Tour overview

This 18-day escorted coach tour makes a grand circle of Britain and Ireland from London, combining England's historic towns, the lochs and mountains of Scotland and the green, coastal landscapes of Ireland. A tour director travels with you throughout, with local experts in the main cities. You stay seventeen nights in handpicked hotels, among them the Swan's Nest in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Titanic Hotel in Belfast and the Imperial in Torquay with sea-view rooms. Seventeen breakfasts and eight dinners are included, with a traditional afternoon tea at Atholl Palace, a pub dinner in Stratford, a Sunday roast and a dine-around evening in Killarney.

Leaving London, you visit the university town of Oxford and spend the night in Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon. Lincoln and medieval York, once a Viking capital, lead north through the Lake District National Park to Edinburgh, where two nights let you explore the Royal Mile, Holyroodhouse and the castle.

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Crossing the Firth of Forth to St Andrews, you continue to Inverness and cruise on Loch Ness before crossing to the Isle of Skye. Returning past Ben Nevis and the Commando Memorial, you drive along Loch Lomond to Glasgow, then cross the Irish Sea to Belfast, home of the Titanic. Travelling past the Mountains of Mourne and through the Boyne Valley, you reach Dublin for a city tour of O'Connell Street, Dublin Castle and St Patrick's Cathedral.

In the west of Ireland you visit Galway and the Cliffs of Moher, explore Limerick, then drive the Dingle Peninsula to Killarney for two nights and a morning on the Ring of Kerry. After kissing the Blarney Stone you stay in Waterford, then take the ferry back to Wales and Cardiff. The final days bring Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage city, Glastonbury, two nights on the Devon coast in Torquay with a choice of Dartmoor excursions, and a stop at Stonehenge on the way back to London.

The physical rating is low, with relaxed starts built in and luggage handled for you. This tour suits travellers who want to see the highlights of both islands in one comfortable, well-organised journey. A passport is needed for the crossings to and from Ireland.

Trip highlights

  • Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon (Day 1)
  • Edinburgh's Royal Mile (Day 4)
  • A Loch Ness cruise and the Isle of Skye (Day 6)
  • Dublin city sightseeing (Day 10)
  • The Ring of Kerry (Day 13)
  • Bath and Stonehenge (Days 16 and 18)

Your route

31 stops from London to Stonehenge

18-day route: London – York – Edinburgh – Inverness – Skye – Glasgow – Belfast – Dublin – Killarney – Cardiff – Torquay – London
  1. London Days 1 & 18
  2. Oxford Day 1
  3. Stratford-upon-Avon Day 1
  4. Lincoln Day 2
  5. York Day 2
  6. Grasmere Day 3
  7. Gretna Green Day 3
  8. Edinburgh Days 3–4
  9. St Andrews Day 5
  10. Pitlochry Day 5
  11. Inverness Day 5
  12. Eilean Donan Castle Day 6
  13. Broadford Day 6
  14. Glencoe Day 7
  15. Loch Lomond Day 7
  16. Glasgow Day 7
  17. Belfast Day 8
  18. Dublin Days 9–10
  19. Cliffs of Moher Day 11
  20. Limerick Day 11
  21. Dingle Day 12
  22. Killarney Days 12–13
  23. Blarney Castle Day 14
  24. Waterford Day 14
  25. Rosslare Day 15
  26. Pembroke Day 15
  27. Cardiff Day 15
  28. Bath Day 16
  29. Glastonbury Day 16
  30. Torquay Days 16–17
  31. Stonehenge Day 18

Why choose this tour

All four nations of Britain and Ireland in one tour, with every detail handled. Handpicked hotels, eight dinners and relaxed starts.

Best suited to

  • First-time visitors to Britain and Ireland
  • Travellers who prefer coach touring
  • Couples and solo travellers
  • History and scenery lovers
Edinburgh Castle on its rock

Day-by-day itinerary

18 days from London, United Kingdom to London, United Kingdom

  1. Day 1 · London, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon Oxford and Stratford

    Leave London for Oxford and Shakespeare's town.

    Hotel
    Swan's Nest
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Lincoln, York Lincoln and York

    Through Robin Hood country to medieval York.

    Hotel
    Hilton York
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Lake District, Edinburgh Lake District to Edinburgh

    Drive through the lakes to Scotland.

    Hotel
    Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Royal Mile, Holyroodhouse Edinburgh

    Explore Scotland's capital.

    Hotel
    Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · St Andrews, Inverness St Andrews and Inverness

    Cross into Fife and on to the Highlands.

    Hotel
    Kingsmills
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Loch Ness, Isle of Skye Loch Ness and Skye

    A loch cruise, then over the sea to Skye.

    Hotel
    The Dunollie
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Ben Nevis, Loch Lomond, Glasgow Loch Lomond and Glasgow

    Past Ben Nevis and Loch Lomond to Glasgow.

    Hotel
    Radisson Blu Glasgow
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Belfast Belfast

    Cross the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland.

    Hotel
    Titanic Hotel Belfast
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Mountains of Mourne, Boyne Valley, Dublin Dublin

    A relaxed start and the drive to Dublin.

    Hotel
    Hilton Dublin
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Dublin Castle, St Patrick's Cathedral Dublin

    A city tour with a local expert.

    Hotel
    Hilton Dublin
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Limerick Cliffs of Moher

    Galway and the Atlantic cliffs.

    Hotel
    The George
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Limerick, Dingle Peninsula, Killarney Dingle to Killarney

    King John's Castle and the Dingle coast.

    Hotel
    Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  13. Day 13 · Ring of Kerry Ring of Kerry

    A morning drive around the Ring of Kerry.

    Hotel
    Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  14. Day 14 · Blarney Castle, Waterford Blarney and Waterford

    Kiss the Blarney Stone.

    Hotel
    Granville
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  15. Day 15 · Rosslare, Pembroke, Cardiff Cardiff

    A ferry to Wales and on to Cardiff.

    Hotel
    Clayton Cardiff
    Meals
    Breakfast
  16. Day 16 · Bath, Glastonbury, Torquay Bath and Glastonbury

    Bath and Glastonbury on the way to Devon.

    Hotel
    The Imperial
    Meals
    Breakfast
  17. Day 17 · Dartmoor, Torquay Devon coast

    A choice of Dartmoor excursions.

    Hotel
    The Imperial
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  18. Day 18 · Stonehenge, London Stonehenge to London

    Stonehenge on the way back to London.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare

Where you stay

  • Stratford-upon-Avon (1 night) Swan's Nest
  • York (1 night) Hilton York
  • Edinburgh (2 nights) Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
  • Inverness (1 night) Kingsmills
  • Isle of Skye (1 night) The Dunollie, Broadford
  • Glasgow (1 night) Radisson Blu Glasgow
  • Belfast (1 night) Titanic Hotel Belfast
  • Dublin (2 nights) Hilton Dublin
  • Limerick (1 night) The George
  • Killarney (2 nights) Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa
  • Waterford (1 night) Granville
  • Cardiff (1 night) Clayton Cardiff
  • Torquay (2 nights) The Imperial, sea-view rooms

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 17 nights in handpicked hotels
  • Meals 17 breakfasts and 8 dinners
  • Air-conditioned coach and ferries across the Irish Sea
  • Loch Ness cruise
  • Guided sightseeing in Edinburgh and Dublin
  • Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle, Bath and Stonehenge
  • Tour director throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 16 lunches and 9 dinners
  • Optional experiences
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A cobbled lane in historic York

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want to stay longer in each place — most stops are one night
  • You dislike long coach days
  • You prefer small groups
  • You want an active holiday

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–18 · Lunch: none included · Dinner: Days 1–2, 5–6, 12–14 and 17
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Ireland
Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £5,288 per person, twin share, tour only. 12 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £6,958 (single supplement from £1,600).

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Where does the tour start?

At a hotel in London at 7:45am on Day 1, returning to London on Day 18.

Do I need a passport?

Yes, for the crossings between Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Are ferries included?

Yes, the Irish Sea crossings to Belfast and back to Wales are included.

What is a relaxed start?

A later departure, giving time for a leisurely breakfast.

Are flights included?

No, the tour starts and ends in London.

Who leads the tour?

A tour director travels with you throughout, with local experts in the main cities.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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