From 3pm: Check into the 4-star Thistle London Marble Arch hotel, located in the heart of the capital, and within walking distance of the famous stores of Oxford Street & Regent Street. Guests arriving before check-in time can store their bags at the Hotel Concierge.
Big Bus Tours London hop-on hop-off bus tour - Your experience includes a 48-hour hop-on hop-off London bus tour allowing you to choose how you spend your time in the capital. We recommend downloading the Big Bus Tours app as it features a live tracker showing you where your next bus is. You can download the app here: https://www.bigbustours.com/en/london/mobileapp
Buses come by every 10-15 minutes and the closest Big Bus stop to the hotel is Marble Arch next to Speaker's Corner which is stop no. 4 and TFL bus stop L.
Big Bus Tours have two 'routes' of London - the most concise and central is the 'Red Route'. The 'Blue Route' is longer and more comprehensive.
Your 48-hour ticket can be exchanged at any time from your arrival - and will last all the way up until the end of service on Day Two.
Accommodation: Thistle London Marble Arch, Bryanston Street, London W1H 7EH. Meals included on this day: None.
Meal: No Meal
Following a delicious breakfast enjoy a further day exploring London aboard your hop-on hop-off bus. Start your day at Big Bus Tours stop 4 at Marble Arch (Speakers Corner - TfL stop L).
Your 48-hour ticket includes a relaxing cruise on the River Thames between from either Westminster Pier – Tower Pier or Tower Pier – Westminster Pier. You can choose your preferred route on the day.
Please note Big Bus Tours London hop-on hop-off buses feature high quality recorded commentary filled with fascinating insights and stories that offer a deeper understanding of the capital. You can also enjoy four free walking tours – between Days 1 and 2 - as part of the price, including:
1. The Royal Walk
2. Hidden Gems of the City of London
3. Hidden Gems of Westminster
4. Jack the Ripper
Walking tours are subject to change so please check availability on the day at the Big Bus bus stop. Guests can also visit the web page to learn more on available Walking Tours: https://www.bigbustours.com/en/london/london-attractions-walking-tour-tickets.
Evening at leisure: continue exploring the amazing sights or head back to your hotel to relax.
Accommodation: Thistle London Marble Arch hotel (or similar). Meals included on this day: A Full English breakfast.
Meal: Breakfast
8:15am – Meet your expert Guide on Level 1 of the Thistle London Marble Arch.
8:30am – Your tour will depart promptly from the Thistle London Marble Arch.
10:30am - Our first stop is Stonehenge - a must-see symbol of Britain and one of the true wonders of the world. Our tour allows you time to not only visit the Monument but enjoy the world class visitor centre - and its many historic artefacts that give a clue to their ancient past. Take some time to visit the gift shop with its numerous unique items or grab a coffee in the on-site café.
Close by is the medieval city of Salisbury, home to its stunning Cathedral, adorned with its incredible spire. At 123m high it is the tallest in the entire country. On arrival into Salisbury, you will be wowed by the sheer size and spectacle of the Cathedral. Enjoy a walking tour of the town with your expert Guide and time for lunch independently.
In the late afternoon we visit the stunning setting of Bath and home for the next two nights on your tour. One of the most picturesque parts of the country, Bath has numerous highlights from Pulteney Bridge over the River Avon to relaxing Sydney Gardens.
4:45pm - Check into your hotel in the heart of Bath and enjoy your evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton Bath (or similar). Meals included on this day: A full English breakfast.
Note: The Hampton by Hilton is located in proximity to the city’s numerous restaurants with an option for every appetite.
Meal: Breakfast
9:00am - After a delicious breakfast, take a leisurely stroll with your Guide to visit the Roman Baths – before the crowds. Walk in the footsteps of the Romans and explore one of the finest spas of the ancient world. Located below street level you will descend to the site of the Sacred Spring. Naturally hot water of up to 46 degrees Celsius rises here every day, as it has for over 2,000 years. Don’t miss the gilt bronze head of the Goddess Minerva – one of the most important finds of Roman Britain.
11:00am - Following your departure from the Roman Baths, embark on a fascinating walking tour covering the main highlights of the city with your Guide. You will see the Royal Crescent, the Holburne Museum, the Jane Austen Centre, Pulteney Bridge and more. The exact content and order of the walking tour is subject to alteration on the day.
Afternoon & Evening: Enjoy a whole afternoon exploring and relaxing in beautiful Bath.
Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton Bath City (or similar). Meals included on this day: A full English breakfast.
Meal: Breakfast
8:45am – Check-out after breakfast for a 9:00am departure.
The final day of your tour begins with a short drive to Lacock village – a location that has inspired many film productions. Enjoy a walking tour with your Guide of some of its highlights including a 14th century Tithe Barn, and an 18th century village lock-up, once used to detain local drunks and people awaiting trial.
12:30pm - Guests can enjoy a full afternoon in Royal Windsor, beginning with free time for lunch. Visit one of the many cafes or pubs in the quaint cobbled streets, serving everything from cream teas to hot lunches.
2:00pm - We reconvene at the statue of Queen Victoria for the final jewel in the crown – a visit to majestic Windsor Castle. The Castle is the oldest and largest occupied in the world and has been home to 40 Monarchs. Marvel at the Gold, see an original Van Dyck painting, discover life in miniature with Queen Mary’s Dolls House… and much more. Ever wanted to attend a Royal wedding? Within the Castle grounds is St. George’s Chapel, a 500-year-old medieval marvel and the setting of numerous Royal weddings. It is also the final resting place for many Kings and Queens, including Henry VIII, Charles I and Queen Elizabeth II.
5:00pm – Guests meet back at the statue of Queen Victoria for departure from Windsor.
6:30pm - Your day concludes on arrival back to your hotel with an evening ahead of you at leisure.
Accommodation: Thistle London Marble Arch. Meals included on this day: A full English breakfast.
Meal: Breakfast
Your tour concludes after a delicious breakfast and check-out (11am) at the Thistle London Marble Arch. We bid you a fond farewell and hope you will return to us on your next trip to the UK.
Accommodation: None. Meals included on this day: A full English breakfast.
All timings are a guideline only and are subject to change based on operational or other considerations.
Meal: Breakfast
- 3 nights’ hotel accommodation in London on a bed & breakfast basis (4 star equivalent)
- 2 nights’ hotel accommodation in Bath on a bed & breakfast basis (4 star equivalent)
- 48 hour London hop-on hop-off tour with included River Cruise and walking tours
- Travel on an executive motorcoach with WC on board (days 3-5)
- Services of a professional Tour Director
- Entry to Stonehenge
- Entry to the Roman Baths with audio guide
- Entry to Windsor Castle with multi-media guide
- Walking tour of Salisbury
- Walking tour of Bath
- Walking tour of Lacock Village
- Gratuities (discretionary)
- Transfers before or after your tour
- Lunch & dinner
- Entry to Salisbury Cathedral
- Entry to Lacock Abbey
Hotel (either as listed or of a property of a similar standard will be provided).
London - Thistle London Marble Arch (or similar)
Bath - Hampton by Hilton Bath (or similar)
Highlights
Enjoy your first two days exploring London independently on a hop-on hop-off bus
Experience the capital from the River Thames on a relaxing cruise
Discover the mysterious and ancient monument of Stonehenge
See the tallest spire in England at Salisbury Cathedral
Explore the ancient Roman Baths – before the crowds arrive
Visit enchanting Lacock, a film location for Harry Potter & Downton Abbey
Enjoy two nights in Bath with plenty of time to relax and unwind
Explore majestic Windsor Castle, home to the British Monarchy
See Queen Elizabeth II’s burial ground at St. George’s Chapel
Tour starts: Day One: at leisure with check-in to your London hotel - Thistle Marble Arch, Bryanston Street, London W1H 7EH.
Tour finishes: Day Six: On check-out (11am or before) from Thistle Marble Arch, Bryanston Street, London W1H 7EH. The closest tube station is ‘Marble Arch’ (Central Line) or ‘Bond Street’ (Central or Jubilee Line).
Guaranteed Departure based on minimum 8 guests booked
Maximum group size: 40 guests on a 50 seater executive coach with room for luggage.