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ITINERARY
Tour Pace
Well paced tour with two night stays in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, & Torquay on the 'English Riviera.' Distances on driving days are comfortable, with regular stops at points of interest along the way.
DAY 1 – SUN – LONDON – STRATFORD
After meeting our Tour Director, our first stop is Oxford, to see the famous university buildings. Then we visit Churchill's grave at Bladon before a scenic drive takes us through the golden stone villages of the Cotswolds. Soon we reach the quiet market town of Stratford-upon-Avon, home to the greatest writer in the English language, William Shakespeare, and we visit his birthplace next. Tonight, we enjoy a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Thistle. (Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 2 – MON – STRATFORD – YORK
This morning we see Coventry's two cathedrals, before heading north to York. We walk inside the ancient city walls, to see the maze of narrow streets including the Shambles, where the houses lean towards each other so far that they almost touch. We also see the Minster, largest medieval church in northern Europe. Tonight we enjoy a Highlight Dinner. Hotel: Quality. (Full breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 3 – TUE – YORK – EDINBURGH
We head north through the landscapes immortalised in the tales of the Brontė family and James Heriot to Durham where our orientation tour shows us the cathedral and castle. Then it's over the Northumberland Moors to enter Scotland at Carter Bar in the wild Cheviot Hills. Our route passes the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey and crosses the salmon rich river Tweed, before reaching the elegant Scottish capital of Edinburgh. Hotel: Hilton Grosvenor. (Full breakfast)
DAY 4 – WED – EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING
Today, with our local guide, we drive along Prince's Street to see the ornate Scott Memorial, then visit the 18th century 'New Town' with its classical Adam facades. Now into the Old Town, to visit Edinburgh Castle perched on its rock. We follow the Royal Mile down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse where Mary Queen of Scots lived - it is still the official Scottish residence of the Queen. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, selected departures enjoy the Edinburgh Tattoo - a colourful mixture of military manoeuvres, complete with pipes and drums. (Full breakfast)
DAY 5 – THU – EDINBURGH – LAKE DISTRICT
We begin our day with a spectacular drive through the contrasting scenery of the Southern Uplands. We stop to visit the Moffat Woollen Mills before crossing the border back into England. We travel through the 'Auld Grey Town' of Kendall later this morning on our way to visit Levens Hall. We admire the ornate Great Hall of this Elizabethan manor and the renowned Topiary Gardens, designed in 1690. Later we continue to our hotel close to the shores of Lake Windermere. Hotel: Whitewater. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 6 – FRI – LAKE DISTRICT – CHESTER
This morning we enjoy the beauty of the English Lake District as we stop in lakeside Grasmere, where we visit Wordsworth's grave in the churchyard. Then the smooth motorway carries us to the former Roman fortress of Chester. Our orientation tour within the well preserved walls shows us the galleried shopping arcades called the 'Rows' and fine half timbered buildings. We also see the remains of the Roman Amphitheatre, the colourful Jubilee Clock and impressive cathedral. Hotel: Blossoms. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 7 – SAT – CHESTER – BRISTOL
This morning our route follows the Welsh borders to ancient Ludlow. Today's bustling town is still dominated by the massive fortress built to resist the frequent Welsh raids, while the 15th century mansions on Broad Street reflect a later time of peace and prosperity. Now through the apple orchards of Herefordshire before crossing in to Wales, 'Land of Song'! In the enchanting Wye Valley we pass the ruins of Tintern Abbey, then we cross the Severn Bridge back into England & our hotel in Bristol. Hotel: Marriott City Centre. (Full breakfast)
DAY 8 – SUN – BRISTOL – TORQUAY
This morning we drive to the delightful Georgian city of Bath, its curative waters famous since Roman times. Here we visit the 18th century Pump Room and the ancient Baths, where parts of the Roman plumbing are still in use today! We also see the 15th century Abbey, before continuing to mysterious Glastonbury, a town steeped in legend - some say that King Arthur is buried in the ruined abbey. Then through the cider orchards of 'scrumptious Somerset' to our hotel in the seaside town of Torquay. Hotel: Grand. (Full breakfast)
DAY 9 – MON – DARTMOOR EXCURSION
We drive to Saltash to join our cruise up Plymouth Sound to the harbour, and the Mayflower Steps, from where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail on the Mayflower. Back on dry land, we see the Hoe, where Drake played bowls, and explore the Barbican area. Now we tour wild, heather clad, Dartmoor, with its sinister memories of the remote Prison and 'Hounds of the Baskervilles', before returning to our hotel in Torquay. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 10 – TUE – TORQUAY – LONDON
Today we cross Salisbury Plain to visit the ancient mysterious stone circle of Stonehenge. These strange and awe-inspiring monoliths are reputed to be over 4,000 years old. Then we return to London where we bid farewell to our Tour Director and our tour comes to an end. (Full breakfast)
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