Kimkim Trip Reviews for England

The one good thing about the trip. Hotel was great.

Guide was good.

We liked our guide but so many problems! For example we booked Bath but Aleksandra said oh sorry it doesn’t make sense to go to Bath. She told us a week before we left. Because of timing, we couldn’t do Bath. This was soooooo frustrating. She messed up so many times.

A great countryside bed and breakfast outside of Caen for our stay in Normandy. The owners were quite friendly and delightful. The residence was built in the 16th century and was bombed on D-day, which made it that much more special to us.

Right in the heart of Paris! What more could you want!

Relaxing evening on the Thames with great food and sights from the river.

Great place to start your stay by getting your bearings and layout of the city.

One of my favorite tours as a World War II buff. Plenty of history and gives you and understanding what went on in the bunkers!

The location of the hotel was great -- close to tube stations and great restaurants. Our room was large; however, the bathroom was small. My biggest complaints resolved around service. Our room safe wasn't working when we arrived. I reported it multiple times and was assured that maintenance would look at it. Even though we were there four nights, it was never fixed. I requested extra blankets twice -- they never arrived. I also requested a room that didn't face the street and was assured the room didn't. However, when we checked in, it did.

The Grand was amazing. The hotel itself is beautiful. The location was fantastic - close to the train station but also close to local attractions. Our room was extremely large and well appointed. The bathroom was amazing. And the food was great. We ate in the bar as well as having afternoon tea in the restaurant. Both were delicious. And the afternoon tea was everything a proper English tea should be.

The location of the hotel was fantastic. Close to the train station while also being close to the local attractions. It's a renovated prison which gave it an interesting character. My biggest complaints were that the rooms were very small, only one elevator worked, and the restaurant was overpriced.

Our black cab tour was awesome. Our driver was so friendly and knowledgeable. Despite having a grumpy teenage girl with us, he was excellent at making her laugh and enjoy the experience. We really enjoyed the tour and learned a lot!

The Tower of London was pretty much everything I expected. It was an enjoyable experience and full of history.

The Thames Cruise with Dinner was really enjoyable. The food exceeded my expectations, which were initially low due to it being a cruise. My only subtle complaint, unrelated to the tour itself, is that it was summer, so it didn't get dark until towards the end of the cruise, but the skyline was gorgeous once it did.

Our driver, Eddie, suggested a substitute tour for the planned Stonehenge & Jurassic Coast tour due to weather, and it ended up being awesome! We visited a couple of castles, Canterbury Cathedral, the White Cliffs of Dover, and an old pub from 1610. It was a day full of surprises and great experiences.

The Changing of the Guard tour was fun, although our tour guide wasn't as engaging with kids compared to others we had on the trip. She mostly talked to me and my husband, which was fine, but it could have been better tailored for my daughter.

The British Museum was good and offered a large collection of exhibits. We enjoyed our self-guided tour there.

The London Secret Food Tour with Tom was so much fun! He engaged with different couples throughout the evening, making it personal and enjoyable for everyone. We had a great time tasting various foods in a small group setting.

Westminster Abbey was wonderful, although I preferred York Minster as it was so much less crowded. Regardless, the history and architecture were stunning.

The Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio tour was fantastic, definitely a highlight of the trip for my daughter. Our driver was flexible and even got us there early, allowing extra time to enjoy all the magical details.

The Iconic Oxford Private Walking Tour was a great experience, led by a charming Oxford student. Unfortunately, it did fall during their school finals though so we weren't able to view all of the rooms of the Bodleian Library which I had been looking forward to.

The Cotswolds Tour from Oxford to Bath was a wonderful experience, greatly enhanced by Christopher, our driver who engaged well with my daughter.

Not a black cab at all, it was silver taxi and no AC in the heat. TERRIBLE

Horrible transfer company

Great location within 5 minute walk of 2 tube stations which allow you access to major attractions. Hotel was clean and roomy for a large city hotel. The staff was helpful and friendly. The breakfast was very good providing a traditional English breakfast buffet.

Great location just north of Boulevard Champs Elysees. Clean room with nice ammenities. The staff was friendly, but was not responsive to issues after we checked in. The room was hot when we arrived late in the evening and it took a while for the air conditioning to be turned on in our room. Each room had a fan, but ours was not working. After bringing this to the attention of the front desk and being promised to have it looked at, we never heard from them. The room eventually cooled down sometime after midnight.

A very lovely and charming bed and breakfast just outside of Caen, France. The owners were friendly and pleasant. The breakfast was simple with breads, pasteries, homemade yogurt and jams, and fruit (some grown on the property). Though over 300 years old, the rooms clean and well furnished with spacious and updated bathrooms. Note that this property does not have air conditioning and the room we stayed in did not have any windows that could be opened. The temperature during our stay was not unbearable so this was not an issue; however, it could be during higher temperatures.

Staff was friendly and helpful. Rooms were clean and updated. Rooms are a bit small but not out of line for large city accommodations. Breakfast was a little lacking with the food on the buffet not being restocked while we were eating. We had to store our luggage upon early arrival and they had to store it out in the lobby behind the bar. Nothing was missing but it provided a bit of concern.

Great way to see the sights without needing additional transportation. Easy to hop on and off. We did this on our first day after travelling overnight. It helped us get our bearings and see areas that were not on our itinerary later in our stay. We were delayed with heavy traffic.

If you are into WWII history this is a must see! Our guide was imformative and knowledgeable. He presented the a lot of information while walking us from the meeting point to the actual museum. Many of the items are as they were when the war ended, and the rooms were abandoned.

This was a very pleasant surprise of our trip. We had initially planned to remove this, but changed our minds and glad we did. The cruise started down the Thames with the first course of our meal and live music to entertain us. When we reached the turn around point, we were fed our main course and dessert which was excellent! The gentlemen provided entertainment following the meal. The setup of the boat was great. The views travelling back as the sun set and the lights of the city illuminated, were fabulous.

Wasn't sure what to expect when we arrived but was pleasantly surprised. Led by a graduate student, we received a ton of information about the area and the university that we would have never been able to get on our own. Excellent guide who made the trip enjoyable.

We had never been on a private tour before and after this experience we will consider these more in the future! Our driver and guide Paul picked us up at our hotel and drove us out to the Palace. On the way he provided the history and background we needed to better understand what we were going to see. He answered questions and provided pleasant conversation during the entire trip. Once there, he managed us into the gardens and palace without any delays or waiting in line. He allowed us to take pictures and ask questions while moving us through and keeping us on schedule. He had a wealth of knowledge about the subject and again provided us with information we would not be able to get if we had toured on our own.

We used this company 3 times during our stay in Paris and each time they communicated with us prior to arrival, at arrival, and got us to our location with no issues. From our hotel to the airport, the driver was early and got us there on time. The driver was helpful, courteous, and friendly.

Our family enjoyed the tour with the Yeoman Warders and visiting the crown jewels. Not sure if were were supposed to have a personalized tour, but it worked out fine in the end.

Driver gave us a thoroughly personalized tour. He knew my teen daughter loved music so places that influence Taylor Swift, Oasis, Beatles and more were highlighted much to her amazement. We got photos of our family crossing Abbey Road. The stop at St. Bart's hospital and church were meaningful as we not only visited the spot of William Wallace's execution (and current shrine in his honor), the incense-laden chapel happened to have a small trio of musicians practicing with hymns echoing about this ancient shrine. Our tour concluded at the Black Dog Pub for a Sunday roast and the echoes of Taylor in my daughters head. A++

Christopher arrived early to pick us up and after navigating thick London traffic had us promptly on our way to Stonehenge. We stopped at Woodhenge first to get an understanding of the archeological age of the henge as well as begin thinking about skills and knowledge neolithic Brits had to possess to begin building these structures. Christopher's knowledge of Stonehenge and the surrounding areas, as well as his ability to avoid some of the heavy traffic around the site made the visit easy and informative. After a quick bite, we headed on our way to Windsor. I truly wish we had more time here. The royals were in residence and we did catch a glimpse of the king while touring the castle. The town of Windor and Eton are easily worthy of a full day to explore and shop. Photos inside the castle grounds are not allowed.

Delienne's experience having worked in the royal household was amazing. She knew where to stand and position us before the bulk of the crowds did which gave us a perfect viewing opportunity for the whole experience. Her insider stories were fascinating.

The De Vere Beaumont Estate is fantastic and we would stay there again if we come back to England. Quiet (with the exception of the airport (Heathrow) nearby), elegant, excellent dining and bar areas.

Excellent Driver, excellent advice for restaurants, especially Fish and Chips

Superb Guide. This guide was able to get us to view the practice parade for the upcoming Kings birthday. She had a lot of history stories to tell that were quite entertaining.

Our Guide - Mr. Robert Miller - was fantastic. Very well educated, knew the museum inside and out. Gave us what we wanted, which was an overview of selected areas out of the 144 museum categories.

Excellent city location, great breakfast and service.

Great location, very good lunch breakfast and dinner, with fine service.

For what it is, a family hotel with minimum service, it worked very well for us. Room configurations, breakfast and location were just what we wanted.

Could have used another 30 mins in the Tower. We did not see the Changing of the Guard as had been advertised since this currently occurs only Mon, Wed, Fri.

Really for kids only, and they enjoyed it greatly.

Our Cotswolds trip was tailored specifically to our family needs since we have relatives the area.

For any vehicle to get the 80 yards from the side street on which our hotel was located to the adjacent main road took 15 minutes every morning due to the slow light. This made our train connection very tight, and the kids were unable to visit Harry Potter’s Platform 9 3/4.

A really excellent tour in a fascinating city with our great guide Alfred.

We would have liked a personal tour for our 10 people of the Edinburgh Castle rather than the audio tour. Separately we felt that a personal tour of the Old Town, Prince Gardens, Princes Street, and maybe the New Town, would have added to our enjoyment.

We felt that this time could have been better utilized in a personal tour of Edinburgh.

An excellent view of the Lowlands, Sterling Castle and Loch Lomond with a high energy and very agreeable guide, Jamie McGregor.

The staff was very helpful and kind!

The hotel was great but some of the stafff was not friendly

Excellent food, service & view of square, but noisy over the square due to traffic, restaurant patio and homeless people hanging out. Also very hard to get luggage up/down narrow, circular steps to the 3rd floor.

The rooms were nice & spacious, but I wouldn’t recommend this hotel due to being right across from the train station, every night had lack of hot water in showers, beds were hard and food was just fair.

Good location, nicely updated rooms, but beds were hard, they have the bathroom light on motion sensor so you get blasted with light when trying to go to the bathroom during the night. AC wasn’t cool enough. Ordering Al Fresca dining was a bit unorganized - had to order from the bar area, then they had to keep calling down to the kitchen to see if food choices were available, couldn’t even get bread. We ordered the night before a Grab & Go Breakfast since we were leaving early, and they lost 2 of the 4 orders.

Very nice. Our room was the perfect size for the four of us, very spacious. Enjoyed dinner and breakfast at the hotel restaurant and loved how close the hotel was to everything.

We had the apartment which was perfect for the six of us. Loved how close the hotel was to the stores and restaurants in Pitlochry.

Very crowded area and hardly to find a parking spot. I think we got the very last spot that was in the brewery lot. It then took us a bit to figure out how to get from the lot to the correct building we were staying in. Once in the building we had to carry all of our bags up three flights up stairs. Fine if you just have some small bags but lugging large suitcases wasn't fun. The staff did have one of the young restaurant workers come and help us with a couple of bags. Though we did not have reservations, the restaurant host did find us a table for dinner and we were very appreciative.

This was our favorite place during our entire trip to Scotland. We had a cabin and it was so comfortable and had everything we could need. Also the views of the loch right outside our cabin was amazing. I did not want to leave this place. In fact I wish we would have had more time there so we could enjoy all the other amenities that were offered. We ordered take away from their restaurant and they delivered to our cabin which was so nice. The breakfast buffet was also great, so much variety and very delicious. I want to go back to the place!

Our room was a good amount of space for the four of us and the room was clean and comfortable. It was very warm, even with the windows open and the fan on. We were on the top floor and because there wasn't a lift so we had to carry all of our heavy luggage up the flights and there wasn't any help from staff provided. We decided to go to the restaurant/ bar to get a drink. After ordering drinks we asked for the food menu and were told that they were not serving any food that night. So we ended up having to go next door and bring back to our room though I will add that the staff did say that we could bring back the food to eat in their restaurant. Also I think the other thing was that we were ready to check out Luss and when we arrived at the hotel it wasn't in Luss. There wasn't anything really to do where this hotel was located. Just a few restaurants, no shops. This is obviously wasn't the hotels fault.

Shanna was great! We really enjoyed this tour and wished it was longer.

Enjoyed seeing the castle and the views were great.

It was a fun cruise and did see some different wildlife. Also appreciated that they provided binoculars .

This was a great little farm. The owners met us out front and it was like we were old friends right away. They were so nice. David took us for a tour of the farm where we were able to pet and feed the animals. There were goats, pigs, alpacas, chickens a mini Shetland pony. Afterwards, we talked for a bit and Hannah made us coffee and provided cute little cakes to eat. It really was a lovely experience. I would highly highly recommend!

It was what to be expected, a nice museum to understand what all happened.

Favorite activity! Could not have asked for a better train ride. We picked up sandwiches at the grocery store next door to the station and had them on the train. There was a beverage service and a Harry Potter souvenir service that came by. The views on the ride were amazing! Just breathtaking.

The boat was nice, the staff were great and the views were lovely however we could not hear any of the history or information that the crew were giving over the loud speaker. Maybe it was where we were sitting which was near the engine but really wherever you sit you should be able to hear. It was a full boat. I have a photo of where three of us are dozing off because it was just blah. Being able to hear would have made this trip be completely different.

The Georgian House Hotel had a unique Harry Potter room, which could have been exciting for fans. There were no elevators, but the staff were super helpful with luggage! The breakfast was good, but after noon, it is a bit harder to find food options in the vicinity. The area was quiet and safe.

Keep in mind, there are many stairs!

The AC Hôtel par Marriott Paris Porte Maillot was much more our style. It was modern and located in an easy-to-access area, which made our stay comfortable. After the experience in London, this hotel in Paris felt more like what we are used to, and we had a pleasant time there.

The museum was very well planned, and interesting. It's well worth a visit if you are interested in Churchill's role in WWII and how he played it out.

The Flexi Fast Track pass is a very convenient way to get to London Eye without a specified time.

It was fun to see the changing of the guards. We wish we had more time to visit the White Tower, which is very interesting for people with interest in military history, more so than the Crown Jewels. Wish the guide would point that out rather than giving the impression that it was a 11the century tower, seems nothing much to see. The walking tour or West Minister etc was a bit disappointing that we did not get to go inside the grounds.

Another rainy day. We were not able to see the changing of the guards in its full gala. The castle itself was impressive. Wish we could take pictures inside to remember it. The Roman Bath was a great learning experience for my grandson to experience how it was built, used, and preserved. He got a kick out of drinking Bath water at the end. Bath is another charming town to stroll around. Stonehenge was one of the highlights of our visit. It's amazing experience to see it up close.

The weather had a lot to do with the tour. It was a dreary day to visit Dover, so the White Cliff was not as impressive as we imagined. The Leeds castle was a beautiful place which we would not have visited had we not joined this trip. The Canterbury Cathedral is amazingly beautiful, even my 12 year old grandson was impressed. The city of Canterbury is charming, a nice town to walk around, window shopping and have some lunch or snacks. We did not join the tour that had the Greenwich River boat ride. The tour was canceled at the last minute. Not sure how often this happens. We were able to join a similar tour at the last minute thanks to the agent.

We would go back anytime. Wish we could spend more time there.

The driver was on time (early), but very quiet and was not communicative in terms of giving more tips on navigating the train station. He also parked quite a bit from the actual train station, we weren't even sure if we were walking to the right building . He might not be able to park close because of parking restrictions. Not sure.

the driver texted me a day ahead to assure me of time and place of pickup. The reassurance was very nice. He was right where we expected him, and answered my questions re getting around in Paris on public transport. Very helpful and friendly. His name is Thomas, I think.

This trip was what my grandson wanted to do. Thus we made the trip to Paris so to join the tour. It was very an eye opener and something one would remember. The tour covered all the places in the itinerary. We just wished we could spend more time in Omaha Beach and visit the museum as well. We understand it's logistically not feasible. The lunch provided was good, at least we did not have to go find lunch on our own. The American Cemetery was a very poignant experience. The veterans there (cause of D-Day anniversary ) added to the experience.

Loved this hotel & wished we could have stayed longer. Staff was very welcoming and friendly. The hotel and grounds were lovely. We enjoyed the short walk into to town for dinner. Would definitely recommend to others.

Loved the location, very conveniently location for sightseeing being within walking distance to numerous sights and short walk to the tube. Our room was prefect for our family of 4, plenty of space to spread out. Staff was friendly & breakfast was delicious. Would recommend!

Great location! Loved the views of Edinburgh Castle & being right in the heart of Old Town. Always things to do short walk away, but in a quiet location.

This was one of our favorite activities. We enjoyed seeing the architecture and learning the history of the university. The walking tour was a good length, the student guide was very informative, and we got to go inside Trinity College. It happened to be graduation day, so the town was extremely crowded, but on the plus side, we got to see the students in their graduation gowns, and the atmosphere was happy and festive.

Alex, our guide, was full of enthusiasm and made the tour fun even for those of us who weren't Harry Potter superfans. We discovered some new parts of London and enjoyed the walk very much as we learned a lot of new things.

The museum at the baths is very extensive and well worth the visit.

It's always gratifying to see such a famous sight up close, in person. We enjoyed the walk through the field to get there.

Jason, our driver, was the best! He conveyed a lot of information in a relaxed and entertaining manner. This was a good introduction to a very large area.

Graham and Laura have created a delightful retreat in Oxford. Our party of 6 travelers had 3 rooms and all of us enjoyed our stay immensely. The property has an inviting drive up to a quaint country home and stables. The rooms have been beautifully updated with modern amenities, but with an attractive nod to their historic past. Two of the rooms had private backyards, and the peacocks wandering through the courtyard on occasion were an added bonus. The drawing room had a piano and sheet music as well as board games and a large table. The bedrooms contained an extremely helpful notebook with recommendations for activities and restaurants, as well as easy-to-follow instructions on transportation. Breakfast was delicious and plentiful, and while eating breakfast we had the added bonus of watching riders astride their show jumping horses. When the airline moved our flight 2 hours earlier, the staff kindly packed 6 take-away breakfasts with yogurt, fruit, croissant and juice for the ride to Heathrow.

Sandra and Chris have created a delightful retreat in north Wales. Tastefully decorated common areas and bedrooms, a yummy snack and convenient tea tray/amenities in each bedroom, very cozy beds with down comforters. Breakfasts tables are laid beautifully and delicious breakfast served in attractive style. Sandra was very helpful with logistics and planning for local activities, transportation options, and recommendations.

Our party of 6 adored the atmosphere at The Northey Arms. From the stately stone exterior to the charming upscale pub vibe to the inventive menu and the inviting outdoor seating, we loved this location. The rooms were inviting from the moment we walked in. Of course, a property can only be as good as its staff, and the staff of The Northey Arms functions like a well-oiled machine. The manager, Maddy, clearly has a top-notch training program in place, since all of the employees were a cut above. Katie, Chloe, Lottie, Marie, and Richard were all professional, friendly and helpful. The little touches like fresh flowers on the tables did not go unnoticed, and the food was memorably delicious. The mini-chocolate chip cookies served with tea were ever so yummy, and when we had to leave early on our last morning prior to the serving hours for breakfast, Maddy was kind enough to pack chocolate croissants for us to take along. We would return here in a heartbeat!

Our party of six was airport-weary when we arrived, and we are grateful that The Mitre let us check in early. The staff was friendly and helpful, especially Elwyn. We had 3 rooms and they were all excellent. The beds were comfy and housekeeping was attentive. (Thanks, Anju!) Breakfasts accommmodated all sorts of tastes, from fresh fruit over waffles to the full English breakfast. The location in Greenwich is extremely walkable with a convenient tube station and a neighborhood with its own personality, with less crows and hustle/bustle of central London. We would return here in a heartbeat. Thanks!

Our punter, Angus, gave us a delightful trip and added helpful commentary along the way.

We did not have a retired royal guard because we requested someone more knowledgeable of history and culture--we weren't interested in the "royal gossip." We were absolutely thrilled with our tour from Blue Badge Guide Olga B. Her love and appreciation for London are contagious! She gave an excellent balance of history and modernity, and was more than willing to answer every question and tailor the tour to our particular interests. She spoke to some local merchants and we were allowed to pop in and see notable features of their shops (such as Winston Churchill's tobacco merchant). She also made wonderful recommendations of what to do with our remaining time in London. We highly recommend Olga's tour for those who want to make the most out of their 3-hour overview of London.