While you can still visit some of the towns former mills, its now better known as a creative haven with a bohemian atmosphere and eclectic medley of independent cafes, cosy pubs, galleries, and antique shops. Day tours from London usually include round-trip transport, a tour guide, and entrance fees. Voted the most romantic street in Britain in a poll for Google Street View, the road features traditional Cotswold architecture, gorgeous views, secluded getaways, fine restaurants and hotels, and a charming ambience. Sign up to receive the latest news and updates! Hello from both of us Tracy and Doug Collins. Theres a vibrant buzz in places like Cheltenham, Cirencester, Tewkesbury, Stroud and Witney. Every tour is important to our family company and your time with us matters. Stroll along the picturesque streets, including the deceptively named New Street, built in the 15th century, and the Church of St. Mary, built between the 14th and 16th centuries, with its yard of 99 yew trees. Explore the gilded State Rooms and the priceless collections. There are also numerous festivals throughout the year, including the enormously popular horse racing event, the Cheltenham Festival. Its also linked to many towns in the central and northern Cotswolds by bus. Discover its highlights on a guided walking tour with us. This includes Winchcombe Antiques Centre, with its basement tearoom serving afternoon tea, warm beverages and cakes. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The wool wealth of Tetbury was significant many of the stunning woolmerchants houses are just as they were 300 years ago. Here you can marvel at the dining hall, landscaped grounds and library before returning to the capital. It was a totally impressive, different character holiday. Admiring the medieval buildings as we walk down Coxwell Street is well worthwhile. We met local farmers, a bee-keeper, we learnt to stonewall, read unseen letters from Elizabeth I at a private castle and even had tea with the owner and gardener of a private Cotswold manor. Explorequintessentially English villages of honey-coloured stone; take insplendid, lively market towns; visit some of the countrys greatest palaces, castles and country houses;marvel at the natural world in acclaimed reserves and at some of the most famous arboretas in Britain; walk through breath-taking landscapes along historic trails; or make a splash in our lake-land area with its own inland beach. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. If youre limited on time or want an easy way to visit the Cotswolds without a car, there are also a range of guided tours that let you see some of the highlights in a day and include travel. Such a helpful article, thank you very much. Like most of the U.K., it is connected via bus and train routes to nearby hubs, including London. Our immersive experience led days take you behind the scenes, embracing the British culture and our diverse portfolio offers something for everybody. What are you reading right now? In a group of up to 18, youll see other sites used for the filming of Downton Abbey as well as Bampton village, the main location. But local train and bus links are good enough to reach the Cotswolds main towns and villages without a car, so not having access to one or not wanting to drive shouldnt put you off visiting. The map below highlights the towns and cities in and around the Cotswolds which have train stations (shown in black with the British Rail logo) and also shows the main bus routes around the region (excluding services which only run once or twice a week). Liverpool or Manchester: Which City to Visit? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Bursting with honey-coloured stone cottages, stunning scenery, gorgeous places to stay and things to do, they're perfect for a short break or longer stay. If you have time and a car you could start in Bristol, take some time around the south Cotswolds and then loop around the coast taking in Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia, and fly back out of somewhere more convenient. Next, pay a visit to the 18th century Painswick Rococo Garden, the only one of its kind in the country. Then, for the perfect Insta-shot, stroll down from Market Place toward the river, where youll find the villages iconic bridge. Indeed it can be argued that the buildings are some of the finest found on any tours of the Cotswolds. The Cotswolds Adventurer Tour includes Bampton (used for the village in Downton Abbey), Kelmscott, Lechlade, Bibury, Northleach, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold and Blenheim Palace. Coach tours to the Cotswolds include return coach travel and with the exception of day trips, accommodation at a good quality 3 or 4* hotel at a convenient base usually about an hours' drive away. The afternoon Cotswolds tour from Oxford then takes in two of the areas finest spots the bustling market town of Burford and the postcard-worthy village of Bibury. The capital of the Cotswolds, Cirencester is a market town dating back to the Romans. The Perfect 1, 2 or 3 Days in Montpellier Itinerary, The Perfect 1, 2 to 3 Days in Toulouse Itinerary, The Perfect 2 to 3 Days in Nice Itinerary, The Perfect 5 to 7 Days in Finland Itinerary (Winter or Summer). 2022 was our 28 th trip to the Cotswolds Gaze up at the grand architecture and wander the stunning rooms until you feel like an aristocrat. From Bourton its a lovely 1.5-mile walk along the River Windrush to Lower Slaughter, where you can do a short diversion to neighbouring Upper Slaughter, and on to Stow-on-the-Wold. The Wolfman and Stardust has also used the village as a back drop. Winchcombe is also a haven for walkers and history buffs. The twin villages monikers come from the Old English word for a muddy or boggy place, slough, and belie their quaint characters. One of the simplest and most popular ways to do this is to book one of the best Cotswold tours from London but with lots to pick from, how can you be sure of picking the best option? You can buy them on the bus or online with their app (which saves you a bit of money). They have a number of beautiful rooms to choose from and lots of other amenities to make your stay fantastic. Tetbury - " an unspoilt market town". 10 pretty Cotswolds villages and towns to visit, Destinations: Burford, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Whats included: Transport, guide, 2 course lunch, Destinations: University of Oxford, Burford & Bibury, Departure point: Greenline Coach Terminal near Victoria Coach Station, Whats included: Transport, guide, free time to explore, Destinations: Stratford-upon-Avon, the Cotswolds & Oxford, Departure point: Stanhope Arms pub opposite Gloucester Road underground, Destinations: Blenheim Palace, Cotswolds & Downton Abbey villages, Departure point: Varies according to date, Whats included: Transport, audio headset, Blenheim Palace State Rooms. No Car! With their extensive travel and tourism experience, all members of the Go Cotswolds team deliver fun, memorable experiences that are the kind of tours we want to go on ourselves! 26 Cotswolds tour packages with 197 reviews View Map In-depth Cultural Heart of England 4 reviews You can buy the passes at train stations or on board buses. Burfords High Street is also home to Englands oldest pharmacy, which opened its doors in 1734, and the Tolsey Museum, which highlights the towns history. A city that owes its beauty, ambience, architecture and history to the world-renowned Oxford University. Must-see attractions include the Corinium Museum with Roman, Norman, and Saxon artefacts and the Parish of St. John Baptist. Have any questions about this itinerary? Based in Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon, we provide fun, friendly guided tours of the nearby Cotswolds National Landscape, the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England. Chauffeured by our friendly, fully qualified and insured drivers, our comfortable, luxury minibuses are ideal for transporting groups of up to 16 people. Or connect on to one of the smaller places like Broadway or Bourton-on-the-Water and stay there, using buses and footpaths to explore nearby. Book Your Private Cotswold Tours from Moreton, Broadway, Oxford & London. Click here to browse more Cotswolds hotels! The 801 runs northeast to Bourton-on-the-Water (45 minutes), Stow-on-the-Wold (60 minutes) and Moreton-in-Marsh (70 minutes), with around nine services a day. Discover wonderful attractions and many other things to see and do to keep you entertained. You can also take the Golden Valley Line that connects Swindon and Gloucester/Cheltenham Spa. Our tours to the Cotswolds from London take you to the fairytale villages and the most magical spots in the area. Many dates available Departures from Stratford-upon-Avon and Moreton-in-Marsh. You can also take the 1/2 bus to Broadway (25 minutes) where you can walk up to the Broadway Tower, or carry along on the same line to Chipping Campden (45 minutes). Level Contributor 44 posts 2 reviews 2. Comment below! Relish in the culinary delights on offer at the wonderful restaurants, pubs, cafes and tea rooms in the Cotswolds. 55 adults (16+), 45 children (0-15 years) not recommended for small children or people with mobility issues. Check out St. Andrews Church, initially erected in the 13th century with later additions and restorations. This is a small place with an attractive historic church and medieval buildings, which you can wander around before the trip back to London, arriving at around 5.30pm. Not recommended for small children. COTSWOLDS, BATH, AVEBURY & OXFORD SMALL GROUP 2-DAY TOUR FROM LONDON Cotswolds, Bath & Oxford 2-day tour from London Not currently available. Lets explore the Cotswolds on foot! Morning mists, rolling hills, ancient woodlands and wildflower meadows. And just outside the city is grand Blenheim Palace easy to reach on the S3/7 buses (50 minutes), and you get a 30% discount on entry if you arrive by bus. Whether you are a Downton Abbey fan or have seen Steven Speilbergs Warhorse its covered on a Guided Cotswolds Tour. The most popular month to go is May, which has the largest number of tour departures. We've got 27 adventures going to Cotswolds, starting from just 5 days in length, and the longest tour is 24 days. The M5 motorway also connects the Cotswolds with Birmingham, a route that takes about an hour and a half by car. Then its only 10 minutes from Stow back to Bourton on the 801 bus. What a wh, Beautiful, frosty, crunchy winter mornings in, We are ON tomorrow! For larger groups, we work with a partner coach company to provide vehicles with up to 70 seats. The order in which these are visited may vary. It has 1300 years of recorded history.In 681 Tettas Monastery was mentioned in a charter by King Ethelred of Mercia. This guide takes you through only the best London to Cotswolds tour options, covering the destinations visited, the length of the trip and exactly whats included. Our Local Experts work and life in the Cotswolds everyday; they will immerse you life as a local! The original Dr. Doolittle film with Rex Harrison was filmed here. W, Spaces available on our Cotswolds in a Day tour TO, Rail strikes on March 16, 18 and 30, and April 1, 2023, Private Cotswolds in a Day Tour for 1-16 people, Go Cotswolds: now members of the Cotswold Way Association, We help to protect the Cotswolds with the Caring for the Cotswolds scheme. Gloucestershire-Warwickshire Steam Railway, 9 easy day trips from Cheltenham to Cotswolds (without a car), Worcestershire Parkway > Pershore > Evesham > Honeybourne > Moreton-in-Marsh > Kingham > Charlbury > Hanborough > Oxford (and on to London), Cheltenham > Gloucester > Stonehouse > Stroud > Kemble > Swindon (and on to London), Bristol > Yate > Cam and Dursley > Gloucester, Cheltenham Racecourse > Gotherington > Winchcombe > Toddington > Broadway. Which of the best Cotswolds tours from London will you book? Castle Combe - Wander through 'England's prettiest village' and try to spot the places where a number of movies were filmed. Avoid the hassle of carrying heavy bags when hiking, and enjoy the convenience of having a luggage transfer service included. Thanks David, great to hear it's been useful and enjoy your Cotswold travels! Can you get around the Cotswolds without a car? Our passion is about getting immersed into local life to provide a real authentic immersion into the culture and experience things that are not contrived. Hi there, if you want to cover all those places you will need a few days and it'll be easier if you stay in different places. After a freshly prepared one-course pub lunch, the luxury mini-coach will transport you to Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. But although its undeniably easier to get around by car, it doesnt mean you cant visit the Cotswolds without one it just might need a bit more planning. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Walk to the top of High Street and take in the view of the rows of centuries-old buildings sweeping down to the River Windrush, straddled by an impressive three-arched medieval bridge. The last stop of the day is at Burford, aka the Gateway to the Cotswolds. Happy New Year! We listen, respond, and deliver tours that go beyond the basic contrived sites. Click here to see their availability, The Fleece If youre looking for a great boutique hotel to stay at in the Cotswolds, this is a wonderful option located in the village of Witney not too far from Oxford. If you want to see it all in a day, this Cotswolds day tour also takes in Shakespeares home town and the city of Oxford. Also of note is the south porch built around 1490; it is one of the most elaborately decorated porches and gleams in the sunlight having been recently restored. From the town center, walk to Broadway Tower, a small Gothic castle built in 1799 that served as William Morris countryside retreat. To: Stratford-upon-Avon. Dubbed The Queen of the Cotswolds, this historic town was recently featured in the BBCs The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling. This company is awesome, they are revitalising what can be done in the countryside and are bringing locals with stories to tell closer to mainstream tourism. By providing my email I agree for Go Cotswolds to contact me via email with news, events and updates. Cap off your first of 2 to 3 days in the Cotswolds with a stop in Broadway, a village whose name comes from its unusually broad High Street lined with numerous shops. A two course lunch is served at the Swan Hotel. 11. The day includes 2 hours in Stratford-upon-Avon to spend as you wish, and your guide will be happy to offer suggestions. We offer affordable local private guided historical and cultural day tours for small groups. Embark on a full-day guided tour of the English countryside from London. From 99.00. The town centre is dominated by the pillared Market House built in 1655. Our bumper guide to public transport in the Cotswolds explains just how to do it, with details of train and bus routes across the region and five great itineraries for visiting the Cotswolds without a car. So often its quicker and easier to catch a bus between two places rather than having to change trains and hang around waiting at stations. By train I'd suggest going to Cheltenham, then bus to the town centre and another bus to somewhere in the Cotswolds. Admire the fairytale houses of the Cotswolds, the historic Oxford University, and the beauty of the English Countryside. The train line from Oxford also makes it easy to visit Charlbury, Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh. Dog Friendly page The Cotswolds extends a very warm welcome to visitors and their four legged friends. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. We've got 26 adventures going to Cotswolds, starting from just 5 days in length, and the longest tour is 24 days. Cotswold Tours & Exploring the region The Cotswolds is a unique Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK. Learn More Beautiful Blenheim with Galahad Tours But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. After departing Stratford youll enjoy a scenic drive through the Cotswolds before heading to Oxford. 2020 Cotswold Tours & travel. Then, walk along the shallow Eye stream past rows of limestone cottages to the Old Mill. You could either catch a train to one of the bigger towns or cities like Oxford or Cheltenham and do day trips by bus into the Cotswolds. Rail strikes on March 16, 18 and 30, and April 1, 2023: click here for more information, Guided day tours of the Cotswolds from Stratford-upon-Avon and Moreton-in-Marsh, An easy day trip by train from London, Oxford or Birmingham, Safe, comfortable tours with friendly, experienced, qualified guides. Beautiful home of the English speaking world's oldest university, dating back over 900 years. I am impressed with the straightforward help and support One of the closest cotswold villages to Bristol is Castle Coombe. Fact File: Population: 139,000 | Counties: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire Size: 2,038 km Explore all our tours Why you'll love the Cotswolds Wonderful Villages These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. info@gocotswolds.co.uk I have always used a car for travel Up to 50% OFF. Instantly book a ready-made private Cotswolds in a Day tour for you and your family and friends (up to 16 people). Ideal for first-time visitors to the Cotswolds or if you only have one day to spare. There are many other attractions in Cirencester : Read more. Moreton-in-Marsh Go Cotswolds has featured in national and international press, and is recommended in guide books including Rick Steves Great Britain, and Japans PLAT series. There are three main train routes which run through the Cotswolds one in the north, one in the centre and one in the south, calling at: There are also railway stations in larger towns and cities just outside the Cotswolds which are on different train lines: Stratford-upon-Avon, Chippenham, Bradford on Avon and Banbury. If so, could you recommend what would be the best way to do it? This blog has been sooo useful- especially the train/bus map. The Cotswolds are the quintessential English countryside; known for beautiful landscapes, sheep farming traditions and charming villages with honey-coloured stone cottages. You then travel to Bibury, a picturesque place with a traditional village green and a tinkling stream. Tel: 0117 450 9940. Like other Cotswold Villages the sheer beauty of Castle Coombe has attracted film makers. From Cheltenham the 801 bus takes 40 minutes to reach Bourton. Find something that suits your pocket or adventure type, and check in weekly for fresh new deals. Stow-on-the-Wold is another of the Cotswolds most beloved and enchanting villages. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Logistics: 930am pick up from the Visitor Information Centre on Broad Street. Dine in one of the prettiest villages in England. * This site contains affiliate links, where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you. Eg: CASTLE COMBE, often described as the prettiest village in England, is used as the backdrop for movies, including 'Dr Dolittle', and Spielberg's 'War Horse. Where is it better to sleep the night? Tetbury is a Cotswold town of great architectural interest and is well placed as a base for touring the Cotswolds.

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