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 2.30pm. 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.

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 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. After our visit to the stones, we’ll have some free time for lunch.

Special Experience

In Bath, drop into a local pub and take part in the exhilarating tradition of playing skittles.

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 skillfully aiming wooden balls to topple nine pins. Engaging in friendly competition, we relish the cozy ambiance of the pub, before spending our evening at leisure.

We head out to explore Bath on a guided walking tour this morning where we’ll get acquainted with the city and 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. We’ll learn about the history of the Baths and admire their architectural splendour, before exploring more of this captivating city. 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 St. 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. Returning to Bath, the evening is at leisure.

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 Bath after breakfast and make our way to Montacute House, an Elizabethan mansion located 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, that 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. Please Note: Today we will be travelling in a small minibus, perfectly suited for navigating the small villages dotting our route.

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 St Michael’s Mount, an island off the coast of Cornwall, home to a tiny village and castle that rises out of the island. Please Note: Today we will be travelling in a small minibus, perfectly suited for navigating the small villages dotting our route.

The quaint village of West Coker is our destination today. This morning, we take to the seas and board a ferry for a ride from the port town of Mevagissey to Fowey. We'll be treated to breathtaking vistas of the coastline and expansive sea as we embark on a scenic journey along one of Cornwall's highly acclaimed ferry routes.

Special Experience

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

Later, we continue towards West Coker and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Please Note: Today we will be travelling in a small minibus, perfectly suited for navigating the small villages dotting our route.

Situated on the banks of the River Thames is the historic and royal city of Windsor. Home to the world’s largest and oldest inhabited castle, and one of the Royal Family’s favourite, Windsor Castle, the city is abuzz with boutiques, cafes and restaurants. During our travels to Windsor, we’ll stop to view the Poundbury, an urban development built in the mid-1990s according to the principles of the Prince of Wales. Next, 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 before we continue to Windsor. Keep an eye out for Stonehenge as we pass by it during our travels. Later this afternoon we have the chance to explore Windsor independently, before coming back together for a memorable farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. We bid farewell to our new friends and to the wonders of southern England.