Self-Guided Tours in UK and Great Britain
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10 best Self-Guided UK and Great Britain tour packages
Compiled by
SteffUK and Great Britain travel expert at TourRadar
- Best of the UK & Ireland - Self Guided Rail Tour
- Best of the Cotswolds Self-Guided Walk
- Taste of Ireland Self-Drive - 7 Days/6 Nights
- Irish Legends Self-Drive - 10 Days/9 Nights
- Independent Edinburgh & London City Stay
- Taste of South England and Wales
- Ireland’s Ancient East
- Independent London City Stay
- London and Edinburgh in a week
- John Muir Way
The historic heart of Britain unfolds through London's South Bank, York's Shambles, and Edinburgh's Royal Mile at your pace. This 21-day adventure includes accommodation, rail tickets, and detailed travel packs with local insights.
Duration 21 days Destinations England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operator Euroventure Travel From
- US$2,341
The charming Cotswold villages await with detailed route maps. Admire Stanway House's medieval tithe barn and Broadway Tower at your leisure. Walking options vary between shorter and longer routes around Bourton-on-the-Water and Lower Slaughter.
Duration 9 days Destinations Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Guiting Power, Winchcombe, Stanton, Broadway, Chipping Campden Age Range 12 to 80 year olds Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- US$2,720
Duration 7 days Destinations Dublin, Blarney, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Galway Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator CIE Tours From
- US$995
Britain's finest sights await with pre-booked stays at premium hotels. The route from Dublin to Galway reveals the Ring of Kerry and Cliffs of Moher. Rental car and evening entertainment at Abbey Tavern included.
Duration 10 days Destinations Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Cobh, Blarney, Killarney, Dingle, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Aran Islands Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator CIE Tours From
- US$1,745
Independent Edinburgh & London City Stay
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“It was an amazing experience. The Globus representatives in Edinburgh and London were very helpful and nice.”
Mary, traveled in May
Britain's iconic landmarks open up with GlobusGO app support. Take in Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul's Cathedral as you wish. Rail travel and centrally located hotels included.
Duration 7 days Destinations Edinburgh, London Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Globus From
- US$1,699
Taste of South England and Wales
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The itinerary includes stops in London, Bournemouth/Southampton, Exeter/Torquay, and Cornwall. I could spend as much or as little time as I wanted in each place.”
Dan, traveled in June
Southern England's treasures unfold from mystical Stonehenge to Cardiff Castle. The 150km route from London to Bournemouth passes Winchester Cathedral. Lyme Regis on the Jurassic Coast, St Michael's Mount in Cornwall, and wild ponies in Dartmoor National Park lead to Bath's Roman Baths.
Duration 7 days Destinations London, Winchester, Salisbury, Bournemouth, Southampton, Exeter, Torquay, Dartmoor National Park, Cardiff, Pembrokeshire Coast National ParkSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 85 year olds Operator BTOURS From
- US$1,304
Ireland’s Ancient East
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Loved the excursions and the choice of hotels!”
Suhani, traveled in October
Ireland's British-influenced heritage spans from Dublin Castle to Battle of Boyne. The route takes in Viking Waterford, medieval Kilkenny Castle, and ancient Newgrange with pre-booked country accommodations.
Duration 6 days Destinations Dublin, Glendalough, New Ross, Waterford, Lismore, Cashel, Kilkenny Age Range 18 to 85 year olds Operator BTOURS From
- US$931
Independent London City Stay
27 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“His knowledge of all the countries we visited was amazing, and he had a great sense of humor.”
Harvey, traveled in August
Your British adventure begins at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel. Morning tours of Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral included, with time to visit Tower Bridge or join Thames dinner cruises.
Duration 4 days Destinations London Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Globus From
- US$829
London's attractions and Edinburgh's treasures open up with detailed guides. Skip-line access to Tower of London and Edinburgh Castle, plus flexible Highland tour scheduling with 24/7 support.
Duration 7 days Destinations London, Edinburgh Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator WiseYatra From $2,233
12% Off- US$1,965You save $268
The path from Helensburgh to Dunbar winds through Edinburgh, along the Forth coast, to John Muir's birthplace. Pre-booked B&Bs offer ensuite rooms and luggage transfers.
Duration 12 days Destinations Helensburgh, Balloch, Strathblane, Kilsyth, Falkirk, Linlithgow, South Queensferry, Edinburgh, Port Seton, North BerwickSee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator UTracks From
12% Off- US$2,290
What people love about Self-Guided Tours in UK and Great Britain
- Ireland’s Ancient East
Very good communication; loved the excursions and the choice of hotels!
- One For The Road
I was very impressed by how flexible the team was in helping me customize my inter-rail tour, adding days at each end, for an additional fee. The accommodations varied between nice hotels in the heart of Dublin and Belfast, a cozy B&B cottage in Killarney, and a couple of spartan college dorm rooms in Cork and Galway. Most of the accommodations were a solid 15-minute walk from the train station or city center, discouraging a lot of back-and-forth between day and evening events. Every single one of the rail tickets was accurate and the trains ran on time, and I had assigned seats. With at least three days in every city, I had time to see most of the major attractions, and managed to work in several all-day sight-seeing excursions through other tour operators. Thanks to TourRadar, I was able to see a vast amount of gorgeous Ireland. If you like to travel alone, develop your own itinerary and have dependable transportation and accommodations worked out for you in advance, this is the package for you!
What our customers ask about Self-Guided Tours in UK and Great Britain
What is typically included in the price of a self-guided UK tour?
A self-guided UK tour package typically covers the essential elements needed for independent travel with built-in support. The standard inclusions encompass lodging daily breakfast route materials including maps and digital apps intercity transport and entry to main sites. The Irish Legends Self-Drive package serves as a good example providing 9 breakfasts car rental stays at properties like the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin and entry to attractions such as the Guinness Storehouse. Daily rates range from $150-300 based on comfort level and package features. Additional costs often include airport transfers some local transport and city taxes which usually run $2-7 per person nightly paid directly at hotels.
What type of accommodation can I expect on a self-guided tour in UK and Great Britain?
The accommodations on these tours blend comfort with local character featuring a selection of 3-4 star hotels historic properties and family-run B&Bs. Take the Dales Way tour where guests stay at properties that tell the story of the region. You'll find yourself at the Victorian-era Riverside Hotel in Ilkley or settling in at the Queens Head Inn a 17th-century establishment in Hawkshead. The Lake District portion includes stays at the Wordsworth Hotel & Spa in Grasmere alongside traditional lakeside lodgings. Guest reviews frequently mention the thoughtful selection of properties noting their authentic charm and convenient locations along the routes.
When is the best time to do a self-guided walking tour in UK and Great Britain?
Walking tours in Britain find their sweet spot between April and October with the most reliable conditions from May through September. Summer brings stable weather ideal for Lake District excursions while the Channel Islands routes through Jersey and Guernsey benefit from mild temperatures starting in early spring. The South Devon coastal paths remain accessible year-round though winter walks require additional preparation and weather monitoring. Previous travelers point to May as particularly rewarding especially for routes like Hadrian's Wall where spring flowers and moderate temperatures create ideal walking conditions.
How flexible are the itineraries on self-guided tours in the UK and Great Britain?
These tours strike a balance between structure and independence. Take the 21-day "Best of UK & Ireland" tour where travelers can linger at Edinburgh Castle or spend extra time exploring the Tower of London. The framework provides secured accommodations at places like the Royal Highland Hotel in Inverness while leaving daily schedules open to personal preference. Each tour comes equipped with detailed navigation materials and round-the-clock support. This setup allows travelers to maintain their own pace while having the security of professional planning behind their journey.
How far in advance should I book a self-guided tour in the UK and Great Britain?
Booking patterns show a 3-6 month advance window works best especially for summer travel. Popular routes like the Edinburgh and London City Stay see bookings made 92-211 days before departure. For peak season tours running June through August or those coinciding with events like the Edinburgh Festival a 6-month advance booking is recommended. Previous travelers note that securing spots early particularly for specialized tours like the Hebridean Way cycle tour ensures preferred accommodation choices and optimal scheduling for included services.