Best of England in 14 Days Tour

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Overview
Highlights
- The beautiful Georgian city of Bath is a 90-minute train ride from central London.
- Visit the colorful Fashion Museum or — as Roman travelers did — bathe in a mineral spa
- Mystical Glastonbury, the legendary resting place of King Arthur, where we'll also enjoy a picnic in the shadow of the abbey ruins.
- Blenheim Palace, touring this gilded mini-Versailles that were the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
- Visit Stanway House, home of the local aristocracy.
- Enjoy an entertaining guided bus tour, hearing tales about Big Ben, the river Thames, St. Paul's Cathedral, and more.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- A small, friendly group of 24–28 people — half the size of most tour groups
- Full-time services of a professional Rick Steves guide and local experts who will make the fascinating history, art, and culture of England come alive for you
- All tours and admissions — at no extra cost — covering at least 28 group sightseeing events, English beer tasting, Bath walking tour, Roman Baths tour, Glastonbury Abbey visit, Wells Cathedral tour, Avebury stone circle tour , Blenheim Palace tour, Cotswolds loop drive, Stanway House and grounds tour, Cotswolds country walk, Local folk music, Stokesay Castle visit, English cream tea, Welsh sheep farm visit, Caernarfon Castle tour, Welsh Highland walk, Bodnant Garden visit, Castlerigg Stone Circle visit, Lake District boat cruise, Lake District walk, Hadrian's Wall visit, Tour of Vindolanda, York Minster tour, York walking tour, Bus sightseeing tour of London, Westminster Abbey tour, Thames boat cruise, Tower of London "Beefeater" tour…and more
- All group transportation from Bath to London
- 13 nights' accommodations in memorable, centrally located hotels
- All breakfasts and half your dinners
- All tips for guides and driver
- Rick Steves Travel Store credit to use toward guidebooks for your trip
- Guaranteed tour price, locked in the moment you make your deposit
- Optional single supplements — this tour has a limited number of private rooms for solo travelers for an additional fee
- Tour alum discount of $50 for each tour you've taken prior to 2017
- 50% discount on a consulting appointment with our in-house experts to assist with your pre- or post-tour travel plans
- Flexibility should you need to transfer, or cancel/interrupt your tour
- Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing
Itinerary

The beautiful Georgian city of Bath is a 90-minute train ride from central London. We'll meet at 4 p.m. at our hotel for a "Welcome to England" get-together. Then we'll take a short neighborhood walk and get acquainted over a traditional Sunday roast dinner. Sleep in Bath (3 nights). No bus. Walking: light.
Our day begins with a walking tour of Bath's charming streets, including its medieval abbey square and the imposing sweep of its Royal Crescent. Next we're off to tour the town's remarkably well-preserved 2,000-year-old Roman Baths, where you'll have a chance to drink...
Today we'll explore and learn about mystical Glastonbury, the legendary resting place of King Arthur, where we'll also enjoy a picnic in the shadow of the abbey ruins. Later we'll tour England's oldest completely Gothic structure — the graceful Wells Cathedral — before returning to Bath in the late afternoon. Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: moderate.
This morning we'll take a walking tour through Avebury's mysterious, prehistoric stone circle. Then we'll drive north to Blenheim Palace, touring this gilded mini-Versailles that was the birthplace of Winston Churchill. We end our day in the charming, flower-boxed Cotswolds market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, where we'll sleep (2 nights). Bus: 5 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Today we'll take a scenic Cotswolds drive, stopping at the ever-so-English Cotswolds village of Stanton. We'll explore the village as well as tour Stanway House, home to the local aristocracy. This afternoon you'll have free time to explore more picturesque market vil...
We'll begin our day visiting Stokesay Castle, a fortified manor house, where we'll learn about the feudal system and the perks of the well-born. After a lovely cream tea we'll bid cheerio to England and drive into neighboring wonderful North Wales to the castle-topped...
This morning we'll head to the Carneddau Mountains, where we'll visit a working farm and get to know their talented sheepdogs. Then we're off to Caernarfon to tour the impressive Caernarfon Castle, part of the system of English garrison castles that Edward I built to ...
We'll begin our day by exploring the manicured lawns, terraced beds, and extensive botanical collection of Bodnant Gardens. Then we'll cross back into England and make our way to the spectacularly serene Lake District, favorite haunt of poets and painters, exploring a...
Today we'll explore the natural beauty of the Lake District. You can join your guide for a leisurely boat cruise on the island-studded Derwentwater — or strike out on a little expedition of your own 'twixt lakes and mountains, thanks to a wealth of hiking opportunities along well-marked trails. Boat: ½ hr. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
We'll travel back in time today with a walk along Hadrian's ancient Roman wall, once considered the boundary dividing civilization and barbarity (though the Scots might disagree), followed by a tour of the Roman auxiliary fort, Vindolanda. We'll then stop for lunch be...
We'll begin our day marveling at York Minster's stained glass windows on our tour of the largest Gothic church north of the Alps. You'll have the rest of the day free to enjoy more of this enchanting city. It's a great night to enjoy an ethereal evensong choir performance in the Minster. No bus. Walking: moderate.
Today we'll board a train and make a beeline past the Midlands for London. Upon arrival, we'll enjoy an entertaining guided bus tour, hearing tales about Big Ben, the river Thames, St. Paul's Cathedral, and more. Then we'll visit Westminster Abbey with a local guide, ...
This morning we'll begin our day of sightseeing with the medieval Tower of London (the first "skyscraper" of its time), where you can join a tour with a witty Beefeater, and get a close-up look at the UK's majestic collection of crown jewels. Then we'll take a panoram...
Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. Heathrow and Gatwick airports can be easily reached by Tube, train, or bus from our London neighborhood. For those not ready to return home yet, London is a great jumping off point to Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam, and many other exciting destinations. Cheerio!
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Dates & Availability
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Cancellations and refunds: Your tour deposit is 100% refundable for 30 days from the date it is received, unless noted otherwise below. After 30 days your deposit becomes nonrefundable, and will be forfeited should you decide to cancel your reservation. Deposits made 60–90 days before a tour departs become nonrefundable on the final payment due date. If you book a tour less than 60 days before its departure date, the entire tour cost becomes non-refundable after 7 days.
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