Historical Tours & Trips in England
Step back in time and learn the secrets of ancient times on a historical tour of England. With 147 adventures, you're sure to visit the best historical places packed full of stories from days long ago.
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Jenny • traveled in August, 2025
Well planned itinerary with range of sites, indoors and outdoors etc
5-Day Devon & Cornwall Small Group from London - GE
George • traveled in October, 2025
The strength of the tour lay in the itinerary and, particularly, the skill, personality, and erudition of the driver-guide. His driving on Cornwall and Devon's narrow roads was stellar, as was his navigation around London. He was also sensitive to the diverse needs and interests of his 14 passengers, and took good care of us as clients while conveying the impression that we were friends touring together. That is a particular kind of professionalism: to standardize and experience without making it appear standardized. Within 24 hours he had learned everyone's name and remembered details about their backgrounds. But his particular strength was his broad knowledge of British history, culture, customs, and geography, and his ability to personalize our tour within the standardized packaging that such tours require. I have some knowledge of British history and he very seldom made a mis-step even on small details. Were we to do the tour again, we would probably opt for the hotel-level accommodation as the guest houses varied in quality of accommodation, cleanliness, and service (although never to an unacceptable level). That said, the accommodation locations were admittedly well chosen, always an easy walk away from amenities.
Stonehenge, Devon & Cornwall - 5 days - P
Peter • traveled in August
All ran on time, tour guide was all knowledgeable and pleasant. Bus driver was patient and safe. Loved every minute. Tour guide Lisa had the best stories and was most entertaining.
London Daytripper - 6 Days/5 Nights
Our traveler's Moments
MPMary
Stonehenge, Devon & Cornwall - 5 days
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5-Day Devon & Cornwall Small Group from London
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JSJennifer
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2-Day Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath & Oxford Small-Group Tour from LondonKerry
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England and Scotland Heritage (2024/2025, 11 Days)
NCNicholaus
Exploring the United Kingdom and Dublin
10 best Historical England tour packages
Compiled by
SteffEngland travel expert at TourRadar
- Walk Hadrian's Wall Highlights
- English Escape
- Chelsea Flower Show (Westbound) 2026
- Isle of Wight Discovery - 3 days
- Gems of Southern England - 8 Days/7 Nights
- Essential England
- Touring Southern England
- Essential England with London
- Southwest England From Bristol (Hotel) - 4 days
- Southwest England From Bristol - 4 days
Roman Britain's frontier comes alive through preserved forts and ancient tablets at Vindolanda. At Birdoswald Fort and Corbridge Roman Town, 2000 years of history unfold. Carlisle Castle and historic paths lead to Hexham Abbey.
Duration 7 days Destinations Carlisle, Irthington, Gilsland, Haltwhistle, Once Brewed, Chollerford, Wylam, Hexham Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- US$2,190
Duration 7 days Destinations London, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, York, Manchester, Liverpool Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From
- US$1,969
Royal gardens bloom at Windsor Castle grounds and Savill Garden. Anne Boleyn's childhood unfolds at Hever Castle while 700-year-old Ightham Mote showcases its moated grounds. Christopher Lloyd's influential Great Dixter estate completes the horticultural journey.
Duration 8 days Destinations London, Waddesdon, Windsor, RHS Garden Wisley, Hever, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Sissinghurst, Great Dixter House and Gardens, Ightham Mote Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Blue-Roads Touring From $3,859
4% Off- US$3,709You save $150
King Henry VIII's Mary Rose in Portsmouth and Runnymede's Magna Carta site showcase England's defining moments. Winchester's Norman Great Hall and Queen Victoria's lavish Osborne House open their doors, with stays at historic Shanklin village.
Duration 3 days Destinations London, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Shanklin, The Needles, Winchester Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $940
20% Off- US$752You save $188
Gems of Southern England - 8 Days/7 Nights
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Enjoyed all the places we visited.”
Charlene, traveled in September
Journey through England's storied past at Windsor Castle, Blenheim Palace, and Canterbury Cathedral. Explore the Mary Rose Tudor warship in Portsmouth and prehistoric Stonehenge. Stay at historic Castle Hotel Windsor and Chilston Park Hotel while expert guides bring each location to life.
Duration 8 days Destinations Windsor, Cotswolds, Bath, Stonehenge, Salisbury, Winchester, Portsmouth, Kent, Canterbury, LondonSee all destinations Age Range Ages 8+ Operator CIE Tours From $3,695
10% Off- US$3,326You save $370
Duration 2 days Destinations London, Cambridge, Coventry, Liverpool, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
10% Off- US$314
Duration 4 days Destinations London, Cambridge, Coventry, Liverpool, Chester, Lichfield, Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon, Stow-on-the-Wold, GloucesterSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
10% Off- US$926
Cambridge University's colleges date back to 1209, while Coventry Cathedral stands as a post-WWII peace symbol. Liverpool's UNESCO-listed port district tells stories of maritime trade history. Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon includes time for lunch in this Tudor-era town. Oxford's ancient academic institutions show centuries of British intellectual heritage. This 4-day itinerary covers England's educational, literary, and wartime sites with expert English-speaking guides.
Duration 4 days Destinations London, Cambridge, Coventry, Liverpool, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
10% Off- US$946
Medieval Dunster Castle and ancient Stonehenge reveal England's storied past. The Saxon market town of Shaftesbury and King Arthur's legendary Tintagel Castle ruins beckon. Historic Tavistock, birthplace of cream tea, welcomes visitors to charming 3-star hotels including Greenbank Hotel Falmouth.
Duration 4 days Destinations Bristol, Exmoor National Park, Dunster, Tintagel, Falmouth, St Ives, Marazion, Tavistock, Dartmoor National Park, ExeterSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $1,460
20% Off- US$1,168You save $292
Medieval Tintagel Castle and ancient Stonehenge monoliths stand as testament to England's past. Saxon-era Shaftesbury, World Heritage Tavistock, and Cornwall's mining sites paint a picture of Southwest England's rich history from historic guesthouses.
Duration 4 days Destinations Bristol, Exmoor National Park, Dunster, Tintagel, Falmouth, St Ives, Marazion, Tavistock, Dartmoor National Park, ExeterSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $1,250
20% Off- US$1,000You save $250
What our customers ask about Historical Tours & Trips in England
What are the must-see historical sites included in England's historical tours?
A comprehensive tour of England's historical sites covers the country's most significant landmarks. Visitors explore Windsor Castle with its 900 years of royal history the imposing Tower of London and the mysterious stone circle of Stonehenge. The well-preserved Roman Baths in Bath and Edinburgh Castle offer deep dives into different historical periods. Many tours include stops at Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Gothic York Minster Cathedral. Historic university towns like Oxford and Cambridge round out the experience. Some tours include stays in historical properties such as Bovey Castle a grand manor house in Devon. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "From the historic landmarks to the beautiful scenery this guided tour of England and Scotland is a great way to sample what Britain has to offer."
When is the best time to visit England's historical sites?
Summer months from June to August bring the warmest weather and longest opening hours at historical attractions. However these months also draw the largest crowds. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer a sweet spot with smaller crowds mild temperatures and good conditions for exploring outdoor monuments like Hadrian's Wall. Winter visits work well for indoor sites such as Windsor Castle where heated halls and shorter lines make for comfortable viewing. Many visitors find the Francis Hotel in Bath's historic center an excellent year-round base. According to one TourRadar traveler: "We visited in September and it was perfect - no long queues at historical sites and the weather was still pleasant for walking tours."
What types of historical accommodations can I expect on these tours?
These tours often incorporate lodgings in buildings of historical significance adding an authentic dimension to the experience. In York guests might find themselves at The Grand Hotel housed in the former North Eastern Railway Company headquarters. Bath offers stays at the Francis Hotel an elegant Georgian townhouse while London features properties like the Rubens at the Palace with views of Buckingham Palace. One TourRadar traveler commented: "The accommodations were fantastic especially the historic hotels which added another layer to our historical experience - it felt like sleeping in a piece of history."
How many days should I plan for a historical tour of England?
A thorough exploration of England's historical sites requires 8-14 days. Popular routes like CIE Tours' "Best of Britain" span 10 days while more detailed itineraries such as their "English Odyssey" extend to 14 days. The Collette "Shades of English Countryside" tour allocates 10 days to cover major historical points of interest. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Our 10-day tour was perfect - enough time to see the major historical sites without feeling rushed."
Which regions offer the best historical experiences in England?
Different regions of England showcase distinct historical periods. London presents royal heritage through its palaces and museums. Bath and the Cotswolds highlight Roman and medieval history while Yorkshire displays Viking influences and the remarkable York Minster. Kent's landscape is dotted with historic castles and the Southwest features prehistoric sites including Stonehenge. A TourRadar traveler observed: "Each region offered something unique - from Roman ruins in Bath to medieval streets in York the historical variety was incredible."
How much walking is involved in historical tours of England?
These tours require regular walking on varied terrain including cobblestone streets uneven surfaces and castle stairs. Daily walks typically cover 2-5 miles especially in historic centers like London Bath and York. Sites such as the Tower of London need substantial walking for full exploration. A TourRadar traveler suggests: "Put on a pair of good walking shoes! There's a lot to be explored on the streets of historical cities and inside ancient castles."