England for Foodies: A Self-Drive Adventure from London to Manchester - 8 Days

Highlights

• Zip around London most notorious landmarks on an evening e-scooter tour
• Enjoy afternoon tea in the grand surroundings of Blenheim Palace
• Discover Oxford's literary history as you picnic and punt along on the River Avon
• Learn about Chester's burgeoning craft beer scene with a brewery tour and tasting 

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in London, Afternoon Tea at The Savoy, Rooftop Cinema 

Welcome to England! Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be met by your driver and whisked to your central hotel in the capital, London. A thriving metropolis brimming with art, culture, and history, this multicultural city has world-class museums, ornate architecture, and an exceptional dining scene. Once you've arrived and settled in at your hotel, you'll kick start 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 ritual still honored today, and you'll experience it in the elegant setting of the Savoy Hotel's Thames Foyer. Sit beneath a luminous glass dome to the classical strains of the in-house pianist while you partake in an array of sweet and savory delicacies. Choose from over 30 loose-leaf teas accompanied by delicate finger sandwiches, delightful cakes, savories, and, of course, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam.

Day 2: London Hidden Gems Food Tour, Villains of London Scooter Tour

You might want to keep it light at breakfast this morning as you'll begin today with a three-hour food tour across London's foodie hotspots. Starting at the Tower of London, you'll wind your way through the back streets and alleyways while your guide shares tales of London's history as you go. You'll feast on morsels from street-food vendors and well-known cafés, culminating with a tour of London's Borough Market. Beneath the restored Victorian railway arches, you'll find over 100 artisan stalls from all over the globe, with many catering to the capital's best restaurants. 

London has a fascinating history dating back almost 2,000 years, and this evening, you'll discover its darker side on a tour that reveals the stories of the East End gangsters, grave robbers, Nazi spies, and treacherous dukes who've called the city home. What's more, you'll be traveling by e-scooter as you start at the Tower of London, where you'll learn about the disappearing princes, executed queens, and wily criminals who desperately attempted to escape the block.

Accompanied by your guide, continue weaving through the city, stopping at churches, alleyways, and pubs to uncover the secrets of London's underbelly. Then, stop at The Old Bailey (the site of the former Newgate Prison) to hear about the scoundrels once imprisoned there. Your tour finishes in Holborn, one of the city's most historic areas. You'll find plenty of excellent restaurants, wine bars, and pubs here to cap off a glorious day exploring the capital.

Day 3: Drive to Oxford, Chauffered Punting Trip & Picnic 

Today, you'll pick up your rental car and leave the city behind for a two-hour drive west to Oxford. Dubbed the "City of Dreaming Spires," the town is home to one of England's oldest and most prestigious universities (the other being Cambridge.) Once you've checked in to your hotel, you'll head down to the riverbank for a relaxing tour of the city along the River Cherwell. You'll travel on a chauffeured punt (flat-bottomed riverboat), where you'll gently glide along the water, passing the city's iconic sights as you enjoy a light lunch from a picnic hamper.

See the Botanic Gardens, the playing fields of Magdalen College School, and Christ Church College (where Lewis Carroll taught in the mid-19th century and wrote "Alice in Wonderland"). Your chauffeur has in-depth knowledge of Oxford's history, so you'll hear the inside track of the city's colleges and famous university students. After passing the fertile gardens of St Hilda's College, you'll return to dry land, where the rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure. 

Day 4: Tour Blenheim Palace, Champagne Afternoon Tea in the Orangery

No trip to Oxford is complete without a visit to Blenheim Palace, and this morning, you'll set off on a short 25-minute drive north of the city to Woodstock, a picturesque village home to the 18th-century UNESCO-listed palace. The seat of the Duke of Marlborough and one-time birthplace and ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim, was built as a gift to John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, after his victory in the 1704 Battle of Blenheim. 

Day 5: Explore the Cotswolds, Drive to Stratford-upon-Avon

The famous Cotswolds is a rural area in southern England that encompasses six counties and enjoys Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) conservation status. The region lies just over an hour's drive west of Oxford and the day is yours to hop in the car and explore the rolling green hills, medieval villages, thatched-roof cottages, and ancient church towers that make up the area.

Start with a 1.5-hour drive west to Painswick, a typical Cotswold village best known for its gorgeous Rococo garden and historic churches. Stop for a bite at one of the welcoming tea rooms and continue east for an hour's scenic drive through the quintessential English countryside until you reach the village of Lower Slaughter. On the banks of the River Eye, you'll find plenty of centuries-old historic buildings and the Old Mill Museum, which traces the area's history back to the Norman conquest. Five minutes drive away is the equally picturesque Upper Slaughter, a gorgeous spot to stop for lunch. 

Day 6: Free Morning in Stratford, Drive to Chester, Craft Beer Tasting 

Spend a relaxed morning in Stratford-upon-Avon, exploring the historic town or seeing the many Shakespearean sights such as the Royal Shakespeare Theater or Shakespeare's Birthplace. Don't miss a chance to visit Anne Hathaway's Cottage, a charming 15th-century thatched cottage and childhood home of Shakespeare's wife. If the weather's fine, it's a great place to wander through acres of cottage gardens and fruit orchards, with a sculpture trail inspired by the playwright's many works.

You won't want to linger too long, though, as you've around three hours driving today on a scenic cross-country route northwest to Chester. If you're keen to explore more en route, Shropshire is a great stop around the halfway point. The town's Tudor center is lined with half-timbered houses, and you'll find plenty of pubs serving lunch with beer gardens overlooking the River Severn. Hop back in the car, and just over an hour's drive to Chester, a bustling city in England's northwest. Founded in the first century as a Roman Fortress, it has the best-preserved Roman walls in the country.

After checking in at your hotel, you'll discover one of the town's other highlights—its burgeoning craft beer scene. Meet your guide and a small group of fellow beer enthusiasts at a local brewery, where you'll begin with an introduction to the eight ales you'll be tasting. Learn how to tell the difference between hops and malt and discern the subtle flavor differences that make each beer unique. Throughout the masterclass, you'll be treated to delicious nibbles and one of the Brewhouse and Kitchen's famous gourmet burgers. 

Day 7: Drive to Manchester, Gourmet City Food Tour

Wave goodbye to Chester this morning and drive just over an hour northeast to Manchester. Probably best known for its two world-class soccer teams, Manchester United and Manchester City, the town is also famous for its heritage as the world's first industrialized city. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Manchester became the UK's leading producer of cotton and textiles, then, after World War II, fell into rapid decline. The city's fortunes changed after the devastating IRA bombing in 1996, which led to an extensive period of investment and regeneration.

Since the early 21st century, the city's fortunes have continued to rise, and these days, it's a boom town of historic architecture, international concert venues, and one of the UK's best food and drink scenes. Settle into your hotel after the drive, and once you're refreshed and ready to go, you'll meet your guide for a four-hour foodie tour. You'll sample eight delicious tastings across the city as you explore Manchester's history through the lens of its food: from the ice cream vendors of Ancoat's Little Italy to the diet of the Victorian mill worker and the birth of vegetarianism.

At the end of the tour, you'll part ways with your guide, and the rest of the evening is yours to relax at a local bar or explore the city's legendary nightlife. 

Day 8: Depart Manchester

Your tour of England has come to an end. After breakfast and checkout at your hotel, drop off your rental car and either head to the city's airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!

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