Essential Britain Tour
From $2099
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 vacation that highlights culture, scenery, and history of England and Wales. Whether you want to relax in the countryside, explore ancient sites and castles, travel through forested mountains, or enjoy the bustle of London, you're be sure to relish this exciting tour.
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.
Spend time delving into riveting architecture, history, and civilizations past on tours of Stonehenge’s mysterious stone rings and the ancient city of Bath. Cross rolling hills and picturesque countryside to the fairytale cottages of The Cotswolds and wander the medieval must-see town of Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s hometown. Delight in the natural beauty of Wales on a train ride through the lush mountains of Snowdonia National Park, home to wild landscapes, rugged mountains and lush forests.
Spend time in cities that have influenced pop culture around the world, beginning with Liverpool, birthplace of the Beatles. In Manchester, learn about one of Britain’s most passionate football cities. Next, discover how York influenced the magical look of the Harry Potter movies, particularly Diagon Alley. At Nottingham Castle, enjoy the real-life setting for the most famous outlaw in fiction: Robin Hood.
On your final day, tour Oxford, home of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious university. See the school and 1,100-year-old village before returning to London. You can't help but fall in love with the charm and beauty of Great Britain on this tour.
Tour Includes
2 Countries- England
- Wales
- London
- Stonehenge
- Bath
- Cotswolds
- Stratford-upon-Avon
- North Wales
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- York
- Nottingham Castle
- Oxford
- 8 Nights
- Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy
- 8 Breakfast and 5 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.
Tour Highlights
- Discover London on a city tour of her most famous sights
- Marvel at the wonder of Stonehenge
- Tour Shakespeare’s birthplace, where you will hear family stories and live theatre recitals
- Take a scenic ride through Snowdonia National Park on the Ffestiniog Railway
- Look for Robin Hood at Nottingham Castle
- See the hallowed halls of Oxford University
Please visit our Travel Safe page for our most up to date Health and Safety information
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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Sep 05, 2023 |
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Depart: Sep 05, 2023 Base Price:$2199Taxes & Fees: $299 Single Supplement: $700 Triple Reduction: $0 Quad Reduction: $0 Flight Cost: $0 Total Price: $3198 Total Price: $2498 Total Price: N/A Total Price: N/A |
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Sep 19, 2023 |
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Depart: Sep 19, 2023 Base Price:$2099Taxes & Fees: $299 Single Supplement: $700 Triple Reduction: $0 Quad Reduction: $0 Flight Cost: $0 Total Price: $3098 Total Price: $2398 Total Price: N/A Total Price: N/A |

(Click the map to enlarge)
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 & Newstead Abbey
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. After departing from York, visit Newstead Abbey, a historic country home over 800 years old and the former residence of the Romantic poet Lord Byron. Discover Lord Byron's private apartments, the Victorian kitchen and room depslays, plus cloisters from the Abbey's monastic period. Overnight in Birmingham and enjoy an included dinner. (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!