Heritage Tours in the UK and Ireland

Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the UK and Ireland - visit historic cities, famous English castles, Welsh castles and majestic cathedrals, or admire ancient archaeological sites, world-class museums and sumptuous palaces.

Windsor Castle, England

The UK and Ireland's rich history has been enticing travellers from around the globe for centuries with many people travelling just to visit famous english castles. Thousands of years of stories are told through the rich tapestry of cities, castles and cathedrals going back as far as the Roman Empire and beyond. Stonehenge, for example, is a prehistoric site in south west England which dates back almost 5,000 years! And remember that Royal Oak members benefit from free admission to National Trust properties in the UK.

Wales alone has over 400 castles to be explored! Caernarfon Castle in North Wales, for example, is one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Britain, and formed part of King Edward 1's famous 'ring of steel' - a chain of castles built in the 13th Century to subdue the Welsh population.

                           Spectacular aerial footage of Caernarfon Castle                       © Crown copyright (2016) Visit Wales

Strata Florida (pictured below), which translates from Latin as Vale of Flowers, is the romantic ruin of a former Cistercian abbey, founded in 1164, near Tregaron in mid Wales. This is just one of many historic buildings in Wales that are calling out to be explored!

Scotland is recognised the world over for its many beautiful castles, from the impressive Eilean Donan, one of the most recognised castles in Scotland, to Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, home of the legendary monster. Balmoral Castle was the favourite Scottish residence of Queen Victoria and is a royal residence to this day and imposing Stirling Castle is perhaps one of the most important castles in Scottish history.

Ballindalloch Castle is one of the finest surviving examples of a Scottish Baronial Castle and tourists flock from around the globe to visit this 'Pearl of the North', located between Aberdeen and Inverness. Brodie Castle in Moray, North East Scotland, is a fabulous 16th century castle with Jacobite connections, which boasts a 71 acre estate containing landscaped gardens and the national daffodil collection.

 Brodie Castle

Known to many as the ‘Father of the National Parks’ in the USA, John Muir was born in Scotland and spent the first 11 years of his childhood there. Why not follow in the footsteps of John Muir on a tailor-made tour with Janet Redler Travel?

England is also famed for its castles and palaces, so what better way to explore over 1,000 years of history with a tour of its royal buildings? The beautiful Queen's House in Greenwich, London, famous as the first Classical style building in England, re-opened in 2016 after a major refurbishment and is well worth a visit. For fans of the TV series The Crown, our Royal Britain Tour brings ths history of Britain's monarchy to life.

Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire is one of England's largest historical sites and this vast medieval fortress, which endured a famous seige and later became an Elizabethan pleasure palace, has a fascinating history.

The vast medieval fortress of Kenilworth Castle

For those interested in maritime history and the story of the modern day system of time, there is nowhere better to explore than Greenwich in London. 'Maritime Greenwich' is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and visitors to Greenwich can stand on the Prime Meridian Line and discover the remarkable history of Greenwich Mean Time.

Orford Castle in Suffolk boasts one of England's most remarkable keeps

Forde Abbey in Somerset, in south west England, is home to The Mortlake Tapestries, a set of distinctive 17th century tapestries depicting the lives of St Peter and St Paul, and is well worth visiting on an arts, crafts and quilting tour of the United Kingdom.

Forde Abbey in south west England

Britain is well known for its wealth of Roman remains and artefacts, which date back to the beginning of the first millennium AD. From the well-preserved Roman baths of Aquae Sulis (now the city of Bath) to Hadrian’s Wall near the Scottish border, a tailor-made tour of Roman Britain with Janet Redler Travel & Tourism will take in the country's most significant Roman sites and treasures.

Oxford, pictured above, is a beautiful city of stunning architecture, history and culture. You’ll find ancient and modern colleges, fascinating museums and galleries, and plenty of parks, gardens and green spaces in which to relax.

The Shambles, a medieval street in York

York in the north of England is one of England's greatest cities, which dates back to Roman times and was once a major Viking settlement. York has long been the second seat of the Church of England after Canterbury.

King Arthur is one of Britain’s greatest legendary figures, with his origins lost in the mists of time. The mythical king, who many think could have been a real person, is associated with numerous landmarks across the country. Enjoy a tailor-made tour exploring King Arthur's Britain with Janet Redler Travel & Tourism, discovering the sites and locations linked to Arthurian legend.

Or follow in the footsteps of one of Britain's more recent leaders, on one of our tailor-made Churchill Tours. Discover Britain in World War Two with visits to the most important sites associated with Prime Minister Winston Churchill, as well as the places which played a key role in the war. Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, pictured below, is one of England’s finest stately homes and the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

Blenheim Palace © Blenheim Palace 2021

Battle Abbey in Sussex (pictured below) is built on the site of the Battle of Hastings, one of the defining moments of English history, which took place in 1066 and saw the last of the Anglo-Saxon kings of England, Harold II, defeated by the Norman Conqueror, William. The abbey, battlefield and visitor centre offer a fascinating insight into the dramatic events that took place there.

Discover the history of the UK and Ireland through its archives, collections and manuscripts on a tailor-made tour with Janet Redler Travel. The Book of Kells at Trinity College Dublin is one of the most famous manuscripts in the world, but there are many other historical documents which shed light on the fascinating history of these countries.

Ironbridge in Shropshire was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution

Great Britain was the birthplace of the industrial revolution and the UK and Ireland have been at the forefront of industrial development for over 200 years. At Janet Redler Travel, we can manufacture the perfect tailor-made tour for you or your group exploring the industrial heritage of the British Isles.

Why not take a location tour of your favourite TV and movie dramas filmed in Britain and Ireland? Step back in time, for example. to explore the lives of the English aristocracy and their servants in an Edwardian country house or view the spectacular scenery of Northern Ireland as seen in the well known series Game of Thrones®.

Or how about enjoying a tailor-made heritage tour to discover Ireland's ancient east? Ireland’s ancient east boasts the earliest evidence of human settlement in the country and an abundance of historical sites that enable visitors to trace the development of civilisation, society and religion in Ireland.

Hill of Tara © Tourism Ireland

The human story of Britain and Ireland goes back thousands of years and there are dozens of ancient sites to visit and explore. From hill forts to henges and stone circles to burial chambers, a tour of ancient Britain and Ireland with Janet Redler Travel will unearth 5,000 years of history for you or your group.

There is so much to see on a luxury vacation to the UK and Ireland - browse our website or contact us directly to find out more about the range of luxury tours we offer, which can be tailor-made to meet your needs.