Self-Guided Tours in England
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10 best Self-Guided England tour packages
Compiled by
SteffEngland travel expert at TourRadar
- Best of the Cotswolds Self-Guided Walk
- Taste of England | 8 Days Self-Drive Tour
- Independent London City Stay
- The Dales Way
- Isle of Wight Cycle
- London Calling: A City Break Getaway
- London Explorer (3 Days)
- Keep Calm & Travel On: London 4 Days City Break | England
- London Explorer (4 Days)
- Best of London in 4 Days
The charming Cotswolds await with eight distinctive villages to explore independently. Route guidance leads through Bourton-on-the-Water and Lower Slaughter, with flexible walking options. Carefully selected local inns and B&Bs provide comfort while visiting Sudeley Castle and Broadway Tower.
Duration 9 days Destinations Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Guiting Power, Winchcombe, Stanton, Broadway, Chipping Campden Age Range 12 to 80 year olds Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- NZ$3,695
The essence of England unfolds with included access to Roman Baths and Blenheim Palace. Cotswolds villages like Burton-on-the-Water offer perfect cream tea stops. Windsor Castle and Holy Trinity Church visits blend with middle-class hotel stays throughout.
Duration 8 days Destinations London, Salisbury, Bath, Bristol, Stratford-upon-Avon Age Range 18 to 85 year olds Operator BTOURS From $3,079
5% Off- NZ$2,926You save $153
Independent London City Stay
27 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This was my first time traveling with Globus. It was a very positive experience and I would definitely consider traveling with Globus again.”
Janet, traveled in October
London unfolds from your Millennium Gloucester Hotel base. Morning tours include Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral, while afternoons offer chances to visit Tower Bridge or join Thames dinner cruises.
Duration 4 days Destinations London Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Globus From
5% Off- NZ$1,359
The Dales Way
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Wonderful trails, even for first time hiker like Jerry. We really enjoyed the walk.”
Felicia, traveled in August
Yorkshire's paths lead from Ilkley's Betty's Tea Rooms to Bowness-on-Windermere. Bolton Abbey, Strid Woods, and Cam Fell (1,710 feet) mark the route. The Dalesman Inn provides comfortable rest, with daily luggage transfers included.
Duration 8 days Destinations Ilkley, Bolton Abbey, Burnsall, Grassington, Buckden, Cowgill, Sedbergh, Burneside, Windermere Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator UTracks From
5% Off- NZ$2,450
The Isle of Wight's beauty unfolds through comprehensive OS maps. Daily 38-42km cycles pass Quarr Abbey, Osborne House, and The Needles' dramatic cliffs. Historic stays include The Wight House and 16th-century Bugle Coaching Inn.
Duration 5 days Destinations Ryde, Yarmouth, The Needles, Freshwater, Chale, St Helens Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator UTracks From
5% Off- NZ$1,550
Thistle London Marble Arch welcomes independent spirits. St Paul's Cathedral, Windsor Castle, and Oxford's university district open their doors with detailed maps and audio guides.
Duration 4 days Destinations London, Windsor, Oxford, Stonehenge Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Operator Omega Tours From
5% Off- NZ$3,142
The Royal National Hotel serves as your London hub. Madame Tussauds, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye await your visit. Hop-on-hop-off bus access and breakfast included for independent sightseeing.
Duration 3 days Destinations London Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operator Contiki From
5% Off- NZ$705
Central London opens up from Westminster Abbey to Borough Market. Three nights' accommodation, private transfers, and evening bus tours included, with freedom to wander Notting Hill and Camden.
Duration 4 days Destinations London Age Range 17 to 80 year olds Operator BTOURS From $4,115
5% Off- NZ$3,909You save $205
London's landmarks beckon with Hop On Hop Off accessibility. Madame Tussauds, London Eye, and Thames River cruises available at your leisure, plus optional Stonehenge visits. Royal National Hotel provides breakfast and comfortable accommodation.
Duration 4 days Destinations London Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operator Contiki From
5% Off- NZ$1,215
London's treasures include Tower of London access and Thames River cruise tickets. Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace welcome independent visitors, while Trebovir Hotel offers comfortable central lodging.
Duration 4 days Destinations London Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator WiseYatra From $2,371
15% Off- NZ$2,016You save $355
What people love about Self-Guided Tours in England
Wonderful trails，even for first time hiker like Jerry，my husband。It's quite well marked，with GPS on cellphone，no wrong turns。We really enjoyed the walk。
The Dales Way
What our customers ask about Self-Guided Tours in England
What's the best time of year for a self-guided tour in England?
England's self-guided tours are most popular from April through September. July and August bring warmer temperatures but larger crowds. The Yorkshire Dales show their colors in late spring with blooming wildflowers while the Cotswolds see fewer visitors during May and September. A TourRadar traveler shared "We went in early September and had perfect weather for walking plus fewer tourists at popular spots like Bath and York." Winter remains an option though shorter days and changeable weather can affect walking conditions.
What type of accommodation can I expect on self-guided tours in England?
Self-guided tours across England feature local B&Bs guesthouses and historic inns. Properties range from the 17th-century Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge in Yorkshire to the Noel Arms Hotel in the Cotswolds town of Chipping Campden. Most rooms come with private bathrooms though some heritage buildings maintain shared facilities. One TourRadar traveler noted "the charming mix of accommodations from the cozy Cornlee Guesthouse in Aysgarth to the historic coaching inns in Richmond."
What regions in England are best suited for self-guided tours and why?
The Cotswolds Yorkshire Dales and South West Coast stand out for self-guided exploration. The Yorkshire Dales present a landscape of limestone edges waterfalls and traditional villages including Grassington and Kettlewell. Well-marked paths connect the honey-colored villages of the Cotswolds while the South West Coast offers dramatic seaside views around Polperro and the Jurassic Coast. A TourRadar traveler noted about their Yorkshire Dales experience: "The self-guided format allowed us to take in the stunning landscapes at our own pace with excellent route notes making navigation simple."
How do luggage transfers work on England self-guided tours?
Tour operators handle luggage transfers between accommodations allowing walkers to carry just daily essentials. On the Lake District Literary tour bags move from the Wordsworth Hotel in Grasmere to the Queens Head Inn in Hawkshead. TourRadar reviews confirm "transfers were organized and efficient." Each bag must stay under 18kg and needs to be ready by the morning pickup usually around 9am before arriving at the next stop ahead of guests.
What historical sites and cultural experiences are included in self-guided tours?
Self-guided itineraries connect visitors with England's heritage sites and local culture. The "Best of Britain by Train" includes entry to Edinburgh Castle Roman Baths in Bath and Christ Church College in Oxford. According to a TourRadar traveler "Having pre-arranged tickets to major sites like the Tower of London saved so much time." Additional experiences often include Thames afternoon tea or traditional Edinburgh music shows.
How flexible are the itineraries on England self-guided tours?
These tours balance structure with personal choice. The Literary Walking in the Lake District tour lets visitors choose between Beatrix Potter's Hilltop Farm or Wray Castle routes on select days. A TourRadar traveler commented "A delightful trip through the southern Lake District...the accommodations were nice and we could explore at our own pace." Guests receive detailed maps route notes and digital guides while staying at selected properties like the Wordsworth Hotel & Spa in Grasmere or the Queens Head Inn in Hawkshead.