Enchanting Eastern England

The historic Scottish city of Edinburgh is where we’ll meet ahead of our incredible journey into Eastern England. Get to know your expert Tour Leader and travel companions better over tonight’s delicious welcome meal. 

This morning, we’ll cross over into England to begin our tour of the fascinating and scenic eastern region of this enchanting country. Our first stop? Alnwick Castle – the majestic home of the Duke of Northumberland. Here, we’ll admire some of the rooms that took a starring role in Downton Abbey and enjoy some free time to wander the serene gardens. Then, we’ll move onto Durham, where we’ll step inside the Cathedral: a magnificent Norman-style monument now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following the visit, we drive to North York Moors where tonight, we’ll come together for an included group dinner. 

This morning our road will carry us to the traditional seaside resort of Whitby – where a guided tour of the fascinating Captain Cook Museum awaits us. After, we’ll visit Whitby Abbey, a 7th century Christian monastery that later became a Benedictine abbey. The abbey church claims its place overlooking the North Sea on the East Cliff. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a delicious included dinner at our accommodation in the charming North York Moors district. 

We’ll rewind back to the Middle Ages this morning with a visit to the delightful medieval city of York. Here we’ll seek out the mystery-filled narrow streets (known as ‘Snickelways’) and timber-framed buildings of the famed Shambles – where there are plenty of photo opportunities to be claimed! Enjoy some free time to soak up the city’s splendour and settle in for a spot of lunch at a cosy pub or local bistro. Finally, we’ll continue to our accommodation in Buxton in the breathtaking Peak District – where the evening will be yours to enjoy as you please. 

This morning, we’ll start with a visit to Eyam, where we’ll learn the tragic story of the villagers who fell victim to the plague in the 1600s. Then, it's time to stretch our legs on a stroll around Chatsworth House, a grand stately home that is said to have inspired Jane Austen with its impressive architecture. In fact, Chatsworth featured in Pride and Prejudice as Pemberley, the home of Mr Darcy. We’ll enjoy an audio tour of the lavish apartments and some free time to wander the exquisite gardens – before returning to the Peak District for an afternoon spent exploring at your leisure. 

Today we’ll bid farewell to the picturesque Peak District as we journey onwards to the historic city of Lincoln. When we arrive, we’ll visit Lincoln Castle: the formidable home to an original 1215 Magna Carta. Then, we’ll explore the equally as spectacular Lincoln Cathedral – one of the best examples of medieval architecture in England. This evening is ours to spend exploring Lincoln’s charming cobbled streets for some local fare or relaxing at our hand-picked accommodation. 

Today, you’ve got a whole free day to enjoy Lincoln at your leisure. Seek out a quaint tearoom for lunch, stroll the array of vintage boutiques and continue your discovery of the city’s rich history. For dinner tonight, choose from one of the many cosy pubs in the city’s old centre for a hearty English meal. 

We’ve a date with royalty today: Sandringham House is our first stop. The private residence of King Charles III, Sandringham is a magnificent stately home with picturesque gardens – and even a museum. After our insightful visit we’ll move on to Cambridge: an iconic city filled with history and tradition. This evening, why not relax in one of its centuries-old pubs and soak up the old-world atmosphere. 

It’s time to take to the water! This morning we’ll enjoy an iconic punting experience along the ‘Backs’ of Cambridge University. Back on dry land, we’ll embark on a guided walking tour with a local – spotting world-famous buildings such as The Wren Library and the Bridge of Sighs. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city further. Step inside colleges and chapels, museums and galleries – or simply indulge in a little retail therapy. Later, we’ll look back on our magnificent journey and clink glasses over tonight’s farewell dinner.   

There’s time for one more behind-the-scenes tour today: prepare to delve into England’s sporting heritage at Newmarket National Stud. On a guided tour of this working Thoroughbred stud farm, we’ll gain a unique insight into Thoroughbred breeding and may have the opportunity to view some of the Stud’s robust stallions in the paddocks. After that, we’ll make tracks to London – where we’ll say our final goodbyes.