Grand Tour of England and Edinburgh

Steeped in history and royalty, the English capital is considered to be one of the most progressive and exciting cities in the world.

Recognized as one of the leading art museums in the world, this 19C gallery houses superb masterpieces from mid-13C to the 20C.

One of the leading museums in the country, this remarkable 19C gallery exhibits superb examples of British art from the 16C onwards.

Home to England's Crown Jewels, this 11C castle has served as a royal prison throughout its long and fascinating history.

Immense in its size and wealth of exhibits, this must-see museum spans all cultures, tracing the turbulent history of the human race.

Massive and stunning, the chalk cliffs of Dover can be walked to enjoy their majestic scenery, best viewed from the lighthouse.

Since 1167 Oxford's educational excellence has been giving rise to its phenomenal history, culture, and social atmosphere.

With 425 galleries and over 4 million works spanning 5,000 years, this awe-inspiring museum is a treasure trove of history and art.

As well as being a leading botanical research center, these exquisite 18C gardens are home to over 30,000 of plant species.

A treasure trove of exquisite ornamentation and architectural genius, this abbey has served the British monarchs since the 10C.

Stretch 135m into the sky, this Ferris wheel features glass-enclosed pods and offers spectacular views over all of London.

Boasting a history dating to the 12C, the current castle was heavily reconstructed in the 19C, but retains many historic artifacts.

Everyone will enjoy this glimpse into the magical world of Harry Potter, set at the studios where much of the films were made.

Look for the City of London signs if you wish to explore the heart proper, but in any case you will fall in love with these streets.

A lavish 18C palace, the official London residence of the British royalty features galleries and superbly preserved decor.

Housed in a former power station, this gallery focuses on leading international modern art with permanent and temporary exhibits.

Well-known for its wealthy residents, this lively neighborhood offers its visitors shopping, great eating, and fun activities.

Dating to prehistoric times, Canterbury remains today a destination of "pilgrims" seeking history, culture, and fun.

Explore this lovely enclosed garden in Windsor Park, and enjoy the variety of flowers, the pond, and the woodlands.

Housed in a Brutalist complex, this theater is home to both historic and modern plays, offering a superb cultural experience.

The activities are endless in this popular large park, from swimming and horseback riding, to exploring the trails and picnicking.

A popular 18C resort, this area boasts a rich maritime history, several museums, a wonderfully relaxing park, and many pubs.

Comprised of 25 galleries, this collection boasts 15C-19C fine and decorative arts, with some emphasis on 18C French paintings.

Inspired by European gardens, this park was elegantly designed in the 18C around abbey ruins, a Gothic temple, and a grotto.

Brighton is a delight with its eclectic blend of seaside relaxation, cultural activities, trendy restaurants, and homey cafes.

Founded in 1856, this wonderful gallery exhibits the portraits of famous and infamous figures throughout the British history.

Erected in the 16C by Henry VIII, this palace blends Tudor and Baroque architectures, featuring lavish chambers and lush gardens.

Home to the British Parliament, this Gothic masterpiece offers tour and should be thoroughly explored to appreciate its many gems.

Set on the northern bank of the Thames, this district is the governmental heart of London, featuring many of the city's attractions.

World's oldest model village was established in the 1920s as a private garden, now offering a glimpse of a traditional English township.

Dating to the 16C, this lovely country house boasts authentic interior, gorgeous grounds, and fine architecture.

A famous university city full of highly respected colleges, medieval architecture, thriving culture, and lush countryside.

Take a tour around the campus grounds to get acquainted with the various colleges, some of which date to the 13C.

Known for its exquisite architecture, this college should be explored in detail with time to reflect in its numerous courtyards.

Enjoy roaming the historic center day and night, when students mingle with residents in the pubs, parks, and the market square.

Founded by Henry VI in 1441, this college has numerous masterful buildings, each well representing their architectural style.

Exemplifying Elizabethan architecture, the house also boasts lavish state-apartments, a rich art collection, and impressive grounds.

One of England's first historic conservation towns, Stamford boasts long medieval roots and pastoral setting on the Welland River.

Completed in the 16C, this Gothic chapel is exquisitely detailed on every surface, from its stained glass to its rood screen.

This largest of the Cambridge colleges has a fantastic chapel, while its grounds and monuments are particularly worth exploring.

come down to the daily market to buy fresh produce among other things, and feel the market's history stretching to the Saxon times.

Covering over 16ha of land, this historic and scientific garden holds a collection of over 8,000 different plant species.

Situated on a large expanse of landscaped grounds, this 17C mansion features beautiful gardens, including a famous rose garden.

Since 1167 Oxford's educational excellence has been giving rise to its phenomenal history, culture, and social atmosphere.

This marvelous walled city offers a wealth of history at every turn, with a beautiful cityscape laid out around its two rivers.

A breathtaking 13C Gothic cathedral, boasting a treasure trove of medieval stained glass and a wealth of architectural curios.

Rise early to explore as much as you can of this rich and fascinating historic center, roaming its streets and visiting the pubs.

Featuring comprehensive exhibits on British railway history, this museum houses numerous locomotives and strives to predict the future.

These 12C-14C walls are wonderfully intact, following the original Roman fortifications and boasting four unique gatehouses.

An 18C country house boasting spectacular antiques, fine paintings, and a remarkable Bird Garden, home to over 90 species of birds.

Be sure to book in advance when you visit this folly garden, strewn with outlandish structures, botanical curios, caves, and statues.

An ancient market with as many as 25 butcher shops, this charming narrow-laned street is truly enjoyable to explore today.

Built in 1755, this Georgian townhouse is an excellent example of York elegance, complete with furnishings, art, and rich decor.

The exhibition takes you through the Viking city of Jorvik as it existed in the 10C, based on ongoing archaeological finds.

Founded in 1961, the bunker features fully reconstructed halls, air filtration systems, operations room, and historic equipment.

The largest abbey ruins in Britain include many fine structures, from a 13C chapel to the cloister and its surrounding buildings.

The ruins of this 12C abbey retain much of the original splendor and charm, featuring cloisters, mosaic relics, and other curios.

Set in a 18C prison, this museum houses numerous historic collections allowing you to experience town and prison life during the 18C.

Once a significant guildhall, this 14C timbered hall and its adjacent chapel are accessible as a historic museum and a cultural venue.

A vast parkland boasting an array of attractions, including mansions, gardens, Cistercian ruins, and the superb 12C Fountains Abbey.

Explore the wild beauty of Yorkshire, where the balancing rock formations dominate the gorgeous landscape and offer great hiking.

As the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is known for its rich history, idyllic setting, and spirited cultural life.

A vast museum exhibiting diverse collections, from history and culture, to technology and science, to natural history, and beyond.

Edinburgh's beaches often boast lovely promenades, with pubs and arcades dotted along the way.

Spend time in this medieval historic center and marvel at the richness of history, cultural variety, and modern activities.

Allow for plenty of time to walk this old town street that passes by unique landmarks, splendid architecture, shops, and cafes.

The largest city in Scotland, Glasgow is spirited and fun-loving with its strong maritime history still preserved in its cityscape.

While partially ruined, this 15C chapel is still worth a visit with its stained glass, stone carvings, and ornamental details.

Featuring a lovely garden in the center, this 18C square is hemmed with fabulous facades in a variety of architectural styles.

Primarily a research center, this botanic garden delights visitors with its diverse plant species, glasshouses, and meandering paths.

Originally a cluster of alleyways lined with tenement houses and full of ghost stories, the close now offers a spine-chilling stroll.

Housed in a Neoclassical palace, this large gallery features a wealth of Scottish fine art from the Renaissance and to this day.

Said to be a favorite of Sir Walter Scott, this viewpoint offers a superb panorama over the River Tweed and the Scottish borders.

Surrounding the Loch Lomond and countless other lakes, this national park boasts majestic wild mountains and beautiful forests.

Promising fun for all ages, this 18C observatory houses hands-on exhibits on optical principles, virtual tours, and a viewing platform.

Dating to the 12C, this fortress complex is one of Scotland's highlights, housing the national regalia and several military exhibits.

Established in the 12C, the abbey now stands mostly in ruins, belying centuries of history associated with the Scottish royalty.

Said by the locals to resemble a sleeping lion guarding the city, this lovely mount is perfect for a short hike with superb views.

The valley swerves along the Tweed River, boasting waterfalls, villages, historic landmarks, and a pervading sense of calm

The remains of this 14C fort are full of history, but their best trait no doubt is the fabulous panorama afforded from the cliff top.

Named for the largest lake in the area, this Cumbrian town is the perfect base for exploring England's breathtaking Lake District.

Stroll through this charming British town, enjoying the warm local atmosphere and admiring the Victorian and Edwardian villas

Rediscover your favorite characters from Beatrix Potter's tales, as you watch the stories come to life at this wonderful attraction.

Watch history come alive in this 13C castle, inhabited by the same family since its establishment and boasting lush gardens.

Considered one of the most beautiful lakes of the Lake District, Derwentwater is nestled among rolling hills and features several islets.

With masterpieces by El Greco, Goya, and Boucher, as well as 18C-20C decor and fashions, this nice museum is a cultural gem.

Surrounded by rolling green hills, the Lake District's second largest lake offers water sports, cycling, hiking, and even shopping.

As England's largest natural lake, this lake offers its visitors lush beauty and an array of activities, from boating to strolling.

Explore the ins and outs of this ruined castle, wandering around its sprawling lawns and gardens while envisioning its former grandeur.

Evidence of Roman and Saxon history are still visible throughout the city, while its medieval atmosphere id delightfully predominant.

With a mix of authentic architectural styles, this lively center is full of medieval remnants, fun teahouses, and quaint shops.

Dating at least to the 14C, these timbered buildings comprise shops and residences to this very day, boasting a wonderful atmosphere.

The lovely Roman Gardens were established in the 20C, and contain a number of locally discovered Roman artifacts.

The largest stone amphitheater uncovered in Britain dates to the 1C, and was used for cock fighting, boxing, and gladiator games.

The Welsh port town of Caernarfon is rich in history, surrounded with beautiful countryside and lush waterscapes.

Take a tour of this elegant estate and learn about its historic 18C occupants, then head out to explore the beautiful grounds.

The ironwrought structure holding the clock was erected in the late 19C to honor Queen Victoria, now offering nice views of the street.

Erected in the 11C, this cathedral boasts a variety of medieval architectures, many structural curios, and an elegant facade.

This large 20C zoo is home to 11,000 animals, and is believed to be one of the best zoological gardens in the world.

For a good tour of the city trace the well-preserved medieval city walls, stopping at the gates and towers with their notable views.

This 19C large garden promises a visit of peacefulness in both its terraced formal section, as well as in its wilder Dell area.

Dating to the 15C, this historic castle was reconstructed in the 19C and today serves as a historic museum

Meandering along the border between England and Wales, this river offers visitors activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.

Often thought of as just an industrial port city, Liverpool is in fact a cultural standout that goes far beyond the Beatles.

Surrounded by medieval walls, this ancient market town is home to a castle, historic landmarks, bridges, and dynamic river setting.

Though mostly in ruin, this 13C abbey gives visitors a feel of the solitude sought by the monks that once occupied the site.

Famous for being Shakespeare's hometown, this lively market town is certainly a charming and fascinating place to visit.

Seek out the notable landmarks around the historic center, or explore farther along its cobbled lanes and rows of timbered houses.

This 16C timbered house, Shakespeare's childhood home, honors the author through documents, period furnishings, and other relics.

Home of the Royal Shakespeare Company, this 20C theater offers performances, as well as the Company's museum and access backstage.

Dating back to before the 15C, this charming old farmhouse is the childhood home of Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway.

Since 1167 Oxford's educational excellence has been giving rise to its phenomenal history, culture, and social atmosphere.

Luxuriously designed and decorated, this Baroque palace boasts lavish decor and equally exquisite surrounding grounds.

Home of Shakespeare's daughter and her doctor husband displays 16C-17C items, as well as medical artifacts from the period.

Surrounded by its own picturesque deer park, this grand mansion dates to the 16C and is located on the banks of the River Avon.

Dating to the 15C, this manor features 17C priest holes, where Catholic priests were hidden during the ban of Catholicism.

Established by the Romans in the 1C, Bath remains a spa destination with its 18C atmosphere surviving amid a modern ambiance.

Set out through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, seeking the scenes of Jane Austen prose among the 18C backdrop.

This superb example of residential Georgian architecture offers an impressive visit with its sweeping and grand design.

This collection of Americana includes decorative and folk arts, maps, and textiles, exhibited in the atmospheric Claverton Manor.

As the first townhouse built as part of the Crescent, this museum offers a comprehensive look at the lifestyle of the 18C English gentry.

Established in the 18C, this wonderful estate boasts a fully appointed Palladian mansion and exceptional gardens.

Erected 5,000 years ago, the famed Stonehenge remains a mystery and might have been a burial site, a temple, or something else entirely.

Adjacent to the Crescent and inspired by the Roman Coliseum, these 18C Georgian townhomes are an excellent example of urban design.

This museum houses a highly regarded collection of decorative arts, a variety of oil paintings, sculptures, and period artifacts.

Originally built in the 15C, thi elaborate Gothic abbey is home to a wealth of architectural and cultural curios.

Once the social center of Bath, this 18C Georgian manor is well preserved, exhibiting and array of historic apparel.

Built on the site of an ancient abbey, this 16C mansion features a wealth of fine artwork and many unique artifacts.

Full of ancient trees, a myriad of hiking trails, stone formations, and hidden caves, this forest is the perfect retreat for a walk.