The Second World War was a defining moment in the history of Britain and to make it come alive, touring battlefields is a powerful, immersive, experience you’ll never forget.
Add the museums, war memorials and military landmarks, and the story gets even richer.
Back-Roads Touring offers tailor-made small group tours throughout the UK and Europe.
Focusing on World War II history, the 9-day Battle of Britain tour begins in London, before continuing on to Cambridge, Woodhall and Lincoln, Cosford and Wroxall in northern England, and Bletchley, Biggles-Wade, Winchester, Weymouth and Portsmouth in southern England.
The first stop is London. Chances are, you’ve seen footage of Winston Churchill’s underground war rooms located just steps from the Prime Minister’s residence, 10 Downing Street.
See first-hand where Churchill and his cabinet plotted their strategies on a private tour.
After arrival in Cambridge, you will enjoy a relaxing walking tour along the lovely river walk. With its Gothic architecture and esteemed university atmosphere, Cambridge is the ideal place for an overnight visit.
The Battle of Britain was fought mostly from the air, so it’s not surprising that much of the tour focus is around aviation and airfields in particular.
At the American Air Museum, you’ll see authentic aircraft used in the battle. One highlight aviation enthusiasts are sure to love, is a ride in a vintage Dragon Rapide aircraft. This once in a lifetime tour experience offers glorious views over Cambridge.
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Other top aviation sites on the tour include RAF Scampton – home of the Red Arrows – and RAF Cosford for a look at vintage bombers.
You don’t have to be an aviation buff to revel in this tour though, nature lovers and admirers of architecture will find just as much to enjoy.
A visit to Lincoln’s Cathedral and Castle provides grand vistas, as does a walk through the National Memorial Arboretum. This living tribute celebrates the fallen with hundreds of memorials and thousands of plants and trees. The Dorset coastline offers more in the way of natural beauty.
In keeping with the Battle of Britain theme, a visit to Bletchley Park recounts the British code breakers who deciphered secret Nazi codes.
Here you’ll tour the Gothic mansion and grounds where it’s believed that cryptographer Alan Turing’s work shortened the war by two to four years.
You’ll also visit Portsmouth for a tour of HMS Victory, Lord Nelson’s ship at the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar, before returning to London.
What’s included in Battle of Britain tour
- 8 nights in boutique accommodation
- Experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader/Driver
- Premium mini-coach transportation
- Daily European-style breakfast (B), 4 evening meals (D)
- Dragon Rapide flight over Cambridge
- Entrance included to: Churchill Museum & War Cabinet Rooms, National Memorial Arboretum, Brooklands and Swiss Garden, Imperial War Museum London, American Cemetery & Memorial, Imperial War Museum Duxford, American Air Museum, RAF Coningsby, Bovington Tank Museum, D-Day Museum, East Kirkby Aviation Centre, RAF Scampton & Heritage Centre, Chadwick Centre, Lincoln Cathedral & Castle, RAF Cosford
DAY 1 : LONDON – CAMBRIDGE
Your tour commences in London where you’ll visit the Churchill Museum and War Cabinet Rooms, explore the impressive Imperial War Museum and arrive in the remarkable town of Cambridge to enjoy a walking tour. After a rich day of sightseeing, enjoy a dinner with your group.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Anstey Hall Hotel
DAY 2: CAMBRIDGE – COTON – WOODHALL SPA
Pay your respects to fallen veterans by visiting the American Cemetery and Memorial in Coton, before travelling to the Imperial War Museum in Duxford. After that, you’ll continue to the American Air Museum and observe dramatic displays of war-time aircraft.
For the aviation fanatics, the day will be sure to create memories to last a lifetime as you become airborne with an included Dragon Rapide flight over Cambridge and drive to Petwood Hall, home to the legendary Dambusters.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Petwood Hall Hotel
DAY 3: WOODHALL SPA – CONINGSBY – SPILSBY – TATTERSHALL – WOODHALL SPA
Brace yourself for the spectacle of the RAF Coningsby before continuing to East Kirkby Aviation Heritage Centre – home of the legendary Lancaster Bomber. In the afternoon, visit the Thorp Camp Visitor Centre and in the evening, settle in for dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Petwood Hall Hotel
DAY 4 WOODHALL SPA – SCAMPTON – CANWICK – LINCOLN – WOODHALL SPA
Capturing the attention of history buffs, visit the RAF Scampton, the base of the Red Arrows, along with the Heritage Centre before heading to the notable Memorial Spire and the Wall of Names, as well as the Chadwick Centre.
Later, visit Lincoln’s Cathedral and Castle before an indulgent dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Petwood Hall Hotel
DAY 5 WOODHALL SPA – COSFORD – WROXALL
Today you will visit RAF Cosford where you have the chance to take a close look at the original bombers before continuing to the National Memorial Arboretum. In the evening, move to your hotel in Warwickshire, where you can spend the evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Wroxall Abbey Hotel
DAY 6 WROXALL – BLETCHLEY – WINCHESTER
As the birthplace of modern information technology, visit Bletchley Park. With your appetites satisfied, tour the Swiss Garden and the Shuttleworth Collection at Brooklands – one of the most prestigious in the world, before continuing to Winchester.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lainston House Hotel
DAY 7 WINCHESTER – WEYMOUTH – WAREHAM – WINCHESTER
With years of significant events that have shaped the historic story of Britain, you still have many sights to explore. Head to the Dorset coastline to observe the Fleet Lagoon and the Weymouth Black Down before continuing to the Bovington Tank Museum.
Afterwards, embark on a guided tour with access to a MKIV WWI tank that you can climb inside.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lainston House Hotel
DAY 8 WINCHESTER – PORTSMOUTH – GOSPORT – WINCHESTER
Today in Portsmouth, you will visit HMS Victory, best known as Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
After, continue to the D-Day Museum and meet a RAF veteran who will share their experience during the British legion. With one last stop at the Submarine Museum at Gosport, before returning to Winchester.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Lainston House Hotel
DAY 9 WINCHESTER – LONDON
On your last day of the tour, we drive back to London. But before saying farewell, there’s still time for one last historic encounter at the RAF Museum, home to over 100 aircraft.
Climb inside the Spitfire MK16 and take the pilot’s seat for one last historic hurrah before your tour ends.
Meals: Breakfast