4-Week England and Scotland Tour Packages
Insider tips: Recommended 4-week England And Scotland tour itineraries
Compiled by
NinaEngland and Scotland travel expert at TourRadar
27 Days in Great Britain, incl. London and Edinburgh
An immersive multi-week tour weaves through England and Scotland's most captivating sites. Linger in storied locations like Oxford, Lake District, and Edinburgh, where city charm meets highland grandeur, complemented by daily breakfasts and knowledgeable guides.
- Days 1-2
London & Salisbury
Arrive early in London and check into your hotel near Paddington or King's Cross station. Spend the afternoon seeing Westminster and Tower Bridge. Next day, take a 1.5-hour train to Salisbury. "Book an upper floor room at Premier Court Hotel - the cathedral view at sunset is spectacular." Visit Salisbury Cathedral around 3-4pm when it's less crowded.
- Days 3-5
Southwest England
Take a 2-hour morning train to Exeter to explore Dartmoor National Park. Bring sturdy hiking boots as the ground stays wet even in summer. Head to Penzance for days 4-5 to see Land's End and St Michael's Mount. Check tide schedules before visiting St Michael's Mount so you can use the causeway.
- Days 6-8
Cornwall & Return to London
Stay in Tintagel to see the castle. You'll need to be comfortable with steep paths to visit Merlin's Cave. Book an afternoon train back to London on Day 8 to avoid the busy holiday crowds.
- Days 9-11
Oxford & The Cotswolds
Take the quick hour train to Oxford. "Don't miss Christ Church College at 4pm when the choir practices - it's hauntingly beautiful." Use local buses instead of expensive taxis to visit Cotswolds villages.
- Days 12-14
Wales Adventure
Take the 2.5-hour scenic train to Cardiff. When you visit Snowdonia, bring layers since the weather changes quickly. Consider staying in Betws-y-Coed for a more local experience than tourist-heavy Bangor.
- Days 15-18
Liverpool & The Lakes
Spend at least 2 days in Liverpool seeing Beatles sites and museums. Stay in Windermere to explore the Lake District, including quiet spots like Wastwater Lake. The Mountain Goat bus service works better than driving on narrow local roads.
- Days 19-23
Scottish Highlands
Start your Highland journey from Edinburgh. Take the West Highland Line to Fort William and sit on the left for the best views. Book your Skye accommodation early, especially in Portree. A local tip: "The Quiraing walk is spectacular but start before 9am to avoid tour bus crowds."
- Days 24-27
Northern Scotland & Edinburgh Finale
Visit Inverness and Loch Ness before taking the east coast route back to Edinburgh. Spend 2 full days exploring Edinburgh - one for the Royal Mile and castle, another for local areas like Stockbridge. End with a sunset climb up Arthur's Seat.
24 Days in Britain & Ireland, incl. London and Edinburgh
This 24-day coach tour hits 46 places across England and Scotland, staying at the Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel in Grassmarket and the Columba Hotel overlooking River Ness in Inverness. See Edinburgh Castle with the Honours of Scotland, cruise 37-kilometer-long Loch Ness past Aldourie Castle, and check out the Orkney Islands.
- Days 1-3
London & Oxford Region
Start in London with an afternoon in Hyde Park and Knightsbridge. "The walk along the Serpentine is especially peaceful in late afternoon when the tour crowds thin out." On day 2, get to Oxford by 8:30 AM before the university tours begin. Visit Stratford-upon-Avon for Shakespeare's birthplace and explore the charming Cotswolds villages.
- Days 4-6
York & Edinburgh
Drive north to York (4 hours). Visit the Shambles early morning before crowds fill the narrow street. Plan two full days for Edinburgh. Get to Edinburgh Castle before 9:30 AM and book tickets online. Walking the Royal Mile takes about 2 hours. If you're visiting May through September, book the Military Tattoo well ahead as tickets sell quickly.
- Days 7-9
Scottish Highlands
Travel north through St. Andrews (2.5 hours from Edinburgh) and Aberdeen. Watch for narrow winding roads in the Highlands. Book a morning cruise on Loch Ness for the best photos. "Bring warm layers even in summer—the wind on deck is fierce." Book Isle of Skye accommodations at least 6 months ahead.
- Days 10-12
Northern Ireland & Donegal
Take the morning ferry to Northern Ireland (2 hours). Wear good walking shoes at Giant's Causeway. Walk Londonderry's city walls (1 hour) and stop at Belleek Pottery for a look at traditional craftsmanship.
- Days 13-15
Western Ireland
Start in Galway's medieval center before going to Limerick. Plan a full day for the Ring of Kerry drive (6 hours with stops). "Start early and drive counter-clockwise to avoid getting stuck behind tour buses." Stay in Killarney for 2-3 nights.
- Days 16-18
Eastern Ireland
Visit Blarney Castle at 9 AM opening to beat the crowds. Move on to medieval Kilkenny and Dublin. Book the first Guinness Storehouse tour at 9:30 AM. Spend a day exploring Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Georgian squares.
- Days 19-21
Wales & Western England
Take the ferry to Wales (3.5 hours) to see Conwy Castle. Spend a day in Liverpool visiting Beatles sites and the waterfront. Visit the Roman Baths in Bath early morning or after 4 PM when crowds are smaller.
- Days 22-24
Southern England
Visit Dartmoor National Park and Stonehenge. Get to Stonehenge at 9 AM opening or late afternoon to avoid crowds. End in London with shopping and any sightseeing you missed at the start.
22 Day Britain & Ireland Itinerary, incl. London and Edinburgh
Over 22 days in England and Scotland, you'll see 40 places and stay at hotels like the Hilton York and Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel. The trip includes Edinburgh Castle where you'll see the Scottish Crown Jewels, St. Andrews' Old Course golf links, and a cruise on Loch Ness past Bona Lighthouse.
- Days 1-2
England's Historic Heart
Start with Oxford and the Cotswolds. "The Cotswolds villages are best explored before tour buses arrive – aim to reach places like Bourton-on-the-Water by 9 AM." Stay overnight in Stratford-upon-Avon, then move on to York. The medieval Shambles streets are quieter and more beautiful in early evening after the crowds thin out.
- Days 3-5
Scottish Lowlands & Aberdeen
Drive 4 hours through the Lake District to reach Edinburgh. Book your Edinburgh Castle tickets online to skip the long queues. You'll need about 3 hours to explore the Royal Mile properly. Take the scenic coastal route to St. Andrews (90 minutes) and Aberdeen. Want to visit distilleries on the Whisky Trail? Book ahead. Most tours start at 10 AM.
- Days 6-8
Scottish Highlands & Islands
Head to Inverness past Culloden Battlefield. Get there by 9 AM to avoid crowds. For Loch Ness cruises, sit on the left side for the best castle views. The trip takes about an hour. If you're prone to seasickness, bring medication for the Orkney Islands ferry. "The Skara Brae prehistoric village gets very windy – bring a warm waterproof layer," a visitor suggests.
- Days 9-11
Northern Ireland & County Donegal
Take the 2-hour ferry from Glasgow to Northern Ireland. The Giant's Causeway can be slippery, so wear shoes with good grip. While in Londonderry, take the walking tour. "Our guide Ronan brought the city's complex history to life with incredible storytelling," one visitor shared.
- Days 12-14
Western Ireland
Start in Galway's medieval center before going to Limerick. Plan a full day for the Ring of Kerry drive and start early to avoid tour buses. A traveler noted: "Some roads are very narrow. The local farm-to-table dinner was a highlight but books up fast – reserve ahead."
- Days 15-17
Southern & Eastern Ireland
Visit Blarney Castle early to avoid long waits for the famous stone kiss. In Dublin, the Guinness Storehouse tour needs 2 hours. Book the 10 AM slot when it's less crowded. "Dublin's Temple Bar gets extremely busy at night – try the quieter Baggot Street area for better local pubs," says one reviewer.
- Days 18-20
Wales & Southwest England
Visit Cardiff Castle in Wales, then head to Bath's Roman ruins. Get the audioguide for the best experience. Drive carefully on Cornwall's narrow lanes. Plymouth's historic waterfront looks beautiful at sunset.
- Days 21-22
Return to London
Start with morning exploration of Dartmoor National Park, then visit Stonehenge. Peak season means hour-long waits. Allow 3 hours for the drive back to London, plus extra time for afternoon traffic.
