9-Day Minicoach Tour of England

A 9-day tour taking in all the greatest sites of England. Come with us to experience the very best of England including: the Yorkshire Dales, The Lake District, The Beatles’ Liverpool, Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon, The Cotswolds, Bath, Stonehenge, Thomas Hardy's Wessex, King Arthur's Cornwall and much, much more.

Day 1: Historic York

In the company of your dedicated driver guide you will travel by 1st class train to the medieval city of York.

We will take a walk along the ancient city walls and hear about its founding 2,000 years ago, the ghostly legions that haunt the city, and view the magnificent York Minster.

Following lunch, we head up to the Yorkshire Moors, and for “Bridgerton” and “Brideshead Revisited” fans, we have the splendid Castle Howard tour. Driving through the Yorkshire Moors we drop down into the Vale of York and to the spa town of Harrogate for our night stop.

Day 2: A Day in the Dales

The sheep-dotted limestone hills of the Dales will be familiar to fans of “All Creatures Great and Small”. The cobbled streets of Hawes and the creamery—made famous by Wallace and Gromit—are also on the itinerary. The majestic ruined castles and abbeys of the Dales bear witness to the power and wealth that this part of the north of England held in the Middle Ages. No tour of the Dales would be complete without a visit to a local brewery where we can see first-hand how some of England's favourite beers are made.

Time now to depart for England's Lake District with a night stop at picturesque Grasmere.

Day 3: Lakes, Liverpool and Legions

We wake up on the shores of Grasmere, the home of William Wordsworth. After visiting his grave we'll take a tour of Dove Cottage, the home he shared with his sister Dorothy.

A short drive away is Hawkshead, the home of Beatrix Potter, and where many of her stories were set. We’ll take the car ferry across Ullswater for lunch.

In the afternoon we drive down to Liverpool for a “Magical Mystery Tour” to see and hear the sites and sounds of the Beatles’ home city. In the afternoon we depart for Chester, once a Roman fortress and home to the famous “Rows”, a series of mediaeval split-level shops.

Day 4: Pots and Poets

After a visit to Chester our next stop is Stoke-on-Trent and the “Potteries” to see the famous bottle kilns where you can view and purchase duty free crockery to be shipped to your home.

In the afternoon we drive down to Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon to visit the Bard's birthplace and tour the town, visiting places that Shakespeare would have been familiar with, including the church where he was baptised and buried, and Anne Hathaway's cottage.

Time to depart for our night stop for the next 2 nights in the picturesque Cotswolds.

Day 5: Fields, Spires & Palaces

Today we take a drive through the beautiful scenery of the Cotswolds and then on to the dreaming spires of Oxford where we’ll visit Christ Church college, the inspiration behind Harry Potter's “Hogwarts”. The Victorian covered market is also on the agenda as is the iconic Radcliffe Camera and the 17th-century Sheldonian Theatre, amongst many other interesting and historic sites.

A short drive takes us to Blenheim Palace, the home of the Dukes of Marlborough and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. On our way back to our night stop we'll drop by the “Rollright Stones”, as ancient as Stonehenge itself.

Day 6: West is Best

We’ll pass through the southern Cotswolds, passing through the picturesque of Bibury before arriving at the elegant Georgian city of Bath.

A favourite of Jane Austen and Bridgerton fans, Bath offers a charming blend of history and culture. Our tour will conclude with a visit to the renowned Roman Baths Museum, where you can immerse yourself in the city's rich Roman heritage.

Cheddar Gorge leads us to the enchanting city of Wells. Marvel at its magnificent Gothic cathedral, adorned with a medieval clock featuring jousting knights and the iconic scissor arches. Explore the Chapter House, reached by the sea of steps. Nearby, the Bishop's Palace offers a peaceful retreat, where swans gather daily to be fed.

Our journey continues to Glastonbury, steeped in legend as King Arthur's burial site and the home of the Holy Grail. For the adventurous, climb Glastonbury Tor for breathtaking views and immerse yourself in tales of fairy kings and mythical underworld entrances. Discover the healing properties of the area's mineral waters. There will also be time to explore the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, the legendary burial place of King Arthur. A drive through the Somerset levels, where King Alfred the Great plotted his victory over the Vikings and where the Duke of Monmouth's doomed rebellion floundered.

Our night stop will be on the wild and romantic Dartmoor, where wild ponies roam.

Day 7: Walking in Arthur's Footsteps

Today we enter the ancient Kingdom of Cornwall, the land of myth, magic and romance.

For fans of Daphne Du Maurier, we will drop in to “Jamaica Inn”, subject of one of her most famous novels, a tale of smuggling and pirates. Nearby is Dozmary pool where, as legend would have it, King Arthur’s “Excalibur” was returned to the Lady of the Lake.

Next we head off to Tintagel, the legendary birthplace of King Arthur, on Cornwall’s celebrated North Coast. This dramatic windswept ruin is the legendary stronghold of Gorlois Duke of Cornwall. Hear about how Arthur’s father, Urther Pendragon, tricked Gorlois’s wife into believing he was her husband and Arthur’s conception.

On to Port Isaac, a tiny fishing village, familiar to fans of the British television series “Doc Martin”

A stroll around the seaside town of Padstow, and a great place for a late lunch. If there’s time we’ll take the ferry across to “Rock”. A stroll across the golf links takes us to final to St. Enodoc, subject of a poem by Sir John Betjeman and the place where he is buried.

Our night stop will be in Falmouth, the old naval port developed by Henry the Eighth 500 years ago.

Day 8: Making the Most of the Coast

Our South Cornwall coastal adventure begins today in the charming town of Fowey, home to Daphne du Maurier. We'll then explore the historic naval town of Dartmouth, with its second-hand bookshops and Tudor fortress. Nearby, Brixham's harbour boasts a majestic old galleon.

Next, we'll journey along the Jurassic Coast to the town of fossils, Lyme Regis, home of John Fowles (“The French Lieutenant’s Woman”) before ending our day with an overnight stop in the picturesque Victorian resort of Weymouth, deep in the heart of Thomas Hardy’s Wessex.

Day 9: Tanks, Spires and Stones

Durdle Door is a highlight of our day, a breathtaking natural limestone arch jutting into the English Channel. Enjoy panoramic views of Chesil Beach (weather permitting).

Next, we'll explore the Tank Museum at Bovington Camp, showcasing over 300 armoured vehicles.

Nearby, we'll visit Cloud's Hill, the secluded home of the enigmatic T.E. Lawrence. Discover where this legendary figure lived and was ultimately laid to rest.

Alternatively, we can explore Max Gate, the former home of the renowned novelist and poet, Thomas Hardy.

After a leisurely lunch, we'll head to the historic cathedral city of Salisbury. Admire the iconic cathedral and its stunning water meadows, considered one of England's most picturesque views.

Our journey continues through charming thatched villages along the River Avon, culminating at the enigmatic Stonehenge. This ancient neolithic site continues to captivate visitors. As we explore this marvel, we'll delve into its history and purpose, attempting to unravel its enduring mysteries.

At the end of our day, we'll return to your London accommodation, filled with unforgettable memories of England’s natural beauty and rich history.