Elsewhere Itinerary – Highlights of Southern England

Number of Travellers: 2
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights

Overview

Set out on an exciting and creatively curated adventure through southern England. Begin in the dynamic and energising streets of London, visiting iconic sites and threading your way through lively markets bursting with vintage treasures and an incredible medley of food from around the world. From London, drive west into the Cotswolds, England’s largest area of outstanding natural beauty. Offering a lovely change of pace, visit the charming town of Stratford-Upon-Avon (Shakespeare’s place of birth) and E-bike your way to a beautiful vineyard to enjoy a tour and tasting. Continue to the elegant city of Bath, visiting its famous Roman Baths, relaxing at a spa, and swimming in a rooftop pool. Explore Stonehenge en route to the southern coast, where the seaside city of Brighton beckons with its inclusive, collaborative community and the opportunity to paddle board, explore the street art and cosy up in one of its many elective bars, pubs or breweries. With perfectly paced days paired with lovely accommodation, discover England like a local.

Day by Day

Day 1 - Welcome to London

Land at Heathrow and catch the tube into central London. An unmissable destination for travellers, the capital city is an international melting pot that brims with culture, history and iconic landmarks. Check into your hotel and take some time to relax. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to stretch your legs with some local exploring before enjoying dinner and a good night’s sleep.

 

Day 2 - London's Iconic Sites

After breakfast, head out to explore the city. With a hop-on, hop-off bus pass, jump on one of the iconic red buses and visit the capital’s must-see destinations including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and St Paul’s Cathedral. An entertaining, informative and relaxed way to discover London’s showstoppers – enjoy exploring at your own pace. This evening, enjoy a ride on the London Eye, sipping a glass of champagne as you enjoy spectacular views across the Thames.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Borough Market and Notting Hill

Discover the culinary wonders of Borough Market and the charming streets of Notting Hill today with your convenient hop-on-hop-off bus pass. Begin by exploring the diverse stalls of Borough Market, where you can indulge in a variety of international flavours, from artisanal cheeses to tantalizing street food. Afterwards, hop on a bus to the colourful streets of Notting Hill to meander through the eclectic neighbourhood and visit Portobello Road Market – one of the most famous street markets in the world. As an optional extra, you may wish to include a theatre performance this evening, enjoying a night out in the famous West End.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Tour of Oxford and the Cotswolds

After breakfast, jump on the tube to Paddington Station and catch a train to Oxford. Spend the morning on a fantastic walking tour, discovering the ‘city of dreaming spires’ and admiring the stunning architecture of the oldest university in the English speaking world. This afternoon, pick up your car hire and enjoy a picturesque drive west into the outstanding natural beauty of the Cotswolds. With rolling green hills, traditional country pubs and sheep grazing behind drystone walls, a couple of days spent here offers a wonderful and refreshing change of pace. Check in to your lovely hotel and relax.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Shakespeare and Stratford-Upon-Avon

This morning, enjoy a pretty drive south to the bustling market town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace and burial ground of William Shakespeare. On your arrival, enjoy a guided tour with the Royal Shakespeare Company, listening to entertaining stories and learning about its unique and fascinating history. Afterwards, visit the restored, half-timbered  16th-century house on Henley Street where the famous playwright was born and meander around the village, popping into some of the artisanal shops. Return to your cosy hotel this evening and relax. As an optional extra, you may wish to enjoy a Shakespeare play this evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - E-Bike Tour of the Cotswolds

Today, enjoy exploring the Cotswolds by E-bike. Pick up your hire bikes and pedal along the country lanes, leafy bridleways and quiet roads which link idyllic villages of honey-coloured stone. Enjoy the fragrant, fresh air and the steady melody of whirring wheels as you weave your way to a local vineyard. Upon arrival, enjoy a tour and tasting, learning about the Cotswold’s terroir and gaining an insight into the intricacies of winemaking. Cycle back to Cirencester and transfer back to your hotel. Relax this evening on a day well spent on two-wheels.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Sudeley Castle and Arrive in Bath

Today, enjoy the picturesque drive to Bath. Along the way, visit Sudeley Castle –  the only privately owned castle in the world to have a Queen of England buried in its grounds. Park up and head off to explore the castle, uncovering its secrets and enjoying its intriguing exhibitions. As the sun shines, wander around Sudeley’s many stunning and award-winning gardens, which are set against the striking backdrop of the Cotswold hills. Afterwards, enjoy a walk to Broadway Tower which provides spectacular views across the Severn Vale into Wales. Later, arrive in Bath, an elegant city full of traditional heritage which has been a well-being destination since Roman times.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Exploring Bath

Today, enjoy exploring Bath and its stunning Georgian architecture. Visit the Roman Baths, one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world: walk on ancient pavements, explore tepid plunge pools and immerse yourself in the engaging museum. A visit to the Victoria Arts Gallery, a tranquil and thought-provoking place beyond the bustling streets, is also a lovely way to spend a couple of hours. Make sure to step into the quiet oasis of Bath Abbey too, welcoming a moment of stillness as you admire the spectacular fan vaulting and gothic architecture. This evening, enjoy indulging in a visit to a spa, swimming in the rooftop pool and looking out across the twinkling city lights.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9 - Stonehenge and Hawking Experience

Leave the cobbled streets of Bath behind this morning and make your way south towards the seaside town of Brighton. Along the way, stop to visit Stonehenge and just down the road, the Hawk Conservancy Trust. Enjoy a bird of prey experience, taking the opportunity to handle and fly a range of incredible raptors. Afterwards, continue your journey to the coast and as the air suddenly takes on the tang of salt, arrive in the creative streets of Brighton, a well known artists’ enclave. Check into your quirky hotel, and if you like, head out into the colourful streets for dinner. As an optional extra today, you may like to try e-foiling – an adrenalin fuelled activity, sure to get your heart racing.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Stand-Up Paddle Boarding and Exploring Brighton

After a relaxed breakfast, head out for a session of stand-up paddle boarding. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned professional – Brighton is a lovely place to paddle as the water is calm, the views beautiful and the option of going for a post-paddle dip irresistible. If you would like a paddle boarding lesson, then there is the option here to upgrade. Afterwards, from the sea take to the sky, enjoying travelling high above the city on the Brighton i360, providing panoramic views and the opportunity to just sit back and relax. Indulge in a traditional afternoon tea, enjoying fluffy scones fat with cream and jam accompanied by a stunning backdrop.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Brighton Pavilion and Travel to Windsor

This morning, step out into the fresh salty air to visit Brighton’s Royal Pavilion. Originally built in 1787 to be a seaside residence for King George IV, the palace blends the opulent splendour of Regency architecture with aesthetics inspired by India and China. Enjoy exploring the sumptuous, rather eclectic interior and walking around the fully restored Regency gardens. Afterwards, hop back in your hire car and travel north to Windsor. Enjoy taking a rowing boat out onto the Thames, bobbing about in the water and generally messing about in a boat. Drop off your hire car in Windsor and relax at your lovely hotel this evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12 - Transfer to the Airport and Depart

Depending on your departure time today, relax with a leisurely breakfast before packing up and getting ready for your return journey. The transport links in Windsor are plentiful, so it’s simple to either catch a train back into the centre of London or to Heathrow. If you prefer, there is also the option to take a taxi directly to the airport. Feeling energised, refreshed and full of new stories, leave England’s green shores and depart for home.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 12
  • Meals as indicated above
  • Car hire from Day 4 to Day 11
  • Activities mentioned in the itinerary aside from optional activities and upgrades
  • Tickets and entrance fees to sites listed in the itinerary
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • 24 hour in-country emergency support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Train travel
  • Transfers to and from the airport
  • Car hire
  • Parking fees
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Optional activities/upgrades mentioned
  • Gratuities