5 of the Most Memorable London Excursions
“I’ve been walking about London for 30 years, and I find something fresh in it every day.” – Walter Besant, 19th Century Novelist and Historian
London has always been home to writers, artists, explorers, and all other varieties of dream chasers. It was the source of inspiration for world-renown painters like Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh, and writers like Virginia Wolfe and Sylvia Plath.
For artists and non-artists alike, London is known for its romantic cobblestone streets and buildings rich with history. It’s truly a city of resilience, as the residents and rulers have rebuilt London again and again after multiple city-wide fires, each time kicking things off a little differently.
A trip to Europe is incomplete without experiencing the rich culture of London that you can find on every street corner, each alley and building beckoning you to discover more hidden treasures.
On your next European cruise, be sure to prioritize the romance of London. We can help you ensure you get the full experience with our London shore excursions.
Today, we’ll share a few of the London shore excursions that are closest to our hearts, ones bound to create unforgettable memories for you and yours.
Stratford, Oxford, Warwick Castle, and the Cotswolds
One of the most titillating views of England is its lush countryside. Tucked away in the lush greenery of the expansive countryside are historical monuments, including Stratford-Upon-Avon, the Cotswolds, Oxford, and world-famous Warwick Castle.
You’ll begin your exclusive excursion through England at the Victoria Coach Bus Station, where you’ll depart to Oxford, a city known for its lively settings and classic architecture.
It also houses Oxford University, one of the oldest universities in the world that was active all the way back in 1096. Not only has the university been in operation for ages, but it’s hosted brilliant minds like Lewis Carroll and Albert Einstein.
Next, you’ll stop for lunch at a classic English pub in the rolling hills of Cotswolds, followed by a guided private tour of Shakespeare’s school in Stratford-Upon-Avon that includes a true-to-life private lesson. Afterward, you’ll see where Shakespeare is buried and pay your respects.
The final stop of the countryside excursion will land you in Warwick castle, built from a wood fort by William the Conqueror.
Windsor, Bath & Stonehenge with Entry Into the Roman Baths
During this excursion, you’ll travel through time and experience the lives of medieval royalty, before going even further back in time to the days of ancient Romans.
On the Windsor, Bath, and Stonehenge tour, you’ll learn the path that London took to becoming the city it is today.
Starting and the Victoria Coach Bus Station, you’ll be taken to Windsor Castle, where 900 years of English royalty have and continue to reside. You’ll be guided to everything from the stunning chapel to browsing the historic shops and pubs firsthand.
Once you’ve indulged like royalty, you’ll be swept away to the one and only Stonehenge, a 5,000-year-old spiritual landmark where pagans and other religions have engaged in worship, prayer, and ceremonies.
A tour guide will be there to help you discover the origin and intention of the stones and their relevance in today’s world.
The excursion will end on a high note at the Roman Baths in Bath, where you’ll be greeted by a host in authentic Roman armor and shown where Roman soldiers would unwind and heal after long battles.
Central London or Heathrow to Dover via Dover Castle
Depart London to Kent, also known as “The Garden of England” thanks to its luscious landscape full of orchards, vineyards, and wild plant life.
After a 2 hour drive, you’ll arrive in Dover, a stunning port town facing the English Channel. Your first stop is at the Battle of Britain memorial that sits atop Dover’s famous white cliffs, commemorating those who died fighting in World War II.
You’ll then move on to Dover Castle, the castle that was the source of defense for many battles and attempted conquests of England from the 12th century all the way to the late 1950s.
During World War 2, the castle held an underground hospital for wounded soldiers, just one of the reasons why Dover Castle is suspected to be one of England’s most haunted castles.
Lunch in the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is an area in England full of whimsical villages that look like they’re straight out of a classic children’s book thanks to the moss-covered village homes, stone streets, and welcoming creeks that can somehow make anyone feel right at home.
The Cotswalds excursion begins with a ride from Victoria Coach bus station to High Street in Burford, a scene made for fairy tales. The street is lined with ancient houses and shops that look much like they did in medieval times and runs into an ancient bridge of epic proportions.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll enjoy a satisfying 2-course lunch at the peaceful Swan Hotel, wrapped in healthy green vines and moss, surrounded by lush greenery, and best of all, overlooking the beautiful River Coln.
Afterward, you’ll pop in and visit 2 more beautiful countryside villages along the river before returning to your cruise.
Jack the Ripper Tour
London isn’t all gorgeous churches, clock towers, and castles. It has a dark side, too: One exemplified by the legendary killer they called Jack the Ripper.
On the Jack the Ripper tour you’ll get to explore the eerie and evil side of London.
You’ll leave the Victoria Coach bus stop to be picked up by a coach. The coach will take you through the place where public hangings used to occur, the hospital where the “Elephant Man” resided, even Wallace Plaque where Braveheart was tortured.
Once it starts to get dark, you’ll move on to London’s East End, the central source of debauchery in the 19th century and the stomping grounds of Jack the Ripper himself.
Here, you’ll hop out the coach to walk the same streets he walked while he plotted his next victims as your tour guide explains the mysteries behind his name.
You’ll end the night unraveling your thoughts and sharing your theories on the mystery of Jack the Ripper at Sherlock Holmes Pub.
Book Your Tour Now
Why deal with the stress of maps, reservations, open and closing hours, and more on a trip where you’re supposed to be having fun and making memories? Especially when you can be taken on direct tours to more wonderful places than you even knew about!
This is where we come in. Working with a travel agent can completely change the trajectory of your trip, and help ensure you get the full experience you dreamed of.
Book your dream excursion with our help today >
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