Southern England, Wales, Yorkshire Dales - UK

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22 August - 23 September 2019

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Duration: 32 days

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Travel comfortably by charter bus through the countryside full of thatched cottages using the back country

lanes.  Absorb Britain’s rich and interesting heritage. Discover the “Jewel of England” (the Isle of Wight) which

'he who once sees, never forgets'.  Be bewitched by the charm of the Cotswolds, then travel to the Lake

District and Yorkshire Dales famous for All Creatures Great and Small. We move onto the stunning scenery

of the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales, Meander through beautiful autumn gardens including the

‘Lost Gardens of Heligan’, visit the largest conservatory in the world at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Too much to include here – contact us for a full itinerary.  This tour fills every year.

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Just a few highlights of this tour:

Dartmoor National Park
The Cotswolds
Stratford-upon-Avon
Magnificent Bath
Medieval black and white villages
Thatched cottages
The Eden Project
Lost Gardens of Heligan
Exquisite Cornish fishing villages
Beautiful, historic Isle of Wight
Stonehenge and other ancient sites
Havens for poets, artists and composers
Trafalgar Square
Admiralty Arch
Buckingham Palace
Wales
Yorkshire Dales
Lake District
 

Day 1 - Singapore Overnight
We fly from Christchurch to our overnight stop im Singapore

 

Day 2 - Heathrow, London
We continue our journey to London Heathrow.

 

Day 3 –  Travel to Isle of Wight 

From Heathrow, we travel down to the coast and take the Boat from Portsmouth to Cowes on the Isle of Wight

and settle into our comfortable beach side accommodation.  Flight times permitting, we will visit Quarr Abbey. 

 

Day 4 - Osbourne House - Carisbrooke Castle
We visit Osbourne House, the island’s most visited attraction - Victoria and Albert's beloved rural retreat

and the place of Queen Victoria’s death.  We continue on to Carisbrooke Castle. Originally built in Norman times,

“he who held the castle held the Isle of Wight”. Charles I was held at Carisbrooke Castle for a year or so

before he was beheaded in 1649.  The Castle contains the Island’s museum and if we time it right we’ll

see the donkeys turning a massive water wheel. 

 

Day 5 Godshill - Shanklin Old Village
Today we will visit the delightful picture postcard village of Godshill, with its charming thatched roofs

and beautiful medieval church.  On leaving Godshill we call into the Donkey Sanctuary then continue on to

Ventnor seafront for lunch.  Onto Bonchurch Old Village and visit the tiny church which is mentioned

in the Doom’s Day book.  After which we will view the Devil’s Chimney before carrying onto Shanklin Old Village

– a supremely picturesque village of thatched roofed cottages that sums up olde England.  Time to browse.

 

Day 6 - Isle of Wight to Cotswolds
We have an early start this morning as we say good-bye to the Isle of Wight and head for the Cotswolds.  As we near our destination we drive through the ‘gateway’ to the Cotswolds.  We will stop off in Swindon for shopping and lunch, the fascinating Railway Museum and a look at the amazing Magic Roundabout.

 

Day 7 - Stratford Upon Avon - Hidcote Manor Gardens
No visit to the Cotswolds is complete without venturing into Stratford Upon Avon - Shakespeare country.

 Here we visit Ann Hathaway’s Cottage then you are free to wander the town and take in some of the

Shakespearean landmarks and have lunch.  We travel on to Warwick and visit the amazing castle with 18th

century landscaped gardens, armour, dungeons with torture chamber and ghost tower.  If we have time on

our way back, we will pop into Hidcote Manor Gardens - one of Britain's most extraordinary gardens

and finest examples of Arts and Crafts landscaping.

 

Day 8 - Boughton-on-the-Water - Lechlade - Bilbury
Today we will take you to Boughton-on-the-Water then Lechlade for morning tea, the last navigable point on

the Thames.  Here we can see a small part of the canal system of Britain’s Industrial past.  Today also

takes in the other main Cotswold villages of Burford, and beautiful, tranquil Bibury – each one a specific

delight and of historical interest.

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Day 9  - Royal Bath - Caen Hill 
Today we are going to Royal Bath, the city known for its Ancient Roman Baths. You cannot fail to be

impressed by the foresight of the Romans. You have a couple of hours free to wander here. We highly

recommend a visit to the Grand Pump Room with its ornate ceilings showing the four seasons. For lunch we

recommend Sally Luns “the oldest house in Bath”. This is just one minute stroll from the Abbey.  Bath

was the home of the famous author Jane Austen whose house is open to the public.  On our way back we visit

the Caen Hill flight of locks in Devises then on through Wootton Bassett for a view of the stilted Council Offices.

 

Day 10 - Cotswolds - Cumbria in the Lake District - Yorkshire Dales
Today we leave the picturesque Cotswolds and travel to the stunning rural beauty of Kendal in the Cumbrian district.

 En-route we will stop for comfort and lunch breaks and should arrive at our country town accommodation

in Kendal by approximately 4.30pm.  Your 7 night stay allows you to soak up the atmosphere of

this historic market township.

 

Day 11 - Kettlewell at Grassington - Aysgarth & Bainsbridge - Hawes
This morning we will first travel to Burnsall, stopping for photographs before continuing to Kettlewell at

Grassington for lunch.  Kettlewell was featured as the fictional “Knapley” in the popular film “Calendar Girls”.

 In the afternoon we return to Hawes via Aysgarth and Bainbridge.

 

Day 12 - Keswick - Derwent Water - Kirkstone Pass
Today we enjoy the magnificent scenic tranquility of England’s Lake District, where we visit Keswick and

Derwent Water, traveling via the famous dramatic Kirkstone Pass.  Time permitting we may stop at Dove Cottage,

Grasmere which was the home of William Wordsworth the poet. (Own cost).

 

Day 13 - York
Enjoy browsing at your leisure in the historic city of York.  You may choose to visit the National Railway

Museum, walk the Roman city walls or medieval shambles, visit the exquisite cathedral, York Minster or immerse

yourself in the re-created Viking village of Jorvik beneath the city streets.  

We return to Hawes at approximately 4.30pm.

 

Day 14 - Free day to explore Kendal
This is a free day to enjoy Kendal market day, or just short walk from our accommodation are the Art Gallery

& Museum, the Parish Church and Arts Center.  Also, within easy reach are Kendal Castle and the Quaker tapestry.

 Or perhaps take a stroll along the beautiful River Kent.

 

Day 15 - Lake Windemere - Beatrix Potter Country - Hawkeshead - Coniston Water
We return to the Lake District today to Bowness on Lake Windemere.  This is Beatrix Potter country,

where we visit the charming “World of Beatrix Potter” attraction.  Free time at Windermere for lunch (own cost)

before continuing to Hawkshead, we view Coniston Water where Sir Donald Campbell died trying to beat the

world speed record on water in the 1967.

 

Day 16 - Buttertubs - Gunnerside - Langthwaith - Askrigg
Today we will travel over Buttertubs (stunning rural scenery), also take in Muker (pronounced Mooka) where

“All Creatures Great and Small” and “A Woman of Substance” were filmed.  We stop at the woolen mills and art

and craft shop.  We will drive through Gunnerside, Langthwaith over to Askrigg and back to Kendal.

 

Day 17 - Yorkshire Dales to Llandudno in North Wales
Travel to North Wales (Daily evening meal included). Yorkshire Dales to North Wales, arriving in Llandudno

in late afternoon.  Our hotel in Victorian Llandudno is right on the seafront, where we can enjoy strolls

along the wide promenade with its beautiful sea views.  Llandudno is on a curving bay flanked by Great Orme,

a 700ft high limestone headland.   

 

Day 18 - Llangollen - River Dee - Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal
Free time until 11.00am.   We then visit Llangollen, which gained worldwide fame as home to the

International Musical Eisteddfod which has been held every year since 1947.  The buildings in this delightful

town are clustered around the River Dee, which is spanned by one of the Severn Wonders of Wales –

langollen bridge which dates back to 1345.  The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is one of the best known features

of the Llangollen Canal, built by Thomas Telford. We are free to wander here and have lunch in this

picturesque village, before returning to our accommodation.

 

Day 19 Llechwedd Slate Caverns - Cobb of Portmadoc - Vale of Conway
Enjoy more mountain grandeur as we travel via Betws-y-Coed to Blaenau Ffestiniog where we will call in at the

Llechwedd Slate Caverns for morning tea.  There is time for an optional tour of the slate mines.  We then travel

around over the Cobb of Portmadoc with its picturesque harbour, where there is time for lunch and a browse.

 We return via Beddgelert, home of the 13th century Prince Llewellyn of North Wales and his faithful dog Gelert’s

grave.  Back to Llandudno via the Vale of Conway.

 

Day 20 - Explore Llandudno
Explore Llandudno today at your leisure.  Stroll the wide promenades or golden sands or take a cruise

around the pier to the other side of Great Orme.  Perhaps visit the house called “Rabbit Hole” where

famous author Lewis Carroll set his story Alice in Wonderland.  For splendid views, take the Great Orme

Tramway to the summit of the headland.

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Day 21 - Roman Chester - Bodelwyddan - Prestatyn, Rhyl - Colwyn Bay
Today we cross the Wales/England border to explore Roman Chester.  Chester is one of Europe's’s top heritage

cities and boasts a complete circuit of walls, which is still guarded at times by Roman soldiers.  Chester

is a photographer’s dream with its dazzling black and white buildings, and restored two tiered shops called

“The Rows”.  Here you will have free time to enjoy the sites and shops.  On our way we stop at

 Margaret’s (Bodelwyddan) – a beautiful Marble Church where fourteen different types of marble

have been used, and its mysterious graveyard.  The return journey takes us along the coastal road, through

Prestatyn, Rhyl and Colwyn Bay and onto Llandudno.

 

Day 22 - Isle of Anglesey - Beaumaris - Llangefni
Crossing the impressive Menai Suspension Bridge onto the Isle of Anglesey, we stop at Beaumaris, a resort town

of elegant Victorian character to visit the nearby Beaumaris Castle which was built in 1295 by Edward I, and

features a moat which fills with tidal sea water.  We also call at Llanfair PG, Britain’s longest place name Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogery- chwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch – meaning ‘St Mary's Church in a hollow of the

white hazel near to the rapid whirlpool and St Tysil's Church of the red cave'.  We stop for lunch in the market

town of Llangefni (capital of the island) where the first market was held in 1785.

 

Day 23 - Snowdonia National Park - Caernarfon
View wonderful mountain scenery in Snowdonia National Park, before traveling along the Vale of Conway

to Betws-y-Coed.  We stop at the beautiful Swallow Falls, then view Mt Snowdon, Wales’ highest mountain,

from the spectacular Llanberis Pass.  Later we call at the ancient walled town of Caernarfon where

Caernarfon Castle overlooks the Menai Straight and was the venue for the investiture of Prince Charles

as the Prince of Wales in 1969. 

 

Day 24 - Travel to Cornwall
Today we have a long drive from Wales to our comfortable accommodation in Cornwall.  

We will stop for morning tea and lunch along the way.

 

Day 25 - Polperro' - Fowey - Landhydrock - Bodmin
Today we go to Polperro’ a delightful fishing village dating from 14th century which reverberates with

the echoes of smugglers past. Then onto Fowey, a tangle of hilly streets full of flowers and handsome

old houses above the estuary; a mass of flitting sails and ocean-going ships all summer and Luxulyan.

We stop for lunch at the impressive Victorian mansion of Landhydrock with its 50 rooms

on show and then onto Bodmin.

 

Day 26 - Bocastle - Tintagel - Port Isaac - Padstow
We drive to picturesque Boscastle where thatched and whitewashed houses severely affected by flooding

in 2004 straggle along the crumpled slate walls of a winding sea inlet.  Then onto Tintagel to see the ruined

castle perching over a wall of sheer cliffs and Tintagel Post Office - a fine old long-house, dating

back to medieval times.   After the small fishing village of Port Isaac, we go to Padstow here you can view

Rick Stein’s restaurant  or pick up a pastie from one of the shops in the quaint streets

surrounding the working fishing harbour. 

 

Day 27 - Eden Project - Lost Gardens of Heligan
An early start is called for as the Eden Project gets very crowded by mid morning.  This incredible set of

three  enormous biome conservatories can’t fail to impress gardeners and non gardeners alike.  

Once we have taken in this wonderful complex, we travel onto the Lost Gardens of Heligan

the imaginative restoration project  that has resurrected a neglected Victorian 80-acre garden site.

You may have seen the documentaries on TV.

 

Day 28 - St Ives - Mousehole - Penzance
Today we travel to St Ives where you are left free to discover this exceptionally pretty fishing village with its

an outpost of the Tate Gallery and the Barbara Hepworth Museum.  The narrow hilly streets around the harbour

contain many other galleries and craft studios.  Our day is rounded of with a visit to the quaint seaside

town of Mousehole, we then travel on through Penzance to St Michael’s Mount for photo opportunities.

 

Day 29 - Falmouth - Portloe - Mevagissey
We start the day in Falmouth, we stop for morning coffee/tea after which we will cross on the King Harry

Ferry and travel on to Portloe, probably the smallest fishing port you will ever see, stopping for photo opportunities.

We continue onto Mevagissey for lunch and browsing, a charming unspoiled Cornish fishing village.

 

Day 30 - Tavistock - Dartmoor National Park
Today we head to the Poldark Tin Mines near Helstrom.  The fascinating tour of the mine is optional.  

On then to Truro which has a beautiful Cathedral, the only one in Cornwall.  Here you will have your own

time for lunch, browsing, shopping and time to view the Cathedral.  We get back in reasonable time for packing.

 

Day 31  - Travel Heathrow via London City Sights
Leaving Cornwall, we travel through Tavistock, then cross Dartmoor National Park and then stop briefly at

Widecombe–in-the-Moor.  Much of the National Park’s scenery is wild, but man-made influences emerge in

he form of ‘leats’ (mini-canals) abandoned tin mine workings and grazing wild ponies. We continue up to

Heathrow,  London, and flight times permitting; we will view the Houses of Parliament, Horse Guards Parade,

Trafalgar Square, Admiralty Arch and drive down Pall Mall to Buckingham Palace. Photo time!!

 Our tour comes to and end today at Heathrow, we can drop you off at Victoria Station London,

or at Heathrow for your return flight.