England/Wales
The Best of England and Wales: Shakespeare to Snowdonia, Castles to Colleges
Program No. 2145460MEADV-1116-60
Enjoy a comprehensive exploration of England and Wales as you discover the spires of Oxford, mountains of Snowdonia, cobbled streets of Windsor, Conwy Castle and much, much more.
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800-454-5768
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DATES
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PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
May 13 - May 26, 2025
Starting at
6,339Aug 5 - Aug 18, 2025
Starting at
6,339Sep 23 - Oct 6, 2025
Starting at
6,339Oct 7 - Oct 20, 2025
Starting at
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
14 days
13 nights
25 meals
12B 4L 9D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
2
Arrival Day
Windsor
3
Windsor Castle
Windsor
4
Transfer to Stratford-Upon-Avon: The City of Oxford
Stratford-upon-Avon.
5
Stratford-Upon-Avon & The Royal Shakespeare Company
Stratford-upon-Avon.
6
The Cotswolds
Stratford-upon-Avon.
8
Conwy Castle & Town
Betws-y-Coed
9
Snowdonia National Park
Betws-y-Coed
10
Transfer to The Lake District: The City of Liverpool
Bassenthwaite
11
Castle Rigg, Ambleside Steamer Cruise
Bassenthwaite
12
Bowness-on-Windermere, Coniston & Brantwood
Bassenthwaite
14
Program Concludes
Manchester
At a Glance
Timeless villages, bustling cities, grand manors, renowned universities, beautiful natural areas — explore all of these and more on this jolly good jaunt through England and Wales. Outstanding local experts tell the stories of royals, poets and commoners and illuminate the essence of Britain as you explore Windsor, Oxford, the Lake District, the Cotswolds, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and the rugged coast of Wales.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day. Some stairs without railings in historic buildings.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Discover Oxford’s soaring spires, lovely landscapes and intriguing lore with university insiders.
- Walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps and see the Royal Shakespeare Company perform in one of England's iconic theatres.
- Experience the dramatic mountain environment of Snowdonia National Park in Wales.
General Notes
Program includes independent time to explore the city and several meals on your own. Group Leaders will provide directions for self-directed excursions. Suggestions for free-time activities provided in preparatory materials.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Conway Davies
Conway Davies earned a degree in history at Bangor University, a master's from Cardiff University, and is completing his Ph.D. at Swansea University. Conway has extensive knowledge of the Welsh language and the history and culture of both North and South Wales. He is the author of two books, "The History of Poor Law Provision in South Wales" and "Out of Sight, Out of Mind: the History of Mental Health provision in South Wales."
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Conway Davies
View biography
Conway Davies earned a degree in history at Bangor University, a master's from Cardiff University, and is completing his Ph.D. at Swansea University. Conway has extensive knowledge of the Welsh language and the history and culture of both North and South Wales. He is the author of two books, "The History of Poor Law Provision in South Wales" and "Out of Sight, Out of Mind: the History of Mental Health provision in South Wales."
Kevin Flude
View biography
Kevin Flude lectures on the archaeology, history and museums at Central St. Martins College (University of the Arts, London) the University of Westminster and is an Honorary Lecturer at University College London. He is also the Director of the Old Operating Theatre Museum, a fascinating Museum in Central London. Kevin serves as a study leader for Road Scholar programs, putting to use his deep and broad experience in the museum world gained during his time at the Museum of London, the Victoria and Albert Museum and Oxford’s Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art.
Christine Brangwin
View biography
Chris Brangwin has led Road Scholar groups for 20 years in countries including France, Russia, the USA and the UK. She is a member of a ukulele orchestra, and has a wide range of creative interests including furniture restoration, stained-glass window making and metal sculpting.
Val Abraham
View biography
Val Abraham has been living in the English Lake District National Park in the North West of England since 1995, and finds the physical beauty of the region inspirational. She qualified as a Blue Badge Guide in 2000, and is a member of the Institute of Tourist Guides, the Guild of Registered Tourist Guides, and Cumbria Tourist Guides.
Suggested Reading List
(20 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Best of England and Wales: Shakespeare to Snowdonia, Castles to Colleges
Program Number: 21454
Eyewitness Guide Great Britain
With 1,400 photos, maps and excellent introductory chapters, this guide offers both a general overview of Great Britain and a region-by-region look at its attractions.
The Story of England
Beautifully illustrated with color pictures, chronological charts, royal genealogies and maps, this popular history of English politics, economics and culture from the Neolithic Age to the 1990s is an excellent travel companion.
The British Isles, A History of Four Nations
The Celts, Romans, Vikings, Normans and modern immigrants all make an appearance in this Canto Classics edition of Kearney's elegant and revisionist history of not just the English but also of the Scots, Welsh and Irish.
In Search of England
The much-beloved, enduring account of Morton's ramblings through the English countryside in the early days of the motorcar. Morton charmingly mixes a deep appreciation of the art, culture and history of the place with his own keen observations.
A Writer's House in Wales
In this extended essay, Morris uses her much-loved 18th-century house as a point of departure for a meditation on Welsh identity.
Looking for Class, Days and Nights at Oxford and Cambridge
A witty, charming and astutely observed account of an American graduate student's year spent in the halls of England's most prestigious academic institutions.
Kingdom by the Sea
This time, the prolific writer recounts a coastal journey around the British Isles in 1982, displaying his occasional ill temper alongside his celebrated ability to combine social history with a good old-fashioned traveler's tale.
Angry Island, Hunting the English
The splendidly irreverent London critic A.A. Gill includes scathing chapters on voice, humor, drink, animals, garden, sport and class in this comic manual to the English.
Great Britain and Ireland Map
A nicely detailed map showing both Great Britain and Ireland at a scale of 1:800,000.
Slow Cotswolds
Connect with the people, places, environment and heritage of the Cotswolds and discover for yourself the well-known sights and the unsung delights of the English countryside -- not to mention the foibles of the locals -- in this personable guide.
A Concise History of Wales
This brief, authoritative history of Wales and Welsh identity from prehistory to the present is by Garaint Jenkins, longtime director of the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies.
The Shepherd's Life, A Tale of the Lake District
The owner of a family farm in the Lake District, James Rebanks covers the shepherd's way of life that he inherited from his father and grandfather, giving voice to his unique connection to the land and its history. Rebanks is a graduate of Oxford and an advisor to UNESCO.
Londoners
Drawing on the unforgettable stories of nearly 100 Londoners, Taylor provides a rich and vivid kaleidoscopic view of modern-day London through the diverse voices of those who, regardless of whether they love or hate it, capture the heart and soul of one of the world's greatest cities.
The Beatles in Liverpool: The Stories, the Scene, and the Path to Stardom
This slim biography explores Liverpool’s influence on the young Beatles and charts the seminal moments of one of history’s most revered rock bands.
Cider With Rosie
In this memoir of growing up in a small, remote village in the Cotswolds -- set against the backdrop of the First World War -- Lee captures an all-but-vanished rural way of life. Originally published in 1959.
Oxford, A Cultural Guide
In this entertaining and brief guide to Oxford, Martin Garrett focuses on what makes Oxford -- Oxford. He takes readers from Oxford's days as an Anglo-Saxon outpost through the 20th century.
At Home with Beatrix Potter, The Creator of Peter Rabbit
A photographic tour through Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's beautiful home in England's Lake District.
Shakespeare, A Life
A delightful, informative and up-to-date biography of The Bard, his life, work and times.
The Wild Places
MacFarlane climbs, walks and swims by day and spends his nights sleeping on cliff-tops and in ancient meadows and wildwoods in this marvelous exploration of the nature of the British Isles.
The English Cathedral
In this photographic tribute to each of England's 42 Anglican cathedrals (including the great UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Durham and Canterbury) award-winning photographer Peter Marlow evokes the greatness and humbling power of each magnificent building.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
14 days
Program Begins
Windsor
Program Concludes
Manchester
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
25
| 12B |
4L |
9D |
Activity Level
Timeless villages, bustling cities, grand manors, renowned universities, beautiful natural areas — explore all of these and more on this jolly good jaunt through England and Wales. Outstanding local experts tell the stories of royals, poets and commoners and illuminate the essence of Britain as you explore Windsor, Oxford, the Lake District, the Cotswolds, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and the rugged coast of Wales.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Discover Oxford’s soaring spires, lovely landscapes and intriguing lore with university insiders.
- Walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps and see the Royal Shakespeare Company perform in one of England's iconic theatres.
- Experience the dramatic mountain environment of Snowdonia National Park in Wales.
General Notes
Program includes independent time to explore the city and several meals on your own. Group Leaders will provide directions for self-directed excursions. Suggestions for free-time activities provided in preparatory materials.
Featured Expert
Conway Davies
Conway Davies earned a degree in history at Bangor University, a master's from Cardiff University, and is completing his Ph.D. at Swansea University. Conway has extensive knowledge of the Welsh language and the history and culture of both North and South Wales. He is the author of two books, "The History of Poor Law Provision in South Wales" and "Out of Sight, Out of Mind: the History of Mental Health provision in South Wales."
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Kevin Flude
Kevin Flude lectures on the archaeology, history and museums at Central St. Martins College (University of the Arts, London) the University of Westminster and is an Honorary Lecturer at University College London. He is also the Director of the Old Operating Theatre Museum, a fascinating Museum in Central London. Kevin serves as a study leader for Road Scholar programs, putting to use his deep and broad experience in the museum world gained during his time at the Museum of London, the Victoria and Albert Museum and Oxford’s Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art.
Christine Brangwin
Chris Brangwin has led Road Scholar groups for 20 years in countries including France, Russia, the USA and the UK. She is a member of a ukulele orchestra, and has a wide range of creative interests including furniture restoration, stained-glass window making and metal sculpting.
Val Abraham
Val Abraham has been living in the English Lake District National Park in the North West of England since 1995, and finds the physical beauty of the region inspirational. She qualified as a Blue Badge Guide in 2000, and is a member of the Institute of Tourist Guides, the Guild of Registered Tourist Guides, and Cumbria Tourist Guides.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day. Some stairs without railings in historic buildings.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(20 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
14 days
13 nights
What's Included
25 meals | 12B | 4L | 9D |
4 expert-led lectures
18 expert-led field trips
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
12 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrival Day
Location:
Windsor
Meals:
L,D
Stay:
MGallery Castle Hotel Windsor
Activity Note
Hotel Check In available from 3pm.
Lunch:
In the hotel dining room for those arriving by lunchtime. A light lunch with coffee, tea and water. Other beverages are available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Arrivals continue, with free time for those who have already arrived. At 5pm we will have an Orientation in the hotel. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. This program is staffed with both a Group Leader, who will accompany us throughout the program and deal primarily with logistics, and a series of Study Leaders who will lecture, conduct field trips and serve as an information resource on program-related topics. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities and answer any questions you may have. We have set aside some free time in the schedule for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
A seated dinner will be taken in the hotel dining room with coffee, tea and water. Other beverages are available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure to unpack, relax and prepare for the program ahead. Elective: Our Group Leader will lead an orientation walk for those of us who wish to explore Windsor this evening.
Day
3
Windsor Castle
Location:
Windsor
Meals:
B
Stay:
MGallery Castle Hotel Windsor
Activity Note
Walk to Windsor Castle, approximately 400 feet. Standing and walking around Windsor Castle grounds and buildings. Some steps and uneven terrain.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room. A breakfast buffet with a range of hot and cold items, as well as coffee, tea, water and fruit juices.
Morning:
We’ll begin our morning with a walk from the hotel to Windsor Castle – a remarkable building that has been shaped by the Kings and Queens of England for over 1,000 years. It is still used for ceremonial and state occasions, whilst also being home to some of the greatest paintings and works of art in the world. The castle offers excellent viewpoints for the famous Changing of the Guard, a procession of active Household Guards and a marching band. Please note, the Changing of the Guard may not be available on every departure as schedules are released at very short notice for security reasons.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Afternoon:
Free time. This block of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. Our Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions should you wish to further explore Windsor.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Transfer to Stratford-Upon-Avon: The City of Oxford
Location:
Stratford-upon-Avon.
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Doubletree by Hilton Stratford
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Approximately 100 miles with a duration of 3 hours. Walking in Oxford on paved sidewalks and some uneven terrain in gardens and universities. Steps in university buildings.
Breakfast:
In the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach for our transfer to Stratford-upon-Avon, with a visit en-route to Oxford – the city of “dreaming spires”. Our local expert will meet us for morning tea in central Oxford, and will lead us in exploring this fascinating city on foot. We will see such sights as the Radcliffe Camera, the Clarendon Building, the Sheldonian Theatre and the Bridge of Sighs, discovering the contrasts of the Classical and Gothic architecture in discussion with our expert as we walk.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we go behind the scenes at Christ Church, one of Oxford’s most famous, and indeed most traditional colleges. We’ll enjoy the secret garden, the famous water meadows and a panoply of buildings from different periods in the city’s history; from Henry VIII and Wolsey’s Tudor Kitchen to the Great Hall and the classical Peckwater Building. From Oxford we will then continue onwards by motorcoach to Stratford-upon-Avon, and check in to our hotel upon arrival.
Dinner:
In the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Stratford-Upon-Avon & The Royal Shakespeare Company
Location:
Stratford-upon-Avon.
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Doubletree by Hilton Stratford
Activity Note
Getting on/off local transport for visits to houses connected with Shakespeare. Walking up to 2 hours and standing in houses, some stairs in houses.
Breakfast:
In the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel we’ll enjoy an introduction to Stratford-upon-Avon, and our Group Leader will provide us with city sightseeing passes which allow us to visit the famous properties associated with the Great Bard, William Shakespeare. You are then free to explore at your own pace.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
The afternoon begins with free time to continue independent exploration. At 3:30 p.m. we’ll reconvene to begin a walk to the Royal Shakespeare Company’s building and theatres, where we’ll enjoy an expert-led visit.
Dinner:
Served at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s rooftop restaurant.
Evening:
We'll enjoy a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s theatre. Our program was planned far in advance when details of performances were not available. When confirmed, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment.
Day
6
The Cotswolds
Location:
Stratford-upon-Avon.
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Doubletree by Hilton Stratford
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Approximately 45 miles, 1.5 hours. Walking and standing up to 2 hours during field trip to Cotswold villages and towns.
Breakfast:
In the hotel.
Morning:
Today’s field trip takes us into the picturesque Cotswolds countryside. We’ll board the motorcoach and set off to explore the quintessentially English villages of Stow-on-the-Wold, Broadway and Chipping Campden. Noted for its elegant High Street dating back to the 14th century, Chipping Campden is lined with traditional Cotswold honey-coloured limestone buildings housing some delightful specialist shops and inns. At its centre stands the 17th-century Market Hall, the grand early wool church St. James and a vast and extravagant monument to local wealthy silk merchant Sir Baptist Hicks.
Lunch:
Served in a traditional inn.
Afternoon:
We'll continue our exploration of the Cotswolds before returning to the hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Transfer to Betws-y-Coed: Chester & Its Grand Cathedral
Location:
Betws-y-Coed
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Royal Oak
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Approximately 200 miles, 4 hours total. Walking around city on paved sidewalks for approximately 2 hours. Visit to Cathedral may involve uneven surfaces and some steps.
Breakfast:
In the hotel.
Morning:
We'll transfer by motor coach to our next base, Betws-y-Coed. On the way we will visit the ancient city of Chester, where we will meet a local expert to take a walk through 2,000 years of history. Originally a Roman fortress and settlement known as Deva Victrix, we’ll see how Chester has grown and evolved from these foundations into a fully walled city before finishing at the spectacular Chester Cathedral.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Our transfer to Conwy continues.
Dinner:
In the hotel.
Evening:
Free time.
Day
8
Conwy Castle & Town
Location:
Betws-y-Coed
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Royal Oak
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Approximately 35 miles, 1.5 hours. Walking around Castle grounds with uneven terrain and worn steps.
Breakfast:
In the hotel.
Morning:
This morning our Study Leader will give us a potted history of Wales, telling us everything we’ll need to know about this fascinating and ancient country. We will then board the motorcoach for a field trip with our study leader to Conwy Castle – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and a walk along the town walls. Conwy Castle sits above the town, and still dominates the skyline with its rugged stone and imposing fortifications. It was originally built by Edward I as part of his “iron ring” of castles in an attempt to contain the rebellious Welsh, and furthermore to provoke a humbling reaction – something it still manages to do to this day. Conwy’s ancient circuit of walls, guarded by no fewer than 22 towers, stretches over three quarters of a mile in length.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Our Study Leader will lead us on foot through some more highlights of this market town, including a Tudor townhouse, and orientate us to its many and varied attractions. This is followed by free time for independent exploration.
Dinner:
In the hotel.
Evening:
Wales is famous for its mellifluous music, and this evening we will be able to experience this with a traditional Welsh musical performance at the hotel.
Day
9
Snowdonia National Park
Location:
Betws-y-Coed
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Royal Oak
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Approximately 55 miles. 2 hours. Getting on/off train. Walking around museum on even terrain.
Breakfast:
In the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board the motorcoach for a full day expert-led field trip through Snowdonia National Park. Spanning over 800 square miles, it was the first of three National Parks in Wales, officially inaugurated in 1951. Snowdonia boasts, amongst other things, the largest mountain in Wales, the largest natural lake in Wales and a wealth of charming villages. The area is rich in culture and history and more than half of its residents speak Welsh. Slate quarrying was one of the most common occupations in the area during the Industrial Revolution, and the landscape bears testament to this history today. We’ll explore this aspect of Snowdonia’s heritage this morning at the National Slate Museum in Llanberis, and during a visit to a slate face.
Lunch:
Taken out in a village in the Snowdonia National Park.
Afternoon:
Our field trip continues through landscapes of stunning natural beauty. We’ll take the motorcoach to Blaenau Ffestiniog to begin a journey on the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railway, originally used to transport slate from the quarries to the coast, in carriages drawn by a historic steam locomotive. This train will take us along a scenic winding route through the National Park to Porthmadog, where we’ll rejoin the motorcoach for our journey back to our hotel.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
10
Transfer to The Lake District: The City of Liverpool
Location:
Bassenthwaite
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Castle Inn Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Approximately 195 miles, 4.5 hours. Walking on paved terrain around Liverpool Docks. Standing in museums.
Breakfast:
Full Welsh and continental breakfast in the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we'll transfer by motorcoach to the Lake District, via the city of Liverpool. Home to the Beatles, the world famous Liverpool Football Club and the bustling Albert Docks, Liverpool was once one of the busiest port cities in the world. Known for its rich architectural heritage, it is home to many buildings regarded as amongst the greatest examples of their respective styles in the world and several areas of the city centre were granted World Heritage Status in 2004. We will stop at Albert Dock, constructed in 1846 and today comprising the single largest collection of Grade I listed buildings anywhere in Britain. The dock houses restaurants, bars and shops as well as the Merseyside Maritime Museum, the International Slavery Museum and a museum dedicated to The Beatles. Art lovers may wish to visit Tate Liverpool, which houses a large collection of modern and contemporary greats.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
We’ll complete our transfer to the Lake District. After checking in to the hotel, our Study Leader will lead a walk through the local area.
Dinner:
In the hotel.
Evening:
After dinner, we’ll gather for an illustrated talk and Q&A session with our Study Leader for this section of the programme.
Day
11
Castle Rigg, Ambleside Steamer Cruise
Location:
Bassenthwaite
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Castle Inn Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Approximately 43 mile, 1.5 hours. Getting on/off steamer for Lake cruise. Some walking and standing in town centre on paved terrain.
Breakfast:
In the hotel.
Morning:
We'll enjoy a different perspective on the Lakes as we take a steamer ride from Lakeside to Ambleside, with an opportunity to visit ancient Castlerigg stone circle along the way.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we'll visit Hawkshead and Grasmere.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
12
Bowness-on-Windermere, Coniston & Brantwood
Location:
Bassenthwaite
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Castle Inn Hotel
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach. Approximately 60 miles, 2.5 hours. Walking and standing in museums, gardens with uneven terrain. Some stairs in houses.
Breakfast:
In the hotel.
Morning:
Once aboard the motorcoach, we’ll take a scenic lakeside drive to Bowness-on-Windermere and the Arts & Crafts style Blackwell House. Here we will receive an introductory talk from a local docent before exploring the many fine pieces on display.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we'll travel by launch across the picturesque and serene Coniston Water, to pay a visit to Brantwood House & Gardens. Home to the great Victorian and man of letters John Ruskin, it is one of the most beautifully situated houses in the Lake District. The house itself is both a treasure trove of historical importance and a lively centre of contemporary arts and the environment. Displays and activities in the house, gardens and estate reflect the wealth of cultural associations with Ruskin’s legacy – from the Pre-Raphaelites and Arts & Crafts movement to the founding of the National Trust and the Welfare State. We’ll return to the hotel via the Langdales, a pair of valleys dramatically cut through the very heart of the Lake District.
Dinner:
In the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
13
Transfer to Manchester: Kirkstone Pass & Holker Hall
Location:
Manchester
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport
Activity Note
Getting on/off coach. Approximately 130 miles, 3 hours. Walking around historic house with steps and uneven terrain in the gardens.
Breakfast:
In the hotel.
Morning:
Today we'll transfer by motorcoach to our final destination, Manchester, via the dramatic Kirkstone Pass – the highest pass open to motor traffic in the Lake Distrct home to some truly spectacular views. As we travel onwards we’ll stop at 16th Century Holker Hall and Gardens, contemporaneously described as “the grandest building of its date in Lancashire, by the best architects living in the country”. We’ll have time to explore the house, as well as the gardens which seem to merge into the very hills themselves.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
The transfer to Manchester continues.
Dinner:
In the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure to pack and say farewell to your new found friends.
Day
14
Program Concludes
Location:
Manchester
Meals:
B
Breakfast:
In the hotel. Some participants may depart prior to breakfast.
Morning:
Transfer by Shuttle Bus to Manchester Airport (MAN) for onward flights. Your Group Leader will assist you in making arrangements. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
25 Meals
12 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
9 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Oct 07, 2025 - Oct 20, 2025
- May 13, 2025 - May 26, 2025 (Windsor to Manchester)
- Jun 10, 2025 - Jun 23, 2025 (Windsor to Manchester)
- Aug 05, 2025 - Aug 18, 2025 (Windsor to Manchester)
- Sep 23, 2025 - Oct 06, 2025 (Windsor to Manchester)
- Oct 07, 2025 - Oct 20, 2025 (Windsor to Manchester)
- May 12, 2026 - May 25, 2026 (Windsor to Manchester)
- Jun 09, 2026 - Jun 22, 2026 (Windsor to Manchester)
- Aug 04, 2026 - Aug 17, 2026 (Windsor to Manchester)
- Sep 08, 2026 - Sep 21, 2026 (Windsor to Manchester)
- Sep 22, 2026 - Oct 05, 2026 (Windsor to Manchester)
- Oct 06, 2026 - Oct 19, 2026 (Windsor to Manchester)
Participant Reviews
Based on 15 Reviews
Sort By:
Conway Davies, our expert guide to Wales, made all things Welsh intriguing. I especially enjoyed his soulful rendition of “Fern Hill.”
Not on the itinerary but added due to our interest was our visit to Dove Cottage in Grasmere. As an English major, I especially appreciated this immersion in Wordsworth & Coleridge. I also enjoyed the tour of Brantwood, John Ruskin’s home and gardens in Coniston, Cumbria.
I found the Herdwick sheep grazing in the Lake District curious & amusing especially after reading, “The Shepherds’ Life” by James Rebanks.
However, our trip was diminished by unseasonably (even for England!) cold and rainy weather, several cancellations (a boat ride, group lunch, visit to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Eton). A ballet got substituted for a Shakespeare play. One of our group got COVID. Rather than isolate, he stayed on the bus infecting half of us. The hotel in Keswick was under construction, under staffed and under skilled in food preparation. My flight home got canceled, but Morgan at Road Scholar Travel spent 40 minutes rebooking me the following day. One of my fellow travelers helped me navigate booking an airport hotel & shuttle.
I met some fascinating folks, got reacquainted with a bit of English literature, history & geography. All things considered and compared to previous Road Scholar experiences, I would rate this one as slightly above average.
— Review left October 14, 2024
great program and well done
— Review left August 20, 2024
This program offers an ideal introduction to some interesting and beautiful parts of England and Wales. Locations are well chosen to allow plenty of exploration of nearby areas while minimizing number of moves. Each move involved an extended stop along the way - Oxford, Liverpool, and Chester - which added a great deal to the overall experience while not requiring extensive additional travel.
— Review left July 8, 2024
This was a terrific program that encompassed equal parts geography, geology and the social history of England and Wales. We saw stunning landscapes and stunning structures. The course experts Val Abraham and Kevin Flude were extremely knowledgeable and approachable. And you can't do better than having Chris Ball as Group Leader. His professionalism, expertise and people skills added to the enjoyment of a truly wonderful tour.
— Review left June 27, 2024
The program was more than I expected. It opened my eyes to much more of the history of the UK than I was taught in school. It was a dream come true for a holiday. This was our first Road Scholar trip for my partner and me. In the future Road Scholar will always our our first selection for a holiday.
— Review left June 27, 2024
This was a great trip. Smallish group (20) with much diversity of place. Tour leader was excellent, as well as tour guides, who were so very knowledgeable. Learned a lot and had lots of fun.
— Review left June 6, 2024
This trip gave me an opportunity to visit areas outside of London and other cities. It was great to see more of the country and learn about local history.
— Review left May 30, 2024
You will fall in love with England and Wales and won’t want to leave!
— Review left October 26, 2023
My eyes, mind, and heart were all opened by our guides in Windsor, Wales, and the Lake District. We plan to go back, and to book more Road Scholar tours.
— Review left October 24, 2023
If you've ever wondered what would happen if you missed a connection and couldn't make the beginning of the trip let me assure you Road Scholar has your back. I made them aware I wasn't going to make planned time not once but twice. They kept up with me through all the chaos (including a missing suitcase) and tour director Neil got me back on track like nothing untoward had ever happened. Very reassuring when you're traveling alone.
The tour was wonderful. Accommodations, food and transport were all very good and the local instructors on each leg of the journey were very personable and informative.
A highlight in Wales was Harriet Earis. Her harp performance after dinner one evening was delightful: a memory of this trip I won't soon forget.
— Review left August 30, 2023
Just returned from a lively journey of "The Best of England and Wales." - a joyous expedition through wonderful historic and natural sites. Learned so much - not through boring lessons & lectures but with experiential adventures. Best of all it was fun to meet new places and people!!
— Review left August 29, 2023
Excellent program; Carole was an exceptional leader…
— Review left July 2, 2023
The history of Great Britain is fascinating. I would like to have had more feedback on the more current events like Brexit, the countries that are seeking independence, dealing with inflation, etc. Some topics were off limits with the guides. The hotel food is dismal and most of the meals that Road Scholar paid for were in hotels. I did not expect Great Britain to be a gourmet capital but I think they could have done better. Absolutely lovely countryside. Carole Flynn, our group leader, was fantastic. Wales was the highlight. Get prepared to see a lot of sheep!
— Review left June 29, 2023
This was my first-time participating in a Road Scholar program and it was a phenomenal experience. It was evident always that the planning and organizing for this trip was done with much expertise--a class act from beginning to end!
— Review left October 11, 2022
This tour was a great way to learn about England and Wales history and culture, see beautiful historic buildings as well as a lot of natural beauty. We covered a lot of ground! The guides were super knowledgeable and entertaining. And our tour director was like superwoman, handling whatever complications arose with aplomb.
— Review left May 26, 2022
