DAY 1: London - Stonehenge - Cheddar - Devon
![London - Stonehenge - Cheddar - Devon]()
Welcome to this week-long tour of merry old England! Departing from London, today’s first stop is the iconic Stonehenge. The ancient archaeological wonder has stood for thousands of years in the English countryside and today you have the option to enter this mysterious site and learn about it’s history. Next, travel on to Cheddar, a parish in Somerset. Recognise the name? Cheddar Gorge is the spot where cheddar cheese originated! Cheddar has been produced and stored in the caves of Cheddar for over 400 years! Find a shop in town to try a taste of authentic cheddar cheese. Afterward, it's onwards to Devon and the accommodation for the next two nights. Look forward to a welcome dinner with the group tonight!
Experiences
Cheddar and Cheddar Gorge: Visit the town well-known for being home to cheddar cheese! Be sure to sample cheddar during your visit. Travel to nearby Cheddar Gorge and drive through the stunning limestone rocks. Britain's oldest complete human skeleton, Cheddar Man, estimated to be over 9,000 years old was discovered here. Fun fact: The caves maintain the perfect temperature year-round, for maturing cheese.
Welcome dinner in Devon: Celebrate the first night of this whirlwind trip through England with a group dinner tonight. Sit down to a hearty meal with your new travel companions and get to know everyone.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Best Western Passage House Hotel
Optional Excursions
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change. DAY 2: Dartmoor - Jamaica Inn - Bodmin - Looe - Totnes - Devon
![Dartmoor - Jamaica Inn - Bodmin - Looe - Totnes - Devon]()
Explore the South West of England today. First stop of the day is Dartmoor National Park, one of the UK’s last great wildernesses, for some outdoor exploring. Afterwards, visit the Jamaica Inn - the UK’s most famous smuggling inn! Next up is a visit to Bodmin; this lovely English town is home to the breathtaking Bodmin Moor. Later, continue to travel onwards to the seaside. Visit Looe - a bustling fishing port nestled on the coast - this could be a great spot to try some fish and chips! Following Looe, spend some time in Totnes in the heart of southern Devon. After a day jam-packed with sightseeing and exploring, head back to the hotel in Devon to settle in for the evening.
Experiences
Dartmoor scenic drive: Visit Dartmoor National Park and travel through the beautiful moorland, teeming with wildlife and rich in antiquities and archaeology. It’s known for open landscapes made up of water, woodlands, farms, castles and many prehistoric archaeological sites. Stop in the heart of the national park and explore.
Visit the Jamaica Inn: Made famous by Daphne du Maurier's novel Jamaica Inn, this is the most famous smuggling inn in the United Kingdom! Visit the museum, which houses a fine collection of smuggling artefacts, and sit down for some tea and scones.
Visit Bodmin & Bodmin Moor: See this lovely English spot which is a historic town in the Cornwall region. Just north of Bodmin town is Bodmin Moor - one of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Cornwall! It is breathtaking to behold!
Visit Looe: Make a stop at this quaint coastal town which is also a busy fishing port. Grab some seaside Cornish souvenirs and maybe even a plate of fish and chips!
Visit Totnes: This charming, historic market town is nestled in the heart of south Devon, perched on the River Dart. Totnes is well-known for its thriving arts and culture scene as well as the Bohemian lifestyle people live here!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Best Western Passage House Hotel
DAY 3: Bath - Oxford
![Bath - Oxford]()
This morning, set off for the historic city of Bath. Arrive and embark on an orientation tour. See highlights such as the Royal Crescent, Circus, Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge. After the tour, enjoy free time to explore Bath - this is a great opportunity to enjoy the Roman Baths optional excursion! The Roman Baths were constructed between 60 and 70 AD and continue to attract visitors from across the world every year. From Bath, the last stretch of the day takes us all the way to Oxford. Once here, enjoy a walking tour with a local guide. See the beautiful architecture and the famous university’s different colleges including Trinity and Christ Church. This evening, enjoy an included dinner with the group.
Experiences
Bath orientation tour: Your Expat Explore tour leader will point out all the main attractions of Bath, so you can make the most of your free time here.
Oxford: Enjoy a walking tour of Oxford's historic city centre with a local guide, and see sights including the university buildings and many notable examples of English architecture including late Saxon, Norman, Georgian and Victorian. You will have the option to go inside one of the world famous college buildings.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Ramada by Wyndham Oxford
Optional Excursions
- Roman Baths i £28
- University of Oxford college visit i £5
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 4: Cotswolds - Stratford upon Avon - Liverpool
![Cotswolds - Stratford upon Avon - Liverpool]()
After breakfast, travel through the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and enjoy a quick stop before travelling on to Stratford-upon-Avon, the hometown of William Shakespeare. Enjoy free time to explore this market town with more than 800 years of history - why not visit Shakespeare's house? Next, travel north to Liverpool, a famous British port city with a rich history. Music fans will be enthralled to be in the home of The Beatles! Spot the famous sites on our driving tour and explore the city during your free time this evening. Mathew Street is a great destination - it’s the beating heart of the live music scene and home to the world-famous ‘Cavern Club’. It was in this exact pub where The Beatles first made their mark on modern music.
Experiences
Visit Stratford-Upon-Avon: Visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Enjoy free time to wander the city, and visit some of the Shakespearean attractions, such as the historic 16th-Century house where he grew up.
Liverpool driving tour: Take a driving tour to see some of the city's highlights including the Albert Dock, and a variety of locations connected to the Beatles.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Ibis Liverpool Centre Albert Dock Hotel
Optional Excursions
- The Beatles Story & Museum i £18
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 5: Samlesbury - Windermere - Carlisle - Cumbria
![Samlesbury - Windermere - Carlisle - Cumbria]()
A short drive from Liverpool is today’s first destination, Samlesbury. Enjoy a photo stop at Samlesbury Hall, a famous medieval manor house and stately home built in the 14th century. We’ll then visit Windermere, the largest natural lake in England, situated in the stunningly beautiful Lake District National Park. You’ll have some free time to explore Windermere before we head to our accommodation in Cumbria; considered one of England's most outstanding areas of natural beauty, it has provided inspiration for many famous artists, including William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Experiences
Photo stop at Samlesbury Hall: Snap some picturesque photos at this beautiful stately home which has a fascinating history including stories of witchcraft and ghosts!
Windermere: Stop off at the largest natural lake in England, in the famous Lake District National Park.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hallmark Hotel Carlisle
Optional Excursions
- An Evening in Scotland i £60
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 6: Hadrian’s Wall - Alnwick Castle - York
![Hadrian’s Wall - Alnwick Castle - York]()
Our first stop this morning is Hadrian’s Wall, built by the Romans as the northern limit of the Roman Empire and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will then have the opportunity to visit Alnwick Castle, the home of the Duke of Northumberland and the second-largest inhabited castle in England after Windsor Castle. This castle has also featured in many famous films and TV shows, including two Harry Potter films (The Philosopher’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets), Downton Abbey and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Later this afternoon we’ll arrive in York, where we’ll enjoy a walking tour of this historic walled city before an included farewell dinner this evening.
Experiences
Photo stop at Hadrian's Wall: Visit the Roman fortification on the border between England and Scotland.
Visit Alnwick Castle: This impressive building is the home of the Duke of Northumberland and is the second-largest inhabited castle in England after Windsor Castle. Many will recognise it from popular films and TV shows including the Harry Potter series, Downton Abbey and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Walking tour of York: Take a walking tour around this historic walled city with your Expat Explore tour leader.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Ibis York Centre Hotel
Optional Excursions
- Alnwick Castle & Gardens i £33
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 7: Cambridge - London
![Cambridge - London]()
Unfortunately it’s the last day of your England tour, but we're finishing off with a real treat - today we make our way to the historic university town of Cambridge! Along with the exquisite architecture, quirky traditions and deep history, there are a significant number of bright sparks who have passed through the city’s famous university, including Charles Darwin, David Attenborough and William Wordsworth. We’ll do the traditional pastime and go punting along the river before we return to London where our tour concludes this evening.
Experiences
Go punting along the River Cam: Enjoy a traditional punt along the river and admire the views. An experienced punter will propel the punt by pushing against the river bed with a pole, while introducing you to the city’s history and telling you some of its most famous tales.