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
- 2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)
- Essence of Ireland Small Group Tour
- Best of Scotland Small Group Tour
- 5-Day Northern Ireland & Atlantic Coast Small-Group Tour from Dublin
- Best of England, Wales and Scotland
- Wild North - Multi-Day - Small Group Tour of Ireland
- 8-Day Emerald Explorer Small Group Tour
- 11 Day Full Irish Adventure Small Group Tour
- 6-Day Magical Southern Explorer Small Group Tour
- 5-Day York, the Dales, Lake District & Hadrian's Wall Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh Including Admissions
2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)
41 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Stuart did a great job!”
Nancy, traveled in May
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$307
Essence of Ireland Small Group Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“It was the right mix of structured time and free time. All tour guides were knowledgeable and extremely personable.”
Janet, traveled in May
Intimate tours of Dublin's Trinity College Library and Cork's English Market shine in this small-group setting. Quality time at Cliffs of Moher and Ring of Kerry allows lasting connections over Irish breakfasts.
Duration 7 days Destinations Dublin, Cork, Galway Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type Group Operator Firebird Tours From
- US$3,678
Best of Scotland Small Group Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The drivers were punctual, friendly, and professional and very helpful. We would highly highly recommend them.”
Hedwig, traveled in September
Intimate gatherings enhance visits to Edinburgh's Old Town and castle grounds. Personal attention enriches experiences at Loch Ness and Isle of Skye, while fostering connections during Highland journeys and Glasgow's Clydeside Distillery tour and tasting.
Duration 8 days Destinations Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type Group Operator Firebird Tours From
- US$4,183
5-Day Northern Ireland & Atlantic Coast Small-Group Tour from Dublin
27 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“An excellent trip, I was made very welcome on the bus by Mark and all the other passengers.”
Mary, traveled in June
A small group of 16 travelers, with an average age of 57, allows intimate visits to Belfast's Titanic Quarter and Giant's Causeway. The limited group size enables flexible scheduling and personal attention from expert guides, who maintain a perfect 5.0/5 rating.
Duration 5 days Destinations Dublin, Belfast, Ballycastle, Giants Causeway, Portrush, Londonderry, Glenveagh National Park, Donegal, Sligo, Achill IslandSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator Rabbie’s Small Group Tours From
- US$1,357
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 $9,760
15% Off- US$8,296You save $1,464
Wild North - Multi-Day - Small Group Tour of Ireland
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The perfect mix of activities with beautiful scenery and hikes to amazing vistas being the favorites.”
Mary, traveled in May
Northern Britain's treasures unfold before an intimate group. From Giant's Causeway to Belfast's Titanic Quarter, guests receive personalized attention and flexible scheduling. The close setting enhances authentic experiences like Black Cab Tours and traditional music sessions.
Duration 7 days Destinations Dublin, Galway, Croagh Patrick Mountain, Westport, Sligo, Donegal, Slieve League Mountain, Glenveagh National Park, Ballycastle, Giants CausewaySee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Wild N' Happy From
15% Off- US$2,506
8-Day Emerald Explorer Small Group Tour
65 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We saw all the sights you would expect on a tour of Ireland, but we also were able to participate in a falconry exhibition.”
Frania, traveled in September
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 $2,793
15% Off- US$2,374You save $419
11 Day Full Irish Adventure Small Group Tour
16 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This was the trip of a lifetime!”
Keith, traveled in July
Small groups of 15 travel by Mercedes coach through Britain and Ireland. The intimate size enables special access to Glenveagh National Park, personal Belfast food tours, and authentic traditional music sessions.
Duration 11 days Destinations Dublin, Belfast, Portstewart, Giants Causeway, Bushmills, Londonderry, Glenveagh National Park, Donegal, Ballina, WestportSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator Overland - Small Group Tours From $4,084
15% Off- US$3,471You save $613
6-Day Magical Southern Explorer Small Group Tour
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“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 $2,108
15% Off- US$1,791You save $316
5-Day York, the Dales, Lake District & Hadrian's Wall Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh Including Admissions
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I loved this tour!!”
Mary, traveled in May
Sixteen travelers share intimate moments at Britain's historic sites. The small group navigates narrow medieval streets in York, receives personal attention at Hadrian's Wall, and enjoys flexible time in Lake District villages, earning perfect 5.0/5 guide ratings.
Duration 5 days Destinations Edinburgh, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Bamburgh, York, North York Moors National Park, Whitby, Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire Dales National Park, Keswick, WindermereSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator Rabbie's Tours From
15% Off- US$1,097
Reviews of Small Group tours to UK And Great Britain
Murry was excellent, he has so much passion about Scotland, a very good driver too, we felt safe. He gave us the best time on tour with 2 day outlander trip, he showed us more than expected. We loved the Highlands it was cold ,windy ,but expected, the view was amazing! I will attach photo
2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)
- 5-Day Northern Ireland & Atlantic Coast Small-Group Tour from Dublin
-Lots of information about the history and culture of the area -Frequent stops at interesting and beautiful locations -Excellent guide
- 8-Day Emerald Explorer Small Group Tour
Overland is a wonderful company to book your Ireland adventure with. It is a legit company and the real deal:) We booked a private family tour (six American adults) with a customized itinerary to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary and a birthday. Liz was incredibly helpful throughout the planning process. She was mindful about creating an itinerary that matched our bucket list "must-dos" as well as providing suggestions and coordinating all of our accommodations. She was very responsive to all of our emails. Mark, our guide, really made the trip special. He quickly became part of the family. He gave us a real feel of what Ireland hospitality is all about. He added jewels to our stops that we were not expecting. Because we were a small group, private tour, he proactively was able to switch some activities around to align with the weather. He was able to offer great suggestions on restaurants, pubs, and things we might be interested in during our free time. Booking with Overland really took away all of the stress with planning an international group trip. We highly recommend them and will book trips to Ireland with them in the future.
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.