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Best of England Tour Review

In sincere appreciation to all the folks who take the time to write trip and/or tour reviews, I will attempt to briefly summarize our recent experiences on the Rick Steves Best of England tour. The obvious disclaimer is that this is only our (husband and myself) experience and opinions. Hopefully it is still instructive and informative, particularly to those who might be interested in taking this specific tour. SITES: Each of the cathedrals visited were unique. The Wells Cathedral (for us) was more memorable than Westminster, perhaps because the architecture and ambiance were enhanced by the small crowds at the former. Shoulder to shoulder with tourists at Westminster, we were glad we had seen it before on a much less crowded day. The York Minster is beautiful and we were so glad to have sat and experienced the space. Blenheim’s story is compelling. We once took a tour of Glastonbury with a London-based company. We felt that was better than the RS experience. On that previous tour, the Chalice Well /Avebury Stones/ Glastonbury were matched thematically and tied together the mystery and magic of all three sites. On the RS tour we were simply left to wander on our own at Glastonbury and Avebury and did not visit the Chalice Well site at all. We did have a lovely picnic at Glastonbury, but it would have been much more meaningful with some explanation and story-spinning from our tour leader. It is always interesting to tour elegant manor houses that open their doors to create funds to keep them going. We really enjoyed the flour mill at Stanway. (Our favorite is still Cawdor Castle from the Scotland tour.) We looked forward to the cream tea at Stokesay Castle, but it was a disappointment. We were left on our own to explore the abandoned castle with an audio guide where the numbered stations did not match the narrative. Most of us were left confused and wandering aimlessly. Then, on our own, we wound our way back to the small cafe building where we were told we could pick a scone and a drink. A cafeteria style tea was not what we imagined. There was no instruction in the habit, ritual and tradition of the English tea here or at any time during the tour. We had a chance to meet with a Welsh sheepherder. Having done a similar thing on the RS Scotland tour we looked forward to that experience. The farmer is a local TV star who keeps most of his working dogs kenneled. He was an entertaining guy, but the visit was not as extensive as the Scottish one. There was a sales “ opportunity” at both. Hadrian's Wall was fascinating, but the allotment of time seemed skewed to us. We started at a small museum with interesting displays that we were not given any time to view. We were there just for a short film, and then moved on. Again, we were left to explore on our own. That was a theme of this tour; hear a few words from our tour leader or a local guide and then just walk around and explore on your own. Most of the time that meant a choice between having some lunch or seeing the site. It became increasingly frustrating to us. For example, if this had been our only experience at the Tower of London we would have been very upset. We had barely enough time to get some food and take a Beefeater tour. If you wanted to explore other aspects of this site you would have had to come back later and do it on your own. The National Railway Museum we did on our own was incredible. Half a day was not nearly enough.

To summarize the sites visited. Particularly, on this England tour we heard little English history ( the English Civil War was not discussed once.) The sites visited focused on Roman history almost exclusively. There is a lot of overlap in genre with the Scotland tour. We liked the Scottish version more.

Best of England Tour Part Two

HOTELS- We have taken 6 RS tours. We expect small rooms that are clean and comfortable. The hotel rooms we had on the Best of England tour were by far the worst rooms of our previous 5 tours. There were no elevators in any of the hotels except for the London hotel, and even then we had two flights of stairs to get to our room. Bath: Brooks Guesthouse. Our room was 50 steep spiral steps down to the breakfast room. ( and 50 up to brush our teeth). That meant 100 stair steps before our tour began each day. It is 16 steep, slippery steps from the street into the hotel. My arthritic knees were not happy, and the cortisone injections that usually sustain me for six months were exhausted by the end of this two week trip. Our room here did have a king size bed, but we had to buy an extension cord to make use of the limited electrical outlets. There was no closet or storage of any kind, so we lived out of suitcases on the limited floor space. Quite the obstacle course. Stow: The Sheep on Sheep street. This was our only nice room of the tour. More stairs, but at least they were not spiral this time. We had a closet, a dresser, a big bed and two actual chairs to sit on. Conwy: Castle Hotel. More stairs and a room with a double bed and modern bathroom. Two chairs to sit in. All good. Except for one fatal flaw. Our room was directly above the outdoor smoking area of the hotel bar. Very noisy and smelly. Keswick: More stairs. Lots of stairs just to get inside the hotel, with no hand railing. The alternative was a "back" way that was a steeply sloped driveway area. Smaller than a double bed. No storage and no place to sit other than the bed. A view (and smell) of the dumpsters. York: The York Minster. Yikes. More stairs. One 40" bed. One child-sized twin bed. I took the twin which hit my legs mid-shin. The mattress was so sagged that you could feel the hard wood bed frame underneath your bottom as you (tried) to sleep. Radisson Blu Kensington: One 40" bed. Tiny, tiny room. Our last night before fiying home and I needed some sleep, so I actually asked at the front desk if they had anything else. They graciously found us a room with a king-sized bed. It had a closet and a chair and couch to sit on. It also had a shower tube that was up two steep ceramic steps and about 20" square. Plus, right outside the bathroom window (like 6 inches away) was some huge black piece of machinery occluding the entire space. . We opted to just keep that window closed. In summary, the rooms we were assigned on this tour were very uncomfortable. To add insult to injury, our tour leader told us that he was going to engineer room assignments so that if "you get a small room or one up a lot of stairs" one night he would try to make it equitable the next night. Given that our rooms just got worse as the tour went along we struggled not to take it personally.

FOOD: This was a highlight. We had the best group meal food of any of the 6 RS tours we have taken. There were choices for almost all meals. We felt that the choices were selected to represent regional and ethnic reflections of modern England. The only loser here was the fish and chips. My husband choked on a bone in his second bite, and my fish and chips were lukewarm. (actually some of my frozen french fries were still pretty chilly) Our final meal did include a taste of Prosecco and one glass of wine. We never did get to taste the scrumpy advertised in the RS itinerary. We had a glass of boxed cider during our picnic at Glastonbury, but it didn't seem quite the same.

Thank you for this honest and informative report, I appreciate it. Must have been nice to come home to your own bed after this trip... : )

Best of England Tour Part 3:

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

There were some very enjoyable moments in this tour, and as usual we traveled with a group of flexible, hardy and fascinating tour members. We definitely could not have easily traveled to these destinations without driving ourselves or stressing about finding and making bus connections. We had balmy, clear weather to enjoy the villages that were as unique and charming as we had hoped. Our tour leader was very experienced and always professional. Given that this was the first tour of the season, it felt like some aspects were not quite up-to-speed yet. We especially missed the special treats, stops and experiences of previous tours. Call us spoiled, but on our other 5 tours the leader routinely provided small bus treats of local delicacies, hosted multiple happy hours on non-group meal evenings (we were given one free drink in Keswick), and took the time to make a few unscheduled stops ( or at least made them feel spontaneous). We appreciated the honesty of our leader admitting he didn't remember our names, but by the end of two weeks it felt impersonal. We have one more RS tour scheduled for this year, and I suspect that after that we may "take a break" and just return to independent travel. We enjoy the process of picking out our own hotel and eating meals outside of large groups. We didn't mind the early starts of this tour, but we also appreciate that when you travel independently you have the freedom to create your own schedule. We also realize that for us the power of the RS tour is the instructional abilities of the tour leader and local guides. When those folks are well-matched to our purposes for a trip, it becomes a trip-of-a-lifetime. When that is not a good match, it is very disappointing. We end up with regrets about spending so much money knowing how much cheaper it is to travel on our own. Just our experiences, but I hope it helps someone in their discernment. Feel free to PM me if you have more specific questions.

I have only taken one RS tour, but I have taken multiple tours with other tour companies. I have yet to find one that is 100% consistent across the board.

I appreciate what reads like a very impartial tour experience. I'm sorry that the rooms were such a trauma. That is one thing I really enjoyed on our RS Sicily tour - the unique variety of hotel rooms.

At least the food (save for the fish and chips) was outstanding!

There was no instruction in the habit, ritual and tradition of the English tea here or at any time during the tour.

This made me smile a bit. This isn’t Japan with its tea ceremonies. Contrary to the perception some tourists seem to have, there really is no traditional ritual. We in England like a cuppa. Sometimes we like it with a scone or cake or sandwiches. To be honest I think the “ritual”, such as it is, was invented by the big hotels.

You make a useful warning - I really think any tourist who plans to stay in old historic small independent hotels - of the sort Rick Steves recommends - needs to be prepared for stairs, tiny rooms and small double beds. An old house that was not designed as a hotel is terribly difficult to retro-fit. How do you cram a lift and large en suite hotel rooms into an old Georgian house, for example?

I’d be interested to know where you ate fish & chips: was it a pub rather than a proper fish & chip takeaway?

aquamarinesteph, I wouldn’t describe the hotels as traumatic. Just uncomfortable. And costly.

Jane, you have burst my bubble. 😏 I want to believe in such traditions since our world seems so lacking in civility now. I agree that historic buildings make challenging fits for a hotel. However, replacing a worn out mattress should be doable. It was the Old Keswickian, labeled as a “ fish and chips takeaway”. Of course we ate there as a group upstairs where they have seating.

Jane beat me to it!

Afternoon Tea was started by some Duchess with evidently too much time on her hands. It was something to occupy the time of bored wealthy people between lunch and dinner. There is no real tradition of Afternoon Tea observed by the wider public, I've never had one (having a mug of tea at 3 pm does not qualify as afternoon tea) and the only people who do are tourists and those who use it as an excuse for soclialising, usually groups of women at grand hotels. Personally I'd rather save myself for a decent meal in the evening rather than fill up on sandwiches and cakes in the late afternoon.

Your experience of the hotels is one of the reasons that puts me off tours. I like to be able to choose my own accommodation as I'm quite picky and I know from experience that not everyone's idea of "high end" is the same. I will also reiterate what Jane said about hotels in the UK, the majority of old hotels, B & B's etc were not designed to fit in with the expectations of 21st Century travellers and sometimes it can be difficult to accommodate these. That being said, there are plenty of old buildings that have managed to combine luxury with the limitations of an old building however size is always going to be an issue.

As for the fish and chips! They should never be French fries let alone frozen ones! Proper fish and chips should be made with thick cut fresh potatoes and ideally from a dedicated 'chippie'. I'd be interested to know where you had such an abomination and it's a shame that you had such a poor experience considering the wealth of decent chippies across the country.

I've just read your response to Jane whilst I was writing mine. I've just had a look at The Old Keswickian website and it certainly looks like a proper chippie. The picture of their fish and chips does not show French fries (they're those long, thin crispy things you get at McDonalds and the like) but proper chips. They certainly don't look like the ones supplied as frozen, I don't know any chippie that does use frozen chips as it's more expensive than chipping potatoes. Was this your first taste of fish and chips in the UK?

You may get a fancy ‘tearoom’ in Bath or some posh hotel in London - with fancy prices. The ‘tearoom’ at Stokesay Castle (run by English Heritage) is simply a place for visitors to have a reasonably priced cup of tea / food.

You mention the lack of elevators in the hotels. Many of the places you have stayed are ancient towns with very old buildings. Some of these hotels might even have existed in the days of stage coaches. Modern hotels with lifts would generally be found in the bigger cities in the UK.

JC, Rick Steves has never claimed the hotels used on his tours are anything but basic. Standard B&B, historic small hotels, and other business traveler hotels have always been used. "High End" is never used to describe them, although the last tour I took did have better hotels than I experienced on any previous tour. So if anyone goes on a RS tour and expects High End accommodations (or even just air conditioning), they are definitely on the wrong tour.

On the 10 RS tours I have taken, there have been some unique rooms in the hotels that I ended up in. Strangely shaped, few plugs for my electronics, not the best view (sometimes no view). But every one has always had a decently comfortable mattress no matter whatever other shortcomings there were. That and a bathroom that is not down the hall is really all I need for my room. And yes, there were few elevators to be found meaning lots of stairs. All of this is stated in the tour documentation.

I think it's really sweet of you guys to jump to the defense of RS and his tour company. However, the OP said this was by no means their first RS tour - and the accommodations on this one were the worst they'd had on any of those tours. To the extent that you were implicitly lecturing the OP on her expectations being unrealistic, I respectfully disagree. As the OP said, the age of the building doesn't excuse worn-out mattresses. Sounds like this particular RS tour was a lackluster offering and probably not up to the usual RS tour standard. With bad mattresses and unusually difficult steep circular (!) staircases thrown in. (I've stayed in B&Bs and hotels with no lifts, but I don't think I've had to climb steep slippery steps or navigate a circular staircase. Just saying.)

I give props to the OP for a balanced, thoughtful, and honest review. Lesser mortals might have posted a hack job, which this definitely was not.

Thanks for taking the time to write this up. I appreciate the very specific information. I shy away from tours but I do take a few here and there - I've taken the RS Scotland. Your report affirms why I generally decide to go it alone even though the tours often look so "easy" as I can just show up and have fun. For me, lodging is enormously important. I want a large room, usually an apartment, and I want a balcony and a prime location. I spend an unbelievable amount of time choosing my lodging. Your information will certainly help others make a measured choice about how to spend their vacation money based on their own priorities and your efforts towards that will hopefully be appreciated.

I am a bit puzzled why the tour includes Stokesay Castle (which is not really a castle), but misses out the superb market town of Liudlow nearby. Ludlow has a large ruined castle in the town centre and plenty of excellent places to eat. A bit further away is Powis Castle - a vast stately home packed full of interesting items (including beautiful gardens and a whole museum of things looted from India by Robert Clive). From the nearby town of Welshpool, you could catch a ride of a steam railway - the only one I have been on where the guard has to get off the train to open and close farm gates which cross the line.

TravelingMom, I am sorry this tour was somewhat of a disappointment to you but I appreciate your honest appraisal of your journey. Please be sure your end-of-tour feedback reflects all you have posted here as only a few RS employees read the forum posts. It definitely sounds as if your guide needs more training and could ultimately benefit by all you have to report. I would have been sad to have missed all those "little perks" that are often offered on tours by more experienced guides, too. I am happy to hear your positives re the Scotland tour as I am signed up for it this coming September!

JC, Rick Steves has never claimed the hotels used on his tours are anything but basic

I've never suggested he's claimed otherwise.

Thank you for your honest report. It's nice to see reports that confirm some of my opinions: Mom and Pop type hotels can be excellent, but they're not always. Big, bad chain might not always be full of charm, but when it's time to replace the mattresses, it's done on schedule, whereas the friendly, local place can put it off if money is tight that year. Climbing lots of stairs is ok if you're young and only paying 20 pounds a night. It gets old, quickly, when you're a working professional and you could have gotten a Premier Inn for the same price (or less).

If you are still interested in small group tours (maximum 24 people), check out Odysses Unlimited .

I just took one of their tours and it was IMHO much better than RS (I've taken 3 RS tours.) Nicer hotels, better food, local guides everywhere, hotels more centrally located than many RS ones, no shopping stops, all tips included except to the tour director. The prices given on the website include airfare so you need to call for land only prices. When prices are matched for the tours alone they are very similar.

If you are still interested in small group tours (maximum 24 people), check out Odysses Unlimited.

Frank II - I see that this company travels to many places which RS does not. I am always interested in good tour groups that go other places. You had a good experience with these people???

a well-researched/reviewed independent that has a good write-up in a newspaper travel article.

I've had good luck with the reviews and pictures on booking.com ('reviews by verified guests only') for finding historic properties that also are eat off the floor clean and have comfy mattresses at reasonable prices.

Aquamarinesteph--I just finished a tour with Odysses and it was excellent. It was my first time with them but the majority of my fellow passengers had traveled with them numerous times. I would not hesitate to travel with them again.

If you have any questions, send me a private message.

Thanks to all for good suggestions. I really tried to write an honest but fair report. I also made it clear that it was only MY opinion. I feel like the official tour reviews are often so glowing as to be useless, and they are so limited in characters allowed that you can't fully explain yourself.

Frank, I immediately checked out the link to Odysseys Unlimited. Their Adriatic/Dalmatia itinerary looks excellent, and I like that they tell you the hotels at the outset. I don't like the tipping part, but I can see how that might affect the effort a tour leader puts forward. Do they give you a guideline of how much to tip?

For those of you who chided me, one of the reasons my tour reviews go into so much detail about the hotels is because the RS company keeps those such a "secret". It is easier to make informed decisions when you have some information ahead of time. I realize that the RS company uses different hotels for the same location, but it tends to be the same group of properties. It would be possible to provide that information to potential travelers. If I had known ahead of time how many stair steps were involved in this particular set of hotels I probably would have selected a different tour. When you have mobility issues that could create a fall (like bad knees on steep stairs) those considerations are not just preferences. I am not a princess and peas don't bother me, but mattresses so saggy that you can feel the board base underneath you are a problem. As is a bed that hits me mid-shin when I stretch my legs out to sleep (as I must do with my knee and back challenges). By the end of tour we were actually looking forward to it being over so we could move on to comfortable beds and fewer stairs. After 6 RS tours that was unexpected which is why I went to such lengths to provide details.

I agree with Travelingmom about the hotel rooms. I did not have as many problems as she, but the mattress at the Brooks Guest house in Bath was so worn out that when I would get into the bed my knee would go all the way down and bang against the floor. Knowing what I know now, I should have insisted upon another room. Not sure they had one, though. Our other hotels were quaint and satisfactory, and the beds I had were comfortable. The Radisson in South Kensington was OK for South Kensington, but just the nature of where it is and how it is converted from former townhomes makes for an inconvenient stay. Small rooms are to be expected, but this hotel also has only two elevators, not located near each other. The larger one holds three people, the smaller one only two. The cleaning staff likes to bring their equipment up from the basement about the same time you are trying to get ready to go up after breakfast before beginning the day, so after a few times of the door oprening and the cleaning crew saying "sorry" and the door closing I finally trudged up the 5 flights of stairs to my room. I know RS and lots of others like South Kensington as a location, but believe me, there are better choices with better hotels.

As for the meals provided as part of the tour package, some were good and some were not. Knowing what I know now, I should have asked for a menu and paid out of pocket at a couple of restaurants, rather than settle for what I hoped was the best of the limited offerings we had to chose from. Our last dinner, for instance, was a choice of salmon, which many like but I do not, Ox Jaw which I shall not eat, and a baby chicken. I took the chicken and got very little food. There were not even any vegetables! And the night in York at the Indian restaurant was a fiasco. We were only offered a sampler plate of food, apparently they thought none of us knew anything about Indian food. They force-fit 5 people per side of our table, though it was designed for 4. The table for 8 became a table of 10. Then a sampler plate was set before the four people on one end of the table, and another set before the 4 people at the other end of the table. Remember, there were 5 per side, or ten total. The two in the middle got what was left over. Mostly it was the lamb, and I do not want to eat a lamb. Sorry. Our naan (flat bread) was hung from a metal tree, with two pieces for the 4 people on one end, and 2 for the other 4 people. Remember, we are 10, not 8. Forcing so many of us (26) into much too small a space created a safety hazard since egress was very limited due to over crowding.

Our tour guide was OK, in that he was very knowledgeable of English history, but he has been doing this a long time and it showed in his lack of enthusiasm. Think of a college professor who has been teaching the same course semester after semester for 30 years and is bored out of is mind with it. That was our guide. His talks on the coach turned into lectures, including political ones. We were encouraged to learn the names of our other tour mates before the tour started and I did so. Not our guide. At the end of the tour he admitted he did not know our names. I think he was the only one of the 26 of us who did not. He was also inflexible in plan, never adjusting for weather or other conditions. For instance, we were to take a walking tour of York our first evening there on the way to the restaurant. It was cold. It was pouring rain. It was quite miserable. We could have walked directly to the restaurant and taken the tour the next morning. But no, we were paraded around in a rainstorm because the tour said to do so.

For those of you who chided me,

No-one chided you, some of us simply pointed out the difficulties involved in adapting old buildings into accommodation comparable with that of a modern, purpose built hotel. I don't see anyone suggesting that you shouldn't expect a decent mattress, well maintaindd furniture or clean rooms but to complain about spiral staircases or slippery steps (probably due to hundreds of years of use) seems to be missing the point somewhat.

Yes, TravelingMom, Odysses does give a guideline (the equivalent in local currency of $10-15/day. That should get people here reminding you that tips are included in RS tours. Yes, they are, you are paying for it ahead of time. With the option, if you are not happy, you don't have to give as much.)

Bellman service is included in Odysseys so you don't have to lug your bags up and down from your room. (I was the only person on the tour with only a carry on size bag so in most cases I carried my own bag.) In some hotels, elevators are small because hotels are old and they were added later. However, no one had to cllimb stairs unless they wanted to. We never had to walk more than 5 or 10 minutes to be in the center of whatever town we were in.

In most cases, with the included meals, you had choices. The food was very good and no one complained about walking away hungry. Most were 3-4 courses including wine. (It was Italy.)

Surfdog, I concur with everything you wrote. Having said that, believe it or not it was still overall the best group meal food of our 6 tours. Draw your own conclusions about that 😏. On some tours there have been only set menus with no choice at all. I agree the seating is often problematic. Often I couldn’t even egress to use the WC not to mention escape a fire.

Frank, thank you so much for that information. And for the perspective about tipping the tour leader. Food for thought for sure.

JC, we will have to agree to disagree about stairs being a problem. I was not intending to complain as much as I was alerting people about potential mobility and safety issues. In the US we are used to accommodations for the handicapped being everywhere. I remember many years ago on our first overseas trip being shocked that wasn’t the case in Europe. (As a special needs teacher I had students in wheelchairs so I was more aware of the differences I suppose ). On this tour there were no accommodations in hotels for handicapping/ mobility issues. People deserve to know that before they plop down nonrefundable $.

Just wanted to pipe in and say I took this tour in 2010 and the only hotel I think is the same is the Castle Hotel in Conwy. I never had a problem with any of my rooms. It's too bad they have changed the hotels and or the hotels have gone downhill:(. I honestly can't remember the name of our Hotel in Bath, but I don't think it had a spiral staircase and don't remember it being an unusual number of stairs to get to breakfast. I do suspect I had the same tour guide though:)

First of all, let me say that my husband and I were on the same RS Best of England tour with TravelingMom, and every word of what she says is true. She has nailed the descriptions of the hotels perfectly. For anyone who objects to her honesty about the flaws (and there were some), why are you objecting?

Who's objecting? How has this idea that the OP was being criticised for her honesty come about? I've read through all the posts and cannot see anything that could be construed as such.

Odysses Unlimited operates most of the Smithsonian Journeys tours. The only difference is you get an "expert" on your Smithsonian Journey tour and will pay about $1000 more.

I really don’t see people objecting to, or criticising what the OP wrote or indeed chiding her. What in fact you have is a bunch of British posters (like me) saying: yes, you do need to be aware of small rooms, lots of stairs etc in the type of small independent hotel RS seems to prefer. As I said upthread,

I struggle to see how that’s a criticism of the OP nor did she take it as such, initially.

Anyway, I stay in Premier Inns wherever possible. I’ve often found that “character” in a hotel means weird-shaped rooms, old furniture, too many steps and hotel owners who want to know your business.

I find it interesting that there are numerous threads here on the forum with people asking about traveling with a knee replacement. And asking about Rick Steves tours. The latest one is here: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/travel-after-knee-replacement

As the one who started the latest knee thread, I'll chime in here. First, I really do appreciate Traveling Mom's very honest (not grumpy!) appraisal of her tour. The post has spurred a lot of great discussion.

We've taken two RS tours -- Best of Paris in 2015 (before my knees got really bad) and VFR in 2017 (when my knees had grown significantly worse). We loved both tours, with Paris getting the edge as our favorite. We really like the knowledgeable guides and the activity level of the tours. I was prepared in both cases for lots of walking and dealing with stairs. For Italy, I tried to schedule my cortisone shots for maximum effectiveness, but still found myself popping a couple of pain pills on several days. I managed and it wasn't that tough, though if I never have to slog up and down the Rialto Bridge again, I'm good.

My worst stair experience actually came when we visited the Arc de Triomphe in our free time one afternoon. I got up the stairs to the top OK, but going down any kind of winding staircase unnerves me a bit, and I take my time, watching every step. A group of 20-somethings were vaulting down the stairs three and four at a time behind me. I hated it, and finally stopped and clearly motioned them to pass. For some reason, they didn't understand and got angry with me. But I survived that, as well as all the stairs up and down at Metro stations.

All that said, I've got to say that Traveling Mom's description of 60 winding steps on a dark spiral staircase just to get to breakfast and steep, slippery steps in and out of the hotel sounds pretty daunting. As others pointed out, while the RS travel philosophy encourages active travelers and discourages the needy grumps, they absolutely should recognize that probably the majority of their guests are no longer spring chickens. Both of our tours had a fair number of younger folks, including our son, but most were older, ranging from early 50s to late 70s. Older people can enjoy strenuous, active, high-mileage itineraries despite age-related limitations. I'm sure as heck not ready for a 50-person tour with a bunch of people who can barely get up and down on the bus. But I also can't spring up and down stairs the way I did 40 years ago. Traveling Mom's report definitely would give me qualms about that particular tour.

As for hotels, we've had mostly good luck. Our favorite would definitely be the lovely Hotel de Londres Eiffel in Paris, but we were very happy with our rooms in Florence and Rome. Least favorite would be the Pensione Guerrato in Venice (also our least favorite of the cities we visited), which seemed musty and spartan. But even there, the beds were fine and it was an interesting, historic property in a good location, and we were up just one flight of stairs from the lobby. We did hear complaints from a few other people on the tour about their rooms. We had a lovely, large room with a four-poster canopy bed in Florence, while another woman said she and her husband were in a tiny, spartan shoebox. Luck of the draw.

Speaking of, I'm curious if there's any pecking order for room assignments based on when you sign up for a tour. We committed to the VFR tour almost as soon as dates came out, some 10 months in advance. We were given good rooms just a floor or two upstairs. I wonder if those who seemed to consistently have less-satisfactory rooms signed up much later? No evidence for this, just a thought.

I am not saying anything against the OP at all. This was her experience and reporting as she did is appreciated.

Any comments I have made are just out of shock that RS is using what are apparently now inferior hotels and the group meals seem to have taken a step down (as posted elsewhere, RS never had high end hotels or 5 star dining included but in the 10 tours I took were never this unacceptable). I realize the last tour I took with RS was 2 years ago and things do change and not always for the better.

Is the company trying to cover lost income from the Turkey tours they had to cancel? Are there other downturns in the tourist industry that are negatively impacting RS in general? I don't know. But this isn't the only topic about how bad some parts of other tours turned out to be. Have they grown too large with too many different tours to be able to properly update things like hotel room comfort and just continue using their tried and true (and now uncomfortably worn) hotels? I had noticed in some of my last few tours the locals, instead of the "Welcome Rick Steves Tour!" response in the TV shows, many had moved to a "Oh, not another Rick Steves bunch." response. We still received good service though.

stoutfella - that is an interesting thought about room assignments. We signed up early for our Ireland and Scotland trip last for April 2018. Only due to having certain dates and wanted to make sure I can good back to back times available. We had excellent rooms in Scotland. Ireland was decent to sub par.

I have been told by multiple RS tour guides that rooms are assigned by the hotels in most cases on the day of arrival and the assignments are communicated to the tour guide close to arrival time. The guides do know which rooms are what at some hotels and can influence the assignments when necessary. What influence they have and what they consider necessary, I don't know.

I have always booked tours late. My rooms varied, but looking at other rooms other tour group members got I doubt I was singled out to get a worse room than anyone else. In other words, if I got a crappy room at a specific hotel, most everyone else did as well. Being a single traveler who paid the single supplement, I always got smaller rooms except in those hotels that had only larger rooms.

We have done both RS and Odysseys tours and I agree that Odysseys is the better company as far as accommodations are concerned. And yes, with Odysseys you never have to handle your luggage once you arrive at your destinaion. The guides were good on both.

TravelingMom, Thank you, sincerely, for your honest and well-written review, and I also thank Rebecca for her perspective, too.. Feedback is the ONLY way a company like Rick Steves' can know what needs to change. I think it will be telling if the tour company makes some changes post-haste for the following tours to this location for the rest of the season. If a company hears about a problem and corrects it, it is a consumer-oriented company. If the company just reacts with no changes, then potential future customers can evaluate if they think there is a problem (I would consider it a HUGE problem).

I've traveled with Rick's company on a group tour (gosh over a decade ago), and we were pleased, but I do not know if I would be as pleased today since I have since had different experiences staying in upscale, small, often-locally-owned boutique hotels on some of our Tauck journeys and also our independent travel. Our Rick Steves' tour was our first group tour (outside of when I was a management host on a sales incentive trip to England) to Europe, and we took the Paris trip. (EDIT: Ooops...I just remembered, we also took the RS Heart of Italy trip about a decade ago....hotels on that one were very good, and one room we considered fabulous (but we lucked up...others in the same hotel were not as pleased). Our more recent group tours have been with Tauck, and they are first class.

I agree that I absolutely want to know which hotels will be used when I make my deposit (Tauck and Odesseys Unlimited tell you), then I hit Trip Advisor and web sites to take a look. While I have not been on an Odesseys journey myself, a very good friend has been on many (university alum trips) and loves them, and we have heard favorable things from fellow travelers we have met.

I hope that those reading TravelingMom's and Rebecca's comments that are signed up for this trip later this year and who might have some concerns about what they have read, that they call the RS organization and see what changes have been made (or will be made). I also hope those taking the trip in the future will then post tour reviews so we can all see what changes are (or are not) made.

ANOTHER EDIT (with this addition): On a trip that included Iceland with National Geographic, our first hotel in Iceland was less than desirable (it needed updating and remodeling, which was in process, but slowly since there appears to be a shortage of hotel rooms with so many people going to Iceland these days, so that hotel seemed to stay booked up and apparently it is hard to get some of the materials needed for the remodel (we were told). NationalGeo issued a significant credit to those who stayed there and had problems toward a future NationalGeographic trip. We let the tour guide know of the issues, and we were pleased to be changed to a different very pleasing small hotel on the return trip to Iceland from Greenland. RS's tour group might evaluate if issuing some sort of credit should be done for those on this particular England trip.

I just need to throw one comment into this discussion. I've seen a couple of posts lauding Tauck here. I traveled with them once. I will never travel with them again. Ever.

So it is possible to have a bad first experience no matter who is your travel company.

I forgot to mention that there are two things you do get with a Rick Steves tour that you don't get with any other company:

1) Buddy System. On other tours you are not responsible for making sure someone else is there. Your tour director does this and it doesn't take up any time.

2) The Name Game. Sadly, on other tours, you are treated as adults and not made to play silly games that may cause embarrassment to others.

Frank: Sounds like this guide might not have been capable of keeping track of everyone.

FWIW, neither of our guides on two RS tours made us do the name game. I suspect most of the guides are no more enthusiastic about it than the travelers.

aquamarinesteph, I would be interested in the details of your trip you mentioned here:

"I just need to throw one comment into this discussion. I've seen a couple of posts lauding Tauck here. I traveled with them once. I will never travel with them again. Ever. So it is possible to have a bad first experience no matter who is your travel company."

I am not thinking of traveling with them. You obviously had a bad experience. So please tell us more.

I don't mean to bash another company. There are loads of people who adore Tauck and rave over its programs. They do have a lot of positive features. They arrange for your transfer from/to the airport on arrival and departure. You never have to handle your suitcase during the tour. They generally stay in very nice hotels which you can see listed before you book your tour. They do provide some exquisite meals at very fine restaurants. You will see what was promised when you booked the trip. If for some reason something becomes unavailable, they will compensate you in some way. They will handle booking pre and post nights at the hotels where the group stays. Once you have traveled with them, they will give you a free pre-night at the group hotel. They have a lot of plusses.

My feelings are based on three main things. A guide can make or break a tour. I don't think we were a good fit with our guide, even though this was someone who's worked for Tauck for years. Our guide gave us a detailed sheet that told us to the minute what we'd be doing each day. We kept strictly to our schedule. Our guide was available for about ten minutes in the morning for any questions. Period. Our guide was not approachable in the slightest. When it came to hearing the history of an area or describing places we were seeing from the bus, they reeled off facts about what we were seeing as if we were in a classroom, exam to follow shortly. There was a seating list for the bus which changed daily and which some didn't bother to follow at all.

Our meals were lovely, but we were forced to specify table companions before many meals. You may be thinking, great! A chance to get to know some of your fellow travelers better! No. The same people always signed up together first, leaving the same four people to sit together again. And while the restaurants were lovely, there was a lot of dressing up required. You definitely wanted a nice dress for ladies and a jacket for men on this tour. Often the menus were limited, and this wasn't when we were eating as a group. This was when you had 'dine at your convenience' meals, but again - you were dining with the people who were signed up to eat at the same time.

And finally - this is the reason we tried out RS who has a no-grump policy - there were people on this tour who started complaining at the first reception and did not stop for a second. Too much that. Not enough this. Why were following such a stupid travel pattern? Why not this? I'm not eating that. And this from people who described themselves as having traveled more in a year than I've probably traveled in my life.

Not every Tauck tour is like that, I'm sure. Like I said, there are loads of people who are devoted to the Tauck product. But this was my experience. Both my husband and I were just staring at each other and wondering why we'd spent the money on this tour, but it DID have the itinerary we wanted. So we did what we always do when things go awry - we smile at each other, and we cope and deal with it. There were other little things along the way as well, but those are the easiest to describe highlights. It just left such an unpleasant taste in my mouth that I decided that I'd spend my money and time better elsewhere.

I’ve never considered taking a RS tour, and after reading this report I know I won’t. But, the biggest reason is the cost, I can go to the U.K., including airfare for four weeks for what RS charges plus airfare for one person. But, again I really enjoy doing the planning, booking tickets, etc.

Thanks for the honest review. Reviews like these really help.

I just had a chat with my Villages of South England guide over breakfast. He said on the tours in Britain the guides don’t do any changes to room assignments as most of the rooms in the hotels across England, Scotland and Wales are similar in his view.

He also said when he first started with RS he was an assistant guide on the 21 day Best of Europe (with Dimitri) and that Dimitri told him the guides on the continent did do shifting of rooms as there were so many rooms that fell in to good/bad categories.

Not to bash another company either, but Tauck is a lot of exactly what I DON'T want or need. I'm sure there are many people who believe that Tauck's way of travel is the only way and would never take a RS tour, and good for them. And the extras offered sound good. But ...

First, their tours are much much more expensive than equivalent RS tours are. While I would have no issues paying that for a tour, I just don't see the need at this point in my life as long as other options exist.

I don't want to dress up for meals while on vacation. I am not a slob, but I also don't find wearing a jacket necessarily improves my dining experience.

I don't want my days planned out to the second, I like free time to explore a location more or even to return to a site the group visited earlier to dig a little deeper, or even just to relax and enjoy the view.

I like being able to discuss things during the day with the guide (at appropriate times that don't interfere with group activities of course).

I like the smaller simpler B&B places and the "quaint" and family run hotels RS uses. While the hotels listed on the Tauck tours are fantastic, they are just too "fancy" for me. I get nervous staying at 5 star places where everyone knows my name -- and everyone has their hand out for a tip.

Never having to touch my luggage? That does sound nice after a long day of what can be exhausting activities. But, no, I don't need someone delivering my luggage to my room when all I have is my one carry on that will arrive at the room the same time I do when I am responsible for carrying it.

I remember my time when I and my wife visited. Both of us had worn tradition Indian clothing, me a kurta and she had worn one of her kurtis when we went to visit this Indian restaurant(can't remember the name since it was a while ago). It was just such a pleasant experience. I remember speaking to the people at the restaurant in Hindi and we got to speak in Hindi after a long time since we had taken a packaged tour of Europe entirely. England just seems to be a wonderful place for me. I have nothing but good things to say about the United Kingdom.

Travelingmom,

Thank you for taking the time to write your review. I plan on taking this tour back to back with Southern Villages in Sept 2019. It has been fantastic to read comments/reviews from 3 travelers all on the same tour.

Again, thank you.

Pam said: "I just had a chat with my Villages of South England guide over breakfast. He said on the tours in Britain the guides don’t do any changes to room assignments as most of the rooms in the hotels across England, Scotland and Wales are similar in his view. "

Interesting, because out guide on the BoE tour in April made us think it was he who made the assignments. He mentioned this numerous times.

You may want to copy and paste this trip review over on the section titled "Tips & Trip Reports Discuss your latest trip and share your top travel tips." The boards are usually monitored quite closely, and the information might need to get over to the people who can change it. Thanks, I hope your next trip is lots better. -Alison

Last July I was on the Villages of South England tour and stayed at the Brooks Guesthouse in Bath on the last night of the tour. All the other B&Bs and guesthouses on that tour were acceptable, some were quirky and also had many stairs. The description of the building and rooms is spot-on. Very many steps to the front door with no handrail and small room with tiny bath which needed updating. I didn't remember the mattress but it was not the best. Since it was the last night before I was heading to London for an extension, it was bearable. My room happened to be on the main level but the other tour members had to go up the steep stairs. Also, since I had an early train from Bath to London, I missed the breakfast as I left the guesthouse very early. Going down the steps with no handrail from the front door to the street with my rollerboard was tricky - I just took my backpack down first and came back up for the rollerboard. Most members of the tour group understood the RS philosophy of getting your bags in/out by yourself. Sometimes it was difficult as some of the B&Bs had numerous staircases, some steep. Yes, it is time to accommodate some of the Boomer generation travelers who may have mobility issues. Yes, it is a converted large house and I have stayed in such guesthouses in London near Victoria Station and Bayswater but none in this condition.

I totally agree with those who have stated that sooner or later RS tours needs to accept the fact that the typical tour participant is aging and that aging carries with it all the aches and pains of older knees, backs and hips. The lodgings could be re-evaluated every year and adjustments made. As much as I hate to admit it, I have knees that don't like stairs anymore and am extra careful going down steps now. Extreme example here, I know, but a man I use to work with was traveling in Europe with his wife. She fell down a set of stairs leaving a cathedral, suffered a head injury and passed away. As far as the room assignments, I was told by one of my RS tour guides that if given the option, the guide will assign rooms and try to rotate the "best" rooms throughout the group. Some hotels don't give them the option and do the assigning on their own.

Lisa, I specifically choose hotels with elevators so I can save my knees for sightseeing and for the steps in the Tube, although I do use elevators whenever they're readily available.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

10 Best England Tour Operators 2023 [Unbiased & With Reviews]

10 best england tour operators 2023.

Are you planning to visit England, but unsure which tour provider to select? Now, you no longer have to waste time searching the internet and filling out dozens of contact forms. Simply fill out ONE form, we’ll send it off to multiple tour providers and they’ll contact YOU! You’ll be able to compare rates and find the lowest cost tour for the most affordable trip abroad.

Are you planning on taking a vacation in England? Do you know how to find the best England tour? Would you like to know the highest rated and most professional England tour operator to plan your journey?

England is enchanting and fascinating, offering various natural marvels, lush National Parks, and countryside scenic landscapes. With over 600 miles of coastline, the country is divided into nine regions, with unique cultures, history, traditions, and personalities. As one of the most popular vacation destinations globally, England offers hundreds of historical sites, medieval castles, and prehistoric megaliths. Besides, the country is easy to get around since it has well connected automated transport infrastructure.

While vacationing in England is an extraordinary experience, it often gets problematic when you start looking for a reliable agency to design an all-inclusive vacation for you. When you search online for tour operators in England, thousands of results will show on your screen from different tour providers, all claiming to have the best offers. Many, however, cannot be trusted. So how do you know which one to select? Picking the wrong tour company in England could have terrible results.

But TravellersQuest is here to help. We would hate for you to choose the wrong tour operator in England and possibly ruin your vacation experience. To save you time and money, we spent thousands of hours finding and analyzing and found the most affordable and best tour companies England.

In this article, you’ll find an unbiased selection of the 10 best tour companies for England.

Keep reading to see the best travel packages with 10 of the most highly-rated tour companies England.

Table update Oct 22, 2021

Silent Disco Walking Tours

Company’s location and type: London, Local Tour Operator Awards, Certification: Ranked #1 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2020 Reviews: 682 Reviews on Trip Advisor 99% rated great and exceptional

About Company

Silent Disco Walking Tours is on our top list as a highly rated and trusted best tour company in England. Based in London, the company specialized in customized, bespoke, and themed music tours on special silent disco headsets. Founded by music fanatics, Silent Disco Walking Tours is internationally recognized for its funky dancing tours, experienced tour guides, and outstanding disco experiences.

Silent Disco Walking Tours primarily focuses on providing immersive and fun tours, and they have various England tour packages you can get involved in and enjoy.

Take the fully customized Private Party Booking and select your music and recorded messages to be played throughout the tour and shared with your loved ones who cannot attend. Take on an experience with Silent Disco Drag Brunch for a three-hour music medley, then hop off the tube into an unforgettable brunch experience fully dressed up. Experience the Magic of London’s Theatreland in the West End while singing and dancing to the best tunes having lots of fun.

Silent Disco Walking Tours is one of the most highly rated tour companies in England. With nearly 700 positive reviews on Trip Advisor , music enthusiasts have praised its customer service and unique fun experiences. Besides, the company is ranked #1 out of 1,596 tours in London with a 5-star rating. You can read a lovely review below.

“Fabulous funny afternoon singing & dancing around soho. Hannah Mantana & the staff were excellent. We all thoroughly enjoyed it.” – KJS: Aug 2021

Look Up London Tours

Company’s location and type: London, Local Tour Operator Awards, Certification: Ranked #4 Trip Advisor Travelers Choice 2021 Reviews: 745 Reviews on Trip Advisor

Founded in 2016 by Katie, a blogger and art graduate, Look Up London Tours is an award-winning England tour operator specializing in walking tours around London. With a team of professional guides, the company is passionate about unearthing the city’s layers of incredible monuments and history while enjoying safe and fun excursions. Based in London, Look Up London Tours’ core values, and objectives are to be passionate, authentic, and professional with every tourist.

Look Up London has exciting England vacation tour packages that can be personalized or customized to fit your needs.

No trip is complete in London without the Museum and Gallery Tours . On this tour, you will visit multiple museums, including the British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate Modern. The Look Up London Walks is designed with local Londoners in mind to help you discover every part of the city and seeing fantastic details, including historical sites. Join in on the Private London Tour for stunning sights and learn all about their attractive and grand history with a small group.

Look Up London is one of the best tour companies in England with many raving and glowing reviews. The feedback shows that the client satisfaction rate is outstanding. Of the total of 756 reviews made on Trip Advisor , 99% of the customers rated the operator as outstanding and excellent. See the positive review below:

“Quirky Bloomsbury walking tour with Katie was exactly what it said on the label! How can I, as a nearly local, go by this area so many times and not “see” what Katie pointed out to us! Insightful and so well presented. Thanks, Katie.” – Hilary P: Aug 2021

BrakeAway Bike Tours

Company’s location and type: London, Local Tour Operator Awards, Certification: Ranked #2 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2013-2020 Reviews: 2,917 Reviews on Trip Advisor

BrakeAway Bike Tours is a London-based leading and one of the top tour companies in England. The company was founded by a professional team of young local guides passionate about biking and sharing the city’s hidden gems. As a fully licensed and registered tour agency with the England Tourism Board, BrakeAway Bike Tours offers top-notch biking tours. In addition, they received the Certificate of Excellence Award by TripAdvisor for more than five years in a row.

BrakeAway Bike Tours offers safe and highly rated new England bicycle tour options to choose from that will leave you with fulfilling memories.

If you want to hear quirky tales of London, join the Grand London Tour , designed to show you all the City’s great monuments and hidden nooks just like a local. London is a safe city for riding. The Private Family Bike Tours accommodate families with young children as it is designed with accessible routes to follow along with the parks and cobbled streets. If you are going to London as a group, the Private Group Bike Tour offers the ideal opportunity to ride around the city with a professional guide whilst stopping to learn about the stunning sights.

BrakeAway Bike Tours is one of the top tour companies in England with an excellent track record of delivering safe and highly rated bike tours in England. The company has a five-star rating on Trip Advisor with nearly 3,000 reviews and ranked #2 out of 446 outdoor companies. You can read a positive review below:

“Wonderful day on a tour of London, enjoyed learning and our guide was v keen to educate with humour.” – Martina: Aug 2021

Strawberry Tours

Company’s location and type: London, Local Tour Operator Awards, Certification: Ranked #2 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2015-2019 Reviews: 22,638 Reviews on Trip Advisor

Strawberry Tours is a highly rated and multiple award-winning tour company in England based in London. The company is passionate about quality tourism, integrity, and outstanding customer service. With years of experience, they have curated carefully designed tours covering the most exciting areas of the city, to give you the best possible understanding as well as the entertainment. Strawberry Tour is on our top list with over 22,000 reviews and over seven awards for excellence from Trip advisor.

Strawberry Tours offers many different new England tour packages for all types of travelers. They will design a tour that fits your needs and budget.

Private Walking Tours are the best option if you are touring as a family or a group.  Discover the Royal family by taking the Free London Landmarks Tour , which allows you to learn about Henry the VIII or Guy Fawkes while exploring the Palaces, including the Buckingham Palace. Join the Free James Bond & The History of Espionage , the world’s most famous spy, while discovering the Westminster for the iconic locations of the James Bond films.

Strawberry Tours has garnered over 22,000 excellent and raving positive reviews on Trip Advisor from both international and local tourists who took their England tour for their excellent customer service. In addition, over 98% of past tourists have attested to the company’s professionalism and affordable packages.  Read this positive review below:

“Tour guide Mark very enthusiastic and easy to listen to. Made the walk interesting by giving an insight into life in the East End.” – Sharon Parsons: Aug 2021

Free Tours By Foot

Company’s location and type: London, Local Tour Operator Awards, Certification: Ranked #2 Trip Advisor Reviews: 4,791 Reviews on Trip Advisor

Founded over 15 years ago, Free Tours by Foot is a leading, fully accredited, and government-licensed tour operator new England. The company is proud of its well-trained, highly experienced, and passionate guides committed to delivering the best escapades in a hassle-free manner. For your convenience, the trips cover neighborhoods such as Westminster, London, and Greenwich. Free Tours by Foot does not require an upfront cost. You will decide the worth of your tour upon completion.

Free Tours by Foot specializes in offering the best tours packages, and you can join in on any fun new England tour.              

If you’re looking for a fun and exciting boat cruise, Hop-On-Hop-Off Thames River Cruises . This tour allows you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Whether you are a group of friends, a family, or a couple, the Private London Tours are customized depending on your requirements or budget. The East London Food Tours are very popular because the district is home to several immigrants, so there is a wide variety of cuisines and drinks that you can sample.

As one of our top tour companies in England, Free Tours by Foot is an excellent choice for fun, safe and affordable walking tours. The company has earned the rank of #2 of 420 food tours in London with a 5-star rating and 4,700 raving reviews on Trip Advisor . You can read this review left by a traveler recently:

“A very enjoyable and informative way to spend a couple of hours getting fit and learning stuff. Canice is extremely knowledgeable and delivers the information in a very entertaining way.” – Simon P: Aug 2021

Go Cotswolds

Company’s location and type: Cotswold, Local Tour Operator Year of establishment: 2014 Awards, Certification: Ranked #2 Trip Advisor Reviews: 843 Reviews on Trip Advisor 99% rated great and exceptional

Founded by Tom and Lisa Benjamin, Go Cotswolds is an independent, award-winning family-run business delivering fun and safe tours in North Cotswolds. Since its inception in 2014, this tour company in England focuses on guided tours that ensure that tourists have time for self-exploration between each location for a memorable and life-changing trip. Join Go Cotswolds Tours for adventurous day tours in the Cotswolds countryside and villages with one of the best new England tour companies.

Go Cotswolds offers many attractive new England tour packages to choose from.

On the company’s award-winning Cotswolds in a Day Tour , you’ll visit popular and gorgeous Cotswold villages for incredible scenery and hidden gems such as Dover Hill and Bibury.  The Private Tours of the Cotswolds are enjoyable and an affordable way for small groups to explore the Cotswolds and beyond. If you are looking for walking opportunities in the countryside, you can sign up for the Cotswolds Trails and Villages Tour to see amazing scenic landscapes and explore the picturesque rivers and stone bridges.

Go Cotswolds is ranked #2 out of 29 tours in Stratford-upon-Avon for its unique packages and excellent customer service. With over 843 reviews on Trip Advisor , the company is also rated with a 5-star ranking. When you book a New England tour with them, be confident that they will execute it competently. See what past tourists had to say:

“We managed to visit the beautiful parts of the Cotswold, and Tom was very kind and helpful. The minibus was very clean. We truly enjoyed this lovely trip! Thank you so much 😊 .” – Uyeng Ng: Aug 2021

Cambridge Tour Guides

Company’s location and type: Cambridge, Local Tour Operator Year of establishment: 2011 Awards, Certification: Ranked #2 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2020 Reviews: 801 Reviews on Trip Advisor 99% rated great and exceptional

Cambridge Tour Guides is an award-winning and one of the best tour companies England operated by Chris Skilton and Tony Rodgers. Established in 2011, the company is a registered Cambridge Green Badge Guides, passionate about curating fun and informative new England tour itinerary. All the Green Badge Guides have intensive training and are accredited to take tourists inside the Cambridge colleges. Besides, Cambridge Tour Guides are multilingual and can deliver tours in many languages, including Spanish, German, French, and Italian.

Cambridge Tour Guides has a long list of unique new England tour packages that are fun and enjoyable to join.

Cambridge is a city with many medieval buildings, it is no surprise to the many ghost stories floating around. On the Cambridge Ghost Tour , the guides will show you places where unexplained and mysterious occurrences are known to have taken place. The Cambridge Places and People Tour includes famous colleges, such as King’s, Trinity, the Old Cavendish Laboratory, and Eagle Pub. No one believes in ghosts.  However,  A Shared Ghost Tour will make you change your mind with medieval artwork and mysterious occurrences.

This tour operator’s New England reviews show that Cambridge Tour Guides’ client satisfaction rate is outstanding and excellent. With nearly 801 reviews made on Trip Advisor , 99% of the company’s past guests rated the operator as very good and exceptional. See the positive review below:

“Tony gave us an excellent tour and was happy to answer any questions. He is very knowledgeable. Would highly recommend.” – Bennett S: Aug 29

The London Bicycle Tour Company

Company’s location and type: London, Local Tour Operator Year of establishment: 1991 Awards, Certification: Ranked #6 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2020 Reviews: 2,347 Reviews on Trip Advisor 99% rated great and exceptional

The London Bicycle Tour Company is the original bike tour England established in 1991. With over 20 years of experience, the company’s tours are safe and suitable for all travelers, including families, couples, and individuals. They specialize in London’s historically rich quarter bike tours, night tours, and day trips in multiple languages, including English, German, and Spanish. For the best experience in England, book a vacation with the London Bicycle Tour Company and find all the hidden gems while learning centuries of history.

With years of experience, the London Bicycle Tour Company offers multiple New England biking tours that are fun and diverse.

The Classic Gold Tour is the company’s premium ride to central London through to Buckingham Palace in the morning to see the Changing of the Guard. After a busy day, wind down with a Private Sunset Tour , perfect for London newcomers and the ultimate sightseeing experience. You can also join the London City Walking Tour covering iconic and historical sites such as Gherkin and the Tower Bridge.

London Bicycle Tour Company is ranked #7 of 446 tour companies in England and with 2,348 amazing reviews on Trip Advisor . This award-winning company has also been given a 5-star rating for its exemplary service.

“Jordi gave my family a 4-hour extensive bike tour of London. He even did it all in French. Very entertaining. We highly recommend The London Bicycle Tour Company.” – Muriel: Aug 2021

Cambridge Alumni Tours

Company’s location and type: Cambridge, Local Tour Operator Awards, Certification: Ranked #5 Trip Advisor Reviews: 1,463 Reviews on Trip Advisor

Cambridge Alumni Tours is a student-guided independent England tour company based in King’s Parade and Oxford. The company offers private or shared walking tours around the Cambridge University Colleges suitable for prospective students, school groups, corporate groups, and tourists. The trips are conducted by Cambridge alumnus, local professional guides, or current students who will help you explore the authentic insights of the student community at the University of Cambridge.

By joining Cambridge Alumni Tours, you will experience the best England vacation tour packages that are affordable and fun.

If you are a group of prospective students, join in the Bespoke Group Tours to Oxbridge for application workshops and inspirational talks. The exclusive Private Cambridge Punting Tour is perfect for family, prospective students, or even hen parties. On this tour, you will cruise the eight most famous colleges and the nine iconic bridges. This Private Walking Tour of Oxford is great for prospective students looking to understand the application process and with questions about student life.

Cambridge Alumni Tours has many outstanding great reviews from past tourists because of their unique England tour.  The company is ranked #5 of 38 outdoor activities in Cambridge, with almost 1,500 positive Trip Advisor feedback. Below read what a past tourist had to say about the services of this tour company in England:

Very good. Well organized. The guide (joseph) was nice and responded to any questions. Highly recommended. Best way to spend your day at Cambridge. – Rania Z: Aug 2021

The English Bus

Company’s location and type: Cambridge, Local Tour Operator Awards, Certification: Ranked #13 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2019 Reviews: 2,678 Reviews on Trip Advisor

The English Bus is a highly rated and professional small family-run business based in London specializing in transportation services on the off-beaten track following scenic routes that the big buses can’s access. With years of experience, this award-winning and one of the top tour companies in England has raving reviews as a travel expert with unique adventures.  The company’s tour guides are incredibly passionate, articulate, and knowledgeable, with expertise to craft excellent tailor-made excursions.  

In England, The English Bus offers a healthy mix of tours of New England.

The Oxford Tour takes you to the home of the world’s most famous university dating back over 900 years. If you want to see the quintessential English countryside, join the Cotswold Tour and enjoy stone cottages and the babbling brooks with green landscapes. Make learning exciting by enrolling in a School Group Tour with a professional guide who will also be your motivational speaker.

The English Bus offers professionally guided private and group tours around England. For this, they have been highly rated by past clients for excellent customer service and outstanding tour packages. On Trip Advisor , this tour operator New England, is ranked #13 out of 1,597 tours in London with nearly 2,678 reviews. Read this a lovely review by a former tourist:

“Andrew is a very engaging, entertaining, and knowledgeable tour guide. There was never a dull moment while on the tour. He even gave us great tips and advice on where to go and what to do on our UK holiday! We even had a treat on the bus!” – Ellenbmd: Mar 2020

This article has clearly analyzed the top 10 tour operators in England. If you are planning on taking a trip to England, then you should think about using this exemplary and contact the companies that you feel best like will suit all your interest and budget.

We would love to hear about your tour to England, or if you have already been to England with one of these tour providers, please get in touch and tell us about your experience!

Honorable Mentions

• Liquid History Tours , Trip Advisor – 2775 Reviews
• London Walks , Trip Advisor – 2490 Reviews
• Shoreditch Street Art Tours , Trip Advisor – 2129 reviews
•   Tigers Thames , Trip Advisor – 425 Reviews
• Tour for Muggles , Trip advisor – 3700 Reviews
• Fun London Tours , Trip Advisor – 2129 reviews
• Brit Movie Tours , Trip Advisor – 1575 Reviews
• Evan Evans Tours , Trip Advisor – 9078 reviews
• Premium Tours – London Tours , Trip Advisor – 6456 Reviews
• Expat Explore Travel , Trip Advisor – 315 Reviews

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Best UK Tours 2023/4 – Reviews & Itinerary Guide

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: June 13, 2023

Taking one of the many UK tours on offer can be a great way to explore the United Kingdom if this is one of your first trips in the UK. There are several advantages to taking a guided or self-guided tour for part (or all) of your time visiting the UK. 

Guided tours of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland allow you to minimise the travel hassle as you’ll have a company to do most of the planning for you, and many of the United Kingdom tour package options we’ve included here allow you to see far more of the UK in a shorter period of time than it would be possible to do on your own. 

Guided tours of UK can also offer good value for money, and there are some great UK trip packages on offer. Unfortunately, choosing which UK tour to take is not so easy – as the choice of tours in UK can be really overwhelming. There are just so many, so where to start looking? 

In this guide I’ll walk you through some of my favourite UK tour itineraries and how to choose the best UK tour that’s right for you. Whether you’re looking for England tours, cheap UK tours, all-inclusive England vacation packages, or the best coach holidays UK has, you’ll find plenty of options in this blog. I’ve also included some of my recommended cycling and walking holidays UK has for those looking for an active break. 

Let’s get started with the best Great Britain tours 2023/4 options on offer! 

Best Tours of Great Britain – Comparison Chart

When is the best time to go on your uk trip , mode of transport, pace of travel, elegance of great britain – insight vacations – 11 days, castles & kilts – trafalgar tours – 10 days, great britain 7 days, uk by train – great rail journeys uk – 12 days.

• The Lake District & Scotland – Rabbie's – 9 Days

Highlights of Scotland – G Adventures – 7 Days

Country roads of scotland – insight vacations – 9 days.

• Best of Scotland 

8 Day Isle of Skye, Orkney & North Coast

Britain and ireland, essential britain & ireland – globus – 10 days, britain & ireland explorer – insight vacations – 13 days, walk hadrian’s wall, g adventures, globus journeys , great rail journeys, insight vacations, intrepid travel, indus travels , trafalgar travel, rabbie’s tours, extending your british tour with extra days in london.

If you want to compare even more of the best coach trips the UK has or other styles of tour, I recommend TourRadar as a great place to compare tours and read more UK tour reviews. 

When planning for your trip to England or the rest of the UK, it’s important to take seasonality into consideration. I go over all the details of the weather and the seasons in the UK here in this article . 

When comparing tour operator UK options and which trip to take, be aware that UK tours tend to run with reduced frequency during the winter months, with many of the best UK tour packages running more frequently in spring and summer (April – August).

While some British coach holidays run year-round, speciality outdoor trips such as cycling holidays UK options may only run during summer months. 

Best United Kingdom Tours – Choosing the Best Tour for you

When searching for the best UK travel packages and tours, there are many factors to consider. Here are some of the top things I recommend taking a few minutes to think about before deciding on the best tour of Britain for you: 

Many of the most popular UK guided tour options are small group tours. UK small group tours vary widely in size with what is deemed to be a ‘small’ group – with some having up to 50 in a group while others keep it to 12 or under. 

Coach tours UK options are a convenient way to travel around with the rest of your group and often allow more to be fitted into an itinerary than independently travelling by train.

These range in style and you can find plenty of luxury coach holidays UK options as well as budget bus tours UK.

If you want to take the train but also like the idea of a guided tour, you could consider one of the train holidays UK options listed below. 

This is the one most of us forget to consider! In order to fit as much in as possible, some of the popular coach holidays in England and the rest of the UK move very fast, taking in multiple cities and sights in a day and usually spending only 1 night in a place. 

This can get tiring, so if you prefer to spend at least a couple of nights in each place, check for itineraries that allow you more time or you could consider choosing one of the self-drive holidays UK options available. 

Also, see our tips at the end of this article for extending your stay in the UK by spending extra days in London, Edinburgh, or any of the other common UK tour starting and endpoints. 

England vacation packages and tours have different inclusions depending on the style of trip and company.

Most include transport, guide, accommodation and some meals, but check the small print so you know what you are and aren’t getting included on tours to England.

The entrance fees to many sights are often not included in tour pricing. 

Best Great Britain Tours (England, Scotland, Wales)

Below you’ll find our favourite United Kingdom trip tour packages that take in England, Scotland and in some cases Wales, too. For tours that also include Ireland, see the next section. 

Best for seeing England & Scotland at a more leisurely pace

Starting in Edinburgh and finishing in London, this 11-day journey through some of England and Scotland’s finest sights is a great option for those wanting to travel in comfort or who are looking for the best UK tours for seniors. 

This is one of our favourite England and Scotland tour packages if you prefer a tour that spends 1-2 nights in each place and allows you to relax more in the places that you visit.

Staying at 4* accommodations throughout the trip, this itinerary starts in Edinburgh and takes in Gretna Green, the stunning Lake District , historic York, Stratford-upon-Avon, the Cotswolds and Bath before finishing up in London.

Travel is by private coach. 

As trips to England and Scotland go, this Insight Vacations UK trip is one for those who want to see the best of the UK’s history, natural beauty and culture in comfort and style. If you have additional time, we highly recommend adding on extra days in London or Edinburgh (or both!). 

Click here for more info and pricing

Best for fitting lots of England in at a great price

Starting in London and finishing in Edinburgh, this 10 day London – Scotland tour by Trafalgar Tours England is a great option for those who want to see as much as possible during their trip and don’t mind travelling at a faster pace. 

One of the popular tours of England and Scotland, this itinerary spends 3 days taking in the sights of London at the start of the tour, so you don’t need to worry about booking additional time at the start of the tour (unless you want to).

From London, head north to Oxford and Bath before crossing the Welsh borders and exploring some fine Welsh castles . You’ll also visit Chester, Lancaster and Hadrian’s wall before finishing in Edinburgh. 

If you want to include a trip to Wales in your UK tour itinerary then this is a great tour to go for, and history lovers will enjoy every stop of this trip that showcases the UK’s history from the Wars of the Roses to Roman Bath – you even get to stay at Ruthin Castle in Wales – a 13th century castle with its original moat!

Best for seeing it all in seven days

If you only have seven days to spend in the UK, this whistle-stop tour will whisk you up and down the length and breadth of Britain to introduce you to the highlights. Included on the itinerary are a list of destinations for day trips outside London – and beyond. 

The cities of Bath, Cambridge and York in England, plus the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, are included. Stratford-upon-Avon is also visited as the home of the UK’s most revered playwright. Experiences to savour include seeing Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis in Scotland, and enjoying a traditional roast dinner in historic, compact York. 

In addition to Georgian Bath and the capital London, this seven day tour takes you to some other fascinating UK locations too. There’s sculptor Antony Gormley’s famous Angel of the North artwork, a Scottish border town, Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, and the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness.

Once you head down the west coast, the musical and sporting city of Liverpool awaits. You’ll also venture into Wales to see the city of Cardiff and a ​​mediaeval Welsh castle. After touring Bath, the last stop en route back to London is Stonehenge. This ancient site is shrouded in mystery – and a must on the itinerary of every visitor to the UK.

Best for train travel and rail holidays UK

There’s arguably nothing more quintessentially British than train travel – and if life on the rails in Britain is what you’ve been romanticising about, then this is one of the train tours UK for you.

This UK rail itinerary takes in the best of Scotland and England, with the chance to ride on one of the best-known steam train trips UK has to offer on the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig.

You’ll travel on the West Highland Line, North East Main Line that links Edinburgh and York, and the West Coast Mainline south from Glasgow.

Travel is at a more leisurely pace with 2 nights spent in most cities, staying in mostly 4* hotels. You’ll also get to see Bath and Stonehenge before finishing in London. 

If you’re looking for guided tours of England and Scotland by train, this is a great itinerary to go for. You’ll get to experience many of the UK’s best-known railways and take in the country’s top historic and cultural sights along the way. Travel is by train and private coach. 

The Lake District & Scotland – Rabbie’s – 9 Days

Best for taking in the beautiful scenery of the Lake District & Scottish Highlands

Rabbie’s tours of the UK offer great value for money, and if you want to be immersed in some of the UK’s finest landscapes and are interested in guided walking holidays UK options, this is a great way to dip your toes in. 

Starting in Manchester, this itinerary is a ‘rail and trail’ combination of 2 Rabbie’s trips , meaning you’ll change minibus and guide half way through.

First you’ll explore the stunning Lake District in the beautiful north west of England, enjoying Windermere and Ullswater before taking the train up to Edinburgh for your Highlands adventure that visits some of the most scenic spots on Scotland’s west coast: Uban, Mull and Skye before heading back to the mainland to visit the iconic Eilean Donan castle. 

If you’re looking for the best adventure tours UK has, then we recommend Rabbie’s who deliver great tours at a budget-friendly price point for those who love the outdoors.

Best for Scottish Highlands exploring and Solo Trips UK. 

If you’re looking to focus your UK trip on Scotland , then this 7 day Scotland tour from Edinburgh by G Adventures is well worth a look.

G Adventures also offer very reasonable single supplements if you’re looking for the best solo holidays uk options – or you can choose to share a room with another traveller of the same sex. Either way, G Adventures UK is popular with solo travellers. 

Starting in Edinburgh and finishing in Glasgow, this Scotland tour takes in Inverness and the famous Loch Ness, Culloden Moor (famous for the Jacobite rising of 1745), the beautiful Isle of Skye and Fort William, with a chance to snap the famous Jacobite Steam Train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct (a must for Harry Potter fans) en route.

Accommodation is on a twin-share basis in 3* hotels and travel is by private minibus. 

If you want the highlights of the highlands of Scotland, this is a good tour to go for, with the option to add on extra days at the start or end of your tour – you could easily spend more time in Edinburgh, or head down to London. 

Off the beaten-path Highlands of Scotland

One of our favourite Great Britain vacation packages for getting a little off the beaten path is this wonderful northern Scotland adventure by Insight Vacations. Perfect for those wanting to see more of the Scottish Highlands or try something different when it comes to the many UK holiday packages. 

Starting in Edinburgh, on this upscale tour you’ll take in Inverness and Loch Ness, the beautiful and remote Orkney Islands at the northern tip of Scotland – a part that few visitors see – before heading south down the west coast of Scotland to take in the Isle of Skye, the stunning Glencoe pass and Loch Lomond before finishing up in Glasgow.

Accommodation is in 4* hotels and travel is by private coach. 

This is certainly one of the best UK coach holidays 2021 has to offer if the Scottish Highlands have been calling to you. You’ll love this one if you want to see the full diversity of landscapes and richness of community and culture that Scotland has. 

Best of Scotland  

Best for uncovering all four corners of Scotland  

If you want to find the best luxury coach tours in the UK that cover much of what lies north of the border, then the Best of Scotland tour from Trafalgar is a popular option for summer. The adventure begins in the capital of Edinburgh on day one. You’ll then be transported around Bonnie Scotland for seven days before ending up in Glasgow. 

This vibrant city lies to the west of Edinburgh. It’s the biggest in Scotland in terms of both population and square mileage. The metropolis is renowned for its magnificent architecture and as a cultural hub for fans of music, museums and more.

After arrival and on the second day of the tour, you’ll delve deeper under the surface of the historic and breathtakingly beautiful Scottish capital. Key sights including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Palace of Holyroodhouse are visited during your guided tour, and you’ll also enjoy free time to spend as you wish. 

Between leaving Edinburgh and arriving in Glasgow – both of which are in southern Scotland – you’ll head north. The first stop is St. Andrews, where Prince William met Kate Middleton, before overnighting at a hotel in the Cairngorms National Park. During day four, you’ll visit the site of the famous Jacobite uprising, see Eilean Donan Castle, look out for the Loch Ness Monster and head over to the Isle of Skye. 

The fifth day of the tour includes Ben Nevis and Glencoe en route to Glasgow. After staying overnight there, you’ll take a city tour before calling at Clydeside whisky distillery and Stirling Castle on day six. Day seven is departure day, unless you decide to stay on in Glasgow for longer. 

Best for touring unspoiled Scotland

If what appeals to you most about the British Isles is the chance to spend time in Bonnie Scotland, this tour to far northern Scotland might be the one for you. It’s what Great Britain vacations are made of for many – beguiling cities, beautiful coastline and of course a dazzlingly rich and varied history. 

Day one transports you from Edinburgh to Inverness, via the famous Forth Bridge, picture-perfect Perthshire, the peaceful village of Dunkeld, the fascinating Highland Folk Museum, the Cairngorms National Park, bloody Culloden Battlefield and the standing stones at Clava Cairns. 

Next up on the second day is the spectacular North Coast 500 trail, via French-style Dunrobin Castle, en route to the island of Orkney. Puffin territory and an astonishingly well-preserved Neolithic settlement await after overnighting on Orkney. 

Both the better-known and lesser seen sights of Scotland make up much of the tour’s second half. These include Smoo Cave in Sutherland, the harbour village of Ullapool, Eilean Donan Castle, the Isle of Skye, the Jacobite Steam Train from Mallaig to Fort William and Glencoe.

During the last day, you can also choose to take an optional side trip to one of the Western Isles – namely Iona, Kerrera, Mull or Staffa. Alternatively, climb up Battery Hill in Oban or call into the 

 local Whisky Distillery. Finally, before heading back to Edinburgh, visit the Kelpies and Stirling Castle. 

Best England, Ireland, Scotland Tour packages

Some of these itinerary options include the best England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales tours for a comprehensive circuit of the British Isles, while others combine Ireland and Scotland to get a fuller taste of the Celtic lands. 

Best for a whistle-stop tour of the UK and Ireland

If seeing England and Scotland isn’t enough for you, then you might like to add on Ireland. This ten day trip is arguably the best way to see England, Scotland and Ireland in one hit. It lasts for ten days, and packs far more into that time than you could feasibly manage on a self-guided basis. 

First up after departing London is Shakespeare country and Stratford-upon-Avon, then it’s the Yorkshire cities of York and Bradford. The Yorkshire Dales, Lake Windermere, Gretna Green and Glasgow are then on the agenda for day three. 

There’s a day in Edinburgh for the fourth day, before heading to Ayrshire, Belfast, Dublin, Kilkenny and Waterford on day five and six. Cardiff, Bath and Windsor are the final stops before the tour winds up back in London. 

This tour offers incredible value for money, and really maximises each and every day when time in the UK is tight. 

Best for trips to England and Ireland that include the main highlights

If you’re looking at tours of England, Scotland and Ireland, then this 10 day trip by Globus may tick all the right boxes. 

Start and end in London on this tour that takes in the English highlights of Stonehenge and Bath before exploring Newport and Cardiff in Wales en route by ferry to Waterford and Dublin in Ireland.

Head north through Ireland towards the up-and-coming city of Belfast and crossing back into Scotland to take in the sights of the Scottish capital, Edinburgh.

On the final leg you’ll head south through York and Stratford upon Avon to London to soak up the best of English history. Travel is by coach. 

This is one of the best tours of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland if you’re tight on time and don’t want to forgo any of the countries of the British Isles. The travel is at a fairly fast pace though – so you may wish to add on a few days to relax at the end of your trip. 

Best for combining Scottish Highlands & Ireland

One of the comprehensive UK tours from London options in this list, this itinerary works well if you want to start in London and have a few days before your trip starts to explore the UK’s capital – either through an extension booked through Insight or under your own steam. 

Leaving London, this ultimate UK tour takes in the historic English highlights of Stratford and York before heading past Hadrian’s Wall to Edinburgh and circling the Scottish Highlands.

Take in the legendary sights of Loch Ness, Glencoe and a boat trip on Loch Lomond before heading back south into England and Wales, and crossing over into Ireland.

Travel is by private coach and accommodation is at 4* hotels. 

On this grand UK tour, you’ll spend a total of 5 nights in Ireland and 7 in England & Scotland, making this the perfect UK tour packages from London when you just want to see it all! 

Best for English countryside and Roman history

Following the route of Hadrian’s Wall makes for one of the best road trips in the UK. Though the wall is quite justifiably famous, the route along it is far less touristy than other parts of the British Isles. The wall stretches from near Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the east to the compact city of Carlisle in the west. 

Hadrian’s Wall can be found within the more peaceful parts of England’s two most northerly counties. As this is a walking tour you’ll need a reasonable level of fitness, but this also means you’ll get up really close to the sights of Cumbria and Northumberland. And of course the unspoiled English countryside, with its dry stone walls and sheep-dotted emerald fields. 

To give you some idea of the distances, the first day’s walk is around eight miles, between Carlisle and Irthington. Other walks include the six mile trek between Lanercost Priory and Gilsland, the three-and-a-half Walltown Crags to Haltwhistle route and seven miles from Once Brewed to Brocolitia Fort. It’s also nine miles from Chollerford to East Wallhouses, and about five from East Wallhouses to Wylam. 

Highlights of this tour include the pretty Cumbrian village Crosby-on-Eden; Birdoswald, Housesteads, Brocolitia and Vindolanda Roman Forts, Walltown quarry, Sycamore Gap, the site of the victory of Oswald and the historic old Military Road. 

Best Tour Companies UK Reviews

Not sure which of the best travel agency UK options you should pick? Below you can find a short review of what to expect when travelling with any of the UK tour companies mentioned above. 

G Adventures tours are known for their good value and experience-rich approach. They attract travellers of all ages, both couples and solo travellers, thanks to their twin-share policy where single travellers can travel at no extra cost if they share with another traveller of the same sex.

Travel is in small groups (max 12) and includes a local tour guide “CEO”. Accommodation is in mid-range hotels and guest houses, and typically breakfasts and entry to some sights are included.

Travel in the UK is mostly by private mini-bus unless otherwise stated. 

Popular for coach tours in the UK and around the world, Globus Journeys offer guided coach tours in the UK and Ireland, either with smaller groups (max 24) or larger groups (up to 50) depending on the style of the trip.

Accommodation is typically in tourist class hotels (3* and 4*) with well known brands. Globus is popular among travellers aged in their 50’s, 60’s and up for the convenience of travel by coach and their tours have more meals and excursions included than some.

Expect itineraries that pack places in, so you’ll see a lot, and stays are typically 1 night. 

GRJ are the go-to for UK steam tours and railway journeys around the UK and beyond, so if travelling the UK by train is what you’re hoping to do, look no further.

Itineraries are designed to take in iconic lines and to provide the best steam train holidays UK has (or ‘regular’ trains). Journeys are escorted by a Tour Manager, and the majority of travellers are either solo travellers or couples aged between 45 – 80.

Accommodation is in 3* hotels or higher. The maximum group size on any trip is 50, or you can opt for a tailor made travel experience. 

Insight Vacations are an upscale tour company offering luxury UK coach tours with up to 40 people per group.

Travellers are typically 45 and up, and itineraries are a little more relaxed than many other tour companies, including 2 night stays at many destinations and “relaxed starts” in the morning spread out through the trip allowing time to catch up on rest if you need it.

Accommodation is in 4* hotels and trips are accompanied by a tour manager. 

Famous for great value adventures around the world, in the UK Intrepid offer a range of shorter ‘retreat’ style trips – so if you’re after hiking trips UK or a guided walking and cycling holiday, look no further.

Accommodation is in local guest houses and you’ll be accompanied by your own Intrepid Travel guide for the duration of the trip.

Maximum group size is 12, and rooms are on a twin share basis with the same sex if you’re a solo traveller, or you can pay a supplement to have your own room. 

Offering a mix of small group tours, independent adventures, cruises and self-drive vacations, Indus Travels allows you to set your own pace of travel with flexible itineraries when you choose one of their ‘unbundled tours’ or self-drive trips.

Self-drive trips are just you, your car rental, itinerary and accommodation, whereas group tours have up to 22 travellers, English-speaking local guides, deluxe accommodation and air conditioned coaches included.

Indus is popular with younger and older travellers alike, with many travellers in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. 

Well known and popular Trafalgar Tours England have been offering coach travel around the UK for many years and have many happy customers behind them.

Group tours have a maximum of 50 people, travelling by coach to the most popular destinations. They are popular for England tours for seniors (and younger people), and on any of their England tour packages you’re guaranteed to have a lot packed into your itinerary. That’s one thing to bear in mind – this is definitely not slow travel – but it’s a good way to get an overview of the British Isles.

All tours are accompanied by a guide and accommodation is tourist class 3* or 4* international standard hotels. 

Rabbie’s tours have some great England travel deals (and beyond). They’re a small group tours company providing great value breaks that help you get off the beaten track in the UK and Europe.

Rabbie’s aim to support local communities and promote responsible travel, by keeping tour groups small (10 people). They also work differently to other tour companies in that accommodation is not included in the tour price – once you book your tour you can choose your accommodation from a selection offered by Rabbie’s to suit your budget and preferences.

The name Rabbie’s comes from the nickname for famous Scot, Robert Burns! 

If you have a day, two, or more aside from your tour, we highly recommend taking advantage of those to explore London, or another city if your tour is starting from elsewhere – Edinburgh is another popular starting point for the UK tours mentioned in this guide. 

While some tours include sightseeing in London (or another departure city), not all do – or they include a very shortened version – and trust us that 1 day is definitely not enough to see London in, especially if you’re jetlagged. 

If you can, arrive a few days before your tour begins to enjoy the top London sights and get onto UK time if you’re flying in from far away. You can find our complete London travel guide here to get you started.

If you have specific questions about a destination in the UK why not join my UK and London Travel Planning Group on Facebook where you can chat with others planning their trip.

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England Tours and Trips 2024/2025

Experience the classy charm of England, a nation steeped in history and brimming with diverse attractions, with our England tours and trips. Marvel at iconic castles like the sprawling Windsor, the medieval Warwick on the Avon River, and the famed Tower of London, home to the priceless Crown Jewels. Opt for an England-guided tour for a local expert to escort you through the renowned gothic architecture of Westminster Abbey and the modern, neon-lighted streets of Piccadilly Circus. Soak up nature in the lush green wilderness of Lake District National Park, a perfect spot for hiking. Or visit the Chester Zoo and greet its 11,000 insects, birds and animals within 110 acres of award-winning gardens. If you’re traveling on a budget, our range of England budget tours are a good option! Explore London with a local specialist and discover Borough Market and Greenwich without burning a hole into your pocket. Our tours to England have something for everyone — budding historians, nature lovers, or art aficionados, England's diverse attractions cater to all interests. Find some of the most famous tours and holidays in England below. England’s deep-rooted history promises a unique, insightful and adventurous trip for all ages.

• England Travel Guide

262 Trips in England with 438 Reviews

• Starts London, England
• Ends London, England

England and Scotland Heritage

• Best price guaranteed
• No booking fees
• Tour Type Group Tour
• Activities Adventure
• Accommodation Hotel
• Transport Coach & Train
• Age Range 5-99 yrs
• Operated in English
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,325
• Special Deal (22%): - US$ 510
• Total Price from: US$ 1,815
• Apr 22 10+ seats left
• Apr 24 Only 9 seats left
• View More Jan 1, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Jan 3, 2019

Real Britain

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites & Art and architecture 'data-more-tripid='23434'>+1 more
• Transport Coach
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,625
• Special Deal (17%): - US$ 440
• Total Price from: US$ 2,185
• May 04 10+ seats left

Great Britain

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites
• Transport Coach & Boat
• Age Range 10-99 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 1,685
• Special Deal (23%): - US$ 385
• Total Price from: US$ 1,300
• Mar 09 10+ seats left
• Mar 23 10+ seats left

• Starts St Bees, England
• Ends Robin Hoods Bay, England

Coast to Coast Rambler - 18 Days

• Tour Type Private Tour
• Activities Walking tours & Trekking and Hiking Walking tours , Trekking and Hiking & Beach 'data-more-tripid='16532'>+1 more
• Accommodation Hotel, Guest House, Hut, Hostel & Resort
• Transport Private Vehicle, Train & Taxi
• Age Range 18-99 yrs
• Apr 17 10+ seats left
• Apr 18 10+ seats left

• Starts Stratford-upon-Avon, England
• Ends Winchcombe, England

Exploring the Cotswolds - 8 days

• Activities Walking tours & Trekking and Hiking
• Accommodation Hotel & Guest House
• Transport Taxi

Best of Britain

• Brochure Price: US$ 3,850
• Special Deal (16%): - US$ 600
• Total Price from: US$ 3,250
• Apr 30 10+ seats left
• May 01 10+ seats left

Best of UK & Ireland

• Transport Coach & Ferry
• Brochure Price: US$ 3,545
• Special Deal (23%): - US$ 810
• Total Price from: US$ 2,735
• Mar 31 10+ seats left
• Tomorrow 10+ seats left

Coast to Coast: Classic Walk - 15 Days

• Accommodation Hotel, Hut, Hostel, Guest House & Resort
• Transport Train & Taxi

• Starts Cheltenham, England
• Ends Cheltenham, England

Cotswolds by Bike

• Activities Bicycle tours & Explorer
• Accommodation Hotel, Guest House & Villa
• Transport Train

London Explorer

• Activities City sightseeing
• Brochure Price: US$ 3,250
• Special Deal (10%): - US$ 325
• Total Price from: US$ 2,925
• Apr 21 Only 7 seats left
• Apr 28 10+ seats left

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Countryside and village visits Cultural, religious and historic sites , Countryside and village visits , Art and architecture & Mountains 'data-more-tripid='23442'>+2 more
• Brochure Price: US$ 4,525
• Special Deal (13%): - US$ 610
• Total Price from: US$ 3,915
• Apr 25 10+ seats left
• Apr 27 Only 8 seats left

• Starts Ilkley, England
• Ends Bowness-on-Windermere, England

The Dales Way

• Transport Train & Private Vehicle

Amazing Britain

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Mountains & Beach 'data-more-tripid='23437'>+2 more
• Brochure Price: US$ 3,095
• Special Deal (10%): - US$ 309
• Total Price from: US$ 2,786
• Apr 20 10+ seats left
• Apr 26 Only 10 seats left

Best of Devon and Cornwall

• Activities Countryside and village visits & Art and architecture Countryside and village visits , Art and architecture , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Natural landmarks sightseeing & National parks 'data-more-tripid='21016'>+3 more
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,550
• Special Deal (10%): - US$ 264
• Total Price from: US$ 2,286
• Apr 29 10+ seats left

England Tour Reviews

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Traveller Photos for Trips in England

England Tours and Trips 2022/2023

Travel Highlights:

• Step through history at Horse Guards Parade, the ceremonial grounds of St. James Park, and see where the royalty live in Buckingham Palace.
• Explore the grand historic sights of Bath with a private orientation tour.
• Experience the picturesque Cotswolds and its idyllic villages on a scenic countryside tour.
• See one of London's finest theatre performances.
• A local expert will lead you from Westminster to Piccadilly Circus as they recount fascinating tales of London and its famous landmarks.
• Experience the mystical beauty of the Lake District with its stunning landscapes and tranquil lakes.

Travel Tips:

• Temperatures fluctuate throughout the day. Carry a jacket and umbrella, even during summer.
• Traveling by train can get you just about anywhere in the country, but if you can, avoid traveling during rush hour — especially in the cities!
• If you plan on exploring London, order a pre-paid Oyster card before or as soon as you arrive in the city. The smartcard can be used on various forms of public transportation across London.
• Familiarize yourself with the coins and bills. As everything below a fiver is in coins, make sure you have large and strong packets before traveling.
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Popular Destinations

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Home » Travel Guides » United Kingdom » England » 15 Best England Tours

15 Best England Tours

England is the largest country in the United Kingdom. Although the most popular destination for many is the capital, London, there’s a whole lot more to this beautiful country.

There is stunning coastline, rolling national parks, and countryside, historic houses and castles aplenty – all within easy reach of the capital, thanks to the country’s compact size and excellent transport connections.

There are a lot of traditions you can enjoy in England too; you might not get to have it with the Queen as some people expect, but try afternoon tea and cakes. Why not head to the coast for fish and chips? Or just simply head down to the local pub for a pint or two and make a few friends.

We’ve carefully selected the 15 best tours that you can do in England, to make your trip unforgettable and show you the many different sides and traditions that this country has to offer.

1. London Private Bicycle Tour

This bicycle tour is a great way to see the sights of London. Because it’s a private tour, you have the guide to yourself; they will tailor your trip to see exactly what you want to see in London.

If you want to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, or just have a relaxing pedal along the Thames, no problem. Your guide will be a local expert, and although food is not included in the tour, they’ll be able to take you to the perfect place to tantalize your taste buds.

London is a big city, with a lot of cars and buses; however, it also has a great cycle lane network and you’ll be supplied with a helmet, so there’s no need to worry about safety on this tour. It’s a perfect way to see the city’s sights.

2. London: Top 20 Sights and Westminster Abbey

Are you bowled over or intimidated by the sheer number of things to do in London? Don’t worry, many people are. That’s why it’s a great idea to do this six-hour tour which shows you the top 20 sights in England’s capital city.

In this whirlwind tour, your friendly guide will meet you at Green Park tube station before the first stop of the day, Buckingham Palace. Then it’s on to a number of important London sites, including Trafalgar Square, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and the Shard, just to name a few. You’ll end the day at Westminster Abbey, where many Kings and Queens are buried.

Make sure you wear a pair of comfortable shoes and bring an umbrella; the weather in London can be unpredictable even in summer.

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3. From London: Stonehenge Special Access Morning Tour

Stonehenge is one of England’s most visited tourist attractions, and with good reason. The mystical stone circle is a fantastic sight to behold. This special access morning tour allows you in before the site opens, meaning that you can avoid the crowds and get some great pictures.

It’s a very early start, but you’ll be able to make up for any lost sleep on the journey to Stonehenge, which is in a luxury coach. When the crowds are still queueing up waiting for Stonehenge to open, you’ll head into Salisbury and see the beautiful cathedral, then enjoy free time to explore the city.

4. Day Trip: Cambridge from London

This day trip from London is a fantastic way to see the city, home to one of the world’s most famous education centers. After journeying up from London in a luxury coach, you’ll start the day with a guided tour with a friendly, knowledgeable guide who will show you Cambridge’s hidden secrets. Entry to the Tower of St. Mary the Great is also included.

After the tour and the tower, you’ll have the rest of the day to do as you please in Cambridge. There’s plenty to choose from; you could take a punt (rowing boat) out onto the river Cam, a really tranquil way to see the sights. Alternatively, for the more scholarly-minded, head to Cambridge’s esteemed and historical colleges or Trinity College library, where there are many original manuscripts of famous academic books and novels.

After you’ve exhausted yourself, it’s back onto the coach to head back to London.

5. Oxford: Harry Potter Film Locations Tour

One of the UK’s most famous exports in the last 20 years, Harry Potter is loved worldwide by children and adults alike. Why not take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the boy wizard’s world with a tour of locations from the films in the magical city of Oxford?

Your enthusiastic guide will take you through up to three locations where the movies were filmed, including New College, Christchurch, and the Bodleian library.

New College’s cloisters, built in 1379, are one of the most recognizable settings from the Harry Potter films; they are a great place to re-enact scenes from the films with your friends and family. This two-hour tour ends in the library, with a chance to test your knowledge about the series with a Hogwarts-themed quiz.

6. Stonehenge, Stratford, Bath & Cotswolds Day Tour from London

This full-day excursion is great for those who want to see a lot but are short on time. You’ll be picked up and driven to Stonehenge in a luxury air-conditioned coach, as your professional guide whets your appetite for the day ahead.

You’ll have time to explore the mysterious stone circle and ponder the reasons for its construction, before hopping back on the coach to visit the historic city of Bath, with a little free time to explore.

After some time in Bath, a beautiful journey through the Cotswolds allows you to see rolling countryside before stopping at William Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Here, you’ll have a private tour of Shakespeare’s birthplace before ending the day with a glass of champagne and strawberry scone reception. After filling up and possibly getting a bit merry, relax and reflect on a great day on the coach back to London.

7. Portsmouth Historic Dockyards & HMS Victory Day Tour

This full day tour is a must for anyone who is interested in naval history. You’ll be picked up from London by a private car for the drive to Portsmouth, where you’ll be met by a guide who will give you an interesting private tour of the city’s historic dockyard.

Not only will you be able to enter the Royal Navy Museum as part of the tour, but you’ll also be granted access to three legendary warships, including the HMS Victory, the HMS Warrior, and the Mary Rose. Weather permitting, you’ll tour the harbor by boat, feeling the wind and the spray cooling you down in the Southern English sun.

There’s no need to worry about being hungry; you’ll get a complimentary packed lunch to enjoy during your day out.

8. Devon and Cornwall 5-Day Small Group Tour

This is a fantastic tour for those who have a few days to spare and want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Your knowledgeable and entertaining guide will show you the best that two of England’s southwestern counties have to offer.

You will journey in a luxurious Mercedes minibus. During the trip, you’ll see a mixture of historical landmarks – such as Stonehenge, Tintagel castle and the Roman city of Exeter – and the natural beauty of Land’s End, Dartmoor National Park, and Cornwall’s gorgeous coastline.

You’ll stay in local guesthouses and B&Bs, giving you a true taste of authentic England. Each day you’ll wake up to a delicious breakfast, all included in the price.

9. Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour from Birmingham

What better way to immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter than by taking a luxury air-conditioned coach from England’s second biggest city, Birmingham, to Warner Brother’s studios London.

This nine-hour tour includes your entrance ticket to the Warner Bros. studio, where you’ll walk through the Great Hall, board the Hogwarts express at platform 9 ¾, and drink a tasty butterbeer in the café (great if you have a VERY sweet tooth).

Not only will you experience the locations, but you’ll also see how the props and make up for the film were made, before a truly magical surprise ending.

10. Manchester United Museum and Stadium Tour

Old Trafford – also known as the “Theatre of Dreams” – is the biggest club stadium in England and home to one of the world’s greatest clubs. This 70-minute tour is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with the proud history of Manchester United.

Your friendly and knowledgeable guide will meet you at the entrance to the club museum before walking you through then down into the changing rooms. You can sit in the seats that have been warmed by the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, and David Beckham.

You’ll then head out of the player’s tunnel and onto the side of the pitch, where you can sit in the dugout before heading into the press room, center of a lot of controversy during José Mourinho’s stint as manager.

This stadium tour is a magical and unforgettable way to learn about England’s most successful club football team.

11. Liverpool & Beatles Walking Tour with 48-Hour City Bus Tour

More than 50 years after releasing their first singles and albums, the Beatles are still influencing musicians all over the world. Why not learn more about them and their music by taking a tour of the city the Fab Four called home?

Soak up the city’s musical history with this 90-minute guided walking tour; you’ll visit the Cavern Club and the John and Yoko exhibition at the Liverpool City Museum.

However, this tour isn’t just for Beatles fans; it comes with a ticket for the hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus, where you can get up close and personal with Liverpool’s Chinatown, the Georgian Quarter, and both of the city’s magnificent cathedrals. The ticket is valid for 48 hours from validation, giving you plenty of time to see everything.

12. Lake District, Yorkshire Dales & Hadrian’s Wall 5-Day Tour

This five-day tour is perfect if you love the countryside and have a few spare days to get out and experience it. Your arrival day – where you’ll disembark the train at Windermere station – is yours to do what you wish. On day two, the fun really starts.

You’ll be whisked to the Yorkshire Dales in a luxury minivan, with the chance to see a number of famous villages which have starred in British TV shows. It’s back into the minivan on day three too; you’ll be chauffeured around England’s beautiful Lake District. Take in the stunning scenery surrounding the ten lakes that you’ll visit, as well as stopping in the pretty market town of Keswick.

On day four, you’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Hadrian’s Wall, a large portion of which is still standing after 2,000 years! On the final day, check out of either your luxury 4-star hotel or local B&B (both are included in the tour) and head back to Windermere train station. This tour is sure to create enduring memories.

13. Best of the Yorkshire Dales Full-Day Tour from York

Escape the city and head into Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside on this 8 ½ hour tour of the Dales. This whirlwind tour will take you through green landscapes dotted with quaint villages and historical castles.

You’ll have free time in the village of Reeth to wander through the cobbled streets. You’ll see one of Britain’s best-preserved castles – Castle Bolton – and you can unleash your intrepid side when you explore the ruins of 12th-century Jervaulx Abbey.

Transportation between each stop is in a comfortable 16-seater Mercedes minibus. Your friendly guide will explain the landscapes and recount the history behind each site.

14. Guided Cycling Tour of York

This tour will see you spending 2 ½ hours cycling around the beautifully preserved walled city of York in the North of England. Supplied with your bike, a helmet, and a bell, you’ll be using the city’s excellent cycle paths, meaning that you’ll be safe and sound for the whole tour.

Your friendly and funny guide will regale you with tales and facts of the history of York. Although you wouldn’t think it now, the quaint and pretty town has a grisly past and has been conquered by Vikings, Romans, and Normans in the past.

The tour is done at a leisurely pace, meaning that it’s perfect for both beginner and enthusiastic cyclists.

15. From Edinburgh: Holy Island, Alnwick Castle & Northumbria

Yes, this nine-hour tour may begin in Edinburgh, but it will allow you to see one of England’s most beautiful and evocative counties – Northumberland. Your friendly and knowledgeable guide will drive you down the east coast across the border and into medieval Northumbria.

Your first stop is Holy Island, where the famous Lindisfarne Gospels were written. Here, you’ll wander around the monastery and taste some of the Monk’s mead. This part of the tour depends on tide times, as Holy Island is only accessible from the mainland via a causeway.

After Holy Island, you’ll head south along the Northumberland coastal route, passing the imposing Bamburgh castle before arriving in the market town of Alnwick. A real slice of old England, you’ll surely love strolling around before a guided tour of the castle and gardens. Harry Potter fans might recognize Alnwick castle from the flying scene in the first film.

On the way back to Edinburgh, there’ll be a quick stop at Flodden Field, a famous battle side near the Scottish border.

15 Best England Tours:

• London Private Bicycle Tour
• London: Top 20 Sights and Westminster Abbey
• From London: Stonehenge Special Access Morning Tour
• Day Trip: Cambridge from London
• Oxford: Harry Potter Film Locations Tour
• Stonehenge, Stratford, Bath & Cotswolds Day Tour from London
• Portsmouth Historic Dockyards & HMS Victory Day Tour
• Devon and Cornwall 5-Day Small Group Tour
• Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour from Birmingham
• Manchester United Museum and Stadium Tour
• Liverpool & Beatles Walking Tour with 48-Hour City Bus Tour
• Lake District, Yorkshire Dales & Hadrian's Wall 5-Day Tour
• Best of the Yorkshire Dales Full-Day Tour from York
• Guided Cycling Tour of York
• From Edinburgh: Holy Island, Alnwick Castle & Northumbria

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Best of Britain (14 Days)

• In-depth Cultural
• Fully Guided
• Coach / Bus

Places You’ll See

• Rock out in the Beatles' home turf of Liverpool
• Enjoy a scenic drive through the Devon countryside
• Explore Scotland's pristine Isle of Skye
• Take in London's icons like Buckingham Palace
• Introduction
• Day 1 Welcome to London
• Day 2 Explore Historic London
• Day 3 Journey to Stonehenge, Bath and Exeter
• Day 4 Plymouth and More in the Southwest Dive Into Culture
• Day 5 Onwards to Glastonbury and Cardiff Connect with Locals
• Day 6 Explore Tudor History and on to Liverpool
• Day 7 Venture to the Romantic Lake District and on to Glasgow
• Day 8 On to Fort William and the Scottish Highlands
• Day 9 Discover the Isle of Skye
• Day 10 Journey to Enchanting Edinburgh
• Day 11 Uncover Edinburgh’s Treasures
• Day 12 Continue to York
• Day 13 Onwards to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and London
• Day 14 Cheerio London

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What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Customer photos.

Operated by Trafalgar

Trafalgar has been hand crafting unique guided holidays for nearly 70 years. They were the first to introduce travellers to the local experience and continue today where destinations come to life through their hand-picked insider experiences. They pave the way by presenting locals who share their stories, culture, and cuisine With over 230 holidays in Europe, North, Central & South America, Australia, New Zealand and Asia Trafalgar offers new ways to travel every year. Choose between 11 travel styles created to satisfy even the most travelled individual. So whether you wish to explore in an intimate group to less visited destinations or travel with your entire family, Trafalgar offers the perfect range of tours that tailors to your needs.

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Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Excellent 4.2
• Itinerary Excellent 4.4
• Guide Excellent 4.5
• Transport Excellent 4.4
• Accommodation Excellent 4.3
• Food Excellent 4.3
• Tour Operator Trafalgar 4.5
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• L Leanne · 26th May 2023 We would have happily enjoyed the Real Britain tour but Trafalgar cancelled my booking this week after I asked about availability on another tour. I booked this tour in Jan 2023 for Sept 2023 travel and they just cancelled the booking and now the tour... Show more Trip date: May 2023

• FS Fred · 13th July 2022 Because my original trip was cancelled by Trafalgar to rearrange a new tour was difficult I am giving a little more tolerance as the tourist industry was smashed my amended timetable cost me a lot of money The trip if your a new first trip bus tour... Show more Trip date: July 2022

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• August 2025
• September 2025
• October 2025
• Saturday 27 Apr, 2024 Tuesday 7 May, 2024 English Filling Fast Based on Twin €3,150 11 Days Version View this tour
• -10% Saturday 4 May, 2024 Tuesday 14 May, 2024 English Filling Fast Based on Twin €3,150 €2,835 11 Days Version View this tour

Space on this tour is not guaranteed. Book this tour to request your place and the operator will confirm availability.

• -10% Saturday 11 May, 2024 Tuesday 21 May, 2024 English Filling Fast Based on Twin €3,150 €2,835 11 Days Version View this tour
• Saturday 18 May, 2024 Tuesday 28 May, 2024 English Filling Fast Based on Twin €3,150 11 Days Version View this tour
• -10% Saturday 25 May, 2024 Tuesday 4 Jun, 2024 English Filling Fast Based on Twin €3,175 €2,857 11 Days Version View this tour
• Saturday 1 Jun, 2024 Tuesday 11 Jun, 2024 English Filling Fast Based on Twin €3,175 11 Days Version View this tour
• Wednesday 5 Jun, 2024 Saturday 15 Jun, 2024 English Filling Fast Based on Twin €3,175 11 Days Version View this tour
• -10% Saturday 8 Jun, 2024 Tuesday 18 Jun, 2024 English Based on Twin €3,175 €2,857 11 Days Version View this tour

Frequently Asked Questions

Trafalgar tours can accommodate up to 45 people comfortably on their coaches.

You can bring one suitcase per person with the dimensions of 76cm x 46cm x 25cm (30” x 18” x 10”) and weight not exceeding 23kg (50 lbs) due to the limited space on the coach. You can also bring one piece of hand luggage, provided it is small enough to take on the coach and does not have telescopic handles.

All accommodations are subject to change until 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and your specific accommodation details will be listed in your final tour documents. This is a list of accommodations that the operator will typically use on this tour: Mercure Southgate Holiday Inn City Centre Jurys Inn Crowne Plaza Laggan Gaskmore Authentic Accommodation Leonardo Royal Hotel 53 Hopefully, this list will give you a better idea of what kind of accommodation you can expect while on tour.

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Good to Know

• Currency £ Pound Sterling England, Scotland and Wales

As a traveller from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type G.

• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 17th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 17th June 2024, a minimum payment of €100 is required to confirm your booking with Trafalgar. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Trafalgar will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
• The following cards are accepted for "Trafalgar" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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England Tour & Trip Reviews

1,693 reviews Average rating 4.4 889 trips

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England Tour & Trip Ratings

Tour Reviews

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Venice and Cappadocia were excellent

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Really enjoyed cycling by the lagoons and seeing the flamingos. Also enjoyed...

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the cycle route was not as attractive as we had been given to understand. There were some unpleasant, potentially-dangerous sections on roads. As the leader had to t...

I really enjoyed the rides and the pace of them. The length of the rides was suitable for all on the trip. The routes were nice and particularly enjoyed the beach da...

A good holiday with only minor disappointments.

The trip is in a beautiful part of the world, and the tour guide Erwin did a fantastic job of accomodating the trip to the needs of the guests. I was definitely expe...

The group leader was excellent in every way. He gave us advice support instruction. He was sensitive thoughtful, predicted problems and solved them. He coordinate...

Cycling along the canal to Carcassone, visiting Carcassone and the cycle to the other castle. People should be made aware though parts of the ride aren't with the to...

A Proper Adventure

This was a remote trek in a tough mountain environment south west of Leh. After three days acclimatising in Leh, we spent around 10 days climbing high passes, cros...

Be prepared for the unexpected

It wasn't as expected! I have trekked in Ladakh before and had reviewed my previous photos before this trip. None of us, including Valerie, were expecting to hav...

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We weren't told the hotel we were staying in until we arrived at the hotel. We usually arrived at the hotel around 6pm and had little time to turn in our bikes for the night, get our Read More luggage, unpack, shower, change clothes and get ready for dinner by 8pm which usually lasted over two hours. And then we started early the next day - to get to our hotel for the next night.

Antonenella, our guide was awesome, as was our two helpers! We loved riding through the countryside of both France and England, it was so beautiful. This trip is highly recommended. Our group was made up of 16 people from different countries, so it made for a fun group. If you are not used to biking up hills, we recommend renting the e-bikes, because they really make this trip wonderful. There is time to enjoy the sites and sounds around you. Half our group wore biking shorts and the other half wore shorts and t-shirts. American tennis shoes are fine. Bring a padded seat cover and padded shorts, because it will help a lot. We all met for dinner each night, so bring a few nicer clothes. Bikers are provided with one small pack wit maps per couple, that attaches to handle bars. I put sanitizer, gum, money and my phone in the pack. Everyone is provided with a side pack to go on their bike. We put an extra bottle of water, lunch and jackets in the bags. Make sure you have a phone that works Read More in Europe. Our group got split up in Paris and the sweeper, last person had to call the leader. We had one road rash incident the first day and one flat tire four days in. Our support guys picked up the couple, fixed his bike and met us up ahead. One of the ladies who did the self guided tour hit the ground with her face, but she was a trooper and finished too. My husband and I have traveled a lot, but this is the best trip ever!

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TRAVEL ENGLAND TOURS (London) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

About Tourist England

Our friendly team at Tourist England prides itself on showcasing the Best of Britain.

Touring with Tourist England

Our carefully curated tour offerings provide visitors to the UK with high-quality tours showing the best of Britain. We offer a range of carefully selected tours, including day tours, cruise excursions, multi-day tours and packages.

Theatre & Musicals

The Tourist England website is a one-stop shop for your vacation. We offer all the major shows and musicals in London, with an interactive seating chart where you can select your seats. Our most popular shows include The Lion King, Hamilton, Wicked, and The Mousetrap.

Cruise Transfers and Tours

The team at Tourist England is very experienced and knowledgeable about cruise excursions and transfers. We offer cruise tours on almost all dates that cruise ships dock at Southampton Cruise Terminal, as well as other terminals, including Dover, Liverpool, and Holyhead. We can also arrange private tours, giving guests a more personalized experience.

Attractions in London

We offer all the major London attraction tickets as well as a selection of combination tickets that offer excellent value for money. Our very popular hop-on hop-off buses enable you to conveniently sightsee, with stops outside the main attractions.

Private Tours

We work with the best guides to create custom experiences for many of our clients. Private tours are available in a range of executive vehicles. Private tours can be single-day trips or multi-day packages exploring England as well as Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

Trips for schools, Universities & Large Groups

We arrange tours for large groups, including schools, universities, and businesses across the UK. Our team is experienced in creating custom tours to meet your needs. We use luxury air-conditioned coaches of varying sizes, up to 50-seater vehicles.