Save Up To £250pp On Our UK & Ireland 2020 Tours

When an archaeological or historical site is within easy reach, it's easy to think, "Oh, I'll get around to visiting it eventually". Why not make the eventually now? We understand that you might be hesitant to travel too far at the moment, which is why we have decided to shine a spotlight on the fantastic UK and Ireland tours we have on offer for the remainder of 2020.

With the earliest UK and Ireland-based tour starting in June and the final 2020 departure leaving as late as 22nd December, there is a good amount of time to anticipate your trip and there are a range of memorable ones to choose from – all of which focus on the rich history and fascinating archaeology that can be found in and around the UK and Ireland.

So, whether you've always wanted to hike alongside Hadrian's Wall, discover the vast Roman influence on the West Country or come face-to-face with Scotland's Pictish standing stones, we have a 'holiday at home' for you. What's more, you'll get to travel in the esteemed company of our expert guides, who range from the best-selling author Dr Simon Elliott to former Archaeologist of the Year winner Tony Wilmott.

The Romans in the North - save £250pp

Join Dr Simon Elliott in York for a 7-day tour that travels through northern Britain and ends in Edinburgh, following in the footsteps of Septimius Severus. Tour York Minster, visit Vindolanda and see the Cramond Lioness at the National Museum of Scotland. The 21st September departure is part of our special sale, meaning you can save £250pp if you pay in full at the time of booking. Alternatively, secure your place on this trip with a special low deposit of just £99pp instead of £500.

Mary Anning and Augustus Pitt Rivers - save £215pp

If you keep up to date with entertainment news, you might know that actresses Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan have been working on a movie called Ammonite, which is due for general release this year and remembers the life of Mary Anning. Coincidentally, we have a tour on offer for this coming July that also celebrates Mary Anning, taking guests to London's Natural History Museum, to Stonehenge and Salisbury Museum, the Larmer Tree Gardens, Lyme Regis, Cranborne Chase and the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford.

The Golden Age of Northumbria - save £175pp

Recently included in The Telegraph's 10 of the Best Historic Holidays in Britain for 2020, this new tour will see you explore the famous monastery of Lindisfarne, the once-bustling Roman town of Corbridge, St. Paul's Monastery at Jarrow and the Norman architecture of Durham Cathedral. The tour is led by John Oxley, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and an experienced archaeologist.

Explore Northern Ireland - save £210pp

From great prehistoric sites shrouded in mystery to amazing rugged landscapes, this small corner of the world has a lot to offer. From enigmatic megalithic archaeology to medieval castles – and the region’s troubled modern history, you will sample the wonders of Northern Ireland’s varied past. Walk along the Peace Wall in Belfast to view its murals, visit Titanic Belfast to learn the story of this iconic liner and explore Navan Fort with its reconstructed Iron Age dwelling. Jeremy Bennett will lead this tour, an academic currently working on his PhD at Magdalene College in Cambridge.

Discover the Picts - save £205pp

This tour will explore how, even though they left behind no surviving documents, the Picts helped lay the foundation of modern Scotland. Get insights into the most recent developments in Pictish archaeology, which will revolutionise our understanding of the Picts and their kingdoms. View the important Pictish collection in the National Museum of Scotland, stand before masterpieces of Pictish carving and discover the chief royal fort of the northern Picts on the Moray Firth at Burghead.

The Archaeology of London - save £165pp

Experience England's capital like never before on this unique city tour, led by expert guide John Oxley – Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and an experienced archaeologists. Visits on this trip range from time at Dennis Severs' 18th century house to subterranean tours of amazing Roman remains hidden beneath the bustling streets. Pay a visit to the Roman Gallery of the Museum of London, explore the Billingsgate Roman House and Baths and discover the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

Archaeology and Ghosts in East Anglia - save £115pp

If you're a fan of literature – and ghost stories in particular – this is the tour for you. Centred around the ghost tales of M. R. James, this 4-day break will take you from Cambridge to Sutton Hoo in search of sites of significance to the writer. Explore the Neolithic flint mines at Grime’s Graves, visit the reconstructed Saxon village at West Stow and listen to haunting, classic ghost stories in truly atmospheric surroundings.

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