Essential Britain & Ireland ( GB)

10 Day Tour from London to London

2025 Tour Details 2026 Tour Details »

Don’t think you can see the top sights of Britain and Ireland in 10 days? Sharpen your pencils to cross off your bucket-list destinations in five fabulous countries. A jolly good time awaits in England, Scotland, and Wales, plus both territories of Ireland, as you explore the lively capital cities of each and the thatched-roof-dotted countryside in between. Coast through rolling hills, ferry across legendary waterways, and skip down cobblestone streets to discover the wonders of Stonehenge, Waterford, York, and more on this essential tour of Britain and Ireland. Along the way, you’ll drink in the sights of fairytale castles and storybook settings as well as the locally brewed ales, strong Irish coffees, and perfectly aged Scotch whiskies passionately poured in every pub. Factor in time to shop for bits and bobs and taste local favorites like fish and chips, and you’d be off your trolley not to come along!

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Notes:

This tour requires some uphill walking on rough terraine at Edinburgh Castle which may pose a challenge to guests with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs. Some walking involved back to the hotel after the Edinburgh Tattoo for departures that include the Tattoo.

 Meals & Itinerary

 Meals

Full English breakfast daily; 3 three-course dinners

 Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND Welcome to London! Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. Free time this afternoon.

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Day 2

LONDON–STONEHENGE–BATH–NEWPORT, WALES Ancient Stones & Spa Days LONDON Meet your Tour Director and travel companions at 8 am and drive to Stonehenge.
STONEHENGE Visit the prehistoric monument.
BATH Visit the excavations of the Roman Baths.
164 mi / 264 km
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEMS The traditions of one ancient Roman ritual are in full flow in Bath. Amid the remarkable Roman and Georgian architecture and the best-preserved Roman Baths of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a good spa day is never hard to find in one of the “Best Spa Towns in Europe.” The city of Bath sits above geothermal springs that bubble up from the limestone below. Bath also turns up the heat with some of Britain's grandest Georgian buildings, a mecca for elite 18th-century society.

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Day 3

NEWPORT–CARDIFF–WATERFORD, IRELAND Welsh Dragons, Daffodils & Castles CARDIFF Morning visit to Cardiff Castle.
PEMBROKE Ferry crossing St. George’s Channel to Rosslare.
168 mi / 271 km
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CAPITAL CITY Explore the Welsh capital, see many historic buildings and discover its 2,000-year history of invasions, abductions and conflicts from 1st century AD when the Romans built the first series of forts.


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Day 4

WATERFORD–KILKENNY–DUBLIN Cut Glass & Cobblestones WATERFORD Take a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal.
KILKENNY See one of Ireland’s most quaint towns with medieval cobblestones.
115 mi / 195 km
Breakfast Breakfast

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE Discover over 800 years of Irish history at Kilkenny Castle, walk the halls of art and artifacts and browse the walls of tapestries and treasures in this unique landmark building that was home to the Butler family for centuries.


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Day 5

DUBLIN Ireland’s Capital City DUBLIN Take a morning orientation drive to see O’Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. Free time this afternoon.
Breakfast Breakfast

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS “In Dublin’s fair city where girls are so pretty” you’ll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the legendary library of Trinity College.


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Day 6

DUBLIN–BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND–EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND Irish Crossings BELFAST Pause at the magnificent City Hall before crossing the North Channel to Scotland's Cairnryan.
234 mi / 376 km
Breakfast Breakfast

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS Northern Ireland’s capital city of Belfast has seen its share of the ‘Troubles’ but its tenacity, tireless industry and timeless traditions are easy to see. Hear how shipbuilding ruled and Irish linen was king. In the port city where the Titanic was built, a bold rebirth of arts and architecture thrive amid historic castles and churches drawing visitors from around the globe.


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Day 7

EDINBURGH Drummers, Pipers & Precious Jewels EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, the Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon.
Breakfast Breakfast

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Unpack your Plaid! Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances included on departures July 26, 27, 29, August 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 16 and 17.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
MUSIC & MASTERPIECES Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with a 1,100-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain." Here you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.


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Day 8

EDINBURGH–JEDBURGH–YORK, ENGLAND Augustine’s Monks & Medieval Markets JEDBURGH Take photos at the Augustinian abbey ruins. Drive into Northumberland National Park and see a section of Hadrian’s Wall.
YORK See York Minster on LF a guided walk through The Shambles.
198 mi / 318 km
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

LOCAL FAVORITE
HISTORIC SPOT While strolling the cobblestones of York’s Shambles, it’s easy to imagine the medieval butchers' shops and boisterous crowds bartering for beef and bones outside the 14th-century timber-framed windows. The Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe and said to have been the inspiration behind Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley – and today is a colorful gathering place with cheerful cafés and quirky boutiques brimming with the sweet aromas of chocolate, pastries, and pies.


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Day 9

YORK–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–LONDON Mr. & Mrs. Shakespeare STRATFORD-UPON-AVON See Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
260 mi / 418 km
Breakfast Breakfast

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A LEGEND SLEPT HERE Ah, young love! Even more true as Shakespeare’s fiancée was eight years his senior. See Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the family home where the bard’s wife-to-be was born and courted by young Will. Built more than 500 years ago, much of the original structure remains. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and family home in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Hear tales about his family life, marriage, and children with a close look at fascinating artifacts in a world-class collection assembled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.


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Day 10

LONDON Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast Breakfast

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 Tour Director

With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

PIETER CORDWELL

Escorting tours for more than 5 years

" I've been a Tour Director all my life. My father has been a Tour Director since before I was born, so I have literally been brought up to do this. The soundtrack of my childhood was the stories of British history, and I've always loved sharing those stories with others. Now, I get to do just that!"

Tour Director -  PIETER CORDWELL

GAVIN CRUICKSHANK

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

" Having spent most of my youth in the hospitality industry, I became a Tour Director many years ago. Originally from Edinburgh, I enjoy showing travelers Britain and Ireland, from Land's End and John O'Groats to Giant's Causeway and Waterford. It fills me with so much pride to show off the countries and tell the stories of my ancestors to our guests."

Tour Director -  GAVIN CRUICKSHANK

 Accommodations

LONDON

PARK PLAZA WESTMINSTER BRIDGE

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

NEWPORT

THE COLDRA COURT BY CELTIC MANOR

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

WATERFORD

TOWER HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

DUBLIN

HILTON GARDEN INN DUBLIN CITY CENTRE

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

EDINBURGH

MARRIOTT COURTYARD

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

YORK

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON YORK

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus).
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