Visit the Grand Ole Opry from the UK

If you love country music, the Grand Ole Opry is the stage you will want to see for yourself. It has been broadcasting live from Nashville for over a century, and generations of country legends and rising stars have stood in its spotlight. A night there feels a little like being invited to a very big family party.

Getting to Nashville from the UK is easier than many people expect, and on an escorted tour all the planning is done for you. Here is the story behind the Opry, how UK visitors can visit, and which of our escorted tours include it. Arrive as a guest, leave as a friend.

The story of the Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry began on the radio. Nashville station WSM first went on air on 5 October 1925, and on 28 November 1925 announcer George D. Hay launched a live country music show called the WSM Barn Dance, opening with 77-year-old fiddle player Uncle Jimmy Thompson.

In 1927 the show took the name we know today. According to the Opry's own history, Hay was following a classical music broadcast when he told listeners that after an hour of "grand opera", they would now hear the "Grand Ole Opry". The name stuck.

As the audience grew, the show moved through several homes. From 1943 to 1974 it was staged at the Ryman Auditorium, later known as the Mother Church of Country Music. Hank Williams made his Opry debut there, and Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton all joined the Opry family during those years.

In 1974 the Opry moved to its current home, the Grand Ole Opry House. A six-foot circle of wood cut from the Ryman stage was set into the centre of the new stage, so today's performers still stand on a piece of the old one.

The Opry remains a live weekly radio broadcast on WSM, and it is one of the longest-running radio broadcasts in the United States. Artists are inducted as Opry members, which is still one of the great honours in country music. The Opry celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025.

How UK visitors can visit

The Grand Ole Opry House is in Nashville, a little way outside downtown. Here is how to plan your visit.

Getting to Nashville

Nashville is usually reached from the UK with a connecting flight through a US hub. Routes and schedules change, so please check current flights before you plan.

Planning it yourself

Shows and tickets are handled through the official Opry website, opry.com, where you can check the current schedule. The line-up changes from show to show, so look at what is on before you settle your dates. The Opry also offers backstage tours if you would like to see behind the scenes. Do check the current US entry requirements for UK passport holders before you travel.

Visiting on an escorted tour

On a Travelling Time escorted tour, the Opry is part of the day-by-day itinerary, so there is no need to organise it yourself. You travel with a friendly small group and an experienced tour manager, with the coach, hotels and sightseeing taken care of, and you simply enjoy the music.

Visit the Grand Ole Opry with Travelling Time

We have been creating music-themed escorted holidays for nearly 30 years. These escorted tours show a Grand Ole Opry visit in Nashville in their day-by-day itineraries.

Music Cities - Southern Style: 14 nights. Day 13: Grand Ole Opry. New Orleans, Memphis, Muscle Shoals and Nashville. Next departure: 25 May 2027.
Totally Tennessee: 12 nights (13 days). Day 6: Antique Archaeology and Grand Ole Opry. Memphis, Nashville, Pigeon Forge and Chattanooga. New dates coming soon. Register your interest on the tour page.
Southern Style: 12 nights. Day 4: Grand Ole Opry Night. Nashville, Muscle Shoals and Memphis. New dates coming soon. Register your interest on the tour page.
Soundtrack of the South: 13 nights. Day 13: Grand Ole Opry. New Orleans, Orange Beach, Muscle Shoals, Memphis and Nashville. New dates coming soon. Register your interest on the tour page.
Country, Capitals, Jack & Coke: 10 nights. Day 10: Grand Ole Opry. Atlanta, Macon, Birmingham, Muscle Shoals and Nashville. New dates coming soon. Register your interest on the tour page.

Day numbers come from each tour's itinerary. The running order can change with scheduling, but the attractions listed remain part of the tour. All of these tours are tour-only, so flights are not included (see the questions below).

To find out more or register your interest, call 01738 643 737 or email info@travellingtime.co.uk.

While you are in Nashville

The Opry is just one chapter of Music City. These guides will help you make the most of the rest.

Three more places sit naturally alongside an Opry visit. The Ryman Auditorium was the Opry's home from 1943 to 1974 and is well worth seeing for its history. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis Presley recorded, both appear in the itineraries of tours including Southern Style, Totally Tennessee and Country, Capitals, Jack & Coke.

Frequently asked questions

Can I see the Grand Ole Opry from the UK?

Yes, though you will need to travel to Nashville, Tennessee, to see a show in person. Nashville is usually reached from the UK with a connecting flight through a US hub, so please check current flights. If you would like a taste from home, the show is also broadcast live on WSM radio, but nothing beats being in the room.

Is the Grand Ole Opry worth seeing?

We think so. The Opry is the home of country music, with established stars and newcomers sharing the same stage, and the six-foot circle of wood from the old Ryman stage is a lovely touch of history. You do not need to know every song to enjoy it. Line-ups vary, so we cannot promise who you will see.

Which Travelling Time tours include the Grand Ole Opry?

These escorted tours show a Grand Ole Opry visit in their itineraries: Music Cities - Southern Style, Totally Tennessee, Southern Style, Soundtrack of the South and Country, Capitals, Jack & Coke.

Are flights included?

No. Our escorted tours are tour-only. We can book flights for you as an extra, or you are welcome to arrange your own.

How big are the groups?

Our escorted tours typically have 20 to 30 guests, and can run with as few as 8. The maximum is 50. Private groups can be any size.

Is my money protected?

Travelling Time is a Member of Protected Trust Services (6332) and as such all your travel arrangements are 100% financially protected. All of our air holidays and flights are protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL 7516).

Prefer to travel independently? We also create bespoke Fly Drive Plus itineraries.