7-Day England and Wales Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day England And Wales tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaEngland and Wales travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in UK & Ireland, incl. Dublin and London

  A 5-day trek between Wales and England highlights UNESCO World Heritage Caernarfon Castle, Liverpool's historic port, and Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon. The route ends with Oxford's prestigious university town and London's Westminster landmarks.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Dublin

    Start in Dublin and give yourself time to adjust to the time zone. Stay near Trinity College for convenient access to the main sights. Visit the Book of Kells early on day 2 around 8:30 AM before the tour groups arrive. Take a morning walk along the River Liffey when the light is best and visit St. Patrick's Cathedral in the afternoon when it's quieter. If you plan to visit several museums, a Dublin Pass might save you money.

    
  • Day 3

    Dublin to Liverpool

    Take the morning ferry to Wales. The crossing takes about 3-3.5 hours. Bring motion sickness tablets if you need them. You'll visit Caernarfon Castle, so wear sturdy shoes for the uneven medieval steps. Once in Liverpool, head to Albert Dock in the early evening for the best atmosphere. Book your Beatles Story museum tickets online to skip the lines and note it closes at 5 PM.

    
  • Day 4

    Central England

    You'll cover lots of ground today. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon right when it opens at 9 AM. In Oxford, explore the University area on foot. Pick up a free map at the tourist office on Broad Street so you don't get lost. Leave plenty of time for the drive to London since traffic can be heavy.

    
  • Days 5-7

    London

    Book Westminster Abbey tickets for 9:30 AM to avoid the crowds. If you're interested in Windsor Castle, check closing times for the State Apartments as they vary. Take your evening walk through Soho and Chinatown before dinner when the area is busy but manageable.

    

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• 6 Days in Ireland & England, incl. Dublin and London

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Dublin, Ireland

    Get to Trinity College early at 8:30 AM to see the Book of Kells before the crowds arrive. Spend your afternoons exploring Dublin's walkable center. The River Liffey area is particularly busy after 2 PM when locals take lunch breaks. Important note: Most Dublin attractions close around 5 PM so plan your main sightseeing for the morning.

    
  • Day 3

    Dublin to Liverpool

    This travel day takes you from Ireland through Wales. The ferry crossing is 3-3.5 hours. Bring motion sickness tablets if needed since the Irish Sea can get rough. You will have about 90 minutes in Caernarfon, Wales to see the castle and get lunch. Try the waterfront cafes for quick service. The drive to Liverpool is around 3 hours. If you want to visit the Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool check the hours as it closes at 5 PM in winter.

    
  • Day 4

    Chester and Birmingham

    Walking Chester's Roman walls takes about 2 hours. Wear good shoes as parts of the path are uneven. The medieval Rows shopping galleries are unique to Chester and provide good cover in rainy weather. For dinner in Birmingham head to the canal area after 6 PM. The waterfront restaurants in Brindleyplace offer great ambiance.

    
  • Day 5

    Shakespeare Country and Bath

    Start your day in Stratford-upon-Avon when Shakespeare's Birthplace opens at 9 AM. Stop in the Cotswolds village of Stow-on-the-Wold for a mid-morning coffee before tour buses fill the square. Visit the Roman Baths in Bath during late afternoon to avoid the 1-3 PM rush.

    
  • Day 6

    Stonehenge and London Finale

    Get to Stonehenge for the 9 AM opening when it is quietest. As one New York visitor noted: "The audio guide at Stonehenge is essential - without it, you're just looking at rocks. Request one as soon as you arrive." Plan 90 minutes in Salisbury for lunch and seeing the cathedral. Drive into London after 7 PM to miss the heaviest traffic.

    

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• 7 Day Southern England & Wales Itinerary, incl. London and Cardiff

  A 7-day route through England and Wales covers 12 distinctive locations. From London's bustling center to ancient Stonehenge, the path winds along the Jurassic Coast to Lyme Regis. The tour features Cardiff Castle and Pembrokeshire Coast, Bath's Roman heritage, and concludes at Windsor Castle.

  

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  • Day 1

    London to Southampton Area

    Drive south from London on the M3 (about 2.5 hours with traffic). Visit Winchester's medieval cathedral in the morning to beat the crowds. Next, head to Stonehenge. Book tickets ahead to save time in the queue. A recent visitor shared: "The audio guide at Stonehenge is excellent - don't skip it, especially for the background on the newer archaeological discoveries."

    
  • Days 2-3

    Exeter & Jurassic Coast

    Take the coastal route to Exeter (4 hours with stops). The Jurassic Coast offers beautiful sea views but includes some tight turns. Stop in Lyme Regis and use the Holmbush car park to avoid town center congestion. Stay in Exeter for two nights. Spend your full day exploring either Cornwall's St. Michael's Mount (check tide times) or Dartmoor National Park. For Dartmoor, start at Princetown's visitor center to get current walking maps and find the best spots to see wild ponies.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Cardiff & Welsh Coast

    Drive to Cardiff (3 hours). Stop at Cheddar Gorge on the way and get there before 11 AM for the cheese-making demo. In Cardiff, visit the castle but consider upgrading to the "Behind the Scenes" tour. Use your extra day to explore the city or visit Pembrokeshire Coast. A previous visitor noted: "The walking paths along Cardiff Bay are well-marked but quite exposed - bring a windproof jacket even in summer."

    
  • Day 6

    Bath & Bristol

    It's just an hour to Bath/Bristol. Book the first 9 AM entry at the Roman Baths to get photos before the crowds arrive. Skip parking in the city and use the Park & Ride instead. If you want a modern spa experience, try Thermae Bath Spa.

    
  • Day 7

    Return to London

    Take the M4 back to London (2.5 hours). You can stop at Windsor Castle if time permits, but check their website for closure notices. Plan to reach London after 3 PM to avoid peak traffic.

    

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