Essential Britain Tour
From $1699 (was $2049)
Per person, double occupancy, excludes roundtrip airfare
10 Days
Passport Required
View Dates and PricesThis program is currently sold out but new dates are coming soon! Call 877-332-6185 for more details.
United Kingdom Tour Details
Join us on a spectacular England tour where you will see the United Kingdom's dazzling culture, scenery, and history. Whether you want to relax in the countryside, explore ancient sites and castles, or marvel at bustling cities, you're sure to enjoy this tour of England, Wales, and Scotland.
Explore London, whose centuries-old landmarks live in harmony with their modern surroundings. There is much to see in this famous city on the Thames. Don't miss the infamous Tower of London, Big Ben, and elegant Buckingham Palace.
Consider the mysteries of Stonehenge, the prehistoric ring of stones whose purpose and origins remain unsolved even today. Discover the city of Bath's incredible Roman architecture-a must-see for history fanatics.
You'll be delighted with the rolling hills and fairytale cottages of the Cotswolds. Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's hometown is the ultimate medieval must-see for theater lovers.
Discover Wales, and take a train ride through the lush mountains of Snowdonia National Park. See Liverpool, the city that birthed the Beatles. In the Lake District, you'll cruise along England's largest natural lake, Lake Windermere, landing in the rabbit hole of the Beatrix Potter Gallery. Then look out at Hadrian's Wall, an incredibly preserved Roman stone wall.
Spend your final day on a tour of the riverside city Newcastle, and Scotland's scenic capital of Edinburgh. You can't help but fall in love with the charm and beauty of Great Britain.
Tour Includes
3 Countries- England
- Scotland
- Wales
- London
- Stonehenge
- Bath
- Cotswolds
- Stratford-upon-Avon
- North Wales
- Liverpool
- Lake District
- Newcastle
- Edinburgh
- 8 Nights
- Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy
- 8 Breakfast and 6 Dinners
- A professionally trained English-speaking local tour director who is knowledgeable of the area and will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.
- To and from your hotel room throughout your land tour for one piece of Checked Baggage per person.
Activity Level
Click here for full details.
Note: Information shown here is for 2022 itinerary. Itinerary and highlights for 2023 dates differ. Please view the "Itinerary" tab for more information.
Tour Highlights
- Spend 2 nights with an included guided city tour in London
- Marvel at the wonder of Stonehenge
- Tour Shakespeare's Birthplace and hear family stories and live theatre recitals
- Enjoy a scenic train ride through Snowdonia National Park on the Ffestiniog Railway
- Take a relaxing cruise on Lake Windermere in England’s famously beautiful Lake District
- See the highlights of Liverpool and Newcastle on guided city tours
- Visit the Cotswolds, Llechwedd Slate Caverns, and Beatrix Potter's Gallery
Mandatory Vaccinations Against COVID-19
All guests, including minors, must be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines prior to departure to participate. Guest vaccination requirements are currently for all departures until further notice. For more information visit our Travel Safe page.
*Web prices reflect Instant Rebate pricing. Offers valid for new bookings only and subject to availability. Offer may be cancelled at any time.
Please follow the steps below to price your vacation with YMT Vacations. When you complete all the steps, click “Reserve” next to the date on which you would like to travel.
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| Depart | Base Price | Taxes & Fees | Single Supplement | Triple Reduction | Quad Reduction | Flight Cost | Total Price per person | ||||||
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(Click the map to enlarge)
Essential Britain
Essential Britain
Tours Starts: London, England
Tours Ends: Edinburgh, Scotland
Day 1
Depart for London
Your journey begins on your overnight transatlantic flight to London.
Day 2
Arrive in London
If you purchased airline tickets through YMT, a representative will welcome you at the airport and transport you to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure until the included welcome dinner at the hotel begins. Get acquainted with your traveling companions and learn about the exciting days ahead. (D)
Lancaster Gate Hotel or similar
Day 3
London Sightseeing
After breakfast, head out on a panoramic city tour of one of history’s most influential capitals. Enjoy an overview of all of London’s most important landmarks from the comfort of your roomy coach and enjoy the rest of the day to explore as you wish. The city boasts many famous sights, including the Tower of London, Big Ben, Piccadilly Square, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and more! (B)
Lancaster Gate Hotel or similar
OPTION: LONDON EYE & DINNER AT THE DUKE OF SUSSEX:
Take a ride high above the Thames on the London Eye, before enjoying a 3-course dinner. $149 p/p.Please add this option at time of booking.
Day 4
Stonehenge and Bath
Leave London this morning and go back in time to explore two of England’s oldest sites: Stonehenge and the Roman Baths. Stonehenge is the instantly recognizable ring of stones built approximately 5,000 years. With no written records, the purpose of the monument, and the methods of its construction, remain a mystery. Stand in awe beside these massive wonders and experience their glory up close! In Bath, we tour of some of the best Roman ruins in the world. Romans started taking advantage of Bath’s natural hot springs when Claudius invaded Britain in 43 AD. They turned the site into a religious shrine that housed incredibly complex bathing areas with cold rooms, warm rooms, and a massive central pool. Explore this city, whose largely intact ruins are a testament to Rome’s incredible engineering skills. (B)
Mercure Bristol Holland House or similar
Day 5
The Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon
Spend the morning in the Cotswolds, a stunning rural area renowned for lush rolling hills and beautifully maintained historic buildings and villages. The striking color of local structures— from grand manors and churches to humble single-family cottages—is due to the region’s native honey-colored limestone. The buttery yellow stone is a signature feature that’s distinguished the Cotswolds for centuries. Then we continue to the home of the world’s most influential writer—William Shakespeare. Take a tour of Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the restored 16th century half-timbered home in Stratford-upon-Avon that the bard grew up in, and lived in for several years with his wife and muse, Anne Hathaway. Hear family stories and live theatre recitals during your time in this charming home. The day ends with a delicious dinner at your hotel in Wales. (B, D)
Ramada Plaza Wrexham or similar
Day 6
North Wales
Go deep into the Welsh mountains today on a visit to breathtaking Snowdonia National Park. Take in its wild landscapes of mountains and incredibly lush Welsh oak forests. Its coastline is protected as a Special Area of Conservation, with rugged banks and a scattering of sand dunes in the park’s mid-coast. Then enjoy a ride on the Ffestiniog Railway, one of “The Great Little Trains of Wales” through the heart of the park. You'll also learn about Wales’ slate mining industry and history, with a tour at Llanfair Slate Caverns, an historical mine. The day ends with another included dinner at your hotel. (B, D)
Ramada Plaza Wrexham or similar
Day 7
Liverpool & The Lake District
Today we tour Liverpool, a port city from where over 9 million emigrants left England for a new life in America. You’ll see the Liver building, the Headquarters of the Whitestar Shipping line where the Titanic was built, the Albert Docks, and the two cathedrals of Hope Street. This afternoon we arrive in one of the prettiest parts of England—the Lake District. A popular holiday destination for centuries, the district is the ultimate country retreat and the ideal place for poets and writers such as William Wordsworth, John Keats, and Beatrix Potter to write. (D)
Lancaster House Hotel or similar
Day 8
Lake Windermere Cruise, the Beatrix Potter Gallery, and Hadrian's Wall
Cruise Lake Windermere, England’s largest natural lake. Surrounded by mountains, it was historically one of the most popular places to "get out of town." Then, tour the Beatrix Potter Gallery and see many original works of the beloved author and illustrator displayed in the delightful 17th-century house where her husband once practiced law. Miss Potter was famous for writing The Tale of Peter Rabbit and dozens of other whimsical, funny, charmingly-illustrated books. Your final stop is the Roman-era Vallum Hadriani, or Hadrian’s Wall. The stone remains of fortifications built by the Romans, the wall stretches 73 miles from coast to coast and reveals just how gifted Rome’s engineers were!(B, D)
Jury Inn Newcastle or similar
Day 9
Newcastle and Edinburgh
Your tour’s final day dawns in Newcastle, Northeastern England’s most populous city. A riverside city with an ancient Roman past (you can see sections of Hadrian’s Wall from certain vantage points), Newcastle is full of fabulous sightseeing. On your guided tour this morning, see Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Tyne Bridge, imposing Newcastle Castle, and the towering Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas, a beautiful example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. This afternoon, we arrive in Edinburgh, home to Edinburgh Castle, the historical fortress that dominates Edinburgh’s iconic skyline as a globally recognizable symbol of Scotland. The rest of the evening is at leisure until your included dinner. (D)
Moxy Edinburgh Airport or similar
Day 10
Depart for Home
On certain tour dates, you may choose to combine this tour for an extended visit to Scotland. If you are joining us for our Ultimate Great Britain tour, you will enjoy the opportunity to explore Edinburgh on your own today before joining our Sights of Scotland itinerary. (B)
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
(Click the map to enlarge)
Essential Britain
Essential Britain
Tours Starts: London, England
Tours Ends: London, England
Day 1
Depart for London
Your journey begins on your overnight transatlantic flight to London.
Day 2
Arrive in London
If you purchased airline tickets through YMT, a representative will welcome you at the airport and transport you to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure until the included welcome dinner at the hotel begins. Get acquainted with your traveling companions and learn about the exciting days ahead. (D)
Lancaster Gate Hotel or similar
Day 3
London Sightseeing
After breakfast, head out on a panoramic city tour of one of history’s most influential capitals. Enjoy an overview of all of London’s most important landmarks from the comfort of your roomy coach and enjoy the rest of the day to explore as you wish. The city boasts many famous sights, including the Tower of London, Big Ben, Piccadilly Square, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and more! (B)
Lancaster Gate Hotel or similar
Day 4
Stonehenge and Bath
Leave London this morning and go back in time to explore two of England’s oldest sites: Stonehenge and the Roman Baths. Stonehenge is the instantly recognizable ring of stones built approximately 5,000 years. With no written records, the purpose of the monument, and the methods of its construction, remain a mystery. Stand in awe beside these massive wonders and experience their glory up close! In Bath, we tour of some of the best Roman ruins in the world. Romans started taking advantage of Bath’s natural hot springs when Claudius invaded Britain in 43 AD. They turned the site into a religious shrine that housed incredibly complex bathing areas with cold rooms, warm rooms, and a massive central pool. Explore this city, whose largely intact ruins are a testament to Rome’s incredible engineering skills. (B)
Mercure Bristol Holland House or similar
Day 5
The Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon
Spend the morning in the Cotswolds, a stunning rural area renowned for lush rolling hills and beautifully maintained historic buildings and villages. The striking color of local structures— from grand manors and churches to humble single-family cottages—is due to the region’s native honey-colored limestone. The buttery yellow stone is a signature feature that’s distinguished the Cotswolds for centuries. Visit Cogges Manor Farm, which you may recognize from Downton Abbey. Continue to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the restored 16th century home in Stratford-uponAvon that he grew up in and shared with his beloved wife, Anne Hathaway. Hear family stories and live theatre recitals. The day ends with a delicious dinner at your hotel. (B, D)
Holiday Inn Chester South or similar
Day 6
North Wales
Go deep into the Welsh wilderness of Snowdonia National Park. Take in its wild landscapes of mountains and lush oak forests. Its coastline is protected as a Special Area of Conservation, with rugged banks and a scattering of sand dunes in the park’s mid-coast. Then enjoy a ride on the Ffestiniog Railway, one of the “Great Little Trains of Wales,” through the heart of the park. Eat lunch on your own in the walled market town of Conwy, then stop at Conwy Castle. The rectangular stone fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized as one of the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe. (B, D)
Holiday Inn Chester South or similar
Day 7
Liverpool & Manchester
Tour Liverpool, a port city from where over 9 million emigrants left England for a new life in America. You’ll see the Royal Liver Building, the headquarters of the White Star Line, the Albert Docks, and the two cathedrals of Hope Street. Continue to Manchester. Learn about one of Britain’s most passionate football cities on a panoramic tour. From your coach you will see , Old Trafford, the Lowry, and more. Enjoy free time in Manchester before continuing to York. (B, D)
York Marriott Hotel or similar
Day 8
York & Nottingham Castle
Start the day with a panoramic tour of York, a city that never quite left behind its medieval past. 13th century walls surround narrow streets, which all wind their way toward the magnificent York Minster. One of the England’s most impressive cathedrals looks down at the city that inspired and influenced the magical look of the Harry Potter movies—particularly Diagon Alley. Your tour takes you past York Minster, Exhibition Square, Margaret Street, and Fishergate. From there, enjoy the real life setting for the most famous outlaw in fiction—Robin Hood. Visit Nottingham Castle. The imposing stone structure has been a royal palace, a military fortress, the site of a coup, and a symbol of Industrial Age inequality. See the castle, expansive grounds, and beautiful exhibition spaces. (B, D)
Conference Aston Hotel or similar
Day 9
Oxford & London
Take a panoramic and walking tour of Oxford, a city known around the world as the home of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious university. See the school and 1,100-year-old village, including Christchurch, Oxford Castle, and more of the famous halls and greens of Oxford University. Enjoy lunch on your own and free time in town, which is full of historic pubs where many of Britain’s sharpest minds bloomed. Return to London and sit down for an included Farewell Dinner. (B, D)
Lancaster Gate Hotel or similar
Day 10
Depart for Home
Depart for home, or travel by scenic rail up to Edinburgh. On certain dates, you may choose to combine Essential Britain with Sights of Scotland for our Ultimate Great Britain tour. (B)
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
Watch a short video about this tour!
