Compare A Walking Exploration of England’s Ancient Footpaths by Road Scholar vs Grand Tour of Scotland, England & Wales by Tours of Distinction
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 14 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 4,999 | $ 4,300 |
| Price Per Day | $ 357 | $ 430 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities | N/A |
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| Meals Included |
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Low Fat, Low Salt, Gluten Free |
8 Breakfasts | 5 Dinners |
| Description | Walking the verdant fields, forests and foothills of England is a tradition as ancient as the paths themselves. Come walk through history on this quintessentially English adventure. |
Scotland evokes images of bagpipes, the Loch Ness Monster, Edinburg’s vennels and wynds of Old Town, Glasgow’s Victorian grandeur, and the rugged beauty of the Highlands. Mystical Wales beckons with the breathtaking beauty of Snowdonia, walled cities, and Medieval Castles. More than 900 years of history awaits you at Windsor Castle, Her Majesty, The Queen’s favorite residence. An experience of a lifetime that is easy, inclusive and affordable awaits you on this guided tour of the United Kingdom. |
Day 1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
Day 2
Arrive, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location: Salisbury. Meal:Dinner Hotel:Red Lion Hotel
Activity Note: Hotel check-in 3:00 p.m.
Lunch: Excluded.
Afternoon: Orientation at 5:30 p.m.: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner: In the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Day 3
Salisbury Cathedral, Old Sarum
Location: Salisbury. Meal:B,L,D Hotel:Red Lion Hotel
Activity note: 3 mile hike, 4 miles total walking. Negligible ascent.
Breakfast: Full English and continental breakfast in the hotel. Your choice of eggs, bacon, sausages, tomato, baked beans, mushrooms, cereals, toast, yoghurt, pastries, juice, tea and coffee.
Morning: We’ll begin the day with a walking exploration of Salisbury and the Cathedral with a local expert. Salisbury Cathedral is one of the finest medieval buildings in Europe and after the tower of Lincoln Cathedral burned down in the 14th century, it held the distinction of being the tallest building in Britain until the last century. It holds one of the original copies of Magna Carta. We’ll then return to our hotel for lunch.
Lunch: Taken at the hotel.
Afternoon: A walk out to Old Sarum Castle and back 3 miles Site visit at Old Sarum, with castle guide. Old Sarum Castle was a Bronze Age and Iron Age hillfort, utilised by the Romans and then subsequently the seat of the Earls of Wessex and the site of the original Salisbury Cathedral. After the Norman Conquest Old Sarum became a significant Norman ‘keep’ with great symbolic significance (it was the castle of the defeated Harold). It was the site of the unveiling of the Domesday Book (another piece of Norman symbolism and propaganda). Interesting myths and legends are attached to Old Sarum. Historical periods covered: Iron Age, Bronze Age, the Romans, the Anglo Saxon and Medieval.
Dinner: In the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Day 4
Maiden Castle, Stratton to Cerne Abbas
Location: Salisbury. Meal:B,L, Hotel:Red Lion Hotel
Activity note: 5 mile hike, 6.5 miles total walking. Grassy terrain. Height gained 400 feet. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 45 miles to Maiden Castle, approximately 1.5 hours; about 10 miles to Cerne Abbas, approximately 1/2 hour; about 2 miles to Upcerne, approximately 1/4 hour; about 45 miles to Salisbury, approximately 1.5 hours.
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: We’ll travel by motorcoach to Maiden Castle near Dorchester, for a walk around the grassy ramparts of this huge Bronze Age hillfort (1.5 miles) with a local expert. Maiden Castle is Britain’s largest ancient hillfort, impressive enough on its own, but has a deeper tale to tell. Within the safety of its earth banks and palisades was a town (huge by the standards of the day). We’ll investigate the surprising reasons for the collapse of this community and the subsequent Iron Age and Roman occupations of the site. We’ll then take the motorcoach to the medieval village of Cerne Abbas, famous for its distinctive hill carving.
Lunch: Taken at the Giant Inn, Cerne Abbas.
Afternoon: We’ll take the motorcoach to the small hamlet of Upcerne, with a short detour to allow a view of Cerne Abbas’ cheeky hill carving. From Upcerne we’ll begin our walk to Stratton, 5 miles. This is a gently undulating walk along a broad grassy ridge with far-reaching views across the rolling green hills of Dorset, before a steady descent through the banks and ditches of an Iron Age hillfort. With plenty of visible history in the landscape we will learn about varying land use through the ages. The grassland here has never been subjected to agro-chemicals, so the flora is outstanding. Once we reach Stratton, we’ll return to the hotel in Salisbury by motorcoach. Historical periods covered: Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman, Medieval. Other learning: flora, fauna, ecology, landscape protection.
Dinner: Excluded so that you can experience some of the city's pubs, restaurants and cafes.
Evening: At leisure.
Day 5
Avebury UNESCO World Heritage Site
Location: Salisbury. Meal:B,L,D Hotel:Red Lion Hotel
Activity note: 4.5 miles total walking. Height gained 300 feet. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 35 miles to Avebury, approximately 1.5 hours; about 35 miles to Salisbury, approximately 1.5 hours.
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Motorcoach from Salisbury to Knapp Hill (40 minutes) A walk from Knapp Hill to Avebury 5.7 miles. We walk from Knapp Hill car park in the lovely Vale of Pewsey , over ‘Adam’s Grave’ (a green hill with great views and Bronze Age burial mounds) to reach the Wansdyke (a forty mile long earthwork). From the Wansdyke our walk takes us to the magnificent Neolithic chambered tomb of West Kennett Long Barrow. From the barrow we cross the A4 (originally a Roman road) to reach the ancient and mysterious Silbury Hill. From Silbury it is a short step to reach the famous Avebury Stone Circle.
Lunch: Packed lunch.
Afternoon: The afternoon will be spent further exploring the Avebury World Heritage Site with a local archaeologist. In addition to the stones themselves there is an excellent interpretive centre, a museum of archaeology and, from a more recent period, a medieval manor house and church. The oldest remains around Avebury date back to 11,500 BC, so this is truly a walk through an ancient landscape. Elective: Those in need of more walking may join our group leader for an afternoon walk up nearby Windmill Hill, a hill which gave its name to an entire civilisation (the Windmill Hill People). We’ll then return to the hotel in Salisbury by motorcoach. Historical periods covered: Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Medieval. Other learning: flora, fauna, protecting our visible history.Dinner: In the hotel.
Dinner: In the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Day 6
Woodhenge to Stonehenge, Winchester Cathedral
Location: Salisbury. Meal:B Hotel:Red Lion Hotel
Activity note: 3 miles total walking. Height gained 300 feet. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles to Woodhenge, approximately 3/4 hour; about 18 miles to Devizes, approximately 3/4 hour; about 25 miles to Salisbury, approximately 1 hour.
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Motor coach to Woodhenge near Durrington (20 minutes) Walk from Woodhenge to Stonehenge 3 miles Our walk takes us from the site of Woodhenge , through Durrington Walls (earthworks of Neolithic settlement) and across the rolling green landscape to ‘The Avenue’, the processional route for Bronze Age pilgrims approaching Stonehenge. Durrington Walls was a substantial Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement which has been extensively researched by archaeologists in recent years.
Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like at Stonehenge.
Afternoon: Motor coach to Winchester (45 minutes). Visit Winchester Cathedral (Guided Tour). Free time around Winchester and the Cathedral precincts. Winchester is one of the former capitals of Anglo-Saxon Wessex and has strong associations with King Alfred the Great. The Cathedral houses the graves of a number of Anglo-Saxon and early Norman kings and other historically significant figures, plus the remains of St Swithun. By complete contrast the crypt houses an Antony Gormley sculpture. The influence of the Bishop of Winchester during medieval times cannot be overstressed; the London boroughs south of the Thames, such as Southwark, belonged to the Bishops of Winchester (as did most of the inns and bawdy houses!). Historical periods covered: Neolithic, Bronze Age, Dark Ages, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like in Salisbury.
Evening: At leisure.
Day 7
Ridgeway National Trail, Iron Age Uffington Castle
Location: Salisbury. Meal:B,L Hotel:Red Lion Hotel
Activity note: 6 mile hike. Height gained 600 feet. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 45 miles to Idstone, approximately 1.5 hours; about 45 miles to Salisbury, approximately 1.5 hours.
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Motor coach to Idstone in Oxfordshire (I hour 15 minutes). Walk from Idstone to Kingston Lisle along the Ridgeway National Trail 6 miles. Idstone is an attractive village nestling in the folds of the Oxfordshire Downs. Our walk takes us along the Great Ridgeway, the oldest route in continuous use in Europe. The ridge crest along the chalk downs of southern England provided a safe dry route with good visibility for travellers and traders from the Stone Age onwards. This is a walk through the earliest settled landscape in Britain. Iconic prehistoric sites abound on this walk (such as Wayland’s Smithy, the Uffington White Horse, Dragon Hill). The walk finishes near the Blowing Stone , a holed stone with which King Alfred reputedly summoned the local populus to fight and defeat the Danes at the Battle of Ashdown. Historical periods covered: Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval
Lunch: We will eat our packed lunch on the grassy ramparts of Iron Age Uffington Castle, looking down on Dragon Hill (where, legend has it, St George slew the dragon).
Afternoon: We’ll return by motorcoach to Salisbury for some free time. This block of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner: Excluded in Salisbury.
Evening: At leisure.
Day 8
Glastonbury Abbey, Wells Cathedral
Location:Bath. Meal:B,D Hotel:Francis Hotel Bath
Activity note: 400 foot ascent & descent. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 55 miles to Glastonbury, approximately 1.5 hours; about 7 miles to Wells, approximately 1/2 hour; about 21 miles to Bath, approximately 1 hour.
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Transfer day. Motor coach transfer to the Francis Hotel in Bath with field trips to Glastonbury Abbey and Wells enroute. We visit the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, one of the cradles of early Christianity (why is it a ruin? The Abbott defied Henry VIII). There is time to explore the town and the option of walking to the summit of Glastonbury Tor, a 400 feet climb rewarded with a stunning all round view over the ancient county of Somerset. The earliest Christian settlement at Glastonbury was established by Joseph of Arimathea (the uncle of Jesus Christ) early AD. At the time Britain was a Roman colony and the Roman Empire had not yet converted to Christianity. Before the Somerset Levels were drained by the monasteries (in order to increase grazing land), Glastonbury was one of a number of islands in a wetland. Glastonbury was the Isle of Avalon (an actual place, not a myth). It was on neighbouring Athelney that Alfred the Great famously’ burned the cakes’ whilst disguised as a beggar in an attempt to escape the Danes.
Lunch: Excluded in Glastonbury.
Afternoon: Our transfer by motorcoach to Bath continues, with our next stop en route at the tiny ‘city’ of Wells. Wells has a stunningly beautiful cathedral and a medieval Bishop’s Palace, surrounded by a moat (where the swans ring a bell to be fed!). Wells Cathedral was built with the purpose of luring the Bishop of Bath and Wells away from Bath Abbey. This was achieved by building a palace that no Bishop could possibly refuse! Historical periods covered: Romano-British, Late Antiquity, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval. We’ll continue by motorcoach to Bath and check in to our hotel in the late afternoon.
Dinner: Hotel plated meal.
Evening: At leisure.
Day 9
Roman Bath, Bath Abbey
Location:Bath. Meal:B, Hotel:Francis Hotel Bath
Activity note: 2 mile walk in town, some cobblestones.
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: We’ll walk from our hotel to the Roman Baths that give the city its modern name, where we’ll enjoy an expert-led visit. In Roman times Bath was known as Aquae Sulis, Sulis being a native deity syncretically identified with the Roman goddess Minerva. The hot springs here were dedicated to this goddess before the Roman occupation, and Roman authorities encouraged this worship. The baths complex that grew around the springs has provided a wealth of insight into Romano-British life and language, in the form of a collection of inscribed curse tablets that were cast into the sacred spring by people seeking divine justice for everyday thefts and slights.
Lunch: Excluded so that you can discover some of the many eateries in central Bath.
Lunch: On your own to choose from the plentiful eateries in central Bath.
Afternoon: We’ll explore Bath Abbey and central Bath with a local expert, followed by free time for further independent exploration.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening: At leisure.
Day 10
Wessex Ridgeway
Location:Bath. Meal:B,L,D Hotel:Francis Hotel Bath
Activity note: 6.5 mile hike. Height gained 500 feet. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 21 miles to Sack Hill, approximately 3/4 hour; about 24 miles to Bath, approximately 1 hour.
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: We’ll begin our field trip by travelling on the motorcoach to Sack Hill near Warminster. From Sack Hill we’ll walk to Knook along the Wessex Ridgeway. Our walk takes us across the Iron Age hill forts of Battlesbury and Scratchbury, and past the Bronze Age burial mounds on Middle Hill and the Neolithic flint quarry and Bronze Age mounds on Cotley Hill, walking on flower meadows all the way.
Lunch: Taken in the historic Angel Inn, Heytesbury.
Afternoon: We’ll continue our walk along the banks of the idyllic River Wylye to the medieval village of Knook, where we’ll meet our motorcoach for the journey back to Bath. Historic periods covered: Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval.
Dinner: Hotel plated meal.
Evening: At leisure.
Day 11
Cotswold Way National Trail
Location:Bath. Meal:B,L, Hotel:Francis Hotel Bath
Activity note: 5 mile hike. Height gained 500 feet. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 26 miles to Nympsfield, approximately 1 hour; about 16 miles to Cirencester, approximately 3/4 hour; about 37 miles to Bath, approximately 1.5 hours.
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: We’ll take the motorcoach to Nympsfield near Stroud in the southern Cotswolds, where we’ll begin our walk to the village of Uley. Our walk takes us from Nympsfield Long Barrow to Coaley Peak Long Barrow, and then follows the Cotswold Way National Trail past the ancient monument of Hetty Pegler’s Tump before reaching the Iron Age hill fort of Uley Bury.
Lunch: We’ll enjoy a pub lunch at the Old Crown in Uley.
Afternoon: We’ll board the motorcoach and travel to Cirencester, where we’ll enjoy an expert-led visit to the award-winning Corinium Museum. We’ll then return by motorcoach to Bath. Historic periods covered: Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening: At leisure.
Day 12
Castle Combe, Cotswold Way to Bath
Location:Bath. Meal:B,L,D Hotel:Francis Hotel Bath
Activity note: 6 mile hike. Height gained 600 feet. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 15 miles to Castle Combe, approximately 3/4 hour; about 12 miles to Lansdown, approximately 1/2 hour.
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: We’ll travel by motorcoach to Castle Combe, where we’ll have some free time for independent exploration of this attractive village, thought by many to be England’s prettiest. Much of the village is medieval, including the old market cross.
Lunch: A traditional English Sunday roast at the Castle Inn, Castle Combe.
Afternoon: We’ll take the motorcoach to Lansdown (scene of a famous battle during the English Civil War). From Lansdown we follow the Cotswold Way National Trail along the escarpment, passing the Bronze Age remains at Kelston Round Hill and Penlea Hill. From Penlea Hill the path descends gradually to Bath through Royal Victoria Park, a great walk to round off our adventure. Historic periods covered: Medieval, Bronze Age, Anglo-Saxon, Iron Age, Early Modern.
Dinner: In the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Day 13
Dyrham Park
Location:London Heathrow Airport Meal:B,D Hotel:Radisson Blu Edwardian Heathrow Hotel
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 8 miles to Dyrham Park, approximately 1/2 hour; about 95 miles to Heathrow, approximately 2 hours. Cobbled courtyard, gravel paths and grassy terrain at Dyrham Park.
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: We’ll begin our transfer to Heathrow by motorcoach with a leisurely start to the day at Dyrham Park, the 270-acre grounds of a 17th-century baroque mansion, which feature an ancient deer park and landscaped gardens.
Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like at Dyrham. There is a tea room for light lunches and snacks.
Afternoon: After some more time for exploration at Dyrham Park, we’ll continue our transfer to the hotel at Heathrow in the mid-afternoon. Upon arrival at the hotel we’ll check in and have some time to relax before dinner.
Dinner: In the hotel, enjoy our farewell dinner and share your favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check out and departure in the morning.
Day 14
Program Concludes
Location:In Flight Meal:B
Breakfast: In the hotel.
Morning: Transfer by hotel shuttle bus to Heathrow terminals. Your group leader will give you the fare for the shuttle.
Day 1 - Depart for Glasgow, Scotland
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Glasgow, Scotland.
Day 2 - Arrive Glasgow - Pitlochry
Following arrival in Glasgow Airport, you will be met by your Local Irish Guide and escorted to your awaiting motor-coach. This morning, you will enjoy a tour of Glasgow City, often described as Britain’s finest Victorian City. In 1999, its architecture won it the accolade of ‘UK City of Architecture and Design’. Your city tour will also include a visit to Glasgow Cathedral, one of the most ancient and historic sites in the city. This afternoon, you will travel to Pitlochry known as the Gateway to the Highlands, where you will check into the beautiful Athol Palace Hotel for a two-night stay. This evening, you will enjoy dinner in your hotel. (D)
Day 3 - Scottish Highlands
Today, you head north to the Scottish Highlands. You travel through the breath-taking Cairngorms National Park to Culloden where the last major battle in Britain was fought on April 16th, 1746. This morning, you can relive the drama with a visit to Culloden Visitor Centre. You continue to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, where you will have some free time for lunch. This afternoon, you will enjoy a guided cruise on Loch Ness, hear the historic intriguing tales surrounding a mysterious monster, and see the spectacular ruins of Urquhart Castle. From here, you return to Athol Palace and enjoy another delicious dinner. (B & D)
Day 4 - Blair Athol Distillery – St. Andrews – Edinburgh
After breakfast and before departing Pitlochry, you will visit the Blair Athol Distillery and enjoy a guided tour followed by a wee dram before departing. You continue to Dundee before crossing the Tay Bridge to St. Andrews. Not only is St. Andrews famed as the home of golf, it is also an ancient ecclesiastical capital and Scotland’s oldest university. You continue south traveling over the Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh City for a two-night stay. (B)
Day 5 - Edinburgh
This morning, a tour of Edinburgh City awaits you. You will travel down Princess Street and the historic Royal Mile before visiting the Palace of Holyrood House - the official Scottish residence of her Majesty the Queen. Hear the tales of some truly intriguing characters - the Bodysnatchers, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Greyfriars Bobby. You will visit the majestic Edinburgh Castle and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city from the castle ramparts.
This evening, you will enjoy the Spirit of Scotland Show at the Jam House. This will be a traditional Scottish evening of song and dance accompanied by a great selection of quality Scottish food. (B & D)
Day 6 - English Lakes District – Caernarfon, Wales
This morning, you depart Edinburgh and travel south to the romantic town of Gretna Green for your first stop. You will have an opportunity to visit the Famous Blacksmiths Shop with over 260 years of history and heritage before departing. Your tour continues through England’s scenic Lake District, associated with the poet, William Wordsworth and children’s author, Beatrix Potter. You continue to Conwy where you will visit Conwy Castle regarded as one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe. From here, you travel to Caernarfon for a two-night stay. (B & D)
Day 7 - Snowdon Mountain Railway – National Slate Museum – Caernarfon Castle
Today, we travel a short distance to Llanberis and board Snowdon Mountain Railway. This Victorian railway climbs 1085m to the Summit of Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales, where one of the world’s greatest panoramas awaits. From the visitor center, you will get some spectacular views of the valleys below, and on a clear day you can see Ireland in the distance. Following this adventure, you travel to the National Slate Museum and learn the story of the Welsh slate industry. On returning to Caernarfon, you will visit Caernarfon Castle, one of the most impressive castles in Wales. The remainder of the evening is free. (B)
Day 8 - Windsor Castle – London, England
This morning, you depart Caernarfon and head south traveling by the foothills of Cotswold’s mountains before arriving in Windsor. Here, you will visit the impressive Windsor Castle, one of the Queen’s official residences. You will see the State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel where Prince Harry and Megan Markle were married. Following your visit, you travel to London City for a two-night stay. (B & D)
Day 9 - London
After breakfast, embark on a panoramic tour of the city. You will see many famous landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Following your tour, the remainder of the afternoon is free to explore this wonderful city on your own. (B)
Day 10 - Depart London
Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to London Heathrow Airport for check-in for our flight home. On arrival back in the USA, transfer home. (B)
