This tour will take you to the highlights of 3 British countries: England, Scotland and Wales. Picture yourself wandering medieval streets and dining in cosy pubs in cities like York, Oxford and Bath. Between charming towns and villages, there are the bustling cultural hubs of London and Edinburgh. You’ll also get to spend time in some of the UK’s famous national parks and visit the iconic Scottish Highlands. All this and more is waiting for you in Britain!
Just a few of the majestic sights you’ll take in during your trip.
A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.
Today, you arrive in England and start your journey around Britain. Collect your rental vehicle from Heathrow Airport and set off! You could choose to stop a short drive away to visit Windsor Castle, home to royalty for nearly 1,000 years. Then, on your way to Oxford, you could stop in Marlow, a beautiful town located by the River Thames with plenty of food options.
Finally, arrive in Oxford, your destination of the day. It is famous for being home to Oxford University, one of the best institutions in the world. Walk through the charming city centre and take in the grand university buildings and historic colleges dotted around. You’ll soon see why so many authors, such as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, chose to live here and took inspiration from this beautiful city.
Spend the night in the Oxford area.
Average driving distance: 88 km / 55 mi.
Get an early start from Oxford as you head north to the Peak District. When you reach this national park, you have plenty of choices in terms of stops. We recommend wandering along the riverside in the spa town of Matlock Bath or through the market town of Bakewell. And don’t forget to taste a local Bakewell tart! Nearby you’ll also find the stunning Chatsworth House that Jane Austen fans might recognise as “Pemberley” from Pride and Prejudice.
Later, continue to York, where you’ll spend the night. This is an incredible example of an ancient English walled city. If you have time, walk around the historic centre to see York Minster and the Shambles street.
Spend the night in the York area.
Average driving distance: 349 km / 217 mi.
Today, you have the chance to explore the beautiful nature and towns of Yorkshire. You could start your day by heading to Harrogate, one of Yorkshire’s most elegant destinations. As one of England’s old spa towns, there’s plenty of history to discover, and you could enjoy lunch at the iconic Betty’s Tea Room.
A little further on, you could discover the wild beauty of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. You could also head back to explore historic York some more. Climb the famous York Minster for spectacular city views.
Spend another night in the York area.
Average driving distance: 72 km/ 45 mi.
This morning you start the drive up to Scotland! Head north, passing cities like Durham and Newcastle. Then, you’ll reach the area along the famous Hadrian's Wall. We recommend making a stop in Vindolanda or Housesteads to uncover some of the ruins of this incredible Roman fortification. There are some picturesque towns in the area where you could stop for lunch, like Hexham or Corbridge.
Later you continue north travelling through the Northumberland National Park & Kielder Forest Park. Kielder is England’s largest forest and is full of local wildlife and impressive art installations.
Finally, you cross into Scotland and drive through the lush region called the Scottish Borders all the way to the capital city, Edinburgh. On the way, we recommend a stop at the stately Abbotsford, the former home of writer Sir Walter Scott. You could also take a short detour to see the market town of Kelso.
Spend the night in Edinburgh.
Average driving distance: 362 km / 225 mi.
You have a full day to relax in and explore Edinburgh. First, take a stroll through the New Town with its grand Georgian streets, lined with shops and restaurants. Then, on a sunny day, you could relax in the lush Princes Street Gardens under the magnificent Edinburgh Castle.
You can spend the afternoon immersed in the winding, cobbled streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town. This is the historic heart of the city and where you’ll find the famous Royal Mile. Tonight, you can enjoy dinner at one of Edinburgh’s many gourmet restaurants and go to a traditional pub to try the local whisky, gin or beer.
Spend another night in Edinburgh.
Today, you head into this rugged region of Scotland. On the way, you’ll have the choice of many stops, such as the picturesque village of Dunkeld and the 13th-century Blair Castle. Driving through the Cairngorms National Park, you could also stop at the Highland Folk Museum.
Arriving near Inverness, you can drive to the Battlefield of Culloden Moor. This is where the last battle on British soil occurred in 1746, known as "the beginning of the end for the Highlands". Nearby, you can visit Clava Cairns, a series of tombs and standing stones dating back roughly 4,000 years.
Spend the night in the Inverness area.
Average driving distance: 251 km / 156 miles
On today’s journey you’ll travel from Inverness to the famous Isle of Skye. Drive along the shores of Loch Ness and, if you have time, take a boat tour in search of its notorious and elusive monster. Or, spend some time exploring the nearby Urquhart Castle ruins.
Further along the drive, make a stop at the iconic Eilean Donan Castle. When you arrive on Skye, your first stop will be at the scenic village of Portree, where you can explore and admire its colourful buildings and dine at a local restaurant.
Spend the night on the Isle of Skye or nearby.
Average driving distance: 185 km / 115 miles
You have the full day ahead of you to take in the gems of Skye, a haven for nature lovers. One of the most beautiful parts of the island is its northern Trotternish Peninsula. There, you can enjoy a walk up to “The Old Man of Storr” rock pinnacle and see the beautiful Kilt Rock Waterfall. Other highlights include the Quiraing rock face, the An Corran Beach at Staffin where you may spot ancient dinosaur footprints, and the mystical Fairy Glen.
Spend another night on the Isle of Skye or nearby.
Average driving distance: 70 km / 45 miles
Head south to the Sleat Peninsula, admiring the beautiful beaches, lochs, and glens of the region. On the way, you could stop to enjoy a walk to the crystal-clear Fairy Pools at the foot of the Black Cuillin Hills. Or explore the Scottish art of whisky making at the Talisker Distillery.
In the afternoon, catch a ferry from Armadale to Mallaig on the mainland. On your drive to Fort William, stop at the dreamy Camusdarach Beach and then in Glenfinnan to visit the Glenfinnan Monument, overlooking Loch Shiel. Admire the iconic viaduct, instantly recognisable from its scenes in the Harry Potter films.
Spend the night in the Fort William area.
Ferry from Armadale to Mallaig: 30 minutes
Average driving distance: 135 km / 85 miles
Today’s road trip takes you past Scotland’s most famous valley, Glen Coe, with world-famous scenery. You could take a detour to the beautiful Falls of Dochart in the village of Killin and the grave of Rob Roy at Balquidder.
On this journey through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park you could stop to take a walk in nature, enjoy an optional steamship tour on Loch Katrine or visit a local whisky distillery.
In the evening, you’ll arrive in Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow. This buzzing metropolis offers a huge variety of restaurants and bars where you can relax.
Spend the night in Glasgow.
Average driving distance: 177 km / 110 miles
Today you say goodbye to Scotland and head back south to England. First, you’ll travel through one of Scotland’s hidden gems, the region of Dumfries & Galloway. Even from the road, you’ll be able to admire the rolling hills and lush landscape. You can stop in the historic burgh of Moffat, famous for its toffee.
Then, get back on the road and drive to the Lake District in the north of England. Soak up the breathtaking natural scenery here. You could take a stroll through Keswick, on the shores of the Derwentwater, and visit the nearby Castlerigg Stone Circle for views of the mountainous landscape. Or take a detour via Buttermere for more lake charms.
Continue on to your accommodation in the Lake Windermere area.
Average driving distance: 259 km / 161 mi.
Today you have the opportunity to explore more of the Lake District. Around Lake Windermere there are a host of activities you could choose from to immerse yourself in this stunning English region. Go hiking on the mountains surrounding the sparkling lake. Or book a boat tour across the water to take in the sights from a different angle.
Later, fans of the artist and author may want to visit the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead. Her children’s stories were based on the nature and wildlife she saw each day. Another writer who took inspiration from Windermere was William Wordsworth, and you can visit his former home, Dove Cottage.
Spend another night in the Lake Windermere area.
Average driving distance: 104 km / 65 mi.
Today, head from the Lake District towards Wales. On your drive, you’ll have the opportunity to stop in Liverpool, a city famous for its music scene and for being the hometown of The Beatles.
For even more city culture, you could stop in Manchester, famous for its rival football teams. Both cities have thriving food scenes, so you could stop for lunch at a local restaurant and taste some specialities.
Later, carry on towards Llandudno, a seaside town in North Wales known as the “Queen of the Welsh Resorts”. The area here is rich with coastal beauty and rural Welsh charm. You could spend some time wandering the pristine beaches and strolling along the pier. Why not board an alpine cable car to the highest peak in Great Orme Country Park (Y Gogarth)?
Spend the night in the Llandudno area.
Average driving distance: 200 km / 124 mi.
Ahead of you is a day driving back and forth between England and Wales. You’ll see the landscape at the cusp of each country and see first-hand the differences and similarities in towns across the border. Your first stop of the day is the town of Shrewsbury in Shropshire. Spot the statues, half-timbered houses, stunning churches and the red-bricked Shrewsbury Castle.
Further along, you could stop in Ludlow for lunch. This is a market town renowned for its foodie scene. As you continue south, you’ll pass Herefordshire as well as the stunning Wye Valley, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Follow the meandering River Wye south, the natural border between England and Wales in this area. Along the way, stop by charming Welsh towns like Tintern and Chepstow for coffee breaks and to enjoy the scenic surroundings.
Later, you arrive in Bath, your stop for the night. This is the UK’s only city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety. Spend the evening wandering the grand Georgian streets and spot the Roman ruins underneath. Then, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Spend the night in the Bath area.
Average driving distance: 325 km / 202 mi.
This morning, drive south to one of the most famous sites in the country, Stonehenge. It is an unmissable stop on your tour! You’ll soon see why it is part of the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site. With over 4,500 years of history, this site and stone circle is a true wonder to behold. You can also learn more at the exhibition centre nearby.
From here, you complete your road trip by returning to London. You could take one last short detour to see Salisbury, a medieval cathedral city, or head directly to Heathrow Airport. Return your rental vehicle and then make your way to your accommodation in London. You have the rest of the day or evening at your leisure in the UK’s capital.
Spend the night in London.
Average driving distance: 166 km / 103 mi.
You have a full day to explore London. There are so many museums and attractions to see, so you’ll want to pick a few of your favourites. Make sure not to miss Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park. Then stroll down to the River Thames to spot Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the London Eye. Further east you could visit the famous Tower of London and see Tower Bridge.
London is a vibrant city full of diverse cultures, so you could pop by one of its markets to sample the food scene. You might even like to go to the theatre tonight. Whether it’s exploring the city’s rich history, shopping on trendy streets, or simply enjoying a leisurely walk, you’re sure to have a memorable experience of London.
Spend another night in London.
Today is the final day of your British adventure. Spend the morning at your leisure in bustling London before departing for the airport in time for your flight home. You could take public transport, like the tube or the Heathrow Express train. Or, for a convenient and comfortable ride, book a private transfer directly from your accommodation.
Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.
We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.
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Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.
Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.
We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this self-drive tour in the UK. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here, so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online UK Travel Guide.
On a self-drive tour, Nordic Visitor supplies you with a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary. You act as your own tour guide and driver, and you get to pick the road trip music!
All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your rental car and accommodation in the UK, along with planned activities, as specified in the itinerary.
And rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way. Upon your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information including an itinerary, map and UK Travel Guide.
You’ll also have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.
While there is no minimum age to hire a car in the UK, please note that if you are 25 or younger, extra conditions apply.
All drivers under 25 will be subject to a young driver surcharge. You'll pay this upon collection of your rental vehicle.
Anyone who wants to rent a car in the UK will need to present a full driving licence that has been valid for at least 1 year. If you are under 23, you will need to have held your licence for at least 4 years.
There are also some restrictions on the type of vehicle you can rent if you are under 25. Please get in touch with one of our travel consultants for more information.
Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your children's ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.
If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. It's also possible to book this directly with the car rental agency. This will incur a small, extra cost.
During your UK adventure, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and have chosen hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses based on ratings, comfort and our own personal experience.
In the UK, you can choose from single or double rooms. Twin, triple and family rooms are less commonly available. Please also note that 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, many of the rooms are only accessible by stairs. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are not able to walk up stairs.
The roads in the UK are usually in good condition year-round and are renowned for their beauty.
You’ll be driving on the left side of the road and the right side of the car. If you are not used to driving on the left, we recommend choosing an automatic vehicle for your trip.
If you choose a manual vehicle, keep in mind that you will need to shift gears with your left hand (floor pedals are the same).
UK roads tend to be narrower than those in other countries, and you may encounter single-track roads in rural areas. If you meet another driver on one of these single-track roads, one of you needs to tuck into a passing place. In these areas, you should also be careful of animals on the road.
We recommend checking weather forecasts daily and not taking any risks when it comes to driving, as rain and wind can cause adverse conditions.
It’s also a good idea to plan how you will navigate around the UK ahead of time. Your travel consultant will prepare a detailed hand-annotated map of your route to help you stay on track.
You could also use navigation apps on your phone, such as Google Maps. Make sure to download the route ahead of time, in case you don’t have signal on your journey.
For inexperienced drivers who still want to explore and discover what this country has to offer, we’d recommend one of our Scotland tours. This way you can take in the sights without quite so much driving.
On your UK road trip, you should budget around £1.60–£2 per litre of petrol.
As for meals, all your UK accommodation include breakfast. For the rest of your food, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.
Budget between £15–£20 per person for each day’s lunch. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between £20–£25. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay £40–£50 or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.
Whether or not you need a visa to visit the UK depends on the length of your stay and your nationality. For example, if you’re a citizen of the USA, Canada, Australia or an EU or EEA country, you won’t require a visa.
You can check if you need a visa 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:
For more information, check this packing list suggestion.
Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades.
If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.
There are limited laundry facilities in the countryside, though you’ll find laundrettes in the cities like London, Bath, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Some hotels do offer dry cleaning for an additional cost.
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 call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.
During your tour, there will always be an Edinburgh-based travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.
It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking.
Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. 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 ahead. 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:
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.
After picking up your luggage and your rental car, make your way to your accommodation in Oxford.
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 if you are arriving earlier in the day. 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.
These should tide you over until you’re in the UK to take your own pictures.
We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.
This trip was everything we imagined and more. The B&B's were run by some of the nicest people we ever met. All of the B&B's were wonderful, neat, clean and located very near places we wanted to visit. The closet thing to a negative comment would be to schedule LLandudo, Wales not on a weekend. It was hard to find a parking spot but it was still a good experience.The Nordic Visitor staff was wonderful to work with. Magdalena was very responsive to my many questions. If the rest of the staff is like her then you will be in goods hands when planning a trip.The places that were booked for us was great. Everyone had our information and the trip was seamless from one point to another.Scotland was beautiful even in the rain. Would do it again.
Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.
Enjoy your road trip with 2 authorised drivers and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) to reduce liability.
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