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An Adventure to England and Wales
May 2024
May 2024
On a carefully crafted, bespoke trip, explore the charming nature of southern England with your knowledgeable Wilderness guide. Begin by visiting the Cotswolds, England’s largest designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). A landscape of rolling green fields, honey-coloured villages and ancient deciduous woodland, it’s a wonderful place to explore on foot. Afterwards, travel west into Wales to explore the Brecon Beacons National Park. Enjoy fabulous walking, visit the pretty market town of Hay-On-Wye and take some free time to relax. Ribboning your way back into England, visit the architecturally stunning city of Bath before travelling south to explore the sea-soaked shores of Cornwall. Wander through the cobbled streets of tiny fishing villages, pop into artisanal shops and enjoy fresh seafood. By the rolling waves of the Atlantic, visit medieval castles and look out for seals, dolphins and an eclectic number of sea birds. On a trip that showcases the beauty of southern England, enjoy peaceful hikes, delicious food and charming accommodation in excellent company.
Arrive at Heathrow this morning and meet your Wilderness guide. Leave the bustling metropolis of London behind and head west into the Cotswolds – a region cherished for its pastoral charm, pretty villages, flower-rich limestone grassland and deep incised valleys. The inspiration for many works of art and literature, including Beatrix Potter, J.R.R Tolkien and Jane Austen, it’s a pretty and interesting place to explore. Arrive at a beautiful, traditional country inn tucked in the heat of a picturesque village and take some time to settle in. Perhaps enjoy a stroll in the warm afternoon light, before enjoying dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Overnight: The Cotswolds
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Wake up this morning in the peaceful, rural beauty of the Cotswolds. After a leisurely breakfast, lace up your boots and pop on your day pack, joining your guide for a lovely, undulating walk. Strolling through the countryside, listen out for skylarks and blackbirds as you traverse green fields and pass by tumbling castles and ancient ruins. Along the way, chat with your guide about the history of the area, enjoying the fresh air, pretty views and happy chatter. Returning to your cosy accommodation later this afternoon, take some time to relax, perhaps sampling some local ales, before settling down for another delicious dinner.
Overnight: The Cotswolds
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Spend today exploring Stratford-upon-Avon, the charming medieval market town best known for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Set in the rural Warwickshire countryside, on the banks of the river Avon, it’s a lovely place to spend some time. Visit the restored, half-timbered 16th-century house on Henley Street where Shakespeare was born and meander around the village, popping into the artisanal shops that line the historic streets. After lunch, and depending on availability, you may want to enjoy a play performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company, an organisation founded in 1961 that brings the power of live Shakespeare and live performance to venues throughout the world.
Overnight: The Cotswolds
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
As the soft dawn mist fades from the fields, enjoy a relaxed breakfast. Today’s itinerary is extremely flexible, so you can enjoy moving entirely at your own pace. Perhaps begin the day by doing some shopping, strolling around the pretty streets and sampling some of the local produce. After a leisurely lunch, join your guide for an afternoon hike. Along the way, you may wish to visit Bourton-on-the-Water, a village which bestrides the River Windrush and is often ranked as one of the prettiest villages in the UK. As the sun gilds the low hills, return to your accommodation and enjoy dinner.
Overnight: The Cotswolds
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, head out with your guide to cross the border into Wales and the Brecon Beacons National Park. Carved out in the Ice Age, the mountains, hills and valleys are arrestingly beautiful. Along the way, stop in Wye Valley – a place designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1971 to protect one of the most important lowland landscapes in Britain. Enjoy a walk with your guide through the valleys, before continuing into the rugged hills of the Brecon Beacons and checking into your charming hotel.
Overnight: Brecon Beacons National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning, visit the pretty market town of Hay-On-Wye, the Town of Books, which lies just north of the Black Mountains. Full of independent and quirky artisanal shops, it has become famous for its secondhand and antiquarian bookshops – with some specialising in rare and out-of-print volumes. It’s a lovely place to spend a couple of hours exploring, and with many local cafes to try out, once you’ve arrived, it’s a hard place to leave. Later this afternoon, head out with your guide for a local walk to soak up the beauty of the Welsh countryside before returning to your hotel for dinner.
Overnight: Brecon Beacons National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The hills that skirt the Brecon Beacons were once rich with coal, limestone and iron ore — the fuel of the Industrial Revolution. After a relaxed breakfast, head out with your guide to visit Blaenavon Ironworks. Explore the ruined furnaces, the impressive remains of the foundry, the cast house and the water balance tower that raised wagons almost 80 feet into the air. This afternoon, travel back across the border to the historic town of Bath, an elegant city full of traditional heritage that has been a well-being destination since Roman times. Check in to your welcoming accommodation before heading out into the bustling streets for an evening stroll before dinner.
Overnight: Bath
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today, enjoy a free day exploring Bath. Enjoy observing the stunning Georgian architecture and soaking in the sights and sounds of the city. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the Roman Baths and afterwards treat yourself to an indulgent afternoon tea. A visit to the Victoria Arts Gallery, a tranquil and thought-provoking place beyond the colourful and vibrant streets, is a lovely way to spend a couple of hours, and it’s also worth visiting the Jane Austen Centre, which offers an insight into what life was like during Regency times.
Overnight: Bath
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Travel south today to the salt-stained coastline of Cornwall. Enjoy the scenic drive, before arriving in the small village of Tintagel, set high on the Cornish coastline and imbued with legends of King Arthur. Join your guide for a beautiful circular hike through areas of outstanding natural beauty. Walk along the headland and into the footfalls of history, crossing the spectacular bridge to explore Tintagel Castle. Where past meets present, and fact meets folklore, explore the ruins of this medieval fortress and learn about the region’s rich history.
Overnight: Port Isaac
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning, take a stroll through the winding lanes of Port Isaac, a 14th-century fishing village where white-washed cottages look out over the Atlantic Ocean. A short drive to Port Quin takes you to the start of a lovely point-to-point hike where you will follow part of the South West Coast Path – one of the UK’s most treasured national trails. Upon arrival in the coastal village of Rock, board a ferry to make the short crossing to Padstow. Idyllic and well known for its food scene, visit the lobster hatchery or indulge in fish and chips from Rick Stein’s seafood restaurant.
Overnight: Port Isaac
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After a mellow morning and lovely breakfast, head out into the fresh air to visit the fascinating Eden Project. Once a barren clay mine with no soil or plants, it is now a beautiful global garden which connects its visitors to the natural world. Home to one of the world’s largest indoor rainforests and a Mediterranean biome full of spikey cacti, gnarled ancient oak trees and sweet-smelling fruits and herbs, there’s a lot to explore. Later this afternoon, travel to St Ives – a picturesque fishing harbour and seaside town known for its golden beaches.
Overnight: St Ives
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
As the sun makes the sea sparkle, enjoy a stroll through St. Ives. Popular with artists, the village is a delightful jumble of cobbled streets, historic buildings and independent shops. Spend the morning enjoying the town, perhaps visiting the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. An English artist and sculptor, Barbara Hepworth moved to St Ives at the beginning of the Second World War and remained there for the rest of her life. This afternoon, enjoy a private boat trip from St Ives, keeping a look out for seals and dolphins as you learn more about this spectacular coastline from the knowledgeable crew.
Overnight: St Ives
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today, enjoy an adventure to Land’s End – the most westerly tip of England. After breakfast, begin your hike in a tiny fishing hamlet, where a cobblestone slipway slides into turquoise water and the locals fish for mackerel, crab and lobster. Walk across the clifftops, stopping to explore Minack Theatre, a stunning open-air stage overlooking the Atlantic. Afterwards, pause for a snack and a paddle on a stunning sandy beach. This rocky, winding coastline is beautiful and invigorating, with plunging cliffs, sea caves, and deep blue pools. After reaching Land’s End, transfer back to St. Ives and take some time to relax before dinner.
Overnight: St Ives
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning, head out to visit St Michael’s Mount, a tidal island home to an ancient castle, chapel and local community. Immerse yourself in stories of deception and disguise while you explore. After returning to the mainland, enjoy a short hike along the coastal path, looking out for the Wheal Prosper engine house, which strikes a remarkable silhouette against a big blue sky. Afterwards, hop in with your guide and head back north to Windsor. It’s a long drive but one that will take you through some beautiful countryside. On arrival in Windsor, your guide say goodbye and drop you off and you can enjoy a free evening at your hotel on the Themes.
Overnight: Windsor
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Wake refreshed after a good night’s sleep, and after breakfast, transfer to the airport to begin your journey home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
The price for the trip for 8 people based on twin share rooms is £6750 per person
The price for the trip for 9 people based on twin share rooms is £7690 per person (with two guides and vehicles)
The solo room supplement for this trip is £1995 per person
All prices are based on availability at time of booking
Please see our booking terms here.
May 2024
Last updated: Monday 8th April - 12:35
