Walk the UK's Grand Tour across England, Wales and Scotland
This is an example itinerary. As a bespoke tour, all aspects of this trip will be tailored to you and your group.
At a Glance
- 11 days, 10 nights
- 3* or 4* Hotels
- Guided
- Pickup: London Paddington Railway
- Carbon: 103kg CO2e
- Difficulty: Moderate
- 5x Dinners
Tour Highlights
- Iconic Oxford University colleges and punting on the River Thames
- Visit the charming Cotswolds towns of Chipping Campden and Broadway
- Explore the birthplace of William Shakespere in Stratford-upon-Avon
- Marvel at Blenheim Palace and indulge in treats from Daylesford Organic farm shop
- Hike Pen Y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales
- Climb the famous Catbells and Helvellyn in the stunning Lake District
- Dramatic landscapes and ancient history combined when you walk parts of Hadrianโs Wall
- Explore the ancient site of Englandโs first Christian settlement, Lindisfarne, Northumberland
- Enjoy a day exploring Scotland's magnificent capital city, Edinburgh
Your Itinerary
After a relaxed breakfast, our Active England guide will lead you to Edinburgh Waverley railway station, where weโll say our farewells and provide any help you might need with your onward travel arrangements. We can also provide transfers to the airport.
Alternatively, extended tours are available on request for those eager to explore the breath-taking Scottish islands and highlands. If you would like to extend your tour, please get in touch and weโll be happy to help.
Due to local scheduling, activity time is subject to change. Accommodations vary depending on departure date.
Map
Good To Know
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Handpicked Accommodation
The Manor House Hotel
Borrowdale Gates Countryside Hotel
The Hog’s Head Inn
The Angel Hotel
Malmaison
What our guides say...
Everything you could wish for on a trip of a lifetime exploring Wales, the Lake District, the Cotswolds and Edinburgh.
Detailed Information
Equipment Provided
Pre & Post Tour Travel
Our walking holidays are designed to be completely stress-free, with the start of our tours sitting within easy reach of major transport hubs. This tour starts from London Paddington railway station, easily accessible from London Heathrow Airport via the Heathrow Express. We also have a number of 4* / 5* hotel partners in London. If you would like to arrange a nightโs accommodation in London, we would be more than happy to help.
End-of-tour location: Edinburgh Waverley railway station, a direct 4.5-hour train journey from London Kings Cross. Alternatively, there are air options from Edinburgh to various other destinations in the UK, as well as direct air routes to North America.
FAQ's
Whatโs the best way to get to the start of the trip?
All of our trips are designed to be easily accessible via public transport and start from train stations served by direct trains from London Paddington. Similarly weโll transfer you back to a train station at the end of your trip. Weโre always happy to help with travel arrangements.
How hilly is England?
There are hills but that also means views! Weโll also make sure you a rewarded with cake and other delicious local food.
Can I join this trip as a solo traveller?
All our trips are open for single travellers to join. You will have a great time on our walking tours whether travelling on your own, as a couple, family or group, meeting like-minded people on our guided trips, or choosing your own adventure on our self-guided tours. โAs a single female, I would not hesitate to go on another Active England trip as a solo travellerโ. S.G.
Why go on a guided holiday?
Our guides are the beating heart of our tours and can make all the difference to the enjoyment of your walking holiday โ so we make sure to choose them VERY carefully! They are driven, knowledgeable, know how to have A LOT of fun and importantly will take you on the โroad less travelledโ across England. They are know the best spots for making your walking tour truly different and truly magical!
Whatโs the weather like in England?
Changeable! Devon & Cornwall has a much more tropical climate than the rest of England so it is often warmer and wetter โ itโs not uncommon to have sunshine and showers in the same day, or even the same hour! Itโs generally very pleasant and settled during the summer. It can be a little cooler up North, so weโd recommend layers and waterproofs. And we always recommend suncream, even on a cloudy day!
Whatโs Included
- All accommodation as indicated on the itinerary
- All breakfasts and 5 x dinners (excluding dinner drinks)
- Walking poles
- GPS routes, provided via RideWithGPS (app available for Apple or Android)
- All special events, iconic points of interests and entrance fees โ Entry into Oxford Colleges, Hidcote Gardens, Broadway Tower, Blenheim Palace, Shakespeareโs Birthplace, Hadrianโs Wall and Vindolanda, Bamburgh Castle, Lindisfarne, Edinburgh Castle
- All transportation from rendezvous to farewell locations
- All baggage transportation
- All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service
- Services of professional local guides
Accommodation Types
Difficulty Level
Reviews
Make this trip private
Our private tours are based on our tried and tested group departures with two key differences. They offer you the freedom to travel when you wish and with whoever you’d like to holiday with.
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Carbon Footprint
Whatโs the Number?
Nearly everything has a carbon footprint. Together with ecollective, weโve measured the carbon impact of not only every tour we operate but our entire business. Weโve taken into account greenhouse gas emissions across the business including office, travel, website, vehicles, accommodation, activities, food, suppliersโฆ
What does the number mean?
Weโre going to improve this by measuring and reducing our footprint each year. That means working with our suppliers to make changes that have a more positive impact on us and the planet. What does this look like in reality?
- Redesign trips to reduce our carbon impact
- Working closely with all our suppliers across England to join us on our decarbonisation journey
- Switching up our vehicle fleet to electric
- Investing in projects that permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere for any emissions that remain.
Weโve got a long way to go but weโre on our way to net-zero
Weโre committed to reducing our impact on the planet and working towards a sustainable future. Weโve taken ownership of our carbon footprint and are on a mission to reduce our emissions year on year.
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