Essential Britain ( GC)

12 Day Tour from London to London

2025 Tour Details 2024 Tour Details »

Thrones and scones. Hops and scotch. Rock stars and famous rocks. They’re all included on this enthralling and encompassing tour of Britain. Pack your tweed and tartans for the best of London and country, the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, and the enchanting villages and valleys of Wales, and prepare to be swept away like a runaway bride at the elopement capital of Gretna Green. The castles and cathedrals of London, Edinburgh, and Cardiff, as well as the charming pubs on every corner, will steal your heart away. With visits to the baffling boulders of Stonehenge, the battlefield of Culloden Moor, Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, and The Beatles’ home city of Liverpool, this tour of Britain promises rocking discovery and enlightenment, not to mention honorary degrees in ancient history, English literature, and music appreciation.

To know more about the visas for this vacation, click here

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 Meals & Itinerary

 Meals

Full buffet breakfast daily; 1 lunch; 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–ILMINSTER–PLYMOUTH Secrets of the Stones LONDON Meet your Tour Director and travel companions at 8 am before departing for Stonehenge.
STONEHENGE Visit the prehistoric monument.
ILMINSTER LF Lunch at a local pub.
219 mi / 352 km
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Quench your thirst with local ales and ciders while tasting traditional pub fayre prepared following century old recipes. Nothing eases homesickness like hearty cooked food concocted with care and love like grandma used to make. Just like home away from home!


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Day 3

PLYMOUTH. EXCURSION TO CORNWALL Legends of Land & Sea PLYMOUTH LF All aboard for a scenic cruise on Plymouth Sound. Enjoy a scenic drive through the West Country to Poldark’s Cornwall.
LOOE Visit the thriving fishing village and former smugglers’ port.
PLYMOUTH Free time this evening.
Breakfast Breakfast
42 mi / 70 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
EPIC RIDE Stunning views of Cornwall, the setting of Winston Graham's ‘Poldark’ saga of Cornish life in the 18th century, will leave you breathless on a scenic drive through the West Country. Get carried away with a spectacular scenic cruise on Plymouth Sound, a magnificent inlet on the English Channel.


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Day 4

PLYMOUTH–GLASTONBURY–BATH–CARDIFF, WALES Timeless Kings & Thermal Springs GLASTONBURY Visit the town of the legend of King Arthur and the Holy Grail.
BATH Visit the excavations of the Roman Baths.
Breakfast Breakfast
184 mi / 295 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE The Somerset town of Glastonbury is the site of King Arthur’s legendary quest for the mythical Holy Grail, the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper. Hear how, while Arthur failed in his search, a noble knight named Galahad found the Holy Grail because of his pure heart.


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Day 5

CARDIFF–BUILTH WELLS–LLANGOLLEN–LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND Moor than Meets the Eye Take a scenic drive along the Taff Valley and through the Brecon Beacons National Park.
BUILTH WELLS Stop at the ancient market town.
LLANGOLLEN Visit the picturesque town.
LIVERPOOL Free time the remainder of the day.
Breakfast Breakfast
190 mi / 306 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Discover the extraordinary natural beauty of Brecon Beacons National Park while driving through its mountains, moors, and magnificent views. Look out for Welsh mountain ponies and sheep grazing in the wild and red kites gliding gracefully in the sky.


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Day 6

LIVERPOOL–GRASMERE–GRETNA GREEN, SCOTLAND–GLASGOW Songs, Sonnets & Secret Vows LIVERPOOL Visit The Beatles Story for a fascinating journey into the life and music of the Fab Four.
LAKE DISTRICT Take a scenic drive.
GRASMERE Visit Wordsworth’s beloved village, and sample LF the original Grasmere gingerbread.
GRETNA GREEN See where a Scottish blacksmith performed weddings for eloping young couples and LF join in a fun wedding re-enactment.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
236 mi / 380 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
TIMELESS TRADITIONS Love will find a way to sweeten the day with classic gingerbread in Grasmere, or by parents hot on the trail of runaway brides and grooms who crossed them (and the Scottish border) to get hitched in 18th-century Gretna Green. Hear how romance was forged by a blacksmith who helped eloping couples hammer out the vows.


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Day 7

GLASGOW–FORT WILLIAM–INVERNESS Landmarks, Lochs & Legends GLASGOW Orientation drive to see Glasgow’s landmarks, including the 12th-century cathedral, university buildings, and Georgian squares. Take a scenic drive past Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and Glen Coe.
FORT WILLIAM See the gateway to Ben Nevis, UK’s highest peak.
LOCH NESS Drive the length of the legendary lake en route to Inverness.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
178 mi / 286 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE Survey the shores of famed Loch Ness for the chance to catch a glimpse of its mysterious Nessie. Hear of the folklore and firm believers in the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, which is said to swim in the shimmering waters.


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Day 8

INVERNESS–CULLODEN—PITLOCHRY–ST. ANDREWS–EDINBURGH Bravery, Birdies & Bagpipes CULLODEN MOOR See the battlefield.
PITLOCHRY Walk through the Victorian mountain resort.
ST. ANDREWS Visit the home of golf and the famous university town.
Breakfast Breakfast
202 mi / 326 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS See the fairways and greens at the birthplace of golf, where legendary players of the Scottish game made history in the university town of St. Andrews.


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Day 9

EDINBURGH Crown Jewels & Castle Views 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.
Breakfast Breakfast

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
THE ROYAL EDINBUGRH MILITARY TATTOO Unpack your plaid! Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances included on departures July 26, August 2, 9 and 16.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT 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, see the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels.


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Day 10

EDINBURGH–ALNWICK, ENGLAND–YORK Lights, Camera, Alnwick! ALNWICK Visit Alnwick Castle, setting for many film productions. Choose between touring the castle or taking a stroll through the magnificent gardens.
YORK See York Minster and browse the shops of The Shambles.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
214 mi / 344 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOTS Visit Alnwick Castle to discover 700 years of English and family history of its owners, the Percy Family. Continuing the lineage of centuries of Dukes, Duchesses, and Earls whom have called the impressive castle home. The castle is a haven for movie and TV buffs as the filming location for many productions, including Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. If nature is more to your liking, consider a visit to the splendid 12-acre Alnwick Gardens.


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Day 11

YORK–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–LONDON Mr. & Mrs. Shakespeare STRATFORD-UPON-AVON See Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
Breakfast Breakfast
255 mi / 410 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A LEGEND SLEPT HERE Ah, young love! Even more true, as young 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 of Shakespeare’s 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 12

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.

ANA SHAW

Escorting tours for more than 5 years

" I have always loved to share my passion and knowledge for the British Isles with friends from all over the world, showing them first my home town and then my country. Great Britain and Ireland offer you all you could imagine and more; hear about it whilst you admire their outstanding natural beauty."

Tour Director -  ANA SHAW

HUW DAVIES

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

" Escorting tours for more than 20 years. I have never tired of the beauty within these islands and the ongoing privilege of being able to share that with people from all over the world. I think it's wonderful that people want to come and see Britain and Ireland and discover our heritage and landscapes."

Tour Director -  HUW DAVIES

 Accommodations

LONDON

PARK PLAZA WATERLOO

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

PLYMOUTH

CROWNE PLAZA PLYMOUTH

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

CARDIFF

MERCURE CARDIFF HOLLAND HOUSE

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

LIVERPOOL

PULLMAN LIVERPOOL

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

GLASGOW

CLAYTON HOTEL GLASGOW

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

INVERNESS

MERCURE INVERNESS HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

EDINBURGH

MERCURE EDINBURGH PRINCES STREET

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

YORK

MERCURE YORK FAIRFIELD MANOR

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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