Day 1 · London to York · Britain & Ireland Panorama

"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves."

— William Shakespeare

Thursday 3 September

Today's Schedule

⏰ Departure Morning — Important Times

06:30

Luggage & Breakfast

Main luggage collected from outside your door, then a full breakfast before we set off.

07:45

Depart London

The coach pulls away from the Hilton London Kensington — the adventure is officially underway!

16:15

Arrive York

We reach York for a guided orientation of one of England's finest medieval cities.

🚌 Coach — London → Stratford-upon-Avon → York

06:30

Luggage & Breakfast Included

Leave your main luggage outside your room door for collection, then head down for a full breakfast at the Hilton London Kensington. Today is the day it all begins!

07:45

Depart London Hotel

We leave London behind and head north-west into the gentle countryside of Warwickshire, towards the town that gave the world Shakespeare.

10:15

Anne Hathaway's Cottage Photo Stop

A brief stop at the car park by Anne Hathaway's Cottage — the picture-perfect thatched farmhouse where Shakespeare's wife grew up. This is a photo stop rather than a visit, but it's a beautiful first glimpse of Shakespeare country. Full details below.

11:00

Shakespeare's Birthplace Included

We arrive in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon for an included visit to the very house where William Shakespeare was born in 1564. Afterwards, enjoy an early lunch in the town at your own expense — Stratford is full of charming riverside cafés and pubs. Full details below.

12:30

Depart Stratford

We continue north towards Yorkshire, with a comfort stop along the way to stretch your legs before we reach York.

16:15

Arrive York — Orientation Included

We arrive in York for a guided orientation walk — The Shambles, the ancient city walls and the towering York Minster. Full details below.

18:00

Arrive Hotel

We arrive at the Novotel York Centre, right on the River Ouse — time to settle in and freshen up before dinner.

19:00

Welcome Dinner Included

Join Carmela and your fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner at the hotel — the perfect toast to the sixteen days ahead.

Included Visit · Late Morning

Shakespeare's Birthplace

Included · 11:00 · Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon
The House Where a Legend Was Born
William Shakespeare was born in this very house on Henley Street in April 1564, and grew up within these timber-framed walls. Four hundred and sixty years on, the house still stands almost exactly as it was — and stepping inside is one of those rare travel moments where history feels genuinely close enough to touch.
→The Birthroom
The very room where Shakespeare is believed to have been born — visitors have been signing their names on its windowpanes since the 1800s, including Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy.
→Live Performances
Costumed actors often bring scenes from the plays to life in the garden and rooms — keep an eye out as you wander through.
→Stratford's Riverside
After your visit, take your early lunch by the River Avon — swans drifting past the Royal Shakespeare Theatre make for a lovely backdrop.

Photo Stop · 10:15

Anne Hathaway's Cottage

Photo Stop Only · Not an Included Visit
A Postcard Glimpse of Shakespeare's Romance
On the way into Stratford, we'll pull in briefly at the car park by Anne Hathaway's Cottage — the thatched, timber-framed farmhouse where Shakespeare's future wife grew up before their marriage in 1582. It's one of the most photographed cottages in England, wrapped in a cottage garden that's been lovingly tended for centuries.
ⓘThis stop is for photographs only — there won't be time to go inside. If you'd love to explore the cottage and gardens properly, it's easy to return independently at another point in your travels.

Included · Late Afternoon

Welcome to York

Included · 16:15 · York, North Yorkshire
Two Thousand Years of History, Beautifully Preserved
Founded by the Romans, ruled by Vikings and crowned with a medieval cathedral, York is one of Europe's best-preserved historic cities — and our orientation walk takes in three of its most unmissable corners.
→The Shambles
One of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe — overhanging timber-framed shopfronts lean in so close overhead you could almost shake hands across the street. Once home to York's butchers, now home to bakeries, chocolatiers and quirky boutiques.
→The City Walls
York's medieval walls form the longest continuous town walls in England — nearly three miles of ramparts you can walk for sweeping views across the rooftops and towers below.
→York Minster
One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe, its twin towers dominating the skyline — soaring stained glass and centuries of history under one roof.

Tonight's Stay

Your Hotel

Overnight Stay · York, North Yorkshire 🇬🇧

Novotel York Centre

Fishergate, York YO10 4FD, United Kingdom

Your home for tonight sits right on the banks of the River Ouse, just a gentle riverside stroll — about 20 minutes on foot — from York's historic centre and everything you saw on today's orientation walk. Settle into a modern, comfortable room, then unwind on the hotel's riverside terrace before tomorrow's journey north to Edinburgh.

🏦 One Night

🍽️ Welcome Dinner Included

🏞 Riverside Terrace & Restaurant

🚗 Guest Parking Available

📍 Get Directions 💬 WhatsApp Carmela

Live Tools

Stratford & the Road North

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Stratford-upon-Avon, England

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Speak Like a Local

A Bit of Yorkshire

A few Yorkshire words and phrases for your evening in York.

Ey upHello (a classic Yorkshire greeting)

NowtNothing

OwtAnything

ChampionExcellent, brilliant

MardyGrumpy, moody

TaThank you

Carmela Marino

Travel Director · Trafalgar

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