7 days · United Kingdom
Great Britain Christmas
From AED 8,520per person, twin share
A festive season trip through England, Scotland and Wales, with Christmas Day in Edinburgh.
- Duration
- 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Route
- Starts and ends in London
- Country
- 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
Christmas in England, Scotland and Wales brings its own traditions. The route runs from York into the Scottish Highlands and past Loch Ness, reaching Edinburgh for Christmas Day itself and the Scottish Yuletide festivities that go with it. From there it crosses England’s Lake District to Liverpool, home to The Beatles, and on to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, before ending by way of Cardiff and Bath.
Highlights
- Punting on the River Cam in Cambridge
- The historic streets of York
- A group dinner in York
- The Angel of the North statue
- A photo at Hadrian’s Wall
- Gretna Green, the well-known wedding destination
- Shopping at Glasgow’s Christmas markets
- A night in the Scottish Highlands
Show all 21 highlightsShow fewer highlights
- Glencoe, one of Scotland’s beautiful valleys
- Loch Ness and the hunt for its mythical monster
- Views of Cairngorms National Park, then the Queensferry Crossing
- Christmas Day in Edinburgh, with time to explore
- Christmas lunch, included
- Carlisle, a historic city
- The English Lake District and its scenery
- A driving tour of Liverpool with your tour leader
- Liverpool spots connected to The Beatles
- Stratford-upon-Avon, home of Shakespeare
- Photo stop at a medieval castle in Wales
- A driving tour of Cardiff
- An orientation walking tour of Bath
See the journey come to life
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
Dinner included
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
Day 2
York – Gretna Green – Glasgow – Highlands
Breakfast and dinner includedA 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
Day 3
Highlands – Glencoe – Loch Ness – Edinburgh (Christmas Eve)
Breakfast included
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 275 per person
- Travel
- The Highlands → Glencoe → Loch Ness → Edinburgh by coach
- Overnight
- Edinburgh
- Hotel
- DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh - Queensferry Crossing
Day 4
Edinburgh (Christmas Day)
Breakfast and lunch included
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
Day 5
Edinburgh – Lake District – Liverpool
Breakfast included
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
Day 6
Liverpool – Stratford-upon-Avon – Cardiff
Breakfast and dinner includedThe 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
Day 7
Cardiff – Bath – Stonehenge – London
Breakfast included
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
Dates & prices
Prices per person, sharing a double or twin room. A single room costs the supplement shown.
Tue 22 Dec – Mon 28 Dec 2026
Available
AED 8,520
Single room +AED 3,100
What’s included
Included
- 6 nights in mostly 3-star and 4-star hotels, in twin rooms with a private bathroom
- A room to yourself for a single supplement, subject to availability
- 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
- A modern coach with air conditioning, reclining seats and a toilet
- Public transport the tour uses, except on free days
- Guided from start to finish
Not included
- Flights to the start of the tour and home from the end: we can book them from Dubai
- Travel insurance: take out a policy that suits your trip
Optional extras
Excursions and upgrades you can add to the tour. Prices are per person.
Loch Ness Cruise
Day 3AED 125per personA 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.
See day 3 in the itineraryChristmas Eve in Edinburgh
Day 3AED 275per personA 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. £55. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
See day 3 in the itineraryWinter at Windermere
Day 5AED 225per personA 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.
See day 5 in the itineraryShakespeare’s Birthplace & Afternoon Tea Experience
Day 6AED 245per personA visit to William Shakespeare’s birthplace, the house where he was born and grew up, followed by afternoon tea with scones, clotted cream and cucumber sandwiches at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. £49, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 6 in the itineraryRoman Baths
Day 7AED 180per personEntry 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.
See day 7 in the itineraryStonehenge
Day 7AED 150per personA 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.
See day 7 in the itinerary
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 in south-east London, outside the Novotel London Greenwich, a hotel 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 extras 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 in a minute. Your seats are held as soon as you book; you name the other travellers and pay once we have confirmed them.
Questions before you book? Our support team is on WhatsApp +971 4 589 0001.
Questions about this tour
What will my days look like?
Days are full. Most start with breakfast, then the main sights with a local guide or your tour leader. Afternoons often leave free time to wander, stop for a coffee or join an optional extra. Expect a fair amount of walking: some days mean two or three hours on your feet, so bring comfortable shoes.
Who will I be travelling with?
Travellers from all over the world, of different ages and backgrounds, who share a wish to see more. Up to 53 people share this tour, and most know each other’s names within a few days.
What are the hotels like?
Mostly 3 and 4 star, all clean, comfortable and well located, with private en-suite bathrooms. They are chosen so you sleep well and are ready for the next day. The destinations come first, but the hotels are never an afterthought.
How active is this tour?
You carry your own luggage, sometimes up hotel stairs. Some walking tours run for up to three hours, and a few sites have plenty of steps. The itinerary and the activity level at the top of this page show whether the pace suits you.
How do optional extras work?
Optional extras run in the tour’s free time, and your tour leader tells you what is on offer as the tour goes. Some are booked with your tour leader on the day. Others sell in advance and must be bought before the tour starts: to add one of those, mention it in your booking notes and we confirm it with your seats. Each extra in the Optional extras section says which way it is booked.
Will I have time to explore on my own?
Yes. The itinerary builds in free time to wander at your own pace, and your tour leader can point you to the places that suit you, so you are never left to work it all out alone.
What support do I have while I’m on tour?
Your tour leader travels with you from start to finish. They know the places most visitors miss, can suggest a restaurant before you ask, and deal with whatever crops up on the way. Transport and hotels are all arranged for you.
There is also an emergency number staffed 24 hours a day, and our team in Dubai is there to help.
How do I book Great Britain Christmas?
Press Book now, choose a date, your travellers and rooms, and give your name, email and mobile. We hold your seats and email your booking reference straight away; you then add each traveller as their passport shows on your booking page. 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
Take the trip now. Pay for it in pieces.
Every booking qualifies, from holidays and tours to visas. Spread it over 3 to 12 months at 0% on a credit card plan, or with Tabby or Tamara; some banks add 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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