Recommended Itineraries in the UK & Ireland
The United Kingdom & Ireland offer fantastically rewarding and diverse holidays from multi-destination cultural tours to romantic city breaks, rural adventures and family fun. You've got historical country houses, royal palaces, ancient castles, stunning landscapes and yes, even world-class food all jostling for your attention on these small isles!
On a tailor made tour of the UK & Ireland, you get the chance to experience some really special towns and cities – from buzzing multicultural London to the beautiful Georgian cities of Edinburgh, Bath and Dublin, the university towns of Cambridge and Oxford and the birthplace of Shakespeare, Tudor Stratford-upon-Avon. In addition to centuries of history, these towns and cities have some of the finest museums, galleries and architecture in the world. The UK & Ireland also have some of Europe's most picturesque natural landscapes. Ampersand favourites include the wild Scottish Highlands and the vast lakes of the Lake District, the picture-perfect Cotswolds and the New Forest – the UK's last open area of unenclosed pasture land where horses and ponies roam freely. The UK & Ireland also boast fantastic wildlife. Go fishing in its rivers, loch and lakes, and ride, shoot or birdwatch to your heart's content in its many national parks, forests and countryside. Rich in urban, rural and gastronomical delights, the UK & Ireland also boast some of the world's best hotels. From grand country house hotels and small charming boutique properties to landmark institutions and luxury 21st century hotels, the UK & Ireland have something to offer everyone.
Our suggested tours in guide
Ampersand's Unusual Escorted Journey to Ireland

Ireland is home to some of the world’s finest historical homes, medieval castles and influential gardens. We have created Ampersand's...
View hereRoyal Britain... A Luxury Tailor-made Tour of London and Edinburgh

This classic combination of London and Edinburgh allows you to explore the best of Royal Britain using only the finest...
View hereA Pretty Pocket of England – The Classic Cotswolds

Not far from the Urban Jungle of London lies a pretty pocket of rural bliss. The honey coloured hues of...
View hereA Quintessential Downton Abbey Experience

Not just for fanatics, our Downton Abbey Tour of the UK gives the perfect taste of the grand history of...
View hereJames Bond in London: The Ultimate 007 Experience

Sexy, glamorous and action packed, London is possibly the most exciting city in the world. This itinerary offers the ultimate 007 Bond...
View hereGrand Tour of Ireland

Do you want to experience the ‘real’ Ireland whilst staying at her most exceptional luxury properties? Ampersand has selected the...
View hereHistorical Houses and Gorgeous Gardens… A Luxury Tour of Southern England

This 9 day tour takes you to The Cotswolds, Somerset and Sussex to explore some of Southern England’s finest historical...
View hereBest of British... A Luxury Tailor-Made Grand Tour of the British Isles

This classic tour allows you to explore the British Isles staying in the best luxury hotels in each location. Over...
View hereEnglish Indulgence... Luxury London, Bath and the New Forest

England has some of the world's most beautiful luxury hotels. This 9 day tour allows you to experience London's Corinthia,...
View hereRomantic Scotland.. A Stay at The Witchery and Loch Ness Lodge

A perfect introduction to Scotland, this 7 day tour takes you to Edinburgh and Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands....
View hereThe Best of Scotland & Ireland: The Ultimate Luxury Vacation

- Edinburgh and The Lothians
- Perthshire
- Isle of Skye
- Fort William
- Dublin
- County Laois
- Killarney
- Cong
- Newmarket-on-Fergus
This itinerary offers a perfectly balanced and varied taste of Scotland and Ireland. Stay in the finest hotels in the...
View hereLuxury Christmas in London

This festive itinerary is perfect for families looking to make the most of the Christmas period in London. Split between...
View hereFour Seasons England... Tailor-made Town and Country

Explore the best of what London, Hampshire and Dublin have to offer with this luxurious Four Seasons itinerary. Experience London’s...
View hereLiterary Legends in Luxury... London, Oxford & Stratford Upon Avon

This 9 day tour covers London, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and Dublin, with specialised guides at all times. Visit the homes of...
View hereAmazing Architecture... Luxury London Tailor-made Tour

A perfect tour for architecture-lovers, this 6 day itinerary will allow you to explore London's architectural wonders - from Georgian...
View hereCastles of Scotland... A Grand Historic Tour

This is the ultimate luxury tour of Scotland showcasing her most sensational experiences – from the vibrant culture of Edinburgh...
View hereThe Ultimate Babymoon Getaway

Indulgent, relaxing and romantic, this itinerary is perfect for parents-to-be looking for some R&R and pampering before the birth...
View hereBoutique Blighty... Luxury Tailor-made Tour of England

This 12 day tour allows you to enjoy England's highlights from the comfort of some of the country's best boutique...
View hereThe Ultimate Downton Abbey Experience

Explore the filming locations of the period drama Downton Abbey, whilst staying in some of our favorite UK properties. Over...
View hereGrand Tour of Scotland

This 11 day itinerary takes you on a tour of Scotland's highlights visiting whisky distilleries, world-class golf courses, scenic glens,...
View hereFamily Christmas at The Ritz London

For those looking for festive family fun in the capital, this 6 day stay in London's famous Ritz hotel is...
View hereLearn to be an English Gentleman or Lady

This 6 day town and country itinerary lets you experience the Connaught and the luxurious Coworth Park in Berkshire. Shop...
View hereArt Attack... East versus West London

London has some of the best art in the world, from Renaissance classics, Turner Prize entries or raw and ready...
View hereJourney into The Scottish Highlands

The Scottish Highlands are considered the last great wilderness of Europe and this 11 day tour takes you on a...
View hereLuxury London... A Classic Luxury Tailor-Made Tour of the Capital

Explore the best of London from your base at London's luxurious Claridge's hotel. Perfectly located minutes from Hyde Park, Mont...
View hereOutdoors Lover's Paradise... A Luxury Tour of the UK's Lakes, Lochs and Brochs

Great Britain has a great deal to offer lovers of the outdoors and this tailor-made itinerary allows you to explore...
View hereThe Royal Scotsman: The County Homes and Gardens Journey

Perfect for those who wish to experience the UK's finest country homes and gardens, this 5 day and 2 night...
View hereThe Royal Scotsman: The Highland Journey

This 3 day 2 night tour is perfect for combining with a tour of Scotland or the rest of the...
View hereSome of our favourite hotels in guide
The Royal Crescent Hotel ,
Bath

Classically beautiful both inside and out, the Royal Crescent hotel is housed in two Grade I listed townhouses at the...
View here Aldourie Castle ,
Loch Ness

Straight out of a fairy tale, the beautiful Grade A listed Aldourie Castle is located directly on the scenic banks...
View here Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard ,
London

A combination of staggering views, great bars and restaurants, and the “wow” factor of staying in Western Europe’s tallest skyscraper...
View here Buckland Manor ,
The Cotswolds

Nestled in the quintessential English country village of Buckland, Buckland Manor is an elegant and charming country house hotel. This...
View here Claridge's ,
London

An elegant grand-dame of the London hotel scene, Claridge's is an iconic hotel that manages to maintain strong links with...
View here Ballyfin ,
County Laois

Frequently toasted as the grandest hotel in Ireland, and a firm Ampersand favourite, Ballyfin is just 80 minutes’ drive from...
View hereSome of our favourite places of interest in guide
The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is an area of South West England that is known to many as the home of the quaint...
View hereKildare

Kildare is a town in County Kildare in Ireland's East Coast and Midlands, not too far from Dublin. Famed for its...
View hereThe Scottish Highlands

A rugged fairy tale landscape of still golden lochs, white sandy beaches, mist shrouded mountains and ancient forests, the Scottish...
View hereCambridge

Famous for its 800 year old university, consistently rated one of the world's best, Cambridge simply oozes history. Winding cobbled...
View hereLondon

Right now London is probably the most exciting city in the world. In the last couple of years this dynamic...
View hereEdinburgh and The Lothians

Scotland’s royal city, Edinburgh, is a real jewel. From ancient castles to royal palaces and Georgian townhouses, the city exudes...
View here