Classic England

Day 1

Welcome to London! Upon arrival at the airport, your tour director will be waiting to help you board the coach for the transfer to central London to begin our sightseeing tour. As you make your way, your guide will impart exciting stories and interesting facts about London’s long history. You will see London’s most iconic landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament and ‘Big Ben,’ Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square and more.

After lunch, visit the Tower of London, famous for its Beefeater guards, ravens and the Crown Jewels. Afterwards, the coach will take us to our hotel where we will be staying for 4 nights. Enjoy dinner and an early night to beat the jetlag.

Overnight: London

Day 2

After breakfast, travel to Windsor to visit the stunning Windsor Castle. Dating back to Norman times, with sweeping landscaped gardens and turreted Round Tower, it’s easy to see why this impressive castle is the King’s favorite weekend royal residence. Enjoy a fascinating peek at the lavish State Apartments, home to priceless artworks by Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci, and visit St. George’s Chapel, the atmospheric final resting place of former monarchs including Henry VIII. You can visit Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, a truly incredible structure complete with
working lifts, running water, electricity-all in miniature!

We will drive to Runnymede for lunch (payable locally) at the Magna Carta Tea Room before visiting the Magna Carta Memorial. Seen by many as the birthplace of modern democracy, this open landscape beside the River Thames was witness to King John’s historic sealing of the Magna Carta over 800 years ago, on June 15, 1215. As well as a monument to the legacy of the Magna Carta, you’ll find further memorials to John F. Kennedy and the Commonwealth Air Forces, and a series of art installations, including unique works by Hew Locke and Mark Wallinger.

When you return to London, take the opportunity to explore more of the city at your own pace before dinner.

Overnight: London

Day 3

After breakfast, explore the heart of London during a walking tour with your tour guide, including a photo stop at Horse Guards Parade to see the mounted soldiers of the Household Cavalry. Then stroll through St James’ Park to Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of His Majesty King Charles III, to watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony.

After lunch (payable locally), you will transfer by coach to visit the Warner Bros. Studios- The Making of Harry Potter. Explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and see the film studios with stunning costumes, breathtakingly detailed sets and intricate props. Return by coach to London for dinner in a traditional pub before enjoying an evening of ten-pin bowling!

Overnight: London

Day 4

After breakfast, depart for a day trip to Oxford. With numerous museums including the Ashmolean, Britain’s first botanic garden and historic university colleges, the walking tour of Oxford will include visits to the Bodleian Library and Christ Church, featured in Harry Potter films. We will also see the city from the water, during a punt along the scenic River Cherwell. Enjoy lunch in Oxford (payable locally). At the end of the day, return to London for dinner and a good night’s rest.

Overnight: London

Day 5

After breakfast, hop on the coach and travel along the Great West Way towards Bristol, making a stop on the way to visit Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy lunch (payable locally) before visiting the enigmatic circles of stone menhirs dating from the Neolithic Age, arranged in a pattern whose astronomical significance is still being explored.

After your time at Stonehenge, continue to Bath, known by the Romans as Aquae Sulis, which was one of the most important spa and pilgrimage sites in the western part of the Roman Empire. Here you will have a guided tour to discover the ancient city’s long history before we visit the Roman Baths. Afterwards, it’s just a short coach journey to take us to our hotel in Bristol where we will be staying for 3 nights. Enjoy dinner and a good night’s rest after a full day!

Overnight: Bristol

Day 6

After breakfast, embark on a guided tour of Bristol, including a visit to Brunel’s steamship, the SS Great Britain. We will also make a stop at Clifton suspension bridge, spanning the Avon Gorge, followed by lunch in Bristol (payable locally). Afterwards, head to Cheddar Gorge, making a stop at the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company to see cheese being made and enjoy a tasting. Then its short coach trip to the next adventure, a visit to Wookey Hole Caves. After millions of years in the making, you’ll be fascinated by the geology, history and legends of the caves as you take a guided tour. Return to Bristol for dinner and good rest after a long day.

Overnight: Bristol

Day 7

After breakfast, we depart by coach to Wales, crossing via the suspension bridge over the mighty River Severn. On arrival in Cardiff we have a guided walking tour of the city center and bay area, with photo stops at Cardiff Castle, Wales Millennium Centre, the Norwegian Church and the Senedd (Welsh Parliament). Afterwards, we will visit St Fagans National Museum of History, the most-visited heritage attraction in Wales, standing in magnificent castle grounds on the outskirts of Cardiff. After lunch, discover over fifty original buildings from different locations in Wales and from different historical periods, carefully re-built in the 100-acre parkland. Each building is frozen in time and opens a door into Welsh history, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past. Return by coach to your hotel in Bristol.

Overnight: Bristol

Day 8

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart for London Heathrow Airport for your flight home. We hope you had a magical time in the United Kingdom!