Journey Through England

(16 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
London, Bath, Oxfordshire, Cotswolds, Lake District, Yorkshire

On this comprehensive private tour, experience England's most interesting and important locations, stay at exclusive hotels in the city and country, and tour with your own expert Blue Badge guide each day.

Begin in London, one of the world's greatest cities. Discover the best of London—heritage architecture, fascinating museums, important historic attractions, exclusive boutiques, traditional pubs and incredible food markets—during private touring customized to your interests. Tour famous landmarks such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, Covent Garden, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. Perhaps explore other incredible museums around the city such as the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, Churchill War Rooms, Sir John Soane's Museum, the Tate Modern or the Tate Britain. Also visit hidden squares, renowned British shops, atmospheric tea rooms and other highlights.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure will also arrange reservations for dining and afternoon tea, book tickets to performances, and provide recommendations for the best shopping in London. Accommodation is at one of London's best luxury hotels.

Next, visit Windsor for a private tour of Windsor Castle, one of the official homes of the royal family and the oldest continuously occupied castle in the world. Also see Stonehenge, an iconic ring of standing stones that's one of England's most enduring landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then continue to Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city with ancient Roman baths, rows of Georgian townhouses, antiques shops, gardens and other interesting attractions.

Continue into the English countryside to Oxfordshire and Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, a refined luxury estate with extensive grounds, including vegetable gardens that provide fresh produce for the hotel's renowned restaurant. Enjoy a guided tour of Oxford, home to one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange a VIP tour of the Harry Potter Studios. Another option is visiting Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill and a sprawling UNESCO World Heritage Site of grand 18th-century Baroque buildings and formal gardens on a 2,000-acre English landscape park designed by Capability Brown.

Continue to the Cotswolds, a picturesque region of charming villages, beautiful gardens and grand estates among rolling hills and farmland. Visit renowned gardens such as Hidcote Manor Garden and Kiftsgate Court Gardens. See the ancient ruins of Chedworth Roman Villa, and visit charming villages to enjoy the markets, galleries, antiques shops and pubs. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange a visit to Highgrove, the royal gardens of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, including time for lunch featuring local ingredients at the garden restaurant. While in the Cotswolds, stay at Buckland Manor, a luxurious stone manor house hotel surrounded by manicured grounds.

Continue to the Lake District, a beautiful mountain and lake landscape that inspired writers such as Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth. During private touring, explore the villages, views and cultural highlights of this national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Dove Cottage, Wordsworth's former home in the idyllic village of Grasmere; Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's farmhouse and garden, which appear in her illustrations for The Tale of Peter Rabbit and other books; and Blackwell, one of the finest examples of Arts and Crafts architecture in England. Additional touring options include Levens Hall, an Elizabethan manor house with a celebrated topiary garden; Castlerigg, one of the oldest and most impressive prehistoric stone circles in Britain; guided hikes through beautiful Lakeland scenery; and private boat charters on Lake Windermere. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange reservations at upscale restaurants and historic rural pubs to enjoy regional cuisine.

Next, enjoy private touring among the breathtaking moorland, market towns and castles of Yorkshire Dales National Park. Continue to York, an ancient walled city filled with memories of the groups who built and ruled it over the centuries. Walk along the Shambles and other atmospheric medieval lanes lined with half-timber buildings. Visit York Minster, a Gothic cathedral with beautiful stained-glass windows. See the ruins of a Roman fort and a medieval abbey set among the lawns and trees of the Museum Gardens. Explore a reconstruction of the Viking village that existed here over 1,000 years ago at the Jorvik Viking Centre. Other touring options include an excursion to Castle Howard, one of England's most majestic historic houses, to see its impressive interiors and extensive gardens.

End your tour with time in London for additional city touring or a visit to nearby Greenwich or Kew Gardens.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world