Are you planning to make your next travel destination or vacation spot in the UK, buy any chance? Bravo – excellent choice! In recent years, people have been flooding from all over the globe, including Singapore, Chine, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, to take in the sights, sounds and key attractions in this lovely nation of ours.
If your mind (and your wallet) is all set on taking a UK tour this year, complete with an adventure-filled road trip – sit back and relax. This article presents a clear itinerary, recommending exactly where to start and stop, where to stay, the places to see, and of course, the all-important question “what kind of UK tour transport option should I choose?”
Why the UK for a road trip?
The lakes, the mountains, the ocean drives, the hiking possibilities, and yes – the UK tour minibus hire service that will dedicate all the time in the world to helping you make the most of your trip – what’s not to love about taking a UK tour?
With that said, people often find it confusing to get the itinerary right, so for example – where’s the best place to start the tour? Which places should I see while I’m there? What are the best routes? What do I need to pack? Is it better to take a car (we drive on the left-hand side here!) or explore other UK tour transport options like a service which specialises in an Edinburgh minibus tour or a London minibus tour?
While there are options aplenty, the best thing to do now before even setting foot in the UK is to plan your road trip. Without further ado, let’s dive right into it.
Here’s what a UK Tour itinerary should look like
Let’s prepare a quick itinerary, shall we?
The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The average length of a UK tour is usually between 2 and 3 weeks, depending on how many things you want to get done. So, for example, you can pick up the pace a bit by doing a ‘panoramic’ type of tour, utilising the services of a reliable UK tour minibus hire, where you’re just driving through the main points for each location, making shorter stops and taking photos and then drive on to the next city.
However, you can also extend it by stopping and staying overnight in cities and taking your sweet time to explore the beauty and allure of the UK in more detail. The best thing to do, honestly, is to do a mixture of both and do some research beforehand on your own as well around individual cities, so you’ll know where to allocate more time. We can’t cover all the great spots in one article, because there may be others considered to be not too overly popular, but you may want to visit them nevertheless.
All in all, we’d highly recommend a London minibus tour service, for example, as they will already know the best route and the most popular places to visit, whether you’re a local or a foreign tourist. Plus, minibus hire in the UK is a far more practical and cost-effective option for most tourists, as opposed to finding a reliable and not too expensive car rental service, because most of the time these can really drill a hole in your vacation budget.
So, we’ve compiled the best routes to help you on your UK road trip, along with basic details as well as major features of each area and its underlying attractions. We’ve also included some general information on accommodation for all budgets, from the cheapest, most barebones hotel/inn stays to the most luxurious ones.
Excited yet? You absolutely should be!
Keep in mind though that the itinerary we’ve come up with does have a lot stuffed in, including some of the most beautiful locations in Ireland. While it is certainly “doable” for most families or solo travellers, it is definitely fast-paced and you’ll need to pack accordingly. This means there’s going to be a fair amount of driving involved, but if you choose minibus hire in the UK for your road trip, then half your work is done.
You may be inclined to adjust the itinerary to meet your own travel needs, pace or interests, so by all means, do so.
Days 1 and 2: The Great City of London!
Ah yes – the nation’s capital is a favourite for UK tours, especially for people flying in from Middle Eastern and Asian countries. The city comfortably sitting on the River Thames’ banks for more than 2,000 years has an incredible number of historical sights, amazing museums and iconic street markets.
London is also a very walkable city, allowing you to take in all the main sights in about a day perhaps, although you would fare very well by using a London minibus tour service to take in the massive parks, crumbling cemeteries, beautiful art galleries and alluring museums on the second day. Oh, and you will find some incredible pubs along the way to just sit down, take a moment, and appreciate the atmosphere around you.
Other places you should check out, especially with the help of a UK tour minibus hire, include:
- Westminster Abbey
- The Shard
- HMS Belfast
- Tower Bridge Exhibition
- Tower of London
- Buckingham Palace
- Kensington Palace
- V&A Museum
- Royal Albert Hall
- London Eye
- Hyde Park
- The Parliament
You may also want to check out some of the locations where they filmed Harry Potter – hey, why not, since you’re here, right? You can even arrange with your Edinburgh minibus tour company to take you on a bus tour through all the Harry Potter locations in both Edinburgh and London, although most of the scenes were indeed shot in London.
Lastly, there are plenty of accommodation options in London, although most of them may prove to be quite costly. Nevertheless, that’s not to say that you can’t find a decent ‘budget place’ to stay, so here are a few options:
- Shangri-La The Shard, £618 a night
- Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, £172 a night
- The Collective Canary Wharf, £104 a night
- Motel One, starting from £99 a night
Don’t mind spending a little extra on accommodation on your UK tour? You’ll find plenty of hotels offering more amenities than you can shake a stick at – starting at just over £1,000 and going all the up to £4,000 and higher. Booking.com happens to be a very good place to check out all the rooms and amenities offered by London hotels, so you can find one that fits your budget. However, we can definitely recommend a few luxury stays off the top of our head, such as:
- The Corinthia, Westminster, starting from £798 night
- The Beaumont, Mayfair, starting from £490 a night
- Bulgari Hotel London, Knightsbridge, starting from £815 a night
Days 3 and 4: Oxford
The small city of Oxford is jam-packed with students and tourists, and what makes it such a great spot for a UK tour are the incredible buildings, which are primarily Oxford academic institutions. Considered some of the wealthiest educational establishments in the country, the architectural fashion clearly reflects that and certainly makes for an interesting site to visit. It’s actually quite common for tourists to wander around the buildings, taking photos and in awe at the sheer beauty of the buildings, or relaxing in the gardens, for instance.
Perhaps later, a punt on the river might be exactly what you need, followed by some Pimms or cream tea. Did you know that Harry Potter was also filmed here? The Bodleian Library in Divinity School is one such location where some of the scenes were shot for the first four films. Other locations include Christ Church College Hall and New College (Courtyard & Tree).
For a change of pace, try a walking tour of the Universities as well as a sight-seeing tour in Oxford, where many tourists use “minibus hire in the UK” to explore the city. There’s also the lovely Bicester Village for shopping and we recommend setting at least a day aside for Stratford upon Avon – a charming medieval market town, which is also the 16-century birthplace of William Shakespeare.
While you’re here, you might also want to check out the superbly picturesque Cotswolds area, where you can take in the quaint villages and mesmerising rolling countryside. It’s kind of like the “England” everyone imagines it to be: cricket ovals, village greens, country pubs and more.
And, here are some accommodation options:
- The Tower House is located right in the middle of the city, offering great walking locations and also walking distance from the Bodleian Library. Rooms start from £120 a night.
- Old Parsonage Hotel offers a luxurious library and is within walking distance of over 30 of the best universities, with rooms available at £195 a night.
- Moving on to more expensive and luxurious options, there’s Marlborough House, with £2,754 a night and Old Black Horse Inn, with rooms available for £4,426 a night.
- If you’d still rather settle for something in the middle, then Burlington House Hotel and Royal Oxford Hotel are excellent options. Check Booking.com for prices on the different rooms available.
Well, then – on we drive into Birmingham!
Day 5: Birmingham
Birmingham is another fantastic spot that you shouldn’t miss during your UK tour and road trip. With so many options when it comes to transport for UK tours, including UK tour minibus hire, you just have to set some time aside to see the sights here.
Top attractions in Birmingham include:
- Vulcan Park and Museum
- Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- McWane Science Centre
- Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
- Railroad Park
- Ingram Park
- Birmingham Museum of Art
- Alabama Theatre
New Street Station and Grand Central are two key locations, however, that you absolutely need to have on your UK tour itinerary. Grand Central now has a completely redesigned mall with an atrium roof acting as the centrepiece – giving visitors access to more than 60 stores spread across 500,000 sq. ft., including restaurants and cafes.
New Street Station offers excellent shopping facilities, food and drink, as well as free Wi-Fi, phone booths, cash dispensers, toilets and baby-changing facilities. If you’ve already got a UK tour minibus hire with you, then your road trip in and out of Birmingham just got a lot easier!
If you’re looking for budget stays during your Birmingham road trip, then there are options a plenty:
- Travelodge Birmingham Central Bull Ring – Starting from £80 a night
- Briar Rose Hotel – Starting from £75 a night
- Premier Inn Birmingham City Centre Hotel – Starting from £103 a night
A quick visit to booking.com or tripadvisor.com offers a lot more options between £50-150 a night. But if you want your stay to be a more luxurious one, then we can definitely recommend a few places:
- Copthorne Hotel Birmingham – Starting from £809 a night
- The Grand Hotel Birmingham – Starting from £465 a night
- Birmingham Marriott Hotel – Starting from £304 a night
Days 6 and 7: Manchester to Liverpool and Peak District
Manchester, the city of two halves, offers a collection of amazing restaurants and trendy bars in the centre, not to mention the sporting landmarks found throughout the suburbs. From the world-class Manchester City to the iconic Manchester United, Manchester is primarily a “football” city, especially since it has the largest football club in the sporting world. However, it’s also a city known for its vibrant nightlife and music.
Other places to visit here include John Rylands Library Research Institute, Etihad Stadium, Manchester Museum, AO Arena, Palace Theatre Manchester, Manchester Cathedral, Market Street, Opera House Manchester and National Football Museum.
Next, ask your UK tour minibus hire service to drive you to the highly diverse and vibrant city of Liverpool, where there’s plenty of entertainment for everyone. There’s almost an endless amount of tourist attractions here, from cultural heritage sites to some of the best museums in the entire nation, as well as phenomenal dining and shopping spots. Places that we recommend visiting here include:
- Williamson Tunnels
- Velocity Widnes
- George’s Hall
- Liverpool City Centre
- Cavern Club
- Sefton Park
- Everton Football Club
On your way forward, do stop to see the Peak District National Park, where quaint villages, rolling hills and beautiful walks lie in wait!
As for accommodation, there are far too many to list here – a quick search on booking.com should yield some very interesting results, according to your budget.
Day 8: Lake District
The Lake District is beyond ideal for outdoors lovers, as there are plenty of mesmerising lakes, rolling hills, and, of course, the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike. You’ll never run out of things to do here, from seeing the largest natural lake, Lake Windermere, to climbing Scafell Pike or seeing a play at Theatre by the Lake.
You might also visit the quirky Derwent Pencil Museum or enjoy some incredible locally sourced meals at Old Stamp House. There’s many delightful hotels to choose from here – between the Haweswater Hotel and Regent Hotel by the Lake to Royal Oak at Keswick and Ravenstone Manor, ranging from just £35-40 a night to between £150 and £200 a night.
Day 9: Glasgow
The port city in Scotland’s western Lowlands offers plenty of 18th to 20th century Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and is a hub to some of the most acclaims museums in the nation, as well as institutions like Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera, and National Theatre of Scotland. It also boasts a thriving music scene.
Escape to Pollok Country Park where you can stroll through the lush green and serene surroundings, the Botanic Gardens where you can admire the fine architecture too or satisfy your wanderlust by exploring the majestically atmospheric Glasgow Cathedral. We also recommend checking out the Hunterian Art Gallery & Museum, The Lighthouse and The Scottish Football Museum on your way to Edinburgh.
As for accommodation, we have quite a few budget-friendly recommendations:
- Carlton George Hotel, starting from £98 a night
- Ibis Styles Glasgow Central, starting from £82 a night
- Millennial Hotel Glasgow, starting from £71 a night
Don’t mind stretching your budget a little?
- Hilton Garden Inn Glasgow City Centre, starting from £110 a night
- Hilton Glasgow, starting from £150 a night
- Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, starting from £220 a night
- Crossbasket Castle, starting from £355 a night
Day 10: Edinburgh
When you arrive in Edinburgh, you’ll instantly be mesmerised by the sheer number of things to look at in photographs. From Arthur’s Seat to Edinburgh Castle to Princes Street, there are multiple ways to entertain and spend some money! The Fringe festival will leave you nicely entertained too.
Once you’re done exploring Edinburgh Castle, you can walk down the Royal Mile, the medieval city’s main highway which is always bustling with activity. St. Giles Cathedral is a great spot for walking tours and rooftop tours, so get your camera ready to take some stunning shots.
Need some accommodation ideas? Stay Central Hotel, Castle Rock Hostel and Royal Mile Backpackers are all great budget-friendly options available for around £40 a night each, while The Balmoral, The Witchery and Waldorf Astoria The Caledonian offer 4-star and 5-star luxury stays between £350 and £450 a night.
Days 11 and 12: Northumberland and Newcastle
Before arriving at Edinburg though, you should check out Northumberland, where you’ll find some of England’s not so frequently travelled, yet stunning and beautiful landscapes. Northumbria features miles of alluring deserted beaches and crumbling castles, and there’s even a Roman equivalent of China’s Great Wall. You’ll find the rolling landscapes absolutely breathtaking.
On we move with our Edinburg minibus tour and arrive at Newcastle. Here, you’ll find an abundance of walking tours, historical tours and city tours, as well as cultural tours and lots of parks, to name a few. Top attractions include St. James’ Park, Quayside, Victoria Tunnel, The Discovery Museum and Newcastle Castle.
Budget accommodation options include Motel One Newcastle starting at £69 a night and Country Hotel offering rooms for £62 a night, with higher-end accommodations too, such as Copthorne Hotel Newcastle (£140 a night), Maldron Hotel Newcastle (£179) and Sandman Signature Newcastle Hotel (£139 a night).
Day 13: York
York is a city that’s just begging to be explored! From the super Gothic York Minster where you can climb to the top, to the tumbled and winding alleyways of the shambles to the rich Viking history, there’s a lot to do here indeed.
Once you’re done exploring the medieval walls, you can visit the nation’s largest railway museum here, although the highlight of the city would have to be the gothic York Minster, where you will definitely admire the construction which is even visible from around York.
Need some accommodation ideas? We’ve got you covered on that front.
Day 14: Sheffield
Sheffield is rife with family fun spots, theatres and galleries, hiking trails, museums and heritage sights, and theatres. The first thing you want to do is explore Peak District, where you can, in turn, explore England’s most scenic towns, villages and hamlets. The Botanical Gardens, Chatsworth House, Kelham Island Museum and Winder Garden are also a must.
Here are some accommodation options in Sheffield, catering to all kinds of budgets, of course.
UK Tour completed!
We’re almost back where we started! Right before we head back to London, we’re going to get a change to admire one of the UK’s most famous monuments, Stonehenge. You’ll find more than just a circle of rocks here, as it spans across hundreds of miles of an actual quarry. Why not pop into Salisbury while we’re here and enjoy the cathedral?
Travel SOS is your UK tour minibus hire of choice, covering all major locations in the UK. Are your bags ready yet? We can’t wait to show you around!
