Guided Small Group Tours in the UK

On a Nordic Visitor small group tour of the UK, you’ll explore with a knowledgeable local guide, dedicated driver, and group of like-minded travellers.

Plus, with groups capped at just 15 guests, you’ll have a more personal experience. Not only will you enjoy more time with your guide, but you’ll also get to know your fellow explorers.

During your tour, you’ll travel in a comfortable minibus. And with your driver at the wheel, you can sit back, relax and take in the scenery between stops.

Similar to other Northern European nations, the UK is considered a safe place to visit. According to the Global Peace Index, the UK is among the world’s 40 safest countries. There’s also a modern healthcare system in place, should you need it.

If you’re travelling on a guided group tour, it’s worth remembering that support will always be close by. Whether that means asking your guide for assistance or calling our 24/7 helpline.

Having a local tour guide who lives and breathes your destination is key to getting the most out of your escorted trip. That’s why we handpick professional guides who live in the UK and are passionate about giving you an authentic travel experience.

Exploring with someone who calls the UK home also means you’ll get to visit all the best spots along your route. And, as an expert, they’ll be able to answer any questions you might have. You’ll also gain insight into the local culture and perhaps even uncover a hidden gem or two.

At Nordic Visitor, we welcome a wide range of guests who can take their pick from a variety of small group trips in Northern Europe. So you’ll find that your fellow guests are often mixed in age and interests.

You’ll find that small group tours of the UK tend to involve up to 2 miles (3 kilometres) of walking per day. This includes sightseeing at the stops along the way. When you get to where you’ll be staying for the evening, you can opt to explore as much as you like.

We also ask that you’re able to carry your own luggage on and off the minibus when it’s time to move accommodation.

If you’d like to know more about a tour’s activity level, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Breakfast is always included on Nordic Visitor tours. Depending on the package you choose, a traditional afternoon tea experience and some evening meals will also be provided.

To see exactly what meals are part of your tour package, check the “what’s included” section of the trip you’re interested in.

Please let us know when you book if you have any special dietary requirements. This will give us time to make any arrangements for you before you arrive.

Throughout your small group tour, you’ll stay in places that our travel experts have handpicked for their character, comfort and cleanliness. You’ll also find that we’ve selected each accommodation for its handy location, often within easy walking distance of top attractions.

As you’ll be staying in a mix of historic and contemporary properties, the style and size of your room will vary from place to place. You can choose between single and double rooms for your trip.

It’s worth bearing in mind that, like many places in Europe, room sizes in the UK tend to be smaller than in North America. And as some of these properties don’t have lifts, you might need to use stairs to get to your room.

You can bring one suitcase or large bag per person for your overnight items. As this will be stored in the back of the minibus, we also recommend having a small rucksack or day bag. This way you can keep items like your wallet, camera and spare layers close to hand.

Please bear in mind that an aeroplane carry-on or cabin bag will be too large to fit in the minibus’ overhead racks above your seat.

When travelling between overnight stops, your luggage will come with you in the minibus. So we ask that you bring your suitcase from your room to the bus when it’s time for the next stage of your journey.

On your guided tour, you’ll travel between stops on a minibus we’ve chosen for its level of comfort. And although the vehicles can seat more people, we allow up to just 15 guests to ensure there’s plenty of space.

Most of our minibuses are designed to accommodate the standing height and seating room of someone who’s around 6-feet (1.83-metres) tall. Your guide will also make sure that there are plenty of breaks along the way. So you’ll be able to stretch your legs between the main sightseeing stops.

Tipping your guide isn’t expected in the UK. But if you’d like to show your gratitude for great service by tipping, then we’re sure your guide will appreciate it.

When it comes to experiencing the UK with Nordic Visitor, you have options. Picking the travel style that’s best for you depends on the type of trip you’re looking for.

Choose a small group tour and you’ll benefit from your guide’s local knowledge along the way. Plus, with your dedicated driver at the wheel, you’re free to sit back and take in the view. By taking care of any on-trip logistics, your guide also ensures that your Scotland, Wales and England vacation is completely hassle-free.

Uncover even more reasons to go on a European group tour. For instance, joining a group of like-minded travellers can be a great way to explore if you’re visiting the UK on a solo getaway. Get more ideas of group tours for solo travellers in this guide. 

Or, if you prefer going at your own pace, why not take the wheel on a UK self-drive trip? On Nordic Visitor’s Scotland, Wales and England tours, you can embrace the freedom to stop whenever you like while following an itinerary curated by a UK-based expert. Plus, your accommodation, rental car and a hand-marked route map are included in the tour package.

Absolutely! If you’d like more time to sightsee, we recommend extending your stay in the UK. You can do this by adding extra nights before or after the guided part of your tour.

At the beginning of your trip, more time in Oxford will let you explore the city’s prestigious university and beyond.

Home to historic libraries such as the Radcliffe Camera and Bodleian, it’s a must if you love literature. You might even recognise some of these magnificent buildings from the Harry Potter films. And don’t miss the opportunity to take part in the local tradition of punting on the River Cherwell.

Meanwhile, you’ll get even more out of your visit to London by rounding off your trip with at least one extra night. Whatever your interests, you’ll find there’s plenty to see and do here. Think browsing museums and galleries, and checking out royal palaces and iconic landmarks.

Once you’ve had your fill of sightseeing, you could relax in lush parks, stroll around cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, or shop for souvenirs. And if you’re a fan of the arts, you could take in a performance at one of London’s world-famous theatres.

Of course, you can pick your preferred start date for these Britain tours from a range of scheduled departures between August and September. You could also explore on one of these Scotland small group trips with dates from April to October.

When you’re booking online, you can see each tour’s availability calendar to find out which departures have spaces left.

We recommend checking to see what flights are available before booking your trip. But it’s best to wait until your travel consultant has confirmed your tour by email before purchasing your flights.

It’s also good to know that your tour package includes an airport transfer from London’s Heathrow Airport to your accommodation in Oxford.

We can also arrange a transfer from London city centre to Heathrow Airport for your return journey. You can add this to your package as an optional extra when you book online. Or get in touch with your dedicated travel consultant to find out more.

You may already know that the weather in the UK is changeable. This means that when you’re packing for your trip, you’ll want to be ready for rain and shine.

Even if you choose to visit the UK in the height of summer, it’s worth bearing in mind that the weather can vary from day to day. Read this guide to when to visit the UK for an idea of what to expect depending on the season.

You could also experience a variety of temperatures based on where you are in the UK. For instance, visit London in August and you could get temperatures of over 30°C (86°F). Meanwhile, at the same time of year in the Scottish Highlands, the average temperature is around 15-17°C (59-63°F).

For exploring the UK’s towns, cities and countryside, we recommend bringing:

• Comfortable hiking shoes or boots
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Warm, insulated jacket
• Fleece or woollen jumper
• Cosy hat, scarf and gloves
• Light base layers
• Lightweight trousers or shorts
• Sunglasses, sun hat and sun cream
• Rucksack
• Smart outfits for dining out
• Reusable water bottle
• UK plug adapter