UK and Great Britain Small Group Tours
Britain and Ireland's UNESCO sites spread from English cities through Scottish Highlands to Irish countryside, ideal to explore in a small group. Visit London's glittering main sights, Edinburgh's Old Town, Lake District peaks, and Irish coastal villages. England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland - these small countries pack centuries of castles, cathedrals, and countryside into territories where history stacks on top of itself.
10 best UK And Great Britain small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaUK and Great Britain travel expert at TourRadar
- Best of England, Wales and Scotland
- 2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)
- Wild Atlantic Way | Ireland
- Spirit of Outlander - 16 Day Tour
- Wild Grande - Multi Day - Small Group Tour of Ireland
- 8-Day Emerald Explorer Small Group Tour
- 6-Day Magical Southern Explorer Small Group Tour
- Hosted 10-Day Ultimate Ireland Small Group Tour
- 8-Day Luxury Ireland Escape - Small Group Tour
- Road Trip Around Ireland
Best of England, Wales and Scotland
“The itinerary was great. I loved everything about the tour.”
Marjolaine, traveled in June
Private Dr Who-themed walks in Cardiff and exclusive whisky tastings on Skye highlight this British adventure. The intimate group size creates perfect conditions for shared meals in historic pubs and Snowdonia trail exploration.
Duration 19 days Destinations England, Wales, Scotland Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Intrepid Travel From
- US$9,595
Sixteen passengers visit Great Britain's iconic Outlander locations. Close-up experiences at Midhope Castle and Culloden Battlefield come with personal attention from Highland Experience guides, rated 4.5/5.
Duration 2 days Destinations Edinburgh, Doune, Glencoe, Loch Ness, Inverness, Culloden, Falkland, Culross Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Highland Experience Tours From
- US$304
Wild Atlantic Way | Ireland
“Very well organised, all accommodation booked for you. Excellent communication would use again.”
Martin, traveled in October
Small groups averaging 3 travelers, with all-couple bookings, create perfect conditions for exploring Gaeltacht regions. Spontaneous stops at local treasures like Studio Donegal and Fanad lighthouse enhance the journey. Average traveler age 62, with 4.4/5 operator satisfaction.
Duration 10 days Destinations Dublin, Enniskillen, Glencolumbkille, Slieve League Mountain, Kilcar, Donegal, Malin, Sligo, Mayo, WestportSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Group Size Max Group Size 5 Group Type Private Operator BTOURS From $1,702
20% off- US$1,361
Spirit of Outlander - 16 Day Tour
“Our experience with our tour was good. Our guide was very knowledgeable and fun.”
Michael, traveled in August
Duration 16 days Destinations Glasgow, Luss, Glencoe, Fort William, Mallaig, Isle of Skye, Kilt Rock, Isle of Harris, Lewis, StornowaySee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Group Size Max Group Size 24 Group Type Group Operator Spirit Journeys Worldwide From
20% off- US$6,275
Wild Grande - Multi Day - Small Group Tour of Ireland
“The accommodation in the larger cities wasn't central but the view from the hotel in Cork made up for the hike up the hill.”
Jean, traveled in October
A select group of 16 guests winds through Britain's dramatic northern coastline. Intimate setting enables up-close experiences at Giant's Causeway and Belfast's historic sites, with dedicated guide attention and local accommodation choices.
Duration 13 days Destinations Dublin, Cork, Skibbereen, Kenmare, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Slea Head, Lahinch, Cliffs of MoherSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Wild N' Happy From
20% off- US$4,027
Fifteen travelers share a luxury Mercedes coach for up-close experiences at iconic sites. Extended visits to Glendalough Monastery, sheepdog demonstrations in Connemara, and farmer meetings in the Burren benefit from the small group format.
Duration 8 days Destinations Dublin, Glendalough, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Cahir, Blarney, Killarney, Killarney National Park, Dingle, KillimerSee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator Overland - Small Group Tours From
20% off- US$2,736
6-Day Magical Southern Explorer Small Group Tour
“Accommodations were top quality. Company was responsive to special requests.”
Peter, traveled in May
Fifteen travelers (average age 57) share traditional music sessions in Killarney and local farm visits in the Burren. Mercedes coaches provide comfort and flexibility for photography stops at Cliffs of Moher.
Duration 6 days Destinations Dublin, Glendalough, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Cahir, Blarney, Killarney, Killarney National Park, Dingle, KillimerSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator Overland - Small Group Tours From
20% off- US$2,064
Hosted 10-Day Ultimate Ireland Small Group Tour
“The tour was active and busy with a number of activities.”
John, traveled in August
Duration 10 days Destinations Dublin, Cashel, Blarney, Kinsale, Kenmare, Killarney National Park, Dingle, Slea Head, Castlegregory, BurrenSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator Overland - Small Group Tours From
20% off- US$4,923
8-Day Luxury Ireland Escape - Small Group Tour
“The sites we visited were beautiful and I learned so much about Ireland.”
Karolyn, traveled in September
Duration 8 days Destinations Dublin, Kildare, Newmarket on Fergus, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Cork, Cahir, Kilkenny, Glendalough Age Range Ages 18+ Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Overland - Small Group Tours From
20% off- US$5,593
Duration 10 days Destinations Howth, Dublin, Kildare, Powerscourt Mountain, Wicklow, Glendalough, Kilkenny, Cashel, Cork, Ring of KerrySee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 5 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Worldee From
20% off- US$1,363+$3,442 upfront costs
Reviews of Small Group tours to UK And Great Britain
The outlander trip was amazing! We saw so much of Scotland in two days!! Kloe was very knowledgeable and she didn’t even read the series or watch on TV. If I had to say one thing that I would like to have seen improved would be the lack of communication about the trip in the few days prior. The company was excellent in responding to any questions I had but was not proactive . The excitement about the trip came on a travel day so it was not received at a convenient time. That being said, I would do another tour with this company.
2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)
- Wild Grande - Multi Day - Small Group Tour of Ireland
I highly recommend the Wild Grande tour with Wild 'n Happy. I wanted a small group tour and I specifically chose a touring company based in Ireland because I thought they could provide local knowledge and perspective. I was not wrong! Andy, John and Diarmid drove us on different parts of the tour and shared their knowledge of the history, geography, geology and general information in great detail. Their driving skills on the very narrow lanes between hedgerows was incredibly skillful. I would hate to drive in those circumstances! They were never late and always communicated clearly where, when to meet etc. They are, without exception, a credit to the company and made the tour the success it was and I always felt safe when travelling. We stayed in a selection of large hotels in some cities and smaller bed and breakfast type accommodation. The accommodation in the larger cities wasn't central but the view from the hotel in Cork made up for the hike up the hill. Taxis are available but I chose to walk. Doolin was my favourite place and the breakfasts were amazing. Being a single female traveller of a certain age, I prefer to stay in places closer to town centres, especially when having to walk home alone and late at night in rain. One suggestion I would like to make is to send a summary post-tour of the places we saw and what we learned as it's a bit jumbled after the tour. There was so much information! Other companies that I toured with have done this and it helps to keep the memories alive. Another would be to end the tour after breakfast of the day after the last tour (as this seems to be a fairly common practice). In summary, I want to thank the whole team for a great trip. I've definitely left a bit of my heart in Ireland.
- 8-Day Emerald Explorer Small Group Tour
I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. The tour was well organized, informative and fun. The small group size was definitely a plus. It allowed the group to interact well. Our guide was knowledgeable and engaging. Highly recommend this tour.
What our customers ask about UK and Great Britain Small Group Tours
What makes small group tours in the UK and Great Britain unique compared to larger tours?
These intimate tours operate with 14-16 travelers in Mercedes mini-coaches designed to navigate the narrow countryside roads larger buses can't access. The vehicles easily wind through remote parts of the Lake District and Cornwall's village lanes. A recent TourRadar traveler noted about their Rabbies tour: "The small group size made for a good journey; our bus was able to squeeze through streets and roads which would not have been possible on larger buses." Guests enjoy stays at selected local properties like The Ashling Hotel in Dublin or Tongadale Hotel in Portree where personal attention comes standard.
How do accommodations differ on small group tours versus large group tours?
These tours favor cozy locally-owned properties and B&Bs over standard chain hotels. Travelers rest their heads at places like the Tongadale Hotel in the Scottish Highlands or Doolin Lodge on Ireland's west coast. One TourRadar guest shared: "The B&Bs were wonderful with great breakfast options and being family-run meant we got personalized local recommendations." The chosen accommodations sit in the heart of towns and villages putting local life right at your doorstep.
What are the main benefits of taking a small group tour through England's Lake District?
Small group tours give access to the Lake District's lesser-known spots and viewpoints often missed by larger groups. The 16-seater Mercedes mini-coaches can reach places like Castlerigg Stone Circle and quiet trails around Lake Windermere. According to a TourRadar traveler: "Our guide knew all the best photo spots and quiet walking paths away from crowds." Local guesthouses in Keswick serve as home base while guides share insights from Wordsworth's poetry to finding authentic cream tea.
What is the average length of a small group tour in UK and Great Britain?
Tours span 3-10 days with most running 3-5 days. The Snowdonia experience covers North Wales over 3 days with stays at places like the Imperial Hotel in Llandudno. The Scotland Castle Experience runs 4 days visiting historic sites including Blair Castle and Crathes Castle near Aberdeen.
What is the typical age range and group dynamics on UK small group tours?
These tours draw a mix of travelers mostly between 40-65 years old split between solo adventurers (40%) and couples (45%). The small size of 14-16 people creates natural connections. A Cornwall tour participant shared on TourRadar: "With a small group of just 15 people we made new friends and shared meals together. The smaller numbers allowed for more interaction with our guide and fellow travelers." While open to ages 5-99 the average participant is 56.