London Uncovered & Highlights of Britain

Welcome to London! A smooth private transfer from the airport will whisk you straight to the heart of Westminster, one of the most storied neighbourhoods in the city. Even Buckingham Palace is closer than you might expect...

Tonight is for settling in. A two-course dinner and welcome drink is yours to enjoy at whichever of the hotel's three on-site restaurants takes your fancy – from something light and easy after a long flight, to a proper sit-down meal to mark the start of the journey ahead. Order at your own pace and prepare to uncover London's maritime secrets in the morning!

The Thames has carried everything through this city – trade, empire, royalty, rebellion – and this morning it carries you. Your local guide will meet you at the hotel before we board a riverboat and head downriver to Greenwich, the city opening up on either side in ways that streets and tube maps simply can't prepare you for.

On foot through the borough, your expert guide will bring to life a place that once stood at the very centre of the world – the point from which all longitude was measured, and through which Britain's seafaring empire flowed.

Inside the Old Royal Naval College, the Painted Hall awaits – known as 'Britain's Sistine Chapel', its walls and ceiling alive with allegorical figures and naval scenes that artist Sir James Thornhill spent 19 years completing. To stand beneath it is to feel the full ambition of an age that believed no gesture was too grand.

This afternoon is yours to wander Greenwich Market, pull up a chair at the Trafalgar Tavern, or seek out Goddard's for a proper plate of pie, mash and liquor – jellied eels on the side if you're feeling adventurous! When you're ready, a public riverboat will take you back at your leisure.

The London of today's walking tour is one that has barely changed in centuries – and that's precisely what makes it so absorbing. A local guide will meet you at your hotel and lead you into Westminster's quieter layers: away from the ceremonial routes and into the passageways and backstreets where the city's royal history plays out without an audience.

You'll glimpse Buckingham Palace from a considered distance and pause at St James's Palace – still a working royal residence, as it has been since Henry VIII – before slipping into the atmospheric streets where gentlemen's clubs and private institutions have occupied the same buildings for generations, their brass plates worn smooth by time.

The tour continues to Jermyn Street, where the shopfronts have hardly changed since the 18th century. Floris has been blending fragrances here since 1730. Paxton & Whitfield has been cutting cheese since 1797. Berry Bros. & Rudd has been selling wine since 1698. These are places that feel as though they exist slightly outside of ordinary time.

The day concludes with a quintessentially elegant English afternoon tea – finger sandwiches, warm scones, clotted cream and indulgent cakes – a fittingly civilised final chapter before your next adventure begins.

After an energy-boosting breakfast with your group, we'll wave goodbye to the Big Smoke as we start our journey north. Our next stop's skyline is equally as impressive as the capital's – with twisting spires, majestic domes and more than a few grinning gargoyles.

Did you know that Oxford University is the second oldest university in the world? Or that the city served as the official capital for four years during the English Civil War? We'll uncover plenty more historical nuggets as we walk in the footsteps of the colleges' illustrious alumni – think Oscar Wilde and Lewis Carroll – on an orientation tour with our clued-up Tour Leader.

After a little free time to wander and grab some lunch (the city's historic Covered Market is our top pick!), we'll continue our journey west. Our path will take us through several of the idyllic old-world villages of the Cotswolds. Marvel at their honey-hued cottages forged from yellow limestone and soak up vistas of the undulating wolds. Then, a free evening awaits in Mickleton, where you'll find a choice of charming local pubs to dine in.

All the world's a stage, and all men and women merely players! Today, our stage will be the storied streets of Stratford-Upon-Avon: the esteemed birthplace of William Shakespeare. Revel in remarkable tales of his life, loves and losses on a walking tour with your Tour Leader. If there's time, we'll pay homage to the playwright with a visit to his grave. Make sure you spare a minute to peruse the epitaph which is supposedly a curse written by Shakespeare himself...

This afternoon, there's more exploring to be done in the delightful Cotswolds. We'll weave effortlessly along the region's narrow lanes, stopping off at a few of your Tour Leader's favourite villages. Broadway, often called the prettiest village in England, will likely be one of them. If the weather's dry, stretch your legs with a walk through its unusually long high street, stopping for coffee and cake breaks along the way.

Thrilling tales of the crusades fought by saints and kings are on the agenda today as we leave the Cotswolds behind for Worcester. Gaze up in awe at Worcester Cathedral's intricately painted ceiling and feel the temperature drop as we venture down into its Norman-era Crypt of St Wulfstan: the Bishop of Worcester during the 11th century.

Following our medieval history fix, we'll begin our scenic journey to Denbighshire – rolling through the serene Shropshire Hills where we'll make two memorable stops en route. Uncover an Olympic connection in the unassuming village of Much Wenlock and stand in the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in the UNESCO World Heritage Ironbridge Valley.

Wales's Denbighshire region is known for its tiny, twisting country lanes – but we'll make short work of them in our minicoach. When we do arrive at tonight's hotel, you can expect a very warm welcome from the inn's characterful owner who loves to personally greet every one of his guests.

Warning: not much will prepare you for the jaw-dropping beauty of Snowdonia National Park. This 823-square-mile tapestry of rugged peaks, shimmering lakes (known locally as lynns) and windswept coastline is the setting for today's adventure – and you can expect plenty of imagination-stirring encounters.

Your Tour Leader will decide the specific route you'll take but you can expect it to be steeped in local history and outstanding natural beauty. Cast your eyes across soaring summits in the charming mountain town of Betws-Y-Coed. Challenge yourself to a tongue twister in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll – a village on the lovely Isle of Anglesey that's famed for having Europe's longest place name.

You might also feel your heart race a little while walking across the Pontcysyllte (pronounced Pont – ker – sulth – tay) Aqueduct – a UNESCO World Heritage site that's suspended 40 metres above the tumbling rapids of the River Dee. Then, we'll retrace our steps back to the hotel for another sumptuous group meal and an after-dinner surprise...

We'll get a little help from our friends at The Beatles Story Museum today as we swap the picture-perfect Welsh countryside for the hustle and bustle of Liverpool. Get into the Beatlemania spirit while touring the museum's musical displays, including stepping foot in a recreation of the iconic Abbey Road Studios.

Afterwards, there'll be free time to explore Liverpool's Grade I-listed Royal Albert Docks. Once one of the UK's busiest dock complexes during Victorian times, it's now a hub of culture and cuisine – complete with its very own Tate art gallery.

This afternoon, our route takes us east to York. But before we immerse ourselves in fearsome Viking tales, we'll sweep through the wild moors and rippling hills of the Pennines. Perhaps you'll hear the whispers of the Brontë sisters' timeless characters as we go.

Treat yourself to a full English breakfast this morning – you'll need the extra energy for a busy day of exploring extraordinary York. History echoes off every cobblestone of this incredible city. Soak up stirring stories of old during an orientation walk with your Tour Leader, slipping down enchantingly narrow Snickleways, past the crooked 13th-century cottages of the Shambles and emerging in the shadow of the monumental York Minster.

The rest of the day is free for you to dive further into the city's many allures. Experience Viking tales come to life in the interactive Jorvik Centre museum. Walk in the footsteps of medieval sentries on the impeccably preserved York City Walls. Or sink your teeth into a fat rascal – a traditional scone bursting with juicy currants and zesty citrus – at the quintessentially Yorkshire tearoom, Bettys.

Our final night in York is yours to do with as you wish. The city has a fantastic independent food scene – just ask your Tour Leader for suggestions for tonight's dinner.

We'll leave medieval York behind this morning and jump forward a few hundred years at Castle Howard. This glorious 17th-century English estate has some serious curb appeal, with its Baroque-style frontage embellished with exquisitely carved coronets, cyphers and cherubs a true feast for the eyes.

Wander the castle's grand rooms and gaze up at the whimsically painted ceiling of its 70-foot dome before riding the free road train through the splendid grounds. Keep your eyes peeled for the tinkling Atlas Fountain and the Temple of the Four Winds – a hilltop folly originally built as a reading and writing nook.

Next, our path will take us through the Yorkshire Dales National Park, winding us past tumbling rivers, through lush valleys and into tiny villages that appear trapped in time. Cricket fans will strike lucky with a stop in Thirsk – the birthplace of Thomas Lord, founder of Lord's Cricket Ground. And if there's time, we'll also make a small detour to the Ribble Valley to witness the Grade II Ribblehead Viaduct snaking its way across the heather-dusted moors.

The final chapter of today's adventure sees us entering the legendary Lake District. Marvel at the verdant scenery as we glide effortlessly down twisting country lanes towards our hotel. Tonight, we'll settle in for a delicious group dinner with a lovely view of Lake Windermere – England's largest lake.

Rugged mountain fells, tarns that sparkle in the sun and forests that hum with birdsong...it's no surprise that this spectacular region has been a muse for so many literary geniuses over the centuries!

With that in mind, it's only fitting to start our day at Hill Top – the idyllic former holiday home of Beatrix Potter. Feel your inner child squeal with delight in the flower-filled gardens where miniature scenes from some of her most famous books nestle amongst the greenery. You can even flick through a few books (or buy some as souvenirs) in the house's second-hand book nook.

More inspiring vistas await us this afternoon as we explore the heart of the Lake District – allowing your Tour Leader to personalise the route with their most beloved stops. Finally, we'll end the day soaring across Windermere on a tranquil boat cruise. Soak up the serenity of the region as dusk settles over the soaring peaks, casting fantastical shadows on the water. Is this “the loveliest spot that man hath found” as William Wordsworth wrote? We certainly think so.

We'll hit the road early this morning – heading north through Northumbria towards bonnie Scotland. Before we cross the border though, it's time to hunt for treasure in The Bowes Museum. This palatial art gallery sits on the fringes of Barnard Castle and its halls are stuffed with an eclectic collection of priceless art and antiques. And its crowning glory? A life-size silver clockwork swan that you won't believe dates to the 18th century!

As we creep ever closer to Scotland, we'll stumble across one of the most northerly frontiers of the mighty Roman empire: Hadrian's Wall. Hop off the minicoach at Lanercost Priory to explore a duo of historical architectural gems, unearthing stories of old as you wander between eerie yet beautiful ruins dating back as far as the 2nd century.

Then, one last group dinner awaits at our hotel in the rugged Scottish Borders. On tonight's menu? A traditional Scottish feast of haggis, neeps and tatties, of course! Before you tuck in, your ears will be treated to the moving notes of the bagpipes – a fitting end to our very British romp.

We've got two more highlights in store for you before we round off our tour in the history-rich Scottish capital. First up is an artistic masterpiece in the form of The Great Tapestry of Scotland. Situated within its own dedicated visitors centre near the Borders, this immense tapestry (that's made up of a whopping 160 linen panels) is one of the world's largest community art projects. Countless tales from ancient times to the present day have been adorned upon it – making it a true saga of Scottish history.

With our creative juices flowing, we'll move onto the intriguing Rosslyn Chapel. The eagle eyed among you might recognise it from the Da Vinci Code (both the novel and the film). We'll inspect its intricately carved interiors, whose mysterious patterns and symbols have long baffled historians, before we board our luxury minicoach one last time.

Edinburgh might be our tour's final stop – but where will your journey take you next? You could continue your Gaelic chapter on our Scottish Journey tour. Or why not unlock more unexpected British experiences on our Enchanting Eastern England escape?