Castles, Country and Coastlines!
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Chester Black and white architecture
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Offas Dyke, Wales ©Hawlfraint y Goron ©Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales
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Conwy Castle ©Hawlfraint y Goron ©Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales
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Caernarfon Castle ©Hawlfraint y Goron ©Crown copyright (2022) Cymru Wales
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Explore castles, travel along beautiful coastlines and breeze across stunning countryside in this incredible tour taking in some of the most incredible sites and cities in England and Wales.
Our intriguing and splendidly eclectic tour showcases the amazing diversity of Britain. Starting in England, the tour uses Manchester as a gateway. Discover castles, stunning Welsh scenery, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, picturesque Cotswolds countryside, an imposing stately home and vibrant London!
Tour Highlights Include:
Chester – Occupied by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago and still with its original walls. Chester has the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain, 12th century shopping rows and a 1,000 year old cathedral.
Conwy – Designated a world heritage site and dating back to the 13th century with an imposing castle, impressive walls, quaint harbour and revolutionary suspension bridge.
Caernarfon Castle – This 13th century royal fortress-palace was built on legends and bitter medieval conflict. Recognised around the world as one of the the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages and still used today as the location for the investiture of the Prince of Wales.
Snowdonia National Park – Situated on the west coast of Britain and covering 823 miles of diverse, beautiful landscapes with some of Britain’s highest peaks, most spectacular views and some of the world’s oldest rocks.
Portmerion – Designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village. This delightful village is a little slice of Italy in the heart of Wales.
Straford upon Avon – A beautiful market town on the banks of the river Avon. With over 800 years of history and famous as the birthplace of the world’s greatest playwright – William Shakespeare.
Warwick Castle – Over 1,000 years of fascinating and sometimes gruesome history, stunning gardens, incredible state rooms and fantastic entertainment.
Blenheim Palace – A world heritage site with over 300 years of history, it is the birthplace of the ‘Greatest Briton’ of all time – Sir Winston Churchill.
Your group will travel by comfortable coach with an experienced driver and guide to ensure that you really make the most of your adventure.
Return to our other Incoming Tours.
Dates
2024 & 2025 dates available on request
Itinerary Summary
Day 1
Welcome to Britain
Arrive at Manchester International Airport, where you will be greeted by your driver-guide and whisked off to North Wales via the Roman city of Chester.
After a panoramic tour of the walled city, you will have some free time to explore; stop for coffee or lunch and take a stroll through the city centre. Be sure to take in the timber buildings of The Chester Rows; 13th century covered walkways containing shops and other premises – the reason for their existence is still somewhat of a mystery.
Next you will head to the beautiful, coastal town of Conwy. The town is dominated by its imposing castle, built in the 13th century by Edward I, it presides over the estuary of the River Conwy.
After checking into your hotel, you will have the rest of the day to explore this historic town by foot – look for the fisherman’s cottage on the quayside, the Smallest House in Britain and be sure to explore the magnificent castle. Overnight in Conwy.
Day 2
Explore Wales
Travel along the spectacular North Welsh coast towards Anglesey for a morning visit to Caernarfon Castle. This 13th century masterpiece is where Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales in 1969 and was built based on the prophecies of Merlin and the King Arthur stories.
In the afternoon drive through the spectacular Snowdonia National Park to Porthmadog for lunch, followed by a quick visit to the Italianate village of Portmeirion; created by Clough Williams-Ellis, this idyllic village has a stunning setting, sub-tropical gardens and and a incredible architectural heritage.
Return to Conwy via Betws-y-Coed, the gateway to Snowdonia with a visit to Swallow Falls, time permitting, and the Vale of Conwy.
The rest of the free evening will be free to spend at your leisure.
Day 3
Vale of Clwyd then on Stratford-upon-Avon
After a hearty Welsh breakfast, set off on a wonderful scenic drive through the beautiful Vale of Clwyd in Denbighshire, as you make your way down to historic Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace (and final resting place) of William Shakespeare – the world’s most famous and greatest playwright.
After checking into your hotel, spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure exploring the beautiful town.
In the evening enjoy a performance at the famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Overnight in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Day 4
Warwick Castle and Shakespeare’s Elizabethan England
After breakfast you will travel to Warwick Castle which has dominated the middle of England for over a thousand years.
In the afternoon return to Stratford-upon-Avon, where you can spend the rest of the day exploring some incredible locations including Shakespeare Birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage; costumed interpreters will transport you back to the life, times and stories of Elizabethan England.
Overnight in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Day 5
Blenheim Palace and afternoon in London
After an English breakfast at your hotel you will drive through the picturesque Cotswolds to Blenheim Palace; birthplace of the ‘greatest Briton’ of all time – Winston Churchill and the ancestral home of the Dukes of Marlborough.
After spending some time exploring this magnificent palace and its wonderful gardens, you will head to London and check into your central hotel.
The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to spend at your leisure; exploring the bustling city, taking in the sites and sampling the nightlife. You may even consider spending your evening watching a show at the theatre or the opera (optional).
Day 6
Return home
After a final breakfast at the hotel your private transfer will take you back to Heathrow Airport for your journey home.
Alternatively, why not extend your stay and take in some more of the UK, perhaps with a trip to Stonehenge, Bath or Manchester.
This tour is suitable for groups from 15 persons
For individual travellers a tailor made tour can be created using a driver/guide – please contact us for prices.
Based on minimum 15 paying persons
Price is nett – non commissionable and based on sharing double / twin bedded rooms.
Discounts are available for larger groups – please contact us for details.
Single occupancy rooms are available – supplement on request.