Best of England and Wales
Best of England and Wales
Best of England and Wales
20 Days Starting in London and ending in Edinburgh
Visiting: London, Salisbury, Dartmoor National Park, Penzance, Tintagel, Oxford, Moreton-in-Marsh, Cardiff, Snowdonia National Park, Liverpool, Lake District National Park, Edinburgh
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BMSFC
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Weave your way through England, Scotland and Wales on this three-week small group adventure that goes beyond the icons. Get a feel for the urban buzz in London then set your sights on the dramatic coastal landscapes in Cornwall and the rugged moors of Dartmoor and the Lakes District. After winding through national parks with some pretty epic scenery, head to the hearts of Scotland and Wales. Explore Cardiff (from the Doctor’s point of view) and striking Snowdonia before wrapping things up in the literary hub of medieval Edinburgh.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: London
Location: London
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to London! The capital and largest city in England, London stands on the River Thames and has a history spanning back to the time of the ancient Romans. There’s lots to see and do in this bustling metropolis, so it’s recommended that you arrive a couple of days early to explore the city. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting tonight at 6 pm. After, you’re free to hit a West End show or find a fancy restaurant for dinner with a view.
Day 2: Salisbury
Location: Salisbury
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast at the hotel, get ready to leave the city behind as you make your way via train to Salisbury, located in England’s southern rural heartland. When you arrive in this modern medieval city that meets at the confluence of five rivers, follow your trip leader to get your bearings with an orientation walk. After, you're free to roam the city and maybe even make your own way to see the Salisbury Cathedral which dates to 1227 and showcases an example of Early English Gothic architecture. The rest of the evening is free to spend as you wish.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 3: Dartmoor National Park
Location: Dartmoor National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning after breakfast, it’s time to explore one of Britan’s most iconic sites – none other than the 5,000-year-old Stonehenge. Just a short drive away, the morning will be dedicated to delving into the history of this archaeological marvel. After absorbing everything you need to know about this fascinating monument, you’ll then make your way to Dartmoor. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. History lovers can learn about local myths and legends at some of the town's museums or galleries, or take it easy and find a cosy spot and a hearty feed at a nearby pub.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Penzance
Location: Penzance
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Today after breakfast, you’ll have the chance to experience some of the area’s best walking trails and panoramic landscapes. Keep an eye out for famed Dartmoor ponies in the area and cosy farmhouses that hold years of history. Together as a group, you will make your way along the Dartmoor Princetown walk. This gentle walk includes some inclines along the gravel bridleway and offers sweeping views across the rugged moors and takes you to South Hessary Tor. On a clear day, you may be able to see as far as Plymouth Sound. Next, travel to the seaside town of Penzance, with time to stop for lunch along the way. Your afternoon is free to wander through the picturesque town where cobbled streets, local boutiques and fisherman’s cottages can be found.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Penzance
Location: Penzance
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Enjoy breakfast before heading out to admire one of the most loved landmarks in the area – Land’s End, known for its impressive natural beauty and unique location. Hike along to Porthcurno and admire the spectacular terrain and coastal landscapes that stretch far into the distance, then enjoy some free time for lunch. Along the Cornish cliffs you’ll also visit The Minack Theatre – a spectacular open-air venue overlooking the water. Later, return to Penzance where the evening is yours to spend at your own pace.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Tintagel
Location: Tintagel
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, you’ll visit St Michaels Mount, a fascinating tidal island in Mount’s Bay. You may have seen images of this rocky island, but nothing compares to witnessing the magnificent site up close. Enjoy time to explore St Michaels Mount at your own pace and maybe stop by the church and medieval castle set at the top of the island. Later, travel to the historic fishing village of Port Isaac. A guided walk with your leader will showcase the history and highlights of this cosy hub before continuing on to Tintagel – a destination that shares historic ties to King Arthur. The evening is yours to see what hidden wonders can be found within the town.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Tintagel
Location: Tintagel
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Step back in time after breakfast with a visit to Tintagel Castle and uncover the history, myth and tales of King Arthur. This historic site is set along the clifftops of North Cornwell and boasts dramatic views from all angles. The remainder of the day is yours. Make time to visit the Tintagel Old Post Office or drop into one of the small boutique gift shops or take a seat at one of the many eateries and restaurants.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: London
Location: London
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Bid farewell to the panoramic coastline and vast landscapes and make your way to Newquay before catching the train to London. After arriving later in the afternoon, the evening is free to spend at your own pace. Maybe celebrate the final evening of your journey together as a group and choose one of London’s many exciting pubs or restaurants to enjoy an evening of good times and good company.
Day 9: London
Location: London
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today after breakfast the first part of your trip will finish, and it's likely some people from your group will change. You're free to explore London as you wish, but please be sure to return to your hotel at 6 pm for a meeting with your new group, and potentially a new trip leader. After, you’re free to hit a West End show or find a fancy restaurant for dinner with a view.
Day 10: Oxford
Location: Oxford
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast this morning, take a train to Oxford – established in the 12th century, this city revolves around its prestigious university of the same name. The architecture of the city’s medieval centre led poet Matthew Arnold to the nickname 'City of Dreaming Spires'. When you arrive, enjoy a spot of punting – a timeless Oxford tradition of taking a leisurely boat ride (or punt) upstream. Pass along gorgeously green gardens and admire the city from the water. Then, you have a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. You might like to visit the famed college campuses or the Botanic Gardens, where you can picnic for lunch.
Included Activities:
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Day 11: Oxford
Location: Oxford
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast this morning, you have the day free to explore Oxford. If you haven’t already, it’s highly recommended that you take a tour of the University of Oxford, with its many prestigious libraries and historic buildings. Then, you might want to explore Oxford Castle and Prison or the Ashmolean Museum – the university’s museum of art and archaeology. Then, maybe check out Blenheim Palace – a 300-year-old country house in Woodstock and the only non-royal house in England to hold the title of palace. Tonight, why not reconnect with your group and find a spot of dinner?
Optional Activities:
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Day 12: Moreton-In-Marsh
Location: Moreton-in-Marsh
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Enjoy breakfast and then take a day trip to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds. Designated as the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this region rises from the meadows of the upper Thames and is a beautiful place to spend a leisurely afternoon. Explore the English countryside and the peaceful beauty of the local villages. This area is also known for its distinctive local yellow limestone buildings, including medieval-looking cathedrals and thatched homes. If the weather is right, today is perfect for a picnic lunch in the park with your group. Tonight, you’re free to make your own dinner plans. Spend the night in Moreton-in-Marsh.
Included Activities:
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Day 13: Cardiff
Location: Cardiff
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, take a train to Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. Enjoy some free time for lunch and then take a walking tour with a local guide – calling all Dr Who fans, this one is for you! Explore various filming locations and a few of the city’s hotspots related to The Doctor, all within Cardiff’s city centre. After you walk in the footsteps of David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker and Matt Smith, you’ll have the afternoon free to explore, time travel or visit Cardiff Castle – which has stood for almost 2000 years. Tonight, relax in your hotel, enjoy a Dr Who marathon, or find a great spot for dinner with your group.
Included Activities:
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Day 14: Snowdonia National Park
Location: Snowdonia National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Wake up nice and early this morning for breakfast at your hotel and then take a private transfer to Beddgelert – a village nestled in the Snowdonia area of Wales and translating to Gelert’s Grave. This community was named after the legend of Gelert the dog, who Prince Llywelyn left to guard his child. The prince found the dog covered in blood and assumed he had turned on the child, thus killing him. Tragically, the prince realised that Gelert had saved the child from a nearby wolf. Stricken with grief and remorse, the prince gave his heroic hound a ceremonial burial by the river, and to this day, thousands visit the cairn of stones that mark Gelert’s grave. When you arrive in this riverside village, take a scenic hike on the Lon Gwyrfai path to Rhyd Ddu. Winding through some of the best parts of Snowdonia National Park, this trail will wind through Welsh plantations, ancient woodlands and viewpoints spanning across the valley. An included group lunch will break up the walk, and after, you’ll take a private transfer to Bangor – the oldest city in Wales. When you arrive, the rest of the afternoon is free. Relax at your hotel or visit one of the many cathedrals in the city.
Included Activities:
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Day 15: Liverpool
Location: Liverpool
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Have breakfast this morning at your hotel and then take a train to Chester – another cathedral city first founded as a Roman fortress in the 1st century. Take a boat cruise along the River Dee and sightsee this ancient city, with its red sandstone Roman walls, from the water. Enjoy some free time for lunch and then take a train to Liverpool in northwest England. Enjoy a free evening when you arrive – maybe hit one of the many pubs and spend a night with some local Liverpudlians.
Included Activities:
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Day 16: Liverpool
Location: Liverpool
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, hit the streets of Liverpool – famously, the hometown of The Beatles. You’ll take a Beatles-themed walking tour of the city with a local guide, exploring the waterfront, the famous architecture of the Georgian Quarter, local pubs where the Fab 4 began their musical journey, and maybe even the childhood homes of Paul and John. Explore some local music shops, record stores, and other famous locations tied to the historic musical geniuses while learning about the history of Liverpool itself. After, maybe grab a pub lunch with your group before enjoying a free afternoon to explore on your own.
Included Activities:
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Day 17: Lake District National Park
Location: Lake District National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast this morning, you’ll take a train to Windermere, in the famous Lake District of England. A mountainous region and national park, this area is popular for its stunning scenery, glacial ribbon lakes and historic literary association. Enjoy some free time for lunch, exploring the town of Windermere and then take a guided walk with your trip leader along the shore of Lake Windermere – by far, the most popular natural lake to explore in the district. This lake is also the largest in the country! Extend your walk this afternoon, relax in your hotel or find a quaint spot for dinner with your group – the evening is yours.
Included Activities:
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Day 18: Lake District National Park
Location: Lake District National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning with your group. You have a free day to explore the Lake District National Park today – your trip leader will have many suggestions for hikes, short walks and activities in the area. You might like to take a boat tour, very popular on Windermere Lake, or take a drive to Beatrix Potter’s home in Near Sawrey. You could also choose to visit the Castlerigg Stone Circle – a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the Neolithic period. There’s so much to see and do in this gorgeous national park, it’s a nature-lover’s paradise!
Day 19: Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, take a train to Edinburgh, Scotland this morning. The birthplace of Harry Potter, Edinburgh is a hilly city that has captured the hearts and minds of many. When you arrive, you’ll take a walking tour with your trip leader. Explore the medieval Old Town, with Edinburgh Castle looming above, then head into the Georgian New Town, with its beautiful gardens and neoclassical buildings. The rest of the afternoon is free. Maybe explore the castle, home to Scotland’s crown jewels, or head to Arthur’s Seat, an imposing peak with sweeping views over the city in Holyrood Park. You can also book a Potter-themed walking tour to further explore the city and learn about JK Rowling’s inspirations and writing locations and even visit the grave of the original Tom Riddle! Maybe celebrate a trip well-travelled tonight with your group with a farewell dinner in one of the city’s popular restaurants.
Included Activities:
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Day 20: Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Meals Included: breaksfast
There are no activities planned for today so after breakfast, your trip will come to an end. If you’d like to stay and explore Edinburgh for longer, just speak to our booking agent about extended accommodation.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (17 nights), Guesthouse (2 night) -
Salisbury - Leader led walk
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Stonehenge visit
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Dartmoor Princetown Walk guided walk & picnic lunch
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Land’s End visit
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Porthcurno guided hike
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Minack Open Air Theatre visit
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Tintagel - Port Isaac Leader led walk
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Tintagel - St Michael's Rock visit
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Tintagel -Tintagel Castle visit
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Oxford - Punting Activity
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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International Travel
Transport
- The main mode of transport on this trip is trains. These are modern and equipped with air conditioning and charging points. Train travel in UK is comfortable and takes you directly into the city centre of your destination. Most of the train station facilities will include lifts, but please note, you will be responsible for carrying your luggage on the platform and on and off the train.
Accommodation
- OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
- TWIN SHARE BASIS
- Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
- CHECK-IN TIME
- Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
- PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
- If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
- FACILITIES
- Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please note that due to the small properties we use in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 2. You don't have a lot of time in London at the start of the trip, so if you're keen to explore these spectacular cities in depth we recommend you arrive a day or two before the start of the trip and/or extend your stay at the end.
- 3. As this is a combination of 2 trips, your leader and the composition of your group may change in London.
Mode of Transport
- The main mode of transport on this trip is trains. These are modern and equipped with air conditioning and charging points. Train travel in UK is comfortable and takes you directly into the city centre of your destination. Most of the train station facilities will include lifts, but please note, you will be responsible for carrying your luggage on the platform and on and off the train.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
Just as a heads up before you book, this trip is new to our range this year and while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.
Please note that most of the travels on this trip is done by train. While this is fantastic and sustainable way to move around, you will be responsible for shifting you bags to and from the trains and moving them round the station. Sometimes a short walk from your hotel to the train station is also required. Please pack carefully and do not bring any unnecessary items with you. Suggested weight of your luggage should not exceed 12 to 15 kg. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.