The Best of England and Scotland
Russ Kimbell
Friday 8th August – Saturday 16th August 2025
Overview
V3 – 30/5/25
Day by Day
Day 1 - Friday 8th August - Welcome to London and Enjoy a Traditional Afternoon Tea
Upon arrival in London, a private transfer will collect you from the airport and take you to your centrally located hotel where you can enjoy time to unwind after your journey.
This afternoon experience the great British tradition of taking Afternoon Tea. Make your way to the Potting Shed Restaurant at your hotel and enjoy a spread of finely cut sandwiches with freshly baked scones and a selection of beautifully crafted pastries and choose from a selection of tempting teas.
Overnight: London | Dorset Square Hotel
Room Type: 1 x Deluxe King
Meals Included: None
Day 2 - Saturday 9th August - Retail Therapy and Visit Kew Gardens
This morning a private driver will meet you at your hotel and will be at your disposal for up to 5 hours. Start with a visit to the world-famous department store, Harrods which offers everything from high-end fashion and gourmet food to unique gifts and souvenirs. The lavish interior, with its elegant décor and themed rooms, adds to the grandeur of shopping or simply browsing. You will also have a chance to visit James Smith & Sons Umbrella Shop.
Later this afternoon take a trip to Kew Gardens and enjoy a walk around with a local city guide. You will explore one of the world’s most famous botanical gardens, which is home to over 50,000 living plants and a vast collection of preserved specimens. Explore beautiful glasshouses, including the iconic Palm House, and enjoy attractions like the Treetop Walkway and the Princess of Wales Conservatory.
Your local city guide will meet you in your hotel lobby and will travel with you by taxi to/from Kew Gardens.
Overnight: London | Dorset Square Hotel
Room Type: 1 x Deluxe King
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3 - Sunday 10th August - Explore the Cotswolds
A private transfer will meet you at your hotel to drive you to the pretty Cotswolds town of Burford where you will meet your expert guide for the next couple of days.
Burford charms with its medieval streets and antique shops, nestled along a sloping high street. Bourton-on-the-Water, often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” enchants with stone bridges over the River Windrush and cozy tea rooms where you can enjoy a lovely lunch. Just a short drive away, the twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter provide a peaceful escape, with honey-coloured cottages, quiet lanes, and a timeless rural atmosphere.
After exploring some of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds your guide will take you to your hotel, the historic Lygon Arms.
Overnight: Broadway | The Lygon Arms
Room Type: 1 x Main House Classic
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4 - Monday 11th August - Hike the Start of the Cotswolds Way
After you have enjoyed a hearty breakfast your guide will meet you at your hotel to further explore some iconic Cotswolds sights.
Begin at Batsford Arboretum, home to a unique collection of some of the world’s most beautiful and rare trees, shrubs and bamboos spread across 60 acres.
Next, your guide will take you to the historic Broadway Tower where you can enjoy a circular walk of the grounds, climb the tower to experience wonderful views over the Cotswolds and explore the museum and nuclear bunker.
Your guide will now drop you in Broadway village which has a lovely selection of boutiques, gift shops, local crafts and art galleries.
When you are ready to return to your hotel, the Lygon Arms is just a 15 minute walk from the Broadway town centre.
Overnight: Broadway | The Lygon Arms
Room Type: 1 x Main House Classic
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5 - Tuesday 12th August - To Edinburgh
A private transfer will collect you from your hotel this morning to return you to Heathrow airport where you will make your onwards connection to Edinburgh, waving goodbye to the Cotswolds but taking cherished memories with you.
Upon arrival into Edinburgh, you will meet your experienced driver guide and make your way north out of the city into the beautiful Scottish countryside in the county of Perthshire. Arrive at your accommodation and take some time to relax after a long travel day.
Overnight: By Blairgowrie | Kinloch House Hotel
Room Type: 1x Superior Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 6 - Wednesday 13th August - Morning Private 4x4 Safari & Afternoon Explorations
This morning you head out on a fun private Landrover safari with a kilted Ranger. Exploring private estate tracks to see what traditional gillies and estate managers drive every day. Keep your eyes open for the local wildlife, Red Deer, Mountain Hares and Eagles that are all to be found here.
This afternoon continue your local explorations with your guide, finishing the day with some delectable chocolates at a local award-winning specialist.
Overnight: By Blairgowrie | Kinloch House Hotel
Room Type: 1x Superior Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7 - Thursday 14th August - A Charming Perthshire Town & Scottish Whisky
Today you have a relaxed day to explore at your own pace. Head for the charming village of Pitlochry and spend some time exploring the various shops and cafes. Be sure to visit the local Kilt shop, or take on a local low level walk, such as the roughly 5km loch Faskally and the Salmon Ladder walk – taking you close to the waters edge and some piece and tranquillity.
You will then get the chance to explore how a famous Scottish drink is crafted. Spend some time touring the facility, learning about the craftsmanship that goes into bringing this drink to life, before sampling some of the produce.
Overnight: By Blairgowrie | Kinloch House Hotel
Room Type: 1x Superior Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 8 - Friday 15th August - The Capital of Scotland, Edinburgh
This morning, your guide will collect you from your accommodation and transfer you south to the Capital of Scotland, Edinburgh. Sit back and enjoy the roughly 1 hour 15 minute journey through the countryside, arriving at your hotel on the outskirts of Edinburgh, away from the busy crowds. Here, your guide will bid you farewell as they depart.
Now, drop you bags at the hotel before meeting your local city guide and heading off in a classically British car, the Mini Cooper. Explore the best of Edinburgh, as well as some of the hidden gem spots that only the most knowledgeable local guide would know. Finish off with a delightful early dinner at the historic Roseleaf Pub, a great way to cap off your adventure.
Overnight: Newbridge | Norton House Hotel & Spa
Room Type: 1x Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 - Saturday 16th August - Depart
A private transfer will take you to the airport, so you can arrive relaxed and refreshed ahead of your journey home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trip Details
- Inclusions
- 8 nights accommodation, as stated in the itinerary above
- Some meals, as stated in the itinerary above
- The services of a qualified and experienced guide in England from Day 3 to Day 4 inclusive
- The services of a qualified and experienced guide in Scotland from Day 5 to Day 7 inclusive
- All transfers in a private vehicle driven by our guide on guided days
- Private Airport Transfer on Arrival Day, includes Meet & Greet
- Private driver for up to 5 hours on Day 2
- Private transfer from London to the Cotswolds
- Private transfer from the Cotswolds to Heathrow to make onwards connection to Edinburgh
- Entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary, specifically:
- Entry into Kew Gardens – accompanied by a local city guide
- Afternoon Tea at Dorset Square Hotel
- Entry into Batsford Arboretum
- Entry into Broadway Tower, gardens and bunker
- Private tasting experience with a renowned chocolatier
- An off-road 4×4 Safari experience
- A tour and tasting at a local Whisky Distillery
- A Private half day tour of Edinburgh with a local city guide, in a Mini Cooper
- Includes a visit to a renowned Edinburgh Kilt shop
- Includes a pub dinner
- Personalised trip design and delivery
- 24/7 In-Country Support from the Wilderness Team
- Exclusions
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
- Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
- Gratuities for the main driver guide
- Notes
- All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking.
- A 20% deposit is required before any accommodation and services will be confirmed.
- This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision.
- Activities are only private if so specified.
- Pricing
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The NET price for this itinerary, based on 2 clients on a twin-share basis, and including a £12 per person conservation contribution is:
- £ 8,695 GBP per person
Conservation Contribution This voluntary donation of £12 per person goes towards conservation projects in the locations in which we operate. If you would like to opt out, just let your trip designer know. Click here for more information.
- Terms & Conditions
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Please see our booking terms here.