Historical Tours & Trips in UK and Great Britain
Step back in time and learn the secrets of ancient times on a historical tour of UK And Great Britain. With 488 adventures, you're sure to visit the best historical places packed full of stories from days long ago.
Excellent
- Choose from 450+ UK and Great Britain tours
- 16,600+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
This was magical and amazing. The itinerary you designed for us was everything we could have hoped to see. The exquisite hotels across the Highlands were intimate and elegant. Paul is extraordinary. He is a scholar and a gentleman. I feel as though I had a seminar on the History of Scotland, with his stories and facts for 12 hours a day for 14days. His driving was excellent and conversation even better. If there was a question he couldn't answer (which I could count on one hand), by the next day he had researched it in depth. I would recommend this trip and Paul to anyone wanting to know more about the beauty and history of Scotland.
Grand Tour of Scotland - 14-Day Journey through History and BeautyWe got to see and experience a lot in just a few days.
Great British and Irish RouteLoved the chosen sites, met great people, had clean hotels and good free breakfasts! Communication during the tour between the tour and travelers, especially in relation to leaving/arriving details and posting places within the hotels caused problems multiple times. We lost time that could have been spent at our destinations. Knowing beforehand that our tour guides would not be native English speakers would have been verfy helpful to those of us who struggle with understanding unfamiliar accents. Having written daily details would have solved that problem.
Scotland and Ireland with London
Our traveler's Moments
- 10-Day Ultimate Ireland Small Group Tour
- Heart of England
- 3 Day Loch Ness & Skye Magic
- 5 Day Ultimate Highland Adventure
- Wild Skye & Loch Ness Hunter
- From Dublin: 5 Day Escape to the South West
- Best of UK & Ireland
- Amazing Ireland - Signature
- Wild Atlantic Way | Ireland
- Irish Explorer
- Ireland in Low Season
- A Scottish Journey
- From Edinburgh: 5 Day Orkney & Scotland's Northern Coast
- From London: 2 Day Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath & Oxford
- Aonghus Youth
10 best Historical UK and Great Britain tour packages
Compiled by
SteffUK and Great Britain travel expert at TourRadar
- Grand Tour of Scotland - 14-Day Journey through History and Beauty
- Great British and Irish Route
- Scotland and Ireland with London
- Scotland, Ireland, and Southern England
- Best of England, Wales and Scotland
- Historic England: Castles and Country Life
- Best of Britain (London Overnights)
- Great Tour of Ireland end London
- Scottish & Irish Dream - 13 Days/12 Nights
- A Taste of Ireland and Scotland with London
Grand Tour of Scotland - 14-Day Journey through History and Beauty
“The itinerary was very well planned and the accommodations were very good. The hospitality was very much appreciated.”
Judith, traveled in August
The Royal Yacht Britannia's luxurious decks in Edinburgh and St Andrews' Old Course, the birthplace of golf, are included. Gordon Castle and Gardens sit along the Moray Coast and the medieval village of Luss rests on Loch Lomond's shores. The Kelpies, the world's largest equine sculptures in The Helix Park, and the Glenfinnan Viaduct featured in Harry Potter films are part of the trip.
Duration 14 days Destinations Edinburgh, St Andrews, Glamis, Balmoral Castle, Aberdeen, Inverness, Culloden, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye, Kilt RockSee all destinations Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Spirit Journeys Worldwide From
- US$5,343
Great British and Irish Route
“The United Kingdom circuit abundantly exceeded my family's expectations.”
OSCARPORRAS, traveled in July
Duration 10 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From $2,691
15% off- US$2,287
Scotland and Ireland with London
“The hotels were excellent. I would recommend this tour to others without hesitation.”
Guy, traveled in May
Duration 16 days Destinations Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales, England Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From $4,045
15% off- US$3,438
Scotland, Ireland, and Southern England
“We really had a good time making new friends and wonderful memories.”
TRACY, traveled in September
Duration 9 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From $2,287
15% off- US$1,944
Best of England, Wales and Scotland
“The itinerary was great. I loved everything about the tour.”
Marjolaine, traveled in June
Rich British heritage spans from Roman Chester to Edinburgh Castle. Walk through historic Oxford colleges, Cardiff's ancient fortress, and Culloden Battlefield. The Beatles' history comes alive in Liverpool alongside UNESCO sites like Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
Duration 19 days Destinations England, Wales, Scotland Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
15% off- US$9,595
Durham's UNESCO Cathedral, York's medieval Shambles, and Lincoln Castle's Magna Carta represent northern heritage. Whitby Abbey, plague-village Eyam, and Chatsworth House complete this historical journey.
Duration 10 days Destinations Edinburgh, Alnwick, Durham, Whitby, York, Peak District National Park, Lincoln, Cambridge, Sandringham, NewmarketSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Blue-Roads Touring From $3,839
5% off- US$3,639
Best of Britain (London Overnights)
“Variety of activities. Great experience for everyone.”
Maureen, traveled in July
Great Britain's heritage spans from Roman Bath's UNESCO site to Edinburgh Castle. Expert guides bring history alive at Stonehenge, Tudor Chester, and medieval York. Luxury coach travel with professional drivers connects 23 historic cities over 14 days.
Duration 14 days Destinations England, Wales, Scotland Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Trafalgar From $4,625
15% off- US$3,931
Explore our featured UK and Great Britain tours
TourRadar earns higher commission on featured adventures here.
What our customers ask about Historical Tours & Trips in UK and Great Britain
When is the best time to visit UK and Great Britain for Historical tours?
The prime season for exploring the UK's historical sites spans May through September with moderate temperatures ideal for outdoor exploration. Large events like Edinburgh's Royal Military Tattoo in August create unique cultural experiences. For fewer crowds visit York and Bath during April-May or September-October. One TourRadar traveler noted, "We saw so much of the UK. The Scottish Tattoo was exceptional. Our sites like Edinburgh Castle and the Roman Baths in Bath were amazing in August." Major sites like Windsor Castle remain open year-round but summer offers longer daylight hours and better weather for exploration. Historical properties turned hotels like the Crowne Plaza Edinburgh or DoubleTree York provide convenient access to key attractions.
What are the must-see historical highlights in UK and Great Britain?
Key historical sites start with Edinburgh Castle overlooking the Royal Mile the 2000-year-old Roman Baths and the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels reside. The medieval streets of York's Shambles and York Minster represent different historical eras while Hadrian's Wall stands as a testament to Roman Britain. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Our guide brought history to life at sites from Westminster Abbey to Edinburgh Castle each place had fascinating stories." Properties like the Castle Hotel Windsor or Clayton Hotel Cardiff place visitors near major attractions. Standard tours cover Stonehenge Oxford's colleges and Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon.
What historical periods are covered on these tours?
Tours traverse time from prehistoric Stonehenge through Roman Britain medieval strongholds Tudor royal residences and Victorian industrial sites. Visitors explore Edinburgh's 12th-century castle York's Viking heritage at the Jorvik Center and the ancient spas of Roman Bath. According to one TourRadar traveler: "We experienced everything from Hadrian's Wall to Hampton Court Palace - each stop revealed a different fascinating period of British history." Hotels like the DoubleTree York and Clayton Cardiff position guests near sites spanning various eras while expert guides weave these historical threads into a single narrative.
What's included in terms of historical site admissions?
Entry fees to major attractions including Edinburgh Castle York Minster Roman Baths and Windsor Castle typically come included in the base tour price representing about USD 200-300 in total value. A TourRadar traveler confirmed: "All the main historical attractions were covered in our ticket price from Stirling Castle to the Tower of London." While based at hotels like the Mercure Edinburgh or Hilton Cardiff access to nearby landmarks comes standard. Some special exhibits or optional visits such as Hampton Court Palace (USD 25) may carry extra costs. Most significant sites provide audio guides.
What kind of historical expertise can I expect from the tour guides?
Guides leading UK historical tours hold extensive qualifications often including advanced degrees in history or related fields. Their expertise spans from Roman Britain through Tudor times to the modern era. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Our guide John was exceptional - his knowledge of every historical site from Edinburgh Castle to Bath's Roman ruins was incredible bringing centuries of history to life through engaging stories." Many guides maintain specialties in particular periods or regions offering unique perspectives while guests stay at properties like the Novotel Edinburgh Park or Castle Hotel Windsor.
How physically demanding are Historical tours in UK and Great Britain?
These tours generally fall into the "Easy" to moderate range requiring 2-3 hours of daily walking on historic streets and varied terrain at sites like York's city walls or Edinburgh's Royal Mile. A TourRadar traveler shared "The pace was comfortable with time to really appreciate sites like Stirling Castle though there were some steep climbs involved." Accommodations at central locations like the Delta Hotels York or Hilton Cardiff help minimize walking distances. Tour guides can suggest alternative routes for those with mobility considerations.