Essential Britain 2021
Tour Operator:
Tour Code:
GC1
Start City:
London
End City:
London
Tour Style:
Tour Quality:
First Class
Tour Length:
12 days
Age Requirement:
8+ Years Old
Physical Rating:
2 - Classic
Dates & Prices
| Start Date | End Date | Offers | Brochure Land Price | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 19, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Jun 26, 2021 | Jul 07, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Jul 10, 2021 | Jul 21, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Jul 24, 2021 | Aug 04, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Jul 31, 2021 | Aug 11, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Aug 07, 2021 | Aug 18, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Aug 14, 2021 | Aug 25, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Aug 21, 2021 | Sep 01, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Aug 28, 2021 | Sep 08, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Sep 04, 2021 | Sep 15, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Sep 11, 2021 | Sep 22, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Sep 18, 2021 | Sep 29, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Sep 25, 2021 | Oct 06, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Oct 09, 2021 | Oct 20, 2021 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote |
Promotions
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Why pay full price? Call us or click above for a quick quote and save money on Globus Tours.
Save 5% on 2021 Worldwide Vacations
Save 5% on 2021 Worldwide Vacations
Promotion Details
*Book and deposit a 2021 Globus Europe, South or North America (excluding Escapes by Globus) vacation to save 5% per person on the land-only portion of the core tour not including extra night accommodations, intra-vacation air, extensions, taxes, fees, tips or supplements. Booking must be made and under deposit between March 2 and April 26, 2021 for travel in 2021. Offer is combinable only with the Welcome Back Credit, Peace of Mind Credit, and any applicable air credits. Not applicable to custom tours. Discount will apply to individual members of groups adding a name and non-refundable per person deposit WITHIN the promo window. Not applicable on TBA space. Applies to new bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply. May be withdrawn any time. Available from participating GFOB office only. 21ED
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Tour Itinerary
Thrones and scones. Hops and scotch. Rock stars and famous rocks. They’re all included on this enthralling and encompassing tour of Britain. Pack your tweed and tartans for the best of London and country, the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, and the enchanting villages and valleys of Wales—and prepare to be swept away like a runaway bride at the elopement capital of Gretna Green. The castles and cathedrals of London, Edinburgh, and Cardiff, as well as the charming pubs on every corner, will steal your heart away. With visits to the baffling boulders of Stonehenge, the battlefield of Culloden Moor, Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, and The Beatles’ hometown of Liverpool, this tour of Britain promises rocking discovery and enlightenment, not to mention honorary degrees in ancient history, English literature, and music appreciation.
Alnwick , Bath , Cardiff , Cornwall , Culloden , Edinburgh , Glasgow , Glastonbury , Grasmere , Gretna Green , Inverness , Isle of Skye , Liverpool , Llangollen , London , Pitlochry , Plymouth , St. Andrews , Stonehenge , Stratford Upon Avon , York
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Day 1
ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND.Welcome to London! Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. After checking into your hotel and an afternoon at leisure, we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the Thames River.
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Day 2
LONDON–STONEHENGE–PLYMOUTH.Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions, and depart London at 8 am. First, try to unravel the mystery of prehistoric STONEHENGE. Explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then take the shuttle to the stone circle and admire the magnificence of the monument up close. Continue on through Thomas Hardy’s Wessex, and head to Plymouth where you spend the next two nights. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel.Today’s Distance: 219 mi / 352 km (B,D)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 3
PLYMOUTH. CORNWALL EXCURSION.A day full of West Country sights as you head to Poldark’s Cornwall and to the pretty fishing village and former smugglers’ port of Looe. Then, follow in the footsteps of Drake, Raleigh, and the Pilgrim Fathers with a [LF] CRUISE on Plymouth Sound, one of the world’s great natural harbors. Back in Plymouth, why not join an optional excursion into Dartmoor National Park for an evening of storytelling at a local pub?Today’s Distance: 42 mi / 70 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 4
PLYMOUTH–GLASTONBURY–BATH–CARDIFF, WALES.At Glastonbury, hear about its connection to King Arthur, and in elegant Bath, see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS, with time to explore further on your own. Stay the night in Cardiff, the Welsh capital. You might want to join an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner tonight.Today’s Distance: 184 mi / 295 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 5
CARDIFF–BUILTH WELLS–LLANGOLLEN–LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.Your journey through Wales takes you north along the Taff Valley and Brecon Beacons National Park, and via the ancient market town of Builth Wells. Take a stroll in picturesque Llangollen, host to one of the world’s most colorful annual music festivals. Spend the night in Liverpool; you may wish to join an optional city tour this afternoon.Today’s Distance: 190 mi / 306 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 6
LIVERPOOL–GRASMERE–GRETNA GREEN, SCOTLAND–GLASGOW.Start the day with a visit to THE BEATLES STORY, an atmospheric journey into the life, times, culture, and music of the “Fab Four.” Later, focus on the tranquil Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a break in Wordsworth’s beloved Grasmere and try original [LF] GRASMERE GINGERBREAD. Then, head north for the Scottish border and stop at Gretna Green, where the blacksmith would wed runaway couples, and take part in a [LF] WEDDING RE-ENACTMENT. Overnight in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city.Today’s Distance: 236 mi / 380 km (B,D)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 7
GLASGOW–ISLE OF SKYE–INVERNESS.Follow the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond, then proceed via Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, Fort William, and the “Road to the Isles.” At Mallaig, board your FERRY for the crossing to the Isle of Skye, the largest island of the Inner Hebrides and famous for its dramatic landscapes. Return to the mainland and trace the shores of Loch Ness on the way to the Highland capital.Today’s Distance: 251 mi / 404 km (B,D)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 8
INVERNESS–CULLODEN—PITLOCHRY–ST. ANDREWS–EDINBURGH.Main features today: the battlefield of Culloden Moor; the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry; St. Andrews; and over the elegant Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh. Tonight, consider an optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. For departure numbers August 1 through August 22, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO.Today’s Distance: 202 mi / 326 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 9
EDINBURGH.Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and the famous scientists, inventors, and novelists who lived there. In the “Old Town,” visit EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels, then explore HOLYROOD PALACE (when available, excluding August and other occasional dates). Later, a unique optional excursion: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 10
EDINBURGH–ALNWICK, ENGLAND–YORK.This morning at ALNWICK CASTLE, the choice is yours: visit the CASTLE itself, the opulent ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, featured in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, or explore ALNWICK GARDEN, with its breathtaking fountains and waterfalls. Next, make your way to York, England’s most complete medieval city. Here, stand in front of the great structure of the Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles.Today’s Distance: 214 mi / 344 km (B,D)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 11
YORK–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–LONDON.On the last leg of your journey, stop at Stratford-upon-Avon to take pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE. On return to London at about 3:30 pm, a Shownight Theater Evening would be an incredible finale to your vacation.Today’s Distance: 255 mi / 410 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 12
LONDON.Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Meals: Breakfast
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Full English breakfast daily; 4 three-course dinners with wine and choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Plymouth
Health and Safety Protocols for Globus Tours
Today's world has changed, but what remains certain is Globus' commitment to guest safety, comfort and peace-of-mind while traveling with us. To that end, Globus has established a worldwide Assurance program, with enhanced on-trip protocols and procedures, to ensure the health – and happiness – of guests throughout their travels with us.
It all starts with Globus' Global Health & Safety Team, dedicated to ensuring that cleanliness of all operations exceeds today’s travel standards—from start to finish. The following areas address Globus' commitment to providing a safe and clean environment for guests.
A SAFE & WARM WELCOMEGlobus will enact new tour check-in procedures and pre-trip health screenings to offer guests a safe start to their journey, including adherence to social distancing requirements.
BLENDING CULTURAL PROXIMITY WITH SOCIAL DISTANCEGlobus will ensure safe distances for guests throughout the journey, on coach and during excursions. This includes providing masks for guests use at any time where social proximity could be an issue as well as the possibility of reducing group sizes, if required. And wireless listening technology – including Globus' Go Beyond Devices in Europe – enables safe distances between guests and other travelers on excursions.
FOCUS ON GUEST AND TEAM MEMBER HEALTHTo ensure a healthy environment for team and guests, Globus will conduct regular temperature checks for both guests and team, and when necessary, masks will be worn by Globus' team members when with guests.
TOUCHING HEARTS, NOT HANDSTraveling with Globus removes many of the “touch points” of travel, including luggage handling, check in/out, expedited entry into attractions and more. Globus are further reducing risk with hands-free service, meaning all self-services replaced by staff, including buffet meals replaced with table service. Globus will also ensure hand sanitizing is available throughout each trip, on coach and in hotels.
COMMITMENT TO CLEANAs a part of Globus' commitment to clean, Globus is requiring enhanced cleaning procedures with hotel partners, on motorcoaches, vehicles and throughout every trip, including additional daily disinfecting procedures that go above-and-beyond already strict health and safety procedures.
PARTNERS IN DISCOVERY AND IN HEALTHGlobus has strict health and safety protocols, which have been in place for years, focused on ensuring all aspects of operation- from vehicles and equipment used on trip to excursions and hotel procedures. This process will continue with new, elevated health and safety checks, to maintain their promise that each touch-point on tours and cruises are considered in their commitment to guest and team member well-being.
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6 Hercules Road
London , United Kingdom
200 Westminster Bridge
London , United Kingdom
Armada Way
Plymouth , United Kingdom
24-26 Newport Road
Cardiff , United Kingdom
Kings Dock, Monarchs Quay
Liverpool , United Kingdom
Renfrew Street
Glasgow , United Kingdom
33 Church Street
Inverness , United Kingdom
1 Morrison Link
Edinburgh , United Kingdom
Shipton Road
Skelton-York , United Kingdom
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Question: Do the coaches have restrooms?
Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?
Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?
Great experience. Everything was handled smoothly and we had a great time.
The itinerary was very interesting and informative. We had a great guide and drivers. Our guide not only provided very in depth information, but also cared for people in the group. The only thing I wish was not shown is their political views. We were not much interested in them. We expected only cultural and historical information. But that was minor. In general the trip was great experience, and the group was wonderful, very interesting and diverse. Thank you.
Christina, our tour guide, was excellent. It was great to have 26 people on the tour instead of a possible 48. That made life easier for everyone. Our group was cooperative and on time, which helped us visit the sites in a timely manner. We felt safe with the bus driver who knew the roads and the route. Everything went well, and the weather was pleasant with only one rainy day and one misty morning.
Accommodations at GoGlasgow and Mercure/York we're very poor. Globus could have done much better! I wish we could have spent more time on Isle of Skye. This is a beautiful island with much to see but instead it was a 1 hr. stop at a gift shop. WiFi service on the coach was inconsistent and spotty. Overall, however, we enjoyed ourselves and the tour. Our driver and tour guide were both excellent!
Some hotels were excellent, however a few were a lower standard than I expected, so small there was no space to open your suitcase, no A/C, or on a noisy street.
I have booked 3 Land tours with Globus. Two out of three have not been my best tours. This was not my best tour. A land tour is only as good as the Tour Director. Will probably go with another tour company the next time I plan a land tour. Some of the hotels that Globus used were not even a 2 star hotel in my opinion. They were pretty old and dirty. It seemed like we more riding a bus than touring. The tour director shared very little as to what we were seeing as we drove from place to place.
The Macure hotels were not up to standards like at the Hilton's... antiquated, rude and dirty and not accommodating
The route was changed - a trip to the Isle of Skye was cancelled and a tour of Urquarht Castle on Loch Ness substituted. Most stops at points of interest allowed 1-2 hours. In general, this was not enough time at the places of interest to tour, eat necessary meals and shop. Location of hotels did not normally provide for additional free time at points of interest, or the dinners provided to the group took so much time that they used any free time we might have had. I think the itinerary needs to be reworked.
The Essential Britain tour by Globus met my expectations with regards to pace and places visited. Although the tour director was less experienced/knowledgeable than what we expected, it did not make the overall experience less pleasant. The coach was new and comfortable although wifi was slow. I would have preferred staying 2 nights in Cardiff, Wales and spent the night in Stratford-Upon-Avon and St. Andrews instead of just stopping by. Edinburgh, Scotland was my favorite. The hotel accommodations were good although there were a couple that were below standard (no air-conditioning). The Hilton hotel room in London was less desirable, but the breakfast buffet was the best among all hotels.
Globus provided an excellent tour of Great Britain and their service was right on with regard to itinerary, hotels and food. I only have one issue and that was with one optional excursion in Scotland (dinner and Scottish dancers). They brought us into a facility with about 10 other tour operators. The room had no air and it got extremely warm in there. It took about an hour or so to get the food and we were in a hot room with no food for quite some time. Poor planning by the local business. It would be great if I could get a refund on this excursion or possibly a credit towards a future trip. Our tour director was aware of the issue but at that point there wasnt much she could do to help. Please contact Globus and see if there is anything they could do. As a note, our tour direct was excellent!! Thank you!!
I appreciated the extras added to the Globus tour over a similar Cosmos tour. The central location of the hotels was very helpful for exploration on your own. The itinerary keeps you moving so you don't have a lot of time in any one place and that is shown in the description.
I have done several Globus and Cosmos tours through Affordable Tours, (plus Trafalgar and Road Scholar). This trip was everything I expected. I do have concerns that increasing traffic in many cities may require some changes in traditional itineraries. Over the years I have seen trips gradually morph from substantial coach time, usually through scenic areas with appropriate commentary punctuated by fairly long stops with enough time to really tour a destination on foot, see the major sights, shop a bit or have a cup of coffee, then move on into "drive by" tours which include a significant percentage of time in heavy traffic, and the time in destinations has become proportionately shorter. a two hour drive to, for example, Bath, with three hours in town is infinitely better than a three and a half hour drive (longer because of more highway congestion) with 90 minutes in town. Perhaps this explains the increasing popularity of river cruising? Tour operators need to consider some changes to cope with this situation.
This particular tour was a bit fast-paced, as each leg of the journey averaged over 200 miles, except for the second day in Edinburgh. The scenery was gorgeous, and I knew it would be fast-paced, but just seemed a shame that Globus didn't make this particular tour a 13-14 day tour instead as it covered a round trip through England, Wales, and Scotland. I picked this particular tour as it covered both Cornwall and Wales and knew it would be a bit short for the distance covered, but other tours we've taken with Globus/Cosmos (and we always try to do somewhat of a circle around the country) were a bit longer, which this one certainly deserved. However, it was a very nice trip and it did meet my expectations based on the itinerary. The provided meals were not quite up to those on other trips we've taken (but then, again, this was the UK!).
Our Tour director was amazing. Full of knowledge, history and current affairs. Very friendly and courteous. Our driver, was also amazing. He was funny and very helpful to us. We really enjoyed our trip overall, just a couple of the hotels weren't great but we explained that on the survey form. Wish we could have had more time in Wales to see more of the sites. But we had so much fun!
It was a busy itinerary, which we knew when booking, but it was still a good amount of time on the road to get to all the places. It is a good overview tour, allowing you to see many many places, but as such, you have little free time and are always on the go. My niece and I enjoyed it very much and are so delighted we saw so many beautiful places.
Some of the hotels were not up to standard. Some offered no wi-fi. The tour guide was outstanding; knowledgeable in the country's history, witty, and concerned for our welfare.
Holiday Inn Plymouth terrible facility/time in Plymouth was wasted-boat trip and Lands End not worthwhile/One night in Cardiff-got in at 5:45 PM-no chance to sight see-left next AM at 8:00AM-Capital city left unseen/Glasgow-arrived at 5:30PM and left 8AM next day-no sight seeing in largest city in Scotland/Isle of Skye was a joke-over an hour of bus ride and a 30minute ferry ride deposited us onto Isle of Skye but we never saw a thing-no villages , no cows, no sightseeing on Isle-only 45minute ride from ferry landing back to bridge and mainland. Loch Ness was sighted but no chance to do anything other than ride by and see out of bus window. Out visit to Culloden was 30minutes before the gift shop or tourist facility was open--30 minutes on site=no time to study or walk the battlefield-We then drove 2 hrs thru narrow mountain roads to Braemar and had lunch-then on to St Andrews where we were only allowed less than 30minutes to see the city, visit the R&A Museum and observe the golf course-at least 10 minutes was devoted to using toilets-no time or chance to see any of the city or the 3rd oldest university. Novent hotels are substandard/one of three Mercure was acceptable/Holiday Inn unacceptable. I will say the bus driver and the tour director were outstanding and very skilled. They made an excellent team and made up for some of the deficiencies and should be commended. Overall C plus/Bus driver and tour director A plus/Hotels at least 5 are unacceptable/Itenerary-C plus-Stonehenge, London, Edinburgh, York, Inverness were good/rest need to be changed, improved or eliminated. Riding through an area cannot be construed as visiting an area-Driving down Abercorn in Savannah or King Street in Charleston cannot be interpreted as having visited Savannah or Charleston.
Great trip. Well organized.
All my expectations for the tour was met.
Perfect in all respects!
With a little adjustments in the program we could have had a more comfortable tour and perhaps more time at the main sites
The tour was advertised as a "first class tour". A few of the hotels were clearly not "first class". The dinners provided at the hotels were average or below average. On other Globus tours included dinners were at betters restaurants, not hotels. The tour director and driver were excellent as was the coach and itinerary.
Globus did not seem to be as organized as the Trafalgar tours we have taken.
The only downside of the trip was too many miles covered each day in the bus. Because of this our scheduled stops were too short to appreciate the villages and or attractions. Added to this was the fact that we had to get lunch on our own during the 1 to 1 1/2 hour we spent at a place. If lunch had been pre planned it may have helped. We don't feel mislead, however if the literature had highlighted the distance involved we may have chosen differently. We had no idea that the UK involved so many miles!!!
We had the most wonderful time! Since this was our first coach tour, we really didn\'t know what to expect, but after this experience we wouldn\'t hesitate to book another tour. All the hard work was done for us! From start (booking) to finish we have had an awesome experience, and a trip we will always remember !
Everything went according to what I had been told. It was my first escorted tour so I didn\'t know what to expect but it all went by the book. I am ready to go on my next tour,
I was very pleased with the Globus tour "Essential Britain". Excellent itinerary. Everything was perfect, even the weather. Globus booked the airfare and the flights went smoothly.
The bonus picture stops also added to the itinerary Our tour guide was a history buff that had a gift to present it well to us non history buffs.
The trip was great and Globus did a good job.
I was assured that the bus tour would end by 3 p.m. every day allowing plenty of time to get out and walk. this was not the case and more time was spent on the bus than I like. For this reason I would be reluctant to take another bus trip even though this one was well organized and we saw a lot. The many optional excursions increased the cost of the trip by quite a lot, something I would advise othrs to take into consideration.
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All the details were taken care of for the entire trip. Our tour guide even offered an additional excursion. The itinerary offered so many different things to see and enjoy. Something for everyone and more.