Art, History & Culture in London & the West Country - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in London, Afternoon Tea at Sketch, London's Gems by Vintage Bike

Welcome to England! Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be met by your driver and whisked to your central hotel in London, the nation's historic capital with a legacy that spans almost 2,000 years, from the Roman conquest to the Tudor dynasty and Victorian era to today's multicultural metropolis. Once you've arrived and settled in at your hotel, you'll kickstart your vacation with one of England's time-honored traditions—afternoon tea. This custom began in the 1800s when Queen Victoria's confidante, the Duchess of Bedford, asked for something to satiate her afternoon hunger pangs.

What was once a "light bite" has transformed over the centuries into a beloved ritual, and today, you'll experience it in the deeply luxurious and highly Instagrammable setting of Sketch in Mayfair. Against the backdrop of a string trio, you'll be waited upon by your own tea master and even a caviar expert if you choose. Teas run the gamut from jasmine pearl to roasted iron Buddha oolong, while savory treats include brioche buns with black truffle cream cheese. No afternoon tea is complete without scones, and yours will be served with signature fig jam and an array of cakes and tempting pâtisserie.

After an indulgent start, you could spend the rest of your afternoon touring London's streets by bike. No ordinary cycling tour, you'll be cruising around on a vintage Pashley bicycle, the epitome of British cycling. From the grandeur of Big Ben to the cobbled streets of East London, you'll ride along atmospheric back streets and cycle lanes to discover a side of the capital beyond the guidebooks. Pedal through elegant royal parks to urban squares and witness London's dynamic street art scene before finishing at one of the city's historic pubs, where you'll toast your fellow cyclists with real ale or craft gin.

Later on, don't miss an opportunity to visit the city's ancient Roman Baths complex, which gives the town its name and is recognized as one of the world's best-preserved Roman bathhouses. The hot springs here bubble up to a toasty 115°F (46°C), and on a tour of the site, you'll walk the original Roman pavements and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva. Afterward, choose one of the city's wine bars or microbreweries and settle in for an evening of locally sourced fare with a glass or two of your favorite tipple.

Day 3: Literary Tour of Bath, Drive to Penzance & Cornwall

Once you're on the road, you can opt to detour east for a stop at the Lost Gardens of Heligan about 3.5 hours into your journey. Originally created in the 19th century by the Tremayne family, the gardens contain over 200 acres (81 ha) of themed gardens and pathways, including a vast Jungle Garden with subtropical plants and the intriguing Mud Maid sculpture. Hop back in the car, and it's just over an hour to Penzance, where the rest of the day is yours to stretch your legs with a walk along the harbor, soak up the sea air, and enjoy excellent fish and chips before capping your day with a trip to one of the historic local pubs.

Day 4: Visit Polgoon Vineyard, Explore St Ives, Minack Theatre

If you're keen to explore another of Cornwall's highlights on your drive back to Penzance, detour and drive an extra 20 minutes south to the open-air Minack Theatre. Set high above the white sands of Porthcurno Bay and carved into the towering granite rock, the site, which resembles an ancient Greek amphitheater, is perched on a cliff edge above the Atlantic Ocean. Book well ahead, and in the summer months, you might be able to catch an evening performance by the renowned Royal Shakespeare Company.

Day 5: Hike & Explore St Michael's Mount or Scilly Islands Day Trip

It's your last full day in Cornwall, and you have two great options for a memorable finale. If you're keen to stretch your legs, embark on a scenic 3-mile (5 km) walk to St Michael's Mount. This tidal island, reminiscent of Mont St Michel in Normandy (the history of the two was entwined until the dissolution of the monasteries), is crowned by a towering castle and lush, subtropical gardens. If the tide is in and you can't cross the walkway, don't worry; the island is serviced several times a day by boats that leave from the mainland.

Speaking of boats, another option is a sailing excursion to the Scilly Isles, an archipelago that lies just 28 miles (45 km) off the Cornish coast. Your cruise starts with a relaxed sail from Penzance to Land's End along the coastline, reaching the islands just in time for lunch. With miles of hiking trails and secluded sandy beaches to relax on (only five of the islands are inhabited, while others are havens for rare birdlife and flora), it's the perfect way to spend your final day before returning to Penzance in time for dinner.

Day 6: Drive to Exeter via the Eden Project, Exeter's Underground Passages

Soak up the sea air one final time this morning before heading back in the car and driving east. You'll overnight in Exeter, but for now, there's one last Cornish highlight to squeeze in. In around 1.5 hours, you'll reach the Eden Project, a vast botanical garden that includes several biomes, the largest of which contains the world's largest indoor rainforest. Marvel at the lush treetops as you walk along the canopy walkway then breathe in the heady scents of Italy, Greece, and Spain with a stroll around the Mediterranean Biome. 

When you're ready, jump back in the car and drive 1.5 hours northeast until you reach Exeter. With over 2,000 years of history and one of the UK's finest Gothic cathedrals, the city's lively student population (the university is regularly ranked within the top 10 in Europe) gives the town a refreshing and independent vibe alongside its historic charms. 

Check into your hotel, and once you're all settled, head out to experience one of the city's foremost attractions: Exeter's ancient medieval Underground Passages, the only ones of their kind open to the public. This afternoon, you'll weave your way through these narrow passageways on a guided tour filled with interactive exhibits that show how clean drinking water was transferred into the medieval city via the passageways from springs outside the city walls. In the evening, drop in for a pint at one of the historic local pubs, then make your way to the waterfront for al fresco dining with quayside views.

Day 7: Drive to London, Hidden Pubs or Soho Evening Food Tour

It's time to return to London, and while it's just under a four-hour drive from Exeter to London, you can stop halfway at the excellent Gloucester Services on the M5 motorway. Several notches above your average motorway service station, the family-run business works with more than 130 producers within a 30-mile (48 km) radius and is a great place to grab a bite or shop for quality artisanal gifts, including top-of-the-range culinary gifts. 

Eventually, you'll arrive back in London, where you can drop off your rental car, check back into your hotel, and get ready for your final afternoon in the capital. One excellent option is to spend it on a guided tour of some of London's oldest pubs. Meet your guide outside St Paul's Cathedral and wind your way through the city's ancient backstreets and rambling courtyards, stopping for a drink in at least four pubs that date back as far as the 1500s. You don't have to be a beer drinker to enjoy the tour. Nondrinkers can enjoy excellent alcohol-free wines and beers, while gin and wine aficionados are well-catered for. 

If you're hungry for something more toothsome, spend the evening savoring hidden foodie gems in Soho. The area is filled with eateries ranging from fine dining to secret speakeasies, hole-in-the-wall hidden gems, and a vast variety of international cuisine. In the company of an experienced and food-obsessed local guide, you'll stop at seven hand-picked local finds, nibbling delights such as mouthwatering croquetas and sipping Catalan vermouth to weaving your way through Chinatown in search of the city's best bao buns.

Day 8: Morning at the Tate Modern, Depart London

Your England adventure is drawing to a close, and depending on your flight time, you could make the most of any extra time this morning with a visit to the Tate Modern in south London. One of the world's largest museums of modern and contemporary art, you'll find paintings, sculptures, and large-scale installations by artists ranging from Yayoi Kusama to Pablo Picasso, as well as immersive light sculptures by Anthony McCall. 

When you're ready, transfer to the airport in time to make your flight home or continue your European adventure. Safe travels!

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