England's Cornwall & the Cotswolds

Welcome to England and its lively capital, London! One of the world's most visited cities, London is rich in history and filled with antiquity. Home to instantly recognisable landmarks including the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London, this city flaunts exceptional architecture and charming style.

We don't want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don't, we recommend you arrive at your starting destination by 3.30pm.

We'll join our fellow travellers and our tour director for a brief orientation this afternoon, walking through the streets of Islington via Regents Canal, before making our way to a local restaurant to enjoy our welcome dinner.

A historic market town with a rich history dating back as far as the Iron Age, Dorchester is our destination today. Immersed in the picturesque landscapes of rural England, this charming town served as the inspiration for many of Thomas Hardy's literary works.

This morning we'll make our way to Amesbury where we'll discover one of the most iconic and enigmatic sites in the United Kingdom: Stonehenge. This prehistoric megalithic structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and we'll enjoy time to explore the monument, pondering the purpose behind its awe-inspiring construction.

During our travels to Dorchester, we'll travel to the medieval city of Salisbury and visit its impressive cathedral. We enjoy free time to explore the city and grab a bite to eat for lunch. Next, we'll stop to view the Poundbury, an urban development built in the mid-1990s according to the principles of the Prince of Wales before making our way to Dorchester.

After checking into our hotel this evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Our morning kicks off with a delightful exploration of Dorset County's scenic viewpoints. We'll begin at the West Beach Lookout, soaking in panoramic views of the coastline. Next, we'll make a stop at Bridport, famous as the backdrop for the "Broadchurch" TV series, for a photo stop. Then, we'll head to Hive Beach for a cliff view lookout experience, marvelling at the rugged beauty of the coast before enjoying some free time at the National Trust Cafe to grab a snack or a hot drink.

We'll make our way to Abbotsbury Swannery, nestled near the village of Abbotsbury in Dorset. This is a unique sanctuary where visitors can walk amidst a colony of free-flying mute swans. With its rich history dating back to the 11th century, this picturesque Abbotsbury Swannery offers an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers alike.

Our journey continues to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, a verdant oasis established in 1765 by the 1st Countess of Ilchester, Elizabeth Fox-Strangeways. Spanning over 30 acres, this lush and exotic botanical paradise boasts a diverse plant collection, breathtaking landscapes, and a unique microclimate.

As we make our way back to our hotel this afternoon, we'll make a photo stop at Chesil Beach, a remarkable shingle beach on the south coast.

Nestled in the southwestern part of England, North Devon is our destination today. A significant part of North Devon is covered by Exmoor National Park offering enchanting landscapes, picturesque coastline, and charming villages.

We say farewell to Dorchester after breakfast and make our way to Montacute House, an Elizabethan mansion found in the picturesque English countryside. Built in 1598 and inhabited by the same family until 1911, Montacute House is today a frequent filming location for movies and TV shows. We'll visit the house and its impeccably manicured gardens before continuing to the medieval village of Dunster. Here, we'll explore the village, renowned as one of England's best-preserved medieval gems, strolling through its picturesque streets and admiring its captivating castle.

Special Experience: Experience Exmoor National Park's breathtaking beauty on a walk along the South West Coast Path, followed by a delightful English cream tea.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Located on the rugged southwestern tip of England, you'll find Cornwall. With coasts lined by towering cliffs, picturesque harbours, stunning beaches and seaside resorts, Cornwall is one of England's most breathtaking regions.

This morning we head south, stopping in Tintagel, home to the remarkable Tintagel Castle. Set on a spectacular cliff-edge on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, the scenery of Tintagel Castle combined with the rich history and the legend of King Arthur, makes for a magical visit. We'll visit the castle and delve into its fascinating past as we explore the enduring remnants that have withstood the test of time for centuries. In addition, we'll also explore Merlin's Cave, which lies beneath the castle and, legend has it, was once home to Merlin the wizard of Arthurian legend.

Next, we make our way to Port Isaac, a small fishing village and popular holiday destination for locals. Here, we'll embark on a leisurely stroll along the cliffs and take in the landscape that surrounds us. Enjoy free time to explore the village at your own pace before making our way to Padstow.

It's time to satisfy our appetites! In Padstow, a working fishing port and charming town, we'll have ample free time to find a delightful spot for lunch. Home to the traditional Cornish pasty, why not indulge in this delicious pastry, endorsed by the Cornish Pasty Association.

We will proceed to Cornwall this afternoon.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Today we'll explore nearby towns and villages. Our first stop is the crown of Cornwall, St Ives, famous for its surf beaches and art scene. This popular seaside town located on a stunning fishing harbor has a charming atmosphere with cobblestone streets, fisherman's cottages, and a vibrant range of shops, cafes and restaurants.

Next, we make our way to Bottallack to witness some of Cornwall's most dramatic scenery. We see the ruins of the Crown's engine houses that famously cling to the cliffs and learn more about the former submarine mine of Botallack.

Not far away in the town of Porthcurno we'll see the open-air Minack Theatre. Despite its ancient appearance, this open-air theatre was, in fact, brought to life in the previous century through the visionary and resolute efforts of Rowena Cade. Take in the remarkable views and learn more about this unique cliff-top theatre which still hosts more than 200 live performances a year.

Our last stop for today is to view Saint Michael's Mount, an island off the coast of Cornwall, home to a tiny village and castle that rises out of the island.

Home to one of the world's best-preserved Roman bathhouses, incredible architecture and a vibrant culture, England's city of Bath is an eclectic mix of old and new.

Before arriving in Bath, we'll make our way to Taunton to visit a local cider farm.

Special Experience: Visit Sheppy's Cider Farm for a tour of the apple orchard and tasting of its delicious range of products.

After some free time for lunch, we'll travel to the quirky town of Glastonbury, famous for the Glastonbury festival attracting thousands of visitors from around the world each year. Here we will see the dramatic Glastonbury Tor. The much-loved Somerset landmark is surrounded by various myths and legends and can be seen for miles around the countryside. On top of the Tor stands the remains of Saint Michael's Tower.

We'll take in the spectacular views and relish some leisurely moments in the town. This provides an opportunity to freely wander through the myriad of stores and delve into the enchantment of the historic Glastonbury Abbey. Arriving in Bath, the evening is at leisure.

Today is at leisure for you to explore Bath at your own pace. Why not visit the famous Roman Baths? As one of the most impeccably preserved Roman bathhouses worldwide, these Baths stand as a testament to the extraordinary religious spas of antiquity. Today, the city's thermal springs continue to rise into the Baths that flow with the natural hot water.

Later this afternoon we'll drop into a local pub and experience the nostalgic charm of skittles, a cherished traditional game found in pubs across the United Kingdom, reminiscent of the popular sport of ten-pin bowling. With origins dating back to Ancient Egypt, this beloved pastime involves teams skilfully aiming wooden balls to topple nine pins. Engaging in friendly competition, we relish the cosy ambiance of the pub, before spending our evening at leisure.

Our destination today is Cirencester, often referred to as the “Capital of the Cotswolds.” The market town sits on the River Churn and has a rich history including its Roman Heritage.

On our way to Cirencester we'll stop in the village of Avebury to visit the largest stone circle in England. The Avebury henge and stone circles, built between 2850 BC and 2200 BC, lay claim to thousands of years of history. Enjoy a walk through the stones, admiring their history and the efforts of the people who erected them all those years ago. We continue to Cirencester and check in to our charming property, where the evening is at our leisure.

Today we will explore the beautiful Cotswolds region, relishing its picturesque landscapes and enchanting villages. We'll begin the day in the delightful town of Bibury, where we'll immerse ourselves in its beauty, particularly admiring the iconic Arlington Row. This row of 17th-century weavers' cottages with their honey-coloured stone walls and steep roofs are often depicted on the inside cover of British passports.

We continue on to Chedworth where we'll visit the Chedworth Roman Villa, one of the largest and most elaborate Roman villas discovered in Britain. Constructed in stages from the early 2nd century to the 5th century, it serves as a captivating historical landmark providing valuable insights into Roman life and architectural techniques. Moreover, Chedworth Villa features two bath suites adorned with elaborate mosaics and hosts a museum showcasing local artifacts unearthed during excavation, solidifying its status as one of England's most comprehensive and intact Roman villas.

We return to Cirencester and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Today, we're headed to Oxford, celebrated for its prestigious University of Oxford, boasting a rich history of over 800 years. The city itself has a bustling cosmopolitan vibe, with cobbled lanes, historic pubs, and an abundance of Gothic spires and listed buildings. En route to Oxford, we'll make stops at some charming villages along the way.

Our first stop is Stow-on-the-Wold a delightful Cotswold town. We'll have the chance to wander through its historic market square, browse unique shops, and check out local attractions.

This afternoon we'll visit Blenheim Palace, a stunning country house built between 1705 and 1722. It is famous for being the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and stands as a remarkable example of English Baroque architecture.

Special Experience: We'll visit the magnificent country house, Blenheim Palace, exploring its stunning park, beautiful gardens and learning about its rich history. And sit down for a lovely afternoon tea in The Orangery Restaurant.

We continue to Oxford and check in to our hotel. Tonight, we'll enjoy a delicious farewell dinner, reminiscing on all the memories we've made on tour.

We'll kick off the day with a walking tour of Oxford with a local guide, where we'll immerse ourselves in the city's history and iconic landmarks. Afterwards, we'll have some free time to grab lunch and explore Oxford's food scene at our own pace.

Our tour concludes this evening when we reach London around 5:00pm, where we'll say a fond farewell to the beautiful country of England and our newfound friends.