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England/Scotland

Quintessential Britain

Program No. 12187RJ
Find out why Britain has fascinated generations of travelers as you explore Roman ruins in London, castles in North Wales, Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon and iconic Christ Church.
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Small Group
Length
19 days
Rating (4.95)
Activity Level
Starts at
8,499
Flights start at
1,050

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
19 days
18 nights
What's Included
45 meals ( 17B, 11L, 17D )
7 expert-led lectures
26 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
17 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Lunch:
In the hotel dining room, for those arriving by lunchtime, we will have a light lunch with coffee, tea and water. Other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Orientation, 5:00 p.m.: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program is staffed with both a Group Leader, who will accompany us throughout the program and deal primarily with logistics, and a Study Leader who will lecture, conduct field trips, and serve as an information resource on program-related topics. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure to unpack, relax, and prepare for the program ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach and boat; driving about 9 miles, approximately 1.5 hours; boat ride about 3 miles, approximately 1/2 hour. Paved & cobbled courtyards, grass lawns, uneven stone and wooden floors; most upper floors and basements at Tower of London accessed only by stairs with handrails, including narrow spiral staircases; step-free access to Jewel House. Entrance & exit ramps at Westminster Abbey; 5 steps to the Cloisters, which can be avoided by using Cloister Entrance outside Abbey.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll travel by motorcoach to the Tower of London, the City’s ancient defensive center. Built at the behest of William the Conqueror in 1097, the White Tower still stands guard over the Thames. It is here that monarchs, importunate princes, and lesser mortals were imprisoned and beheaded. Now the tower is best known as the repository of the world famous Crown Jewels, including the Koh-I-Noor and Cullinan Diamonds – two of the world’s most famous diamonds and worn in the crown of Queen Victoria. The Crown Jewels were remade for Charles II after the originals were melted down in the Civil War. They provide a spectacular insight into the power of the Royal Family throughout history.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
We will travel by boat along the Thames to Westminster, the center of British political power. Here we will see the exterior of the Houses of Parliament. We’ll then continue on to an expert-led field trip inside Westminster Abbey before a ride on the London Eye, the Ferris wheel built to celebrate the new millennium which affords spectacular views over the city. We’ll return to the hotel by motorcoach after our field trips.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions should you wish to further explore London.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 13 miles, approximately 2 hours total throughout the day. Walking about 2.5 miles, periods of standing; paved streets and courtyards, some cobblestones; step-free access to all areas at British Museum, Guildhall and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will travel by motorcoach to the British Museum to explore world cultures, from prehistory to the present day. Our Study Leader will offer a brief on-site introduction to the museum, followed by time to explore the wealth of exhibits and galleries on our own. We will then regroup for the British Galleries, Stonehenge, and the Sutton Hoo collections, led by our Study Leader.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Our field trip continues by motorcoach this afternoon to the Guildhall and St Paul’s Cathedral. The Guildhall was the administrative center of London for over 800 years. In 1988, the remains of London’s Roman amphitheater were discovered by archaeologists excavating ahead of the building of the Guildhall Art Gallery. Since 2002, these remains have been on show in a dedicated exhibition space beneath the gallery, which we’ll explore during our field trip. We will then explore St Paul’s Cathedral. Christopher Wren’s famous cathedral was built to replace the earlier medieval building which was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. We will then board the motorcoach and ride to our dinner venue.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant or pub.
Evening:
We’ll enjoy a panoramic motorcoach journey through London at night with expert commentary from our Study Leader.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 110 miles, approximately 3.5 hours total throughout the day. Walking about 3 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, some cobblestones; step-free access to all public areas at Ashmolean Museum, portable folding stools available in the galleries.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Today’s full-day field trip takes us by motorcoach to Oxford, the City of Dreaming Spires. We’ll begin at Henry VIII’s Christ Church, where we will have a multi-media device lead us through the buildings the buildings and grounds of the college. Founded in 1546 and one of the largest of the Oxford’s 38 colleges, Henry’s Lord Chancellor Thomas Wolsey planned the impressive Great Quadrangle, the Tudor Kitchen, and the Great Hall. Christ Church is the cathedral seat of Oxford and occupies a 150-acre site in the center of the city. This includes the Meadow, a tranquil area of pasture bounded by the Rivers Isis and Cherwell. After exploring Christ Church, we’ll take an educational walk around the city center with our Study Leader.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue on foot to the Ashmolean Museum, which upon its opening in 1683 was the world’s first university museum. It is named after Elias Ashmole, a 17th-century antiquarian who bequeathed his cabinet of curiosities to the university. The museum’s collection grew around this bequest, bolstered in subsequent years by donations from other noted collectors including the archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans. After an introduction by our Study Leader, we’ll have some time for independent exploration of the museum’s vast collection, which in addition to the wealth of archaeological material also includes works by world-renowned artists such as Michelangelo, da Vinci, Picasso, Turner and Titian. We will then return by motorcoach to the hotel in London.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach and bus; driving about 200 miles, approximately 5 hours total throughout the day. Walking about 3 miles, periods of standing; paved streets and paths, some cobblestones, grassy areas, ancient flagstone floors with some uneven and potentially slippery areas; comfortable walking shoes with good grip are recommended.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll bid farewell to London and depart by motorcoach for Cheltenham, visiting the iconic Stonehenge and the Roman spa city of Bath on the way. Stonehenge has a world-class visitor center, housing quality permanent exhibitions. We’ll explore these exhibitions with our Study Leader, who will also lead us on a walk around the stones themselves, taking an English Heritage shuttle bus from the visitor center to begin the walk.
Lunch:
A packed lunch will be provided.
Afternoon:
We'll continue on to Bath, where we will visit the well-preserved Roman baths and pump room. Around Britain’s only hot spring, the Romans built a magnificent temple and building complex that still flows with natural hot water and was regarded as the beating heart of Bath for centuries. In Roman times, Bath was known as Aquae Sulis, Sulis being a native deity syncretically identified with the Roman goddess Minerva. The hot springs here were dedicated to this goddess before the Roman occupation, and Roman authorities encouraged this worship. The baths complex that grew around the springs has provided a wealth of insight into Romano-British life and language, in the form of a collection of inscribed curse tablets that were cast into the sacred spring by people seeking divine justice for everyday thefts and slights. Following the visit, our Study Leader will lead a walk through Bath’s historic center before we journey onwards to Cheltenham. On arrival, we'll check in at the hotel with time to relax and unpack before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 35 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total throughout the day. Walking about 3 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, some cobblestones, grassy areas.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel, our Study Leader will deliver a lecture about the Cotswolds and on Shakespeare and Stratford. We'll then set out on a field trip by motorcoach to the countryside and villages of the Cotswolds, starting with Broadway before moving on to Stow.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Our field trip continues to the lovely market town of Chipping Campden, which benefited greatly from the wool trade in the Middle Ages and was a center for the flourishing Arts and Crafts Movement in the early 20th century. After an introduction by our Study Leader, we’ll have some time to explore the town independently. We will then return to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20 miles, approximately 1 hour total throughout the day. Walking about 3 miles, periods of standing; paved streets with some cobblestones, gravel and paved paths, grass lawns.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll take a field trip by motorcoach to Shakespeare’s hometown, Stratford-Upon-Avon. We'll immerse ourselves in the history of this ancient market town and the famous playwright’s life here on a fascinating educational walk led by our Study Leader. After the walk, we’ll have some time for independent exploration in the town.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
We’ll spend the afternoon exploring Kiftsgate Court Gardens, a spectacular set of outdoor rooms created by three generations of women gardeners: Heather Muir, Diany Binny, and Anne Chambers. Throughout almost a century, each has made individual, highly personal contributions that have made Kiftsgate world renowned. It has been named the Historic Houses Association garden of the year, featured in England’s Thousand Best Houses. We will then return to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 135 miles, approximately 3.5 hours total throughout the day. Walking about 1.5 miles, periods of standing; paved streets with some steep areas sloping areas. Extent of walking and other activities during time for independent exploration according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll transfer by motorcoach to Chester, stopping on the way in the town of Ironbridge, one of the most important centers of the Industrial Revolution. Our Study Leader will lead us on an educational walk through Ironbridge, after which we’ll have some time there for independent exploration. We will also pay a visit to Blists Hill living museum, allowing us to travel back in time to the Victorian era.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Our transfer to Chester continues. After checking in at the hotel, we will have a welcome to Chester and a lecture by our Study Leader introducing us to the county of Cheshire, Wales, and Snowdonia.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 165 miles, approximately 4.5 hours total throughout the day. Walking about 2.5 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, gravel, cobblestone and flagstone paths, steps without handrails to some areas at Conwy Castle.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll board the motorcoach for a full-day field trip through Snowdonia National Park. En route, our Study Leader will deliver a lecture describing the National Parks of Wales as we absorb the beautiful scenery. We'll continue on to the impressive medieval Conwy Castle. The castle’s royal apartments remain unchanged since medieval times, and its towers offer spectacular views across the mouth of the River Conwy.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant or tea room.
Afternoon:
This afternoon, we'll visit one of finest surviving Elizabethan town houses, Plas Mawr and continue to explore the National Park before returning to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, some cobblestones. Extent of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out from the hotel on a walking field trip through Chester led by a local expert. The remains of Roman and medieval buildings, including an amphitheatre and a castle, are visible throughout the historic walled city. We’ll finish our field trip with an exploration of Chester Cathedral, which was constructed between 1093 and the early 16th century, making it an excellent illustration of all major periods of medieval English church architecture.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. This block of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles, approximately 4 hours total driving throughout the day. Walking about 1.5 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, some cobblestones; upper floor of Parsonage accessible only by stairs.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will transfer by motorcoach to the delightful city of York. En route, we will pay a visit to the village of Haworth, home of the Brontë Sisters. We'll enjoy a lecture on the motorcoach about this famous literary family, preparing us for this afternoon’s field trip.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll walk the short distance to The Parsonage, the Brontë Sisters’ lifelong home. After an introductory talk by a local expert, we’ll have some time to explore the historic house independently. We’ll then continue our transfer, with a lecture on York, Yorkshire, and the North by our Study Leader during the journey. We’ll check in to the hotel with some time to relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, some cobblestones. Extent of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll set out on an expert-led walk around the historic city of York, exploring the medieval city walls and atmospheric narrow streets including the Shambles.
Lunch:
Lunch vouchers will be provided.
Afternoon:
Free time in York to explore this magnificent and ancient city, packed with history and culture. We may choose to visit York Minster Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in Europe.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
We'll enjoy a visit to the heart of many British towns and villages – the local pub!
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 60 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking about 2.5 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, gravel paths, steps to some areas at Castle Howard and Rievaulx Abbey.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out on a field trip by motorcoach to Castle Howard, built in 1699 and set on over 1,000 acres of parkland, lawns, woodland gardens, lakes, fountains, and magnificent rose gardens.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will travel onwards to the small village of Rievaulx, where we will enjoy a field trip to the ruins of the 13th-century Rievaulx Abbey. This Cistercian foundation was one of England’s grandest religious sites until its destruction in 1538, as part of King Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries. We will then return to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 205 miles, approximately 5 hours total throughout the day. Walking about 1.5 miles, periods of standing; gravel paths, grass lawns with some uneven areas, steps to some areas at Chesters fort.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll check out and board the motorcoach to begin our transfer to Edinburgh. We'll stop for a field trip to Chesters Roman Fort, considered the best preserved of the cavalry forts along Hadrian's Wall. The fort guarded a bridge across the River North Tyne, the remains of which can still be seen on the bank opposite the fort’s bathhouse. The museum at Chesters houses a great many stone altars from the Hadrian’s Wall area, providing a vivid insight into the complex religious lives of the soldiers from across the empire stationed on this frontier.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Our transfer will continue, with a lecture on the motorcoach on the turbulent history of the Borders area. Fighting between Scotland and England was common throughout medieval times, and the settlements here often fell afoul of raids by "Border Reivers." On arrival in Edinburgh, we'll check in at the hotel and hear a second lecture from our Study Leader on other aspects of Scotland’s history.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 5 miles, approximately 1 hour. Walking approximately 1.5 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, cobbled areas, hilly, steep terrain. Some steep cobbled areas at Edinburgh Castle; steps with handrails to vaults and One o’Clock Gun; Royal Apartments, David’s Tower, and prisons accessible only by steps. Extent of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll enjoy a panoramic motorcoach exploration of Edinburgh's New Town, and a walking field trip through the medieval Old Town. Old Town is a labyrinth of cobbled streets, narrow alleyways, and hidden courtyards, all amazingly well preserved and steeped in the city’s history. At its center is the Royal Mile, a remarkable street of Reformation-era tenement buildings, leading from the sea of Edinburgh Castle down to the grandiose Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Free time. You may wish to visit Edinburgh Castle or Holyroodhouse. Entrance to the Castle and Holyroodhouse will be at your own expense.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 100 miles, approximately 3 hours total throughout the day. Walking about 2.5 miles, periods of standing; paved and gravel paths and courtyards, step-free access to public areas at Scone Palace available using alternative routes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll depart by motorcoach for a full day field trip to Perthshire. We’ll begin at storied Huntingtower Castle, the seat of earls of the Ruthven and Murray families between the 15th and 18th centuries. In 1565, Mary Queen of Scots stayed in the castle during her honeymoon after marrying Lord Darnley, her second husband. As we explore the castle with our Study Leader, we’ll learn more of the plots and conspiracies that led to the castle’s seizure by the crown on two occasions. After visiting Huntingtower, we’ll continue by motorcoach to Scone Palace, where we’ll have lunch before the afternoon’s field trip.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll explore Scone Palace, the crowning place of Scottish kings, with our Study Leader. From Kenneth McAlpin, traditionally known as the first King of Scots, through Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Robert the Bruce, and Charles II – all were crowned here. We’ll return to the hotel by motorcoach after our field trips.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach and boat; driving about 150 miles, approximately 4 hours total throughout the day. Walking about 2 miles, periods of standing; varied terrain including woodland paths, paved streets, grassy areas.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We'll set out early today by motorcoach for a full-day field trip to the Trossachs, some of the most beautiful scenery in Britain, and home to Highland hero Rob Roy and stunning Loch Lomond.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We'll continue our exploration of the Trossachs with a boat ride on serene Loch Lomond. We’ll then return to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with newfound friends during our farewell meal.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure tomorrow.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Sep 15, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025 (London to Edinburgh)
May 05, 2025 - May 23, 2025 (London to Edinburgh)
Jun 16, 2025 - Jul 04, 2025 (London to Edinburgh)
Jul 14, 2025 - Aug 01, 2025 (London to Edinburgh)
Aug 11, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025 (London to Edinburgh)
Sep 01, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025 (London to Edinburgh)
Sep 15, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025 (London to Edinburgh)
Oct 13, 2025 - Oct 31, 2025 (London to Edinburgh)
Oct 20, 2025 - Nov 07, 2025 (London to Edinburgh)
Apr 06, 2026 - Apr 24, 2026 (London to Edinburgh)
May 04, 2026 - May 22, 2026 (London to Edinburgh)
May 18, 2026 - Jun 05, 2026 (London to Edinburgh)
Jun 15, 2026 - Jul 03, 2026 (London to Edinburgh)
Jul 13, 2026 - Jul 31, 2026 (London to Edinburgh)
Aug 10, 2026 - Aug 28, 2026 (London to Edinburgh)
Sep 07, 2026 - Sep 25, 2026 (London to Edinburgh)
Sep 14, 2026 - Oct 02, 2026 (London to Edinburgh)
Sep 21, 2026 - Oct 09, 2026 (London to Edinburgh)
Oct 12, 2026 - Oct 30, 2026 (London to Edinburgh)
Oct 19, 2026 - Nov 06, 2026 (London to Edinburgh)





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