English Odyssey

Overview
Itinerary
Hotels
The Experience

Explore every corner of England's bustling cities and breathtaking scenery

See the England of your dreams on this sweeping tour, discovering castles and cathedrals, scholarly Oxford and Cambridge, Bath’s Georgian splendor, the Lake District, and so much more.

Trip details

Tour start Windsor

Tour end Oxford

Days

Nights

Meals

Available Promotions for this tour

Highlights

Stonehenge

See these ancient, legendary stone monoliths, among the world's most iconic and mysterious sights.

York Minster

Explore this masterpiece of Gothic cathedral architecture, which boasts the world's largest expanse of medieval stained glass.

Windsor Castle

Visit the Queen's magnificent home, the longest-occupied palace in all of Europe.

Blenheim Palace

Visit the gilded State Rooms with their priceless collections of portraits, tapestries and furniture, and an exhibition devoted to the palace's most famous son, Winston Churchill.

Roman Baths

Explore the thermal springs, walk on the original Roman pavements, and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva in one of the best preserved religious spas of the ancient world.

Punting on the River Cam

Enjoy views of the colleges of Cambridge university as you travel back to your hotel along the water.

Canterbury Cathedral

Visit this vast and awe-inspiring cathedral, one of the oldest Christian structures in England and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Cruise on Windermere

Enjoy gorgeous views from the crystal blue water of England's largest lake.

Itinerary

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Day 1Arrival | Windsor Castle

Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from your Windsor hotel. Venture to see the splendors of Windsor Castle, a residence of the King, and the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group, and dine and explore this intriguing medieval town as you wish this evening.

Day 2Blenheim Palace | Cotswolds | Bath

Travel to Blenheim Palace, the magnificent country house once home to Winston Churchill and often seen as the setting for popular TV shows and movies; tour the house and explore the gardens. Set off on a drive through the rolling hills of the quintessentially English Cotswolds; with charming villages and colorful gardens. Arrive in Bath, a striking city of honey-colored Georgian buildings with an ancient heritage. Take a walking tour of the city before visiting the famed Roman Baths. Dine at your hotel this evening. (B,D)

Day 3Stonehenge | Salisbury

Visit prehistoric Stonehenge and marvel at the vast monoliths mysteriously erected 5,000 years ago. Head to the medieval city of Salisbury, with free time for lunch and sightseeing. Along with charming local shops, Salisbury boasts a splendid 13th-century cathedral housing the world's oldest working clock. Head back to Bath, where your evening is free to explore and dine as you wish. (B)

Day 4Winchester | Portsmouth | Brighton

Visit Winchester, where some say the legendary King Arthur had his roundtable. Then, delve into nautical life at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, where you can step aboard some of Britain's most notable ships, and see the Mary Rose, King Henry VIII's favorite ship. Head on to your seafront hotel in Brighton, a friendly, creative city that's been popular as a resort area for centuries. Enjoy dinner with your group. (B,D)

Day 5Birling Gap | Royal Tunbridge Wells | Sissinghurst

Visit Birling Gap for a gentle cliff walk. Head to Royal Tunbridge Wells, a delightful old spa town, for some free time to discover its exquisite Georgian and Victorian architecture and charming shops and pubs. Next take a stroll to explore Sissinghurst Castle Garden, one of the finest gardens in England. Head to your hotel for dinner. (B, D)

Day 6Canterbury Cathedral | Leeds Castle

Journey to the beautiful city of Canterbury. Take time to explore its medieval center before visiting its imposing cathedral and hearing some of its enthralling tales. Proceed to romantic Leeds Castle in Kent, once called “the loveliest castle in the world”. Tour this storybook structure, complete with a moat, and discover its colorful gardens. Head to London where you'll dine with your group. (B, D)

Day 7 Kensington Palace | London Exploring

Visit Kensington Palace, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate. Next, savor a light lunch, and then the rest of the day is yours to explore the amazing city of London as you wish. (B, L)

Day 8Cambridge American Cemetery | Punting

Depart London and head to the Roman city of St Albans or 17th-century Hatfield House, depending on your departure date. Next, visit the Cambridge American Cemetery, honoring the thousands of American soldiers who gave their lives in World War II. Continue on to Cambridge for a sightseeing trip on the River Cam, as you go punting on a traditional flat-bottomed boat. Your evening is free to explore as you wish.. (B)

Day 9Lincoln | York

Head to Lincoln, with its towering cathedral and castle overlooking the city. Stop in a pub for a traditional Sunday roast lunch. Arrive in York, an ancient city of narrow cobbled streets, charming tearooms, quaint old pubs, and intriguing medieval churches. Your tour director will bring you on a walking tour, then enjoy the rest of the day free for exploring. (B, L)

Day 10 Whitby | Castle Howard | York Minster

Visit the old fishing town of Whitby. Tour its pretty harbor and cobbled streets with your director before departing for Castle Howard, a 300-year-old Stately home that has been the setting for numerous film and TV productions, including the hit show "Bridgerton." Return to York and visit York Minster, a Gothic cathedral resplendent with medieval stained glass.. (B,D)

Day 11Yorkshire Drive | Lake District

Take a scenic drive through the lush green splendor of the Yorkshire Dales, pausing in the romantic market town of Richmond. Head on to Keswick, in the famously beautiful Lake District, where you'll have some free time for lunch. Head on to your hotel near the banks of Lake Windermere, and have dinner with your group tonight. (B, D)

Day 12Cruise on Lake Windermere | Liverpool

Take a short scenic cruise on England's largest lake, Windermere, seeing mountain vistas, wooded isles, and lakeside villages. Head on to Liverpool, birthplace of the Beatles. Tour this fun, friendly city on foot with your tour director - and you are free to explore for the rest of the day. You might check out the many attractions around the Albert Dock, including the Beatles Story, the Tate Liverpool, and the Merseyside Maritime Museum. (B)

Day 13Stratford-upon-Avon | Anne Hathaway's Cottage | Oxford

Head to Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare's hometown. Visit Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the 500-year-old thatched house, surrounded by gardens, where The Bard's wife was born. Drive to Oxford to discover this storied university city on a walking tour with your tour director. Enjoy a farewell dinner with your group. (B, D)

Day 14Tour Ends In Oxford

Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner>

Where you’ll stay

Castle Hotel Windsor Windsor, England

The Castle Hotel, Windsor – MGallery Hotel Collection is a 4 star luxury hotel-based in the heart...

DoubleTree by Hilton Bath Bath, UK

Set on the banks of the River Avon, Doubletree by Hilton Bath is a comfortable 176-bedroom hotel...

DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole Brighton, England

A Victorian hotel by Brighton Beach Set on the vibrant Brighton seafront, our 1890's building...

Chilston Park Hotel Maidstone, England

Once home to politicians and Lords, this hotel has 22 acres of rural parkland. Filled with...

100 Queen's Gate Hotel - an impressive white building on a London street

100 Queen's Gate Hotel London, Curio Collection by Hilton London, England

A stylish city spot, a fashionable location where history meets modernity: 100 Queen's Gate was...

Hilton Cambridge City Centre Cambridge, England

Located in the heart of the city, within walking distance to attractions and nightlife, Hilton...

Hilton York York, England

Enjoy a historic stay inside the city walls, next to Clifford’s Tower. Lively bars and restaurants...

Briery Wood Country House Hotel Windermere, England

Moments from the shores of Lake Windermere and set in seven acres of gardens and woodland lies...

Hotel Indigo Liverpool Liverpool, England

Our city grew rich on cotton and music, and Hotel Indigo® Liverpool embraces this heritage,...

Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre Oxford, UK

Nestled in the heart of Oxford City Centre, Courtyard by Marriot offers easy access to local...

Inclusive package with no hidden extras

What's included?

Full daily breakfast and many meals*
Transportation (Buses, shuttles & ferries)
Welcome drinks with your group
Free Wi-Fi on luxury coaches
All entrance fees to attractions
Comprehensive travel itinerary and documents

*Breakfast is not included on Day 1

Our welcome gift to you

A travel backpack
Travel adapter
Rain poncho
Luggage strap and tags
Documents wallet

We take care of everything: authentic experiences, expert local tour directors, and more. Check out the CIE Tours difference!

See what people are saying about this trip

Pamela C Sabella

3 weeks ago

Well done, will book another trip for next spring

Everything was well done!

Mrs. Margaret Anne Dudley

6 months 3 weeks ago

Tour was excellent! The itinerary allowed us to see and large part of the country. Both our tour guide and driver were great.
I would have liked a little more guidance in some of the towns we visited. Too often we were let loose in the city centre to get some lunch and shop. A guided tour might have been nice. Not everyone needs lunch when you have a large breakfast and dinner.

CIE Tours Customer

7 months ago

Wonderful trip beautiful hotels but most of all our tour guide John made t

Great value for your money very nice hotels and wonderful dining experience!

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