Lakes & Valleys

Day 1

London – Peak District
Join the tour early morning from your pick up point, and begin to head north towards the Peak District. The Peak District was England’s first National Park and is considered one of its most scenic regions with amazing backdrops of rolling hills, lakes and woodland. Driving through the National Park you will enjoy breath-taking views of beautiful open countryside, landscaped moors, woods, and pastoral valleys. Our first stop will be Buxton – described as the “Gateway to the Peak District National Park”. Here see the ancient Roman spas’, the Opera House and enjoy free time to explore. Later drive to the village of Castleton, the fabulous views crafted by its location on the cusp of the Peak District are truly marvellous.

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Day 2

Llandudno – Llanberis – Snowdonia
Depart towards North Wales. We will reach our first destination which will be Llandudno – an impressive promenade, which adds to the Victorian charm of the town. There is a beautiful beach, which is located at the picturesque backdrop of the Snowdonia Mountains.
Enjoy free time on the beach of Llandudno. Here enjoy a walk along the longest pier in Wales; ride on Britain’s only cable-operated tram to the summit of The Great Orme. Llandudno Museum is well worth a visit and shopaholics will love the recently opened Victoria shopping centre.
Enjoy a ride on the Llandudno Cable Car in Hope Valley, as the cable cars glide silently from Hope Valley to the summit of the Great Orme (679ft) a magnificent panorama unfolds – breath taking views of Llandudno, the Little Orme, Conwy Estuary and beyond. The Llandudno Cable Car is the longest passenger cable car system in Britain. Choose return (18 minute ride) or single from Happy Valley or the summit. Or you can enjoy the Great Orme Tramway, which is Britain’s largest and most spectacular funicular tramway. The Tramway climbs one mile to the Orme’s summit offering breath taking views of Llandudno’s magnificent bays and beyond! The Tramway has been thrilling old and young for over 100 years and is a unique attraction not to be missed!
Later depart for Snowdonia National Park in Gwynedd to visit Snowdon which is the highest mountain in Wales. It is highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish Highlands. Snowdon has been described as “probably the busiest mountain in Britain”. It is designated as a natural nature reserve for its rare flora and fauna.
If you decide to take the optional train journey, you will start from Llanberis station to begin your adventurous journey and to experience the awe inspiring journey by rack railway to Clogwyn.
The views from the train as you are carried along a ridge to the Summit are truly breath-taking. You will have one of the world’s most spectacular panoramas at your feet. The Summit of Snowdon and Hafod Eryri, is not open for the entire 2021 – the Snowdon railway will go up until Clogwyn.
If you choose not to take the train journey you will have free time to explore this beautiful area.
Llandudno Cable Car and tramway entrances are not included and are only bookable on the day of arrival. The cable car attraction only accepts cash.

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Day 3

Lake District – Windermere – Glasgow
This morning after breakfast, we drive through the magnificent Lake District National Park in Cumbria, with its numerous lakes and home to stunning views and woodlands be sure to be mesmerised with the natural beauty that has recently been named as a World Heritage Site. We travel to Windermere where you can enjoy a tranquil boat cruise on the lake. After lunch depart for Glasgow. Upon arrival in Glasgow we will visit Glasgow Cathedral, which is one of Scotland’s most magnificent medieval buildings, Glasgow Cathedral is the only one on the Scottish mainland to survive the Reformation of 1560 intact. If the Cathedral is open when we reach, we will go inside to see this fantastic medieval building.

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Day 4

Glasgow – Loch Lomond – Fort William – Loch Ness
After our breakfast, we board the coach and make our way towards the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, which is where Loch Lomond is situated.
On arrival at Loch Lomond, why not enjoy an optional boat cruise; here appreciate the picturesque views of the highlands, whilst indulging in a warm cup of tea or coffee. The Loch Lomond or “Lake of the Elms” is a freshwater Scottish loch which crosses the Highland Boundary Fault, often considered the boundary between the lowlands of Central Scotland and the Highlands.
We then make our way along the scenic route towards Fort William, to visit the Nevis Range. On arrival, we take a cable car (subject to operation) to Aonach Mòr on the Nevis range. Standing at 1,345 metres above sea level, it is a popular mountain destination.
We will also stop today at the Commando Memorial, which is a Category A listed monument in Lochaber, Scotland, dedicated to the men of the original British Commando Forces raised during World War II. We will also visit the Neptune’s staircase, which is a flight of eight locks on the Caledonian Canal. This amazing feat of engineering raises the canal by 19m over a quarter of a mile of continuous masonry and takes around 90 minutes for a boat to travel up or down the locks. Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, it is the longest staircase lock flight in Scotland.
Continuing our journey, enjoy the spectacular view of Loch Ness. It is over 22 miles long and over 227 m deep, is most famous for its sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as Nessie.

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Day 5

Isle of Skye / Inverness
Today after breakfast we visit the beautiful Isle of Skye.
Scotland’s largest island, the Isle of Skye is a pocket of wilderness jutting off the coast of the West Highlands. The area is a treat for nature lovers, with its dramatic sea cliffs, windswept valleys, and glittering lochs
For the Isle of Skye excursion, we will start our drive through dramatic Highland scenery to the west coast and Eilean Donan Castle. Where you will have free time to enjoy the astounding views.
Then we will cross over the sea and onto the Isle of Skye. – via the famous “Skye Bridge”. You will continue travelling up the island’s East coast through the stunning Red Cuillin Mountains to Sligachan, where you stop for a photo of the clear mountain waters.
Arriving in the town of Portree, you have free time to explore the “capital” of The Isle of Skye.
You will then travel towards some of the most famous scenery of the island at the Trotternish Peninsula. The Old Man of Storr, and Kilt Rock, which are all unforgettably breathtaking.

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Day 6

Cairngorms national park – Loch Morlich – Scottish Distillery – Falkirk – Kelpies
Today drive through Cairngorms national park, UK’s largest national park and has the highest range of mountains, we will be making a stop on route at Loch Morlich. A stunning beach, in the beautiful settings of the Cairngorms and Glenmore Forest.
Loch Morlich enjoys one of the finest settings of any loch in the country. It is surrounded by forests and fringed by beaches, with the stunning backdrop of the often snow-clad peaks of the northern Cairngorms.
Continuing our journey we will drive to the town of Stirling which has a backdrop of Stirling castle, enjoy free time for lunch and exploring. Then visit a Whiskey Distillery, learn more about the traditional art of whisky distilling on our guided tour, followed by a tasting. Later visit Falkirk Wheel which is a rotating boat lift in Scotland, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. Then, we visit The Kelpies: 30-metre-high horse-head sculptures depicting Kelpies. The sculptures were designed by sculptor Andy Scott and were completed in October 2013. The Kelpies are a monument to horse powered heritage across Scotland.

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Day 7

Edinburgh – Edinburgh Castle – Forth Road
After breakfast drive to Edinburgh and visit the famous Edinburgh Castle with its fine state apartments and ancient Scottish crown jewels. Descend the hill and cross the Royal Mile to see St Giles’ Cathedral and its crown shaped spire. You will also have the opportunity to see Calton Hill, National monument of Scotland, Nelson Monument, Scottish National Gallery, Scottish Parliament and the Hollyrood Palace Continuing the journey, we view the Forth Road Bridge to enjoy a spectacular view of the Forth Rail Bridge. After early lunch board your coach and depart for your journey back to London.

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NB

THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF THIS TOUR MAY BE RUN ON A MINIBUS.