Glades & Glens

Followings flights to London (where applicable), we will transfer you to the heart of this iconic capital city, where you will spend your first two nights at the elegant and luxurious hotel The Halkin by COMO. Nestled in a quiet street just off Hyde Park Corner and situated in the heart of London’s green parks, The Halkin borders Buckingham Palace's gardens, making it the perfect place to take refuge after exploring London’s famous tourist attractions. Located in the expensive residential district of Belgravia, walk to Motcomb Street and sample the delicious gastropub cuisine of The Pantechnicon and the contemporary Indian dishes at Michelin-starred Amaya.

Collect your rental car and begin your tour through the UK with a two-hour drive west, past the prestigious town of Oxford. Arriving at the beautiful Thyme at Southrop Manor, you will spend two nights in the stunning rolling hills of the Cotswolds. Thyme at Southrop Manor is a boutique hotel that uses classic Cotswold stone, stylish designs and homemade woollen fabrics to provide the perfect haven in the tranquil English landscape. Take a foraging class, visit the wildlife park and walk under the historic arches of Gloucester Cathedral, which were transformed into the corridors of Hogwarts for the Harry Potter films.

Now driving through central England, you will be embraced by a world of contrasting natural beauty, with moors, dales, rivers, caverns, and at its heart, the Peak District National Park. You will spend one night at the small independent hotel, Peacock at Rowsley, which offers an excellent base for exploring. Visit quaint market towns, pretty little villages and magnificent historic houses, including Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall. Originally a manor house, Peacock at Rowsley has individually-styled bedrooms, ensuite marble bathrooms and an award-winning fine dining restaurant, and it's also the hub for the Haddon Estate fisheries- famed for its excellent fly fishing.     

Your last leg in England ends with an overwhelmingly beautiful stay, with two nights at the Gilpin Hotel in the Lake District. Combining Georgian charm with romantic seclusion amidst magical surroundings, spend your days relaxing in the spa sanctuary, dining on local West Coast produce, and taking a scenic boat trip around England’s largest lake and its 18 peaceful islands. Having jumped into the wonderful world of Beatrix Potter, discover the inspiration for her children’s books with a trip to Hill Top, the author’s 17^th century farmhouse: rest your feet in the lovely cottage garden and see for yourself why Potter fell in love with the area. Poet William Wordsworth was also famously inspired by these beautiful landscapes. 

Stopping outside of Carlisle to see Hadrian’s Wall, the ancient divide between the Picts and the Roman Empire, drive three hours' north into the heart of golfing country. Staying in the world-famous five-star Gleneagles Hotel, dust off your golf clubs or rent some from the hotel and test your skills on the beautiful greens. After a round a golf, spend some time in the divine ESPA spa or in the gentle beauty of the 850 acres of Perthshire countryside- including horse-riding, shooting, fishing, deer stalking and falconry.

During this part of the tour you will stay at the very north of the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, using Glengorm Castle as a base to drive along the white beaches, bright blue waters and steep cliffs of the island. For a full day out, drive along the west coast of Mull to Fionnphort, making sure to look out for the golden and white tailed sea eagles, and catch a ferry to Staffa Island. Exploring the most dramatic of all the Scottish islands, you’ll walk into Fingal’s Cave and perch on the edge next to the fascinating puffins. On your way back, you might float along with curious dolphins and minke whales and stop off at the Isle of Iona, the birthplace of Scottish Christianity. Just a few minutes from Glengorm Castle, make sure to visit the multicoloured waterfront town of Tobermory for some deliciously fresh fare and a wee dram of local whisky.

Back on the mainland, you will hug the beautiful west coast driving south towards Islay. Once you step off the ferry, feel welcomed by the island of whisky, home to seven of Scotland’s most celebrated distilleries. Surrounded by Kichoman, Bruichladdich and Bowmore distilleries, as well as being half an hour away from Caol Ila, Ardbeg and Laphroaig, whisky certainly dominates the island. However, you can also spend your time visiting the Isle of Jura, where you can gather mussels from a secluded loch, and visit the northern point, where George Orwell wrote the well-known book 1984, and where you can see the Corryvreckan Whirlpool, one of the largest whirlpools in the world. Staying in the elevated Kentraw Farmhouse B&B for two nights, make sure to ask the owner about the must-see sights in the area, as he was a former head gamekeeper of Dunlossit Estate.

It’s time to hop on the ferry again and enjoy the scenic drive to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Staying in the truly impressive castle-like Cameron House, melt into the luxurious bedrooms as you gaze out towards the placid loch. If you didn’t at Gleneagles, then here is your chance to get your fill of golf, with stunning greens highlighted by a majestic backdrop.  Delve into the world-class spa before heading to the rooftop infinity pool, where you can watch the sun set on the shores of one of Scotland’s most famous lochs.

As the Scottish capital is filled with ancient cobbled pedestrian streets, you can drop your car off in Edinburgh. From your hotel, the majestic Balmoral, walk up towards The Royal Mile and marvel at the panoramic views from the historic castle. One of the iconic landmarks that dominate the city is your hotel, and with a footman in traditional Scottish dress and a whisky ambassador in the Scotch Bar, spend your last night immersed in the country's magnificent culture. The next day, we will transfer you to Edinburgh airport for your final flight home.