12-Day UKI England, Scotland (inc Scottish highlands) and Wales
Tour Price: £264.00 + £227.00 Kitty

Day One
Heading North West from the ancient Roman city of Londinium (London), we travel North West to Oxford, England’s first University and film location for Harry Potter. Get a full walking tour of the city's famous University colleges and absorb the fantastic architecture and history. Learn about England’s struggle with religious differences and how the English Language, one of the most widely used in the world today, was formed.

Then off to Sherwood Forest, home to one of England's most famous medieval characters, Robin Hood. The forest is a dream to explore and with a picnic lunch you will feel like one of the Merry Men. Have a go at long bow archery (this opportunity varies), the most formidable weapon in the medieval English army, before we make our way to Viking York!

A chance to explore the awesome gothic cathedral (England's largest), the Medieval city walls and the sights and sounds of the lively city centre. Learn about our Viking past and enjoy our unique, fun, Viking feast. Experience a spine tingling ghost walk through York’s fascinating cobbled streets followed by a rally of traditional pubs. Learn about pub culture in England and have a sample of some real English Ale……A great first day we think you will agree!

Day Two
Heading further North we take a brief stop in the University city of Durham, with a spectacular castle and Norman style cathedral, it is home to our venerable Bead. One of our very first historian after the Romans departed, he gave some light to our dark ages and Anglo Saxon history. St Cuthbert is also buried here, one of our early saints with an unusual story to tell.

A big Angel of the North experience awaits! (the largest angel statue in the world) then we cross the River Tyne and into Newcastle, home of football and beer, (and a bit of Sydney Harbour bridge connection). From Newcastle we attack Hadrian’s Wall, an epic construction built by the Romans nearly 2000 years ago and the largest structure they ever concieved. Take in the spectacular views through our first of five national parks, the Northumberland National Park. It's goodbye to England and Scotland ahoy as we break through the border! . A pause for lunch at Jedbergh, a historical border town with an amazing abbey ruin and also once home to Mary Queen of Scots.

After lunch we head further north for our grand entrance to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital.

On arrival into Edinburgh please remember to book and pay for your own bed for the following Sunday Day-7 and Monday Day-8 in Edinburgh. This cost is not included in your kitty. Our friendly office staff can book this in advance for you and you can pay on arrival.
You are then immediately whisked away by Wild In Scotland Tours to spend your first night in Scotland in a 13^th Century Castle near Stirling (45min drive away)!

Day Three (Wednesday)

With a bit of time to explore the castle this morning we then head off on a loop around the "Trossachs" (or Braveheart country if you choose) – hear the history of Wallace and Bruce, Doune Castle, Rob Roy Macgregor’s land, waterfalls and short walks galore – then back to the castle to relax in style!

Day Four  (Thursday)

Today we head westwards towards Loch Lomond ("you'll take the high road") before driving along the Argyle coastline (the ancient kingdom of Dalriada) – taste a fresh oyster at Loch Fyne, visit the mysterious Standing Stones of Kilmartin Glen and climb to the top of Dunadd Fort to find out how our nation was defined. Beautiful scenery, fresh air and fascinating stories – what better way to prepare for a lively night in bonny Oban. Our home for tonight is cosy Oban Backpackers.

Day Five (Friday)

Today we head deeper into the magical Highlands through some spectacular north west coast scenery with amazing stops and weather permitting walks in magnificent Glencoe (hear the tragic tale of the MacDonald’s Massacre) and/or Glen Nevis. Then we head to Eilean Donan Castle before making our way to scenic Strome Ferry (near Plockton & Skye) our home for the next two nights.

Day Six (Saturday)

A full and active day round the Isle of Skye, with lots of walks and time to take in the magic. You’ll see the Cuillin Mountains, the Old Man of Storr (an incredible Jurassic pillar) and hear some amazing legends, visit the fascinating Kilt Rock, and take in absolutely awe-inspiring panoramas in the Quiraing. Perfect preparation for a few wee drams to reflect on a day of tales and legends

Day Seven (Sunday)**

Time for a spot of monster hunting on Loch Ness this morning then it is an emotional visit to tragic Culloden battlefield (Bonnie Prince Charlie’s last stand). As we head southwards we will enjoy some nice forest walks at the Hermitage and pop into a wee distillery for a taste of the good stuff! It's then a short hop back to Edinburgh – true honorary Scots!

Day Eight (Monday)**

Day to explore the wonderful city Of Edinburgh

Day Nine (Tuesday)

Rejoin the Road Trip group this afternoon (5pm at Castle Rock Hostel) for a full walking tour of Edinburgh by a Scottish walking guide and a bit of whisky tasting awaits. Explore the Royal Mile and Edinburgh castle before we settle down to a bit of Haggis, Neaps and Tats!

The rest of the evening is spent enjoying a fantastic night out in Scotland's capital.

Come and join the Road Trip tour group on Tuesday afternoon at the Castle Rock Hostel when the new bus arrives in town (approx 3-4pm). If you would like to join in with organised events then please pay the driver for the additonal costs of a walking tour, a meal and whisky tasting.

Day Ten
Depart from Edinburgh we head back into England. We have time for a quick call into Gretna Green where ancient laws still allow the Ironmonger to perform a shotgun wedding! Once you are married, what better way to spend your honeymoon than a tour around the spectacular Lake District National Park, an amazing collections of mountains, lakes and waterfalls and home to one of England’s literary greats, William Wordsworth. Find out why the Lakes is considered the highlands of England and visited by over 18 million every year! A great walk, past an ancient Force (waterfall) awaits and if you’re feeling up for it, a climb up a fell (hill) with amazing views from the summit. 

You have a chance to row or motorcruise the largest lake in the Lakes……. Windermere!

Afterwards we travel south for a rocking night in the city of Liverpool, one of England’s great seaports and home to England’s and the worlds most famous pop/rock group, The Beatles. Get some Beatles Mania down at the Cavern club.

This tour can be extended to our amazing 19 day tour to include Ireland at this point in the itinerary. Please click <here> for details.

Day Eleven
After breakfast we take a trip down to the famous Liverpool Docks, and cross the Mersey River and into Celtic Wales.

We continue West to Conwy – with it's impressive fairy tail 13^th century castle overlooking Conwy Bay. A chance for you to discover the inner workings of a medieval fortress! Learn about the English invasion of Wales and how the Welsh language, the oldest surviving European Language still thrives. Visit Llanfairpwllgwngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. (the longest place-name in the western world) and get your passport stamped and most importantly, get lunch!

We delve deeper into the stunning Snowdonia National Park - (the second largest National Park in Great Britain) and our third national park on this tour, dominated by the highest peak in England and Wales - Mt Snowdon (3560 ft). See the famous Welsh slate mines, ‘that roofed the industrial world’ and go in search of Gellerts Grave, hear the tale of Prince Llewellyn, the last 'true' Prince of Wales, and an opportunity for some homemade Ice cream (April-October).

We continue further south on a stunning drive through the heart of Wales and eventually find ourselves at our 4^th National Park of the trip. The awesome Brecon Beacons, a stunning lanscape with breathtaking views. This is also where we find our CASTLE to stay in for the night. An amazing 19^th Century building steeped in history and haunted to the hilt! The castle also offers great facilities with full use of gym and a hot tub/spa included.

Why not try an optional evening activity of a horseriding across the Brecon Beacons or a beautiful walk through the castle grounds followed by a relaxing soak in the hot tub/spa....WOW!

Day Twelve
We set off early and drive out of Wales and into the spectacular Cotswolds National Park- our 5^th national park on this epic journey. Learn about our ancient English wool trade and spend some time in a Cotswolds village before arriving in Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon. We drive you round the historic city taking in the key places of interest of England and the worlds finest playwrite and poet. Time to sit back and reflect on the weeks tour with a relaxing lunch break by the River Avon, watching the swans meander by, all before heading back to London for late afternoon. We aim to get you back for around 16.30 hrs.

PLEASE TAKE A NOTE OF WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE KITTY ON YOUR UKI 12 DAY TOUR