We serve all your favourite, traditional pub classics as well as a changing specials menu. Intrepid believes storytelling has a pivotal role to play when it comes to co-creating a more responsible future for travel. We are proud to champion and support the important role travel journalism plays in informing how and why we move through the world. If you are working on a story, this is your one-stop destination to find Intrepid news, assets and updates. Japan is generally safe and is rated among the safest countries in the world. Reports of crime such as theft are very low and travellers are often stunned by the fact that locals leave belongings unaccompanied in cafes and bars (though we certainly don’t recommend it!).
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to their Elders past, present and future. But most importantly, our leaders are passionate and love sharing the joy of travel. All our food is freshly prepared and homemade to a consistently high standard.
- All our food is freshly prepared and homemade to a consistently high standard.
- We’re the perfect stop off point for journeys between England and Scotland, or for those wishing to base themselves in a central location.
- Major credit cards are accepted by some stores; however, Japan is still very much a cash culture and as such, some places may not accept credit cards.
CAPITAL CITY
Our Britain and Ireland tours really click with solo travelers, running days with plenty of social moments built in. The routes combine guided walks through historic districts and group dinners in proper local pubs. Solo guests often tell us how much better it is to share moments like kissing the Blarney Stone or watching the Edinburgh Military Tattoo with new friends. Our paired travelers love how the days flow – perhaps joining a morning walk through Bath’s Georgian architecture, then spending a quiet afternoon together in a local tea room. The routes mix essential sites like Edinburgh Castle and the Cliffs of Moher with real local experiences – you might learn whiskey making in Scotland or explore Belfast’s vibrant street art scene.
Visitors’ reviews on Shoulder of Mutton Traditional Country Pub with Rooms
There are two super king size double (or twin) rooms up an external flight of stairs and one super king size suite downstairs with an en suite bedroom, lounge & kitchen corner, each accommodating 2 adults only. Takeaways are available throughout the day, every day, including breakfast, lunch and dinner! Across the courtyard from the inn you will find our recently converted Old Barn luxury accommodation. There are 2 super king size double (or twin) rooms available upstairs, accessed via an external staircase and 1 super king size double (or twin) suite on the ground floor. It’s difficult to find a pub these days that offers a truly authentic village inn experience. There are no such worries when you book in at The Shoulder of Mutton in Kirkby Overblow, Harrogate.
March, April and May are excellent months to holiday in Japan and, as a result, are the busiest. The weather is usually fine and beautiful cherry blossoms are in full bloom. September, October and November are also great months to visit Japan on holidays, as the days are warm but not humid and the autumn colours are out. Where the mountains are as famous as the cities and the trains are as fast as bullets – the crescent islands of Japan are as unique as a Tokyo street outfit.
On a mission to create positive change through the joy of travel.
We include regular comfort stops and flexible excursion options, so everyone can join garden visits, afternoon teas and also cultural shows at their own pace.Family tours across Britain and Ireland typically run days and mix learning with pure fun. Kids get excited about punting down Cambridge’s River Cam, watching border collies work their magic with sheep in the Scottish Highlands and walking through York’s medieval streets. While parents value the educational stops like Shakespeare’s birthplace, everyone enjoys lively Irish music shows. Our family travelers tell us they love how the schedule works – morning guided tours in places like Edinburgh or Dublin leave afternoons free for wandering, maybe finding quiet courtyards or stopping for treats in city parks. Budget tours in Britain and Ireland give you smart value with a good mix of hotels and B&Bs over 7-10 days. Travelers tell us they love punting on Cambridge’s River Cam, wandering through York’s old medieval streets and visiting Shakespeare’s hometown in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Best time to visit
Think of it like an independent global stamp of approval on the work we’re doing and the impact we’re making. We’ve always been about balancing purpose and profit, and in 2018, we joined the B Corp™ community to certify our commitment to using business as a force for good. That’s why we have verifiable science-based targets to reduce our emissions and follow carefully crafted animal welfare guidelines. We travel with respect for the places we go – from the natural environments we explore to the wildlife that calls those places home. If there are no availabilities in the regions you’d like to lead, you can express your interest below and register to receive updates for when we do start recruiting.
Britain and Ireland Delight (2025, 8 Days)
Julie Anne Barnett gets lots of positive mentions from past travelers – she brings the history alive and handles the logistics well. Just keep in mind you’re paying for convenience, coverage and local expertise rather than luxury accommodations. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip.
One minute, you’re sat at a tranquil tea ceremony; the next, you’re crossing the busiest intersection in the world. Learn of geisha traditions, eat your way through Japan’s delicacies, search for the pinkest cheery blossom, try your hand at an arcade game, then soak away your stress at an onsen. As an Australian-owned business, we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.
In Japan, toilets range from high-tech bidets to standard Western-style flushable toilets to squat toilets, which are still common outside the city. For over 20 years, our not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has been giving Intrepid travellers a chance to make a bigger impact in the places they visit. Together we’ve raised more than $18 million and supported over 160 communities around the world. From homestays to Indigenous community-led experiences, we look for opportunities to keep the economic benefits of travel where they belong. Getting people back travelling and sharing my country’s history and beauty with all my travellers.
Mobile phone coverage is excellent in Japan but be aware that talking loudly on your phone in public places (like in train carriages) is frowned upon. If you want to use your mobile phone, ensure global roaming is activated before you arrive (but be aware of the fees this may incur). Summer months can be incredibly hot and sticky, so loose, lightweight and breathable clothing is essential. If you’ve ever eaten at a sushi train restaurant, you’ve got the underrated city of Osaka to thank! The motto in this city is ‘kuidaore,’ which roughly translates odmcoin as ‘eat until you drop.’ You can consider that a (friendly) order. One minute you’re walking through a former black-market quarter, the next you’re paying your respects at a 1400-year-old temple.
It’s important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality. An important part of our customer experience is that they fully immerse themselves in the destination with authentic experiences, so our leaders are true locals. They know the urban legends behind every town square, the shortcuts down timeworn alleys and the traditional dishes you wouldn’t find on the tourist menu. Our leaders are the best folk to show you the heart of a destination, they are not only travel experts, but teachers, travel gurus and enthusiastic purveyor of grassroots experiences. As a local leader with Intrepid you’ll guide our travellers through authentic, experience rich travel – all with a smile. As a local leader with Intrepid you’ll guide our travellers through authentic, experience-rich travel – all with a smile.
- Be it for a drink, meal or stay, we really care about your visit and take time to get the details right.
- All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip.
- Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.
- The Shoulder of Mutton is a traditional country pub located in the heart of rural Northumberland, between Morpeth and Alnwick.
- Travelers tell us they love punting on Cambridge’s River Cam, wandering through York’s old medieval streets and visiting Shakespeare’s hometown in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Our travelers often mention how much they appreciate not having to figure out Highland road navigation or Irish Sea ferry timings themselves. Our leaders don’t simply read from a guidebook, they share who they are, their passion, their love of their culture and region every single day, and they are as unique as the destinations we visit. Every single day they create positive change through the joy of travel and every day our local leaders change the way travellers see the world. Our leaders come from strong customer service backgrounds and are incredible at building relationships with a broad range of people. Expat Explore and Cosmos both run solid European tours, though travelers’ experiences tend to vary. Our customers who’ve joined Expat Explore consistently mention guides Kaeleigh and Niall for their deep local knowledge and how smoothly they keep everything moving.
We take the health and safety of our travellers seriously and take every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and inclusive for everyone. When you travel with us, you have access to our global support network and local on‑ground leadership, and you can rest easy knowing we have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination. If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group trip, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly.