The Secret Highlands & Lakes: A 7-Day Private UK Journey Through the Cotswolds, Isle of Skye & Lake District by Mercedes V-Class
This itinerary can be fully customized — talk to an advisorTalk to an Advisor →
At a glance
- Length
- 7 Days & 6 Nights
- Start / end
- Depart London / Cotswolds → Central London
- Suits
- Family
- Best season
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Day by day
- Day 1Depart London / Cotswolds → Stratford-upon-Avon → Manchester
- Day 2Depart Manchester / Lake Windermere → Bowness-on-Windermere → Glasgow
- Day 3Heart of the Scottish Highlands → Ben Nevis / Fort William → Loch Ness / Fort Augustus
- Day 4Skye Bridge → Five Sisters of Kintail → Eilean Donan Castle → Isle of Skye / The Storr → Lealt Falls / Kilt Rock
- Day 5Pitlochry → Edinburgh Castle → Royal Mile / The Elephant House → Calton Hill
- Day 6Southbound to York → York Minster → The Shambles → Betty's Tea Room
- Day 7University of Cambridge → River Cam / Bridge of Sighs / Mathematical Bridge → King's College Chapel / Trinity College → Central London
Price includes
Chauffeur only: private car, Chinese-speaking driver-guide, fuel, tolls and parking, the guide’s room and meals.
All-inclusive: everything above plus hotels, the main tickets listed in the itinerary and daily breakfast.
Not included
Flights, visas, travel insurance and personal spending; with Chauffeur only, hotels, tickets and meals are yours to arrange.
Practical details
- Pick-up point and start time: agreed with your consultant when you book.
- Luggage: a 7-8 seat Mercedes V-Class takes about 7 large cases; larger groups or more luggage get a bigger vehicle.
- Child seats: available — tell us the children’s ages and weights when booking.
How to book
- Contact a consultant (WeChat, WhatsApp or the enquiry form) with your dates, group size and ideas
- The consultant confirms each day, the vehicle and hotels, and sends a quote
- Once you accept the quote, pay in full to secure the vehicle and driver-guide
Cancellation and changes: see our booking terms and cancellation policy
Tour Highlights
Attraction Preview
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Itinerary Overview
London – Cotswolds – Stratford-upon-Avon – Manchester | A Journey Through Idyllic Countryside & Shakespeare's Birthplace
Depart London / Cotswolds
Your private Mercedes V-Class vehicle arrives punctually at your designated location, whisking you away from the bustling city. The first stop is the Cotswolds, celebrated as England's most beautiful countryside, where honey-colored stone cottages exude medieval warmth.
Enjoy a fully private vehicle and guide, with no interference from other travelers, allowing you complete control over the day's pace.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Explore the birthplace of William Shakespeare, stroll along the banks of the River Avon, and visit the historic Shakespeare's Birthplace.
Manchester
In the afternoon, journey north to Manchester, a vibrant city where modernity meets industrial heritage.
Dining Arrangements
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
4-Star Boutique Hotel
Manchester – Windermere – Bowness – Glasgow | Tranquil Moments with Lakeside Swans & a Fairytale World
Depart Manchester / Lake Windermere
Venture deep into the Lake District, England's most inspiring national park. At Lake Windermere, admire royal swans gliding on the water, or take a private cruise amidst the breathtaking scenery.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Visit the home of Peter Rabbit in Bowness, and rediscover childhood wonder in the fairytale world created by Beatrix Potter.
Glasgow
In the afternoon, drive through the Cumbrian Mountains to Glasgow, Scotland's gateway city.
Dining Arrangements
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
Comfortable City-Centre Hotel in Glasgow
Glasgow – Glencoe – Fort William – Loch Ness – Fort Augustus | Crossing the Secret Highlands in Search of Legends
Heart of the Scottish Highlands
Journey into the heart of the Scottish Highlands, gazing upon the breathtaking Glencoe valley and the majestic Three Sisters mountains.
Ben Nevis / Fort William
Pass by the foot of Ben Nevis and through the picturesque town of Fort William.
Loch Ness / Fort Augustus
Arrive at the mysterious Loch Ness, pausing to gaze over its deep, dark waters and search for traces of the legendary Loch Ness Monster.
Dining Arrangements
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
Characteristic Highland Town Hotel
Scottish Town – Five Sisters of Kintail – Eilean Donan Castle – Isle of Skye – The Storr | Crossing Seas to Watch Over Solitary Peaks
Skye Bridge
Cross the bridge to the Isle of Skye, embarking on a journey that connects reality with myth.
Five Sisters of Kintail
Pass by the magnificent peaks of the Five Sisters of Kintail.
Eilean Donan Castle
Visit Eilean Donan Castle, perched on a headland and one of Scotland's most iconic fortresses.
Isle of Skye / The Storr
Follow the winding coastline, looking up at the solitary sea stack known as the Old Man of Storr.
Lealt Falls / Kilt Rock
Pass by Lealt Falls and Kilt Rock, admiring the dramatic natural scenery.
Dining Arrangements
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
Highland Town Hotel
Pitlochry – Edinburgh | A Dialogue Between Victorian Charm and Royal Majesty
Pitlochry
Depart from Pitlochry in the morning, experiencing the charm of this exquisite Victorian town.
Edinburgh Castle
Ascend to Edinburgh Castle, perched atop an extinct volcano, for panoramic city views and a sense of royal majesty.
Royal Mile / The Elephant House
Stroll along the Royal Mile and visit The Elephant House café, where J.K. Rowling penned the first chapters of Harry Potter.
Calton Hill
If you wish, enjoy the sunset views from Calton Hill.
Dining Arrangements
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
High-Quality City-Centre Hotel in Edinburgh
York | A Gothic Epic Within Ancient City Walls
Southbound to York
Travel south to the city of York, with over 1,900 years of history blending Roman, Viking, and medieval heritage.
York Minster
Visit the magnificent York Minster, whose soaring Gothic spires dominate the skyline.
The Shambles
Wander down the cobbled Shambles, feeling as if you have stepped into Diagon Alley from Harry Potter.
Betty's Tea Room
Enjoy an authentic English afternoon tea at the century-renowned Betty's Tea Room.
Dining Arrangements
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
Select Local Hotel in York
Cambridge – London | A Finale on the Gentle Waters of the River Cam and in Hallowed Academic Halls
University of Cambridge
Travel to the University of Cambridge, immortalized by poet Xu Zhimo, where ancient college buildings surround lush lawns and the River Cam flows peacefully.
River Cam / Bridge of Sighs / Mathematical Bridge
Opt for a punting tour, drifting along the water and admiring the Bridge of Sighs and the Mathematical Bridge.
King's College Chapel / Trinity College
Stroll before King's College Chapel and reflect on the legendary apple tree that inspired Newton at Trinity College.
Central London
After the tour, your private vehicle will smoothly transfer you back to central London, concluding your journey.
Dining Arrangements
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
None (tour ends)
Transparent Pricing & Package Comparison
Your group only, never shared. Choose All-inclusive or Chauffeur only
All-inclusive
Car, driver-guide, hotels, the main tickets on the itinerary and daily breakfast in one quote, so there is nothing left to book once you arrive.
- Private car: Mercedes-Benz V-Class (7-8 seats) or 9-seat van, incl. fuel, tolls & city entry fees
- Driver-guide: A Chinese- and English-speaking driver who also guides, with you throughout; no mandatory tipping
- Hotels: 4-5 star hotels or country-house hotels near the sights or in town (glass igloos on Arctic trips), not far-out locations
- Tickets: The main tickets and activities on the itinerary (icebreaker cruise, king crab safari, Jungfrau railway, castle entries, etc.)
- Breakfast & guide costs: Hotel breakfast every day; the driver-guide's out-of-town room and meals are covered
Chauffeur only
For guests who would rather book their own hotels (for example with Marriott or Hilton points) and choose their own restaurants.
- Private car: Mercedes-Benz V-Class or 9-seat van, door to door along the itinerary, incl. fuel & insurance
- Driver-guide: Drives and explains along the way; the guide's out-of-town room and meals are covered
- Route check: Before you travel, go through each day's route and timings one-to-one with a consultant, at no extra cost
- Tickets and meals paid by you (the guide can help book them)
- Hotels booked by you (we send a list of hotels along the route)
Why Choose OuluTrip Private Tailored Travel? (Our Value Philosophy)
We book hotels near the sights or along the route rather than cheaper ones far out of town, so there is less doubling back and the first stop of the day is not far away.
Only your family or friends are in the car — a 7-8 seat Mercedes V-Class with room for luggage. Stop somewhere safe when you see a view you like, and set the start time and pace of each day yourselves, with no coach-tour roll calls.
Chauffeur only and All-inclusive are quoted separately, with what is and isn't included listed above. No shopping stops, no compulsory extras. The more of you travel together, the less the car costs each person.
📌 About Our Group Tier Scaling:
• European private charters are calculated per vehicle — private departures start from just 2 guests (never joined by strangers);
• As your party size grows (e.g. 4 or 6-7 family members), fixed vehicle and guide costs are shared, significantly reducing the per-person start price!
Booking Information & Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
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Listed prices assume 4 guests travelling together.
- 100% private group · no strangers
- Pay in full when you book
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