Best of England in 14 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I thought the tour was wonderful! This was my first experience traveling in a group with a guide and I would definitely do it again. We saw so many amazing places and created unforgettable memories along the way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "wow" moment was when our bus pulled into the walled city of Conwy in Wales. I loved it when our group walked the wall together. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful time and experience! So much to absorb and comprehend. Great way to see parts of a country rich in history and beauty.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Roman bath in Bath. I was there in 1986, and to see how the museum was constructed and the information it provides was exceptional!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was handled smoothly from beginning to end

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cultural components - the Welsh sheep farm, meeting British residents in opportune moments, boat ride in the Lake district "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I loved the Best of England tour. We were fortunate to have good weather, wonderful sights to see, exposure to the country’s long history and seeing some beautiful cathedrals and castles. I learned how to navigate the fabulous Tube and train system and become friends with our touring companions. It was an experience of a lifetime.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many but one was seeing the giant trees and gardens at Bodnant Gardens, and the beautiful countryside of the Lake District dotted with sheep and stone walls. I also enjoyed visiting an allotment garden in Bath and hearing the enthusiasm the gardeners had for nature and growing their own food and flowers. I found the people in England to be friendly and helpful, especially at the Tube and train stations. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was just a wonderful tour, with a great group of fellow travelers and excellent guides. I thought the tour was extremely well constructed, & not only introduced us to the different regions of England (Somerset, the Cotswolds <Stow-on-the-Wold>, Wales <Conwy & Caernarfon>, the lovely Lake District <Keswick and Bodnant Garden>, Northumberland <Hadrian's wall & Vindolana>, medieval York, and cosmopolitan London, but also their respective cultures & the influences that have shaped them.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many outstanding moments in the tour (Gareth wyn Jones' farm in the hills behind Conwy, Avebury Henge, the flour mill & fountain at Stanway House, England's superb public transport system, etc., but if I hold to Andrew's definition of a 'wow' moment being something exceptional that you didn't expect, I'd have to say the entertainment that followed our group meal at the King's Arms in Stow-on-the-Wold. The was an awesome and pure slice of British pub culture I didn't see coming. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well planned and organized and included a good balance of guided tours and time to explore on our own. Our tour guide Deborah was fabulous!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was wowed by the amount of history that occurred at Westminster Abbey!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Deborah was so knowledgeable and helpful. She really knew the history of the area we were seeing. The local guides were great too especially the guide at Glastonbury.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wells Cathedral. I remember turning the corner and there was the cathedral. Just amazing!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was amazing, surpassed my expectations. Jamie our tour guide was very knowledgeable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing my family coat of arms in one of the manors we visited. I knew my family history included the area. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our third Rick Steves tour and it was great. Jamie was full of great information. The mix of bigger towns and smaller towns was well done.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I’m a sucker for cathedrals so Wells cathedral and Westminster Abbey were highlights for me. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed all of the people on the tour plus tour guide Jamie. Enjoyed most of the places we visited. Hadrian’s Wall could be skipped. Would be better if did not have to start so early every morning. I appreciated all of the special meals together. Loved the Pub band.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to the sheep farm and meeting to owners and listening to their story. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

GREAT TOUR .

Favorite "WOW" moment

"WELLS CATHEDRAL"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I felt that the tour was well organized and ran very smoothly. We visited many sites as a group, but also had enough time to explore on our own.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The grandeur of the Abbeys was awe inspiring, but my biggest wow moment was realizing that I could navigate on my own and feel comfortable being an independent traveler."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The cities and towns revisited were all worth it The schedule was busy, our guide did a superb job of being very organized. The food at the group dinners was abundant and very well presented. The choices were all acceptable and very delicious. I liked that dessert was also included. I was disappointed in the hotels. I was disappointed how many had stairs to climb on the outside and inside with no lift. On our tours we had better hotels and most had lifts. Bad mattresses too caused backaches. Why

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really enjoyed seeing the Cotswold Villages, Hadrian's Wall, Yorkshire area, Kensington Palace. It would be nice to have a option for hauling suitcases up narrow winding steep stairs. We would be willing to pay extra for the service. It could be scheduled for tour arrivals. We would pay more for a room with less stairs to climb to. Can that be a option to choose when sign up available. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"At one point while looking at the remains of a cathedral, listening to the history I noticed wildflowers growing atop the ruins, flowing in the breeze- a sort of victory flag for nature. A feeling of calm and hopefulness seemed to wash over me -my perspective had changed and I released some of my angst regarding contemporary politics. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great iternerary, great guide, loved our group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Traveling through the country of dragons - Wales!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed this tour very much. It was a nice combination of sights: gardens, churches, archeological sites, and even a few castles. I do think, as usual, that 2-night stops are not long enough, especially when bounded by travel days. Deborah, our guide, was very good, as was our bus driver Tony. I loved the way they worked together, choosing the best routes and experiences for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wonderful moments, but I was gobsmacked by Glastonbury Abbey. For some reason, the remaining ruins showed me how grand, how huge, the abbey had been, back in the 10th - 14th centuries. Our local guide Edmond painted a wonderfully evocative verbal picture of the complex itself, as well as its role in the society of the time. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My tour had so much history and beauty. Every stop brought amazing sights and experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard to pick just one wow moment, but one of them is when our tour guide, Deborah, took us for a walk after dinner in Kewick. The walk was about 2 miles or so, up hill. We were dying by the time we made it to the top, but we were laughing and still having fun. Then, the moment we pasted through some trees, and made it into the field, the scenery was completely breath-taking! Every moment of the hike became worth it. It was stunning!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Deborah, our tour guide, was an amazing font of info about the areas we explored on the tour. I appreciated her comments as we would travel on the coach between our stops. Tour was very well organized, and the activities we were able to participate in were all amazing!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Watching my husband get to hold a 2000 year old piece of pottery that had just been excavated . My husband is an archaeology buff, and seeing his excitement and awe was amazing! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was just the right length. Deborah was an outstanding tour guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Roman Bath Museum that displayed all of the items found in the area"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Liz is an amazing guide. High energy and with a group as large as ours that is a real plus. She was very creative in responding to changes beyond her control. Example visit to Churchills grave On a personal note I was the only participant with celiac disease and she was proactive in meeting my needs. She yanked the plate out from under me a couple of times when the serving wasn’t gluten free David our bus driver is highly competent, quite delightful and works well with Liz

Favorite "WOW" moment

"York and the Roman fort at Hadrian's wall "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour destinations were perfect. The guide was first class. Fun, knowledgeable, entertaining and always giving us options for our day so everyone’s needs were met. Our group got along so well. I didn’t want the tour to end.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing at the top of the Catbells in the Lakes district of England. Stunning! This was our free day. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great group of fellow travelers and an outstanding guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking around York on the Roman wall under blue skies while a colorful hot air balloon sailed over head."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour guide, Liz, excellent. Bus driver, David, excellent. Hotels great and in great locations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wales on general"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed the fact that this tour went to many different parts of England.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My husband liked the mill and I liked the hill farmer and his dog."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of England Tour in 14 days was outstanding. We got to see, learn and experience the history, culture, and landscape of this beautiful country. From bustling London to the sweet countryside of the lake district, castles, cathedrals, monasteries, museums, food, and Englands rich history from the 1st century to modern day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have two. Climbing to the top of the dome at St. Pauls Cathedral and hiking to the top of the Catbells in Keswick to view the beautiful lake and town below."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour destinations were well chosen, the group compatible, our guide was wonderful and our driver was very capable and friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Mine was seeing the vista at Detwentwater and companion's was seeing the Churchill War Rooms in London. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I had never been to the UK before and felt like I got a great overview of England and a glimpse of Wales as well. I cannot say enough good things about our guide, Liz Boardman. The group was very congenial, if a bit large with 25. We were really on the move and packed a lot into the 14 tour days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many. It was really overwhelming. I would say Bath and York were my favorite cities. It was unique to be touring York Minster as a obviously high society wedding was taking place, and walking the city wall as a hot air balloon was taking off was cool!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed the overview of England, particularly Bath and Keswick. Not having to change hotels every night was also a plus. We had a good group; no problems. But most important we had a great guide in Liz Boardman and Dave the bus driver. They were terrific at logistics, changing plans when something didn’t work out (Blenheim not open) and making the rides interesting. My one complaint was the lack of breakfast choice at Henrietta hotel. I don’t want to eat eggs every day.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The local group who played for us after dinner in Stow-on-wold was so much fun. And they were truly amazed and pleased when we asked them for an encore or two. That’s the type of experience that makes a tour special. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guide was very knowledgeable and professional. Itinerary was well balanced between scheduled tours and free time.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our family had a great time. Robert, our guide, was wonderful - so much information & insight about what we saw. A LOT is packed into this tour. SO much history! The people in our group were nice – lots of smiles. Hotels were lovely. People were nice. Sights were amazing. Since we’ve been home, our kids have been talking about our trip to anyone who will listen. If you look back on a trip & the only negative thing you can come up with is, “Wish we’d been able to stay longer.” That’s a good trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A single favorite wow! moment? How can I pick just one when we saw Glastonbury Abbey, Westminster, Avebury, the Crown Jewels and the Tower of London. We saw Tower Bridge and walked through *Hyde Park. Wandering through Wells. Seeing *Buckingham Palace. *Viewing London from the top of the London Eye. Visiting Wales - btw, now I want to see more of Wales. York Minster, the Royal Crescent. I honestly can’t pick one single wow moment. There were too many of them. (* = things we did on our time)"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had the best time on this tour! Our tour guide Paul was warm, friendly and knowledgeable ! He made our group feel like on big happy family! We really enjoyed him and our very able driver Craig! Felt so lucky to be with a fantastic group of people and everyone got along so well and with Paul’s leadership we all had the best time! Love all the places we visited especially those unexpected stops that turned out to be gems! Very well designed and crafted itinerary and did I mention great food!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Country side walks, castle visits, cream tea service, sheep shearing, fish and chips, big walk after the boat ride, Bodnant Garden , bus rides to all these destinations truly enjoyable! Love the guide from York because he was funny and so passionate about sharing York’s history! Laundry day at the Lake District was a nice surprise"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed this tour very much, interesting locations, beautiful countryside, a great group of travel companions. Our guide Paul and coach driver Craig were both excellent and very fun to travel with. The hotels were good & well located and the food was very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved seeing the beautiful Lake District. The farm visit in Wales was fun and eye opening. Seeing Hadrians wall and the remains of the Roman fort Vindolanda was amazing"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time. Our guide, Paul Guest, was outstanding. And we really enjoyed meeting other travelers and sharing the tour with them. We were impressed by the scope of the tour, which included some very touristy places (e.g. Westminster Abbey) and also some out of the way places (e.g. a sheep farm in Wales).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Winston Churchill's grave. It's in a small cemetery at St Martin's Church in Bladon, where the rest of his family is also buried. Our guide knew exactly where it was and made sure we had a chance to see it."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guide was super helpful, kind and humorous.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Standing on Hadrian's Wall."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a lovely time. Our guide was wonderful, and we learned so much about Britian.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking through the Cotswelds "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time! It was a hassle-free way to see so many places without needing to rent a car or worry about the logistics. We really got to focus on the fun part of our vacation. Our guide Paul was fantastic in setting the context for what we were seeing, was helpful with any questions we had, and has a great sense of humor that kept us all going. We were also lucky that we had a wonderful traveling group that made traveling easy and group events and dinners so enjoyable.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoy how these longer tours include a "break" from your vacation. We had a laundry/free day in Keswick that came at just the right time. We really enjoyed walking along Derwentwater while reflecting on the trip so far and resting up for the next part. It really made a difference for us by striking that right balance of slowing down while still enjoying a vacation with so many wonderful things to see and do. Not a "wow" moment per se but definitely supported all the "wows" along the way."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything I had hoped for and more. Our outstanding guide and bus driver made traveling in England a pleasure. The group on this tour were all the nicest people! We all got along very well while traveling.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian's Wall was a step back in history that will stay with me for a very long time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All went above expectations. Great tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to say. Many great moments. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We had a great tour of England and Wales. Our guide was Paul Guest. He did a wonderful job, along with our driver, Craig.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many. The folk music group in Stow-on-the-Wold was absolutely unexpected so so good!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized, big city and small village experience. Emazing guide (Jamie)

Favorite "WOW" moment

"York was beautiful, and gardens."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was an excellant way to see the history of England from the pre-history stone circles to the Roman settlement at Bath and Hadrians Wall, the fort at Vindolanda to the many castles, forts, and churches built by the Normans.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was impressed by the size and scope of Hadrians Wall/Vindolanda fort. The extent of it was much greater than I had assumed it to be."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Good group, good guide, nice time

Favorite "WOW" moment

"seeing the trees arching around the doorway of the church in the Cotswolds, inspiration for the entrance to the mines of Moria! also Stanway Water Mill, Glastonbury, the Shambles, Wells Cathedral "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall the tour of England was well paced with much to learn and do countered with rest and exploring time. Our tour guide, Robert, has a wonderful calm demeanor that trickles down to the rest of the group. All the tour members were well organized and punctual for departure times. Robert expertly conducted bus time with a balance of terrific new information and quiet time. He was always available for questions and is so knowledgeable about the country. A fabulous tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Roman Baths in Bath! The theme of the different civilizations who have occupied Britain runs throughout the tour and it was bookended nicely by starting in Bath and ending in York/London. The site in Bath is so well preserved and they have curated a wonderful visitor experience. One can almost hear the citizens of Aqua Sulis relaxing in the warm waters. So incredible to see that they also enjoyed ice baths and hot saunas! People don't really change, do they?"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

We were very pleased with first couple of days in Bath then the end of the tour in York, Wales and London. We were disappointed with the middle part of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour highlight was the final day of the tour in London seeing the Tower of London, the Crown Jewels, a boat ride on the Thames, the House of Parliament and Big Ben."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"York Minster"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed the entire trip!!! as I have with all of your tours .

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gareth Jones, Sheep farm. Taking the Tube in London "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was efficiently run and covered most of the sights and activities in the tour description. Wet, cold weather caused cancellation of the Cotswolds walk and the York local guide tour. Our guide and driver were very professional and competent. The visit to Welsh sheep farmer Gareth Wyn Jones did not meet expectations. The sheep dog demo was very short, and he spent a lot of time promoting himself, ending with a merchandise pitch - this is not supposed to happen on a Rick Steves tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We really enjoyed the show by the local musicians at Stow-on-the-Wold. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent guide, hotels, tours, food, coach driver, sightseeing all impressive

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one, learned so much but Hadrians wall and the Roman baths"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a very congenial, interesting, and fun filled tour. England is so different from what I imagined. I loved the small villages, the history, and the beautiful country side.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was definitely more than one! The time travel of Bath to walking in the Cotswold countryside to the lovely Welsh people to The beauty of the Lake District to York minster evensong to the Crown Jewels…so many incredible memories. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Awesome! Really experienced the BEST of England! Each day was a new and different adventure: from stone circles, to pastures filled with sheep & sheep herding, beautiful countryside on our bus ride to each location & strolls through Lake District & Cotswolds, Glastonbury & Roman ruins, beautiful historical cathedrals & Castles!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I felt each day was a Wow! Three of my favorites all include sheep and castles! Walking around the countryside in the drizzling rain, pastures filled with maaing sheep & lambs looking for their mums & suckling while we followed the path to the spread out Avebury Stone Circle!! 2nd one is the really cool castles of Conwy (walking the castle wall) & Caernarfon Castle nearby. I stood in the exact spot that Prince Charles was invested! Up close with Wales sheep shearing & Lake District stroll."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was everything that I expected. Our tour guide, Paul, was thoughtful, organized and fun. Our city tours and cathedral tours were in depth and informative. I enjoyed the English countryside even more than I anticipated.

Favorite "WOW" moment

" I’ve wanted to see Hadrian’s Wall all my adult life. It did not disappoint, even though we had a little rain. I particularly enjoyed the local musical entertainment after dinner in Stow on the Wold. The musicians certainly loved playing and singing together. It felt like we became a part of the community for a time. It didn’t seem “touristy” at all. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of England tour was everything I hoped it would be and more. Our guide, Paul, was organized, knowledgeable, kind and helpful to all of us. Our tour group consisted of interesting, congenial, co-operative travelers which greatly enhanced the overall experience for me. Our accommodations were mostly lovely with the exception of Henrietta House in Bath which I did not enjoy as much as the others.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many “wow” moments and it is very difficult to pick just one. Bodnant Garden was particularly beautiful, followed closely by Snowdonia National Park. I really enjoyed York and attending an Evensong at the Minster. Really, I can’t pick one thing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Itinerary was excellent. It was the right balance between guided activities and free time. Even a laundry morning was included.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is probably obvious, but I most enjoyed seeing places I hadn't been to before. Hadrian's wall was breathtaking and fun to climb on. The weather was properly stormy and a little eerie. York had much more to offer than I expected. The sheepdog demonstration was charming."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our overall experience was excellent. The tour guide was very good - knowledgeable and effective, with an appreciated sense of humor. Local guides were also quite effective and enjoyable. Riding on the bus made for some longer days, but the drive was usually broken up to visit a local attraction, such as Blenheim Palace. Hotels were centrally located and charming. We had mostly nice weather, except for in the Lake District, but we were still able to walk around the town.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"it is difficult to choose. Our favorite activities were visiting the sheep ranch in Wales, Bondant Gardens, and having afternoon tea in Keswick. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time. I think we pretty much experienced everything that we wanted to do. Paul, our guide, did an excellent job managing our time and providing us with truly amazing and informative experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My “wow” moment was Hadrians wall. Standing on it was a bucket list memory that I’ll never forget!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall had a good tour, it was quite enjoyable

Favorite "WOW" moment

"They beauty of the Lake District "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed our guide and fellow travelers. Loved the itinerary.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bodnant Garden was a surprise. I didn't know what to expect and we were lucky to visit when the Laburnum Arch was in full bloom and the gardens were spectacular."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Lots of historic sites, great itinerary and guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Traveling into the lake district and seeing the tall, lush green mountains. I wish the bus would have been able to stop for photos as we were driving."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was great, accommodations comfortable, food choices excellent , people we met were fun but best all was Lorraine our guide. She was exceptional!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wales and the sheep herder Gareth."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The breadth and scope of the tour were wonderful. Our guide was informed and very helpful, the places we visited were fascinating, and the people we met along the way were lovely.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The amazing beauty of the Lake District."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was a very well organized tour with the appropriate level of scheduled and unscheduled time. And, provided a wonderful mix of history and landscape features.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Timing for our garden visit was excellent!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Travel friendly, fantastic tour guide and knowledgeable local guides, great accommodations, very orderly and a bonus of great weather. Highly recommended tour.

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very good. Enjoyed the guide, very informative. Good selection of places to visit. Something for everyone.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Castlerigg Stone Circle. and probably the Shepard. I also liked the flour mill at Stanway house. The house was good too - would have like to see more. The guide here was fantastic. Would have liked to see more trade or manufacturing in some way. A distillery, ceramics, textile mill, etc and Places still used like Haddon Hall - Estate."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first RS experience and we were wowed by the overall quality and what was included for the price.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A sheep farm on a mountaintop in Wales on a sunny morning but fog still on the Irish Sea, an entertaining sheep farmer, and my husband chosen to learn to herd the sheep. What a memory!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide, Lorraine, and the amount of stuff we say made the trip a great experience!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite “wow” moments were going to Gareth’s sheep farm in Wales, the stone circle, and the entire Lake District."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the tour. There were times when there were just too many tourist to contend with, but that is par for the course and really cannot be helped.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I enjoyed York the most. From the quirky streets the history attributed to the Romans, Vikings and Normans. Also enjoyed Wales, such beautiful unspoiled lands with picturesque landscapes. I would also add the Lake district, although the crowds dropped this one to third 'wow'. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our second RS Tour. It fully met our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the beautiful countryside and the historic places."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well-organized and included a good variety of activities. Although all the activities were enjoyable, the overall schedule was too busy at times. Opting out of an activity is not an option on bus days. Some of the places we stayed felt like "bedroom" stops. Perhaps a day free of activity in Keswick would be a solution.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Although there were many "wow" moments, I particularly enjoyed the boat ride in the Lake District. It was my favourite part of the trip. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Good interesting venue, good hotels, great food

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Raven Restaurant in Bath"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was just as advertised with mostly agreeable quirkiness and an appropriate level of effort for a group that was relatively healthy and fit but also well into their 60s on average.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Bodnant Gardens and the drive through Snowdonia National Park although I was disappointed that we didn’t have at least a short walk there. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We found the tour to b3 amazing. The group size was good and well rounded. Felt we got a good representation of England on the tour with many different experiances.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The "wow" was our tour guide David Willet who was amazing. He has a great personality and a gift to gel the group together. His knowledge was outstanding."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded my expectations!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many....Bodnant Gardens in Wales, group dinner followed by live English music to name a few"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Where to start? David was a fantastic tour leader and as I think about this trip a few days later, it's like remembering a dream. The group jelled, and we all left at the end with hugs all 'round. Flawless planning and all my expectations were more than met.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't point to one wow moment. Every day brought another wow moment. The castles, Avebury, Wells Cathedral, Hadrians Wall. Oh - Bodnant Gardens. Oh - and the sheep farm. Not that the weather in England can be controlled, but we lucked out with fantastic weather during our trip. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The trip was great on every level with the exception of the crowds in London, and wishing we had an extra day in York, and The Lake District. David Willet was outstanding as our tour leader. I can't even comprehend his knowledge base. And our fellow tour members were wonderful people. No grumps in the bunch!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to list. Here are 3. Wells Cathedral, Hadrian's Wall, Evensong at Yorkminster."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized. It had a variety of enjoyable adventures, exploring the lush country side, visiting historical sites in large cities and small towns and tasting the local cuisine. Our guide David and coach driver Craig were knowledgeable, friendly and sincerely concerned for the welfare and happiness of the tour members.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many "wow" moments. The visit to the Sheep farm in Whales was outstanding. Gareth and his wife Rhian were very welcoming. It was educational and fun. An important part of travel is gaining an appreciation for other cultures, ways of life, and people. Gareth is passionate about preserving and protecting the future of Hill Farmers. I believe the farm visit is a vital element of the trip and I hope it will always be included in the tour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Roy (the guide) was absolutely fantastic! He made every experience special.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking and standing on Hadrians Wall was the memory of a lifetime. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour, and it was great – a good balance of scheduled tours and free time. Roy was an excellent tour guide, sharing his historical, archeological and political knowledge. Our bus driver Charlotte was fantastic, maneuvering the bus through many tight spots and staying with us until London when a train strike prevented us from the York-London train ride.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bodnant Gardens in Wales and Evensong at the York Minster "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyed tour around England & Wales with great guide, Roy, and fun group of fellow travelers! Interesting variety of experiences...historic sights, gardens, working farm, boat rides, and sheep everywhere!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Fferm Ty'n Llwyfan, the fabulous working sheep farm and the surprising ride up the mountain road in a trailer attached to a huge tractor! Gareth & Rhian were the most charming, warm, interesting and entertaining hosts! Beautiful scenery, amazing animals...the most fun experience! Another fav...Stanway House & Mill. Paul was a delightful guide, who made the tour great fun!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very knowledgeable and competent tour d.irector. Learned a lot as always on a Rick Steves tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sheep farm experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything was well organized and planned. I was busy all of the time and tired each night. A great trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many, every day was interesting and fun."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was everything I expected. Roy was a great tour guide with great stories and great knowledge. Also the group we toured with were a great group of people.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sheep farm"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It turns out that I actually do like history--especially when I learn it from local guides and experts and experiences in the places where it happened. After 14 days of travel through some of the most iconic places in England, I have a deeper understanding of the history, culture, and even geography of the country than I ever thought I could have. Our guides were topnotch, and the range of experiences was perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moments include listening to a local band in a pub, sheepherding in Wales, a gorgeous garden in full spring bloom, walking on ancient walls and through ancient cathedrals while hearing the stories behind them, wandering quaint towns by myself, and getting to know others who are interested in international travel."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Immersive adventures with ample free time to savor the local culture - stroll charming streets, indulge in culinary delights, and discover hidden gems at my own pace. Competent tour guide providing directions to, of all places, London's old Texas Embassy. Also appreciated his humor, as dry as English dry gin.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Pencil Museum in Keswick. Saw it on a video and in the Rick Steves tour book so really wanted to visit. Did and was awed by the giant pencil, a behemoth of graphite and wood Wondered if all the pencils I'd gone through in my life would add up to It. Not your usual museum! Enjoyed learning about something (pencils) that you don't usually think about. Keswick itself was beautiful and enjoyed the boat ride on the lake and walking around the town."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Well planned and organized

Favorite "WOW" moment

"River cruise London"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Best of England trip was more than I expected. It was an incredible experience. Kudos to RS for putting the 2 week itinerary together, circling England and with a pass through Wales. Our group of 23 saw so much. A highlight of the trip was Yorick our RS host and tour guide. He was a weath of knowledge, going beyond what one would expect to explain complicated British history as well as the current state of affairs in the country. This was a 5-star trip for sure.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Evensong choir music at the York Minster (cathedral) and the beauty of Keswick in the Lake District. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Incredible! We visited so many wonderful historical sites and great places. I discovered new parts of England and Wales. I learned so much! Our knowledgeable and helpful Rick Steves' guide Yorick was amazing. We had fantastic local guides (especially Albert in York). We had great local experiences. The hotels were charming. Our tour group had fun together! I loved the history and the many wonderful castles/cathedrals/locations we visited. Everything was amazing and exceeded my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Climbing to the top of a tower at Caernarfon Castle in Wales with another member of the tour group. Our group toured the castle with a local guide, and then the two of us went exploring on our own. We climbed up one of the towers, met a Welsh family on one of the landings and had a wonderful conversation. We continued climbing up the ancient stairs to the top of the tower and were rewarded with an amazing view! I had felt the history and met local people in true "Rick Steves'" fashion! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Bodnant Gardens in Wales. I could have spend 4 hours there. It was beyound beautiful! Also the knowledge of our tour guide Yorick. He guided our tour like a ballet dancer. Beautiful, effortlessly and on point. Herding us cats, with kindness and efficiency. He added so much to the LONG bus rides. History, geology, politics of the time with facts not his opinion. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery in Wales"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Yorick was an outstanding guide, and the tour events were brilliant.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The hike around the lake in the Lake District. But so many moments were "wow" moments, including the sheep farm in Wales. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bodnant Gardens were beautiful and we had great weather there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everything you come to expect from a RS tour. A blend history, culture, landmarks, countryside, villages and city. All was well coordinated by our guide, Bill, with the assistance of local guides. If RS ever learns to control the English weather, all will be perfect.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The local musicians in Stow-on-the-Wold. Fun evening of music."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steves tour and I absolutely loved it. It was the perfect balance of scheduled tours and personal time. The hotels were nice and homey and we were treated very well by all the staff. I also enjoyed the food, every dinner was wonderful! Bill was a wonderful tour guide and made sure to check in with each of us. I also loved the tour guides at each location. They really made history come alive! Shout out to our bus driver Ian, he was able to navigate some tough conditions!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Very hard to pinpoint one Wow moment. I enjoyed it all! Every day I thought this can't get any better, and yet it did! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All the elements contributed to making a great tour, including the sites, the guide, and the food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s not exactly a wow moment, but the English countryside is beautiful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The best weather of our tour was the first few days. Despite the rain, we had a great experience. We had enough free time to explore on our own--shops, walks, museums--and organized activities that got us to the best and most interesting places. We arrived at each location in the late afternoon and were guided on a brief orientation walk of the area close to the hotel. It was wonderful to have dinner together and talk about our adventures and get advice from each other and our guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Wales. The weather added beauty and drama to the scenery. We got out to the hills and onto a sheep farm where we learned about the history, traditions, and best practices from a family with ancient ties to the land. Every view of the mountains was a wow moment. I loved hiking in Keswick--time spent walking in the woods is ever cherished. I wish I'd had more time on the trail."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Everyday there was a new experience, a new "best" moment. Lots of good food, laughs and soaking in the English countryside and lifestyle. It took me 50 years to return to England for a visit and it was everything I'd hoped for.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bodnant Gardens. As a gardener, I was astounded at the beauty of these gardens. So happy my travel partner is a good photographer and took many fantastic pictures to remember this place by! Could have used a few extra hours to explore!😊"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour logistics were nearly perfect, and the guide was outstanding. The included meals were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The gardens near Conwy, Wales"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was great. David, the guide, was superb and a wonderful group of fellow travelers. We were busy, saw and learned a lot, enjoyed the insights provided by guides, made good use of our free time. I appreciated that the first part of the tour was in smaller cities and the countryside of England and Wales and that the end was in London. The coach was comfortable has had a good, personable driver. Appreciated info on transportation and things to do during free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s impossible to choose a single “wow” moment. If forced to name a few especially interesting things: the ingenuity and excellence of builders during the Roman and Medieval eras; visiting the sheep/cattle farm in Wales; and the multiculturalism apparent in London."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Met all expectations! Excellent from A-Z!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stowe-on-Wilde dinner and entertainment by the local singers and performers, with whom we performed Drowsy Maggie on our ukes, in D, with those excellent musicians! Just plain fun! Oh- but also the visit to Garaeth’s farm to hear his views and see his dog work the sheep with our friends- oh, and…."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized. Outstanding tour guide. Well chosen sites!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Many wow moments! We are new to this type of experience and everything we did was exciting and interesting. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour, although we’ve been watching (and rewatching) the PBS shows for years. Several friends have done multiple tours and said we wouldn’t be disappointed. They were right. Everything about the tour was amazing, especially the guide. David made everyone special and his knowledge and enthusiasm was extraordinary. We will definitely do more tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our trip to Garth’s sheep farm was entertaining and enlightening. Watching Macs herd the sheep was truly magical and Garth’s passion was infectious. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the whole tour! Saw the beauty of England, the history and enjoyed the people. Our group was considerate, timely and interesting. We met some Wonderful new friends. David our tour guide was excellent! He was witty, knowledgeable and easy to follow. He surely made our experience the best!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment was York Minster. I have seen many historical monuments, cathedrals etc, but the English have maintained this cathedral well. I absolutely loved the enormous amount of light filled painted glass windows. Best ever! David was always on task providing excellent information and charm. Pace was great and truly enjoyed the group conversation. I have enjoyed all 6 of my Rick Steve’s tours. Each different in their own way. Thanks David!!!! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

David Willett was a wonderful guide. All the sights selected for the tour were interesting. Our group was very cohesive and fun. Craig was a great Coach driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the sheep farm (I got to attempt to work a sheep dog, but the dog only understood Welsh!!) and the lake district in general. There were really too many to list."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was very well organized and executed. We were kept busy with activities and information.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking down the street in Keswick with the shops, pubs, and stores."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many! LOVED Glastonbury, Avebury, Hadrian's Wall, York - It was truly wonderful in every way."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It’s difficult to put into a few sentences how satisfying this trip was for me. I’ve been an armchair Anglophile for 50 years and this trip proved the stork dropped me off in the wrong country. I adored all of the UK experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Selecting one “wow” out of hundreds is a tall order. At this moment I’m going to say walking Hadrian’s Wall, but if asked again in 15 minutes it could well be something else."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This one one of the best trips I have ever experienced. The best part were the people that were on the tour and our tour guide Lorraine. Wonderful...I'd do it again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The window view from my hotel room in Keswick was amazing!!! It is the one image I show everyone when they ask about my trip. Keswick was not on my radar as a place to visit and it was a great surprise. I love being introduced to places that I had no expectations."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Lorraine was perfect. Great Tour Guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably too many to note."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time! We learned so much about parts of history to which we had never really been exposed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Number one moment was visiting Gareth and Rhiann on their sheep farm in Wales. It was fun and highly educational. Good to be reminded of the integral role farmers play in our world - not only providing the food we eat, but also being good stewards and conservationists."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful adventure. Our tour guide was outstanding. Helped in any situation, energetic and a wealth of information. We enjoyed all the stops and want to revisit them all again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That I was touching stones and walking paths that others were at 2000 years ago."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I went to North England to see the sights and came away not only seeing many sights, but getting a history lesson as well. I have a much better understanding of English history and its people now. This is our first Rick's tour in several years due to Covid. It was much as we remembered. Not just the major sights. Rick's guide was very friendly and welcoming. As well as very knowledgeable. The coach was comfortable and the driver was very accomplished, as well as friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't think I had a real wow moment. Everything was very good. Some moments were a little better than the others. I enjoyed seeing Conwy and the sheep farm. It was interesting to see the various cathedrals and their relationship to their place in history. I really enjoyed the Hadrian's Wall museum. The Indian food restaurant in York was outstanding."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We’ve been to England many times so this was sort of a fill in tour for things that either one or both of hadn’t seen. The tour was at a good speed. Perhaps because we didn’t feel it was necessary to try to get a lot done on our free time. I caught a cold (tested negative for Covid)early on and we were segregated at the back of the bus and in restaurants so we missed out on the interaction with the others which is something we normally enjoy on a Rick Steves tour. Wore a mask so no one caught it

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sheep farm was a typical Rick Steves experience, something wonderful you’d never do on your own. We certainly enjoyed the folk music. I couldn’t believe that time was up when they quit. The time just flew by. York Minister was something we looked forward to and it didn’t disappoint. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, David, made the trip smooth and his knowledge of history made it more interesting! We saw castles and Abbeys along with Roman ruins and baths! But I most liked seeing the countryside and staying in small villages where we met the locals! Our bus was first class and the driver was amazing! We made friends with wonderful people who were on the tour! Visits to St Paul’s Cathedral , the Tower of London and riverboat ride down the Thames River didn’t disappoint!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Although it’s hard to pick just one moment, I enjoyed going to the sheep farmers home in Wales and seeing his dog herd sheep and then the farmer shear a lamb! He talked about being a sustainable farm. Also he shared that he showed a man with a vineyard how putting wool as mulch on his vines was not only profitable but biodegradable! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time throughout the tour, although we had a slow start. We lost 3 of our tour members to COVID, so that put a bit of a damper on our initial interactions with the other travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our visit to Bodnant Gardens was spectacular. The weather cooperated (the sun popped out for a while), and although it was September and fewer plants were in bloom, it was still a beautiful site."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time exploring England and Wales with our tour guide David and our coach driver Dave. Starting at breakfast before our first meeting when David introduced himself, he was the consummate host. He remembered things about each traveler and would point things out of special interest to each one of us. He also had a great sense of humor and was definitely a learned scholar.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many from this awesome tour - the group dinner at the Indian restaurant in York, the walk along the lake with Dave, and Blenheim Palace were some of my favorite moments. The York tour with our local guide, Albert, was just jaw-dropping. I loved the multi-vintage buildings, "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a great journey! Terrific tour leader David, driver Dave, and fellow travelers. Coach rides were often long but needed to get us to fabulous places. Loved the countryside along the way and the beautiful locations visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our “wow” was Wales. What a beautiful part of the UK—lush, green and full of sheep! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great opportunity to see a lot of amazing places in England and Wales. The lake district was just stunning, and really enjoyed seeing the cotswolds in person.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing a lot of artifacts from the Roman occupation of Britain (primarily in Bath, and along Hadrian's wall). Very enjoyable, especially since I had visited Rome last year on another Rick Steves tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time! Our tour guide, Bill, was fantastic--very knowledgeable and personable. The group of travelers got along very well. We saw a good mix of sites/points of interest and the pace of the tour was appropriate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gosh, there were so many! We especially loved exploring the Lake District. It was like living inside a painting! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

England was both familiar and full of surprises. I was not expecting the variety of the experience. In our limited time I think we covered all that could be expected. Each day I went to bed tired and satisfied that we had maximized the day. I especially like the mix of structured time and free time so that it was possible to tailor the tour to my interests.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There is very little I would do differently. One night in Stow in the Wold a band played traditional music for us. It was so emotionally satisfying I didn't want it to end. Incredible. I think driving through Wales and the Lake District was very special."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our second Rick Steves tour and the trip met all of our expectations based on our wonderful first trip

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the parts of England that were not so well-known to us such as The Lakes District"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of towns, cities, historical sites and local attractions visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Scarper side trip to Stonehenge (65 years in the making), Westminster Cathedral and Buckingham Palace for Changing of the Guards."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This tour has a little bit of everything!! Beautiful Bath, daytrip to Wells and Glastonbury, rugged Wales, Keswick in the Lake District, York and London! Our guide Jeannie was amazing and we had a few things pop up on our tour like a train strike, that meant a long bus ride from York to London so there were a few things we weren’t able to do!! A few days with torrential rains! Our tour mates were wonderful!! The bus was comfortable!! The food was great! We already are booked for next fall Italy!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many!!! The Roman Baths, Ruined Glastonbury Abby, the pub dinner and music in Stowe. Walking the castle walls in Conwy and Bonate garden in Wales. Aburey stone circle!! Castlerigg stone circle near Keswick, Walking on Hadrian’s Wall! Beautiful York and the cathedral!! And the sights of London!! Our wonderful tour guide Jeannie had cheese and wine party for Berta’s birthday while in Keswick and our whole group showed up to help celebrate!! What a great group of people!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another fantastic Rick Steves Tour! Guide Jeanie reviewed a wealth of relevant English history with us and tied it all together. She also shared her views of current issues in the UK including the need for better government leadership, Brexit issues & excessive government spending. The English people we met were very welcoming and friendly. I didn't realize there were so many churches, abbeys, cathedrals and minsters in the country. The beautiful golden color of local stone was unexpected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Attending the evensong service in York Minster was a very special experience. The quality of the choir voices and the resolution and clarity of the sound was amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a wonderful time! Our tour guide Paul was great, as was Craig our bus driver. Everyone on our tour were fun loving, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to be with for 14 days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved watching Don and Stacy herd sheep, the Tower of London was my favorite, so much history and of course the Crown Jewels."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"sheep shearing in Wales"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The leader, Paul, was outstanding and provided humor and information throughout the tour. The hotels were tremendous! The weather was cold and wet but we still had a brilliant time, or as they say in England, “It was alright.”

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing the sycamore tree at Haiden’s Wall before it was cut down the day after. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great tour guide, Paul, and a wonderful bus driver, Craig. We had a lovely group of 21, and we all got along and had a lot of laughs together. The weather wasn’t the greatest during the first half of our tour, but that didn’t stop us from seeing some marvelous places. We enjoyed the smaller inns and unique travel experiences, like sheep herding in Wales. We came away feeling like we had really experienced England, from both its humble and magnificent past. Loved it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was most awestruck by the cathedrals and the stained glass. We even went to Evensong at the Minster in York, which was beautiful. I also loved the history at Hadrians Wall and the Roman ruins that still remain."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide,David, was very knowledgeable and wanted us to enjoy the trip. He worked very hard to insure everything went smooth. Dave the driver was very professional and outgoing.All the stops on the tour were very enjoyable. We came home with lots of good memories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The trip to Wales and the beautiful scenery."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour itself was excellent. Our tour guide, David, was outstanding. Hotel accommodations varied from adequate to very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick just one, but I’ll say Hadrian’s wall. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was filled with mostly amazing things to see and experience. Our guide David was beyond excellent. Our coach driver David was also excellent. Hotels were mostly very good and always central to the sights.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"York and Yorkminster were amazing. So many things to see."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a “bucket list” trip that we waited 25 years to take. It was definitely worth the wait! We learned so much about the history and culture of England and saw places that we would have not known to see on our own. Our guide, David, brought the tour to life! It was a “once in a lifetime” experience for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many WOW moments! I loved Wells Cathedral. It was our first cathedral and had so many interesting details. Our local guide, Peter, was so enthusiastic about sharing his love of the architecture and inside stories. Other WOW moments included: the way the folk singers in Stow bonded our group, the scenery in Wales and Snowdonia, the magic of the stone circles, the charm of Bath, the variety of historical homes, the eclectic feel of York and the excitement of London!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great trip. It would have been perfect except for Covid!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It may sound strange but my favorite moments were not WOW moments. My favorite times on the tour were the quiet walk through the Cotswolds, the drives around Wales, and visiting Bodnant Gardens."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great tour with an outstanding tour guide, great traveling companions visiting a wonderful country. Our guide David was knowledgeable, funny, entertaining and compassionate when Covid troubles popped up. The weather didn't always cooperate, but we put on our rain gear, opened the umbrellas, and pushed on.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I expected it to be Blenheim Palace but I think that it was walking the wall in York. Great views and so much history all around."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a very enjoyable and broadening experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We enjoyed the Roman baths in Bath, and the ruins near Hadrian’s Wall. The sheep farm in Wales was also very memorable. Our favorite city was York."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Nice itinerary - felt a bit rushed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sheep farm in Carneddau Mountains."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It exceeded all our expectations

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The delicious food. We had heard that the food in England was rather bland! This is not true! Every meal which we had on our tour was wonderfully delicious with a nice assortment of dishes!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, the experience exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed the touring with other people so much more than I ever thought I would.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The countryside was so beautiful- like something in a story book."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many, loved the green hills and sheep everywhere!!!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Variety of activities keep tour interesting!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Victoria and Albert museum was wow moment for us. Such a great museum!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful tour! The selected sights were varied and enjoyable. The guide, Bill, was terrific. We were fortunate to experience mostly sunny weather - albeit warmer than expected - and that just added a pleasant bonus to a great trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tour of the personal home of a current English noble. Fascinating to see first-hand what life is really like, and the burdens of caring for extensive property in a modern time."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Bill was exceptional, he was personable, perceptive, so very knowledgeable and he had good leadership skills. The tour sites were the right ones to see. We were given a good overview of England, history going back to the stone circles, Roman influence, the current day differences within Britain including Wales and the unique language, and the scenery was fabulous. We saw more churches than usual on this tour. We went to St Pauls' instead of Westminster which I regret.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to choose just one. Wells Cathedral was really something, but then York was wonderful too. The bucolic scenes of the Cotswolds were a kind of wow moments, but then we went to Keswick and saw the gorgeous scenery of the Lake District which competed for "wow". Watching the herding dog round up sheep in the mountain top farm in Wales with the fog laden morning mist and the glimpse of the ocean in the distance had to be my biggest wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our overall experience on the Best of England tour was great! We enjoyed learning England's history, the small towns were fascinating, our tour guide, Bill, was very personable, and the people in our group were friendly and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our WOW moments were several: the Roman baths in Bath, the stone circle outside of Keswick, the pencil museum, the wall walks, all of Wales, Hadrian's Wall, Glastonbury Abbey, York Minster, Thames River boat cruise. Now also the Sycamore Tree in that Gap that no one else will be able to enjoy. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Despite an overly warm first few days in Bath and Stow-in-Wold, the trip couldn’t have been any better. The group I travelled with were a fun and adventurous bunch of people who rolled with the punches and lack of a/c. Camaraderie abounded. This was definitely aided by the gentle and professional hand of our guide Bill who was phenomenal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enjoying the “shabby chic” of Stanway House in the morning and then enjoying an afternoon by myself walking through the village of Stow-in-the-Wold talking to different shop owners and getting the feel of life there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first Rick Steves tour surpassed our wildest expectations. Our guide, Bill, was so personable and knowledgeable that he just added to a fantastic experience. Everything was thoughtfully planned for our comfort with just the right amount of downtime for us to explore each location. I can't wait to go on another tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many that it's hard to pick just one. However, I will never forget herding sheep at Gareth's farm. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Best of England tour was wonderful, as I suspected it would be since we had been on a Rick Steves tour before. The balance of destinations, experiences and fellow tour members was just right - immersing us comfortably in the culture, history, art, architecture, people and natural beauty of this extraordinary land. Our tour guide, Bill, was amazing - so thoughtful and kind as he orchestrated the very best experience every step of the way with genuine humor, helpful support and deep insights.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So hard to choose a favorite - we were “wowed” at every turn! We were especially moved, though, by the beautiful (and sustainable) English countryside with its distinctive hedges, meandering dry stone walls, sheep-covered grassy hills, and walkable fells; the depth of Roman history from the Roman baths at Bath to the remarkable sites and museum at Vindolanda; and the rich (and enriching) “music” of folk singers, the spoken English and Welsh languages and the sublime evensong at York Minster."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, great driver, fun tourmates, beautiful sites.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our 5th RS tour and they keep getting better. The fellow travelers were awesome-we bonded quickly enhancing our travel experience. Bill -awesome guide could not have been better--loved his knowledge, personal touch--he bonded with our group--became part of it--cared with special attention to each of us. England: my ancestral roots are here, the history, super friendly people, beautiful countryside, stunning castles, palaces, museums--it's all here-our 3rd trip to England--the best by far!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. Actually the entire experience was a huge wow! Evensong at Westminster Abby is a top wow! As was Glastonbury Abby and hiking the Tor! Just about everything about York--especially the Cathedral (evensong here as well) were all WOW's ! If I had to pick one--it'd be the incredible beauty of The Lake District and hiking the Catbells! Unforgettable and beautiful experience in the middle of an unforgettable trip. While I'm adding wow's I'd Bill and Greg--our driver--were wow's"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour! It was nice to have all the planning taken care of. Overall we enjoyed the itinerary, great tour guide and bus driver. Wonderful food!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian's Wall and Vindolanda and learning about the Roman ruins in Britain. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 5th Rick Steves tour, a fantastic guide, a great itinerary, interesting hotels with good food and outstanding local guides. Plenty of free time to make the trip meet our interests. We were so fortunate to be a part of a really great group of travelers. We'll have memories for a lifetime.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian's wall and Vindolanda was our WOW moment. Just being there to witness the remains of a civilizations in the 3rd century is such a rare and powerful experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour so we were excited, curious, and a little nervous. No need for the latter. From the first meeting to the final meal we were made to feel welcome and comfortable. The tour suited us perfectly. It was casual and a good balance of structured activity and free time. This might have been our first but it won’t be our last!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s hard to choose one because there were so many “wows,” so I will select York because it was an “aha, I get it” moment. It seemed everything we had experienced to that point suddenly came together and made a complete picture out of the puzzle pieces."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

After some busy years on the home front, it was a luxury to have someone take care of transportation, lodging, tickets, and some meals. Our guide was organized, good humored, very knowledgeable of areas visited, and a good walker. The Best of England in 14 Days included the places that I had hoped to visit plus several that I didn’t know about or would have been difficult to visit on my own such as the sheep farm and Stanway House with the water-powered mill for flour. Punctual tour mates.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose a favorite. I liked the stone circles at Avebury. Hard to imagine construction of the circle and surrounding ditch considering the limited tools available at the time. I enjoyed walking the circle of ancient stones strolling among the sheep, opening and closing gates as I progressed. The mostly treeless rolling green hills were lovely. The houses in the village, some with thatched roofs covered with mesh wire to protect thatch from birds seeking nesting material, were charming. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed every aspect of the tour from the group size, the roominess of the bus, the organization of the tours, the tours themselves, the hotels, the group dinner gatherings and most of all our tour quite Lorraine. I came to experience the history, the culture and the countryside of England. This tour checked all those boxes and more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to say my favourite wow moment was the Bauden garden tour in Wales followed closely by the sheep farm tour in Wales. If I had toured England on my own I would never have seen these. They were both a surprise to me."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our first RS Tour and we were pleased with most of our experiences. Everything was very planned out, from our first evening walk in Bath to our last evening meal together. However we felt a little rushed at times.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Conwy Wales and Wales overall. The town, the sheep farm, Snowdonia National Park and Bodant Gardens. Beautiful area and very friendly people."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and shared his thoughts and insights on many of the sites and events. The pace of the tour was great and not too demanding. We made many friends who we hope to keep in touch with. The coach driver was very helpful and friendly. We had a great time on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visits to the Cathedrals was very meaningful to us. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first RST and I really enjoyed it. I went on the 2 week best of England tour. Our guide David was great!! As I was a single woman by myself he made me feel welcome. He encouraged everyone to make new friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wales and The Lake District. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very good to excellent. Well organzed, David our tour guide was entertaining and still deleivered historical content. Tony the driver was outstanding-- a master of his craft.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit the Welsh sheep farm (Ty'n Llyyfan) and meeting Gareth and his wife Rhian. Entertaining, fun, but what impressed us the most was his passion and respect for the land, his sheep and doing what he can to maintain the cutlure and values of of the local farmers. Meeting real people and learning about the real culture and traditions-- this is what separates Rick Steve's tours from others. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The whole trip was a wonderful experience. But I did, especially appreciate the encouragement of getting to know all the fellow travelers. Our tour guide was exceptional! Most all of the experiences were very good. A few of the hotels could’ve been a little nicer, but I understand the location was the first and foremost important factor of where we stayed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s hard to pin down one moment, because I probably said wow many times in the course of the tour. But I especially liked Keswick and York, and many of the beautiful gardens that we visited."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a thorough tour of highlights of the north and south of England - very full days with lots to see and do. In two weeks we covered a lot of ground and experienced many of the experiences England has to offre

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the 'history lessons' given by our guide throughout the trip. In-depth information and stories about the politics, history and lots to information about the places we were visiting were presented on the bus as we travelled from place to place. Made the tour 100% more interesting and the talks were always laced with dry British wit and humour. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Informative, entertaining, lots of walking, great food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian’s Wall"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Although this tour was rated as moderately active, it was much more strenuous. I've been on the 17 day tour of northern Italy, listed as very active and had no trouble keeping up. Most of us were tired after the first week. I think I also had unrealistic expectations about the English countryside. After seeing many shows on TV about the quaint little towns, they really didn't appear that way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the sheep herding outside Conwy, and the evening entertainment in the pub in Stow-on-the-Wold."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Traveling with a small group is wonderful. Our guide, Nigil, was fun and full of information. His knowledge was shared with us effortlessly and he went above and beyond to keep us engaged and energized. From the ease of transportation, the unique and varied accommodations, and the mix of sites we visited, our expectations were exceeded.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were “wow” moments every day, some days multiple, but my favorite has to be attending Evensong at the Minster in York. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I appreciated the balance of historical and cultural experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking up to Bath Abbey at the beginning of the trip. It had been 37 years since we had been in Europe and toured the historical sites of Europe in 21 days guidebook. I forgot just how grand the buildings are. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour had it all for a history lover at heart! From ruined Abbeys to towering Cathedrals, from stately Manor Houses to fortified Castles, from quant countryside villages to a city with over 2000 years of occupied history. I greatly enjoyed every stop and experience on this whirlwind first trip to England and Wales.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A couple of my favorite tour experiences included walking among the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, witnessing the beauty of Wells & York Cathedrals, conquering two castles in northern Wales, walking the medieval town walls in Conwy and York, and literally touching history at Avebury and Vindolana sites. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a great time as I met others in our tour group. We kept busy as our tour guide gave us insight during each activity/place we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment would have to be the great fields along the hills that used rock walls to be separated. The walls seem to be random not square blocks like would be seen in other areas. It was great to see all the sheep, and to see the stop, we made to see the sheep being corralled and shared. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good tour members, all friendly. We were worried that we would be the oldest (75) and hold people up so we joined the YMCA and got back in shape. Mark, our guide, walked at a descent pace, chatted all the while telling us about what we were walking by. I think he’s been in every little town we passed though. Also he knew all the guides and families we visited and we in turn were treated special! Thanks Mark!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Jones Hill Farm was a special night! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour and tour guide, Mark. This was our fifth Rick Steves' tour and it did not disappoint.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wells cathedral, York cathedral, Hadrian's wall, folk music, sheep dogs and dinner with Gareth and his family"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved it! We saw more than I thought possible in 14 days and it was an awesome introduction to the best parts of England and Wales.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oh boy...so many! The Cotswolds was probably my overall favorite in terms of scenery. However, there were places and experiences that I loved that were a surprise! Wales was beautiful! The experiences that I will remember most fondly are the hike to Castlerigg stone circle in the rain, drinking in traditional pubs and talking to locals, walking through the Cotswolds, walking by Derwent Water lake, and walking the castle walls in Conwy. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The experience of traveling all around Great Britain which I have never done was a real treat mile after mile of green roving hills and thousands of sheep. The rain got tiring which happened on most days but our daily experiences were great. Our guide Mark was extremely knowledgeable and kind during the trip and was available to all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While in Conway we took in a concert right behind our hotel during our afternoon break. Two choruses sang in Welsh to a packed house and in the end the groups must have ended in singing the national anthem as all the audience stood. Other wow moments were getting to experienced the castles especially trekking up and around Caernarfon Castle. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent experience. Our first Rick Steves tour. It was exactly what I anticipated. Tour guide was great and fellow tour members were very likeable and pleasant.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was not a favorite wow moment, but the entire tour was outstanding. Every stop had fond memories."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Initially, I believed I was not a group tour person as I always took care of my own travel and did my own planning. But after our 14 days touring the UK, I’m a convert. This was such a varied, intellectually interesting, well planned/executed tour that was stressfree and cost-effective for us. We tallied up what it would have cost to pay for hotels, food, tours ourselves and we could have done it for less. Such variety and the depth of information and care for members was outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many to choose from… wandering through the ruins of Vindolanda, the Roman fortress at Hadrians’ Wall was something I will never forget. Dozens of leather shoes in the museum worn by inhabitants during the 7 centuries of Roman occupation starting in the 1st century AD! The charismatic Wales sheep farmer, the Conwy and Caernarfon Castles, walking the ancient city walls of York at dusk hearing the York Minster bells ringing in song. Touching the stones of Avebury."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What we saw and did while on the tour, was beyond expectations!! I learned so much about each area and it's history. Plus made new friends doing activities with the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's a hard choice, I would have to say the beauty of Bodnant Gardens was stunning and also seeing the beautiful mountains in the Lake District. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The itinerary, our fellow travelers, the guides and virtually every other aspect of our tour exceeded our expectations.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Terrific time, guide, driver and great group

Favorite "WOW" moment

"English gardens in Wales and hiking in Lake District "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed the entire tour and the people in our group. The tour guide was terrific.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Difficult to pick just one but I especially liked our picnic in Glastonbury which included the best strawberries I have ever tasted. An equal highlight was Bodnant Gardens in Wales. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time taking vacation / tour. We had a wonderful time. Our tour guide was outstanding. He was very knowledgeable and personable and he made us like locals. We thoroughly enjoyed our guide and he went out of his way to make sure everyone had a great time. We also had plenty of time each day to explore on our own. We quickly bonded with the other people on the tour and we made new friends. We plan to go on another Rick Steves tour with several of our new tour friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moment - every day of the tour was a Wow moment. Each day was another new adventure. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 4th Rick Steves tour, and once again it was a life-long memorable experience. Having the itinerary carefully chosen for both education and entertainment, the transportation arranged in a diverse and exciting way, the meals served at quality and local-flair restaurants, the unique and personalized hotel accommodations, and the opportunity to connect closely with great people were all wonderful and greatly appreciated.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The rainbows in Conwy Wales."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Good tour, saw a lot of England which is what I was looking for. Hotels were average at best, group meals were not great, one drink should have been included with group meals.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"York - I found York to be a very cool city. I loved it"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was blown away by the beauty of the English countryside and seeing sheep sprawling on rolling green hills. The tour truly imbued the quaintness and rich history of Great Britain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our tour guide, Robert, timed an impromptu visit to Castlerigg during the brief interlude between rainfall. The views of the valleys and masonry on our way to the stone circle will be with me forever."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

England/Wales in 12 days was our second Rick Steves' tour following our 2019 tour of Ireland. We thoroughly enjoyed it; learned so much about England and Wales; saw places and sites that we had never seen or experienced. Our tour guide, Deborah and driver David were outstanding! Deborah added to our understanding of every place we traveled; was an understanding guide with a diverse group of 26; and ensured that we had a nice experience with small touches like a July 4 picnic!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That's a tough one as unlike Ireland, there were no Cliffs of Moher or Giants Causeway. To pick one in England/Wales, I'd have to go with the York Minster. We had never been to York and were so impressed with everything about the city. The tour of the Minster with Chris; Evensong on Wednesday night; climb to the roof and sheer history and beauty carried the Minster for us. I'll write it later but 3 nights in York and only 2 in Bath would be our recommendation for the future."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is my second Rick Steves tour, both to England. Our guide, Deborah, was a fount of knowledge, adept at wrangling all of us, and set the tone for an excellent trip. My fellow tour members were friendly and helpful, and I enjoyed getting to know them. I highly recommend the Best of England in 14 days and will not soon forget the Roman ruins, picturesque villages and soaring cathedrals and all the rest of our experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian’s Wall was unforgettable."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We enjoyed our tour, Deborah our tour guide was hardworking and very helpful. She also kept us up to date on things we needed to know each day. I wish that there had been a visit to a more picturesque Cotswold Village in the tour (the only thatched cottages we saw, we driving by on the bus.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Minster in York. York was probably our favorite place and probably deserves three nights vs just two."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 9th Rick Steves tour so we knew what to expect and this tour was no different…. a great tour guide, a wonderful itinerary, great hotels, good local dining and outstanding local guides, with ample free time and a lively, interesting tour group. A winning combination!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to mention, Bath in it’s entirety, the visit to Glastonbury, the Folk group concert at Stow-on-the -Wold, the drive through the Cotswolds, the beautiful scenery in and around Keswick, Evensong at York Minster, the visit to Oxford, the sites in London, all were exceptional."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was great. Three nights in the city of Bath was effective in helping me and my traveling companions acclimate to England and the time change. Our journey through the English countryside, though not as exotic as other European sites,was charming, and each stop had its special delights. By the time we got to London we were seasoned travelers, ready to take on this crowded bustling town.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Although the uphill walk to Hadrian's Wall was a bit challenging, being on the Wall was a wow moment for me. I loved the history and the surrounding countryside was beautifully atmospheric on this cloudy chilly day. My favorite stay was in Conwy, Wales. Gareth's sheep farm was both fun and thought-provoking. add an exciting tractor pulled wagon ride, a couple of adorable dogs, a round up and sheep shearing demonstration, it was the kind of unforgettable experience I've had on Rick Steves tours."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

There were only a few things I would change - one is the weather, and of course we have no control over that! It was. VERY hot in Bath, and no air conditioning made it uncomfortable. A little more free time in a few towns would be nice, also.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Avebury standing stones were amazing - silently magical and compelling. It was exciting to see them and wonder about their purpose, and about the people who placed them there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 4th Rick Steves tour and it did not disappoint. A fantastic tour guide, a friendly group of travelers, and a great itinerary made for an excellent tour. The mix of charming countryside, mountains, lakes and city kept things interesting. We enjoyed exploring on our own and visiting some of the many English pubs!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The walk with our guide in the Cotswolds was so picturesque and something I had looked forward to. Our hike up to Hadrian's wall was both challenging and exciting. Our time in Wales and especially our visit to Gareth's farm was entertaining and informative. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

There were many interesting places to see. Each day brought new and exciting landmarks. Each day was also challenging but definitely worth the effort to be able to have such marvelous views.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour of Westminster Abby was my "wow" moment - really enjoyed our tour guide."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic experience mostly because I was very lucky to be with the whole tour group that I bonded with immediately. We had so many laughs together. Many of us were single travelers that also loved art. We had many things in common. All our personalities matched very well. Our guide, Jamie also had a great sense of humor that made us feel very comfortable. He was very easy to talk to because he shared many things about himself and his experiences growing up in England.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My first “wow” monument was in Bath on the first evening when we walked to Royal Crescent. I’m a big fan of Jane Austen’s books and seen many dramatization programs showing those buildings, so to see them in person was like a dream. Glastonbury cathedral ruins was another wow romantic and haunting place for me. Many fabulous meals were also wows because I was in England 20 years ago and remembered food being terrible. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Plenty to do...new things to see...travel with a knowledgeable guide and new acquaintances. Deborah kept the group moving at a good pace and provided all with a wealth of new information about each place we visited. She did a wonderful job in providing information that gave everybody something that they craved to know a bit more about.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Several wow moments were to be had. For me, it was the wide-open spaces, the views of mountains, rolling hills, lakes, and the Irish Sea. I had always envisioned England as having larger, more populated areas. I welcomed the country and all the "green"."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed every aspect of the tour. We had a fun group, outstanding guide and the itinerary was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The inspiring beauty of the Lake District. Keswick was such a fun town. From our hotel we had an amazing view of the Lake and the surrounding mountains. Our visit to Castlerigg Stone Circle and our boat ride on the lake were a highlight."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

professionally put together, outstanding history told by our tour director Debora all along the routes, perfectly times tours, great tours (all) great coordinated group diners, loved all the unique hotels specifically Conwyn and Keswick, we will be back

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Roman village and fort and all the cathedrals "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous tour! Great mix of castles, cathedrals, pubs, towns and cities!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment was meeting Andrew Birley at Vindolanda, which, as a history teacher and archaeologist, was a dream come true! The museum and site are incredible, and the time we spent there will be a lifetime memory!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All went smoothly. Great restaurant choices!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We took a side trip to Liverpool, that tour was our “wow” moment. Liverpool would be a great addition to this tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our third Rick Steves tour and it was the third time that the tour had an outstanding guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not a particular moment, but I was wowed by the consistent high quality of the food. I wasn't expecting this in England of all places."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first RS tour and I appreciated the overall thoughtful planning that was so obviously done so that our arrivals at different sites were well timed and provided insight into how history and geography have influenced British society today. Britain has the best ruins,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Glastonbury Abbey ruins. It was a picturesque day. The grounds were quiet. The historical evidence of a time long past yet still bearing witness to the huge impact of a willful act by a narcissistic king puts life into perspective. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a great tour and took me to places I always wanted to see plus some extras!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian’s wall did not disappoint even though it rained it was amazing standing in ancient history. We visited the museum first which gave me all the information needed to make it an even better Wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My first RS tour convinced me that more are in my future. I experienced much more in England than I could have on my own. I'm grateful to Robert the guide and Tony the driver, and I'm delighted with all my new friends. As a vegetarian, I was doubly pleased to have so many dining options. The level of activity was just right for me, and every stop on the itinerary was stimulating.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't pick one "wow" moment. Robert's narration of the history and significance of the Avebury stone circle in the context of other Neolithic monuments and earthworks in the area was meaningful and memorable. Also, I will remember always the lushness and seasonal beauty of Bodnant Garden in Wales."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Generally I had lots of fun. Had a bit of a misunderstanding regarding a mix up of orders at the Sheep on Sheep Street restaurant.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gareth Wyn Jones has to be one of my highlights of the tour. He's very passionate about what he does. But my personal favorites were visiting the Lake District and York. I loved having the afternoon off to explore on my own."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was lovely and fun to visit the places we went. I had been to most of the places we went but got a much better impression of the,.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sheep dog and shepherd and standing on Hadrian’s Wall"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Having traveled to Europe several times on our town, this was our first tour. It was outstanding. We went places and saw things we never could have stone on our own. Also, having all the logistics taken care of for us took much of the strain of traveling away.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several, but being a Landscape Architect, the beautiful, verdant landscape and the amazing, ancient trees throughout England and Wales wowed me.."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a very good tour overall. We went to a lot of very interesting places and we had a very good tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stone circles at Avebury was a very impressive site."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary, accommodations and transportation were great (the hotels in the Lake District and York were a little weak). Tony our bus driver was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing and touching (when allowed😃) objects from thousands of years ago! Loved seeing cities and the country. Since I’m more of a country mouse, I loved the country and gardens best. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized and timed. Good level of interaction time and free time- nicely balanced. Robert our guide was fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wales- specifically the farm/ farmer visit. Gareth was amazing. We were picked to herd the sheep- it was a once in a lifetime experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful tour with a great guide and a great group of travelers. Each place we went was unique and interesting. I loved traveling through the countryside and visiting Wales.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose just one. Loved the sheepdog demonstration on Gareth’s farm. The Cotswolds were great as was Bath, Wells, Keswick, York, etc. Bodnant Gardens was especially nice."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well organized to cover the maximum experience of traveling through England and Wales.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stone circles"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first time in the UK and I'm so glad I chose a Rick Steves tour for my adventures, especially as a solo traveler. Everyone in the group was so warm and welcoming. And nearly every place on the itinerary was so awe-inspiring---there were just a few places in which I wish I had had more time to explore. Now trying to figure out when I can go on another tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everywhere you turned in the Lake District was a "wow" moment. From the view from my hotel room to the view from Castlerigg stone circle to the view from Castlehead. I really must get back."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, as always, was excellent, very knowledgeable on so many topics. We saw so many "bucket list" sites, enjoyed varying scenery, and got a feel for the different cultures in different areas as well as the amazing history of those areas. Did require a bit of bus time, however.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian's wall"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Each day there was something new and interesting to look forward to. I loved every minute of this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Always hard to pick just one "wow" moment but overall I would say the beautiful pastoral countryside of England and Wales. In Keswick, the view from our hotel room was breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was well planned and included many wonderful sites. Roy was a very knowledgeable and conscientious guide. I was a little underwelmed from my expectations of England itself. I guess I had this idyllic idea in my mind of what we would see. The actual experience didn't live up to my expectations. We had spent previously spent a week in London and two weeks in Scotland on RS tours and had an amazing time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to say it was the first sight of Blenheim Palace. Unfortunately it was shortlived. Upon entering the Palace the opulence and extravagence was disappointing. I've commented about this on almost all of our tours to Europe. I know this is historical, but I still imagine how much this wealth could have and still could help those in need in England."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was exceptional! Our tour guide (Roy) was absolutely wonderful. He was kind and considerate as well as being very organized and professional. I thoroughly enjoyed our discussions. Our fellow travelers felt like family members. We got along very very well and always were willing to help each other. We would love to have a reunion tour with our same group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many “wow” moments including our trip to the sheep farm was n Wales, the visit to Hadrian’s Wall, the trip to Stanway House, the tour of York Minster and Westminster Abbey. The towns we visited were equally exciting and being given the time to explore them was a huge bonus. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guide was great, he made everything go smoothly. His knowledge of history enhanced my experience of what I was seeing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are many. Evensong at York Minster, walking in Bath and York, seeing the small Turner watercolors and sketchbooks at the Courtauld Gallery in London. Seeing a play as a groundling at the Globe. Bodnant Gardens in Wales. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the tour! Good mix of country charm, and well- healed decadence. England in a nut shell. Our guide, Roy, is This tour is a perfect balance of country England and ancient history. Our guide, Roy, was an amazing treasure trove of history! Plenty of activity and lots of walking, which balances the bus time. As Rick gets older, his tours get more comfortable 😁

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the sheep farm! It showcases the old ways and forward thinking for farming and conservation. And did I mention the sheep herding dog, showing his talents?"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Perfect size group of friendly folks of all ages interested in learning new things. Efficiently run. Was our first Rick Steves tour and certainly won’t be our last.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one so the list would include the gravity fed fountain at Stanway House, the view from Dover’s Hill and the every day scenery of the amazing country side. Oh yeah, the innovative use of wool promoted by Gareth Jones which is now being used in our garden. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steve's tour, and my first time in England. The arrangement of places and experiences was fabulous. A variety of sites, and then deliberate experiences for food, music, and sheep farming balanced our experience of England.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Tower of London was not what I expected, yet the Crown Jewels was more exciting than I expected. But then--all the Castles were my wow moments!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

This was my 5th Rick Steves (RS) tour and I am comparing to the others when making this assessment. As I look back through my pictures, I am reminded of several tour stops that were highlights for me. We love to walk/hike and nature, so my "fav" activities involved these. Standouts: Keswick - boat ride/hike back to town, Bodnant Gardens, Hadrian's Wall & Vindolanda, Stow on Wold - hike to Church. NOTE - RS always does a great job of allowing personal/down time so that one can explore

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved attending York Minster Evensong. This is such a special end of day activity that allows one to slow down and reflect on our beautiful world. NOTE - the local guide was excellent in York. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well managed. It kept on schedule and everything fell into place as expected. We had an excellent, knowledgeable and friendly tour guide for the overall trip and excellent local guides in each town we visited. The accommodations were very comfortable and very centrally located which made exploring the each town on our own very easy,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Honestly there were so many it is hard to choose one. But if I have to, for me it was the visit to the sheep farm in Wales."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour met or exceeded my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking along Hadrian's wall and visiting Vindolanda were my favorites. The scenery was breathtaking. The sense of time and space were all that I imagined they would be and more."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first tour impressed us with the knowledgeable, friendly guide and driver, a compatible group of courteous co-travelers, a good mix of guided and free time, and well-located accommodations at each stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"York had never been on my list of places to visit but we found it to be one of the highlights. In particular, the guide’s suggestion to attend Evensong service at the York Minster, was a surprising, moving experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first tour and I so thankful I chose a Rick Steves Tour. The guide was excellent. Very knowledgeable about the history, architecture, etc, and thoughtful of the group and it's comforts. The choices of places to visit were well thought out and varied; whether it be a Roman wall or a lovely English garden. This was the first time I traveled by myself in many years. Any fears I might have had melted away with the dynamics of the wonderful group of people who made up the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many! I am a gardener and so I would have to say visiting Bodant Garden in Wales. However, visiting the sheep ranch in Wales and all of York were right up there. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time on RS Tour. Very enjoyable. Organized, friendly and very knowledgeable tour guide made the difference. Selection of sites and activities were great. Accommodations, eating and travel arrangements were highly satisfactory. Other travelers were fun and friendly. Amount of free time for self was perfect. No complaints.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The daily pace and activity levels were perfect. I made a lot of friends with the other travelers. I enjoyed the guide. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As first time travelers, the tour exceeded our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many “wow” moments it’s hard to decide. My husband loved York Minster Cathedral. The overall history of EVERYTHING was fascinating. The knowledge of our tour guide, David, was incredible and so interesting. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tower of England and boating on the famous river Thames. Blenheim Palace was great too."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed visiting small villages and learning about the English history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"York was a pleasant surprise"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 10th Rick Steves Tour, and it did not disappoint! I discovered that there is way more to England than just London! Our guide, David, was outstanding, and we had a great group of travelers. There was a great mix of things to do and also enough free time. I could not get enough of all of the English countryside that we got to enjoy from the bus. We were so blessed with beautiful weather - not a drop of rain the whole trip! We also had such a wonderful coach driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't name just one! My favorites: our time at Glastonbury (with wonderful guide "Maude") and the delicious picnic on the grounds, visit to Stokesay Castle and the mill, our time at the sheep farm with Gareth and Rihan, Bodnant Gardens, the Roman Fort Vindolanda and it's accompanying museum, attending the Evensong performance in York Cathedral (we had 23 out of 24 in our group attend!), and walking the city walls in Conwy with our guide,"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Some on the tour could not fully participate because they physically couldn't.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The City of York. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All the ingredients were present. We had a fun and humorous guide in Paul Guest, an interesting crew of fellow travelers, beautiful English countryside, great weather, pleasant local folks with whom I could converse and interesting and knowledgeable guides at Wells Cathedral, Stanway House, Caernarfon Castle, York and St. Paul's Cathedral.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had too many to accurately rank. Walking on the city walls at sunset in Conwy and York were magical experiences. Bodnant Garden was extraordinary and unlike any place I had ever been. The short hike and beautiful location of the Castlerigg stone circle was what the doctor ordered after a long bus ride to near Keswick."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the places we visited, the other people on the tour and our guide. I had no idea that parts of England were so beautiful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking in the early morning beside the lake in Keswick and seeing the mountains reflected in the water. Also, the hike to the top of Cat bells was a winner."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was amazing, I feel like we didn’t miss out on hardly anything, and we had a phenomenal tour guide, Paul. He took amazing care of us and we didn’t have a single worry the entire trip. He even squeezed in extra attractions for us all throughout the tour, enhancing the experience. My only complaint is the walking tours and/or guided tours through each attraction/area can get very lengthy, cutting into our free time and/or making us late for our next destination/attraction.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely Wells Cathedral and Snowdonia. Both are breathtakingly beautiful. York Minter is right up there too, mind blowing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was made really enjoyable by the friendliness,professionalism,knowledge,and kindness of Paul Guest and bus driver Craig.They have a good working relationship .The tour was organized,hotels great and Zi especially liked the country side and small villages that were hidden gems.This was my first Rick Steves tour and enjoyed every minute.I appreciate the time they invest in getting congenial and friendly people to navigate these trips.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bodnant Gardens and Wells Cathedral.That was a very hard decision to make because I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the English country side let alone the castles that were still standing."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized and packed in a lot of activities, but still some free time. We really enjoyed seeing the English countryside and exploring the different regions. I thought the specific sites were thoughtfully selected to provide a wonderful, well-rounded experience. Our guide was excellent and we had a great group of fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments I can't name just one!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The overall experience was very good. We had outstanding weather and our guide was knowledgeable and had a wonderful sense of humor. The places we toured were very interesting and scenic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment would probably be the beautiful scenery of the Lake District and the number of sheep we saw!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent selection of places to visit and accommodation and meal choices, especially some of the traditional meals A really fine sampler of England. Our guide Paul Guest was fantastic, knowledgeable enthusiastic and funny, and kept us on target. The pace was good, plenty of walking, but a good amount of free time. We were lucky to have a fun and friendly travel group, as well as good weather. I felt like we got to see and do a variety of things from ancient ruins to current say sheep farmer!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have to give you five: 1. Climbing the bell tower in the Bath Abbey: fantastic experience! 2. Sheep farm visit with Gareth WYN Jones, Fun, informative and really cool to see border collie at work! 3. View from top of Cat Bells hike in Lake District : invigorating hike, and Felt like Julie Andrew’s at the top:” the hills are alive..” 4. Touching ancient stones in stone circles 5. Seeing flour made at water driven mill at Stanway"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 11th RS tour and definitely one of my faves. Seeing rural England and Wales was magical, even better than I had envisioned. It showcased the pastoral beauty of the landscape - farms, lakes, rivers, and surprising mountains while weaving history throughout. Paul, our guide, shared personal stories of his having grown up in England which enriched my experience at every turn. Even Craig, our driver sought opportunities to be with us,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire trip was one wow moment after another. One precious moment was at our farewell dinner where we sang a personalized tribute to Paul who was genuinely touched. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic experience! Loved seeing the countryside of England and Wales.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wow's on this tour - each stop was a wow. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Paul Guest our tour guide was awesome. He had many surprises and engaging experiences to enjoy and I returned home with wonderful memories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meandering down a country road enjoying the scenery, sheep and nature. I looked up and there just over the stone wall was Castlerigg Stone Circle on a hill. It was as if I had stepped back in time and made this ancient discovery. Such an awesome goosebump moment to treasure."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was absolutely wonderful! We had a fantastic guide, Paul, who was very helpful, kind and humorous. The group we were with were very fun and enjoyable to travel with, and the itinerary was great. The country side that we toured through was so beautiful and serene, and the sites we visited were perfect... rich in history and beauty.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many wow moments for me, including the cathedrals, castles, and gardens...but my absolute favorites were the day at Gareths farm watching the sheep herding, the beautiful Bodnant gardens, and walking on Hadrians wall."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour locations were extremely enjoyable to visit, and our guide and his intimate knowledge of the sites, history, and entertaining way of presenting them to our group made our tour an outstanding experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking to the top of Cat Bells in the Lake District."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was an excellent adventure, aided by two solid weeks of beautiful weather (in England)! The days were filled to the brim (sometimes maybe a little overfilled) with history, interesting sites, amusing guides, excellent food and comfortable, convenient hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many: the Roman "curse tablets" at the Bath spring; the beautiful Vicar's Close in Wells; the dramatic size and exploration of Vindolanda. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was all we have come to expect from a Rick Steves tour: Congenial fellow travelers, a well-informed tour guide, interesting (and, often, funny) local guides, quirky hotels, a good sampling of local foods at shared meals, and some very busy days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Vindolanda tablets at the Roman Army Museum. This tour took us through thousands of years of British history, and we experienced how buildings, languages, religions, technology all change, sometimes drastically, throughout time. But the Vindolanda tablets show that people, at their core, pretty much stay the same."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great tour! The tour was organized so that we were able to see a variety of historical sites and enjoy the English countryside. Our guide, Robert, was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Evensong in York"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 3rd Rick Steves Tour; so I went with very high expectations & this one really exceeded all of them! Each offering, from the convenient places to stay, things to see, eat & experience, to the overall pace were generally well thought out plus a good value. As promised, this was an "active" tour & I took advantage of every opportunity (including all the optional hikes & walks). Our main guide, Robert, was outstanding; with just enough information to aid understanding & appreciation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Unexpected serendipity is the hallmark of my memories. For example, while waiting for our visit to the Roman Baths (in Bath, UK), a truly remarkably talented singer serenaded the square with operatic arias & Broadway Show tunes. I was humming the love theme from "West Side Story" for the rest of the trip! An especially spine-tingling moment -- her singing -- not my humming!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour with a wide variety of experiences and sites from the bucolic Cotswolds to the urban London!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bodnant Garden was extraordinarily beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall the tour was exceptional. With one exception the hotels were charming and comfortable, the food was great and the schedule of activities gave us the “tour” experience plus time on our own. Our guide, Robert, was outstanding! A+

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many — but Evensong at the York Minster was definitely a wow moment. "

Though England was beautiful, we preferred our second leg of the tour to Scotland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In England it was the Westminster Abby and National Museum, for Scotland it was the Highlands."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guide Robert started great! Started the tour on a great note getting everyone ready to go. Always felt like the tour was under control even with unexpected challenges . Great driver, great commentary along the way. Wonderful traveling companions. Enjoyed every stop

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Glastonbury abbey was my moment . Could feel so much of the history and human energy, Felt spiritual walking among the ruins "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour lived up to our expectations - the quality and excellence of the Rick Steves' Tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bodnant Garden, Big Ben, London Bridge, and Buckingham Palace."