Highlights
- See the historic Tower of London
- Step into a Jane Austen novel in Bath
- Tour the idyllic Cotswolds countryside
- Visit Highgrove Gardens, the country home to HRH King Charles
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in London, Tower of London, Afternoon Tea | London |
| Day 2 | Borough Market, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey | London |
| Day 3 | Drive to Bath, Guided Walking Tour, Cross Bath Spa | Bath |
| Day 4 | Explore the Cotswolds, Highgrove House Gardens & Oxford | Oxford |
| Day 5 | Drive to London & Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in London, Tower of London, Afternoon Tea
Welcome to the UK! Upon arrival, your driver will transfer you to your London accommodation. Waste no time heading out to explore; this city is rich in history, culture, art, nightlife, and dining options to suit every taste and budget. Explore the capital's most recognizable landmarks with a hop-on, hop-off, open-top tour bus, or take the London Underground, affectionately known to Londoners as "the Tube."
Your first stop is the notorious Tower of London. Built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, the Tower is London's oldest surviving building and was originally designed to dominate and suppress the city's Anglo-Saxon inhabitants. Since then, it has held some of the country's most famous prisoners, including Guy Fawkes, Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter Raleigh, and, for a few days in 1952, the infamous Kray Twins, the Tower's final inmates. In its current incarnation, the Tower, guarded by the Yeoman Warders in Tudor dress, serves to protect the British crown jewels.
Day 2: Borough Market, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading out for a full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the banks of the River Thames and make your way to the bustling Borough Market. Dating over 1,000 years, its reputation as London's renowned food and drink market remains undented. Browse over 100 artisan stalls and sample everything from seafood, fine wine, Persian sharing plates, bao buns, cider, and plenty of British and European cheeses.
Your next stop is the 17th-century iconic London landmark and Christopher Wren's masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral. This working cathedral has eulogized and laid many notable British figures to rest, including William Blake, Florence Nightingale, Sir Alexander Fleming, and Winston Churchill. Visit their monuments and don't miss the Whispering Gallery, the Crypt, and the Dome, inspired by St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Drive to Bath, Guided Walking Tour, Cross Bath Spa
This morning, swap London's buzzy and vibrant energy for a gentler pace as you travel to the west-country gem of Bath. Surrounded by rolling green hills and home to some of Britain's grandest Georgian architecture and one of the world's best-preserved Roman bathhouses, it's easy to see why the whole city has earned UNESCO World Heritage status.
Day 4: Explore the Cotswolds, Highgrove House Gardens & Oxford
Bath's position in The Cotswolds makes for easy exploring of the UK's largest designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With so much to see, it's better to hone in on a mix of larger towns, tiny villages, off-the-beaten-track locations, and some justifiably famous tourist spots. Don't miss Chipping Camden, a small market town dating back to the 14th century, and Bourton on the Water, known for its low bridges and traditional stone houses. Stop for a drink in one of Stow-on-the-Wold's traditional pubs before seeing the region's highest castle, Broadway Tower.
The Cotswolds are renowned for housing some of the finest gardens in England, and there is no better example than Highgrove House & Gardens, the country home of HRH King Charles. Tour the redeveloped gardens, scented with wisteria, honeysuckle, jasmine, and thyme, and the wonderful wildflower meadow, containing dozens of endangered native plants.
Day 5: Drive to London & Depart
Make your way back to London today, where you can either continue your UK adventures or head to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!
More Great United Kingdom Itineraries
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