Day 1 – Arrive Bath
Arrive in Bath, an elegant city full of traditional heritage, contemporary culture, and green spaces. Your guide will meet you in the afternoon at your unique hotel, nestled within a quiet residential neighbourhood a stones throw from the city centre.
Enjoy a relaxed evening ahead of a day of adventure tomorrow.
Overnight Accommodation: The Bird Hotel, Bath (D)
Day 2 – Bath
Explore the life of Bath’s most famous resident, Jane Austen. In 2025, celebrate 250 years since this remarkable author came into the world, experience The Jane Austen Centre, giving you a snapshot of life during Regency times, and learn how living in this magnificent city affected Jane Austen and her writing.
In the afternoon, join a local guide to enjoy a walking tour, visiting key sites in the city, including Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent. Dear Gentle Readers, there will be a touch of Bridgerton sprinkled throughout as some of this exquisite series was filmed here as well.
This evening, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner at a favourite Bath establishment.
Overnight Accommodation: The Bird Hotel (B / D)
Day 3 – Bath
Enjoy a lighter breakfast this morning at your hotel, as later on this morning we’ll visit The Pump Room for a Bucks Fizz Brunch ahead of entering the Roman Baths to explore one of the world’s oldest religious spas, bear witness to the Sacred Spring, discover the Roman Temple and marvel at the Roman Baths as you wander through centuries of history.
Then some gorgeous free time this afternoon to explore the beautiful boutiques or perhaps some more cultural exploration before dinner at your hotel.
Tomorrow we head to the beauty and serenity of the Cotswolds.
Overnight Accommodation: The Bird Hotel (B / Brunch / D)
Day 4 – The Costwolds
After breakfast, we’ll check out of our hotel and travel along the spine of the Cotswold to Highgrove Estate, one of King Charles II private residences. Here we’ll embark on a private tour of the estate and gardens, a place of peace and tranquility where The King’s passion and imagination have been etched onto the Cotswold landscape. From the magnificent Wildflower Meadow to the enchanting setting of the Arboretum, the gardens embody His Majesty’s gardening ideals and organic principles.
Afterwards, we’ll have lunch in the nearby Cotswold town of Tetbury, enjoying some time to wander around the high street before transferring to our accommodation in Burford.
Overnight Accommodation: The Bay Tree, Burford (or similar), (B / L, D)
Day 5 – The Cotswolds, Hiking
In the morning, after breakfast we’ll transfer to Stow-on-the-Wold and enjoy a classic Cotswolds hike along the Monarch’s Way, linking the charming villages of Stow-on-the-Wold, the Slaughters (much nicer than its name suggests!) and Bourton-on-the-Water (known as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’). We’ll enjoy a packed lunch supplied by a local deli before taking some time to walk around this idyllic village and its prized, beautiful river along with its 5 stone bridges that date back to 1654.
Early afternoon we will transfer to Sudeley Castle to take a guided tour of the beautiful gardens and grounds whilst learning about its royal connections spanning a thousand years. If you’re a fan of the Tudor period you will love this!
A short transfer 30-minute transfer takes us back to our hotel for the evening.
*Walk Details: 6 km / 4 miles | 12 m / 38 ft elevation gain; approximately 2 hrs
Overnight Accommodation: The Bay Tree, Burford, (B / L / D)
Day 6 – Chedworth, Bibury, Burford
A short transfer takes us to Chedworth, one of the grandest Roman villas of its time. After exploring the beautiful ruins, we’ll enjoy a relaxed hike, following the banks of the River Coln to the charming village of Bibury, passing through woodland and through small villages on the way. In Bibury, you can explore Arlington Row, often said to be the prettiest street in England. This row of weavers’ cottages was created in the 17th century, but the original buildings date back to around 1380. A short transfer returns us to Burford.
Overnight Accommodation: The Bay Tree, Burford, (B / L / D)
Day 7 – Lakes District
Today we transfer north to the Lake District National Park. The transfer time is almost 5 hours, so there is no time for a lot else. We’ll stop roughly halfway at Trentham Estate, this is both a great opportunity to stretch your legs and also time for you to have lunch in one of the many options that are close by. Once we have arrived and settled into our Lake District hotel, we’ll take an optional light hike to the top of nearby Latrigg, with beautiful views down the valley of Borrowdale.
We then head to the hotel to check in and enjoy dinner.
*Walk Details: 2 km / 2 miles | 87 m / 285 ft elevation gain | Approx: 1 hr
Overnight Accommodation: The Inn on the Square, Keswick (B / D)
Day 8 – Grasmere, Lake District Hike
After breakfast, we transfer to Grasmere, visit the home of William Wordsworth for a tour of his cottage, and amble around the pretty little village before visiting the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop to learn about the history of this local delicacy and, of course, sample the goods!
Afterwards, we’ll pick up a packed lunch and set out on our first of our Lake District hikes to a nearby mountain tarn, passing waterfalls and natural infinity pools—a great opportunity to dip a toe. We’ll transfer back to our hotel to debrief and relax before dinner.
*Walk Details: 8 km / 5 miles | 261 m / 855 ft elevation gain | Approx: 3 hrs
Overnight Accommodation: The Inn on the Sqauare, Keswick (B / L / D)
Day 9 – Windemere, Keswick
After hiking yesterday, it is an easier day today. We’ll drive down the spine of the Lake District along the winding country roads to Windermere for a private session with a local Vinyasa Yoga instructor at the fascinating waterfront location of Windermere Jetty Museum. You’ll enjoy an hour of practicing a popular and dynamic style of yoga that emphasizes fluid movement and breath synchronization while stretching out those tight muscles.
Afterwards, enjoy a refreshment in the Jetty Museum’s Café before boarding a launch (boat) that will take you north on Lake Windermere to the Waterhead Jetty. You’ll have some free time to explore the bustling town of Ambleside in the heart of the Lake District before transferring to Lingholm Kitchen to enjoy the quintessentially British tradition of afternoon tea, overlooking the garden that Beatrix Potter credited as her inspiration for Mr. McGregor’s garden in The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Dinner is at leisure tonight to enjoy the wonderful little town of Keswick at your own pace.
Overnight Accommodation: The Inn on the Square, Keswick (B / Afternoon Tea)
Day 10 – Edingburgh
Today we transfer north to Edinburgh (about 3.5 hours). However, before we leave the Lake District, we’ll make a stop at Aira Force on the shores of Ullswater. Quiet glades give way to dramatic waterfalls. We’ll visit a thundering waterfall that drops 65 feet past ferns and rocks. Made even more picturesque by the small stone bridge at the bottom. There are so many woodland trails to discover in this landscape of contrasts. Afterwards, we’ll head north to Edinburgh, a journey of around 3 hours through the winding Scottish countryside.
Once we have arrived, we’ll settle into our hotel in a beautiful part of the New Town district. Choose to dine in at this beautiful hotel or walk to the Old Town (only 10 minutes away) and explore what’s on offer!
Overnight Accommodation: The Bonham, Edinburgh (B / L)
Day 11 – Edinburgh
After breakfast, it’s time to explore!
A day exploring Edinburgh, including the famous Old Town district, which has UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Enjoy a morning with a fascinating local guide, who will show you the city through their own personal insight, past, present, and future. You’ll finish with a tasting of the national dish of Scotland, the Haggis.
Take the afternoon to continue your exploration on your own, as Edinburgh has much to offer. The history is incredible, and Edinburgh Castle is just the tip of the iceberg. Museums are free here, and of course, for those who love modern royal history, Britannia, the retired favourite yacht of Queen Elizabeth II is moored here.
Overnight Accommodation: The Bonham (B / L)
Day 12 – The Highlands
This morning we transfer north to Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands (3 hours). After lunch, we visit a small croft run by two remarkable ladies dedicated to small-scale farming.
Afterwards, we’ll continue to the attractive village of Aberlour and check into our hotel. There should be time for a short walk in the village, perhaps along the banks of the River Spey, or up to a waterfall that is close to the hotel, before dinner.
Overnight Accommodation: Dowans Hotel, Aberlour (B / L / D)
Day 13 – Hiking & Whiskey Tasting
We’ll transfer 30 minutes north to Findhorn, where we will enjoy a relaxing coastal hike along a scenic stage of the Moray Coastal Trail.
In the afternoon, we’ll take a trip to a local distillery, where we will learn about the local whiskeys and enjoy a whiskey tasting experience.
Overnight Accommodation: Dowans Hotel (B / L / D)
Day 14 – Ben Rinnes & Ghillie Basan
A fabulous day to finish the trip! In the morning, we hike up a ‘local’s favourite’ peak called Ben Rinnes. The 4-hour hike takes us to its summit, 840 m above sea level, for wonderful views across Moray and the Cairngorms.
Afterwards, we visit Ghillie Basan, a remarkable chef/writer who has lived off-grid for most of her adult life. Here, we’ll learn about her philosophy towards food and life and enjoy a wonderful final night banquet, complete with whisky tasting.
*Walk Details: 8 km / 5 miles | 549 m / 1,800 ft elevation gain | Approx: 4 hrs
Overnight Accommodation: Dowans Hotel (B / L / D)
Day 15 – Farewell
Sadly, all good things must come to an end.
A 90-minute transfer takes us to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness. We’ll have a little bit of time to wander around the high street before we say our farewells as the trip comes to a close around lunchtime.
Included is a group transfer to the railway station and then Inverness Airport, depending on your choice of departure transport. (B)