The United Kingdom is one of the world’s most pleasant destinations. There is something about it that just makes it different. Perhaps it is the incredible countryside that seems to be everywhere. Maybe it’s the world changing history that happened in these charming places. Maybe it’s because it is a part of our heritage and our own family histories. Whatever it is, these are places worth seeing and we would love to show them to you.
Webb Tours has taken many dozens of tours to the British Isles. It is without a doubt among our favorite places in the world. Over the years, we have honed our itineraries to include the places we know you’ll enjoy. In 2019, we directed a “Literary Tour of the British Isles” and it was a hit. We have taken parts of that itinary and added some of our favorite gardens and castles to create this very custom itinerary that we operated in 2023 which all participants love. We are excited to do it again in 2025.
The tour will be directed by Peter Fagg who lives in England. He is an expert on the places we will be visiting. You’ll appreciate his knowledge and personality.
Space on this tour is limited to 46 people. You won’t find this itinerary anywhere else. We look forward to sharing it with you.
Sightseeing Highlights:
For this tour, we fly into Edinburgh, Scotland and home from London, England.
We will arrange airfare for the group out of Salt Lake City. If you would like to join us from another city, we can arrange your airfare from there. Of course, if you prefer to arrange you’re own airfare, that is fine too and we can meet you along the way.
July 29/30: Depart USA
Today we meet at the airport to board our flight through the east coast to Edinburgh, Scotland, known as the “Athens of the North” (dinner and breakfast are included on the flight). Our aim today is to help you fall in love with Scotland, and keep you awake to adjust to the time change. We begin our afternoon adventure with a visit to Carlton Hill. We see impressive monuments and important government buildings, learn of fire festivals, “Edinburgh’s shame”, and Old Observatories, but best of all we gain a great outlook over Edinburgh, Leith & Firth of Forth. This afternoon, we venture out on foot to take our first trip into the Old Town. Weaving in and out of the Royal Mile we begin to get a feel for Scotland and its interesting history. It is also our first taste of Britain’s literary greatness with a brief visit to the Writer’s Museum to view artefacts belonging to the great Scottish writers Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. In this area, we also find the humble beginnings of the Harry Potter phenomena. It’s in interesting place to start our journey. B
July 31: Today we leave the city for the countryside to visit St. Andrews. St. Andrews is known as the birthplace of golf, but it’s much more than that. We’ll walk the beach made famous in Chariots of Fire. We’ll wander along the coast of the North Sea past the castle ruins and ancient cathedral which was once the largest building in Scotland, built in 1160. But “words, sweet words brought it tumbling down.” We’ll discover Robert Kirk’s fairy folklore and throw in some stories about Star Wars, smallpox, martyrs, Sherlock Holmes and of course William & Kate. We then return back to Edinburgh for a lovely dinner together this evening. For those that are interested, we’ll descend with our costumed guide UNDERNEATH the streets of Edinburgh to find a collection of hidden streets frozen in time since the 17th Century. It is fascinating! B, D
August 1: Our day trip today takes us north to visit Stirling Castle. Its striking location was the constant battle ground between England and Scotland for centuries. Learn of the exploits of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce in the Battle of Stirling Bridge and the Battle of Bannockburn. This is the stuff of legends. Witness how James V changed the Royal Palace into a public relations masterpiece with carvings and the Stirling Heads showing his divine right to rule. Next we visit Roslyn Chapel – a “medieval treasure in stone”. Founded in 1446 this quaint little church, with intricate carvings and intriguing legends, came to the mass public’s attention due to Dan Brown’s book – The Da Vinci Code. The mystery of what is in those sealed crypts continues to create speculation, but the pure skill of these master masons is what keeps people coming back. For dinner this evening we will enjoy a Taste of Scotland – an unmissable evening of Scottish music, costume, bagpipes, fiddles and dance in the magically historic setting of Prestonfield House. Enjoy exceptional entertainment with a gourmet dinner served by kilted waiters. Try some Angus beef or Orkney Salmon or even a wee taste of Haggis, neeps and tatties. B, D
August 2: You’ll have a little time to relax this morning before we begin to make our way south. We’ll make a morning stop at beautiful Dawyck Botanic Gardens showcasing pristine, Scottish gardens and manor house. Before we leave Scotland we briefly stop at the infamous Gretna Green – used in many novels as the place to elope and get married by the blacksmith. We’ll have lunch here. Then we are welcomed to England with a day of scenery and inspiration driving through the famous Lake District. Our first English stop is Dove Cottage where Britain’s best loved poet William Wordsworth began his married life, where three of his children were born, and where some of his best poetry was written. We stroll into Grasmere and sample some famous gingerbread. After lunch, our next stop is Hawkshead, a charming village with links to Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. We then worm our way through narrow lanes to Hill Top Farm – the home of Beatrix Potter. This tiny farm house (with its splendid location and views) is a delightful time capsule particularly when you start to match the drawings from her stories with actual locations. Fall in love with Peter Rabbit and his friends all over again. We stay in the charming town of Skipton tonight. B
August 3: Today, we drive through the moors of the Yorkshire Dales National Park to explore a few northern towns and villages and discover where beauty and grit combine. We arrive in style on a steam train aboard the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. Ten movies have used this railway line to capture a bygone age, most famously in The Railway Children (1970), then North and South (2004), and many more. One of today’s main highlights will be our visit to Haworth – the home and inspiration to the Bronte sisters. The ascent from the train station along the cobbled street to the parish church and parsonage is a delightful flashback. Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre were conceived here and the home and countryside home now hosts thousands of visitors to celebrate their masterpieces of literature. We stay in Bakewell tonight. B, D
August 4: Bakewell hosted the very famous Jane Austen who captured these areas so perfectly in her books. You have a choice this morning. You can attend a church service (LDS Sacrament Meting or Church of England) or you can enjoy some time on your own in charming Bakewell. Once we’re all back together, we’ll visit the Chatsworth House which is a wonderful introduction to the stately homes of her era. This was also the setting of her most famous book – Pride and Prejudice. Lunch will be on your own while at Chatsworth. This afternoon we visit nearby Haddon Hall – described as “the most perfect house to survive from the middle ages”. Set in the heart of the beautiful Peak District National Park, parts of the house date from the 12th Century, sitting like a jewel in its Elizabethan terraced gardens, and overlooking the River Wye. The house and grounds have played host to no less than three versions of “Jane Eyre”. Screen credits also include “Elizabeth”, “Pride & Prejudice”, “The Other Boleyn Girl” and “The Princess Bride”. It is an idyllic place in England that will delight you! We then continue 92 miles to Stratford Upon Avon where we will spend 2 nights. B
August 5: You can’t appreciate England if you don’t explore the beautiful Midlands, starting with Stratford upon Avon, birth place of the bard himself, William Shakespeare. We start with a meander through the town which is still thriving because of his contribution. We stroll along the River Avon, find two statues of him and visit the parish church where he was both christened and buried. We see his daughter’s home, his birthplace, his school, and New Place, where he died. We then drive out to Ann Hathaway’s Cottage to walk in the gardens and thatched cottage where his heart was captured. This afternoon, we’ll take a short drive (15 minutes) over to Warwick Castle, one of England’s best preserved medieval fortresses. The grounds, the castle, and the setting are simply stunning. We then return back to Stratford. Those who wish can take in a dinner and play this evening. There is nothing quite like seeing a Shakespeare play in his hometown. B
August 6: Today is our day to explore the Cotswolds, my favorite part of England. We’ll start with some time in nearby Evesham on the River Avon. We then enjoy a day of “Cotswold hopping” as we go from town to town to show you some of these GEMS. We’ll visit Bourton on the Water and Broadway spending time in each. These are tidy, well preserved villages made of the famous Cotswold stone giving them their iconic look and feel. This is England as you’ve pictured it and it is some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. You’ll have time for a delightful lunch in Bourton on the Water. On our way south, we’ll enjoy the famous Hidcote Manor Gardens in Chippen Camden, a great example of Cotswold gardens. On route to Wales we pass near Gloucester where we find trolls in the bathroom, mice sewing waistcoats, a stingy old man, a touch of fairy dust, a formidable pirate, and an American tune which turns out to be not so American! A delightful mixture of literary connections that we’ll explore in route. We cross over the border into Wales taking in the beautiful Wye Valley. We stay in Swansea tonight and enjoy an included dinner. B, D
August 7: Today we experience beautiful Welsh valleys, silent coal mines and a walk through centuries of Welsh history. Blackened faces, powerful singing voices, non conformist chapels, hardy miners and tough rugby players have all inspired pen to paper. This was the backdrop for the classic book “How Green Was my Valley”. And you’ll see how green they are! Famous author, Roald Dahl (James & the Giant Peach, Matilda) was from here. We have lunch today at an old Norwegian church with a long maritime history, a great view of Cardiff Bay. This afternoon, we visit the imposing Caerphilly Castle, a great example of the numerous Welsh castles that protected this part of Britain. We stay near Bath, England tonight. B, L
August 8: Bath is special. It’s a place where history, literature and nature have combined to create a masterpiece. The Romans were here in the 1st century BC, and we’ll be able to see what they left behind. We’ve included entrance into the Roman Baths that are well preserved. You’ll marvel at the surrounding countryside and sweeping views. Bath also has some of the country’s best preserved Georgian architecture which means we get to see the city landscape seen by notable authors like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. The period dramas we enjoy often use the same street scenes where these authors conjured up their characters. We then visit Lacock – another charming village which you have seen in film many times before as it is the village backdrop to many movies including Harry Potter, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, the Hollow Crown, Wolf Hall, Robin Hood, and more. We then journey to Downton Abbey to visit Highclere Castle – and walk through the film set where so many engaging story lines kept us wanting more. These stately homes experienced dramatic overhauls as society shifted. We have interesting stories to tell here. We continue to our hotel in the Oxford area tonight. B, D
August 9: This morning we visit Blenheim Palace. This home is the absolute pinnacle of an English stately home and includes an exhibition on Winston Churchill who was born here, and helps us understand the roots of this prolific writer who galvanized a nation in its time of need. Our visit includes a stroll in their magnificent gardens to see where Winston proposed to Clementine. In the afternoon we stop in Oxford where we wind our way through the narrow streets, stately colleges and grassy meadows, to discover some of the Noble and Great Ones. We track the history back to the beginnings of Oxford, to the time of the miraculous Frideswide, and then build layer upon layer of famous name after famous names including Henry VIII, Cardinal Wolsey, C.S. Lewis, John Ruskin, J.R. Tolkien, Thomas More, Samuel Johnson and many more. We discover the influential John Wycliffe and his nemesis Richard Fleming, the tragic ending of the Oxford Martyrs, and the founding of Wesley’s Holy Club. Throw in some Hobbits and Orcs, Lions and Wardrobes, Green Eggs and Ham, and tons of pilchard; mix in a plethora of Prime Ministers, a remarkable balloon flight, a penicillin breakthrough, a four minute mile, the King James Bible, Halley’s Comet, My Fair Lady and you have the beginnings of a splendid stroll through this city! Harry Potter fans will delight in discovering parts of Hogwarts in different parts of the city. It is an incredible journey in a very special place. We stay in the town of Rochester tonight, near London. We are here for two nights. B, D
August 10: Few authors have created so many universally loved characters as those penned by Charles Dickens. We start with a walking tour of the streets of Rochester to find streets, buildings and characters who were given eternal stardom in his novels. He loved this town with its ancient castle and cathedral overlooking the River Medway. This is where he wished to be buried (didn’t work out that way). We then make our way into London and begin our sightseeing – including a visit to Westminster Abbey where the Noble and Great ones of all aspects of British society are remembered. We’ll see the final resting places of many figures that we have discussed on our journey. We have a farewell dinner tonight. B, D
August 11: We still have a bit more time in London this morning including a stroll through St. James Park near Buckingham Palace. Of course, London can’t be done in a day (or in two weeks, really), but our focus has been the countryside away from the masses. But we’ll see some important things starting with a late morning visit to Westminster Abbey A local guide will take us on a stroll through St. James Park by Buckingham Palace and a few other gems along the way. We then transfer to the airport for our non stop flight to Salt Lake City. B
Registration Information:
A $400 deposit is required to reserve your space. To make a reservation, simply register online by completing the booking form above. Your deposit will be charged to your credit card. If you prefer, you can call us and we will take your reservation information and credit card details over the phone. When we receive your reservation, we will email you a receipt confirming that you are registered for the tour. A letter with instructions, hotel itinerary, flight information (if applicable) and luggage tags will be sent roughly 95 days prior to departure at which time the balance will be due. You do not need to pay the balance until after you receive that package. We prefer final payments in the form of a check. Webb Tours also accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. A 2.5% fee applies to final payments made by credit card to cover a portion of the credit card company fees (which are now around 4%)
Cancellation Policy:
We understand that you may need to cancel your trip for unforeseen reasons. If cancellation occurs 180 days or more before departure, all money will be refunded. If airline tickets are purchased prior to that time (with your permission), they are the responsibility of the traveler. In most cases, airlines will allow the value of airline tickets to be used for future travel. All other funds will be returned if cancellation occurs outside of 180 days. If it is within 180 days, your deposit and other committed funds are non refundable.
Travel Protection:
In today’s changing travel environment, it is important to protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we offer Travelex Insurance Services 360° Group Premier Protection Plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected.
Premium for this insurance depends on your age and trip cost and is priced as follows:
Trip Cost (per person) Ages 0-59 Ages 60-74 Ages 75+
| $1,000-$1,500 |
$109 |
$143 |
$211 |
| $1,501-$2,000 |
$149 |
$191 |
$215 |
| $2,001-$2,500 |
$191 |
$245 |
$277 |
| $2,501-$3,000 |
$234 |
$300 |
$338 |
| $3,001-$3,500 |
$276 |
$354 |
$400 |
| $3,501-$4,000 |
$319 |
$409 |
$461 |
| $4,001-$4,500 |
$361 |
$463 |
$523 |
| $4,501-$5,000 |
$404 |
$518 |
$584 |
| $5,001-$5,500 |
$446 |
$572 |
$646 |
| $5,501-$6,000 |
$489 |
$627 |
$707 |
For coverage details and explanation of benefits, you can view or download the policy by going to https://policy.travelexinsurance.com/GPZ-1023.
If you are interested in the travel insurance, please contact Webb Tours any time up until final payment for the tour. You must be medically fit at the time you buy the insurance. The insurance goes into effect once purchased.
This is intended as a general description of certain types of insurance and services available to qualified customers through the companies of Zurich in North America, provided solely for informational purposes. Nothing herein should be construed as a solicitation, offer, advice, recommendation, or any other service with regard to any type of insurance product underwritten by individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company, 1299 Zurich Way, Schaumburg, IL 60196. Your policy is the contract that specifically and fully describes your coverage, terms and conditions. Travelex Insurance Services Inc. CA Agency license #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC # 16535).
Insurance includes the following items:
For benefit and rate information, please review the Group Premier product flyer at https://partner.travelexinsurance.com/docs/premier
Unexpected flight cancellations or weather delays: Webb Tours works diligently to cover all of the details associated with your travel. We make sure that all ground transportation, lodging, local tours, restaurants, specialists, etc, are in place and awaiting our arrival. We ensure that our directors are well prepared to provide you with an experience that exceeds your expectations. One thing we do NOT control are the airlines. Significant problems can arise on a group tour due to canceled flights, weather delays or missed connections. In the case of a flight cancellation, Webb Tours will do all we can to work with the airline to move people to the next available flights. Any portion of the tour that is missed due to flight delays or cancellations is NOT the financial responsibility of Webb Tours. Refunds will not be given for hotels, ground transportation, activities or meals that are missed due to flight interruptions. This is another good reason to purchase the travel insruance which has a provision for missed connections (see Group Premier product flyer referenced above for details). Your participation in the tour signifies that you understand and accept this policy.
Currency Fluctuation:
Webb Tours reserves the right to adjust the rates if necessary in order to reflect currency fluctuations larger than 10% from those used in our tour price. This is not likely to happen, but we must protect against it. A shift of that magnitude would quickly erase our tour profits. Of course, if the fluctuation moves in the opposite direction, we will reduce your tour price.
Mail deposit and enclosed reservation form to:
WEBB TOURS
2378 Evergreen Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84109
Tel. (801) 278-3101
or Toll Free 1-800-658-8519
Alternatively, you can REGISTER ONLINE or OVER THE PHONE with a member of our staff.
