Welcome to historic lands where royalty, pageantry, tradition and culture reign supreme; England & Scotland. If visiting a country to get a feel for their culture and historic background is something you value, you will love the United Kingdom. With Brexit in the headlines, both countries are looking inward and re-cementing their identities and incredible histories. Not to mention, the currency exchange is working in the favor of the United states. If you want to go easy on your travel budget, the dollar will now take you considerably farther than it used to. Now is just about the best time to visit this area.
This proud island clings to tradition and ceremony no matter what is in the news, from the world-famous landmarks of London to the lochs and highlands of Scotland. Something that will never change in England and Scotland, our company’s extensive presence here means you’ll gain an understanding of the past, present, and future of these countries from our local Tour Managers.
England: Legacies of Empire
The architecture of London spans from Westminster Abbey, whose origins date to the 10th century, to the 19th-century Gothic Revival splendor of the Houses of Parliament to the modern bustling squares of Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. London, and much of England, opens windows to the Norman, Tudor, Victorian and Edwardian styles like few other places accomplish. During your leisure time, perhaps explore some of the famous museums and sites of London including the British Museum, the Tate Modern or the amazing Tower of London. An exclusive Discovery Small Groups dinner allows you to savor a home-cooked dinner with an accomplished chef and author.
Explore Chartwell, the magnificent family home of Winston Churchill that is now a museum and memorial to the beloved WWII hero. The 13th century Hever Castle is the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII. An award-winning garden and splendid rooms containing Tudor paintings, furniture and tapestries adorn this romantic castle. There is ample beauty in the Cotswold countryside. The quaint villages of the Cotswolds are among the most beautiful in the nation; clusters of stone houses topped by thatched roofs.
There is no shortage of beauty and grace in England, as the nation’s renowned Bard of Avon, William Shakespeare, reminds you during a visit to his birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. View the thatched cottage where Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife, lived before visiting his birthplace on Henley Street, the schoolroom where he was educated and the Guildhall with its outstanding timber-framed architecture. Plays of the famous playwright are still performed here by the Royal Shakespeare Company. If touring the playwright’s home has you yearning for additional academic knowledge, then a stop in Oxford is just what you need. The university is made up of several contingent colleges and is renowned for housing some of the grandest architecture in Europe. Visit the Bodlein Library and Christ Church college and explore the school that has educated so many geniuses.
Set on the River Dee, the medieval town of Chester is home to recently excavated Roman sites including an amphitheater and cathedral. Visit both Chester’s racetrack, the oldest racecourse still in use in the UK and Levens Hall, a grand manor house dating back to 1350 with an Elizabethan interior and exceptional garden with topiary characters surrounded by flowers.
Be inspired by the Lake District, a dreamy expanse of gently rolling hills, charming farm villages and shimmering lakes. High Yewdale farm is located in this delightful setting and is a farmhouse built in 1690 that was later owned by Beatrix Potter and still contains many of her furnishings. Continuing north towards the England-Scotland border, visit Grasmere, a quaint and serene village made famous by Lake Poet William Wordsworth. He deemed Grasmere as “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found” and is laid to rest at the country church.
Land of Tartans, Bagpipes and Whisky
Cross into Scotland, a nation that stretches north and contains a dramatic landscape of rivers, lakes, and sophisticated cities threaded among the infamous highlands. We know you’ll be impressed by Scotland’s fascinating and alluring sites.
The parish of Gretna Green is located on the Scottish side of the England-Scotland border. It is a perfect spot for pictures and one of the most popular wedding destinations in the world. On the road from Gretna Green to Edinburgh, the 15th century Rosslyn Chapel is an architectural beauty containing beautiful stonework, intricate carvings and lovely architecture. The chapel was made famous by the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown and its association with the Knights Templar.
The Scottish capital, Edinburgh, provides insight into the heart and soul of the nation. Edinburgh Castle overlooks the city from a rugged perch as the Royal Mile stretches out below leading to the country’s most treasured buildings: the Scottish Parliament, Museum of Scotland, and Holyrood Palace, the queen’s residence when she is in town. The palace contains incredible historic State Apartments, ruins of the 12th Century Abbey and the immaculate royal gardens that inspire. Admire the elegant mansions of the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town” on your way through the city. An afternoon tea allows for a cultural sampling of savory teas served in fine china and alongside sweet and savory pastries and scones.
Discover one of the most historically important sites in the country and favored residence of Stewart kings, queens, ambassadors, knights and nobles; Stirling Castle. Sculptures and gardens make the grandeur of this palace hard to ignore and you will see why it was favored among the royals.
The Trossachs are known as the mini Scottish Highlands and serve as the boundary between the highlands and lowlands of the country. This area is draped in history and legend and contains some of the most glorious landscapes around with lochs, glens and mountains aplenty. A special visit to the Glengoyne Distillery, one of the oldest and finest suppliers of single malt Scotch Whisky, will win you over with a side bonus of award-winning handmade chocolates. A picturesque cruise on Loch Lomond gives you an excellent view of the surrounding Trossachs park and a perfect image for your lasting memory of Scotland.
Uncover the Cultural and Natural Wonders of England & Scotland with Discovery Small Groups!
There is no more rewarding a way to explore Great Britain than with Discovery Tours, whether you’re planning your first or your fifth trip here. We’ve been showing travelers this island of unrivaled history and enriching culture for as long as we’ve been in business, so we’re well suited to point you to the very best of the country. Our long experience here also translates into unmatched value for you. No one can provide such a quality experience at such an affordable price. Join us!
Gate 1 Travel Blog 