Essential Britain (GC)

12 Day Tour from London to London

2027 Tour Details View 2025 Tour Details » View 2026 Tour Details »

Thrones and scones. Hops and scotch. Rock stars and famous rocks. They’re all included on this enthralling and encompassing tour of Britain. Pack your tweed and tartans for the best of London and country, the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, and the enchanting villages and valleys of Wales, and prepare to be swept away like a runaway bride at the elopement capital of Gretna Green. The castles and cathedrals of London, Edinburgh, and Cardiff, as well as the charming pubs on every corner, will steal your heart away. With visits to the baffling boulders of Stonehenge, the battlefield of Culloden Moor, Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, and The Beatles’ home city of Liverpool, this tour of Britain promises rocking discovery and enlightenment, not to mention honorary degrees in ancient history, English literature, and music appreciation.
PLUS, your tour includes your choice of excursions in Alnwick so you can plan your day your way.

Special Features Included in this Tour:
• Visit to Stonehenge
• Visit to Bath, featuring the Roman Baths
• Visit to The Beatles Story in Liverpool
• Grasmere Gingerbead tasting
• Join in a wedding re-enactment in Gretna Green
• Guided sightseeing in Edinburgh with visit to Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Crown Jewels
• Admission to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (July 31, August 7, 14 and 21 departures)
• Globus Choice excursions in Alnwick – included in your tour with your choice of an inside visit to Alnwick Castle or a visit to Alnwick Garden
• Lunch in a local pub in Ilminster
• Scenic cruise on the Plymouth Sound
• Visit to Glastonbury
• Guided walking tour of medieval York, including The Shambles
• Visit to Stratford-upon-Avon – Shakespeare’s Birthplace
• Orientation drive in Glasgow
• Visit to Llangollen

Dates & Prices Book Online

800.268.3636

Photo Highlights

Meals

Meals & Itinerary

11 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinner

Notes:

Due to the Solstice closure of Stonehenge on 21st June, departure June 20 will visit Salisbury rather than Stonehenge.

This tour requires some uphill walking on rough terrain at Edinburgh Castle which may pose a challenge to guests with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs. Some walking involved back to the hotel after the Edinburgh Tattoo for departures that include the Tattoo.

Headsets available on tour except for London.

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND

Welcome to London! Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. Free time this afternoon.

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Day 2 LONDON–STONEHENGE–ILMINSTER–PLYMOUTH

Secrets of the Stones Meet your Tour Director and travel companions, to depart London at 8 am. First, try to unravel the mystery of prehistoric Stonehenge. Explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then take time to view the monument up close. Head to the quaint market town of Ilminster for a welcome lunch at a local pub.
219 mi / 352 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Quench your thirst with local ales and ciders while tasting traditional pub fayre prepared following century old recipes. Nothing eases homesickness like hearty cooked food concocted with care and love like grandma used to make. Just like home away from home!

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Breakfast

Lunch

Day 3 PLYMOUTH. EXCURSION TO CORNWALL

Legends of Land & Sea Start the day with a scenic cruise on Plymouth Sound, following in the footsteps of the Pilgrim Fathers, before enjoying a drive through the West Country into Poldark’s Cornwall. Visit the thriving fishing village and former smugglers’ port of Looe. Head back to Plymouth and enjoy some free time.
42 mi / 70 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
EPIC RIDE Stunning views of Cornwall, the setting of Winston Graham's ‘Poldark’ saga of Cornish life in the 18th century, will leave you breathless on a scenic drive through the West Country. Get carried away with a spectacular scenic cruise on Plymouth Sound, a magnificent inlet on the English Channel.

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Breakfast

Day 4 PLYMOUTH–GLASTONBURY–BATH–CARDIFF, WALES

Timeless Kings & Thermal Springs At Glastonbury, hear about the legend of King Arthur and the Holy Grail, and then head to the Georgian city of Bath, visit the amazing excavations of the Roman Baths, and take time to explore this fascinating city on your own. Stay the night in Cardiff, the Welsh capital.
184 mi / 295 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE The Somerset town of Glastonbury is the site of King Arthur’s legendary quest for the mythical Holy Grail, the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper. Hear how, while Arthur failed in his search, a noble knight named Galahad found the Holy Grail because of his pure heart.

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Breakfast

Day 5 CARDIFF–BUILTH WELLS–LLANGOLLEN–LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND

Moor than Meets the Eye Your journey through Wales takes you on a scenic drive along the Taff Valley and through the Brecon Beacons National Park, and via the ancient market town of Builth Wells. Take a stroll in picturesque Llangollen, host to one of the world’s most colorful annual music festivals. On arrival in Liverpool, there’s some free time to enjoy this vibrant city.
190 mi / 306 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Discover the extraordinary natural beauty of Brecon Beacons National Park while driving through its mountains, moors, and magnificent views. Look out for Welsh mountain ponies and sheep grazing in the wild and red kites gliding gracefully in the sky.

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Breakfast

Day 6 LIVERPOOL–GRASMERE–GRETNA GREEN, SCOTLAND–GLASGOW

Songs, Sonnets & Secret Vows Start the day with a visit to The Beatles Story, for a fascinating journey into the life and music of the “Fab Four.” Take a scenic drive through the tranquil Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a break in Wordsworth’s beloved Grasmere and try original Grasmere Gingerbread. Head north to the Scottish border and stop at Gretna Green, where the blacksmith performed weddings for runaway young couples, and join in a fun wedding re-enactment. Overnight in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city.
236 mi / 380 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
TIMELESS TRADITIONS Love will find a way to sweeten the day with classic gingerbread in Grasmere, or by parents hot on the trail of runaway brides and grooms who crossed them (and the Scottish border) to get hitched in 18th-century Gretna Green. Hear how romance was forged by a blacksmith who helped eloping couples hammer out the vows.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 7 GLASGOW–FORT WILLIAM–INVERNESS

Landmarks, Lochs & Legends An orientation drive shows you Glasgow’s landmarks, including the 12th-century cathedral, university buildings and Georgian squares before heading on a scenic drive past Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and Glen Coe. View Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak from Fort William before following the length of the legendary Loch Ness, en route to Inverness, the Highland capital.
178 mi / 286 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE Survey the shores of famed Loch Ness for the chance to catch a glimpse of its mysterious Nessie. Hear of the folklore and firm believers in the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, which is said to swim in the shimmering waters.

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Breakfast

Dinner

Day 8 INVERNESS–CULLODEN–PITLOCHRY–ST. ANDREWS–EDINBURGH

Bravery, Birdies & Bagpipes View the battlefield of Culloden Moor, scene of the crushing Hanoverian victory over Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish clans, before a walk through the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. Visit St. Andrews, the home of golf and famous university town before a drive over the elegant Forth Road Bridge takes you to Edinburgh.
202 mi / 326 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Unpack your plaid! Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances included on departures July 31, August 7, 14 and 21.

ICONIC FOOTSTEPS See the fairways and greens at the birthplace of golf, where legendary players of the Scottish game made history in the university town of St. Andrews.

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Breakfast

Day 9 EDINBURGH

Crown Jewels & Castle Views Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and the famous scientists, inventors, and novelists who lived there. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The afternoon is free to enjoy the Scottish capital at your own pace.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with a 1,100-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain.” Here, see the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels.

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Breakfast

Day 10 EDINBURGH–ALNWICK, ENGLAND–YORK

Spend your day your way in Alnwick This morning, head to Alnwick Castle, ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, and more recently featured in the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey. Explore more of Alnwick with your choice of Globus Choice excursions.

CAPTURE THE CASTLE

The second largest inhabited castle in England, Alnwick Castle has been home to the Duke of Northumberland¿s family, the Percys, for over 700 years. Explore the castle and its grounds, featured in historical films, Shakespeare productions, and Harry Potter movies.

BLOOMING MARVELOUS

See the vision of the Duchess of Northumberland blooming as a true 21st century experience full of imagination, inspiration and fun. Stroll the Alnwick Garden for an eye-popping experience in one of the world¿s most ambitious new gardens.

Next, make your way to York, England’s most complete medieval city. Admire the great structure of the Minster and follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles.
214 mi / 344 km

Breakfast

Dinner

Day 11 YORK–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–LONDON

Mr. & Mrs. Shakespeare Head back to London via historic Stratford-upon-Avon, take pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and enjoy a visit to Shakespeare’s Birthplace. You will return to London at about 3.30 pm.
255 mi / 410 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A LEGEND SLEPT HERE Ah, young love! Even more true, as young Shakespeare’s fiancée was eight years his senior. See Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the family home where the bard’s wife-to-be was born and courted by young Will. Built more than 500 years ago, much of the original structure remains. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and family home in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Hear tales of Shakespeare’s family life, marriage, and children with a close look at fascinating artifacts in a world-class collection assembled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

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Breakfast

Day 12 LONDON

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

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Breakfast

Tour Director

With GLOBUS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

HUW DAVIES

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“I have never tired of the beauty within these islands and the ongoing privilege of being able to share that with people from all over the world. I think it's wonderful that people want to come and see Britain and Ireland and discover our heritage and landscapes.”

Accommodations

Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyGlobus site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

London

York

London

A Taste of London

A traditional dining experience followed by a nighttime cruise along the Thames River, viewing some of the capital's most beautiful illuminated sights.

Price Range: $$$$

York

CAPTURE THE CASTLE

Price Range: $

BLOOMING MARVELOUS

Price Range: $

Private Touring

Private Touring: Globus European Private Touring enables you to experience all of the attractions, sights and highlights of your selected Globus tour as a private experience - delivered just for you and your traveling party. With Private Touring, you'll have your own dedicated Tour Director, your own private transportation and driver, and your own professional local guides. All with greater flexibility in pace and your experience.

For your selected tour, there will be additional per-person cost for the size of your party - from 1 to 24. This additional supplement is reduced with each traveler you add to your party.

Here's a sample of the additional cost:

6 guests in a party: $5,538*
18 guests in a party: $1,116*

Contact Globus or your preferred travel agent for pricing for your specific party size as well as any other information on Globus Private Touring.

* Supplement pricing is per person (CA) and will be added to the standard published price for your given departure date and is based on availability. Supplement price is valid for 2020 and 2021 travel years. Occasionally some included and optional activities & excursions may be operated with other guests. Additional restrictions may apply. Not applicable for custom groups. No Group allowances or promotions are available on Private Touring. Published itineraries only. Note that blackout dates may exist where the Private Touring option is not available.

The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.

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