English-speaking Tour: 8-Day England, Scotland, and the White Cliffs Tour, Cambridge, Oxford, and London - Roundtrip (Saturday Departure)

Reasons for recommendation

Route Overview

Click to download Simplified Chinese Itinerary | Traditional Chinese Itinerary

Days	Itinerary Overview * Please note that this itinerary may be arranged in either a forward or reverse order depending on the actual situation, without further notice.
D1	Departing from London Windsor Town Oxford
D2	Lake District: Lake Windermere
D3	Scottish Highlands & A82 (drive-by)  Glencoe Canyon  Loch Ness
D4	Edinburgh half-day self-guided tour
D5	York half-day self-guided tour
D6	Warwick Castle‣Cambridge : King 's College - Mathematical Bridge
D7	London full-day in-depth tour
D8	Brighton ‣ Seven Sisters National Park ‣ London

Itinerary

Day 1: London → Windsor → Oxford

Meet at 8:00 AM at Golders Green Underground Station, London. (The actual tour location and time will be confirmed on your e-ticket.)
*If you purchase a hotel room before the tour, you will meet in the hotel lobby at 09:00 AM (the exact meeting time will be notified separately; please plan your breakfast and check out in advance to avoid affecting your itinerary).

After departing from London, we will arrive in Windsor and have a 3-hour stop to see the British Royal Family's back gardens. (Note: Windsor Castle is extremely popular year-round; during the summer peak season, queuing for tickets and security checks may take about an hour. The site is also frequently temporarily closed or ticket sales may be suspended. Whether or not a visit will be organized depends on the tour guide's arrangements.)

【Windsor Town/Windsor Castle】*Optional Excursion —One of the official residences of King Charles III of the United Kingdom, and a favorite residence of Queen Elizabeth. The Royal Standard is flown whenever the King is in the castle.

After lunch, we will continue our journey to Oxford, with a stop of approximately 3 hours (the tour guide will reconfirm the stop length depending on traffic conditions). You may choose to explore at your own pace. Recommended attractions (exterior view only): the Ashmolean Museum with its rich collection; St. Mary's Cathedral, the nearly thousand-year-old main chapel of Oxford University; Trinity College, which has produced three British Prime Ministers; the Bridge of Sighs, connecting Hertford College; Calfax Tower, built in the 11th century and standing 23 meters tall; and Redcliffe Square, frequently featured on Oxford postcards. After dinner, we will transfer to the hotel. Suggested hotel: 3-star Holiday Inn or equivalent.

Oxford University — the cradle of British royalty and scholars, on par with Cambridge. It boasts Christ's College, a filming location for Harry Potter; Trinity College, which has produced three British Prime Ministers; St. Mary's Cathedral, the university's main chapel with nearly a thousand years of history; and Radcliffe Square and Calfax Tower, frequently featured on Oxford postcards.

Day 2: Depart from hotel‣ Lake District: Lake Windermere

After departing from the hotel, we will travel to Birmingham and Manchester to meet up with other tour members before heading to the Lake District . We will spend approximately 2.5 hours exploring the highly popular natural lake, Lake Windermere. You may choose to explore on your own. We recommend (exterior view only): If you want to relive your childhood, consider visiting the Peter Rabbit Museum, a well-known fairytale paradise nestled deep within the town!

Arrive at the hotel after dinner. Suggested hotel: 3-star Holiday Inn or equivalent.

【Lake Windermere】 —You can stop by the lake to watch the royal swans leisurely playing in the water, stroll along the lakeside, walk onto the boardwalk to admire the lake and mountain scenery up close, and leisurely enjoy the tranquility and peace of the lake district.

Day 3: Depart from the hotel  ‣ Scottish Highlands & A82 (drive-by)  ‣ Glenco Canyon  ‣ Loch Ness  ‣ ▲Urctor Castle

After breakfast, depart from the hotel and drive along the A82 highway, a filming location for the James Bond movies and boasting stunning Scottish scenery. Enjoy the views of the Scottish Highlands, with its ancient castles, rolling hills, and free-roaming wildlife – fulfilling all your Scottish fantasies. After crossing Glencoe, arrive at Loch Ness. You can stroll along the shore or choose to take a Loch Ness sightseeing boat tour (subject to change depending on the season and schedule) and visit Urquhart Castle.

We left Loch Ness in the evening and headed to our hotel for rest. Suggested hotel: Holiday Inn (3-star) or equivalent .

【Scottish Highlands】 —As the last stronghold of the Ice Age, the Scottish Highlands are known as "the most beautiful region in Europe". The hills and fields of the Scottish Highlands can not only convey the ruggedness and loneliness of "Braveheart", but also express the innocence of "Harry Potter" and the romance of "The Scottish Highlanders".

【 Glencoe Gorge 】(Passing by) — A gorges south of Fort William in the Scottish Highlands Parliament District. This area was featured in the film *Braveheart*, serving as a major filming location. It's also a paradise for hiking enthusiasts, offering views of the serene beauty of Loch Tulla and the majestic Three Sisters mountains.

Loch Ness — Located in the Great Glen of the northern Scottish Highlands, the lake is 37 kilometers long and 2.4 kilometers at its widest point. It never freezes, with steep banks and dense forests, and is the third largest freshwater lake in the UK. Often called "the lake submerged in the sea," it is rich in marine life and famous for the Loch Ness Monster legend.

Urquhart Castle — One of the most important ancient sites in the Scottish Highlands, it played a significant role in the Scottish Wars of Independence in the 14th century and was once the largest castle in Scotland.

Day 4: Half-day free time in Edinburgh

After breakfast, we will meet at the hotel and depart for Edinburgh, which is the last stop of the tour in the UK (approximately 4 hours for sightseeing and lunch; including 10-20 minutes of sightseeing at important attractions, and the rest of the time for free time). Overlooking the entire city from Edinburgh Castle is an unmissable experience when visiting Edinburgh. It became the royal castle of Scotland as early as the 6th century, predating many European castles.

Afterwards, you can choose to explore at your own pace. Here are some recommendations (exterior view only): Stroll along the Royal Mile, a paradise for Scottish souvenirs. The Elephant House, located at a street corner, is where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter. Princes Street, a bustling commercial street, divides Edinburgh into the New Town and Old Town, and is known as one of the world's most scenic streets. If interested, visit the National Gallery of Scotland; Princes Street Gardens is to the east. Enjoy a distant view of Calton Hill, with views of the azure Atlantic Ocean on one side and the entire Edinburgh Castle on the other. If time permits, you can visit Holyrood Palace, located a little further away, the Queen's summer residence.

Arrive at the hotel after dinner. Suggested hotel: 3-star Holiday Inn or equivalent.

【 Edinburgh Castle 】*Optional Excursion —The spiritual pillar of Scotland, and the premier tourist destination in Scotland. Formerly the residence of the Kings and Queens of Scotland, and one of the summer residences of the Queen of England, it stands atop a 135-meter-high jagged granite hill formed by an extinct volcano. Its strategic location, with one sloping side and three cliffs, makes it a natural fortress, easy to defend and difficult to attack.

The Royal Mile —the central thoroughfare of Edinburgh's Old Town—stretches approximately one mile from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace, its winding laneways forming the backbone of the Old Town. Encompassing numerous attractions, restaurants, bars, shops, and hostels, it's the perfect starting point for exploring Edinburgh's history.

【 The Elephant Cafe 】 —Elephants are the theme of this cafe; elephants are everywhere. The glass cases are filled with elephant plush toys of various materials and styles, the chairs are elephant-shaped, there are elephant stickers on the glass, and even the coffee cups are printed with elephants. This is the birthplace of "Harry Potter," and J.K. Rowling's fame made this cafe incredibly popular.

Princes Street — Edinburgh's most bustling commercial street, parallel to the Royal Mile. The New Town and Old Town stand on opposite sides, like a battleground between the classical and the modern. To the south lies a lush green expanse, and at its eastern end is Princes Street Gardens. The New Town lies to the north, and the Old Town to the south. A long, narrow hill forms a natural barrier between the two. Princes Street is often described as "the most scenic street in the world."

Calton Hill — Located in the eastern part of Edinburgh's New Town, it is the highest point and most scenic area in Edinburgh. Calton Hill features two monuments: an unfinished national monument commemorating those who died in the Napoleonic Wars, and the Nelson Monument. Every afternoon at 1 pm, when Edinburgh Castle fires its cannons, the small sphere atop the Nelson Monument is lowered.

Holyrood Palace — Formerly Holyrood Abbey, it was later used as a royal residence and is also known as Holyrood Palace. Located at the end of the Royal Mile, on the other side of Edinburgh Castle, it has been the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scotland since the 16th century, and is the setting for state occasions and official entertainment.

Day 5: Half-day free time in York: Old City Walls – York Minster – The Shambles

After breakfast, meet at the hotel and depart for York, a famous ancient city in England. This city boasts over 1900 years of history, blending different eras of British culture, and can be considered a microcosm and witness to British history. You can choose to explore at your own pace. Recommended attractions (exterior view only): Visit the medieval Gothic cathedral, York Minster, and the ancient city walls of York, weathered by countless ages. Explore the cobblestone streets of the Shambles, a filming location for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter, now offering a complete range of dining, entertainment, and shopping options. If time permits, you can stroll along the River Ouse or visit the massive British Railway Museum. After a day of sightseeing, enjoy a traditional English afternoon tea at Betty's Tea Room, a place renowned for over a century, and experience the leisurely pace of a holiday.

After the tour, we will depart York and proceed to the hotel. (Pick-up service for tour members disembarking in Manchester and Birmingham en route.) Suggested hotel: Holiday Inn (3-star) or equivalent.

York Minster (Optional Activity - at your own expense) is the largest surviving medieval cathedral in Europe, the largest Gothic cathedral north of the Alps, and one of the most exquisitely designed and architecturally significant cathedrals in the world. The stone-built cathedral is magnificent and has remained sturdy and imposing for centuries. Its east facade features the world's largest medieval stained-glass window.

【The Butcher Street】 —This street is "Diagon Alley," where little wizards buy all sorts of magical items and books. And this street is undoubtedly a dream destination for every Harry Potter fan. It is the oldest and best-preserved medieval street among the many streets of ancient York.

【York City Walls】 —York's ancient city walls are the best-preserved and longest of all the ancient city walls in England. Built by the Romans, the 5-kilometer-long square wall served as a defensive barrier. Centered on York Minster, it takes approximately two hours to walk around the walls.

Betty's Tea House — arguably the best tea house in Northern England and York's most popular restaurant, it enjoys a stellar reputation throughout Yorkshire and even Northern England. With over 90 years of history, Betty's Tea House is always bustling with long queues year-round.

Day 6: Warwick Castle Cambridge 

After departing from the hotel, arrive at Warwick Castle in Warwickshire (approximately 1.5 hours for sightseeing and lunch). The castle's history dates back to the 11th century and features Castle Mound, round towers, and expansive lawns. Visitors can climb to the top for panoramic views. Family-friendly activities are also frequently held within the castle grounds. (If this attraction is closed or under maintenance during the itinerary, the tour may be changed to a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon, also known as Shakespeare's Town.)

Warwick Castle — one of the most historic castles in England, located in Warwickshire, Wales. Built in the 11th century, this important medieval military fortress is now a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can explore various exhibits and artifacts within the castle to learn about its rich history and cultural heritage. The castle is also surrounded by beautiful gardens and spectacular scenery, making it a truly unforgettable destination.

Afterwards, we will arrive at Cambridge, a renowned British university (approximately 3.5 hours of sightseeing). Xu Zhimo's poem "Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again" describes Cambridge, with its ancient college buildings surrounded by expansive lawns, and the winding River Cam flowing through this university town. You can steal a moment of peace and experience a Cambridge boat trip on the River Cam, or stroll through the various colleges to immerse yourself in the cultural atmosphere. Afterwards, you can explore at your own pace. We recommend (exterior view only): the large and beautiful King's College, with its magnificent Gothic architecture. Trinity College, renowned for both its fame and wealth, has an apple tree at its entrance, said to be a descendant of the apple tree that struck Newton. Two famous bridges span the River Cam: Newton's Mathematical Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs, connecting St. John's College.

We will meet at 6 PM and return to the hotel to rest. Suggested hotel: Holiday Inn (3-star) or equivalent .

Cambridge — King's College, a large and beautiful campus with magnificent Gothic architecture. Trinity College, renowned for both its fame and wealth, has an apple tree at its entrance, said to be a descendant of the apple tree that struck Newton. Two famous bridges span the River Cam: Newton's Mathematical Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs, connecting to St. John's College.

Day 7: Full-day in-depth tour of London

After departing from the hotel, we will arrive at Tower Bridge (exterior view, tour time approximately 30 minutes). You can also choose to take a Thames River sightseeing cruise to enjoy the beautiful scenery around the Thames and connect many famous landmarks in London, such as the London Eye, Millennium Bridge, and St. Paul's Cathedral. Taking a modern and user-friendly cruise allows you to appreciate the beauty of London from another perspective.

Tower Bridge — A high-towered iron bridge spanning the River Thames, named after its proximity to the Tower of London, and a symbol of London. It is a 244-meter-long, movable bridge with two towers, each 65 meters high. Today, the bridge is raised and lowered by electric motors, but the original steam engine mechanism is still preserved and open to the public.

Afterwards, we will begin our tour of central London (approximately 1.5 hours of walking tour). We will visit Buckingham Palace (exterior view), the royal residence of the King; Westminster Abbey (exterior view), one of the key scenes in *The Da Vinci Code*; the Houses of Parliament (exterior view), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a representative example of Gothic Revival architecture; Big Ben (exterior view), a London landmark; and 10 Downing Street, the British Prime Minister's residence (exterior view), a place frequently featured in photographs worldwide. After lunch near Trafalgar Square/Pigeon Square, we will proceed to the British Museum (approximately 2.5 hours). If the museum is temporarily closed, the time allotted for other attractions will be extended.

Return to the hotel for rest in the evening. Suggested hotel: Holiday Inn (3-star) or equivalent.

Buckingham Palace — The British monarch frequently conducts official business here, receives the Prime Minister or ministers, and hosts important events such as state celebrations. The palace currently has 775 rooms, and its gardens are the largest private gardens in London. The State Rooms, used for official and state entertainment, are open to the public for most of August and September, and on certain days during the winter and spring. The famous Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place every morning. The British Museum , founded in 1753, is the world's first national museum and one of the world's largest and most famous museums. It houses over 8 million items, a collection so rich and diverse that it is unparalleled among museums worldwide.