Custom Driving Tours
Enjoy the freedom of the road whilst soaking up the beautiful British countryside. We have experience of organising custom chauffeur tours throughout the UK. The length of the trip can be for a full day, part day or for several days including your accommodation. We start by listening to your ideas of places you might like to visit and then we make a few suggestions too! We then we will tailor make an itinerary bespoke to your requirements. We can collect you from any location in the UK and if you wish to finish your tour in a different location that’s fine too! You will be transported in luxury on your tour in a Chrysler Grand Voyager or E-class Mercedes Avantgarde. For half a day tour our prices start from just £25 per person. A luggage trailer can be provided on request.
You tell us where you want to go – we make it happen!
As each tour is planned on an individual basis it is not possible to complete an online booking. Please contact us with your requirements stating start and end locations for your tour, number of passengers, required tour length, destinations you want to include. We will discuss and plan your trip with you to tailor your tour exactly to your taste.
Example tours are shown below:
Day or half-day chauffeur driven tours
Tour of North West England
Tour of South East England
Tour of Scotland
Day or half-day chauffeur driven tours
We are based in Yorkshire and can offer day or half-day tours to suit your interests and enable you to experience the beauty of The Yorkshire Dales, The Lake District or the Peak District. Examples of places that you might wish to visit include The Lake District, York Minster, Castle Howard, Skipton Castle, Bolton Abbey, Ingleton Waterfalls, Thirsk (Herriot country), Harrogate, Holmfirth (home of Last of the Summer Wine), Buxton & Bakewell.
Chauffeur Driven Tour - North West England
This itinerary takes in the very best of the North West including 3 National Parks, film locations and stylish cities. Take this trip to enjoy the luxurious drive across some of Britain’s most glorious countryside.
The Yorkshire Dales
We will collect you from Manchester Airport where we will leave the motorway far behind as we enter the hauntingly beautiful Peak District National Park. The road winds through awe-inspiring countryside up towards Holmfirth in Yorkshire, setting for the ever-green television series ‘Last of the Summer Wine’.
You will discover a treasure trove of Victorian architecture and wide, green open spaces in Leeds. Youo can take to the waters in the splendid surroundings of the recently restored Bramley Baths, or marvel at the extensive collection of armour and live jousting demonstrations (Summer only) at the Royal Armouries Museum.
Nearby Harewood House, home to the Queen’s cousin the Earl of Harewood, boasts impressive exteriors and exquisite interiors. The 1,000 acres of parkland are home to lakeside and woodland walks plus a collection of rare birds.
We will then journey northwards to the Yorkshire Dales National Park. On this route we will cross the sweeping heartland of this wonderful countryside, featured widely in the James Herriot books and television series.
Next you can view the romantic ruins at Bolton Abbey or relax beside the River Wharfe. A short drive away is Skipton Castle, one of the best preserved castles in Britain and home to a spooky dungeon! Then we will travel further north to the famous Aysgarth Falls. Covering almost one mile of the River Ure, the falls offer a spectacular site as thousands of gallons of water cascade over rock ledges.
Go back in time when we visit Richmond, a unique market town that has changed little since its founding by the Normans in 1071. You can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside from the medieval castle.
The Lakes
We will then leave Yorkshire and travel across into Cumbria, a land of stunning contrasts with mountain vistas and lakeland views. The setting for the television adaptation of ‘Jane Eyre’, Dalemain at Penrith is a fascinating mix of medieval, Tudor and Georgian architecture. With colourful gardens, a historic nursery filled with toys from all generations, and collections of fine china and furniture there is something for all the family.
As we pass through Pooley Bridge you will enter the picturesque Lake District National Park. Cumbria is famed for its lakes and as we travel southwards we will pass Ullswater and Windermere – two of the most remarkable. Nestling within the reaches of Windermere is Blackwell, now restored as an art gallery it is an example of the survival of the arts and crafts movement.
Kendal offers more surprises. Discover more about lakeland life, and see a wonderful selection of art at Abbot Hall Art Gallery – one of the finest small art galleries. Nearby Levens Hall offers a feast for the eyes with its world famous Topiary Gardens, first laid out in 1694.
Seaside Fun
We will then follow the coastline down towards Carnforth and Morecambe. You may recognise the station in Carnforth, it was the setting for the tearful farewell in the 1945 classic ‘Brief Encounter’. Always a popular seaside resort, Morecambe extends a warm welcome and you will of course be able to visit the life size statue of comedian Eric Morecambe.
For more seaside fun we will then visit Blackpool. This lively yet traditional resort is packed with celebrated attractions including the Blackpool Tower and North, Central and South piers, or why not promenade along the Pleasure Beach. If your tour takes place between late August and early November you will be able to see the fabulous illuminations.
The Home of The Beatles
Your tour will continue southwards past pretty Rufford Old Hall near Ormskirk. Legend says that William Shakespeare once performed in the magnificent Great Hall.
Liverpool is famed as being the home of the Beatles but there is a lot more to see and do in this amazing city of culture. You can find out more about the history behind the city and tradition of sporting excellence in the Museum of Liverpool Life. If art is more your thing then we will visit Tate Liverpool with its collection of modern art, or for lovers of fine portraits the elegant Walker Art Gallery is unmissable.
If you have time in your schedule music fans should take a trip on the Mersey Ferry, made famous in the song sung by Gerry and the Pacemakers. Whilst for Beatles fans a visit to the Cavern Club is a must, or a tour around The Beatles Story, complete with Yellow Submarine!
Homeward Bound
The tour is almost complete as you cross Merseyside and travel back towards Manchester. However before you leave we wouldn’t want you to miss the wonderful Tatton Park. This splendid estate has been occupied since 8000 BC, the present house dates from the 18th century. Renowned for its glorious gardens, Tatton Park also boasts a stunning mansion and Tudor Old hall, as well as hosting a wide variety of events. Your journey will finish at nearby Knutsford packed with wonderful tea shops. This pretty town takes its name from King Canute, famed for failing to halt the incoming tide when sitting on his throne on the beach! The tour finishes when we deliver you safely back to Manchester Airport leaving you will treasured memories of your trip.
Chauffeur Driven Tour - Southern England
This itinierary gives you the quintessential British experience – soaking up the unique ambience of Britain’s countryside as you glide along in one of our luxury chauffeur driven cars. From ancient stone circles to stunning medieval castles, Saxon towns and Roman roads this tour takes you across picture perfect British countryside.
Breezing Along the River
We will collect you from London Heathrow Airport, and after a short drive the majestic River Thames flows westwards passing the historic town of Windsor. Enjoy panoramic views of the Thames Valley from the terraces of Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation.
Across the river is Eton, with its famous public school established by Henry VI in 1440. You can stop for a wander along the High Street with its delightful jumble of antique shops and traditional public houses.
The Thames winds its way past the stately gardens of Cliveden, now a luxury hotel, before reaching the pretty village of Cookham, and the riverside towns of Marlow and Henley.
The Homes of Literature and Learning
We will then travel to Oxford which is renowned as a seat of learning – visit traditional pubs that were frequented by authors J R R Tolkein, C S Lewis and the infamous fictional character Inspector Morse. You can wander around the busy markets, leafy parks or visit hidden away antique shops – for the more adventurous a punt or cruise down the Rivers of Isis and Cherwell must not be missed!
Nearby Woodstock is home to one of the largest private houses in England. With its fabulously baroque exteriors and sumptuous interiors, Blenheim Palace is a wonder to behold. Visit the room where Sir Winston Churchill was born, or marvel at the glittering state-rooms and the superb collection of fine art and sculpture.
Next we will visit the home of another famous Briton at Stratford-upon-Avon. You cannot escape William Shakespeare in Stratford - visit one of five properties with links to the great writer including the cottage of his wife, Anne Hathaway or enjoy his plays at one of the theatres of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Further north we travel to Warwick, a castle that rivals Windsor as one of the finest in Britain. If you dare, enter the spooky Ghost Tower where the ghost of the murdered Sir Fulke Greville is said to still walk. Or marvel at the grandeur of the Great Hall and the recently restored Victorian Mill that once generated enough electricity to power all the lightbulbs in the castle!
A Feast for the Eyes
As you are driven through the Cotswolds, revel in the vast array of honey-coloured cottages, gardens covered with rose blooms and hidden-away tea shops. Stop off in Stow-on-the-Wold, known for a thousand years as the cross-road town of the Cotswolds. Take time to explore the lovely square with pubs, tea rooms, shops and hotels.
As we head south, towards the delightful Malmesbury you will see where six bridges leading from the market square bear testament to its Saxon past. The town is rich with history – most of the houses are weaver’s dwellings from the 17th and 18th century, the Market Cross is Tudor and the abbey remains date from Norman times.
In the Footsteps of the Romans
Bath is a wonderfully elegant town and is designated a World Heritage Site. Imagine yourself back in Roman Britain at the well preserved Baths where the hot springs still run!
You can visit No. 1 Royal Crescent and see how these fine Georgian houses were furnished, or learn about the story of fashion at the internationally acclaimed Museum of Costume. Take time out to pamper yourself at the new Bath Spa that uses the same mineral springs as its Roman predecessor.
As you leave the relaxing Roman baths behind we can take one of two alternative routes.
Route 1
The A4 is the modern equivalent of the ancient Roman road. You can time to visit the magnificent Bowood House & Gardens, home to the Marquis of Landsdowne and his family. The house is filled with wonderful treasures including Georgian costumes, collections of jewellery and watercolours; the gardens are also a wonder to behold – over 2,000 acres liberally decorated with temples and water features.
Ancient Secrets
We will then head towards Wiltshire, a county of ancient secrets. There are mysterious white horses carved into the chalk hillside at Cherhill, Pewsey and Marlborough and mystical stone circles at Avebury and Stonehenge.
We follow the mysterious past onto Highclere Castle in Newbury. This stunning Victorian building was home to the tragic 5th Earl of Carnarvon who, alongside Howard Carter discovered the Tomb of Tutankhamun. The 5th Earl died in strange circumstances in Egypt and his death has long been attributed to the curse of Tutankhamun. The Egyptian rooms that chart the archeological work undertaken by the Earl are worth a visit.
Closer to Guildford are Clandon Park and Hatchlands Park, both built in the 18th century. Clandon Park houses a wonderful collection of porcelain, textiles and furniture whilst Hatchlands Park is home to a large number of historic keyboard instruments, many of which have been played by Chopin, Mahler and Elgar.
Route 2
This second route from Bath takes you into beautiful Dorset, through the cities of Salisbury and Winchester and onto motor heaven at Beauliea.
The Oldest Town
If you want you can walk up the famous Gold Hill in Shaftesbury as you enjoy breathtaking views of the Dorset countryside. One of England’s oldest towns, Shaftesbury is renowned as the ‘Shaston’ of Thomas Hardy’s novels and is filled with rural charm and fine old buildings.
We will meet up with the ancient Roman road at Salisbury and follow its route towards Winchester. This ancient city is teeming with history, it was once the capital of Wessex, an old English kingdom.
Built by Henry III, nothing except the Great Hall remains of Winchester Castle which is home to an Arthurian Round table. The impressive Norman cathedral is worth a visit and you can still see the remains of the three monasteries that have stood in Winchester since Saxon times.
Glorious Motors
Then you can immerse yourself in the history of motoring at the Beauliea Vintage Motor Museum. This fascinating Museum traces the story of motoring from 1894 to the present day – see the world record breakers Bluebird and Golden Arrow.
We will take you to experience the thrill of watching historic motor cars and bikes racing at Goodwood.
The Loveliest Castle
Next on to Horsham which is another wonderfully preserved Saxon town. First mentioned in the Saxon Charter of King Eadred in 947AD Horsham has over 40 historical buildings including the homes of medieval merchants, Tudor shops and Georgian and Victorian houses.
The last place to visit is ‘the loveliest castle in the world’ – Leeds Castle in Maidstone. Set in 500 acres of beautiful parkland and next to a natural lake, Leeds Castle is an exceptionally picturesque property that has been home to Kings and Queens. You can explore the wonderful gardens and enter the Maze with its secret underground grotto! We will then return you safely to Heathrow airport for your trip home leaving you to relish the memories of this trip for many years to come...
Chauffeur Driven Tour - Scotland
With its snow-capped mountain ranges, heather clad valleys and warm welcome – Scotland is a spectacular place to visit. The best way to capture the Scottish experience is by road and with Elite Voyager Chauffeur Travel its easy and great fun to enjoy a touring holiday in Scotland! This itinerary takes in the very best of Scotland including 2 cities, outstanding coastline and the recently opened National Park at Loch Lomond.
The Haunted City
After arriving at Edinburgh airport you will take the opportunity to explore this fascinating city. Famous for its Castle, Palace and Royal Mile, Edinburgh is packed with a diverse range of attractions.
Visit the newly opened Mary King’s Close – reputedly one of most haunted places in Scotland or the Royal Yacht Britannia. This stately ship once owned by the Queen now lives out its well-earned retirement welcoming visitors.
Enter the Kingdom of Fife
Leave Edinburgh’s Georgian architecture behind you as we take to the Forth Road Bridge sited beside its more famous counterpart, the Forth Rail Bridge. We will enter the vivid landscape of the Kingdom of Fife, and its ancient capital, Dunfermline. This historic city has traditionally been connected with the Royal Scottish dynasties, - visit the cave where Queen Margaret used to pray and the remains of the Great Benedictine Abbey founded by her.
Royal connections can also be found at the Royal Palace of Falkland, near Cupar, the favourite country residence of the Stuart kings and queens who hunted boar and deer in the nearby forests. Other pursuits, like tennis, were also popular – the Royal Tennis Court at the Palace was originally built in 1539 and is still in use to this day!
Voyage of Discovery
We will then cross the Tay Road Bridge into Dundee. Renowned as the ‘City of Discovery’ Scotland’s fourth largest city is justifiably proud of its rich cultural, industrial and naval heritage. Just some of the attractions on offer include Captain Scott’s famous and ill-fated Antarctic expedition ship R.R.S Discovery and the textile heritage centre at Verdant Works.
Enjoy the sweeping views as we follow the rugged coastline northwards; wide beaches merge from sand, to pebble and rock, and blend with the occasional outcrop of awe-inspiring cliffs. For lovers of golf this place is heaven – in addition to the majestic Carnoustie championship course, ten other challenging courses lie along this coastal route.
For the foodies amongst you we won’t miss the opportunity to stop off in Arbroath for a Scottish delicacy – the “smokie”, a haddock slowly cooked over burning woodchips. Head past pretty Stonehaven onto Aberdeen, ‘The Flower of Scotland’. We can stop whilst you walk through Aberdeen’s many colourful gardens or if the weather is inclement, shelter in the Winter Gardens at Duthie Park, protected from the elements by two acres of glass. Like Dundee, Aberdeen is also proud of its naval heritage and you can learn more about its seafaring past at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum.
Whiskey in the Mountains
We will leave Aberdeen on the A956 across the heartland of Scotland. Near Peterculter sits a monument to one of Scotland’s most famous sons – Rob Roy. Our route takes you past Drum Castle that boasts one of the oldest surviving tower houses, and superb Crathes Castle, before entering the mysterious Blackhall Forest.
Follow the example of Queen Victoria and visit the Royal Lochnagar Distillery. When John Begg, the then proprietor of the Distillery, sent an invitation to his new neighbours, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, he could not have imagined that they would drop round. On their first visit to nearby Balmoral Castle the Queen and her family decided to take Begg up on his offer and then awarded the Royal Warrant to his whiskey.
The Royal Family continue to use Balmoral Castle to this day however visitors are still able to glimpse its opulent interiors and wander around the expansive gardens. Discover the Garden Cottage – despite not being opened to the public you can take a peak through the windows to see how the Cottage would have looked when Queen Victoria used to eat breakfast there.
At Braemar we will turn southwards towards the Victorian town of Pitlochry. A popular holiday resort for over hundred years this pretty town is famed for its 1,000-foot-long fish ladder used by salmon on their journey upstream to spawn.
The Bonnie Prince
Near Aberfeldy sits Castle Menzies, former ancestral home of the Menzies of Weem and now restored to its former glory. Amongst its treasures is one of the few remaining reproductions of the death mask of the Young Pretender, Bonnie Prince Charlie.
This stunning region saw the last, desperate retreat of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his followers after defeat at the Battle of Culloden.
We will then journey past the stunning Loch Tay and onwards to Scotland’s first National Park, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. This hauntingly beautiful park covers over 720 square miles – from rolling lowlands, wide lochs, great mountains and captivating forests.
Named as European City of Culture in 1990, your journey ends at Glasgow. This fashion conscious city has shrugged off its industrial past and has embraced culture with a wonderful collection of museums, galleries, theatres and concert halls. See over 8,000 objects d’art from across the world at the renowned Burrell Collection, or get an amazing view of the city at the Glasgow Science Centre.
Alternative Route
Alternatively we can finish your journey at Stirling. The stirring landscape is the scene for some of Scotland’s most turbulent history. Nearby is the battlefield of Bannockburn; Scotland’s most important historic site is commemorated by an impressive statue of Robert the Bruce astride his war horse and an informative visitor centre. Stirling itself held the military key to the kingdom and its Castle, one of the grandest in Scotland bears witness to many conflicts. Your journey will finish with us taking you safely back to Edinburgh airport. As you travel home you will take with you lasting memories of Bonnie Scotland.
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