The UK Grand Tour - Hiking
Country
Scotland, England
Region
Edinburgh & Glasgow, Lake District, Cotswolds, Devon & Cornwall
Theme
Iconic Journeys
12
Days
11
Nights
Accommodation
3* / 4*
A walking journey through Britain’s most characterful landscapes.
This is a true Grand Tour of the United Kingdom, designed for travellers who want to understand Britain by walking through it. Beginning in Scotland’s capital, the journey threads south through border forests, northern moorland, the Lake District fells, honey coloured Cotswold villages, the UNESCO world heritage site of Bath and finally Cornwall’s Atlantic edge.
Each day balances purposeful walking with cultural immersion and time to relax. Forest tracks, lakeside paths, limestone escarpments and coastal trails – the breadth of walking here is quite something. Supported by expert guides who know when to share a story, when to let the lanscape speak for itself – and perhaps, most importantly where to have lunch! Thoughtfully chosen hotels anchor this tour.
Highlights
- Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town before climbing Arthur’s Seat for panoramic city views
- Forest hiking in the Tweed Valley, home to some of Scotland’s finest trails
- Quiet moorland and dale walking in the Yorkshire Dales National Park
- Classic Lake District fell walking with time beside Derwentwater
- Storybook villages and rolling escarpments in the Cotswolds
- A private guided approach into Bath
- Walking along Cornwall’s Atlantic coast
Handpicked Accommodation
Old Custom House, Padstow
Set on the harbour front, this former 19th-century customs house now offers relaxed coastal accommodation with views across the Camel Estuary.
Why we chose it
Stepping straight out onto the harbour allows guests to slip immediately into Padstow’s atmosphere, with boats rocking gently outside and the tide setting the tempo
The Francis, Bath
Occupying seven elegant Georgian townhouses on Queen Square. Central, walkable and steeped in Bath’s Georgian story, without feeling formal or museum-like.
Why we chose it
The Francis blends historic architecture with refined modern design, right in the heart of Bath.
The Manor House, Moreton in Marsh
Set within immaculate gardens, The Manor House blends classic country house elegance with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
Why we chose it
The balance here is spot on. Refined but relaxed, polished yet approachable.
Borrowdale Gates, Keswick
Set at the foot of Borrowdale Valley, this contemporary hotel sits among some of the Lake District’s most dramatic scenery.
Why we chose it
Floor to ceiling windows frame the surrounding fells.
The Stonehouse, Hawes
A relaxed, cyclist-friendly inn set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, surrounded by limestone scenery and open moorland.
Why we chose it
Honest comfort, good local ale and a welcoming atmosphere.
The Beaumont, Hexham
Occupying an elegant 19th century townhouse near Hexham Abbey, The Beaumont blends heritage architecture with thoughtful modern touches.
Why we chose it
Hexham is an ideal base for Hadrian’s Wall, and The Beaumont places guests right at the heart of the town’s historic fabric.
Peebles Hydro, Peebles
Perched above the River Tweed, Peebles Hydro is a grand Victorian hotel with panoramic views across the Scottish Borders.
Why we chose it
Originally opened in 1878, it blends heritage architecture with modern comfort, spa facilities and sweeping grounds.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome in Edinburgh
We begin in Edinburgh, where layered history rises vertically from the pavement. A guided walk through the Old Town reveals closes, courtyards and stories shaped by centuries of trade, conflict and creativity. From the Royal Mile we climb steadily onto Arthur’s Seat, where the city opens out beneath us, spires, sea and distant hills stitched together. In the afternoon, we transfer south into the Scottish Borders, watching the city soften into rolling countryside. Evening settles in Peebles, with time to relax and gather for a welcoming dinner.
Day 2 – Tweed Valley Forests to Northern England
Morning walking takes us into the forests of Glentress and Innerleithen. These are living landscapes, rich with pine, birch and open views across the Tweed Valley. Trails are chosen for flow rather than difficulty, allowing the group to find its rhythm early in the journey. After lunch, we travel south, breaking the journey with an easy stroll along the shores of Kielder Water. Stillness, water and wide skies mark our quiet crossing into England. We arrive in Hexham by early evening.
Day 3 – The Yorkshire Dales
We transfer to Masham, where northern England’s walking landscapes truly begin to unfold. Dry stone walls, open moorland and long sightlines define the day as we follow classic Dales routes, shaped by centuries of farming life. By late afternoon we reach Hawes, settling into Wensleydale for two nights.
Day 4 – Wensleydale and the Upper Dales
Today deepens our connection to the Dales. Walks explore limestone scenery, river valleys and high pastures, with time to pause in villages that feel unchanged by time. The pace is unhurried, shaped by terrain and conversation rather than mileage alone. A second evening in Hawes allows the group to fully settle, sharing stories over local food and northern hospitality.
Day 5 – South to the Lake District
We travel west into the Lake District National Park, where the landscape rises sharply and dramatically. Walking routes are chosen to introduce the area’s distinctive character, open fell sides, glacial valleys and reflective water. Arrival in Borrowdale places us directly beneath the fells, ready for deeper exploration.
Day 6 – Classic Lakeland Walking
A full day in the Lake District allows for one of the journey’s most memorable walks. Routes are adapted to the group, balancing ascent with sweeping views and time beside Derwentwater. This is walking that feels purposeful, immersive and quietly exhilarating. Evening brings the comfort of a familiar base and the satisfaction that only a day well walked can deliver.
Day 7 – Transfer to the Cotswolds
We head south, watching the drama of the north gradually mellow into rolling farmland. Arrival in the Cotswolds introduces a new visual language, golden stone, gentle hills and carefully shaped villages. A short afternoon walk stretches the legs before settling into the Manor House.
Day 8 – Cotswold Villages
Walking today connects villages, footpaths and open countryside, revealing how deeply walking is woven into everyday English life here. Routes pass churches, hedgerows and quiet lanes, with time for tea, conversation and observation. The day ends back at the manor, gardens glowing in late afternoon light.
Day 9 – Arrival in Bath
We approach Bath with intention, entering the city in a way that reveals its design and history step by step. A guided walk explores Roman roots, Georgian ambition and the city’s enduring cultural pull. The afternoon is left open, inviting guests to explore independently or simply sit and watch the city move around them.
Day 10 – Bath at Leisure
A slower day offers choice. Optional walking routes explore the surrounding hills, while others may choose museums, thermal waters or quiet cafés. Guides remain available, shaping the day around individual interests. This flexibility often becomes one of the most appreciated moments of the tour.
Day 11 – Cornwall and the Atlantic Edge
We travel southwest into Cornwall, where the land meets the sea with confidence. Coastal walking introduces salt air, open horizons and the raw energy of the Atlantic. Padstow welcomes us in the late afternoon, harbour life unfolding just outside the hotel door.
Day 12 – Coastal Paths and Farewell
Our final walk follows the coast, with paths that rise and fall gently above the sea. There is space for reflection here, on landscapes crossed, conversations shared and the quiet satisfaction of having walked a country end to end. A farewell lunch marks the close of the journey, with departures planned to flow smoothly onward.
Itinerary Designer
A practical, well-tested (and brilliant!) way to experience the UK on foot.
Will
Featured Experience
Walking in the Lake District
Walking in the Lake District focuses on established fell and valley routes selected for reliability, scenery and variety.