📍 United Kingdom

GRAND TOUR OF ENGLAND: COMPLETE JOURNEY SOUTH TO NORTH

Cliffs plunging toward turquoise coves, stone villages nestled in valleys, lakes reflecting peaks. England unfolds from peaceful south to wild north.

≈ 24
Days
1965
Km
17
Stops
📖 12 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Journey through England south to north between coasts and industrial cities. Discover London, visit Winchester, follow Cornwall's cliffs, explore Bath and Cotswolds villages, then reach Manchester, Liverpool and Lake District landscapes before York.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

London

🔍

Discover

1
Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard ceremony.
2
Westminster Abbey, national pantheon. (UNESCO).
3
Trafalgar Square and National Gallery.
🎯

Activities

Walk in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
Evening in the West End, show or musical.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 124.5 km
Travel time: 2h05
2
Day

Winchester

saxon capital whispers spiritual quiet

🔍

Discover

1
Hampton Court Palace and its Tudor gardens.
2
Route to Winchester through verdant Surrey.
3
Winchester Cathedral, the longest in Europe.
🎯

Activities

Visit to the castle with King Arthur's Round Table.
Walk along the River Itchen.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 209 km
Travel time: 2h37
3
Day

Exeter

roman walls frame cathedral beauty

🔍

Discover

1
Stonehenge, mysterious megalithic circle. (UNESCO).
2
Exeter Cathedral and its Gothic vaults.
3
Medieval historic center of Exeter.
🎯

Activities

Exploration of Exeter's renovated quays.
Visit to an authentic thousand-year-old Saxon pub.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 193.3 km
Travel time: 2h25
4
Day

St Ives

fishing village becomes artist retreat

🔍

Discover

1
Dartmoor National Park and its wild granite tors.
2
Picturesque villages of Cornwall with white houses.
3
White sand beaches and turquoise waters of St Ives.
🎯

Activities

Visit to Tate St Ives, modern art facing the ocean.
Surfing or swimming in the Atlantic.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 14.4 km
Travel time: 29min
5
Day

Penzance

cornish harbor faces atlantic fury

🔍

Discover

1
Land's End, extreme southwest point of England.
2
Minack Theatre, spectacular theatre carved into the cliff.
3
St Michael's Mount, fortified islet accessible at low tide.
🎯

Activities

Coastal hiking on the dramatic South West Coast Path.
Exploration of contemporary art galleries in Newlyn.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 134.1 km
Travel time: 2h14
6
Day

Plymouth

maritime heritage crowns devon coast

🔍

Discover

1
Eden Project and its giant futuristic biomes.
2
Lost Gardens of Heligan, Victorian botanical renaissance.
3
Historic Plymouth Hoe and Mayflower Steps.
🎯

Activities

Visit to the national aquarium with underwater tunnel.
Boat to Rame Peninsula for coastal panoramas.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 218.2 km
Travel time: 2h44
7
Day

Bath

🔍

Discover

1
Exmoor National Park and its iconic wild ponies.
2
Medieval village of Dunster and its fortified castle.
3
Arrival in Bath, Georgian jewel.
🎯

Activities

Hike to Valley of Rocks, spectacular rock formations.
Red deer watching in the Exmoor moors.
8
Day

Bath

🔍

Discover

1
Roman Baths and elegant Pump Room. (UNESCO).
2
Pulteney Bridge and refined craft shops.
3
Prior Park Landscape Garden, 18th century landscape garden.
🎯

Activities

Relaxing spa session at Thermae Bath Spa on the rooftop.
Show at the historic Theatre Royal.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 97.7 km
Travel time: 1h38
9
Day

Stow On The Wold

cotswold square slopes gentle gold

🔍

Discover

1
Tour of the most beautiful golden stone villages of the Cotswolds.
2
Bibury and Arlington Row, 14th century cottages.
3
Stow-on-the-Wold, historic capital of the Cotswolds.
🎯

Activities

Treasure hunt in antique shops.
Tasting at an artisanal gin distillery.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 108.3 km
Travel time: 1h48
10
Day

Ludlow

border town castle overlooks valleys

🔍

Discover

1
Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of Shakespeare.
2
Route to the verdant Welsh Marches.
3
Ludlow, medieval fortified gastronomic town.
🎯

Activities

Visit to Ludlow's imposing castle.
Ludlow's renowned gastronomic market, local products.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 166.1 km
Travel time: 2h05
11
Day

Manchester

industrial heart beats creative rhythm

🔍

Discover

1
Ironbridge Gorge, birthplace of the industrial revolution. (UNESCO).
2
Interactive museums of industry and iron.
3
Arrival in Manchester, dynamic capital of the North.
🎯

Activities

Visit to Old Trafford, legendary stadium of Manchester United.
Exploration of the Northern Quarter and its colorful street-art frescoes.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 65.3 km
Travel time: 1h05
12
Day

Liverpool

musical dock city dreams forever

🔍

Discover

1
Liverpool, port city of the Beatles.
2
Albert Dock and Tate Liverpool. (UNESCO maritime).
3
Legendary Cavern Club on Mathew Street.
🎯

Activities

Magical Mystery Tour following the traces of the Fab Four.
Visit to the Merseyside Maritime Museum.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 172.7 km
Travel time: 2h10
13
Day

Keswick

mountain town anchors lake romance

🔍

Discover

1
Lake District National Park, romantic landscapes. (UNESCO).
2
Lake Derwentwater and its verdant islands.
3
Village of Keswick, hiking capital.
🎯

Activities

Ascent of Skiddaw or Catbells for 360-degree panoramas.
Visit to the Pencil Museum, history of pencils.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 37 km
Travel time: 1h14
14
Day

Windermere

🔍

Discover

1
Lake Ullswater and historic steam steamers.
2
Grasmere and Dove Cottage, William Wordsworth's house.
3
Lake Windermere, exceptional panoramas over the fells.
🎯

Activities

Relaxing scenic cruise on Windermere.
Circular hike around Tarn Hows.
15
Day

Windermere

🔍

Discover

1
Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's house and settings from her books.
2
Charming lakeside villages of Ambleside and Bowness.
3
Forest walk on the Grizedale Sculpture Trail.
🎯

Activities

Kayaking or stand-up paddle on the calm lake.
Visit to a Lakes artisanal whisky distillery.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 166.2 km
Travel time: 2h05
16
Day

York

🔍

Discover

1
Scenic route through the rolling Yorkshire Dales.
2
Complete and impressive medieval walls of York.
3
York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe.
🎯

Activities

Complete 4 km walk on the city walls.
Immersive visit to the Jorvik Viking Centre.
17
Day

York

🔍

Discover

1
The Shambles, perfectly preserved narrow medieval street.
2
National Railway Museum, the world's largest railway museum.
3
Clifford's Tower, medieval keep with city panorama.
🎯

Activities

Nighttime ghost tour in Europe's most haunted city.
Chocolate tasting workshop at York's Chocolate Story.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 125.2 km
Travel time: 2h05
18
Day

Durham

🔍

Discover

1
Durham Cathedral and Castle, exceptional Norman ensemble. (UNESCO).
2
Romantic riverside walk along the Wear.
3
Compact and authentic medieval centre.
🎯

Activities

Guided tour of the masterpiece Romanesque cathedral.
Walk in the hidden gardens of Crook Hall.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 29.5 km
Travel time: 59min
19
Day

Newcastle

northern bridge spans tyne heritage

🔍

Discover

1
Newcastle upon Tyne and its iconic bridges.
2
Renovated Quayside and Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.
3
Medieval castle overlooking the Tyne.
🎯

Activities

Architectural guided tour of the historic bridges.
Evening in the lively pubs of Bigg Market.
20
Day

Cambridge

flat colleges float on quiet punts

🔍

Discover

1
Route to Cambridge via the agricultural plains of the Fens.
2
King's College Chapel and its Gothic fan vaults.
3
The Backs, romantic gardens bordering the Cam.
🎯

Activities

Traditional punting on the River Cam between the colleges.
Visit to Trinity College and its neoclassical Wren Library.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 103.3 km
Travel time: 1h43
21
Day

London

🔍

Discover

1
Greenwich and its historic prime meridian. (UNESCO).
2
Royal Observatory and panoramic view of the skyline.
3
Return to London via tourist boat on the Thames.
🎯

Activities

Greenwich vintage market, antiques and crafts.
Last festive evening in a renowned London gastropub.

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🛡️ Travel advice - United Kingdom

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Summer (June-August): Warmest weather, longest daylight, peak tourist season, highest prices, festival season, ideal for all regions.

Spring (April-May): Mild weather, blooming gardens, fewer crowds, moderate prices, excellent for countryside, comfortable temperatures.

Fall (September-October): Pleasant weather, autumn colors, fewer crowds, good value, comfortable for sightseeing, cozy pub atmosphere.

Winter (November-March): Cold temperatures, shortest days, Christmas markets, lowest prices, indoor attractions, cozy cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 19 and 29 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in United Kingdom?

Rich history with royal heritage, diverse cultures, and iconic landmarks from London to Edinburgh. Experience pub culture, literary heritage, and beautiful countryside. The country offers excellent transportation with cultural depth and historical significance. United Kingdom provides cultural richness with historical importance and modern amenities in compact island nation.