7 days · 5 countries
Great Britain Christmas
From AED 6,556per person, twin share
Celebrate a magical festive season as you experience the highlights of England, Scotland and Wales.
- Duration
- 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Route
- Starts and ends in London
- Countries
- England, Scotland, Wales, Great Britain and United Kingdom
- Activity level
- Moderate (3 of 5)
- A fast coach tour with a new hotel most nights and guided walking tours of up to three hours, including a full day of sightseeing on Christmas Day itself
- Accommodation
- 6 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels across Yorkshire, the Highlands, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Cardiff
- Meals
- 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
- Group
- Group tour, up to 53
- Guide
- English-speaking tour leader throughout
- Transport
- Air-conditioned coach
- Best time to go
- Runs over Christmas in late December, with Christmas Day spent in Edinburgh: cold weather, short daylight hours and a chance of snow, especially in the Highlands
Tour overview
Celebrating Christmas in England, Scotland and Wales is a magical thing! Visit York, Bath and Cardiff. See Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, and Liverpool, home of The Beatles! Explore the beautiful Scottish Highlands, England’s Lake District and the famous Loch Ness. Spend Christmas Day in Edinburgh and embrace the Scottish Yuletide festivities!
Highlights
- Go punting down the River Cam in Cambridge
- Stroll through the historic streets of York
- Enjoy a group dinner in York
- Visit the Angel of the North statue
- Take a photo at Hadrian’s Wall
- Visit world famous wedding destination Gretna Green
- Shop at Glasgow’s Christmas markets
- Spend a night in the Scottish Highlands
Show all 21 highlightsShow fewer highlights
- See Glencoe; one of Scotland’s most beautiful valleys
- Search for the mythical monster at Loch Ness
- Admire the views of Cairngorms National Park and the Queensferry Crossing
- Spend Christmas Day exploring Edinburgh
- Enjoy an included Christmas lunch
- Visit Carlisle, an important historic city
- Experience the beauty of the English Lake District
- Embark on a Liverpool driving tour with your tour leader
- See Liverpool spots connected to The Beatles
- Explore Stratford-Upon-Avon; home of Shakespeare
- Enjoy a photo stop at a medieval Welsh Castle
- Experience Cardiff on a driving tour
- Discover Bath on an orientation walking tour
Route and hotels
Where the tour goes and where you sleep, night by night.
London
Day 1 · start
Cambridge
Day 1 · on the way
York
1 night · Day 1
ibis York Centre
Gretna Green
Day 2 · on the way
Glasgow
Day 2 · on the way
Scottish Highlands
1 night · Day 2
Hotel Arrochar
Glencoe
Day 3 · on the way
Loch Ness
Day 3 · on the way
Show all 16 stopsShow fewer stops
Edinburgh
2 nights · Days 3–4
DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh - Queensferry Crossing
Lake District
Day 5 · on the way
Liverpool
1 night · Day 5
ibis Liverpool Centre Albert Dock
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Day 6 · on the way
Cardiff
1 night · Day 6
Clayton Hotel Cardiff
Bath
Day 7 · on the way
Stonehenge
Day 7 · on the way
London
Day 7 · end
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
London – Cambridge – York
Meals included: Dinner
This Christmas tour of Great Britain starts with a departure from London for Cambridge, where you take a punting trip along the river. The afternoon brings you to York, a city that draws history buffs along with lovers of fine architecture and culture. A walking tour there is followed by a traditional dinner in an authentic British pub.
Included
- Punting trip along the River Cam in Cambridge
- Guided walk through York’s historic streets and city walls
- Traditional pub dinner in York
- Travel
- London → Cambridge → York by coach
- Overnight
- York
- Hotel
- ibis York Centre
- Meals
- Dinner
Day 2
York – Gretna Green – Glasgow – Highlands
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerA photo stop at the Angel of the North sculpture opens the day, followed by Hadrian’s Wall, a defensive fortification built centuries ago. The route then calls at the village of Gretna Green before continuing to Glasgow, where there is free time at the city’s Christmas markets. The day ends at tonight’s accommodation with an included dinner.
Included
- Photo stop at the Angel of the North
- Visit to Hadrian’s Wall, a Roman fortification
- Stop at Gretna Green
- Free time at Glasgow’s Christmas markets
- Travel
- York → Gretna Green → Glasgow → the Highlands by coach
- Overnight
- Scottish Highlands
- Hotel
- Hotel Arrochar
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 3
Highlands – Glencoe – Loch Ness – Edinburgh (Christmas Eve)
Meals included: Breakfast
The day begins with a stop at Glencoe for views over the valley, then continues through the Highlands with a chance to spot Ben Nevis along the way. At Loch Ness, there is an optional cruise if you want to look for Nessie. The route carries on through the Highlands and past Cairngorms National Park, crossing Queensferry Bridge into Edinburgh, where an optional festive dinner marks Christmas Eve.
Included
- Views of the Glencoe valley
- Stop at Loch Ness
- Scenic drive along Cairngorms National Park and over Queensferry Crossing
Optional extras
- Loch Ness Cruise · AED 125 per person
- Christmas Eve in Edinburgh · AED 325 per person
- Travel
- The Highlands → Glencoe → Loch Ness → Edinburgh by coach
- Overnight
- Edinburgh
- Hotel
- DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh - Queensferry Crossing
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 4
Edinburgh (Christmas Day)
Meals included: BreakfastLunch
Christmas Day starts at Dean Village. From there, you can choose to climb Calton Hill for views over the city, before a walking tour of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The group returns to the hotel, where a festive Christmas lunch is served, and the rest of the day is then free. You might like to spend it at the Edinburgh Christmas market.
Included
- Guided driving and walking tour of Edinburgh, including Dean Village, Calton Hill and the Royal Mile
- Festive Christmas lunch at the hotel
- Overnight
- Edinburgh
- Hotel
- DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh - Queensferry Crossing
- Meals
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 5
Edinburgh – Lake District – Liverpool
Meals included: Breakfast
The route crosses back over the border into England, stopping in Carlisle, a historic city whose centuries-old castle is well known, and then at Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District. There, the optional Winter at Windermere excursion offers a scenic cruise and a fish and chips lunch. The day continues to Liverpool, where a driving tour is followed by free time in the evening.
Included
- Comfort stop in Carlisle, a historic cathedral city
- Free time in the English Lake District
- Driving tour of Liverpool
Optional extras
- Winter at Windermere · AED 225 per person
- Travel
- Edinburgh → the Lake District → Liverpool by coach
- Overnight
- Liverpool
- Hotel
- ibis Liverpool Centre Albert Dock
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 6
Liverpool – Stratford-Upon-Avon – Cardiff
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerThe morning brings a driving tour of Liverpool, taking in its main sights linked to the Beatles. From there, the day moves on to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, where the optional excursion to his childhood home includes afternoon tea. The route then continues into Wales, calling at a medieval castle before reaching Cardiff, the capital, for a driving tour ahead of dinner.
Included
- Beatles-themed driving tour of Liverpool
- Free time in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace
- Photo stop at Raglan Castle
- Driving tour of Cardiff
- Farewell group dinner
Optional extras
- Shakespeare’s Birthplace & Afternoon Tea Experience · AED 245 per person
- Travel
- Liverpool → Stratford-upon-Avon → Cardiff by coach
- Overnight
- Cardiff
- Hotel
- Clayton Hotel Cardiff
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 7
Cardiff – Bath – Stonehenge – London
Meals included: Breakfast
The first stop is Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for architecture that ranks among the finest in Europe, where you can join the optional excursion to the Roman Baths. From there, there is also the chance to explore Stonehenge, an ancient structure that for centuries has puzzled scientists and historians. The tour returns to London in the evening, bringing your festive week around Great Britain to a close.
Included
- Guided walk through Bath, including Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge
Optional extras
- Roman Baths · AED 180 per person
- Stonehenge · AED 150 per person
- Travel
- Cardiff → Bath → Stonehenge → London by coach
- Meals
- Breakfast
Dates & prices
Prices per person, sharing a double or twin room. A single room costs the supplement shown.
FromTue 22 Dec 2026ToMon 28 Dec 2026
Available
AED 6,556
Single room supplement +AED 2,479 single
What’s included
Included
- 6 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
- 6 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
- Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
- Fully-guided tour
Not included
- Flights: Arrange your own flights for the start and end of the tour
- Travel insurance: Purchase a suitable policy that meets your needs
Optional extras
Excursions and upgrades you can add to the tour. Prices are per person.
Loch Ness Cruise
A one-hour cruise on Loch Ness with your tour leader, taking in the scenery and keeping an eye out for the loch’s famous resident. £25, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 125 per person
Christmas Eve in Edinburgh
A three-course Christmas Eve dinner at a restaurant in Edinburgh, with a glass of sparkling wine to start and a mix of local and festive dishes. Vegetarian options are available. £65. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
AED 325 per person
Winter at Windermere
A fish and chips lunch at Bowness, followed by a winter cruise on Windermere to Lakeside Pier, with views over the lake and surrounding woodland. £45, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 225 per person
Shakespeare’s Birthplace & Afternoon Tea Experience
A visit to the house where William Shakespeare was born and grew up, followed by a traditional afternoon tea at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, with scones, clotted cream and cucumber sandwiches. £49, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 245 per person
Roman Baths
Entry to the Roman Baths in Bath, built around Britain’s only hot springs, with the remains of the temple and bathing complex and a museum of Roman artefacts. £36, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 180 per person
Stonehenge
A closer look at Stonehenge with your tour leader, the 5,000-year-old circle of standing stones whose purpose is still debated by historians. £30, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 150 per person
To add an extra, mention it in your booking notes, and we confirm it with your seats before you pay. Some are booked with your tour leader on the day instead: their description says so.
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Good to know
Practical details to read before you travel.
Passport & visas
Every stop on this tour is in the United Kingdom: England, Scotland and Wales. The UK is not part of the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa does not cover it.
UAE passport holders apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before travelling; EU, US, Canadian and Australian passport holders use the same ETA. Most other nationalities living in the UAE need a UK Standard Visitor visa, applied for in Dubai, with 15 to 20 working days to process after your appointment.
Our visa team handles the application: ask us when you book.
Flights and timings
Flights to and from London aren’t included. Day 1 starts at 06:30 outside the Novotel London Greenwich hotel in south-east London, next to Greenwich train station. With a 06:30 start, fly in the day before: the Novotel and the Ibis Greenwich are both right at the pick-up point. Keep your tour leader’s contact details to hand in case you have trouble getting there.
The tour ends on day 7 back at the same hotel in Greenwich, in the early evening.
Our team can book your flights from Dubai to match.
Meals and dietary needs
Breakfast is included every day except day 1, which opens with a group dinner in York instead. Christmas lunch is included in Edinburgh on Christmas Day itself, and dinner is included on three evenings in total, among them a farewell dinner in Cardiff.
Tell us about any dietary needs, halal included, when you book, and we pass them on before the tour.
Money
The UK uses the pound sterling. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including on buses and at most small shops, so you need little cash day to day.
Optional experiences booked on tour are paid to your tour leader in cash or by card, in the currency shown.
Weather and packing
Expect cold, often damp weather in late December, with short daylight hours: pack a warm coat, thermal layers, gloves and a rain jacket. Comfortable, broken-in shoes matter most for the Royal Mile and other cobbled streets, which can be icy underfoot.
Christmas Day in Edinburgh
Your tour leader walks you through Edinburgh’s old town on Christmas Day itself, taking in Dean Village, the view from Calton Hill and a walk along the Royal Mile, before a festive lunch back at the hotel. The afternoon is free, and Edinburgh’s Christmas market runs nearby if you would like to wander further.
Plan your trip
Our Dubai team arranges what goes around the tour, so it is booked in one place.
Visas
Check the visa for each country on the route. Our visa team in Dubai applies for UAE residents once the tour is booked.
Flights
Flights are not included. We can book them with the tour: Dubai to London and back. Tick “Flights” when you book and we quote them with your confirmation.
Pay in instalments
Split the cost with Tabby or Tamara, or over 3 to 12 months on a UAE bank credit card for bookings from AED 1,000.
Book this tour
Book online in a few minutes. Your seats are held as soon as you book, and you pay once we have confirmed them.
- Choose your date, travellers and roomsPrices are per person, and the total updates as you choose.
- Name each traveller as in their passportYour seats are held and your booking reference is emailed straight away.
- Pay by secure link once confirmedOur Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails your payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
Questions before you book? Our support team is on WhatsApp +971 58 582 4488.
Questions about this tour
What will my days actually look like?
Full days, zero filler. Most mornings start with breakfast before heading out to the main sights with your Tour Leader or a local guide. Afternoons often include free time to wander, find a coffee or join an Optional Experience. Expect a good amount of walking too. On some days, you could spend two to three hours on your feet. Comfortable shoes are your best friend.
Who will I be travelling with?
People from all over the world. Different ages, different backgrounds, same instinct to see more. Groups have on average between 35-45 travellers. By day three, you’ll already know everyone's name.
What are the hotels like?
Clean, comfortable and well located. Mostly 3 to 4 star, with private en-suite bathrooms. They're chosen so you can sleep well and feel ready for the next day. They're not the centrepiece. The destinations are. But they're never an afterthought.
How active is this tour?
All travellers carry their own bags, including up hotel stairs where needed. Walking tours can last up to three hours, and some sites involve a fair number of steps. Read through the itinerary to decide if the pace is right for you.
How do Optional Experiences work?
Optional Experiences happen during your tour's free-time slots, and your Tour Leader will tell you about what's on offer during the tour. Most can be booked on the day, but some are pre-sold and must be purchased before your tour begins, so it's worth checking the tour page beforehand to see what's available and get in touch with our team to book anything in advance.
Will I have time to explore on my own?
Yes. Free time is built into the itinerary, giving you space to wander and explore at your own pace. Your Tour Leader can point you towards the places worth your time, so you're never left completely to figure it out yourself.
What support do I have while I'm on tour?
Your Tour Leader is there to look after you during your tour. They know the places most people walk straight past, they'll have a restaurant recommendation ready before you've asked, and they'll sort anything that comes up along the way. All transport and accommodation are arranged for you.
You'll also have a 24-hour emergency contact number and the Holidayys team in Dubai.
How do I book Great Britain Christmas?
Press Book now, choose a date and your rooms, and enter each traveller as their passport shows. We hold your seats and email your booking reference straight away. Our Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails you a secure payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
When do I pay?
Once the tour operator confirms your seats. We email you a secure payment link for the total in AED, and your booking is complete when it is paid. To pay in instalments, say so in your booking notes.
Is the price per person?
Yes. Prices are per person sharing a double or twin room. Travelling alone? A single room costs the supplement shown next to each date.
Are flights included?
Only when the tour lists them under what is included. We can book flights from the UAE to the start city and home from the end city with your tour.
Do I need a visa?
That depends on your passport and the countries on the route. Our visa team arranges Schengen and other visas for UAE residents, and can apply for yours once the tour is booked.
Payment plans
Pay over time, at 0% interest
Every booking qualifies, from holidays and tours to visas. Pay later with a credit card instalment plan or a buy-now-pay-later account; some banks charge a one-time processing fee.
- Credit card plans from AED 1,000
- Tabby and Tamara, no minimum
- Terms from 3 to 12 months
Find your bank’s plan
Credit cards, from AED 1,000
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