Tour Code: 26NEN
Tour Manager: Himel Chowdhury
Group Size: 8
Activity level: Moderate

This tour will cover the cultural hubs of Stratford-upon-Avon, Liverpool, York, Cambridge and King’s Lynn, the rural charms of the Lake District. Highlights: royal family homes of Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Sandringham Estate, Shakespeare’s Birthplace and much more!

Wednesday, September 2
Arrive in London. By afternoon, take a leisurely stroll through Kensington Gardens and stop by seeing the Kensington Palace, the birthplace of Queen Victoria and head over to the Albert memorial built by Queen Victoria in honor of her late husband. Continue walking towards the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park. Have orientation meeting during welcome dinner nearby hotel before a good night’s sleep. Sleep in London for 2 nights.

Thursday, September 3
Visit Buckingham Palace – the king’s official London residence and a working royal palace and get a rare look inside the State Rooms and its gardens. Afterwards, a short visit to the Royal Mews where the horse-and-carriage and car are used for the King and members of the Royal family behind the palace. Free time afterwards for shopping, etc.

Friday, September 4
Check out the hotel and leave London for a visit to Windsor Castle and afterwards, walk along Long Walk Road with a view of a long driveway to the castle. Explore around the towns of Windsor and Eaton, including the private boarding school of Eton College where Princes Charles, William and Harry went, before heading up in the North to Stratford-upon-Avon. Sleep in Stratford-upon-Avon for 2 nights.

Saturday, September 5
In the morning, visit to Shakespeare’s Birthplace & burial. In the afternoon, drive over to the family home of Shakespeare’s wife, Anna Hathaway, a wattle-and-daub cottage with the original items of furniture.

Sunday, September 6
Check-out in the morning and head up to Chatsworth house, owned by wealthy Dukes and Duchess of Devonshire family of 17 generations spanned over 5 centuries who is related to the late Princess Diana. Later, head over to Liverpool to see Paul McCartney’s and John Lennon’s childhood family home as well as another place where they both first met each other before they became famous as a Beatles band. Sleep in Liverpool for 2 nights.

Monday, September 7
Explore around all day with visits to the Royal Albert Dock, the Beatles Story Museum, and the Cavern Pub where the Beatles’ first performance before their career started in 1961.

Tuesday, September 8
Check out the hotel in the morning and drive through the valleys of the Lake District on the way through Hill Top to visit Beatrix Potter’s home and explore around. Then, head over to Grassmere to visit the famous gingerbread shop that runs over 170 years and the story of Sarah Nelson, the founder of Gingerbread shop. Afterwards, check-in the hotel in Ambleside. Sleep in Ambleside for 3 nights.

Wednesday, September 9
Explore further into the natural beauty of the Lake District and ride in leisurely boat cruise on the island studded Windermere Lake to Bowness-on-Windermere. In the afternoon, return to Ambleside and visit Bridge House. Afterwards, have free time to explore its town.

Thursday, September 10
In the morning, visit Castlerigg Stone Circle before heading over to the town of Keswick in the North of the Lake District. Return to Ambleside.

Friday, September 11
Leave the Lake District and head down to Harewood House where the childhood of late Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, late Princess Margaret spent lots of time at their aunt’s home. Finally, drive down to the medieval city of York. Sleep in York for 2 nights.

Saturday, September 12
Marvel at York Minster's stained-glass windows of the largest Gothic church and much more with the local deaf tour guide. Free day in the city.

Sunday, September 13
After check-out the hotel, visit Lincoln Cathedral, the world’s tallest building for over two centuries and Lincoln Castle, built by William the Conqueror. Afterwards, drive down to Cambridge for check-in hotel. Sleep in Cambridge for 2 nights.

Monday, September 14
Visit one of the Royal family’s homes, Sandringham Estate & Museum in King’s Lynn and then explore the town as well as have lunch. After lunch, visit an Oxburgh Estate, the stunning red-brick house - the home to the Bedingfield family for 500 years, related to the history of royal family’s unshakable Catholic faith and story of endurance.

Tuesday, September 15
In the morning, explore around the university town of Cambridge. Late afternoon, transfer to nearby London Heathrow airport and have a farewell dinner. Overnight near Heathrow airport.

Wednesday, September 16
Check out the hotel and transfer to Heathrow Airport for your late afternoon/evening flight to the USA or next destination or continue with our optional 7-day extension in London.

Updated as of December 23, 2024

Himel, raised and currently resides in East London, United Kingdom.  A true Brit, multi-lingual, with extensive networking around the world, thanks to his countless travels throughout his lifetime.  His favorite countries are Turkey, Cambodia, USA and Argentina.

• 14 nights in 3-4 star accommodations.

• 18 meals: Breakfast (14), Dinner (4)

• Services of a deaf Tour Leader on call 24 hours a day.

• Services of local deaf guides.

• All transportation expenses.

• All city and/or tourist taxes. 

• All admission fees for attractions and museums mentioned in the itinerary.

• Informative travel preparation packet.

• $100 Repeat Customer Discount per person on your next regular tour.

• Domestic and/or international airfares.

• Airport transfers at beginning and end of tour.

• All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary and personal expenses.

• Travel Insurance.

• All types of transit and tourist visas (if applicable) - e.g. ETIAS.

• Tips for your Tour Leader, Tour Assistant(s) and/or Local Guides

• Tour begins and ends in London, England. 

• Tour will be confirmed when we meet the minimum number of participants

• When the tour is confirmed, additional deposits or payments may be required

• Significant walking is expected during the tour, and moderate physical fitness is required

• Hands On Travel recommends purchasing a travel insurance plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected

• Last but not least, please read Hands On Travel's Terms & Conditions.

We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:

Email: himel@handson.travel

With this tour confirmation, your $500 deposit is now non-refundable in any event you need to back out. However, it may be transferable to a future tour.