Essential Britain
Essential Britain
Essential Britain
12 Days Starting and ending in London, UK
Visiting: London, Plymouth, Cardiff, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, York, Stratford-Upon-Avon
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GC-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 36
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Essential Britain" tour and explore the rich history and stunning landscapes of England, Scotland, and Wales. This fully guided journey takes you from the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge to the legendary Loch Ness, with stops at iconic sites like The Beatles Story in Liverpool, the battlefield of Culloden Moor, and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (seasonal). Enjoy scenic drives through the Taff Valley, Brecon Beacons National Park, and the West Country to Poldark’s Cornwall. Stay in comfort at top hotels and travel in style on a first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. This small-group tour ensures an intimate and immersive experience, visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites and sampling local delights like Grasmere gingerbread.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In London,England
Location: London
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. Free time this afternoon.
Day 2: London,Stonehenge,Ilminster,Plymouth
Location: London
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Plymouth
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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
Day 3: Plymouth. Excursion To Cornwall
Location: Plymouth
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Plymouth
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. 42 mi / 70 km
Day 4: Plymouth,Glastonbury,Bath,Cardiff,Wales
Location: Cardiff
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mercure Cardiff Holland House
Meals Included: Breakfast
GLASTONBURY Visit the town of the legend of King Arthur and the Holy Grail.BATH Visit the excavations of the Roman Baths. 184 mi / 295 km
Day 5: Cardiff,Builth Wells,Llangollen,Liverpool,England
Location: Liverpool
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Pullman Liverpool
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. 190 mi / 306 km
Day 6: Liverpool,Grasmere,Gretna Green,Scotland,Glasgow
Location: Glasgow
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Clayton Hotel Glasgow
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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. 236 mi / 380 km
Day 7: Glasgow,Fort William,Inverness
Location: Glasgow
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mercure Inverness Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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. 178 mi / 286 km
Day 8: Inverness,Culloden—Pitlochry,St. Andrews,Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street
Meals Included: Breakfast
CULLODEN MOOR See the battlefield.PITLOCHRY Walk through the Victorian mountain resort.ST. ANDREWS Visit the home of golf and the famous university town.EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Attend the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance. (Departures July 26 through August 16 only). 202 mi / 326 km
Day 9: Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 10: Edinburgh,Alnwick,England,York
Location: York
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mercure York Fairfield Manor
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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. 214 mi / 344 km
Day 11: York,Stratford-Upon-Avon,London
Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
Meals Included: Breakfast
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON See Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace. 255 mi / 410 km
Day 12: London
Location: London
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided as detailed in the itinerary.
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Fully Guided
The tour is fully guided.
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Meals
Full buffet breakfast daily; 1 lunch; 3 three-course dinners.
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Transport
Transport is provided by a private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
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Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Europe dates, limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure.
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UNESCO Sites
Visits to UNESCO Sites including City of Bath, Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, Forth Road Bridge, Frontiers of the Roman Empire, Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, Stonehenge, The English Lake District, and The great Spa Towns of Europe - Bath.
What's Not Included
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Airport transfers at the destination are not included.
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Insurance
Travel insurance is not included.
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International Travel
International travel to and from the destination is not included.
Meals
Full buffet breakfast daily; 1 lunch; 3 three-course dinners
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Europe dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus Europe escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized European tour—without the crowds.
UNESCO Sites
City of Bath|Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape|Forth Road Bridge|Frontiers of the Roman Empire|Old and New Towns of Edinburgh|Stonehenge|The English Lake District|The great Spa Towns of Europe - Bath
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge and Park Plaza Waterloo in London, Crowne Plaza Plymouth, Mercure Cardiff Holland House, Pullman Liverpool, Clayton Hotel Glasgow, Mercure Inverness Hotel, Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street, and Mercure York Fairfield Manor.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with a private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach equipped with free Wi-Fi, ensuring a comfortable and connected journey throughout your tour.
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.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in a private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach equipped with free Wi-Fi.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes full buffet breakfast daily, one lunch, and three three-course dinners.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in comfort at various hotels including Park Plaza Westminster Bridge and Park Plaza Waterloo in London, Crowne Plaza Plymouth, Mercure Cardiff Holland House, Pullman Liverpool, Clayton Hotel Glasgow, Mercure Inverness Hotel, Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street, and Mercure York Fairfield Manor.
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Is the tour fully guided?
Yes, the tour is fully guided with expert Tour Directors, Drivers, and Local Guides.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
No, airport transfers at the destination are not included in the tour package.
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Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
No, travel insurance is not included in the tour package.
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Does the tour visit any UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
Yes, the tour visits several UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the City of Bath, Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, Forth Road Bridge, Frontiers of the Roman Empire, Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, Stonehenge, The English Lake District, and The great Spa Towns of Europe - Bath.
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What is the group size for this tour?
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Europe dates, limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure.
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What activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes various activities such as visiting the town of the legend of King Arthur and the Holy Grail, taking a scenic drive along the Taff Valley and through the Brecon Beacons National Park, visiting Wordsworth’s beloved village and sampling the original Grasmere gingerbread, visiting the battlefield of Culloden Moor, enjoying a scenic drive through the West Country to Poldark’s Cornwall, visiting The Beatles Story in Liverpool, driving the length of the legendary Loch Ness en route to Inverness, and attending the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance (July 26 through August 16 only).
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
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Low Deposit
Globus requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.