back to Bath, where your evening is free to explore and dine as you wish. (B)
Visit Winchester, where some say the legendary King Arthur had his roundtable. Delve into nautical life at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, where you can see the Mary Rose, King Henry VIII's favorite ship, which sank in 1545. Enjoy dinner at your seafront hotel in Brighton, a friendly, creative city that's been a popular resort area for centuries. (B/D)
Visit Birling Gap for a gentle cliff walk. Head to Royal Tunbridge Wells, a delightful old spa town, for free time to discover its exquisite Georgian and Victorian architecture and charming shops and pubs. Stroll through Sissinghurst Castle Garden, one of the finest in England; then on to your hotel for dinner. (B/D)
Journey to the beautiful city of Canterbury. Take time to explore its medieval center before visiting its imposing cathedral and hearing some of its enthralling tales. Proceed to romantic Leeds Castle in Kent, once called “the loveliest castle in the world”. Tour this storybook structure, complete with a moat, and discover its colorful gardens. Dine with your group in London. (B/D)
Visit Kensington Palace, the home of Prince William and Princess Kate. Savor a light lunch before spending the rest of the day exploring London as you wish. Dine independently this evening. (B/L)
Depart London and head to the Roman city of St Albans or 17th-century Hatfield House, depending on your departure date. Next, visit the Cambridge American Cemetery, honoring the thousands of American soldiers who gave their lives in World War II.
Continue on to Cambridge for a sightseeing trip on the River Cam, as you go punting on a traditional flat-bottomed boat. Your evening is free to explore as you wish. (B)
Head to Lincoln, with its towering cathedral and castle overlooking the city. Stop in a pub for a traditional Sunday roast lunch. Arrive in York, an ancient city of narrow cobbled streets, charming tearooms, quaint old pubs, and intriguing medieval churches. Your tour director will bring you on a walking tour, then enjoy the rest of the day free for exploring. (B/L)
Visit the old fishing town of Whitby. Tour its pretty harbor and cobbled streets with your tour director before departing for Castle Howard, a 300-year-old stately home that has been the setting for numerous film and TV productions, including the hit show “Bridgerton”. Head back to York and visit York Minster, a Gothic cathedral resplendent with medieval stained glass. (B/D)
Take a scenic drive through the lush green splendor of the Yorkshire Dales, pausing in the romantic market town of Richmond. In the famously beautiful Lake District, enjoy free time for lunch in Keswick. Visit The Lakes Distillery, producers of whisky, gin, and vodka picturesquely located in a 160-year-old farmstead on the banks of the River Derwent. Have dinner with your group tonight at your hotel near the banks of Lake Windermere. (B/D)
Take a short scenic cruise on England's largest lake, Windermere, seeing mountain vistas, wooded isles, and lakeside villages. Enjoy a walking tour of fun, friendly Liverpool – birthplace of the Beatles – followed by free time to explore on your own. You might check out the many attractions around the Albert Dock, including the Beatles Story, the Tate Liverpool, and the Merseyside Maritime Museum. (B)
In Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare's hometown, visit Anne Hathaway's Cottage where The Bard's wife was born. The 500-year-old thatched house is surrounded by lovely gardens. Drive to Oxford to discover this storied university city on a walking tour with your tour director. Enjoy a farewell dinner with your group. (B/D)
Your program ends after breakfast. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Cruise on Windermere: Enjoy gorgeous views from the crystal blue water of England's largest lake.
- Stonehenge: See these ancient, legendary stone monoliths, among the world's most iconic and mysterious sights.
- York Minster: Explore this masterpiece of Gothic cathedral architecture, which boasts the world's largest expanse of medieval stained glass.
- Windsor Castle: Visit the Queen's magnificent home, the longest-occupied palace in all of Europe.
- Blenheim Palace: Visit the gilded State Rooms with their priceless collections of portraits, tapestries and furniture, and an exhibition devoted to the palace's most famous son, Winston Churchill.
- Roman Baths: Explore the thermal springs, walk on the original Roman pavements, and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva in one of the best preserved religious spas of the ancient world.
- Punting on the River Cam: Enjoy views of the colleges of Cambridge university as you travel back to your hotel along the water.
- Canterbury Cathedral: Visit this vast and awe-inspiring cathedral, one of the oldest Christian structures in England and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- 13 Breakfasts (B), 2 Lunches (L) and 7 Dinners (D)
- Castle Hotel Windsor (4 Stars)
- DoubleTree by Hilton Bath (4 Stars)
- DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole (4 Stars)
- Chilston Park Hotel (4 Stars)
- 100 Queen's Gate Hotel London, Curio Collection by Hilton (4 Stars)
- Hilton Cambridge City Centre (4 Stars)
- Hilton York (3 Stars)
- Briery Wood Country House Hotel (4 Stars)
- Hotel Indigo Liverpool (4 Stars)
- DoubleTree by Hilton Oxford Belfry Hotel (4 stars)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Each of our holidays are stress-free, with no surprise hidden fees, and plenty of fun for all ages. Read more
CIE Tours could not exist without our great locally employed tour directors - they are the envy of the travel industry. Read more
CIE Tours uses three classes of hotels – first class, superior first class & deluxe properties. Read more
Brochure
CIE Ireland & Britain (2025)
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by CIE Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from CIE Tours. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Similar Tours
