Beautiful Britain: Self Drive in England, Wales and Scotland

Country

United Kingdom

Duration

15 Days/14 Nights

Travel Type

Self Drive

Driving around Britain is a breeze, giving you freedom to explore its diverse landscapes, cities, towns and hidden coastal corners when you want. Plus, the extensive network of motorways makes travelling around straightforward. Just don’t forget to drive on the left!

Inclusions

14-night accommodation
15 meals: 14 breakfasts, and 1 lunch
Boat cruise in York, including a Fish & Chips lunch
Whisky Distillery Tour and tasting
Entrance to Edinburgh Castle
Car rental (automatic economy EBAR) Vauxhall Corsa (or similar) for 15 days, including liability insurance, fire insurance, collision damage waiver (CDW) with deductible, theft protection (TP) with deductible, unlimited mileage (please see rental company for complete details)

Exclusions

Flights – Fuel, extra vehicle insurance, GPS, child seats, tolls – Transfers – Meals and beverages unless indicated in the itinerary – Gratuities – Entrances to museums and monuments – Personal insurance – All other items not mentioned in the Inclusions.

DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN EDINBURGH

Arrival at Edinburgh airport and pick up your rental car. Journey to your hotel in Scottish Borders (approx. 80km). The rest of the day is at leisure. Depending on your arrival time, we recommend visiting Melrose Abbey, a magnificent ruin on a grand scale with lavishly decorated masonry.

Accommodation : Edinburgh area for 1 night

DAY 2 YORK

After breakfast, depart for the area of York (approx. 256km). We recommend driving through the Yorkshire Moors and stopping at Robin Hood’s Bay, once one of the busiest smuggling spots on the North Coast of England. Alternatively, you can walk parts of Hadrian Wall or visit plan a stop at Alnwick Castle.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : York area for 2 nights

DAY 3 YORK

Breakfast at the hotel, then get to know York with a river cruise and enjoy a traditional fish & chips lunch onboard (included). In the afternoon, we recommend stretching your legs, and exploring the old walled city of York, with its famous Minster.

Meals : Breakfast

DAY 4 PEAK DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK - BIRMINGHAM

Continue your journey onwards to the area of Birmingham (approx. 220km). We recommend driving through the beautiful Peak District National Park and stopping in the town of Bakewell, famous for its delicious cakes!

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Birmingham area for 2 nights

DAY 5 OXFORD – STRATFORD UPON AVON - BIRMINGHAM

We recommend spending the day exploring the famous University City Oxford. Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s birthplace, is worth a visit (not included). Alternatively, you can plan a visit to Stratford upon Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespear. If shopping is more your thing, Bicester Outlet Centre is close by. Return to your hotel in Birmingham to overnight.

Meals : Breakfast

DAY 6 CHESTER / NORTH WALES

After breakfast, head towards Chester and North Wales (approx. 130km). We recommend visiting the historic city of Chester, which was built by the Romans. For music lovers, a visit to Liverpool, the city of the Beatles, is well worth a trip.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Chester / North Wales area for 2 nights

DAY 7 NORTH WALES – SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK

We recommend a trip to North Wales. Drive to Snowdonia National Park, the third biggest in the UK. Don’t forget to plan a short break in the market town Conwy with its magnificent castle.

Meals : Breakfast

DAY 8 LAKE DISTRICT

Onwards journey to the area of Lake District (approx. 220km). We recommend visiting the spectacular towns around the Lake District, famous for its lakes and inspired many artists and writers. It is the biggest National Park in England. Overnight in the Lake District / Penrith / Kendal area.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Lake District / Penrith / Kendal area for 1 night

DAY 9 GRETNA GREEN - GLASGOW

Breakfast at the hotel, then journey to the area of Glasgow. We recommend a short break in Gretna Green, one of Scotland’s earliest visitor centers and famous for its Blacksmith shop and the marriage capital of the UK. After your visit, continue to the city of Glasgow, which offers culture and art for the night.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Glasgow area for 1 night

DAY 10 LOCH LOMOND – GLENCOE – FORT WILLIAM / OBAN

Onward journey to the area of Fort William / Oban (approx. 175km). On the way, we recommend a short break at Loch Lomond and again at the Glencoe Visitor Centre. Glencoe has long been one of Scotland’s most famous places, known equally for its rare beauty and sorrowful past. Discover its remarkable history, landscape, and wildlife, as well as the backdrops for films including “Braveheart”, “Rob Roy” and “Skyfall”. End your day in the Fort William / Oban area.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Fort William / Oban area for 2 nights

DAY 11 ISLE OF SKYE

Today, we recommend taking a day trip to the Isle of Skye. From Fort William, take the famous road to the Isle, which offers spectacular views. From Malliag, take a ferry to the Isle of Skye, which offered spectacular natural scenery, such as the Cuillin Mountains, Kilt Rock and the Sleat peninsula. On the way back to Fort William, we recommend driving over the bridge connecting Isle of Skye and Kyle of Lochalsh. A visit of the most photographed castle ruin Eilean Donan Castle is a must.

Meals : Breakfast

DAY 12 LOCH NESS – INVERNESS / AVIEMORE

In the morning, journey to the area of Inverness (approx. 150km). On your way, we recommend a stop at the ruins of Urquhart Castle, offering great views over the famous Loch Ness – perhaps you’ll be the lucky and spot Nessie!

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Inverness / Aviemore area for 1 night

DAY 13 CAIRNGORM NATIONAL PARK – BLAIR ATHOLL DISTILLERY – ST ANDREWS - EDINBURGH

After breakfast, take the road through the Cairngorm National Park on your way to Edinburgh. A visit to Blair Atholl Distillery (or similar) is included in today’s activities. Alternatively, the famous golf town of St Andrews is worth a stop. End your day in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Edinburgh area for 2 nights

DAY 14 EDINBURGH

Edinburgh, the Athens of the North, has so much to offer. A visit to the famous Castle is included - enjoy some of the finest views in the world, view the oldest crown jewels in Europe and hear of their rocky past; learn of Robert the Bruce, the Jacobites and their connections with the Castle. In the afternoon, we recommend taking a stroll along the Royal Mile to New Town. If you have enough time, we also suggest a visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Explore the Palace’s close associations with some of Scotland’s most well-known historic figures, such as Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and learn how today it is used by The King when carrying out official engagements in Scotland.

Meals : Breakfast

JOUR 15 DÉPART D’ÉDIMBOURG

Après le petit déjeuner, rendez votre voiture de location à l’aéroport et prenez votre vol de retour.

Meals : Breakfast

HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR

Scottish Borders:
3* Hotel: Mercure Dumfries Cargenholm House
B&B: The Bank Guest House

York
3* Hotel: Queens Hotel York
B&B: No 34 B&B

Birmingham
3* Hotel: West Bromich Hotel & Spa
B&B: Station Approach B&B

Chester / North Wales
3* Hotel: Beaufort Park Hotel
B&B: Fernlea Cottage B&B

Lake District / Penrith / Kendal
3* Hotel: Shap Wells Hotel
B&B: Sonata Guesthouse

Glasgow
3* Hotel: The Avonbridge Hotel
B&B: Bamflatt Farm B&B

Fort William / Oban
3* Hotel: Imperial Hotel
B&B: Balcarres B&B

Inverness / Aviemore
3* Hotel: The Boat Hotel
B&B: The Hermitage Guest House B&B

Edinburgh
3* Hotel: Hill Park Hotel
B&B: Lumsdaine B&B

Rates in $ CA, per person, starting from, in double occupancy
Daily Departures – 2024	B&B’s	*3 Hotels**
March November	2745	2995
April October	2825	3099
May September	3049	3500
June – August	3130	3760
Single Supplement	or request

Tour Code: TPG

**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.

Beautiful Britain – detailed itinerary