Sample Itinerary – 4 week Tour
This isn’t an exhaustive list of places you could visit in these areas but we had to stop somewhere! Indeed we had a lot if debate about which to leave out. You may have your own ideas about some of the things you want to see. Your personal itinerary will be tailored to incude your ‘must sees’, your interests and the pace you would like. It will also include travel times and distances between places.
Highlights of England, Ireland and Wales
London – 3 nights
London is the largest city in Europe. There is so much to see and do; where to start! There are many famous buildings that are a ‘must see’: St Paul’s Cathedral (climb to the very top if you dare and see out over the city and the river), Buckingham Place, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, but there are also many others less famous which are steeped in history.
You don’t need a hire car in London. The best way to get about is on foot, tube, bus or taxi. London cabbies are the best in the World. They have to pass a rigorous test, called The Knowledge, before they are allowed to drive the streets of London.
Guided walks are excellent for getting behind the grand facades into the lanes and alley ways and hearing some fascinating stories! You may also want to see London from a very different perspective by taking a trip on the London Eye. We can book tickets for you if required.
A fun way to see London is to take an open top ‘hop on hop off’ bus, which will take you around the main sites and tell you about the history of London as you go.
There are of course many museums and galleries in London. Some of the best are:
• The British Museum
• The National Gallery
• The Tate Modern
• The Victoria and Albert
• The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War rooms
Ancient traditions are still upheld, such as the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, a free spectacle which happens every day
London is great for shopping! For a special experience visit Harrods, the world’s most famous department store
The West End is of course famous for the many theatres. We can book a show for you.
Kent – 2 nights
We suggest you take the train out of London into Kent to pick up your hire car.
Kent, the ‘Garden of England’, has its own distinct character. Many of the houses are faced with tiles or wood and look out for the round Oast houses where hops were stored and treated. The countryside is varied; from fields with a wide variety of crops, to steep hills, dense woods and coastal cliffs.
Due to it’s proximity to London and also the south coast, which was prone to invasion over the years, there are more castles, historical houses and gardens concentrated in Kent than in any other area of the UK. There are too many places of interest to mention here but to give you a taste:
Leeds castle, surrounded by a moat and grounds landscaped by Capability Brown, is considered by many to be the most picturesque castle in Britain.
Canterbury has been a very important town in English history dating back to the Romans. It is of course the seat of the most senior minister in the church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury (the Queen is the titular head). The cathedral is quite magnificent. It is here that Thomas a Beckett was murdered and his remains lie in the cathedral.
A good way to see the highlights of Canterbury is to take a river tour, which provides visitors with a unique vantage point to see some of Canterbury’s most stunning and important architecture.
On the coast is Dover. The White Cliffs are internationally famous as an icon of Britain. The National Trust visitor centre has spectacular views and there is great walking along the coast in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Dover castle has 2000 years of history from the Romans to World War II. Explore the Secret Wartime Tunnels, an atmospheric tour deep within the White Cliffs to see the underground hospital, and where Vice Admiral Ramsey and Sir Winston Churchill planned the evacuation of Dunkirk.
Penshurst Place, an imposing Elizabethan manor house and home to the Sidney family for more than 450 years
Sissinghurst castle has celebrated gardens designed by writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson, in the grounds of an Elizabethan mansion
Dorset & Somerset – 2 Nights
Travel west towards Dorset. On the way visit Stonehenge, a World Heritage Site. It is impressive to see but do be aware that you cannot get too close to the stones anymore. Not far away is Avebury which has a circle of standing stones that surround the village which you can walk around and touch.
On the way pop into Winchester, capital of the ancient Kingdom of Wessex. The castle is home to the legendary round table, which is actually 13th century. (Much of the King Arthur legends do not stand up to scrutiny but this mythical figure still captures our imagination!) The 11th century cathedral, which contains Jane Austen’s grave, is quite stunning.
Dorset is of course Thomas Hardy country. If you know your Hardy its fun to discover the places featured in his novels. Casterbridge, for example, was Hardy’s name for Dorchester.
The Dorset countryside is quite unspoilt, with rolling hills and villages with thatched cottages. You will find more ‘chocolate box’ scenes here than anywhere else in Britain. For example, Milton Abbas, a ‘model’ thatched village which was a new town built by the lord of the manor in the 18th century. The pretty village of Cerne Abbas has the remains of a medieval monastery but, more interesting to most people, the Giant, a huge 180’ figure cut into the chalky hillside which is obviously male!
Also within reach in neighbouring Somerset are a wide variety of interesting places to visit:
Wells, a lovely small city (the smallest city in England) with a lovely little medieval cathedral. At the moated Bishop’s Palace, still the residence of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, swans ring a bell to be fed. Vicars’ Close claims to be the most complete medieval street in Europe.
Glastonbury, where two great myths meet. Legend has it that here Joseph of Arimathea built a church on the site that is now the romantic ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. Supposedly this is also the site of King Arthur’s Avalon.
The impressive Cheddar Gorge is home to the famous cheese and a number of interesting limestone caves.
Stourhead gardens, world-famous 18th-century landscape gardens and Palladian mansion.
Bath, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, presents some of the finest architectural sights in Europe, such as the Royal Crescent, the Circus and Pulteney Bridge.
At the heart of the city next to Bath Abbey is the Roman Baths. People came to enjoy the Roman baths which were built in the first century. You cannot bathe in the original Roman baths but there is the new Thermae Bath Spa which gives you the opportunity to once again bathe in the cities thermal spring water.
Cotswolds – 2 nights
Head north through the Gloucestershire Cotswolds into the heart of England. Perhaps calling in at Lacock on the way. Here all the buildings are at least a couple of hundred years old. Many films have been shot here, like Harry Potter and Jane Austen, recreating the England of a century or two ago. Lacock Abbey, a Medieval cloistered abbey converted into a fine country house, was home to William Henry Fox Talbot and houses a fascinating museum dedicated to this ‘Father of Modern Photography’.
The Cotswolds region covers an area of 790 square miles in the southwest region of England and is the country’s largest officially designated ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’.
Here you will find picturesque villages, built with the local limestone and Cotswold stone walling which divides up the countryside. The Cotswolds were made prosperous by the wool trade and are now of course kept prosperous by the adoption of the area by the rich and famous, including royalty! You can see why.
Explore the country roads leading through peaceful river valleys, country towns and villages of honey-coloured stone, complete with manor houses, gardens, churches and traditional pubs.
A short drive to the north is also Shakespeare country:
Stratford Upon Avon is a prime tourist spot, however it is well worth a visit. A fun and informative way to see the Shakespeare sites and the Elizabethan way of life, is on the open top bus.
Warwick Castle, arguably Britain’s greatest medieval castle, is amazing and an absolute must for the kids. It is quite commercialised and quite expensive but they do make the history of the place come alive! Get there early to do it justice. www.warwick-castle.co.uk
Kenilworth castle, a beautiful ruin, is also nearby. The garden planted by Robert Dudley to woo Elizabeth I has recently been restored to its’ former glory.
This area also has a number of fine manor houses with beautiful gardens.
South West Wales – 2 nights
From the Cotswolds, head into Wales, passing through the beautiful green valley of the river Wye. Ross on Wye, with its 17th century Market Hall and Tudor timbered houses, sits picturesquely on a hill overlooking the river. On through the more dramatic terrain of the Brecon Beacons to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is Britain’s only truly Coastal National Park, covering 240 sq miles of spectacular landscape around Wales’ south-western shore.
The National Park is scattered with attractive towns and villages. There are no cities apart from St David’s, which is Britain’s smallest city with a population of less than 2,000. Here St David, the patron saint of Wales, founded a monastic settlement in about 550 AD. Three visits here are said to equal one to Jerusalem!
Pembrokeshire’s has several offshore islands which can be visited by boat. Caldey Island has a monastic heritage stretching back over 1,000 years – today it is home to the Cistercian Order. The island is a tranquil haven of peace for visitors, a chance to experience a day without the sound of traffic and enjoy the ambience of this unique island.
The coast is best seen by walking along the coastal path as many areas of the south coast are reserved for walkers, with only foot access possible. If you really want adventure try Coasteering!
Waterford – 1 night
Take the ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare. The trip takes 3 hours.
Before Waterford, perhaps take a detour to New Ross and trace the footsteps of the Irish Famine Emigrants aboard the Dunbrody.
Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city (founded around 914 by the Vikings) and is still a busy port. It was also home to the famous crystal glass works. The factory itself was closed in January 2009 but the Visitor Centre is still open, where you can here about the history of the famous glass and buy a souvenir. The town is attractively situated on the river Suir and its compact centre is home to a number of excellent restaurants
Take a leisurely drive around the gentle landscape of the Hook peninsular, scattered with quiet villages and ancient ruins, to the oldest working lighthouse in Europe.
Kerry – 3 nights
On the way to Kerry, stop by at Cork, taking the scenic coast road.
Cork is known as Ireland’s gourmet county, with lively farmers markets, fresh local produce, and a glut of critically acclaimed restaurants.
Spend some time exploring Cork. This is Ireland’s second largest city. The oldest part is on an island in the middle of the river Lee and is a pleasant mixture of broad avenues, little lanes and bridges.
North of Cork is Blarney castle, with the famous stone that supposedly gives you the ‘gift of the blarney’. You do have to bend over backwards to kiss it!
There is a direct road from Cork into the Kerry region, but, depending on time, we suggest that you take the longer more scenic coastal road, stopping at some of the lovely places along the way. Kinsale in particular is arguably one of the prettiest towns in Ireland.
Take a day to explore the Dingle peninsula. Wonderful coastal scenery is backed by majestic mountains in the centre. Gaelic is still widely spoken and the people are renowned for their friendliness.
Other ‘must dos’ are the Killarney National Park, with its’ lakes, mountains and woodland, and the famous Ring of Kerry, which is a particularly scenic route around the Iveragh peninsula. It is a busy route however so get up early to beat the buses!
County Clare – 1 night
County Clare is characterised by rich green farming country, which is very pleasant, but its highlights are on the dramatic coastline. Follow the coast road to the magnificent cliffs of Moher
Pop into Doolin, traditionally a fishing village but now renowned world-wide as the traditional music capital of Ireland.
Inland you will find the Burren, a vast limestone plateau. In places the limestone ‘pavements’ look man made. In the crevices between the slabs grow rare Mediterranean and alpine plants. Visit Aillwee Cave, on the edge of the Burren. Well over 2 million years old and full of stalagmites and stalactites.
Dublin – 2 nights
Dublin is a sophisticated and cosmopolitan city, with plenty of museums, galleries, churches, cathedrals (two of them), restaurants and bars.
‘Must sees’ include the Book of Kells, the elaborately decorated 9th century Gospels, housed in Trinity College, and the General Post Office in O’Connell street which was the focus of the 1917 Irish uprising against British rule. Amazingly it is still a working post office.
You may also like to visit the Old Jameson Distillery, or the Guinness brewery, founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness. Tours are not of the actual brewery but there are huge copper vats and pipes to see. Guinness is said to taste better from the brewery and the tour ends with a pint of Guinness in the bar.
North Wales – 3 nights
Back across the Irish Sea to Holyhead in North Wales (3 hours). Cross Isle of Anglesey, an island with many ancient prehistoric burial chambers and monuments, the attractive coastal village of Beaumaris, and the village with the World’s longest name – Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerchwyrndrobwllllandysilliogogogoch
Across the Menai Straits by Thomas Telford’s famed suspension bridge – a wonder of the age of the industrial revolution – to the Snowdonia National Park.
The drama of Snowdonia is provided by its high peaks and steep, plunging valleys, but there is also an abundance of open moorland and miles of sandy beaches along the coast.
This is a great place to explore by car and on foot. If you are feeling energetic, there are 5 main trails that reach the summit of mount Snowdon, the highest point in Wales. Or, you can ride in comfort on the Mount Snowdon Railway from Llanberis.
Edward I, the great subjugator of the Welsh, built four great castles in this area; Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Harlech. To visit all may be over doing it, but we recommend a visit to at least one.
For something different visit Portmeirion, a private village built in an Italian style which provokes wide-ranging responses. The village was used for the 1960s television series The Prisoner.
The Lakes – 2 nights
On the way to the Lakes maybe stop off at Chester. Situated by the River Dee, Chester was a military base of fortress size. It soon attracted a supporting civilian settlement and became a large and influential town, controlling the native tribes in North Wales and Northern England.
It is now a delightful city and the layout still follows the Roman pattern, and the Roman defensive walls create a pleasant walk around the old city centre.
The city abounds in medieval architecture and beautiful half-timbered buildings. The most famous of these is the complex known as “The Rows”, a series of covered galleries above street-level shops.
The whole of the Lake District National Park is outstandingly beautiful. The magic of the area is not in the height of the hills, which by World standards are not that high, but in the number of peaks so close together creating wonderful dramatic scenery.
Some of our favourite lakes are Derwent Water, Grassmere, Buttermere and Coniston. We like to get off the beaten track to some of the lesser known lakes like Hawkeswater, with its golden eagle viewpoint.
There are many places related to literary figures and artists who have been inspired by the beauty of the area, the most popular being the homes of Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth.
Some of the roads can be challenging. If you are feeling adventurous, try the notorious Hardknott Pass across to Eskdale, stopping at the Roman Hardknott Fort. Or, for an easier ride, take the famous steam railway journey from the coast at Ravenglass up to Eskdale.
Alternatively the public transport system (buses and ferries) are good across the area, or you may like to relax and enjoy the scenery on a minibus tour, which we can book for you. However the best way to enjoy the scenery is on foot. This is a fabulous place for walks at all levels. We will send you a walking book in the final package if you wish.
York, The Dales and North Yorkshire Moors – 3 days
On the way to York drive along the edge of the Northumberland National Park following the line of Hadrian’s wall which stretches across the country from Newcastle to Carlisle. This most northern boundary of the Roman empire is still intact in many places and there are fine remains of Roman forts to explore.
We will place you centrally within easy reach of the Dales, the Moors and York itself.
The Moors and the Dales have quite different characters. The high desolate moors are divided by steep green valleys and pretty hamlets.
On the east coast is Whitby, divided into two by the estuary of the river Esk. The old town, which huddles around the harbour, has pretty cobbled streets and pastel coloured houses, with the Abbey ruins above.
Robin Hood Bay, an old smuggling village with steep cobbled streets down to the sea is just along the coast.
There are many ruined abbeys in the area, dating back to the 12th century. Two of the most beautiful are Fountains and Rievaulx, with extensive grounds and gardens.
The North Yorkshire steam railway, running from Pickering to Goathland and Grosmont, is well worth a visit and is a great way to see some glorious countryside. Stop off and stroll down through memory lane in Goathland which was the setting for the TV series ‘Heartbeat’. The station was used as Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter films.
The Yorkshire Dales has some of the most beautiful and unique scenery in Britain. There are valleys, crags, peaks, caves and moorlands that stretch over 1600 square miles. Each Dale has its own distinct character. Nestled within the lovely scenery lie many traditional market towns that have shops and markets selling local produce and crafts.
One of our favourite times was spending the day quietly exploring the Wensleydale area of the National Park. Easy walking and stunning waterfalls, particularly at Aysgarth.
South of the Dales is Haworth, where the world of Wuthering Heights is brought to life. This picturesque village was once home to the literary greats the Brontës and their home is now the Bronte Parsonage Museum.
In York, stroll through the narrow cobbled streets of the medieval old town and along the town walls. Marvel at the magnificent 13th century Minster cathedral.
York has several important museums. York Castle Museum is one of Britain’s leading museums of everyday life. It is best known for its recreated Victorian street, Kirkgate
York was once a major Viking trading settlement so a visit to Jorvik, the Viking city ( www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk ) may be of interest.
York is also home to the National Railway Museum www.nrm.org.uk
For a bit of fun try The Dungeon. www.thedungeons.com You are reputedly in the most haunted city in England and the Dungeon tours make the most of this! It is very tongue in cheek.
Cambridge and Ely – 1 night
Just north of Cambridge is Ely which used to be an island in this flat wet marshland, called the Fens, until the land was drained for farming. The small city is dominated by the magnificent 11th century cathedral.
On to Cambridge, the second of the two original British university towns. It has 31 colleges many of which are in fabulous old buildings amidst beautiful gardens and many are open to the public. The most famous building is Kings College Chapel, and of course its choir is World renowned.
Wander through narrow medieval streets browsing the bookshops and galleries.
Try your hand at punting on the River Cam and see the ‘Backs’ as the college garden backing onto the river are called.
West London – 1 night
We will base you west of London, near Heathrow, for your last night in the UK. There are various options for places to visit on your last day:
Windsor – the castle is the oldest continuously inhabited royal residence in Britain. The oldest part of the town, located immediately opposite Henry VIII Gate (the exit of the Castle), has several cobbled streets dating from the 17th century. Stroll over the bridge to Eton, home of the famous school. Or take a leisurely cruise on the Thames.
The Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, possibly Britain’s most famous pioneering gardens.
Hampton Court Palace at Richmond, Henry VIII’s favourite palace who rebuilt it in the 16th century. Originally owned by his archbishop, Cardinal Wolsey, it contains the last medieval great hall built for an English monarch. The famous hedge maze has nine miles of paths.
On your last day maybe take a walk before your long flight home. Windsor Great Park stretches from Windsor to Ascot. Or drive through the park to Runnymede, an attractive area of riverside meadows. It was on this site, in 1215, that King John sealed Magna Carta, a charter designed to limit the powers of the King but which became the forerunner of many other countries constitutions, including that of the USA. The event is commemorated by the American Bar Association Memorial. The John F. Kennedy Memorial and various memorial trees are indicative of the area’s importance in world history.
London Heathrow
Take the short journey back to Heathrow, dropping off the hire car before your onward journey
