Things to do in

The Cotswolds

Depart London and travel by a luxury Mercedes mini-coach to spend the morning exploring the beautiful university city of Oxford. Wander amongst the listed buildings and colleges, and climb one of the vantage points for breathtaking views of the spires. Marvel at the Ashmolean Museum's collection, then head towards the quaint Cotswolds villages to see traditional tiny cottages built from stone. Visit the village of Burford, the Gateway to the Cotswolds, and experience the small market town. Stop at another Cotswold village before heading to Bibury, where you will stroll through the famous Arlington Row.

Travel from London and spend a relaxing day exploring the quintessentially British countryside of the Cotswolds, an area known for its beautiful green landscape, charming villages and honey-colored stone cottages. This small-group tour spends the day exploring some of the highlights of the Cotswolds, as well as some of the quieter, less visited areas of countryside. The first stop of the day will be the picturesque town of Bourton-on-the-water. Affectionately known as ‘the Venice of the Cotswolds’, this pretty location is one of the most charming towns in the Cotswolds and a popular visitor destination. Take ample time to stroll along the river, wander over the small bridges and admire the stone cottages. The next stop is Stow-on-the-Wold, a jumble of ancient inns and antique shops located around the market square. Stow has been a center of trade in the Cotswolds for centuries and is known historically as the location of the last battle of the English Civil War in 1646. The town has provided inspiration to many, including JRR Tolkein, and while here there will plenty of time to explore, visit ‘England’s oldest pub’ and have a traditional British lunch.  The journey through the heart of the Cotswolds continues and the next stop is Bibury, often described as the prettiest village in all of England. Wander along the gentle river and see the iconic Arlington Row, a set of weavers cottages that are now one of the symbols of the Cotswolds, as shown in the images above. Bibury is an unmissable Cotswolds destination so you can enjoy plenty of time to explore the village. The final stop of the day is the small town of Burford, known as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’. Burford is one of England’s most unchanged medieval towns where many buildings are nearly 600 years old. The magnificent church is also known as one of the most historic in the region and whilst here there will be time to visit the church, stroll along the attractive high street and explore the town. The tour returns to the Mercure Kensington, London, by approximately 5:30 pm

Depart London on a full-day (10-hour) tour that takes you west to experience the beauty of the Cotswolds countryside, and Oxford and Stratford, England’s most romantic cities. Head to Stratford-upon-Avon in the Warwickshire countryside, and enjoy 2 hours in the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Your guide will provide suggestions on the best sites to see. Take a walk around the town center to see beautiful Tudor-style buildings and sites connected with the life of Shakespeare, including the Swan Theatre. Next, your drive will continue through the Cotswolds, as you enjoy views of the lovely landscape and stone villages. A designated area of outstanding natural beauty, this is the English countryside at its finest. Continue to Oxford to explore the most famous university city in the world. Take a walk among the college buildings and admire their dreamy spires. Your guide will recommend a walking route that covers the most famous sites, including the Bridge of Sighs and Christchurch Cathedral. Learn about Oxford’s connection with Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter. Find a great place for a meal (you guide will provide recommendations), or join local scholars and academics over a pint in the city’s most haunted pub. You'll be back in London by around 18.30 and you can use the London Underground to travel quickly to all areas of London.

Enjoy the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, and visit 4 of its loveliest villages – Burford, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Stow-on-the-Wold. Travel through the Cotswolds, an area seemingly unchanged with the passing of time. See rolling landscapes, dry stone walls, quaint churches, and streams that tumble past tiny villages and charming hamlets. On this full-day excursion from London, you’ll begin your tour in Burford, where the magnificent High Street slopes down to the River Windrush. See the town’s small tea houses before heading south to picturesque Bibury for lunch. Dine in one of the prettiest villages in England. A 2-course meal awaits you in the heart of the Cotswolds at the Swan Hotel. The restaurant, overlooking the River Coln, is housed in a 17th-century former coach inn, and serves a popular range of traditional dishes, along with ales and fine wines. Explore Bourton-on-the-Water, one of the loveliest villages in the Cotswolds. Afterwards, you’ll travel to Stow-on-the-Wold, a small market town known for its annual fairs. Enjoy a guided walk through the town center before returning to London.

Depart London in the morning, making your first stop at Yew Tree Farm (Cogges Manor Farm), the home of the Downton Abbey tenant farmers. This beautiful, well-preserved 13th century manor house is situated on the banks of the River Windrush, and was featured in the fourth Downton Abbey series. Beginning with the fifth series, the farm became home to the secret love child of Lady Edith. In the sixth series, Mr. Mason moved in with aid of Daisy. Enjoy a tea/coffee break on your arrival at the farm’s refurbished rustic Cow Shed Café and then take a tour and learn of the encounters between the tenant farmers and the landowners, featured in the TV series. Your private tour of Yew Tree Farm is scheduled before it opens to the public! Once you’ve visited the farm, you’ll continue on to Downton village, which is actually called Bampton, a lovely, well-preserved village in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. This village has been featured extensively throughout the popular TV series as its Downton village. The local library served as the Downton Cottage Hospital and Doctors’ surgery, and St. Mary’s Church became Downton Church. Churchgate House also featured in exterior shots as the Crawley family home. Now, you will have the chance to walk along these village streets! In the early afternoon, you’ll head to Highclere Castle, the Grantham family home. You’ll have time to explore the Monk’s Garden, the White Border, the Secret Garden, and the Wood of Goodwill, and have time for a light lunch at the café/tearooms in the Castle kitchens. The Carnarvon family have lived at Highclere Castle since 1679. In 1838, the Third Earl of Carnarvon commissioned Sir Charles Barry to transform the castle into an outstanding mansion. It served as a hospital during the Great War and was returned to private residential use in 1922. The current Earl and his wife, the Countess of Carnarvon, live part of the time in the castle and part of the time nearby in their country home. They remain closely involved in the everyday life of the castle and the plans for its future. Once you have entered the castle, you’ll follow a set route with guides in each state room, including the saloon, library, dining room, music room, drawing room, and smoking room. You can also go up the red stairs to see some of the bedrooms and the gallery, before making your way down the oak staircase back to the saloon in the center of the castle.

Depart London by luxury mini-coach on an 11-hour Downton Abbey tour. Stop at Yew Tree Farm (Cogges Manor Farm) to see filming sites used throughout the TV series. Continue to the Swan Inn at Swinbrook, location of one of the series' most controversial story lines. Next stop is in Shilton, a Cotswolds village inaccessible to larger coaches. See the old stone footbridge, duck pond and the old pump and well, before the short journey to Bampton (Downton village). Head to Highclere Castle, home to the Grantham family in the series. Enjoy the gardens before entering the castle. Take a guided tour of the castle’s opulent rooms. There will also be time to take in the Egyptian exhibition.

Blenheim Palace Blenheim Palace is a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The stunning State Rooms are brimming with priceless works of art and magnificent tapestries. The Palace is still inhabited today by the Duke of Marlborough. The Gardens are set in over 754 hectares of land with an exquisite water garden. The Cotswolds In the Cotswolds you'll visit one the areas most beautiful villages, Bourton-on-the-Water. This is a must-see village, referred to as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds' due to the number of attractive bridges that cross the gently-flowing river at its center. Downton Abbey Village Visit the village of Bampton; the film setting for many of the famous landmarks featured within the popular Downton Abbey TV series. See the buildings that played the part of the home of Isobel Crawley, the Downton Cottage Hospital, the church and also the location for two fictional local pubs, The Grantham Arms and The Dog & Duck.

Explore the region beyond London with a full-day excursion to sites of cultural and historical significance. First, you will head straight to Stonehenge, the most popular prehistoric monument in the world. Marvel at the huge 40-ton Sarsens and the volcanic blue stones that were brought from the Preseli Mountains, located more than 280 miles away. Next, visit the beautiful Georgian city of Bath. You'll have plenty of time to shop and explore before driving through the Cotswolds, for breathtaking views of open countryside, crisscrossed by dry stone walls and bustling market towns. Finally, the birthplace of William Shakespeare awaits at Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit the home of the greatest writer in the English language and the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company. Admire Stratford, a charming market town in the heart of rural England with a delightful river that winds its way past the Holy Trinity church, where Shakespeare was laid to rest. Get a private tour of Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall. You will be invited to take part in a Tudor lesson, write with a quill and ink, witness the rare medieval wall paintings and much more.

Depart London and journey through the unspoiled villages, river valleys and rolling hills of the Cotswolds, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known for its houses built of local honey-colored stone. Encounter charming villages and hamlets untouched by time, and visit some of the most beautiful towns in England. Stop in the town of Burford on the River Windrush, often referred to as the "gateway" to the Cotswolds. Get some time to grab some lunch at a local cafe and see some of the lovely cottages in Bourton-on-the-Water.

Join a local driver/guide on a relaxing full-day tour of the Cotswolds National Landscape. Experience the very best of this quintessentially English region on a tour that stops at 7 different and unique locations with ample time built into the day for self-exploration, shopping, and lunch. The tour stops at: • Dover's Hill: the Northern-most Cotswolds viewpoint offering panoramic views out towards Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham & Coventry • Chipping Campden: a historic wool town where you have an hour of free time to explore with our unique maps and local recommendations • Broadway Tower: a quirky 18th-century folly perched on the second-highest point of the Cotswolds hills • A secret off-the-beaten-track Cotswolds village (join to find this one out) • Stow-on-the-Wold: your designated lunch stop with a wide range of wonderful food options to choose from  • Bibury: often referred to as the prettiest village in England it's also the home of the iconic Arlington Row of cottages • Bourton-on-the-Water: famed for the crystal clear waters of the River Windrush and the pretty bridges that cross it Between the stops, your driver-guide will tell you the story of the Cotswolds with a fun, fact-filled commentary as you travel the narrow back lanes only the locals know about.