Of course, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are different – as different as pasties, haggis, colcannon and Welsh cakes. As for landscapes, contrast the Scottish Highlands and islands with the Welsh valleys and dramatic coastline. Natural wonders? How about the extraordinary Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland (that’s Game of Thrones country). And England’s variety astonishes visitors, from the romantic Lake District and Cornwall to castles, stately homes and elegant gardens. Follow in the footsteps of Shakespeare and Harry Potter; visit the free, world-class museums and galleries in cities, such as London, Manchester, Liverpool, Oxford and Bath, Glasgow and Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
TIP: Herefordshire’s Golden Valley looks ‘forever England’. Stroll round picture-postcard villages, such as Peterchurch, Vowchurch and Turnastone. At the 800-year-old Pandy Inn in Dorstone, relax over pints of proper cider produced by Gwatkin’s, just down the valley in Abbey Dore.
From 2 nights and 3 days self catering plus 4 rides each
Butler Country:South East Ireland from CICERONI Travel;
Marvellous week spent exploring this magical part of Ireland.
Visit based in the historic Mount Juliet House, former seat of the Earls of Carrick.
Unique opportunity to learn more about Ireland’s history.
Wonderful selection of private houses, many not open to the public.
McKinlay Kidd's "Journey Through the Western Isles " is ideal for those who want a relaxing self-drive tour of these truly captivating Scottish islands, taking you from Barra in the south through the Uists, to Harris, Lewis and finishing on Skye. Available as ferry-based holiday, or as fly-drive from Glasgow, with one way car hire on the islands.
Often described as the last wilderness in Scotland, the Knoydart peninsula has an island feel about it, isolated from the rest of the Western Highlands by the ‘rough bounds’. Enjoy the unparalleled wilderness experience of the rough bounds and experience the wildlife which lives there.
The Whole Hadrian's Wall Path from Mickledore Walking Holidays is an excellent holiday to explore the English countryside. The trail follows the Roman remains of Hadrian's Wall from coast to coast across the country.
Available from 1 Mar 2016 to 31 Oct 2016 this 7 day trip costs from £498
Cycling from London to Paris is one of the great cycle experiences in Europe.
A self-guided hike from the Cathedral city of Exeter, down to maritime Dartmouth, taking in the Teign Gorge, Chagford, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, infamous Dartmoor itself, the River Dart, Dartington Hall and Totnes.
Coverdale, Wensleydale & Swaledale
From the domineering ruins of Middleham Castle to the elegant streets of Richmond via three of Yorkshire's finest and most photogenic dales.
The Orkneys have been inhabited for over 8,000 years and contain some of oldest and best-preserved Neolithic sites in Europe. Daily walks in inspiring coastal scenery complement the historical content of this tour. During our week’s stay on the Mainland, we visit 7 other islands, some by road, using causeways, others by short ferry crossings.
This tour offers amazing opportunity to enjoy sights not normally seen by the average rail passenger. A chance to “access all areas” at many of the railways of North Wales from miniature to standard gauge. We ride on footplates and learn about the history of these fascinating railways.
