After London, there is no better introduction to England than Oxford, the ‘city of dreaming spires’. We see the grandest of all Oxford’s colleges, Christ Church, once the home of Lewis Carroll but more recently used in the Harry Potter films, before enjoying a guided walk of the city. Later we drive to a traditional 18th century woollen-mill in the Cotswolds, to learn about the industry that represents the cornerstone of Cotswold heritage. We then drive through quaint villages to our delightful Cotswolds accommodation. Tonight we will have dinner together at the world famous Pudding Club. (D)
Overnight: Three Ways House Hotel or similar
This morning we drive to Worcester to visit one of England’s quietest but most interesting cathedrals, where you can see the tomb of the infamous King John. We continue north to the town of Much Wenlock - the birthplace of the modern Olympics, followed by a short drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ironbridge, to see the first arch bridge in the world to be made out of cast iron. We finish our day in Chester. (B)
Overnight: New Blossoms Hotel or similar
Today we travel into Wales to explore Snowdonia National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty. We experience narrow mountain passes, see gushing streams, cascading waterfalls, sheep covered uplands and verdant and hidden valleys that some claim to be the resting place of the real King Arthur. This afternoon we make our way back to Chester along the North Wales coast visiting Conwy, the most complete walled town in Britain, with its stark and imposing 13th century castle. (B)
Overnight: New Blossoms Hotel or similar
This morning we explore Chester, seeing its medieval walls, the old Roman amphitheatre and Chester’s Rows, Britain’s first shopping mall. Our journey continues east across England’s backbone, the Pennine Hills, to the Bronte parsonage at Haworth. After seeing what inspired the sisters to write the likes of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, we will briefly stop at Salts Mill, set in the UNESCO World Heritage site, Saltaire. The Grade II Listed historic mill was built in 1853 by Sir Titus Salt along with the village to house his workers. Our final stop today is in the market town of Otley, for an early evening meal, before we continue to York, the historic capital of northern England. (B,D)
Overnight: Churchill Hotel or similar
This morning your guide will take you through the old city pointing out its highlights including the city walls, York Minster, the York Castle Museum, the Jorvik (Viking) Centre, Clifford’s Tower and the famous Shambles. This afternoon you have free time to further explore York independently. (B)
Overnight: Churchill Hotel or similar
Today we make our way to Whitby, dipping into the imposing North Yorkshire Moors on the way. Our first stop is at the Magpie Café to taste their wonderful fish and chips, reputedly the best in Britain. We then visit the museum chronicling a young Captain Cook’s training as a seaman before embarking on his epic voyages of discovery. From Whitby we stop at a traditional Yorkshire brew house to sample award winning ale, before enjoying the wonderful scenery of the Yorkshire Dales. Our final destination is Lake Windermere, our base for the next two nights. (B,L)
Overnight: Wild Boar Hotel or similar
Today we enjoy one of Britain’s most beautiful national parks. Crossing Lake Windermere, our first stop is Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top Farm, before we move on to Hawkshead, home of the Beatrix Potter Gallery and the Old Grammar School attended by William Wordsworth. Afterwards, we wind our way through the beautiful Back-Roads of this striking region, stopping for lunch in one of the countless picturesque villages in the area. This afternoon, we drive to Grasmere where we visit Sarah Nelson’s famous Gingerbread Shop, which has been making this delicacy since 1854. Taste gingerbread and learn about its history before we travel to Dove Cottage, once home to the poet William Wordsworth and inspiration for his Daffodils poem. After a short cruise on the lake we return to our accommodation. (B,D)
Overnight: Wild Boar Hotel or similar
This morning we drive to the village of Orton to visit a small family run chocolate producer. We then travel through the lush, green valley of the River Eden to Alston, which claims to be the highest market settlement in England. Driving through the lovely scenery of Northumberland, we follow Hadrian’s Wall until we reach Birdoswald Roman Fort, one of the best Roman sites on the wall. Tonight we will stay in a restored 15th century medieval Scottish castle, where we will also enjoy a 3-course Scottish banquet together. (B,D)
Overnight: Comlongon Castle or similar
As we travel north we stop briefly at the ruins of Hermitage Castle. This remote and spooky castle was the scene of many bloody battles in the territorial wars between the Scots and the English. We then pass through dramatic moorlands on the way to Scott’s View, loved by Scotland’s most famous novelist Sir Walter Scott. We continue to Melrose, home of the rugby sevens and Melrose Abbey, the burial place of Robert the Bruce’s heart. This afternoon we visit one of the most mysterious sites in Scotland, Rosslyn Chapel, which was featured in the bestselling film The Da Vinci Code. Our final destination is Edinburgh, where our tour comes to an end. (B)
Tour departs at 0830hrs from:
Royal Garden Hotel
2-24 Kensington High Street
London, W8 4PT
Tour returns at approximately 1730hrs to:
The Royal Terrace Hotel
18 Royal Terrace
Edinburgh, EH7 5AQ
Back-Roads Touring Company Ltd.
Level 1, 107 Power Road,
London W4 5PY
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0) 208 9870 990
(Mon - Fri: 0900 - 1800 GMT)
Fax: +44 (0) 208 9940 888
info@backroadstouring.us
