Tour Route: Edinburgh – Stirling Castle – Edinburgh (1) – Hadrian's Wall - Hexham (1) – York (2) – Peak District / Lincoln (1) – Cambridge (1) – London

• 6 nights in traditional accommodation with private facilities
• Driver/Guide companion
• Transportation by 16-seat mini-coach
• Full Scottish / English cooked breakfast daily
• 3 x three-course evening meals
• Entrance fees to Stirling Castle | Edinburgh Castle | Jedburgh Abbey | Barnard Castle | York Castle Museum | Richmond Castle | Lincoln Castle | Lincoln Cathedral | York Castle Museum | Cambridge City Tour | Roman Museum, St Albans

Day 1    Edinburgh
Our first day sees us make the journey from Edinburgh to where the Highlands meet the Lowlands with our visit to the imposing Castle at Stirling. Following our fascinating visit to Stirling we’ll return to Edinburgh for a driving orientation tour of the capital followed by some ‘independence’ to explore this marvellously historic and cultured city. If visiting during December, Edinburgh also warmly embraces the Christmas spirit with bright lights, festive things to do for all ages and some seriously great shopping! (B/D)

Day 2   Hexham
This morning our journey takes us into the south of Scotland as we head to the strategically significant Border Country. Stepping back in time we visit the huge ruins of the Augustinian abbey at Jedburgh. Also included on today’s itinerary is a visit to Queen Mary’s 15^th century fortified home. As we cross over into England we stop at the Roman Empire’s northernmost frontier, Emperor Hadrian’s famous wall. Finally, and after a busy day of exploration, we make the short drive to our accommodation for the evening in the picturesque town of Hexham. (B)

Day 3 York
The North-East has some of Britain’s most dramatic landscape, and we journey alongside the Pennine Hills and through the Yorkshire Dales, resting for a while at local gems such as Barnard Castle. We enjoy a wilderness drive to the lovely historic town of Richmond, one of the nicest towns in England featuring a castle and one of England’s oldest domestic buildings, Scollards Hall. More stunning landscape will pass us by as we travel to the medieval city of York. A startling destination any time of year, York is renowned for its exquisite architecture, tangle of quaint cobbled streets and the iconic York Minster. During the Christmas period, the city is host to the largest Christmas Markets in the region, where you may snack on roasted chestnuts, browse through the traditional stalls for unique gifts and be entertained by local carol singers. (B/D)

Day 4    York
Get your cameras ready as we take a deeper exploration into this elegant city. York is home to one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in the world, and is a must see for anyone visiting this area. Your guide will take you through the Old City and point out the highlights of the city, including the city walls, York Castle Museum, The National Rail Museum, The Yorvik (Viking) Centre, Clifford’s Tower and the collection of restored Guild Halls and houses, which you may later explore at your leisure. (B)

Day 5   Lincoln
Leaving York, we head south to the magnificent and very rewarding city of Lincoln. Enroute, we’ll travel through the wild pastures of the Lincolnshire Wolds, an area of outstanding beauty, as we explore this lesser known part of the country. We visit Gainsborough Old Hall, one of Britain’s best preserved medieval manorial homes, which has little altered since its completion in 1480.  Our ultimate destination for today is Lincoln, characterised by its soaring Norman cathedral, Roman ruins, Viking artifacts, and cobbled Tudor streets. (B/D)

Day 6    Cambridge
We continue our journey through prime agricultural land to Cambridgeshire, a charming region best known for its rolling countryside, quaint villages, cathedral cities and myriad of waterways. Enveloped in an atmosphere of learning, you can wander the streets of this attractive destination to experience the buzz of student life as you take in the historic courts and yards of its famous colleges. (B)

Day 7 Arrive London
Sadly our final day and, while although only a short drive back to London, we still take care to travel along the back-roads and experience more of the British countryside and local village charm. There will be an opportunity to visit the Verulamium Museum in St Albans and gain some fascinating insights into Roman Britain, before returning to the London departure point. (B)