Discover Old England with UNESCO sites and Natural Wonder
Moderate pace with leisurely intermittent walks up to 2 hours on a variety of terrain, including cobblestones and moderate hills. Must be able to climb at least two flights of stairs, negotiate steps without railings and tolerate periods of standing during guided tours. Some days may include 3–5 km of walking over the course of the day.
We depart for London.
We arrive and transfer to our first class hotel, centrally located in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, for a 3-night stay. Tonight is our Welcome Dinner.
We enjoy a morning walking tour of Bath. Famous for its Roman Spa, gothic Abbey and elegant Georgian architecture as featured on Bridgerton and in Jane Austen, it is considered one of Britain’s most beautiful cities. Afternoon at leisure.
We first visit Lacock village, a favourite location for film producers thanks to its picturesque and historic streets and cottages. Then we proceed to Wells, also remarkably unspoiled with many historic buildings including the famous 13th century Cathedral, the moated Bishop's Palace and Vicars' Close. We will visit the Cathedral and have time to explore on our own.
Today we explore one of Britain's most spectacular natural landmarks - Cheddar Gorge and Caves, which features awe-inspiring cliffs and extraordinary subterranean stalactite show caves. After our visit we proceed to our hotel in North Devon for a 2-night stay. Tonight's dinner is at a quirky local pub.
World-famous Clovelly is one of Devon’s gems, offering breathtaking views across Bideford Bay. The historic houses wind their way down the wooded hillside to the traditional 14th century fishing harbour. No vehicles are allowed down the cobbled streets and goods are transported by man-powered sledge, once pulled by donkeys, which are all retired now enjoying a relaxed way of life in the village.
Today we explore Cornwall, beginning in Port Isaac, a fishing village that is so charming it was chosen as the “home” of TV’s famous Doc Martin. Our included lunch will be at one of the pubs used in the filming of the series. We arrive at our Cornwall hotel for a 4-night stay.
Our excursion to the southwestern tip of the British mainland begins in St. Ives, the famous harbour that has attracted artists and visitors for decades. We also explore the fascinating island world of St. Michael’s Mount - site of legend, myth and over a thousand years of history. Tonight we dine in a traditional pub before returning to our hotel.
At leisure. You may want to relax and take advantage of the hotel’s superb facilities, indoor heated pool, and sauna. Or stroll on the beach or in the town centre with its tempting array of shops, cafes and galleries.
We visit the Eden Project, the world’s largest greenhouses. Tropical and desert environments have been recreated inside the giant biomes, so a single visit can carry you from steaming rainforests to dry deserts. Our afternoon is spent in Charlestown, an unspoiled, original harbour, home to a famous collection of old ships featured in film projects all over the world. Included is a scrumptious traditional cream tea.
Plymouth, unrivalled in maritime history, has been a naval base for hundreds of years. The cliffs along the harbour are armed with forts and batteries from the 17th century to WW2. We will stand at the top of the limestone cliffs to watch the comings and goings on the Sound, and stroll around the cobblestone streets of the Barbican where the Mayflower set sail for America in 1620. Britain’s oldest gin distillery is here, and we will enjoy a tour and tasting! Later we arrive at our hotel in central Exeter, Devon’s premier county town, for a 3-night stay.
We journey through the dramatic Dartmoor National Park, where the famous ponies roam the craggy landscape of forests, rivers and strange rock formations. Our tour ends with a delicious dinner at a cozy 140-year-old pub that has long been a local favourite.
Exeter is one of the most vibrant and historical cities in England. Our walking tour will bring to life the stories behind the magnificent Cathedral and imposing Roman Wall. Afternoon at leisure. Exeter was voted one of Britain’s best gastronomic towns by the Good Food Guide, with countless varieties of cuisine available, so there will be no shortage of choice for tonight’s dinner on your own.
We proceed to Winchester, England’s ancient capital, and site of the Great Hall, which for over 700 years housed the mysterious King Arthur’s Round Table and 11th century Winchester Cathedral. There will be time to explore Winchester on our own. Tonight we bid goodbye to the West Country at our Farewell Dinner.
We transfer to London for our flight home.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
