“R.S. Best of England in 14 days”

There are a few England tour scrapbooks
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/scrapbooks/tour-alum-scrapbooks

Thanks Laura!

We stayed in Salisbury 3 days before the tour, I had made arrangements for a Stonehenge tour that went into the inner circle. A bit more expensive but it was worth the cost in my opinion. There are several tour companies that go out of Salisbury to do this. That and climbing up into the interior of the Salisbury Cathedral made Salisbury a good stop before the RS tour.

We did the Best of London Tour and then the Best of England a few days later. We went to Salisbury Saturday morning when the London Tour ended and then to Bath for the Best of England early Sunday afternoon, Salisbury was a nice stop. Having done the Best of London before the Best of England we found out just how much of London we would have missed if we had only done the Best of England tour. If you have the time and do not plan to be back in the area to see more of London, I would suggest spending 2-3 days in London before the Best of England tour. Looking at the Best of England itinerary you can avoid what you will see in London on that tour.

Lisa, the reviews are here:
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/england/best-england-tour-2025

Click "Reviews" on the list of details. The most recent are from fall of 2024 so definitely post COVID.

Thanks everyone!

During our walk around Bath with the guide we passed by the Theatre Royal and there was a play that nite. The guide waited while a few of us went in to get tickets and it was a very enjoyable evening. If you do this eat an early dinner before the show. After the show we couldn't find an open restaurant.

I suggest an extra night or two in Bath before your tour starts. There's so much to see in Bath, and some of it is not covered in the RS tour, only because the tour spends a short time there then leaves for the next location. What's covered: the Roman Baths, a city walking tour with your guide that includes the Royal Crescent and the exterior of Bath Abbey. You could do the interior of the Abbey in your extra days in Bath before the tour.
I think the RS tour planners assumed--perhaps--that tour members might arrive a few days early and see a little of Bath on their own.

We took a coach (bus) from Heathrow airport directly to Bath when we went there for the RS Best of England tour. We spent 2 nights in Bath before the tour started.

If you arrived in Bath early, you could do a few things the tour does not cover. We took an open-top bus ride around the city. It leaves from the Visitors Center near the Abbey.
You could also do the tour to Stonehenge you want. Mad Max Tours is the company. They have a good reputation here on the Forum and on Trip Advisor reviews.

For your "after the tour" I might suggest this is the perfect time to spend extra days in London. Your tour ends in London, as you know, so it's a perfect time to add some additional days here. There's always more to see and do in London. You can take some day trips with the London Walks company. They do guided walks around London, each highlighting a different neighborhood or theme.

Our tour hotel in London was in South Kensington. We changed hotels when the tour was over because we wanted to experience another neighborhood. I do think it's a good idea if you'll be staying an extra 3 or 4 nights. There are many great hotels in great neighborhoods in London. Bloomsbury is great, right there at the British Museum. South Bank area is great, right near Borough Market and Tate Modern Museum and Shakespeare's Globe.

I would only take the train to Edinburgh if you really want to see Edinburgh.
If you're only doing it because you cannot think of anything else to do after the tour ends, there are plenty of destinations a short train ride away from London.

A beach perhaps? Any interest in Brighton or other beaches on the south coast?

We will be taking this tour this summer! If I remember, I will try to report back here after we get home. :) I can't wait!

We aren't doing much before/after the tour. We are staying one night in London the day before the tour starts. Probably just check into our hotel and walk around Hyde Park. Possibly visit Harrod's or Fortnum & Mason and bookstores nearby. It really just depends on how long it takes after landing, getting through the airport, to our hotel, etc. Then we're taking the train to Bath on the Sunday the tour begins. We will be flying home the Saturday the tour ends.

Advice on things not covered in the tour, restaurants along the way,....

About restaurants in Bath....I highly recommend The Scallop Shell. Excellent fish and chips
and more. Very popular. You'll need a reservation.

Many more recommendations here for eating in Bath:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/restaurant-recommendations-bath

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/special-dinner-in-bath

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/bath-dinner-ideas

and here's a thread to get you started with London restaurants:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/london-eateries

Some of our favorite restaurants in London are Indian.
Dishoom is a chain with several locations in London; great food. There are many more excellent Indian restaurants in London. I highly recommend trying Indian cuisine if you've never had it before. Try Chicken Tikka Masala, rice, vegetables and bread (naan).
London's Chinatown is blocks and blocks of great restaurants. You could just walk through there, look around, and choose one. Most have a menu posted by the front door.
For good fish and chips in London everyone likes Poppies but there are other forum favorites, too.
Of course, you can get a good meal or a Sunday Roast at a London pub.

Have fun; this is a great tour!!

Just a thought…if you love books, Hatchard’s Bookshop (estab 1797) is right next door to Fortnum & Mason…both are amazing!

Thank you SO much everyone- for your detailed great advice! I have a lot to consider and research and your help is so incredibly valuable! Thanks for taking the time to help out a fellow traveller with your wisdom and experience!