5-Day Heart of England Tour from London: North Wales, Stratford-upon-Avon, Buxton and York

London, United Kingdom

Escape busy London on a 5-day small-group tour to North Wales and the heart of England! Visit Stratford-upon-Avon to trace the footsteps of William Shakespeare; relax and enjoy the wilderness of Snowdonia National Park; visit the small town of Buxton and beautiful Chatsworth House in the Peak District; and explore the historical cities of York and Cambridge. Four nights of 3-star guesthouse or hotel accommodation is included, comprising two nights in Shrewsbury and two nights in York.

Numbers are limited to 16 people on this small-group tour, ensuring personalized attention from a guide.

Back in the 16th century, none of the inhabitants of Stratford-upon-Avon thought that their sleepy village would one day become one of the most important tourist attractions in the UK, but William Shakespeare, who was born there, certainly changed that. This famous town is the first stop of your 5-day tour from London to the heart of England. You’ll also visit Shrewsbury, where you’ll stay for two nights and York where you will spend two further nights in a 3-star guesthouse or 3-star hotel.

On your second day, visit Wales and the beautiful castle of Conwy. Continue through Snowdonia National Park, home to the highest mountain in Wales, and then visit the small spa village of Trefriw plus Llanberis, a favorite destination for lovers of the great outdoord.

Continue through the Peak District, a region of stunning landscapes, where you'll visit the small town of Buxton, and then head to Chatsworth House. Spend your final evening in the beautiful city of York. Explore its quaint cobblestone streets and see its magnificent monastery (St Mary's Abbey), and, of course, York Minster. Finally, stop in historic Cambridge on your way back to London.

Please note: breakfast is included in your accommodation and you'll have enough free time to enjoy lunch and dinner independently at your own expense.

USD $689.00

Traveler Reviews

Review by:   Helen T,    September 2017
If you want to be absorbed in beautiful landscapes and history, then this is for you!!! A small group made this tour even better. Our driver/guide, Ambrose was fabulous, with his personality and knowledge of the countryside and all it had to offer. Castles, Shakespeare, Henry VIII, Richard III, Guy Fawkes, the Rollright stones, Yorkminster, Kings College, right up my alley. York was absolutely amazing I just wish there had been more time but so much to do in the time allowed, walking tour, ghost tour, museums and much more. Cambridge too, is a must go back there, place on my list. Lodgings were at some gorgeous, welcoming, B and B and were A1.

Review by:   Kaz,    August 2017
Great tour and Jeff was a great guide

Review by:   JillC,    October 2015
Great trip. Spent quite a bit of time in the mini coach but were able to explore villages etc.

Review by:   Deb,    July 2015
The places we went were very interesting and worth seeing and the accomodation excellent. What wasn't good was that the tour guide was late on the first and third day, did not communicate well and the address system was broken on the bus and there was a complete lack of interest from him in getting a new headset. So 5 days with no commentary! If it wasn't for road signs we would not have known where we were. I would recommend this tour but not with Rabbies.

Review by:   Bethany K,    July 2015
Jeff: was just wonderful ! He made our trip so mush more than just a tour.

Review by:   Katherine R,    June 2015
First B and B was a little small, in the attic, not cool enough, wifi was too weak. But other than that, a great trip!

Review by:   Liza N,    October 2014
I had a wonderful time on the Heart of England Tour earlier in September (12th – 16th). Steve was an excellent tour guide and added so much to the trip. There were only a few of us on the journey and we received such personalized attention. Rabbies is to be commended for running their tours regardless of the number of people who sign up. _br/_ The tour began on Friday morning, departing from Victoria Coach Station, and we drove to Stratford upon Avon and then to the Ironbridge area on the River Severn, before driving the rest of the way to Shrewsbury where the tour spent two nights. The bed and breakfast where we were booked, The Trevellion House, was delightful. Sonia took excellent care of all of her guests, there was a cooked to order breakfast, and the single room that I stayed in had a very comfortable double bed and a spacious bathroom._br/_ Saturday was spent in Wales. In the town of Conwy, we explored the ruins of Conwy Castle and did a tour of Plas Mawr, an Elizabethan house that was really amazing. In the afternoon we drove into the Snowden National Park and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and learned that the sheep outnumber people in Wales 10 to 1. _br/_ On Sunday morning we said goodbye to Shrewsbury and drove into the Peak District. Our first stop was at the spa town of Buxton, known as the Bath of the North. Then onto Chatsworth! The house and gardens were truly something to see, you could easily spend an entire day there. After driving to York, Steve dropped us off at our accommodations, and I had a great dinner at Jamie’s Italian restaurant._br/_ I stayed at The Groves in York, which was a B and B style hotel. On Monday, I had a fun day seeing York Minster, the York Castle Museum, Clifford Tower, and walking around city, and had a nice late lunch at the most popular restaurant in the city, Rustique._br/_ Tuesday was the last day of the tour, and we visited Cambridge for a few hours before returning to London. It was a great trip!

Review by:   Dorina R,    October 2014
This tour was amazing!

Review by:   Dorina R,    October 2014
This tour was amazing!

Review by:   Jennifer W,    August 2014
Our driver Ambrose was very informative and friendly. The B and B's were lovely. Would book tour with Viator again.

Review by:   Diane O,    November 2013
A fabulous tour through amazing countryside and historic towns. Small group is the way to go. Great B and B's and plenty of private time to explore. Just one recommendation - an extra night in York would have been a bonus.

Review by:   Diane O,    November 2013
Top tour.

Review by:   RobnVince,    October 2012
Weather at the time of pick up was appauling with flood warnings out and driving down the motorway was an aqua adventure. Our Bus Driver Ouen was a very entertaining fellow telling us many stories of his home in Wales and also where we were travelling to that day. By the time we arrived in Stratford-upon-Avon the rain had died down and we were able to walk around this beautiful part of England at our leasure. Even though traveling through the North of Wales was overcast and mist rain, it didn't stop us seeing and experiencing this panouramic area full of history and amazing scenery. Definitely travel with Rabbies again.

Review by:   Louise S,    September 2012
Highly enjoyable tour.Tour guide was friendly and informative. Places visited were interesting and enough time was allowed for a good look around.

Review by:   j a,    July 2012
Wonderful personalised whistle stop tour, only four of us in total. Shame about the rain!

Review by:   Heather W,    June 2012
Fantastic!! Great tour guide, comfortable bus, lovely B and B. Highly recommended.

All Traveler Reviews...