Classic Drinks of Britain

For many people Britain is well known for a variety of different drinks. Over the years we have helped specialist clubs and societies with privately arranged very special tour but we find the majority of people are just interested in the classics. This could be afternoon tea at a top London hotel, cream tea in an English garden, Scottish and yes an excellent Welsh Whisky and some fantastic English wines and beers. This tour sample covers many of these.

Day 1 – Arrival London

Arrive in London and meet your private deluxe motor coach and professional tour manager for the journey in to central London. Start you tour with a visit to the Tower of London with a light lunch within the Tower of London, followed by a tour of London concentrating on the cities food and drink. Welcome dinner tonight in traditional London Pub
Overnight London

Day 2 – London, Tea at Harrods

Early start today for a guided visit to Borough Market, one of London's best and where many of the top chefs come to get their fresh products. This is followed by a tour with tastings of one of London's famous brewers. Afternoon tea will be taken at one of London's top venues
Overnight London

Day 3 – Kent

After breakfast travel in to Kent for a tour of England's oldest brewery Shepherd Neame, where beer has been produced for over 850 years. Continue in to deepest Kent to sample and tour one of the regions finest vineyards.
Overnight Kent

Day 4 – The Cotswolds

This morning travel west and in to The Cotswolds for a day of cream teas and English gardens. A visit will be made to the World Heritage Site home of Blenheim Palace which has some wonderful teas and this will be followed by a relaxing visit to the classic Hidcote Manor gardens, a great placed to relax with a small cream tea in the sunshine.
Overnight the Cotswolds

Day 5 – Bath

Depart for the nearby village of Lacock, a stunning little village, well known as being the filming location for several Harry Potter Films as well as being the birthplace of photography and home to some wonderful tea shops including the 12th Century King John Hunting Lodge. This afternoon arrive in Bath for a guided tour including sampling of a famous and delicious Sally Lunn Bun and perhaps you could even sample some of the famous Mineral Water in the Pump House.
Overnight Bath

Day 6 – Wales

This morning we switch countries by crossing the River Severn in to Wales. Welsh language and culture is growing year upon year and you will notice this not only in the signposts and the local accents but also in the food and drink. Whilst we are in Wales we will sample Bara Brith (a sort of tea cake) Cawl Cennin (leek broth) Caws Pob (also known as Welsh Rarebit - cheese on toast) and simple but delightful Welsh Cakes (griddled scone). A visit will also be made to the only distillery in Wales.
Tonight we will attend a Medieval Welsh Banquet in Cardiff Castle
Overnight Cardiff

Day 7 – The Marches

The border between England and Wales has been disputed for centuries and is a land dotted with stunning castle, cathedrals and countryside. The region is also known as The Marches and following The Hidden Highway we pause to tour a cider producer, see Perry Orchards, see Hereford Cattle in their home county and visit a fascinating produce market in Shropshire.
Overnight Shropshire

Day 8 – Burton Upon Trent

Today travel around Birmingham, England's second largest city and arrive in the Peak District and Burton upon Trent, the historic centre of British Brewing. A guided visit with tasting is included at the National Brewery Centre. This afternoon relax in the pleasant gardens and shops of the spa town of Buxton
Overnight Buxton

Day 9 – Temperance Bar

An usual visit this morning to the very small but fascinating Fitzpatrick's in Lancashire. This is Britain's only remaining Temperance Bar that still serves an eclectic choice of non alcoholic cordials. Travel north in to Cumbria where we will pause to visit some of the rural farmers markets and some of the specialist food producers in this area.
Overnight The Lowlands of Scotland

Day 10 & 11 – Whisky Disilleries

The final days of this particular tour focus on the production of Whisky, Malt Whisky in particular. Scotch whisky production like wine is divided in to regions, most of which can easily be visited. Some distilleries are small and intimate and only open on special request and others are some of the most well known brands in the world. All can provide general tours or specialist tours and tastings on request. In this particular tour it is suggested that visits to 2 distilleries in the Lowlands are visited. To extend the tour to other regions such as Speyside or some of the islands then please get in touch and you know we can help.
Overnight Edinburgh

Day 12 – Edinburgh

This day is left free to relax or for you to enjoy Edinburgh in your own way. Perhaps you could find the pub where Ian Rankin often drink, take afternoon tea in one of Edinburgh finest hotels, find the bar with 750 malt whiskies in it, try an Arbroath Smokie, sample Haggis from the best butcher in Edinburgh. Don't even mention deep fried Mars Bars and Irn Bru !!

Day 13 – Departure

Travel by coach with accompanying guide to the airport for departure.

Included Highlights

Accommodations:
12 Nights Hotel

Meals:
12 breakfasts 12 dinners

Sightseeing:
Panoramic sightseeing tour of London, Tower of London with lunch inside, London Brewery Tour, Kent Brewery Tour, Kent Vineyard admission and tasting, Blenheim Palace with Morning Coffee, Hidcote Manor Gardens with Cream Tea, Sally Lunn Bun, Bath Pump House and Roman Baths, Medieval Banquet in Wales, Welsh Whisky Distillery Tour, Herefordshire Cider Producer, British Brewery Museum, Temperance Drink, 2 Lowland Scotland Whisky Distilleries

Also Included:
Airport-hotel transfers, hotel and local taxes, baggage handling, touring by deluxe private motorcoach, London travel pass, services of a professional tour manager, local specialist guides.