12-Day England & Scotland Itinerary – Cornwall, Cotswolds, Highlands & London River Cruise

Arrive at the airport where you’ll be greeted and transferred to your 3★ or 4★ London hotel. After check-in, the evening is yours to explore at leisure.

Discover the best of London on a full city tour. Visit Westminster Abbey, the magnificent Gothic church famous for royal coronations. Admire Buckingham Palace and, if timing allows, watch the Changing of the Guard. Explore the historic Tower of London, home of the Crown Jewels, before riding the London Eye for panoramic views of the capital’s skyline.

Set out southwest on a scenic drive through the English countryside to Cornwall. Upon arrival, enjoy free time in Historic Tintagel Town, where you can walk to the Tintagel Castle viewpoint and take in the rugged coastal scenery steeped in King Arthur legend. Continue to St Ives for your overnight stay in this charming seaside town.

Explore the natural beauty of Cornwall’s coast. Begin at St Nectan’s Glen Waterfall, a magical woodland setting. Visit the Minack Theatre, an open-air venue carved dramatically into the cliffs, then take in the sweeping vistas from Land’s End, the westernmost point of England. End the day with a leisurely stroll along St Ives Beach before another overnight stay in Cornwall.

Depart Cornwall and travel to Bath, one of England’s most elegant cities. Visit the Roman Baths, a remarkably preserved ancient bathing complex, and marvel at the soaring Bath Abbey nearby. The city’s honey-colored Georgian architecture and charming streets make it a delight to explore.

Leave Bath in the morning for Stonehenge, the mysterious prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain. After exploring the site, drive to Oxford for an afternoon walking tour of its prestigious university colleges and cobblestone streets. Spend the night in Oxford or a nearby Cotswolds village, enjoying a quieter countryside atmosphere.

Drive through the Cotswolds, passing through picturesque Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water, often called “the Venice of the Cotswolds.” Visit Stratford-upon-Avon to see Shakespeare’s Birthplace and learn about the Bard’s early life. Continue north to York for your overnight stay.

Explore York’s medieval heritage. Admire York Minster’s Gothic grandeur, wander The Shambles’ timber-framed shops, and step back to Viking times at the Jorvik Viking Centre. Stay overnight in York.

Travel to the Lake District National Park. Take a Windermere lake cruise surrounded by mountains and quaint villages, and visit Beatrix Potter sites before crossing into Scotland. Arrive in Edinburgh for your overnight stay.

Start with Edinburgh’s highlights: explore Edinburgh Castle, tour Holyrood Palace, and stroll the Royal Mile. In the afternoon, journey into the Highlands to see Glencoe’s dramatic valleys, Fort Augustus, and the legendary Loch Ness before returning to Edinburgh.

Travel back to London through picturesque landscapes. In the evening, enjoy a Thames Sightseeing Cruise past Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, and the illuminated London Eye—an unforgettable farewell to your UK adventure.

Check out of your hotel and enjoy free time for shopping on Oxford Street or revisiting a favorite London landmark. Later, transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule, bringing your UK journey to a close.