Holiday Itinerary - The Best of Britain & Ireland

Day 1: Arrive London.

Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there’s time to rest or start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 2: London

Today is free for exploring on your own or enjoying our exciting program of optional activities. You may choose to join a Local Guide for an optional morning sightseeing tour of the city’s famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. The highlight is a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece built between 1675 and 1708. Later, maybe visit Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with its spectacular Crown Jewels. Tonight, we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the Thames River.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3: London - Oxford - Stratford-Upon-Avon - Leeds

Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 am for Oxford. A walking tour takes in the colleges where Britain’s elite receive their outstanding education. Then, travel through the lovely Cotswold Hills to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. Take photos of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. Your overnight destination is Wetherby. Today’s Distance: 255 mi/ 410 km

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Leeds - York - Thirsk - Newcastle.

This morning, head north to York. Stand in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. Leaving York, head north and spend some free time in the charming market town of Thirsk famous for its association with James Herriot. On the way to Newcastle, savor spectacular views of the North Yorkshire Moors.
Today’s Distance: 108 mi/ 174 km .

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: Newcastle - Jedburgh, Scotland - Edinburgh

See a section of Hadrian’s Wall, then motor through wild Northumberland National Park to the Scottish border. Stop for photos at Jedburgh before arriving in Edinburgh. Here, sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town.” In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. A suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. Today’s Distance: 117 mi/ 188 km

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6: Edinburgh

Your choice today: an optional morning excursion to Rosslyn Chapel, made world-famous by Dan Brown’s “Da Vinci Code”, and also one of Scotland’s most remarkable buildings. You will have ample time to visit the 15th-century medieval chapel and the visitor center, and to take photographs of the ruins of Rosslyn Castle. Later, another unique optional opportunity: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, which was once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Tour five decks and see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. For departures July 31 and August 14, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7: Edinburgh - Gretna Green - Lake District, England - Chester - Wrexam, Wales

South through the history-steeped Lowland Hills and a visit to Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Drive through beautiful scenery in the Lake District, considered to be the finest of England’s national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Chester, the historic county town on the Dee River, your walking tour takes in the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the “Rows.” Today’s Distance: 268 mi/ 431 km

Meals included: Breakfast. Dinner

Day 8: Wrexham - Betws-Y-Coed - Dublin, Irelands. 

A scenic North Wales drive through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park brings you to lovely Betws-y-Coed. Then, head over spectacular Llanberis Pass and, finally, across Britannia Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey. Take your photos at tongue-twisting Llanfairpwllgwyngyll. At Holyhead, board the ferry for the Irish Sea crossing to Dublin. Tonight, everyone’s Irish with a popular optional outing to the legendary Taylors Irish Cabaret, featuring a delicious dinner, drinks, and outstanding Irish music, dance, and comedy.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9: Dublin. 

A day in the “Fair City” starts off with an orientation drive through Eire’s capital and includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Dublin at leisure. Why not join an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse?

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10: Dublin - Galway - Cliffs of Moher - Ennis. 

Head for dairy-farm country in the center of the “Emerald Isle.” Stop in Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture. Then, cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher before heading for Ennis, county town of Clare. Tonight’s optional opportunity: a medieval banquet at a historic castle. Today’s Distance: 214 mi/ 344 km

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11: Shannon - Adare - Ring of Kerry - Killarney

Stop for photos in Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages and monastic ruins. In County Kerry, join the road known as the Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive. Focus your camera on sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly hued farmhouses, winding lanes, and views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Climb aboard a delightful optional horse-drawn jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park to legendary Ross Castle on the shores of Lough Leane. Today’s Distance: 189 mi/ 304 km

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: Killarny - Blarney - Dungarvan - Tramore

Cross the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, famous for its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time to see the castle, and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. Drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city, and via Dungarvan to Tramore. Why not join an optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel? Today’s Distance: 131 mi/ 210 km

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13: Tramore, Cardiff, Wales

An early start for the short drive to Rosslare. In just under four hours, you cross St. George’s Channel by ferry to South Wales. Continue through rich dairy farmland to Cardiff, where an orientation drive introduces you to the capital’s major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. Tonight, why not join an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner? Today’s Distance: 159 mi/ 257 km

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 14: Cardiff - Bath, England - Stonehenge - London

A day packed with highlights begins as you cross the spectacular Severn Bridge into England. Stop in the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics, before visiting Stonehenge, still an intriguing mystery. Explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then admire the magnificence of the monument up close. After returning to London around 3:30 pm, how about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town?. Today’s Distance: 171 mi/ 275 km

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 15: London

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Meals included: Breakfast

Departure dates 2025/2026 The Best of Britain & Ireland : 7% discount on all dates

Prices shown exclude flights and transfers, call Cosmos to add flights

Cosmos brochure price in black from £2349

Travel 55 discount price in red from £2185

Telephone Cosmos on 0330 0588 237 and quote the code TRAVEL55

Starts and ends London - tour code 9010. Prices shown exclude flights and transfers, call Cosmos to add flights

Dates 2025
Prices from Dates 2025
Prices from
April 20 £2349
£2185
August 10
£2679
£2213
May 18
£2499
£2325
August 24 £2499
£2325
June 1, 15, 29
£2499
£2325
September 7, 21
£2499
£2325
July 13
£2499
£2325
October 5
£2349
£2185
July 27
£2679
£2213
October 12
£2499
£2325
Dates 2026 Prices from Dates 2026 Prices from
April 19
£2429
£2259
August 9, 23
£2799
£2604
May 3
£2529
£2352
September 6 £2599
£2418
May 17
£2579
£2399
September 20 £2579
£2399
May 31
£2599
£2418
October 4 £2429
£2259
June 14, 28 £2599
£2418
October 11 £2599
£2418
July 12, 26 £2599
£2418

 Prices are per person, based on double room occupancy. Please see Cosmos Terms & Conditions  for further details. Please check tour details with the operator at time of booking as Cennet Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors showing on it’s website

Cosmos Tours
The Best of Britain & Ireland

7% discount - 15 Days fully escorted touring holiday

2025/2026 discount prices from only £2185

On this Best of Britain & Ireland tour, see Britain’s and Ireland’s highlights—from the bustling cities to the small towns and from the breathtaking scenery to the ancient ruins. Traveling through the lands of queens, kings, and leprechauns, begin and end in London and pass through England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

On this Britain and Ireland tour, stop in some historic towns and cities, including Oxford, home to some of England’s most famous colleges; York, England's most complete medieval city with its cobbled streets and the magnificent York Minster, England’s largest Gothic cathedral; Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of Shakespeare; Chester, where a walking tour highlights its Roman remains and black and white half-timbered buildings; Adare, founded in medieval times and known today as one of Ireland’s prettiest villages; and Bath, known for the excavations of Roman baths used for bathing and socializing 2,000 years ago. Britain and Ireland are known for their green countryside and stunning scenery, and on this Britain and Ireland tour, you’ll witness some of their gorgeous landscapes.

Travel through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park in Wales, with picturesque villages, mountains, and lakes. Follow Ireland’s Ring of Kerry, a 100-mile panoramic drive with sparkling seascapes, brightly hued farmhouses, and the breathtaking panorama of the Lakes of Killarney. Visit the spectacular 668-feet Cliffs of Moher, with breathtaking views of rugged cliffs dropping into the ocean. Drive through the Cotswolds, with the rolling hills and picturesque villages, Northumberland National Park, with its wide-open spaces, and the serene Lake District, England’s largest natural park.

All of this and more—including time in Dublin and Edinburgh—await you on this brilliant vacation in Briain and Ireland!

To receive 7% discount on this The Best of Britain & Ireland tour call Cosmos direct on 0330 0588 237 and quote the code TRAVEL55.

Travel 55 in association with Cosmos. To book call direct on 0330 0588 237 and quote the code TRAVEL55 you will then receive a 7% discount from the Cosmos price. 

All this included

The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring.

Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations and a return Irish Sea ferry crossing—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and a private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

Special departures: Departures August 9 and 23 include the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Highlights & Accomodation

Highlights

  • London: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral. Optional Taste of London excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the Thames River.
  • Oxford: A walking tour takes in the colleges where Britain’s elite receive their outstanding education
  • York: Follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets
  • Edinburgh: Sightseeing with a Local Guide. Optional opportunity: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, 
  • Chester: Walking tour takes in the Roman remain
  • Dublin: Optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse?
  • Shannon
  • Tranmore: Optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel
  • Stonehenge: Explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then admire the magnificence of the monument up close

Hotels

  • London: Copthorne Tara Hotel London
  • Bradford: Leonardo Hotel Bradfordl
  • Newcastle: Maldron Hotel Newcastle
  • Edinburgh: Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh West
  • Wrexham: Ramada Plaza Wrexham
  • Dublin: The Bonnington Dublin Hotel
  • Shannon: Treacys Oakwood Hotel
  • Killarney: Killarney Court Hotel
  • Tramore: Majestic Hotel
  • Cardiff: Novotel Cardiff
  • Meals included: 14 breakfasts, 4 dinners

    stonehenge

    Edinburgh

    Moher

    Snowdonia


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