Castles, Crowns & Culture: Experience the Castles of England and Scotland
Indulge in a regal 13-day adventure through England and Scotland's most revered castles, palaces and cultural treasures. Your journey begins in London, where you'll witness the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, explore the Tower of London and visit Kensington Palace. Wander through the picturesque Cotswolds, visit Shakespeare's birthplace and unwind in luxurious castle hotels. Cross into Scotland, discovering Alnwick Castle, Edinburgh's Royal Mile and Holyroodhouse Palace. Savor exclusive experiences, breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality.
Castles of England & Scotland - Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - London Arrival & City Tour
Welcome to England! Meet your private transfer driver at Arrivals and continue to your hotel. Drop off your bags and set out to explore the city of London! After your long day of travel, board an open top hop-on hop-off bus - a good way to get acquainted with the city! You could also visit the National Gallery before heading back to your hotel for a rest.
Day 2 - Buckingham Palace & Royal London
After breakfast, set out to see London’s most famous royal sights! First stop: Buckingham Palace to catch the changing of the guards. Break for lunch, then tour the Royal Mews. Next, enjoy a self-guided tour of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace.
Day 3 - London's Triple Treasure: Tower, Bridge & Cathedral
Today you will explore The Tower of London! Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, the White Tower acted as both a fortress and gateway to the capital, sitting strategically on the River Thames. Don’t miss the crown jewels and the Beefeaters! Next, visit the nearby Tower Bridge. If time and energy allow, you could try to visit St Paul's Cathedral before heading back toward your hotel.
Day 4 - Royal Landmarks and Historic Gems
After breakfast, visit Kensington Palace. Be sure to visit the Diana Memorial Statue in the Sunken Gardens! Enjoy a break for lunch, then head to Westminster Abbey. There are often guided tours that can be added to your entry ticket on arrival, as space allows. Otherwise, enjoy touring on your own.
Day 5 - Majestic Castles and Countryside Charm
After breakfast, meet your private driver and set off for Windsor Castle! Tour the official home of Her Majesty the Queen, basking in the luxuriant style you'd associated with the monarchy. Continue on through the lovely English countryside as you make your way to Thornbury Castle, your home for the next 2 nights.
Day 6 - Roman Relics and Georgian Charm
This morning you will travel to Bath - admire the Cathedral, then tour the stunning Roman Baths! The Roman Baths are known as one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world, where over 1 million liters of steaming spring water still fill the ancient bathing site every single day.
Day 7 - Cotswolds Charm and Shakespeare's Legacy
Today you will soak in all the charm of the very best villages and hamlets. Travel through the breathtakingly beautiful area of the Cotswolds, you will not want to leave this storybook escape! Visit Stratford upon Avon and Shakespeare’s birthplace before arriving at Coombe Abbey for the night!
Day 8 - Discovering York's Timeless Treasures
Leave Coombe Abbey behind and make your way toward York. Admire York Minster and take a short stroll through the Shambles, an old street with overhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back as far as the fourteenth century. Continue on to Swinton Estate.
Day 9 - Approaching the Scottish Frontier
Almost to the Scottish Border! Enjoy the unspoiled, remote scenery and perhaps make a stop in Durham to admire the botanic gardens and for a quick tour of the Cathedral. Continue to your castle-hotel - you’ll be staying at the 14th century Langley Castle for one night. Close by are medieval Hexham and Hadrian’s Wall, a World Heritage Site with an incredibly important history. Langley Castle also offers a lovely Full Afternoon Tea, in case you’re interested!
Day 10 - From Alnwick's Walls to Edinburgh's Gates
Today you will make your way to Edinburgh. First, stop to visit Alnwick Castle - there are often fun activities to join the day-of, just look at the message board upon arrival. Continue on to Melville Castle, located outside of Edinburgh.
Day 11 - Edinburgh Explorer: A Personalized Tour
Your driver will transfer you to Edinburgh city for the final two nights of your journey. Drop off your bags at your hotel, and meet your private guide for a half-day tour of Edinburgh!
Day 12 - Royal Edinburgh: Castles and Crowns
Continue exploring Edinburgh today. First, head to Edinburgh Castle. After lunch, walk the Royal Mile to Holyroodhouse Palace, once the haunt of Mary, Queen of Scots and the official residence of Queen Elizabeth. After your visit, you might enjoy a walk up Arthur’s Seat, as time and energy allow.
Day 11 - Edinburgh Explorer: A Personalized Tour
Goodbye, Scotland! Hotel reception can help arrange taxis to the airport to begin your journey home.
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Who Is Old Sod Travel?
We are a small, independent business specializing in planning luxurious trips to Ireland, Scotland, and England. We work with you to create a tailor-made Ireland tour filled with the amazing scenery, singular experiences, and lifelong memories you’ve been dreaming of.
Our focus is solely on highly customized travel to Ireland and the British Isles. This allows us to identify the best hotels and guesthouses, and to know the owners personally. We know the best hiking trails, golf courses, and fishing guides. The best restaurants, pubs, and scenic vistas.
We know where the good seats are at the Edinburgh Tattoo and how to get tickets for Wimbledon, Premier League Soccer games or a Hurling match at Croke Park. We know which sites and attractions are truly worth seeing and where you’ll want to spend extra time.
