4-Week England, Ireland and Scotland Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 4-week England, Ireland And Scotland tour itineraries

Compiled by

NadineEngland, Ireland and Scotland travel expert at TourRadar

• 24 Day Britain & Ireland Itinerary, incl. London and Edinburgh

  A 24-day grand tour through England, Ireland, and Scotland takes you to 30+ destinations. Walk the halls of Westminster Abbey, Trinity College Dublin, and Edinburgh Castle. Luxuriate at premium hotels including Park Plaza Westminster and Principal Edinburgh George. Daily breakfast and 8 regional dinners included.

  

  View itineraryCompare 24 days itineraries
  • Days 1-2

    London, England

    Start your trip in London. Get to Westminster Abbey by 8:30 AM to avoid crowds. Plan 2-3 hours for St. Paul's Cathedral including the dome climb which needs good physical fitness. "The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben tour was incredible, but book weeks ahead as spots fill quickly."

    
  • Days 3-5

    Southwest England

    Visit Stonehenge before 10 AM to beat the crowds. Move on to Plymouth and take a harbor cruise to see the Mayflower Steps. Stay in the Barbican district for easy access to the waterfront. Spend time in Cornwall exploring the coast and St. Ives. "The coastal walk from St. Ives offered breathtaking views - pack windproof layers as it gets quite blustery."

    
  • Days 6-9

    Ireland's South

    Take the 3.5-hour ferry to Waterford and visit the crystal factory. Get to Blarney Castle early if you want to kiss the stone. Drive the Ring of Kerry and sit on the right side for the best views. Stay in Killarney where you can enjoy traditional music at places like O'Connor's. "The live music session at Killarney's Danny Mann pub was a highlight - arrive by 7 PM to get seats."

    
  • Days 10-11

    Western Ireland

    Visit the Cliffs of Moher but bring rain gear since the weather changes fast. Explore Galway's Latin Quarter and historic Sligo. "Walking the cliff path requires decent fitness and grippy shoes."

    
  • Days 12-13

    Northern Ireland

    Walk Derry's walls and see the Giant's Causeway. Give yourself at least 2-3 hours for Belfast's Titanic Experience. "Book Titanic tickets online to skip long entry queues."

    
  • Days 14-15

    Dublin & North Wales

    Spend two nights in Dublin visiting Trinity College and Temple Bar. Take the 3-hour ferry to Wales to see Snowdonia. "The Book of Kells queue at Trinity College can be 1+ hour - go at opening time."

    
  • Days 16-18

    Scottish Highlands

    Travel through Glasgow to the Isle of Skye stopping at Loch Lomond. Stay in Inverness to visit Loch Ness and Culloden battlefield. "The Inverness Castle viewpoint offers great city views but involves steep steps."

    
  • Days 19-20

    Edinburgh

    Take two full days for Edinburgh Castle Royal Mile and Holyrood Palace. Book accommodation well ahead for August Festival season. "The castle gets packed - enter right at 9:30 AM opening."

    
  • Days 21-24

    York & Return to London

    See York's medieval Shambles and Minster. Visit Stratford-upon-Avon on your way back to London. "York's city walls walk takes about 2 hours - start early before tourist crowds."

    

  View itinerary

• 23 Days in British Isles, incl. London and Edinburgh

  This 23-day British Isles tour features Edinburgh Castle, Ring of Kerry, and Giant's Causeway. Spend two nights each in Edinburgh, Dublin, and Killarney. Wander through Oxford colleges, York's Shambles, and Bath's Roman ruins. Daily breakfast plus 7 regional dinners included.

  

  View itineraryCompare 23 days itineraries
  • Days 1-2

    London

    Begin your journey in London while adjusting to the time zone. "Get to Westminster Abbey right when it opens at 9:30 AM to avoid the crowds." Use the Tube from your hotel instead of fighting London traffic, especially during rush hour.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Northern England

    Drive north to Oxford (2 hours) where you'll need good walking shoes for the cobblestones. Continue to York and try to arrive by 3 PM for the final guided walk of the Shambles, York's medieval shopping street. "York Minster was incredible, but book your tower climb ticket online to avoid disappointment."

    
  • Days 5-6

    Edinburgh

    Stop for photos at Hadrian's Wall on your way into Scotland. Visit the Royal Mile early before the crowds fill the streets. "For the best castle views without the crowds, head to Calton Hill at sunset rather than the more touristy Arthur's Seat."

    
  • Days 7-9

    Scottish Highlands

    Drive 3 hours to Inverness. Bring motion sickness pills for the winding Highland roads. Book your Loch Ness boat trip for early morning when the water is calm. "The Culloden Battlefield visitor center gets busy - arrive before 10 AM and dress warmly as the site is quite exposed."

    
  • Days 10-11

    Northern Ireland

    Take the 2-hour ferry to Belfast. Drive 1.5 hours north to the Giant's Causeway and wear sturdy shoes on the slippery basalt columns. "Book your Titanic Belfast tickets online and try to visit on weekday afternoons when it's less crowded."

    
  • Days 12-14

    Western Ireland

    Enter the Republic of Ireland. Visit the Cliffs of Moher early to beat the crowds and check the weather since fog can block the views. For the Ring of Kerry, "Start from Killarney by 8 AM to avoid getting stuck behind tour coaches on the narrow roads."

    
  • Days 15-17

    Eastern Ireland

    Travel to Dublin through Blarney Castle. Visit the castle at 9 AM opening to avoid crowds. In Dublin, "Skip the long lines at Trinity College by booking Book of Kells tickets online for first entry at 9:30 AM."

    
  • Days 18-19

    Wales

    Take the 3-hour ferry to Wales. Plan extra time for driving the narrow Snowdonia roads. Join the first Cardiff Castle tour at 10 AM for the best photo lighting.

    
  • Days 20-23

    Southern England

    Visit Bath and Stonehenge on your way back to London. "At Stonehenge, the first and last hours of the day have the best light and smallest crowds." Finish in London and consider a theatre show. Get discounted same-day tickets at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square before noon.

    

  View itinerary

• 23 Day UK & Ireland Itinerary, incl. London and Edinburgh

  The 23-day British Isles circuit winds through 33 cities from London to Edinburgh. Stand in awe at Stonehenge, Bath's Roman ruins, and Edinburgh Castle. Rest in upscale hotels including Hilton Kensington and Radisson Blu throughout.

  

  View itineraryCompare 23 days itineraries
  • Days 1-3

    London & Southern England

    Start your journey in London with two full days to explore the capital. "Get to the Tower of London right at opening - 9am was perfect for avoiding the main crowds at the Crown Jewels." On day 3 drive to Stonehenge (2 hours from London). Go before 10am to avoid tour buses. Visit Salisbury on your way to Plymouth and climb the cathedral's 332 steps for fantastic views.

    
  • Days 4-6

    Cornwall, Bath & Wales

    Visit Cornwall's charming fishing villages like Looe and Polperro. Pack good walking shoes since the coastal path gets slippery in the rain. Visit the Roman Baths in Bath early morning or late afternoon to skip the midday rush. Move on to Cardiff where the Bay area is full of nightlife. Take the scenic 25-minute walk from Cardiff Castle to the Bay to get your bearings.

    
  • Days 7-9

    Southern Ireland

    Take the 4-hour ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare and continue to historic Waterford. Get to Blarney Castle by 9am before the lines grow long. When driving the Ring of Kerry go counterclockwise to avoid tour buses. A recent visitor shares: "The Cliffs of Moher can be very windy - bring a windproof jacket and hold onto your phone when taking photos!"

    
  • Days 10-13

    Western & Northern Ireland

    Walk through Galway's medieval streets and experience its lively pubs. Check out the harbor views from Donegal Castle. In Northern Ireland visit Derry's historic walls and the Giant's Causeway. Watch your step on the wet basalt rocks and visit outside peak hours. Belfast's Titanic Quarter brings the ship's history to life through interactive displays.

    
  • Days 14-16

    Northern England & Glasgow

    After a 3-hour ferry to Liverpool stop at The Beatles Story museum. Consider using public transport in the Lake District during peak season as the roads are narrow. Glasgow has many free museums to explore. A visitor suggests: "The Kelvingrove stays open late on Fridays - much quieter than daytime visits."

    
  • Days 17-20

    Scottish Highlands & Edinburgh

    Take the scenic drive through Glencoe valley to Isle of Skye. Book your Skye accommodation well in advance. Look for the Loch Ness monster before heading to Edinburgh. Walk the Royal Mile early to beat the crowds. Book Edinburgh Castle tickets online to avoid long lines. A traveler notes: "The castle esplanade offers the best city views at sunset, around 9pm in summer."

  • Days 21-23

    Yorkshire & Return to London

    Start early to see York's medieval walls and the Shambles before crowds arrive. Take the 2-hour train to London. Book ahead for better rates. Spend your final days seeing any remaining London sights. Walk along the South Bank from Tower Bridge to Westminster for peaceful river views.

  View itinerary