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United kingdom.

Regal. Charming. Scenic.

Comprised of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the United Kingdom definitely has dozens of reasons worth leaving home for. Mountains, valleys, hills and dales, forests and gardens, oh and no less than 25 UNESCO World Heritage sites scattered throughout, are but a few. You will find a slew of cathedrals, castles, palaces and country houses spanning history. Centuries of inspiring the world, influencing the arts, and forming natural beauty have developed this land into one great nation.

Destination Must-See's

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A world in a city is a common way to describe the metropolis of London, the capital of England. A cultural melting pot of over 230 nationalities, London is the financial, political and cultural capital of the UK. It is booming with activity and bursting with sightseeing treasures. You’ll find historic highlights from the haunting Tower of London to the ornate Buckingham Palace and more modern attractions such as the world-famous Harrods department store and the towering London Eye.

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The capital city and second most populous in Scotland, Edinburgh has been recognized for its historic and cultural attractions. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK after London. Great shopping, historic architecture and great Scottish whisky are just part of its allure. Its greatest draw is Edinburgh Castle. This sprawling medieval castle and fortress sits atop Castle Rock in the city center, dominating Edinburgh’s skyline.

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Giant’s Causeway:

At the foot of the basalt cliffs on the coast of Northern Ireland’s County of Antrim lies the stunning Giant’s Causeway. Travelers flock to this UNESCO World Heritage site to experience the 40,000 massive dark columns rising from the sea. The natural phenomena has sparked legends of giants and magic, but its unique geology points to volcanic activity from over 50 million years ago. The Giant’s Causeway is a beautiful sight and the experience of a lifetime.

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Cornwall, a region located on a peninsula in southwest England, is comprised of many different towns and villages that feature beautiful beaches and picturesque coastlines. Bordered by the Celtic Sea and the English Channel, one of its most popular towns is St. Ives. This seaside port town just north of Penzance on the coast of the Celtic Sea is known as the art center of West Cornwall and has a sub-tropical feel and beautiful beaches.

Destination Must-Do's

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England’s Lake District:

Lose yourself in the natural beauty of this mountainous region in northwest England dotted with tranquil lakes. One of the picturesque villages in the region is Grasmere, once home of and inspiration to the romantic poet William Wordsworth. Perhaps you will take a sail on one of the lakes and take in the peaceful backdrop of lush green mountains, serene shorelines and pristine calm waters dotted with tiny islands.

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Stonehenge:

Walk in the footsteps of so many before you when visiting prehistoric Stonehenge. This mysterious rock formation dates back to the Stone Age and remains one of the world’s most famous sites. Standing in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, Stonehenge is perhaps the most important prehistoric monument in England. The experience of seeing this timeless monument is not to be missed – it will surely be a highlight of your visit.

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This large, deep freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands extends approximately 23 miles southwest of the city of Inverness. Loch Ness is best known for the alleged sightings of the Loch Ness monster. While Loch Ness is not the largest Scottish loch by surface area, it is the largest by volume, with its deepest point at 755 feet. Along the shore, you will find the ruins of Urquhart Castle. This once mighty site rests on the headwaters of Loch Ness and dates back as far as the 13th century.

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Prepare to step back in time in the English countryside. The Cotswolds are roughly 25 miles across and 90 miles long, stretching from Stratford-upon-Avon to Bath. The region is known for its small towns and villages with homes made from golden colored Cotswold stone and grass roofs that sit among lush greenery and rolling hills. Stratford-upon-Avon is perhaps its most famous town. Lying along the River Avon, it’s famed for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare, one of the world’s great playwrights. Be sure to make a trip to see the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Expert Advice

diana

Think “go to the right.” It is their natural flow of traffic even when it comes to walking. It is important to not only look both ways when crossing the street, but also when on an escalator, stand to the right. When walking down the street, stay alert and follow the flow – to the right.

UK e2

Expect to be offered tea, a lot. The British love their tea and not only during afternoon tea, any time for any reason. But you should know there is a “proper” way to drink it. The rules are – sit up straight, do not blow on it, take small sips with your pinky down, and put the cup on the saucer between sips. Now you are prepared to sip away.

UK e3

Bring a raincoat and umbrella, as it rains one out of three days in the UK. It does vary from region to region, but generally speaking, they are important items to have on hand at all times.

Featured Tours to United Kingdom

TS663 Scotland Isles of Lore and Legends TourCard

Scotland: Land of Lore & Legend

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Scotland: Land of Lore & Legend featuring the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

TS716 Shades Of The English Countryside

The Shades of the English Countryside featuring London, Cornwall & The Cotswolds

TS92 Discover Scotrland

Discover Scotland

Feefo Customer Rating

Discover Scotland featuring the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

TS54 British Landscapes TourCard

British Landscapes featuring England, Scotland and Wales

Feefo Customer Rating

British Landscapes featuring the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

TS681 Journey Through Scotland and England

Coasts & Countrysides of England with Edinburgh, Liverpool & London with Edinburgh, Liverpool & London

Feefo Customer Rating

Brochures that Feature Our United Kingdom Tours

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Top Tour Operators and Travel Agencies in England 2024/2025

Top Tour Operators and Travel Agencies in England. Below you will find 24 of the best tour operators and travel agencies in England offering in total 273 tours and holidays through-out England. Combined they have received 444 customer reviews and an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The top tour activities offered in England are: Sightseeing, attractions, culture and history, Adventure and sport & Wildlife, landscapes and nature.

  • Tours in England
  • England Travel Guide

24 Tour Operators in England with 444 Reviews

Brendan Vacations

Brendan Vacations

  • Address Brendan Vacations 801 E. Katella Avenue Anaheim, California 92805, California, USA
  • Response Rate 90%
  • Response Time 1 hour

Walkers' Britain

Walkers' Britain

  • Address 1B Osiers Road, London, England
  • Response Rate 83%
  • Response Time 3 hours

tour companies in uk

  • Best-in-Class Top 5% of companies
  • Excellent Service Top 10% of companies
  • Superior Service Top 15% of companies

Topdeck

  • Address 109 Power Road, Chiswick, London, England
  • Response Rate 81%

Trafalgar

  • Address Picquet House, St Peter Port, Guernsey, London, England

Mckenzie Mountaineering

Mckenzie Mountaineering

  • Address Hillcrest Braes , Ullapool, Scotland
  • Response Rate 100%

Explore

  • Address Nelson House, 55-59 Victoria Rd, Farnborough, England
  • Response Rate 95%
  • Response Time 2 hours

Expat Explore

Expat Explore

  • Address 10 Merryweather Place, London, England

Collette Tours

Collette Tours

  • Address 162 Middle Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA
  • Response Rate 85%

Costsaver

  • Address 33 Kern Road, Toronto, Canada
  • Response Rate 87%

Luxury Gold

Luxury Gold

  • Response Rate 60%

Contiki

  • Address 38-51 Bedford Way, London, England
  • Response Rate 88%

The London Bicycle Tour Company

The London Bicycle Tour Company

  • Address 74 Kennington Road, London, England

Indus Travels

Indus Travels

  • Address 233, 11951 Hammersmith Way, Richmond, Canada
  • Response Rate 98%

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

  • Address 15/56 Pitt St, Sydney, Australia
  • Response Rate 74%

England Tour Reviews

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Small group guided tours of England and the UK from London

Small groups.

#1 rated small group day tours from London. See the best of England with a family run company, and tour on a luxury bus with an expert guide. 

The Cotswolds, Oxford & Stratford upon Avon

Canterbury, dover castle and cliffs & kent villages, great guides, stonehenge, bath & a secret place ®, one day tours..

Make the most of your time in London with a guided tour of England’s must see destinations. Our bus tours take the back roads, with a great guide in a small group on our award winning day trips from London. Visit Stonehenge, Cotswolds, Oxford, Bath, Canterbury, Stratford-upon-Avon, Dover, Bruges & more. Don’t get lost in the crowd. Join The English Bus for the best tour experience.

Stonehenge, Bath & A Secret Place ®

The cotswolds, oxford & stratford upon avon, canterbury, dover castle and cliffs & kent villages, a cotswolds village, bath and stonehenge, warner bros. studio tour london - the making of harry potter & oxford, winter solstice sunrise tour at stonehenge 2024, belgium – a day in beautiful bruges.

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" We already had high expectations for this tour, but the English Bus managed to exceed them. "Johny," our guide/driver, struck a perfect balance between professionalism and humor. The 'secret place' was the icing on the cake. " Christopher, Massachusetts, USA - a TripAdvisor reviewer
"Lilly was absolutely LOVELY! She was enthusiastic and humorous and very well-informed! The English Bus has mastered the day tour! Thank you Lilly for one of the best days of our vacation." Karen, San Diego, USA - a TripAdvisor reviewer
"Our tour guide, Lilly was wonderful. She mixed history, culture, and enthusiasm in a way that brought the whole experience alive! The tour group size was perfect, small, but enough people to interact." Daniel, USA - a TripAdvisor reviewer

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Fully Guided Tours & Trips in UK and Great Britain

Find the right fully guided tour for you in UK And Great Britain. There are 750 trips to choose from, that range from one day in length, up to 27 days. The month with the most departures is September, making it the most popular time to visit UK And Great Britain.

250+ Fully Guided tour packages in UK and Great Britain with 22,207 reviews

Essential Britain & Ireland Tour

  • In-depth Cultural
  • Coach / Bus

Essential Britain & Ireland

The itinerary was fascinating. The reality of the itinerary far exceeded my expectation!

England, Scotland & Wales Tour

England, Scotland & Wales

The tour was good. But the time was an issue to short at the stops!

United Kingdom and Ireland ( 10 days ) Tour

  • Sightseeing
  • Christmas & New Year

United Kingdom and Ireland ( 10 days )

Britain & Ireland Discovery (Classic, 22 Days) Tour

Britain & Ireland Discovery (Classic, 22 Days)

I really enjoyed our stops in the pubs. And for someone with physical issues I really appreciated the luggage delivered to our hotel rooms.

Best of UK & Ireland Tour

Best of UK & Ireland

The destinations we visited were all pretty cool. Wish that we could have spent more time at some of them.
  • 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Exploring Dublin, United Kingdom and Paris Tour

Exploring Dublin, United Kingdom and Paris

Everything promised was delivered. We went to many beautiful pieces and met many beautiful people.

Britain and Ireland Experience (12 Days) Tour

Britain and Ireland Experience (12 Days)

Excellent tour very well run by Greg. No hesitation in recommending the same to family and friends

Britain and Ireland Panorama (16 Days) Tour

Britain and Ireland Panorama (16 Days)

Everything about the trip was good, including the weather, and Greg even influenced that.
  • €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Britain & Ireland Explorer (Classic, 13 Days) Tour

Britain & Ireland Explorer (Classic, 13 Days)

We had a great holiday and highly recommend insight tours. We had lovely hotels and a fantastic tour guide.

Scotland and Ireland with London Tour

Scotland and Ireland with London

The tour was informative and engaging. We had a great experience overall.

The Best of Britain & Ireland Tour

The Best of Britain & Ireland

For £170 a night i have seen bigger shoe boxes.

Marvellous UK and Ireland ( 17 days ) Tour

Marvellous UK and Ireland ( 17 days )

Great Britain Tour

Great Britain

Amazing!! Highly recommend. This tour is the trip of a lifetime.

Aonghus Youth Tour

Aonghus Youth

They're extremely professional and you cannot even begin to imagine how much fun you will have.

Highland Fling Tour

Highland Fling

Great content for the tour and would highly recommend Haggis tours.
  • €75 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

What people love about Fully Guided Tours in UK and Great Britain

Very nice itinerary ... jam packed days and evenings. I chose not to do any of the extra evening excursions that were offered so I was able to use the time to explore every overnight stop on my own. The tour guide was amazing... so full of knowledge about all the countries/areas we visited.
Awesome tour! Tour guide Oshan and driver Germaine make a great team of getting us around to wonderful sites. Oshan is very knowledgeable on the history of all the places we visited. Germaine got us through all the tight places safely and comfortably. You'll get to see all the major areas in Great Britain, from historical cities like Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and Liverpool to historical sites like Edinburgh Castle, Loch Ness and Stonehenge. I personally recommend
Greg was an enthusiastic snd knowledgeable tour guide. Arthur was an excellent driver. Together they made the tour a pleasure with their dedicated ,good humoured professionalism.

Top operators

Luxury Gold

"The British Royale tour far exceeded our expectations! VIP Experiences were memorable and enjoyable. Our Tour Concierge, Ebony, was very well organized and shared an unlimited wealth of knowledge on just about everything. Our tour group had only 11 people which was absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who has an interest in learning and experiencing more about the UK!

Luxury Gold is an expert in:

Globus

"Had to call Globus three times before trip to get the final travel packet. Each time I called ,was told that someone would take care of this. Bus driver Glenn and tour guide Clive were great. Mic on bus kept cutting out and the people in the back of the bus could not hear. Would have like to have spent a day in Belfast and seen the Titanic museum ,All that Belfast was just a bathroom break and all I saw of Belfast was the washroom inside City Hall. If we had spent a day in Belfast I, wouldn't been so tried by the time we got to Scotland. Also would have like to have another in York. When we returned to London, somewhere from the time the bus arrived at the hotel till they unloaded the bags and put them on the luggage cart and bought them to the room, the porter broke my bag and the wheel came off. When I reported this to the hotel was told " these things happen", too bad, so sad " have your insurance company buy you a new bag". I had to try to get back home with a big with three wheel.

Globus is an expert in:

Europamundo

"Good trip and very interested on the site visited

Europamundo is an expert in:

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UK Travel Planning

Best UK Tours 2023/4 – Reviews & Itinerary Guide

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: June 13, 2023

Taking one of the many UK tours on offer can be a great way to explore the United Kingdom if this is one of your first trips in the UK. There are several advantages to taking a guided or self-guided tour for part (or all) of your time visiting the UK. 

Guided tours of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland allow you to minimise the travel hassle as you’ll have a company to do most of the planning for you, and many of the United Kingdom tour package options we’ve included here allow you to see far more of the UK in a shorter period of time than it would be possible to do on your own. 

Guided tours of UK can also offer good value for money, and there are some great UK trip packages on offer. Unfortunately, choosing which UK tour to take is not so easy – as the choice of tours in UK can be really overwhelming. There are just so many, so where to start looking? 

In this guide I’ll walk you through some of my favourite UK tour itineraries and how to choose the best UK tour that’s right for you. Whether you’re looking for England tours, cheap UK tours, all-inclusive England vacation packages, or the best coach holidays UK has, you’ll find plenty of options in this blog. I’ve also included some of my recommended cycling and walking holidays UK has for those looking for an active break. 

Let’s get started with the best Great Britain tours 2023/4 options on offer! 

Best Tours of Great Britain – Comparison Chart

When is the best time to go on your uk trip , mode of transport, pace of travel, elegance of great britain – insight vacations – 11 days, castles & kilts – trafalgar tours – 10 days, great britain 7 days, uk by train – great rail journeys uk – 12 days.

  • The Lake District & Scotland – Rabbie's – 9 Days

Highlights of Scotland – G Adventures – 7 Days

Country roads of scotland – insight vacations – 9 days.

  • Best of Scotland 

8 Day Isle of Skye, Orkney & North Coast

Britain and ireland, essential britain & ireland – globus – 10 days, britain & ireland explorer – insight vacations – 13 days, walk hadrian’s wall, g adventures, globus journeys , great rail journeys, insight vacations, intrepid travel, indus travels , trafalgar travel, rabbie’s tours, extending your british tour with extra days in london.

If you want to compare even more of the best coach trips the UK has or other styles of tour, I recommend TourRadar as a great place to compare tours and read more UK tour reviews. 

When planning for your trip to England or the rest of the UK, it’s important to take seasonality into consideration. I go over all the details of the weather and the seasons in the UK here in this article . 

When comparing tour operator UK options and which trip to take, be aware that UK tours tend to run with reduced frequency during the winter months, with many of the best UK tour packages running more frequently in spring and summer (April – August).

While some British coach holidays run year-round, speciality outdoor trips such as cycling holidays UK options may only run during summer months. 

Suitcases with signposts to various UK destinations.

Best United Kingdom Tours – Choosing the Best Tour for you

When searching for the best UK travel packages and tours, there are many factors to consider. Here are some of the top things I recommend taking a few minutes to think about before deciding on the best tour of Britain for you: 

Many of the most popular UK guided tour options are small group tours. UK small group tours vary widely in size with what is deemed to be a ‘small’ group – with some having up to 50 in a group while others keep it to 12 or under. 

Coach tours UK options are a convenient way to travel around with the rest of your group and often allow more to be fitted into an itinerary than independently travelling by train.

These range in style and you can find plenty of luxury coach holidays UK options as well as budget bus tours UK.

If you want to take the train but also like the idea of a guided tour, you could consider one of the train holidays UK options listed below. 

This is the one most of us forget to consider! In order to fit as much in as possible, some of the popular coach holidays in England and the rest of the UK move very fast, taking in multiple cities and sights in a day and usually spending only 1 night in a place. 

This can get tiring, so if you prefer to spend at least a couple of nights in each place, check for itineraries that allow you more time or you could consider choosing one of the self-drive holidays UK options available. 

Also, see our tips at the end of this article for extending your stay in the UK by spending extra days in London, Edinburgh, or any of the other common UK tour starting and endpoints. 

England vacation packages and tours have different inclusions depending on the style of trip and company.

Most include transport, guide, accommodation and some meals, but check the small print so you know what you are and aren’t getting included on tours to England.

The entrance fees to many sights are often not included in tour pricing. 

Bibury in The Cotswolds.

Best Great Britain Tours (England, Scotland, Wales)

Below you’ll find our favourite United Kingdom trip tour packages that take in England, Scotland and in some cases Wales, too. For tours that also include Ireland, see the next section. 

Best for seeing England & Scotland at a more leisurely pace

Starting in Edinburgh and finishing in London, this 11-day journey through some of England and Scotland’s finest sights is a great option for those wanting to travel in comfort or who are looking for the best UK tours for seniors. 

This is one of our favourite England and Scotland tour packages if you prefer a tour that spends 1-2 nights in each place and allows you to relax more in the places that you visit.

Staying at 4* accommodations throughout the trip, this itinerary starts in Edinburgh and takes in Gretna Green, the stunning Lake District , historic York, Stratford-upon-Avon, the Cotswolds and Bath before finishing up in London.

Travel is by private coach. 

As trips to England and Scotland go, this Insight Vacations UK trip is one for those who want to see the best of the UK’s history, natural beauty and culture in comfort and style. If you have additional time, we highly recommend adding on extra days in London or Edinburgh (or both!). 

Click here for more info and pricing

Chester is included in some of the best UK tours.

Best for fitting lots of England in at a great price

Starting in London and finishing in Edinburgh, this 10 day London – Scotland tour by Trafalgar Tours England is a great option for those who want to see as much as possible during their trip and don’t mind travelling at a faster pace. 

One of the popular tours of England and Scotland, this itinerary spends 3 days taking in the sights of London at the start of the tour, so you don’t need to worry about booking additional time at the start of the tour (unless you want to).

From London, head north to Oxford and Bath before crossing the Welsh borders and exploring some fine Welsh castles . You’ll also visit Chester, Lancaster and Hadrian’s wall before finishing in Edinburgh. 

If you want to include a trip to Wales in your UK tour itinerary then this is a great tour to go for, and history lovers will enjoy every stop of this trip that showcases the UK’s history from the Wars of the Roses to Roman Bath – you even get to stay at Ruthin Castle in Wales – a 13th century castle with its original moat!

Best for seeing it all in seven days

If you only have seven days to spend in the UK, this whistle-stop tour will whisk you up and down the length and breadth of Britain to introduce you to the highlights. Included on the itinerary are a list of destinations for day trips outside London – and beyond. 

The cities of Bath, Cambridge and York in England, plus the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, are included. Stratford-upon-Avon is also visited as the home of the UK’s most revered playwright. Experiences to savour include seeing Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis in Scotland, and enjoying a traditional roast dinner in historic, compact York. 

In addition to Georgian Bath and the capital London, this seven day tour takes you to some other fascinating UK locations too. There’s sculptor Antony Gormley’s famous Angel of the North artwork, a Scottish border town, Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, and the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness.

Once you head down the west coast, the musical and sporting city of Liverpool awaits. You’ll also venture into Wales to see the city of Cardiff and a ​​mediaeval Welsh castle. After touring Bath, the last stop en route back to London is Stonehenge. This ancient site is shrouded in mystery – and a must on the itinerary of every visitor to the UK.

Steam train crossing the Glenfinnan viaduct.

Best for train travel and rail holidays UK

There’s arguably nothing more quintessentially British than train travel – and if life on the rails in Britain is what you’ve been romanticising about, then this is one of the train tours UK for you.

This UK rail itinerary takes in the best of Scotland and England, with the chance to ride on one of the best-known steam train trips UK has to offer on the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig.

You’ll travel on the West Highland Line, North East Main Line that links Edinburgh and York, and the West Coast Mainline south from Glasgow.

Travel is at a more leisurely pace with 2 nights spent in most cities, staying in mostly 4* hotels. You’ll also get to see Bath and Stonehenge before finishing in London. 

If you’re looking for guided tours of England and Scotland by train, this is a great itinerary to go for. You’ll get to experience many of the UK’s best-known railways and take in the country’s top historic and cultural sights along the way. Travel is by train and private coach. 

View over the Lake District in England.

The Lake District & Scotland – Rabbie’s – 9 Days

Best for taking in the beautiful scenery of the Lake District & Scottish Highlands

Rabbie’s tours of the UK offer great value for money, and if you want to be immersed in some of the UK’s finest landscapes and are interested in guided walking holidays UK options, this is a great way to dip your toes in. 

Starting in Manchester, this itinerary is a ‘rail and trail’ combination of 2 Rabbie’s trips , meaning you’ll change minibus and guide half way through.

First you’ll explore the stunning Lake District in the beautiful north west of England, enjoying Windermere and Ullswater before taking the train up to Edinburgh for your Highlands adventure that visits some of the most scenic spots on Scotland’s west coast: Uban, Mull and Skye before heading back to the mainland to visit the iconic Eilean Donan castle. 

If you’re looking for the best adventure tours UK has, then we recommend Rabbie’s who deliver great tours at a budget-friendly price point for those who love the outdoors.

View over Loch Ness can be seen on some of the best UK tours.

Best for Scottish Highlands exploring and Solo Trips UK. 

If you’re looking to focus your UK trip on Scotland , then this 7 day Scotland tour from Edinburgh by G Adventures is well worth a look.

G Adventures also offer very reasonable single supplements if you’re looking for the best solo holidays uk options – or you can choose to share a room with another traveller of the same sex. Either way, G Adventures UK is popular with solo travellers. 

Starting in Edinburgh and finishing in Glasgow, this Scotland tour takes in Inverness and the famous Loch Ness, Culloden Moor (famous for the Jacobite rising of 1745), the beautiful Isle of Skye and Fort William, with a chance to snap the famous Jacobite Steam Train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct (a must for Harry Potter fans) en route.

Accommodation is on a twin-share basis in 3* hotels and travel is by private minibus. 

If you want the highlights of the highlands of Scotland, this is a good tour to go for, with the option to add on extra days at the start or end of your tour – you could easily spend more time in Edinburgh, or head down to London. 

The Orkney Islands.

Off the beaten-path Highlands of Scotland

One of our favourite Great Britain vacation packages for getting a little off the beaten path is this wonderful northern Scotland adventure by Insight Vacations. Perfect for those wanting to see more of the Scottish Highlands or try something different when it comes to the many UK holiday packages. 

Starting in Edinburgh, on this upscale tour you’ll take in Inverness and Loch Ness, the beautiful and remote Orkney Islands at the northern tip of Scotland – a part that few visitors see – before heading south down the west coast of Scotland to take in the Isle of Skye, the stunning Glencoe pass and Loch Lomond before finishing up in Glasgow.

Accommodation is in 4* hotels and travel is by private coach. 

This is certainly one of the best UK coach holidays 2021 has to offer if the Scottish Highlands have been calling to you. You’ll love this one if you want to see the full diversity of landscapes and richness of community and culture that Scotland has. 

Best of Scotland  

Best for uncovering all four corners of Scotland  

If you want to find the best luxury coach tours in the UK that cover much of what lies north of the border, then the Best of Scotland tour from Trafalgar is a popular option for summer. The adventure begins in the capital of Edinburgh on day one. You’ll then be transported around Bonnie Scotland for seven days before ending up in Glasgow. 

This vibrant city lies to the west of Edinburgh. It’s the biggest in Scotland in terms of both population and square mileage. The metropolis is renowned for its magnificent architecture and as a cultural hub for fans of music, museums and more.

After arrival and on the second day of the tour, you’ll delve deeper under the surface of the historic and breathtakingly beautiful Scottish capital. Key sights including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Palace of Holyroodhouse are visited during your guided tour, and you’ll also enjoy free time to spend as you wish. 

Between leaving Edinburgh and arriving in Glasgow – both of which are in southern Scotland – you’ll head north. The first stop is St. Andrews, where Prince William met Kate Middleton, before overnighting at a hotel in the Cairngorms National Park. During day four, you’ll visit the site of the famous Jacobite uprising, see Eilean Donan Castle, look out for the Loch Ness Monster and head over to the Isle of Skye. 

The fifth day of the tour includes Ben Nevis and Glencoe en route to Glasgow. After staying overnight there, you’ll take a city tour before calling at Clydeside whisky distillery and Stirling Castle on day six. Day seven is departure day, unless you decide to stay on in Glasgow for longer. 

Best for touring unspoiled Scotland

If what appeals to you most about the British Isles is the chance to spend time in Bonnie Scotland, this tour to far northern Scotland might be the one for you. It’s what Great Britain vacations are made of for many – beguiling cities, beautiful coastline and of course a dazzlingly rich and varied history. 

Day one transports you from Edinburgh to Inverness, via the famous Forth Bridge, picture-perfect Perthshire, the peaceful village of Dunkeld, the fascinating Highland Folk Museum, the Cairngorms National Park, bloody Culloden Battlefield and the standing stones at Clava Cairns. 

Next up on the second day is the spectacular North Coast 500 trail, via French-style Dunrobin Castle, en route to the island of Orkney. Puffin territory and an astonishingly well-preserved Neolithic settlement await after overnighting on Orkney. 

Both the better-known and lesser seen sights of Scotland make up much of the tour’s second half. These include Smoo Cave in Sutherland, the harbour village of Ullapool, Eilean Donan Castle, the Isle of Skye, the Jacobite Steam Train from Mallaig to Fort William and Glencoe.

During the last day, you can also choose to take an optional side trip to one of the Western Isles – namely Iona, Kerrera, Mull or Staffa. Alternatively, climb up Battery Hill in Oban or call into the 

 local Whisky Distillery. Finally, before heading back to Edinburgh, visit the Kelpies and Stirling Castle. 

Aerial view of Keswick in the Lake District

Best England, Ireland, Scotland Tour packages

Some of these itinerary options include the best England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales tours for a comprehensive circuit of the British Isles, while others combine Ireland and Scotland to get a fuller taste of the Celtic lands. 

View of evening in Dublin can be appreciated on some of the best UK tours.

Best for a whistle-stop tour of the UK and Ireland

If seeing England and Scotland isn’t enough for you, then you might like to add on Ireland. This ten day trip is arguably the best way to see England, Scotland and Ireland in one hit. It lasts for ten days, and packs far more into that time than you could feasibly manage on a self-guided basis. 

First up after departing London is Shakespeare country and Stratford-upon-Avon, then it’s the Yorkshire cities of York and Bradford. The Yorkshire Dales, Lake Windermere, Gretna Green and Glasgow are then on the agenda for day three. 

There’s a day in Edinburgh for the fourth day, before heading to Ayrshire, Belfast, Dublin, Kilkenny and Waterford on day five and six. Cardiff, Bath and Windsor are the final stops before the tour winds up back in London. 

This tour offers incredible value for money, and really maximises each and every day when time in the UK is tight. 

Best for trips to England and Ireland that include the main highlights

If you’re looking at tours of England, Scotland and Ireland, then this 10 day trip by Globus may tick all the right boxes. 

Start and end in London on this tour that takes in the English highlights of Stonehenge and Bath before exploring Newport and Cardiff in Wales en route by ferry to Waterford and Dublin in Ireland.

Head north through Ireland towards the up-and-coming city of Belfast and crossing back into Scotland to take in the sights of the Scottish capital, Edinburgh.

On the final leg you’ll head south through York and Stratford upon Avon to London to soak up the best of English history. Travel is by coach. 

This is one of the best tours of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland if you’re tight on time and don’t want to forgo any of the countries of the British Isles. The travel is at a fairly fast pace though – so you may wish to add on a few days to relax at the end of your trip. 

Snow peaked mountains in Glencoe.

Best for combining Scottish Highlands & Ireland

One of the comprehensive UK tours from London options in this list, this itinerary works well if you want to start in London and have a few days before your trip starts to explore the UK’s capital – either through an extension booked through Insight or under your own steam. 

Leaving London, this ultimate UK tour takes in the historic English highlights of Stratford and York before heading past Hadrian’s Wall to Edinburgh and circling the Scottish Highlands.

Take in the legendary sights of Loch Ness, Glencoe and a boat trip on Loch Lomond before heading back south into England and Wales, and crossing over into Ireland.

Travel is by private coach and accommodation is at 4* hotels. 

On this grand UK tour, you’ll spend a total of 5 nights in Ireland and 7 in England & Scotland, making this the perfect UK tour packages from London when you just want to see it all! 

Portree on the Isle of Skye.

Best for English countryside and Roman history

Following the route of Hadrian’s Wall makes for one of the best road trips in the UK. Though the wall is quite justifiably famous, the route along it is far less touristy than other parts of the British Isles. The wall stretches from near Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the east to the compact city of Carlisle in the west. 

Hadrian’s Wall can be found within the more peaceful parts of England’s two most northerly counties. As this is a walking tour you’ll need a reasonable level of fitness, but this also means you’ll get up really close to the sights of Cumbria and Northumberland. And of course the unspoiled English countryside, with its dry stone walls and sheep-dotted emerald fields. 

To give you some idea of the distances, the first day’s walk is around eight miles, between Carlisle and Irthington. Other walks include the six mile trek between Lanercost Priory and Gilsland, the three-and-a-half Walltown Crags to Haltwhistle route and seven miles from Once Brewed to Brocolitia Fort. It’s also nine miles from Chollerford to East Wallhouses, and about five from East Wallhouses to Wylam. 

Highlights of this tour include the pretty Cumbrian village Crosby-on-Eden; Birdoswald, Housesteads, Brocolitia and Vindolanda Roman Forts, Walltown quarry, Sycamore Gap, the site of the victory of Oswald and the historic old Military Road. 

Best Tour Companies UK Reviews

Not sure which of the best travel agency UK options you should pick? Below you can find a short review of what to expect when travelling with any of the UK tour companies mentioned above. 

G Adventures tours are known for their good value and experience-rich approach. They attract travellers of all ages, both couples and solo travellers, thanks to their twin-share policy where single travellers can travel at no extra cost if they share with another traveller of the same sex.

Travel is in small groups (max 12) and includes a local tour guide “CEO”. Accommodation is in mid-range hotels and guest houses, and typically breakfasts and entry to some sights are included.

Travel in the UK is mostly by private mini-bus unless otherwise stated. 

Popular for coach tours in the UK and around the world, Globus Journeys offer guided coach tours in the UK and Ireland, either with smaller groups (max 24) or larger groups (up to 50) depending on the style of the trip.

Accommodation is typically in tourist class hotels (3* and 4*) with well known brands. Globus is popular among travellers aged in their 50’s, 60’s and up for the convenience of travel by coach and their tours have more meals and excursions included than some.

Expect itineraries that pack places in, so you’ll see a lot, and stays are typically 1 night. 

GRJ are the go-to for UK steam tours and railway journeys around the UK and beyond, so if travelling the UK by train is what you’re hoping to do, look no further.

Itineraries are designed to take in iconic lines and to provide the best steam train holidays UK has (or ‘regular’ trains). Journeys are escorted by a Tour Manager, and the majority of travellers are either solo travellers or couples aged between 45 – 80.

Accommodation is in 3* hotels or higher. The maximum group size on any trip is 50, or you can opt for a tailor made travel experience. 

Insight Vacations are an upscale tour company offering luxury UK coach tours with up to 40 people per group.

Travellers are typically 45 and up, and itineraries are a little more relaxed than many other tour companies, including 2 night stays at many destinations and “relaxed starts” in the morning spread out through the trip allowing time to catch up on rest if you need it.

Accommodation is in 4* hotels and trips are accompanied by a tour manager. 

Famous for great value adventures around the world, in the UK Intrepid offer a range of shorter ‘retreat’ style trips – so if you’re after hiking trips UK or a guided walking and cycling holiday, look no further.

Accommodation is in local guest houses and you’ll be accompanied by your own Intrepid Travel guide for the duration of the trip.

Maximum group size is 12, and rooms are on a twin share basis with the same sex if you’re a solo traveller, or you can pay a supplement to have your own room. 

Offering a mix of small group tours, independent adventures, cruises and self-drive vacations, Indus Travels allows you to set your own pace of travel with flexible itineraries when you choose one of their ‘unbundled tours’ or self-drive trips.

Self-drive trips are just you, your car rental, itinerary and accommodation, whereas group tours have up to 22 travellers, English-speaking local guides, deluxe accommodation and air conditioned coaches included.

Indus is popular with younger and older travellers alike, with many travellers in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. 

Well known and popular Trafalgar Tours England have been offering coach travel around the UK for many years and have many happy customers behind them.

Group tours have a maximum of 50 people, travelling by coach to the most popular destinations. They are popular for England tours for seniors (and younger people), and on any of their England tour packages you’re guaranteed to have a lot packed into your itinerary. That’s one thing to bear in mind – this is definitely not slow travel – but it’s a good way to get an overview of the British Isles.

All tours are accompanied by a guide and accommodation is tourist class 3* or 4* international standard hotels. 

Rabbie’s tours have some great England travel deals (and beyond). They’re a small group tours company providing great value breaks that help you get off the beaten track in the UK and Europe.

Rabbie’s aim to support local communities and promote responsible travel, by keeping tour groups small (10 people). They also work differently to other tour companies in that accommodation is not included in the tour price – once you book your tour you can choose your accommodation from a selection offered by Rabbie’s to suit your budget and preferences.

The name Rabbie’s comes from the nickname for famous Scot, Robert Burns! 

Image of the river Thames and the London Eye in London sights included in a few of the best UK tours.

If you have a day, two, or more aside from your tour, we highly recommend taking advantage of those to explore London, or another city if your tour is starting from elsewhere – Edinburgh is another popular starting point for the UK tours mentioned in this guide. 

While some tours include sightseeing in London (or another departure city), not all do – or they include a very shortened version – and trust us that 1 day is definitely not enough to see London in, especially if you’re jetlagged. 

If you can, arrive a few days before your tour begins to enjoy the top London sights and get onto UK time if you’re flying in from far away. You can find our complete London travel guide here to get you started.

If you have specific questions about a destination in the UK why not join my UK and London Travel Planning Group on Facebook where you can chat with others planning their trip.

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Tours Of The UK

Let Our History Be Your Guide

Tours Of The UK – Let Our History Be Your Guide

Welcome to tours of the uk, we are a multi-award winning tour company within the top 100 tour companies (as reviewed on tripadvisor) in london within the top 5% of tour companies in the uk.

Hover over the images to see tour titles and click the images for more information about the tours . 

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Day Trip To Stratford-Upon-Avon, The Birthplace of William Shakespeare, From London​

Abbey Road Studios

Private Beatles Taxi Tour Of London

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Private Day Tour of Cardiff, Including Cardiff Castle, St Fagan’s Museum and Cardiff Bay

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Private Pottering Around London Tour – A Wizard Time in London.

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Private Day In Cambridge From London Tour

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Private Half-Day Walking Tour of Cardiff

The Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay.

Private Doctor Who Tour of Cardiff and South Wales

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Private Westminster, Whitehall, and Windsor Castle Tour from London by Train

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Private Tour to Stonehenge and Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)

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Private Fictional and Film Spy Walking Tour of London

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Private Downton Abbey Tour, Including Bampton, Cogges Farm, and Highclere Castle Tour from London

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Private Day in the Cotswolds Tour

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Private Day Tour of South Wales, Including Cardiff and Caerphilly Castle

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Private Blenheim Palace, the Birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Tour from London

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Private Shakespeare Walking Tour Of London

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Private Downton Abbey Day In The Cotswolds Tour

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Explore the Cotswolds Private Car Tour From London

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Private Day Trip to Chartwell, Home of Sir Winston and Lady Churchill.

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Private Welcome To Wrexham, and Beautiful North Wales Day Tour.

Ianto's Shrine Cardiff Bay

Private Doctor Who Walking Tour of Cardiff

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Private Sightseeing Tour of The City Of London Walking Tour

Whitehall Street Sign

Private Sightseeing Walking Tour of Central London, Whitehall, and Westminster

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Private Doctor Who Day Tour of South Wales

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Private Sir Winston Churchill Walking Tour Of London

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Private Great London Pubs Tour

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Private Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour Of London

Doctor Who Tour of London, Tours of the UK, TARDIS

Private Doctor Who Walking Tour of London

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Private Welcome To Wrexham Half-Day Tour

The blue plaque for Sir Mansfield Cumming the first 'C' or Director General of MI6

Private Spy Tour Of London

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Dylan Thomas: Swansea, Laugharne, And Llareggub

Why book with us.

We think there is nothing worse than a boring tour -except perhaps a boring tour guide! This is why we try to make all of our sightseeing trips as interesting, informative and fun as possible. We want you to enjoy yourself and learn something new. So whether you are taking a 3-hour walking tour of some of London’s top tourist destinations, a day trip to Downton Abbey, or a local tour with one of our friendly guides we want you to enjoy every minute of our time with us.

We believe that spending a day on a tour led by someone who isn’t passionate about the subject they are talking about, or the places that you are visiting is hell on earth! In our opinion, lip service is as bad as receiving no service at all. This is why we take time to find guides who are genuinely passionate about the subjects they are delivering tours in. We only recruit guides who deliver both an engaging and interesting tour. We also take time to ensure that all of our guides meet our strict and rigorous standards, including an averages 5-star rating. This way we can guarantee that you, our customers, are loving every second of your tour with them. For us, the most important thing is that you have the best possible experience.

All of our friendly guides have big personalities and a bigger love of the tour subject that they are delivering. From passionate playwrights who will take you on tours of London’s Theatreland or around Shakespeare’s London, to local guides who know a city, its historic hotspots and its hidden gems. Our guides are there to make history your guide to a tour you will never forget.

Want to learn more about the people who work for us? Why not check our  ‘Our Guides ’ section and follow us on Twitter , Facebook or Instagram ?

At Tours of the UK, we take great pride in our work and the fun, friendly and informed attitude of everyone who works with us. We also pride ourselves on delivering the most accurate tour possible. To ensure this our scripts are written, researched, and cited as if they were academic texts by members of our team who possess a higher (graduate) degree such as a Masters or a Doctorate. This helps us, and our guides, combat the urban legends that have cropped up over time across the UK. It also means that should you want to learn more, our guide can point you to the research we used when creating the tour.

While insisting that our scripts are written and developed in this way can be time-consuming and sometimes difficult, this process enables us to keep up to date with the most recent of information and research. It also means that you have peace of mind about the accuracy of the information delivered during the tour. That said, our guides are always happy to share with you local stories, anecdotes, and rumour, and explain how when repeated often enough, these stories and half-truths can become accepted fact. After all, as the old Irish proverb says: ‘the truth never got in the way of a good story’.

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Since 1962, we have been creating extraordinary itineraries to destinations around the world. Our customers desire to explore new destinations, learn about different cultures and to simply try something new, paired with the pioneering spirit of our team, drives us to put together award-winning holidays around the globe. 

Guided tour holidays

From the very start of your holiday and throughout, our expert Holiday Director will be on hand to help guide you through your chosen adventure, sharing insights about the local culture, and of course taking you to all the best sights as well as a few places of interest that you won’t find in a guidebook. What’s more, there’s free time built into each tour for you to make your own discoveries too. 

Escorted tour specialists

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A guided holiday to suit you

We create tours that take you to worldwide destinations and bring together like-minded people. Our  Relax & Discover tours typically stay in one or two hotels with a balance itinerary of included excursions and time at leisure.  Our Classic Touring holidays help you to discover multiple amazing destinations on one holiday. On every tour, you’ll enjoy authentic shared experiences to immerse you in local culture. 

Escorted Tours to Far Away Places 2024 & Beyond

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Croatian Island Hopping

Explore the historic cities of Dubrovnik and Split and admire the beauty of four picturesque islands as you cruise aboard an exclusively chartered ship.

  • Return flights
  • 7 nights on board deluxe ship
  • 15 meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

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The Italian Riviera, Portofino & the Cinque Terre

Revel in the glamour and scenic highlights of the Italian Riviera as you explore by road, rail and boat.

  • 7 nights half-board in a 4-star hotel
  • 15 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 7 dinners and welcome drink

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The Best of the Deep South - Nashville, Memphis & New Orleans

Take a toe-tapping journey through America’s music history. From Nashville to New Orleans and Elvis to BB King, this exhilarating tour has it all.

  • 10 nights in hotels of a great quality plus 1 night in flight and 8 meals
The whole holiday was a fantastic experience. The knowledge of the local tour guide was second to none. To see all the wonderful wildlife life will truly be memorable to me. I feel that the holiday was great value for money.

Explore the world on an escorted tour

Travelsphere has carefully created incredible itineraries to more than 50 countries around the world. Explore the vibrant cities and contrasting wide-open spaces of the   USA  &  Canada . Discover the cultural delights of   Italy  or uncover the incredible sights of  India . Wherever in the world you choose to travel, we’ll help you make the most of it. 

Travel as a force for good

We believe travel should be as responsible as it is fulfilling, and that our tours can have a positive impact on both our customers and the communities we visit. As well as helping local businesses earn an income from tourism, in partnership with   Planeterra  we also support a range of projects and social enterprises.

Italy Best-selling Tours

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Pompeii, Paestum & Herculaneum

Uncover captivating stories, marvel at majestic ruins and wander the well-preserved streets of some of Italy’s most fascinating archaeological sites.

  • 14 meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 dinners and welcome drink

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Puglia & Basilicata

These two spectacular regions in Italy’s heel abound with incredible sights. Look out for traditional Trulli houses, Sassi cave dwellings and ornate Baroque buildings.

  • 15 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 7 dinners

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Grand Tour of Italy

Explore Italy from top to toe on an incredible journey that takes in the iconic cities of Venice, Florence and Rome and discovers the wonders of Pompeii, Sicily and more.

  • 14 nights in 4-star hotels
  • 23 meals: 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 8 dinners

Where to go on your escorted tour

Boat in crystal clear sea of Sicily, Europe

Europe is ever-changing and distinctive, with a diverse mix of cultures, plenty of fascinating history and truly picturesque landscapes to discover

Palm trees, San Diego, California, United States

North America

Vast plains and deserts, dense forests and stunning sandy beaches, coupled with iconic cities and plenty of fascinating history make North and Central America unforgettable holiday destinations.

Mount Fuji in Japan

Experience the contrast of unique traditions and modern cities – a distinctive diversity that makes this sprawling continent a holiday destination you’ll never forget.

Herd of Elephants in the African Savannah

Incredible national parks filled with exotic wildlife can be discovered at every turn, with plenty of opportunities to see the Big Five – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino.

Fitz Roy Mountain in Patagonia, South America

South America

Vibrant atmospheres, spectacular wildlife and distinctive cities contrast and merge in incredible South America.

Uluru/Ayers Rock in Australia

Travel to the other side of the world where man-made wonders and unique wildlife make Australasia truly unforgettable.

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Swiipr Raises £6M in Series A Funding

Swiipr

Swiipr , a London, UK-based travel paytech company, raised £6M in Series A funding.

The round was led by Octopus Ventures, with participation from TX Ventures and Solano Partners.

The company intends to use the funds to develop its strategy, product and technology, including investment into R&D, AI and data analytics and to drive international airline market growth.   

Led by Tara Spielhagen, CEO, Ian Clowes, Chairman, Swiipr travel paytech company that aims to innovate the airline industry ‘s compensation payments systems. Its integrated digital platform includes virtual and physical pre-paid compensation cards and a mobile app. For passengers, the company has launched the Swiipr Compensation Card, which enables airlines to distribute funds directly to passengers at the point of disruption (such as denied boarding or lost luggage), and the Swiipr Welfare Card, which enables airlines to instantly distribute food & beverage payments when flights are delayed. The cards offer payouts, in a digital format. 

Having launched in 2020, Swiipr is already used by 26 airlines across 70 countries, including a major flag carrier whose 4,000 staff are utilising the platform in over 167 of its airports globally.  

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How to get James Blunt tickets as singer announces Back to Bedlam 20th anniversary tour

Can you believe it's been 20 years since the release of the singer-songwriter's debut studio album?

James Blunt performs at First Direct Arena on March 30, 2024 in Leeds, England.

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You’re beautiful, it’s true, but enough about you! We’re here to talk about James Blunt, who’s just announced a new UK tour next spring.

The Wisemen singer will be playing five UK dates in February 2025 as part of a tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of his classic album Back to Bedlam.

First released in October 2004, Back to Bedlam was an instant smash hit. The album features the iconic track You're Beautiful, as well as top 10 single Goodbye My Lover and debut single High.

Over the years, Blunt’s seven studio albums have produced an unparalleled number of romantic, chart-topping hits. From his numerous 2004 hits to the songs on his 2023 album Who We Used to Be, his trademark folk pop style has remained.

James has also managed to gather a large following on X (formerly Twitter) thanks to his quick wit and comebacks, both on the social media platform and at public appearances and interviews.

Now, this army officer turned singer is back again for another UK tour, just one year after his European tour, which has just wrapped up. Here’s how you can get tickets.

Buy James Blunt tickets at Ticketmaster

Looking for more live entertainment? Check out our tips on how to get tickets to see The Script , as well as Love Actually live in concert .

What are the UK dates and venues for James Blunt’s 2025 tour?

Whether you’re in the middle of London or in a semi by the sea, James Blunt will be bringing his music to a city near you. Here’s the full list of dates and venues:

  • 11th February 2025 — Belfast, SSE Arena
  • 13th February 2025 — Leeds, First Direct Arena
  • 14th February 2025 — Glasgow, OVO Hydro
  • 15th February 2025 — Manchester, AO Arena
  • 16th February 2025 — London, The O2

When do James Blunt UK tour tickets go on sale?

General sale for James Blunt's Back to Bedlam anniversary tour will go live at 10am on Friday 31st May.

However, you will have the chance to get your hands on a ticket a little earlier thanks to a number of pre-sales taking place. Here's a full list of pre-sales and the venues they're applicable to:

  • SSE pre-sale (10am on 29th May until 9am on 31st May): Belfast
  • Three pre-sale (10am on 29th May until 9am on 31st May): Leeds, Manchester
  • OVO pre-sale (10am on 29th May until 9am on 31st May): Glasgow
  • Venue pre-sale (10am on 29th May until 9am on 31st May): Manchester
  • Venue pre-sale (10am on 30th May until 9am on 31st May): Leeds

How to get tickets to James Blunt’s UK 2025 tour

If you want to snag your tickets early, check and see if you're eligible for any of the pre-sales. If not, be sure to log onto Ticketmaster bright and early on Friday morning, at least 10 minutes before tickets go on sale.

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To get yourself ahead of the curve, make sure you read our tips on how to beat the Ticketmaster queue .

February is a long way away, so why not entertain yourself now with the best family days out ? Plus you can find out what is ABBA Voyage ? and the best West End shows .

Check out more of our Going Out coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast .

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Money blog: Manchester United staff 'given week to resign' in WFH crackdown

Manchester United staff have reportedly been given a week to decide whether to resign under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's plans to end working from home. Read this and the rest of today's consumer and personal finance news in the Money blog below, and leave your thoughts in the comments box.

Wednesday 29 May 2024 14:14, UK

  • Get your holiday money now! Pound hits nearly two-year high against euro
  • Manchester United staff reportedly given week to resign in Sir Jim Ratcliffe's WFH crackdown
  • Spotify launches cheaper deals - but there's a catch
  • UK has highest diesel prices in Europe

Essential reads

  • Head chef at UK's number one gastropub shares favourite cheap pasta recipe
  • Women in Business : 'A truck unloaded a £600 car that her son bought on eBay thinking it was a toy' - the schoolgate stories that led to GoHenry
  • Money Problem : 'My mortgage lender is ending my two-year fix and I haven't been in the house for two years - can they do this?'
  • Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

The pound reached a 19-month high against the euro this morning as £1 equalled €1.1784. 

Not since late August 2022 was sterling so strong against the currency of Eurozone states. 

So if you're going on holidays to somewhere using the euro, now would be a good time to exchange pounds as you'll be getting more for your money than you would have.

Rates have come down slightly this afternoon - though are still high at €1.1746.

The pound buying more euro will mean it's cheaper for UK importers to buy goods - so some prices could come down. 

It's happening because the interest rate-setters at the European Central Bank (ECB) look set to bring rates down at their meeting next week.

Manchester United staff have reportedly been given a week to decide whether to resign under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's plans to end working from home.

The club's non-football staff were invited to take redundancy by next Wednesday in an email sent on Tuesday, The Daily Telegraph reports .

Sir Jim has taken over the day-to-day running of the club and is making it compulsory for staff to work from their offices in Manchester or London from 1 June, the paper says.

Staff who do not wish to do so can quit and are being offered early payment of an annual bonus, it added.

A United spokesman told The Daily Telegraph the move "isn't a voluntary redundancy programme". 

They added: "The club recognises that not everyone wants to work from the office full-time so has provided options for staff who don't wish to return to the office to step away now."

Sky News has contacted Manchester United for comment.

Junior doctors in England are set to strike for five days starting next month - part of a long-running dispute over pay.

The strike is set to run from 7am on 27 June to 2 July.

It means the dispute clash with the  general election campaign, with polling day on 4 July.

Read the full story here ...

Parents see personal finance as a more important life skill than maths for schoolchildren, according to new research.

A poll by Nationwide suggests the majority (89%) of parents of children aged eight to 13 think finance education would help their kids understand the value of money.

The survey of 2,000 UK adults found that personal finance even ranked above maths, digital skills and cooking as vital skills for children - coming second only to literacy.

More than eight in 10 parents (84%) said their child hadn't had any finance education at school, despite the vast majority saying it was important for children to understand money.

The top subjects parents value at school are:

  • Literacy (66%)
  • Personal finance (59%)
  • Maths (51%)
  • Cooking (41%)
  • Digital skills (26%)

Personal finance was deemed the most important subject for children and young people among parents polled in Brighton, Belfast and Newcastle. 

Amanda Beech, director of retail services at Nationwide, said financial education can "help young people get to grips with the world of money". 

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

One of the big gainers on the stock market this morning is International Distributions Services, the owner of Royal Mail.

Shares in the company are up more than 3% on the FTSE 250 index after the company's board announced it had agreed to a takeover by "Czech Sphinx" Daniel Kretinsky.

Read more on that here...

While the deal is yet to be approved by shareholders and regulators, investors are clearly excited at the prospect of the £3.6bn agreement.

At the other end of the scale, online delivery firm Ocado has plunged more than 6% in early trading.

It comes after reports that it is a leading candidate to be relegated from the FTSE 100 - along with asset manager St James's Place, which is down 1.6%.

The FTSE 100 overall is down 0.2% this morning amid ongoing uncertainty over interest rate cuts in the US.

Gainers include mining firm Fresnillo and water firm United Utilities, which are both up more than 2.4%.

On the currency markets, £1 buys $1.27 US or €1.17 - similar to yesterday.

A barrel of benchmark Brent crude has climbed to almost $85 (£66.60) this morning, a rise of nearly 1%.

Spotify subscribers have the chance to nab a slightly cheaper deal after it quietly launched new plans - but you'll have to be willing to give up one thing.

If you pay for an individual, duo or family subscription, you can save up to £24 a year by switching to one of the music platform's new "basic" plans, according to Money Saving Expert .

The catch, though, is that you'll lose audiobooks. All the other benefits such as no ads, song downloads and higher-quality audio will remain for existing subscribers.

The "basic" plans are the same price as Spotify's premium options used to be before it hiked prices last month. Most of the premium plans include 15 hours a month of audiobook listening time.

Only existing Spotify subscribers can get the new basic option for now - there's no date set for when they'll become available to everyone, Money Saving Expert said.

Every Wednesday we ask Michelin chefs to pick their favourite Cheap Eats where they live and when they cook at home. This week we speak to Dave Wall, head chef at the UK's number one ranked gastropub, The Unruly Pig in Suffolk.

Hi Dave , c an you tell us your favourite places in Suffolk  where you can get a meal for two for less than £40?

Honey + Harvey . A cracking spot for breakfast, brunch or lunch. They have the most delicious coffee and a cracking full English, the vibe is super-chilled and laidback and I always feel so relaxed there.

Lark . A beautiful little independent restaurant in Bury St Edmunds with the most incredible selection of small plates and top-drawer cooking. Admittedly, I find myself spending a fair bit more than £40 at Lark because I love James Carn's cooking so much that I end up going way over the top and ordering far too many dishes.

What's your go-to cheap meal at home?

Anchovy pasta is one. I get that anchovy is often considered a Marmite ingredient. I love them, but if you are in the "hate" camp, then please bear with me, as I want to persuade you to give these versatile little wonders a second look (and perhaps not tar all anchovies with the same brush).

My recipe below uses both brown and brined anchovies. It is an easier but still utterly delicious version of the dish I've served at The Unruly Pig (which also comes with an oyster velouté). This is comfort food at its best. Buon appetito!

  • 250g butter
  • 70g brown anchovies (ideally Cantabrian)
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 30g double cream
  • 25g of brined anchovies

Add all the ingredients to a pan. Bring to a slow simmer on a low heat. Once the mixture starts to boil, remove, and transfer to blender. Blend for two minutes until the mixture is well emulsified. Set aside.

Pangrattato

Three bread slices, crusts removed (staler the better)

  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 lemon zest
  • Pinch salt & pepper

Blend all the ingredients in food processor, making sure the crumb is fine. On a low heat, gently toast the crumbs until they become golden.

  • 125 g of fresh spaghetti per person
  • Grated Parmesan, brined anchovy, celery leaf to garnish 

Gently the cook the pasta in simmering boiling water, add plenty of salt to the pasta water so it tastes like sea water. Cook for 1-2 minutes - or to instructions if using dried.

Bring it all together

Meanwhile, gently heat the anchovy pasta sauce in a large pan so it becomes warm. Be careful not to boil. Once the pasta is cooked, gently remove and put it straight in to the warmed anchovy sauce. Add a splash of the pasta water to retain some of the starch (as this will help thicken your sauce).

Gently cook the pasta in the anchovy sauce until it becomes thick and creamy, and the sauce coats the pasta. Serve into a bowl and add the Parmesan, fresh anchovies and celery leaf on top.

Generously sprinkle the pasta with the golden pangrattato to add a wonderful texture and crunch.

We've spoken to lots of top chefs and bloggers - check out their cheap eats from around the country here...

Beach-goers in Cumbria have been warned they could face a fine of up to £1,000 if they remove pebbles or shells across the area.

Cumberland Council has told visitors it is unlawful to take natural materials such as sand, shells and pebbles from the beach under the Coast Protection Act.

Cumberland councillor Bob Kelly said it was important to "ensure that our beaches remain vibrant and intact for future generations".

"I understand people's reluctance to follow this guidance, as I have been a collector of shells myself. But taking a pebble or a shell from a beach can in fact damage the environment," he said.

"Pebbles and other natural matter act as a natural sea defence against coastal erosion, natural flood defences and wildlife habitats, which many experts warn has become even more of an issue due to climate change."

People are spending more on holiday than they were two years ago, the latest data from ABTA Travel Money has shown. 

On average, UK travellers are spending £369 each during a short break abroad - up more than £59 since 2022. 

For a longer break, the typical amount rises to £660, which is up £231 a person since 2022. 

Families with children over five are likely to spend the most while on a short holiday, totalling £431.

But the highest spend comes from travellers aged 55-64, who spend an average of £721.  

"People are spending more while on holiday overseas and that can't just be put down to inflation," Graeme Buck, director of communications for ABTA Travel Money, said. 

"Over the past two years, UK prices have risen by a total of 9.3% whereas overseas holiday spend is up by 54% for a longer holiday.

"Add in more favourable exchange rates for many holiday destinations, we see over the last few years that there has been a clear shift towards people spending the spare money they may have on holidays and creating memories that will last a lifetime." 

Visitors to all Euro currency destinations this summer will see a little more for their money, as the pound has increased against the Euro (up 2.1%). 

The UK has the highest diesel prices in Europe, according to new analysis.

The RAC, which carried out the research, found the average price of a litre of diesel at UK forecourts is 155p - 5p more than Ireland and Belgium.

Although duty on both petrol and diesel was cut from 57.95p to 52.95p in spring 2022, the UK still has the highest rate of duty on diesel in Europe alongside Italy, but Italy's average pump price is 7p per litre cheaper at 148p.

France's duty rate is the equivalent of just 1p per litre lower than in the UK, but its average price for diesel is 9p per litre cheaper at 146p.

The analysis is based on figures from the European Commission and the UK's Competition and Markets Authority.

Simon Williams, fuel spokesman for the RAC, said: "Having the most expensive diesel in Europe despite the current 5p duty cut is a very dubious honour."

Despite the RAC bringing the issue to the attention of energy secretary Claire Coutinho in a letter just over a week ago, he said, "the price of diesel at the pump has barely fallen".

"We can see no good reason why retailers in Great Britain aren't cutting their prices at the pumps," he added.

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How to Get the Best Car Insurance

Ryan Brady

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

For a lot of people, buying car insurance is like buying sliced bread. It’s not the most exciting purchase, and the options all seem similar. So thrifty shoppers might simply reach for the cheapest thing on the shelf. But like cheap bread, cheap car insurance may leave you wishing you spent a little more on quality.

“The cheapest is not always the best,” warns Jessica McNally, an agency owner with Goosehead Insurance in Dallas. That’s because there are lots of factors that make up a car insurance company. And while price is one of them, it’s best to look at the bigger picture.

Here’s what to look for when picking the best car insurance company.

1. Choose a financially stable company

The best car insurance companies have plenty of money on hand to pay for customers’ claims. It’s important to check an insurer’s financial stability before buying a policy, especially if it’s a smaller insurer you’ve never heard of.

There are several independent agencies that evaluate the financial strength of insurance companies. One example is A.M. Best. You can use its online search tool to find an insurer’s financial strength rating. Companies with a rating of A or higher are considered to have an excellent ability to pay out customer claims.

2. Check customer satisfaction ratings and reviews

Not every insurer is customer-first. That’s why it’s important to research the customer satisfaction of insurers you’re considering.

You can turn to surveys from companies like J.D. Power to find insurers with the best customer satisfaction scores [0] J.D. Power . Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources . Or, if you don’t mind doing a little detective work, you can compare customer complaints against insurers by using the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ website . But take other people’s emotionally charged comments about companies or agents you might read online with a grain of salt, McNally advises.

3. Look for convenience

A great auto insurer should offer multiple ways to manage a policy. For example, some insurers allow customers to use a mobile app to file and track claims. But it’s hard to tell how simple it’ll be to file a claim or perform other essential tasks, like paying your premium, before becoming a customer.

Some telltale signs that an insurer will be easy to work with are high mobile app ratings, flexible customer service hours and an easy-to-use website with helpful content. Consider asking a company representative to walk you through the claims process to learn what you’ll need to do if you have to file a claim. And pay attention to how the company communicates with you. "If they don't properly communicate, well, that's a warning sign," says Michael DeLong, a research and advocacy associate for the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America.

4. Pick an affordable company

Car insurance premiums are stretching to record-breaking heights [0] U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS . Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources , and almost half of U.S. consumers shopped for a new car insurance policy in the past year, according to an April 2024 report by J.D. Power [0] J.D. Power . Half of Auto Insurance Customers Currently Shopping for New Policies, J.D. Power Finds . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources . The best car insurance companies offer competitive rates and a variety of potential discounts.

It’s not hard to get car insurance quotes online from many companies. Make sure you compare the same coverage options throughout the quote-gathering process. And don’t forget to look for car insurance discounts, like breaks for being a good driver, paying your premium in full or driving a new car.

More tips to find the best car insurance

When shopping for the best car insurance, keep the following tips in mind.

Assess your needs. Before buying car insurance, take a moment to reflect on what’s important to you and your family. For example, maybe you prioritize affordability and a well-polished mobile app, but don’t need accident forgiveness .  

Consider small insurers. There are lots of small insurance companies you’ve probably never heard of. These regional insurers may provide lower rates and better customer service than the big companies you see advertised on TV.

Work with an independent agent. While it may be easy to get quotes yourself, independent car insurance agents and brokers can streamline the process. These experts vet companies and compile quotes from small and large insurers on your behalf. Independent agents and brokers can especially come in handy if you have a less-than-perfect driving record and can’t find insurance on your own.

Do your research. Search online for recent mentions of a company in the news before buying a policy, recommends DeLong. If you find a company has lots of recent lawsuits against it, you may want to think twice about signing on the dotted line. “And if they've had to pay out settlements, that's an even bigger red flag,” DeLong says.

Shop around once a year. Make a practice of shopping for car insurance every year — especially if price is important to you. Insurers adjust car insurance rates regularly, so what might have been the most affordable option last year may no longer be a bargain.

On a similar note...

Free car insurance comparison

Instantly compare top auto insurance companies.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Kellogg’s recalls breakfast cereal that’s ‘unsafe to eat’

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The chocolate flavour corn flakes have been recalled (Picture: Kelloggs)

Kellogg’s has asked customers to throw away a popular breakfast cereal over choking concerns.

Kellogg’s Corn Flakes – Chocolate Flavour – could contain ‘hard lumps’ that cause dental damage or cause trouble swallowing, the company said.

The Food Standards Agency has now asked shoppers to throw away their 450g packs of the cereal and get a full refund.

Kellanova, the company which makes Kellogg’s cereals in Europe, said: ‘This voluntary consumer recall relates to Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Chocolate Flavour cereal which is a new product on sale since January 2024 and available in Tesco , One Stop, Londis, Budgens, Booker Premier stores and Booker Cash & Carry outlets.

‘Following some consumer complaints, the company found that a small proportion of boxes could contain hard lumps of cereal that do not break down when eaten with milk.

‘This means there is a minimal risk these hard lumps could potentially cause dental damage or be a choking hazard.’

Customers have been told to toss the boxes (Picture: AMChambe)

The boxes affected have best before dates ranging from December 6, 2024 to April 28, 2025 – but the recall does not affect any other cereal or Kellogg’s product.

The Food Standards Agency said: ‘Sometimes there will be a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold. Then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product). ‘Sometimes foods have to be withdrawn or recalled if there is a risk to consumers because the allergy labelling is missing or incorrect or if there is any other food allergy risk. When there is a food allergy risk, the FSA will issue an Allergy Alert.’

Earlier this month, Tesco issued an urgent recall on its own-brand sandwich pickle spread because ‘possible presence of glass makes it unsafe to eat’.

A recall notice has been issued for 295g jars of Tesco Sandwich Pickle with batch code 3254 and a best-before date of September 11, 2025.

A Tesco spokesperson said: ‘We are aware a specific date/batch code of Tesco Sandwich Pickle 295g jar may contain small pieces of glass.

‘Therefore, this product could pose a safety risk if consumed. Please do not consume this product.

‘Instead, return any affected product to the store where a full refund will be given. No receipt is required. Tesco apologises to our customers for any inconvenience caused.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

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