8-Day London to Edinburgh Tour Package: Snowdonia

We’ll depart from London and make our way to William Shakespeare’s birthplace: Stratford-upon-Avon, where we’ll explore the village and see the thatched cottage and gardens of Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway. Next on the itinerary is Ironbridge. Set in a forested gorge on the River Severn this historic valley boats the world’s first-ever iron bridge. From there we’ll travel to the beautiful riverside town of Shrewsbury for the next 2 nights. Tips: Accommodations are in Chester on some dates.

This morning we’ll take you into the heart of North Wales. We’ll travel through beautiful green valleys and lovely little towns and villages, then visit the picture-book medieval castle of Conwy, built by Edward I in the late 13th century. We’ll also explore Snowdonia National Park, including the huge Dinorwic slate quarries and the dramatic Pass of Llanberis in the shadow of Snowdon, Wales’ highest peak. You’ll hear tales of Owain Glyndwr and the Welsh struggle for independence before traveling back across the border into England.

To the northeast of Shrewsbury lie the hills of Peak District National Park, boasting a combination of stunning scenery and beautiful little villages. We’ll take the scenic route through the park to the village of Castleton, followed by a visit to the famous mansion and gardens of Chatsworth, home of the Cavendish family, Duke of Devonshire. A tour of Chatsworth reveals some of the finest collections of furniture, priceless paintings, Old Master drawings and neoclassical sculptures. From here we’ll travel east out of the hills to the wonderful historic city of York, where we’ll spend the next three nights.

Our journey begins in the late morning when we head for the magnificent North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Lunch will be in Whitby, a bustling fishing port and the inspiration for the fertile imagination of author Bram Stoker, who stayed in the Royal Hotel on the western side of Whitby while writing his famous novel Dracula. After lunch and free time in Whitby, we’ll travel to Robin Hood’s Bay, a perfectly preserved village of winding lanes and narrow alleyways. Tips:The minicoach cannot access the main village due to local restrictions. The difficulty level of the walk to reach the old village center is moderate to strenuous.

Today you can choose to spend the whole day at leisure exploring the medieval city of York, whose rich history goes back to the time of the Romans, Vikings and Normans. Visit some of the fascinating museums, the amazing York Minster or just lose yourself in the maze of narrow streets and ancient city walls. Alternatively, you can opt to join your guide on a half-day excursion to the Yorkshire Dales, including the historic market town of Knaresborough or Ripon, and the beautiful countryside of the Eastern Dales, followed by a free afternoon in York. Tips:The London-based tour ends here. On Day 5 you will be picked up by the tour bus bound for Edinburgh. Your driver/guide will inform you in advance of the pick-up time and place.

Today we’ll head west into the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, boasting incredible scenery, a range of wildlife habitats and a rich cultural heritage – a fantastic outdoor arena for recreation and peaceful relaxation and a haven for wildlife. Continuing west our route will take us through the Northern Dales, an area of outstanding natural beauty. The final leg of the journey will take us high up into the remote hills of the Yorkshire Dales before descending into the lively market town of Keswick.

After breakfast we’ll travel the short distance out of town to the mysterious Castlerigg standing stones, thought by many to have been built over 5,000 years ago. We’ll then travel to the shores of Ullswater, described as England’s most beautiful lake. Continuing south over the narrow and winding Kirkstone Pass we’ll stop at Windermere, where you can opt to join us on a leisurely cruise or simply eat lunch while enjoying the view. After lunch we’ll travel around the southern tip of Windermere and on towards Coniston Water, after which we’ll arrive at the picturesque village of Hawkshead, where the poet William Wordsworth attended grammar school. After free time to explore the village, we’ll navigate the narrow country lanes north towards Grasmere, which Wordsworth described as “the loveliest spot that man hath found.” There you will have free time to visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage or enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden by the River Rothy.

Leaving the Lakes behind us, we’ll begin our climb up Hartside Pass, which stands at over 1,900 feet. On a clear day the hills and mountains of Scotland and the English Lake District are clearly visible as we follow the route of the old sheep drovers between England and Scotland. Stopping at Hadrian’s Wall, built by Emperor Hadrian to keep the Scots out of the Roman Empire, we’ll have an opportunity to explore some of the Roman ruins and walk in the footsteps of the Roman Centurions who patrolled this desolate frontier. Following the ancient Roman Dere Street, we’ll cross into Scotland and continue on to the border town of Jedburgh for refreshments in the shadow of the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey. Our final stop is the world-famous Scott’s View, encompassing the River Tweed and the Cheviot Hills that broadly demarcate the Scottish-English border. We’ll arrive in Edinburgh at around 7:00pm