Discover the highlights of Britain on this fast-paced tour of 3 countries. Immerse yourself in the history and atmosphere of the iconic cities of Oxford, York and Edinburgh. Take in the bright lights of London, Europe’s largest capital city. You’ll also experience the breathtaking nature and untouched beauty of national parks in England and Wales. Fascinating history and modern culture combine to make this an unmissable experience!
Just a few of the majestic sights you’ll take in during your trip.
A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.
Today, you arrive in England and start your journey around Britain. Collect your rental vehicle from Heathrow Airport and set off! You could choose to stop a short drive away to visit Windsor Castle, home to royalty for nearly 1,000 years. Then, you could stop in Marlow, a beautiful town located by the River Thames with plenty of food options.
Finally, arrive in Oxford, your destination of the day. It is famous for being home to the University of Oxford, one of the best institutions in the world. Walk through the charming city centre and take in the grand university buildings and historic colleges dotted around. You’ll soon see why so many authors, such as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, chose to live here and took inspiration from this beautiful city.
Spend the night in the Oxford area.
Average driving distance: 88 km / 55 mi.
Get an early start from Oxford as you head north to the Peak District. When you reach this national park, you have plenty of choices in terms of stops. We recommend wandering along the riverside in the spa town of Matlock Bath or through the market town of Bakewell. And don’t forget to taste a local Bakewell tart! Nearby you’ll also find the stunning Chatsworth House that Jane Austen fans might recognise as “Pemberley” from Pride and Prejudice.
Later, continue to York, where you’ll spend the night. This is an incredible example of an ancient English walled city. If you have time, walk around the historic centre to see York Minster and the Shambles street.
Spend the night in the York area.
Average driving distance: 349 km / 217 mi.
This morning you start the drive up to Scotland! Head north, passing cities like Durham and Newcastle. Then, you’ll reach the area along the famous Hadrian's Wall. We recommend making a stop in Vindolanda or Housesteads to uncover some of the ruins of this incredible Roman fortification. There are some picturesque towns in the area where you could stop for lunch, like Hexham or Corbridge.
Later you continue north, travelling through the Northumberland National Park & Kielder Forest Park. Kielder is England’s largest forest and is full of local wildlife and impressive art installations.
Finally, you cross into Scotland and drive through the lush region called the Scottish Borders all the way to the capital city, Edinburgh. On the way, we recommend a stop at the stately Abbotsford, the former home of writer Sir Walter Scott. You could also take a short detour to see the market town of Kelso.
Spend the night in Edinburgh.
Average driving distance: 362 km / 225 mi.
You have a full day to relax in and explore Edinburgh. First, take a stroll through the New Town with its grand Georgian streets, lined with shops and restaurants. Then, on a sunny day, you could relax in the lush Princes Street Gardens under the magnificent Edinburgh Castle.
You can spend the afternoon immersed in the winding, cobbled streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town. This is the historic heart of the city and where you’ll find the famous Royal Mile. Tonight, you can enjoy dinner at one of Edinburgh’s many gourmet restaurants and go to a traditional pub to try the local whisky, gin or beer.
Spend the night in Edinburgh.
Today, you say goodbye to Scotland and head back south to England. First, you’ll travel through one of Scotland’s hidden gems, the region of Dumfries & Galloway. Even from the road, you’ll be able to admire the rolling hills and lush landscape. You can stop in the historic burgh of Moffat, famous for its toffee.
Then get back on the road and drive to the Lake District in the north of England. Soak up the breathtaking natural scenery here. You could take a stroll through Keswick sitting on the shores of the Derwentwater. Or take a detour via Buttermere for more lake charms before reaching your accommodation.
Spend the night in the Lake Windermere area.
Average driving distance: 269 km / 167 mi.
Today, you have the opportunity enjoy the morning in Lake Windermere and immerse yourself in this stunning English region. For peaceful views, go walking on one of the mountains surrounding the sparkling lake.
Then, start heading south. Along the way, fans of the artist and author may want to visit the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead. As you drive towards Wales, you’ll have the opportunity to stop in Liverpool if you have time. The city is famous for its music scene and for being the hometown of The Beatles.
Later, carry on towards Llandudno, a seaside town in North Wales known as the “Queen of the Welsh Resorts”. The area here is rich with coastal beauty and rural Welsh charm. You could spend some time wandering the pristine beaches and strolling along the pier. Why not board an alpine cable car to the highest peak in Great Orme Country Park (Y Gogarth)?
Spend the night in the Llandudno area.
Average driving distance: 272 km / 169 mi.
Ahead of you is a day driving along the border of England and Wales. That means you’ll see first-hand the beauty, differences and similarities between both nations. Start with a stop in the town of Shrewsbury in Shropshire. Spot the statues, half-timbered houses, stunning churches and the red-bricked Shrewsbury Castle.
Further along, you could stop in Ludlow, a market town, for lunch. As you continue south, you’ll pass Herefordshire as well as the stunning Wye Valley, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Follow the meandering River Wye south, a natural border between England and Wales. Along the way, stop by charming Welsh towns like Tintern and Chepstow to enjoy the scenic surroundings.
Later, you arrive in Bath, your stop for the night. This is the UK’s only city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety. Spend the evening wandering the grand Georgian streets and spot the Roman ruins underneath. Then, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Spend the night in the Bath area.
Average driving distance: 325 km / 202 mi.
This morning, drive south to one of the most famous sites in the country, Stonehenge. It is an unmissable stop on your tour! You’ll soon see why it is part of the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site. With over 4,500 years of history, this site and stone circle is a true wonder to behold. You can also learn more at the exhibition centre nearby.
From here, you complete your road trip by returning to London. You could take one last short detour to see Salisbury, a medieval cathedral city, or head directly to Heathrow Airport. Return your rental vehicle and then make your way to your accommodation in London. You have the rest of the day or evening at your leisure in the UK’s capital.
Spend the night in London.
Average driving distance: 166 km / 103 mi.
You have a full day to explore London. There are so many museums and attractions to see, so you’ll want to pick a few of your favourites. Make sure not to miss Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park. Then stroll down to the River Thames to spot Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the London Eye. Further east you could visit the famous Tower of London and see Tower Bridge.
London is a vibrant city full of diverse cultures, so you could pop by one of its markets to sample the food scene. You might even like to go to the theatre tonight. Whether it's exploring the city's rich history, shopping on trendy streets, or simply enjoying a leisurely walk, you’re sure to have a memorable experience of London.
Spend another night in London.
Today is the final day of your British adventure. Spend the morning at your leisure in bustling London before departing for the airport in time for your flight home. You could take public transport, like the tube or the Heathrow Express train. Or, for a convenient and comfortable ride, book a private transfer directly from your accommodation.
Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.
We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.
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Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.
Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.
These should tide you over until you’re in Scotland to take your own pictures.
Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.
Enjoy your road trip with 2 authorised drivers and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) to reduce liability.
We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking your tour. It will give you more details about what the tour includes, your accommodation, driving in Britain and other useful information for your travels.
ABOUT OUR SELF-DRIVE TOURS
On a self-drive tour, Nordic Visitor supplies you with a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary. You act as your own tour guide and driver, and you get to pick the road trip music!
All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your rental car and accommodation across Britain as well as any activities specified in the itinerary.
As it is a self-drive tour, you get to pick when and where you want to stop based on your own interests. The highlights listed are suggestions, but you’re in charge of your trip!
Rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way. You’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, map, and our very own UK travel guide. Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.
ACCOMMODATION
During your self-drive tour, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.
On our self-drive packages, you can choose from single or double rooms. Please note that in the UK room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.
Please also be aware that, due to the historic nature of properties we usually select, some of the rooms are only accessible by going up stairs as there may be no lifts available. Please contact us if you are not able to walk up stairs.
If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.
DRIVING IN THE UK
The roads across Britain are usually in good condition all year long and are renowned for their road trip worthiness.
Please be aware that in the UK, motorists drive on the left side of the road (and on the right side of the car). If you are not used to driving on the left, we highly recommend choosing a vehicle with automatic transmission for your self-drive tour. If you want a manual transmission vehicle, keep in mind that you will need to shift gears with your left hand (floor pedals are the same).
You will have to get familiar with the motorways, single and dual carriageways as well as roundabouts all around the country, but especially in England. The speed limits are different depending on the road you are on. In rural areas, you might notice roads are narrow and there are even single-track roads with passing places.
For inexperienced drivers who still want to get a taste of the UK, we offer a small group tour of Britain. We also have a selection of private and small group tours of Scotland. A local will be at the wheel and you can sit back, relax and enjoy the sights. View all of our Scotland tours for other alternatives.
SAFETY & WEATHER CONDITIONS
Please note that sightseeing and transport is dependent on weather and road conditions and might need to be altered if conditions are not favourable. This includes ferries and drives. If something unexpected occurs, you can call our 24/7 helpline to speak directly with a Nordic Visitor staff member.
CURRENCY RATE
All bookings are charged in British Pounds (£, GBP). PPrices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from GBP to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.
AFTER BOOKING WITH NORDIC VISITOR
After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip.
At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.
CARBON OFFSETTING YOUR TOUR
Nordic Visitor is working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours. Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund.
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Whether you have a single question or a special request, we're here for you.
