Best of England & Scotland

(16 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
London, Oxfordshire, Cotswolds, Lake District, Edinburgh, Royal Deeside (Fife Arms), Perthshire (Gleneagles)

This in-depth luxury tour journeys from London through the English countryside en route to Edinburgh and the Highlands in Scotland.

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.

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. En route, tour 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. Also enjoy a guided tour of Oxford, home to one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

Continue with your expert driver-guide to the Cotswolds, a picturesque region of charming villages, beautiful gardens and grand estates among rolling hills and farmland. During touring of the region, 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, you will be transferred to Edinburgh, Scotland, with touring along the beautiful Northumberland Coast en route. Options include visiting Alnwick, a market town in the shadow of Alnwick Castle; Bamburgh Castle, a hulking medieval fortress on the edge of the sea; or the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, an early Christian outpost and the source of the Lindisfarne Gospels illuminated manuscript.

Continue to Edinburgh, the stunning capital of Scotland, with a stay in a sophisticated city hotel. During flexible touring with your private guide, tour the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See iconic Edinburgh Castle and walk along the Royal Mile, the road leading from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Explore historic buildings, as well as the narrow closes (alleys) and stairways that connect different levels of the city. Visit shops specializing in wool tweed and other distinctive Scottish products. Depending on your interests, you might like to tour the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former royal yacht of the British monarch; visit the Royal Botanic Garden or National Gallery; tour the unusual architecture of the Scottish Parliament Building and other contemporary design highlights in the city; or hike up an extinct volcano for panoramic views of Edinburgh and the nearby Firth of Forth tidal bay. In August, Artisans of Leisure can assist with tickets to the Edinburgh Tattoo or performances at the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe.

Next, transfer to the transfer to the Scottish Highlands. Continue to Royal Deeside and The Fife Arms, a luxurious restored inn decorated with contemporary art and traditional Scottish antiques and decorative arts assembled by the owners, who cofounded the acclaimed Hauser & Wirth art gallery. During private touring, see beautiful Highlands scenery in Cairngorms National Park, visit Braemar, famous for the annual Braemar Gathering (the most prestigious of the Highland Games), see the 17th-century Braemar Castle and enjoy guided hiking or scenic walks. One day, schedule permitting, visit Balmoral Castle, the private Scottish residence of the royal family since the 19th century. If desired, warm up with a dram of whisky at the historic Royal Lochnagar distillery next to the Balmoral estate.

Next, transfer back through the Highlands, stopping en route at scenic spots, traditional towns, castles or whisky distilleries according to your preferences. Stay at Gleneagles, a luxury resort on 850 acres in the rolling hills of the Perthshire countryside. During leisure time, enjoy the resort's extensive activities, including options such as countryside walks, golf, fishing, horseback riding, biking, 4WD tours, shooting, gundog training, falconry and afternoon tea. Additional facilities include a spa, a kids club and exclusive Scottish boutiques.

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