Wonders of England and Celtic Capitals

On a small guided group tour with Nordic Visitor, you can sit back and enjoy an immersive itinerary alongside a group of like-minded travellers. There will be no more than 15 people in a group, so your guides can get to know you all personally.

You’ll have one guide to take you around England and a different guide for Scotland. They will both be experts in English and Scottish history and culture. They’ll share their local knowledge and stories with you, and take you to hidden gems across each country.

Your guides will also act as the logistical organisers for the group. They’ll ensure everything is running smoothly and that you’re having a good time while in each country.

You’ll also enjoy the service of 2 experienced drivers, one in each country. They know the roads well and will make sure you’re comfortable in the vehicles.

You may notice that some of your days on this tour will be spent independently, outside of your small group. We’ve arranged this so that you’ve got the freedom to explore certain places at your own leisure, the way you want to! This way, you get the best of both worlds.

The points on your tour where this will happen will always be flagged in your itinerary document. On those days you’ll still have peace of mind knowing that someone is by your side with our 24/7 helpline. And your itinerary will always include suggestions on what to see and do.

But why not browse our Travel Guide for inspiration on how to fill your time? Or talk to your travel consultant about booking guided experiences on those days.

Your tour guide will provide you with a high-quality experience throughout your trip. Their in-depth knowledge of the country means you can fully immerse yourself in the local culture and history.

We have built a strong network of trusted suppliers, and we handpick only the guides that meet our high standards.

Due to the nature of this tour and the activities included, it’s not recommended for families with young children. That said, it is suitable for active children aged 12 years or older. If in doubt, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

To make sure you and your fellow travellers have a comfortable journey, we need to limit the size and amount of luggage in each bus.

Each guest can bring one suitcase or large bag that can be stored in the back of the minibuses. The guidance size for the larger luggage is that it should not exceed 158 cm (62 in) when adding the length, width and height. It should not weigh more than 20 kg.

You can also bring one smaller item (like a small backpack) inside the van for daily essentials like camera, wallet, medications and so forth. Unfortunately carry-on suitcases (cabin bags) are too large to store in the van’s overhead racks.

Please note that you should be able to carry your own suitcase at accommodation and between transport.

If you have any questions about luggage your Nordic Visitor travel consultant will be able to assist you.

During your UK tour, you’ll stay in accommodation handpicked by our local travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.

You can view the detailed list of hotels for this trip under the accommodation tab.

When booking your trip, you can choose from single or double rooms. Twin, triple and family rooms are not commonly available in the UK. Please contact your travel consultant if your group contains 3 or more people.

Please also note that in the UK room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America. For example, a double room often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

Due to the historic nature of the properties we usually select, most of the rooms are only accessible by stairs. Lifts are not common in hotels in the UK. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are not able to walk up stairs.

This tour includes a few guided walks along the itinerary. This means you must be prepared and able to walk between 1-3 kilometres (0.6–2 miles) daily. You also need to be able to carry your own luggage when boarding the vehicle and at each accommodation.

On your tour of the UK, breakfast at your accommodation is included each day. You will also enjoy some group dinners, included in your package. These meals will usually either be a set dinner menu or a dinner buffet with a variety of local fresh ingredients (drinks not included).

Please notify your travel consultant at the time of booking of any dietary restrictions or allergies.

Other meals are not included and are at your own expense. Your driver and guide will make sure to stop along the way for you to pick up snacks, drinks and lunch.

The amount of spending money you’ll need will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.

We recommend budgeting between £15–£20 per person for each day’s lunch. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between £30–£40. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay £50–£80 or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

As you’ll be travelling as part of a guided group tour, your itinerary for this portion of your trip is set. But you can still customise other parts of your package.

For instance, you could add extra nights before or after the guided portion of your trip. This will give you more time to explore your arrival and departure cities at your own pace. You can add these additional days while booking your package online.

In the UK tipping is not mandatory, but it is welcomed. It’s usually based on the quality of service. Locals often add around 10% or simply round up their bill. At self-service cafés (where you order at the counter) it’s not expected that you’ll tip.

In hotels it’s common to tip concierges for hiring a taxi or making dinner reservations. As for porters, about £1 per bag is standard.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can ask your guide or call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.

The Edinburgh-based travel expert on call will handle any unforeseen situations for you, such as unusual weather or events.

Whether or not you need a visa to visit the UK depends on your nationality.

From 2025, you need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the country. This also applies to citizens from countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and the EU.

You can check if you need a visa or an ETA on the UK government website.

Your passport needs to be valid for the entirety of your stay in the UK. It’s a good idea to check your passport expiry date early, in case you need to renew it.

During your tour of the UK, you could experience a variety of different weather conditions. It’s often said that the UK gets all 4 seasons in a day!

The climate is relatively mild all year round, with the average temperature ranging between 13–19 °C (56–66 °F) across the country. It’s worth noting that it’s not unusual to experience rain in summer, especially as you go further north.

Please note that sightseeing and transport are dependent on weather and road conditions and might need to be altered if conditions are not favourable. This includes ferries and drives. If something unexpected occurs, you can call our 24/7 helpline to speak directly with a Nordic Visitor staff member.

As the weather across the UK can be a little unpredictable, it’s a good idea to pack extra layers just in case. Here is a recommended packing list for a summer trip:

• Shorts and t-shirts
• Sun cap and sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Eye mask to sleep
• Light gloves, hat and a scarf
• Light waterproof layers
• Fleece or jumper
• Good walking shoes or boots (especially if you plan to go on nature walks or hikes)

For more information, check this packing list suggestion.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the guaranteed departure calendar to see the availability. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking.

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits to reserve your tour. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel.

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well in advance. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us.

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

You can get in touch with our UK travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online UK Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

• Which credit cards are widely accepted in the UK
• What kind of electric adapters or converters you’ll need
• The native languages of the UK that you might hear alongside English
• And so much more

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents.

Upon your arrival in the UK, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor UK Travel Guide and more.

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in the UK?

After picking up your luggage, make your way to your accommodation in the city centre. Airports in the UK have great public transport links, but you can always hop in a taxi or book a private transfer if you prefer.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM.

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel if you have to wait. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching public transport or a taxi to the airport.

All UK bookings are billed in British Pounds (GBP).

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from GBP to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.